Tehran targets Bahrain and Kuwait after US strikes and limits Iran's oil sales over ship attacks
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The U.S. military has attacked Iran after it said Tehran struck three ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The assault Wednesday came as part of an American effort that also revoked the Islamic Republic’s ability to openly sell crude oil in the world market. Iran apparently retaliated with strikes targeting Bahrain and Kuwait. That raises the risks that an interim agreement to halt fighting in the war could break down, putting the Middle East again at risk of a wider conflict. The attacks on shipping and the resulting strikes on Iran came during the dayslong funeral for Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
NATO unveils billions in arms deals to prove its firepower as Trump again demands Greenland
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — President Donald Trump insists the United States should control Greenland instead of Denmark, renewing tensions in Europe at a NATO summit. Trump spoke during a meeting with the summit host, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara. Trump also announced the U.S. will lift sanctions on Turkey that were imposed after Ankara bought a Russian missile defense system. This decision could ease Turkey's re-entry into the U.S. F-35 fighter jet program. NATO is showcasing military projects worth billions, aiming to satisfy Trump. Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged NATO to allow Ukraine to join the alliance.
Democrats' narrow path to Senate majority gets rockier as Platner faces sexual assault allegation
A new accusation that Graham Platner once sexually assaulted a woman he was dating has rocked the U.S. Senate race in Maine and cast fresh doubt on Democrats’ path to a Senate majority. Republicans currently have a 53-47 advantage in the Senate, and Maine has been viewed as a necessary win for Democrats to gain the minimum net of four new Senate seats. But now there’s a question of whether Platner will even remain on the ballot and, if he does, whether he can defeat five-term Republican Sen. Susan Collins.
Succession fight is already underway as calls mount for Platner to drop out of Maine Senate race
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Democratic nominee Graham Platner hasn’t resigned from the Maine U.S. Senate race following an allegation of sexual assault. But the battle to take his place is already underway. The allegation reported Monday prompted a chorus of calls for Platner to depart the high-stakes race against Republican Sen. Susan Collins, which could decide party control of the Senate. Platner’s long-time backer, Sen. Bernie Sanders, “recommended that he step aside.” Then, Tuesday evening, The Washington Post reported that an ex-girlfriend of Platner’s had accused him of removing condoms during sex without her consent. Platner, who has denied all the allegations, has been mum on whether he’ll step aside.
Manhattan high-rise to be stabilized after columns buckle, forcing evacuations
NEW YORK (AP) — Workers have begun stabilizing a Manhattan high-rise after buckled columns and sagging floors at the site forced evacuations in and around the midtown construction site. Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s office said late Tuesday that a team had gone floor-by-floor and observed no additional movement of the damaged columns. The office said on-site contractors were given the greenlight to move forward with emergency repairs. The building is a former Pfizer headquarters and is being converted to luxury apartments. Nearby buildings, including a school, were evacuated earlier Tuesday. Builders say the 37-story tower is part of the city’s largest office-to-residential conversion project, with over 1,600 planned units.
Le Pen says she'll run for French presidency next year despite court-ordered monitor
PARIS (AP) — Far-right leader Marine Le Pen says she’ll run for the French presidency next year despite being sentenced to wear a court-ordered electronic monitor for embezzlement. The decision by the 57-year-old veteran of three presidential races sets up a fourth campaign like no other. She potentially could be seeking votes while subject to electronic monitoring and a judge’s determination of how, and for how long, the punishment is applied. Le Pen said she will appeal Tuesday's ruling to France’s highest court.
Investigator says video shows defendant going onto roof to kill Charlie Kirk
PROVO, Utah (AP) — An investigator says the man charged with killing Charlie Kirk strolled Utah Valley University in shorts and a T-shirt and bought a meal at Chick-fil-A on the morning of the conservative activist's assassination. The investigator testified Tuesday that defendant Tyler Robinson later returned to the campus in different clothes to shoot Kirk from a rooftop. Prosecutors are seeking to convince a Utah judge to put Robinson on trial on a charge of aggravated murder. They intend to seek the death penalty. Robinson has not yet entered a plea. His attorneys have sought unsuccessfully to get the death penalty taken off the table.
Reform UK’s Farage says he’ll quit as lawmaker and seek reelection amid donation allegations
LONDON (AP) — Reform UK leader Nigel Farage says he’ll quit his Parliament seat and seek reelection in an attempt to clear his name over financial allegations. Farage said in a broadcast statement Tuesday that he has “done nothing wrong" and has not "broken the law in any way." He did not take questions. Farage faces a probe by Parliament’s standards watchdog over a $6.7 million gift from a Thailand-based cryptocurrency billionaire. Opposition lawmakers seek another investigation over separate donations. Farage is a prominent ally of U.S. President Donald Trump and had been considered a favorite to be prime minister after the next national election.
Judge rejects Justice Department attempt to get names of 2020 election workers in Fulton County
ATLANTA (AP) — A federal judge has ruled that the U.S. Department of Justice cannot have access to personal information for every person who worked during the 2020 election in Georgia’s Fulton County. The Justice Department in April served a grand jury subpoena seeking the names and personal contact information of county employees and volunteer poll workers. The county argued the subpoena was overly broad and meant to target and harass President Donald Trump’s opponents. In his ruling Tuesday, U.S. District Judge William Ray called the subpoena “unreasonable.”
Lionel Messi leads Argentina to 3-2 comeback victory over Egypt and spot in World Cup quarterfinals
ATLANTA (AP) — Lionel Messi did it yet again at this year’s World Cup. The Argentina great scored once while inspiring his team to an improbable 3-2 victory over Egypt despite trailing by two goals with only 11 minutes to play. The defending champions will next face either Switzerland or Colombia in quarterfinals on Saturday in Kansas City, Missouri. Messi, who was in tears after the final whistle, scored his eighth goal of this year’s tournament in the 83rd minute to level the score at 2-2. It was his record-extending 21st at the World Cup. Enzo Fernandez scored the winning goal in stoppage time.
