Tanker set ablaze after being struck by projectile in the Strait of Hormuz as Iran mourns Khamenei
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A tanker traveling off the coast of Oman in the Strait of Hormuz has caught on fire after being struck by a projectile. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said Tuesday that the tanker had been hit near Limah, Oman, in the strait. It said the projectile hit the port side of the vessel while trying to traveling south out of the strait toward the Gulf of Oman. It said there was no environmental impact from the strike and that authorities were investigating. Iranian state television said the liquefied natural gas tanker came under attack after ignoring warnings but did not directly claim the assault.
Integrity of World Cup is questioned as Trump, FIFA defend actions surrounding Balogun suspension
GENEVA (AP) — With the integrity of FIFA and the World Cup under attack from European soccer leaders, FIFA President Gianni Infantino acknowledged taking a call from President Donald Trump before U.S. forward Folarin Balogun was cleared to play against Belgium later Monday. Balogun was issued a red card in the U.S. match vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina last week, resulting in a suspension for the Belgium contest. Trump called Infantino after the game with Bosnia to plead his case to overturn the call, and FIFA lifted the suspension on Sunday. That prompted a day of off-field furor at the World Cup.
Belgium beats US 4-1 to reach World Cup quarterfinals, taking advantage of defensive lapses
SEATTLE (AP) — The United States’ hopes for a deep World Cup run at home ended when Charles De Ketelaere scored twice and assisted on another goal, helping Belgium expose the Americans’ defensive liabilities in a 4-1 win Monday night that earned a quarterfinal berth. While the U.S. was boosted by the presence of star forward Folarin Balogun, whose one-game red-card suspension was controversially lifted by FIFA, American defenders were at fault in a pair of first-half goals and a gaffe by goalkeeper Matt Freese gave the Red Devils a third early in the second half. Romelu Lukaku added Belgium’s final goal in stoppage time.
As quake rescue effort winds down, Venezuelans are left alone to recover their dead
LA GUAIRA, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuelans are digging through earthquake rubble with their bare hands to recover loved ones as international rescue teams depart and anger rises over the government’s response. On Monday, nearly two weeks after the twin earthquakes devastated northern Venezuela, families in the hardest-hit state of La Guaira said they remained without heavy machinery or official assistance to search for their relatives' remains, while authorities shifted their focus toward reconstruction and sheltering the displaced. The death toll has risen to 3,535. Thousands more bodies may still be buried in Venezuela's ruins.
Russia's missile and drone attacks on Ukraine kill at least 22
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia has launched a massive missile and drone attack on Ukraine, killing at least 22 people. The assault highlights gaps in Ukraine's air defenses, particularly the need for more U.S.-made Patriot interceptor missiles. Fifteen people were killed Monday in Kyiv, Russia's main target, while six others were killed in the wider region surrounding the capital. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to address this issue at a NATO summit this week in Ankara, Turkey. The attack follows a deadly strike Thursday on Kyiv. Ukraine's air force reports that all 29 ballistic missiles hit their targets, underscoring the urgent need for more defense support.
Former officer describes finding a 'sniper pad' on nearby rooftop after Charlie Kirk assassination
PROVO, Utah (AP) — A former campus police officer says he found an apparent “sniper pad” on a gravel rooftop near where Charlie Kirk was assassinated. Monday's courtroom testimony by the former officer comes as prosecutors seek to show they have enough evidence to put defendant Tyler Robinson on trial for murder. A five-day preliminary hearing that began Monday marks the most significant presentation of evidence in the case so far. It's also the first time that Kirk’s parents and widow are in the courtroom. The 23-year-old defendant is charged with aggravated murder in the Sept. 10 assassination of Kirk at Utah Valley University. He has not yet entered a plea.
NATO chief demands allies present credible plans to reach defense spending targets
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has demanded that member states present clear plans to meet defense spending targets at their annual summit. His remarks on Monday came ahead of a two-day summit starting Tuesday in Turkey, with the U.S. scaling down its security role in Europe. The 32 nations agreed last year to invest 5% of GDP on defense. Some countries still struggle with the old 2% GDP target. Rutte said European allies and Canada are expected to invest $258 billion more in defense in 2025 and this year. The spending increases require increasing taxes or reshuffling resources from other priorities.
It's decision day in Prince Harry's final privacy suit against British tabloids
LONDON (AP) — Prince Harry's longtime battle with the British tabloids is reaching its climax. A London judge will rule Tuesday in his privacy invasion lawsuit against the publisher of the Daily Mail. The case is one of three that accused the news media of unlawfully snooping on Harry's life. Harry, Elton John, Elizabeth Hurley and others are seeking damages, claiming phone hacking and using deception to get personal information. The newspapers denied the allegations, citing legitimate sources. The verdict coincides with Harry's visit to the U.K. amid speculation about whether he'll bring his children to visit their grandfather and repair a family rift.
Rebounding AI stocks send the S&P 500 within 1% of its record
NEW YORK (AP) — A rebound for AI stocks lifted the U.S. market. The S&P 500 rose 0.7% Monday and pulled within 1% of its record, even though the majority of stocks within the index fell. The strength for AI sent the Nasdaq composite up 1.1%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.3% to a record. Broadcom was one of the strongest forces lifting the market after falling more than 2% on both Wednesday and Thursday. Treasury yields and oil prices eased a bit. Stock indexes dipped modestly across much of Europe and Asia outside of a strong gain for Hong Kong.
Clashes in Sri Lankan prison leave at least 25 dead, mostly inmates
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Clashes inside a prison near Sri Lanka’s capital have killed at least 25 people, mostly inmates, and injured over 100. Officials report the unrest began among inmates on Sunday in Negombo, north of Colombo. When guards intervened on Monday, inmates attacked them. Some inmates attempted to escape but were stopped. A hospital official said seven prison officials and 18 inmates died. After the authorities restored order on Monday evening, the justice minister said the inmates who led the violence were transferred to other prisons. Sri Lankan prisons are highly congested, holding over 39,000 inmates in a system meant for 10,000.
