Iran fires missiles at Israel and Gulf neighbors as Trump talks of winding down Mideast war
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran responded to U.S. President Donald Trump’s address to Americans on the war with new missile attacks targeting Israel and the Gulf Arab states. The attacks underline Tehran’s insistence that it rejected Washington’s outreach for a ceasefire while maintaining its grip on the Strait of Hormuz. Britain, meantime, plans to hold a call with nearly three dozen countries about how to reopen the strait. About 20% of all oil and natural gas traded passes through the strait in peacetime. Trump has urged other countries to secure the strait, and the U.S. is not involved in the talks.
Takeaways from Trump's address: No end date for Iran war and few details on strategy ahead
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump sought to explain his rationale for the war against Iran in a primetime address Wednesday. It was his first address on the war and it came at a pivotal moment at home and abroad as he amasses extraordinary executive authority to prosecute the military operation. Notably missing was his oft-repeated assertion that negotiations with Iran were underway. He softened his insults against NATO allies and did not indicate he was preparing to send in ground troops, particularly to retrieve Iran’s enriched uranium. But he gave no definitive end date for the conflict.
Artemis II astronauts bound for moon after rocketing away on NASA's first lunar voyage in decades
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Four astronauts have embarked on a high-stakes flight around the moon, humanity’s first lunar voyage in more than half a century. It’s the thrilling leadoff in NASA’s push toward a lunar landing in two years. The 32-story moon rocket blasted off from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center Wednesday evening, carrying three Americans and one Canadian. The Artemis II crew will spend a day in orbit around Earth checking their capsule before firing the main engine that will propel them to the moon. The nearly 10-day mission will see them fly around the moon and set a distance record, before coming straight back home.
Iraq’s oil hub slows to a crawl as Strait of Hormuz shutdown strangles exports
BASRA, Iraq (AP) — The war in Iran is dealing a heavy blow to Iraq’s economy. Iraq relies on oil revenues for roughly 90% of its budget. Most of its oil is exported through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively closed since the conflict started. The war also has led to a sharp reduction in the volume of imported goods reaching southern Iraq’s ports. Also, attacks have halted traffic at its border with Iran. Unlike other countries in the Middle East touched by the war, Iraq hosts both entrenched Iran-aligned forces and significant U.S. interests. That's left it exposed to attacks from both sides.
Oil rises 6% and Asian stocks fall after Trump says US will hit Iran hard and 'finish the job'
HONG KONG (AP) — Oil prices have risen more than 6% and Asian stocks are lower after U.S. President Donald Trump's first national address since the Iran war began. Trump says the U.S. will continue to hit Iran very hard and “finish the job” soon. He did not offer a clear path to end supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz that have sent energy prices soaring. Brent crude, the international standard, jumped almost 7% to $108 per barrel. Renewed optimism earlier for a possible end to the Iran war pushed world stocks higher. On Wednesday, the S&P 500 added 0.7%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.5% and the Nasdaq composite climbed 1.2%.
UK gathers more than 30 countries to plot ways of reopening the Strait of Hormuz
LONDON (AP) — Thirty-five countries are set to meet Thursday to discuss ways of reopening the Strait of Hormuz. This vital shipping route has been shut to most traffic by the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer says the virtual meeting will explore diplomatic and political measures to restore navigation and ensure the safety of ships and seafarers. Iranian attacks have halted traffic, affecting global oil flow and raising prices. While no country plans to forcefully open the strait, military planners are working on security strategies. The meeting aims to form a united front for safe passage through the waterway.
Republican plan to fund Homeland Security could get first test vote on Thursday
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is expected to try quickly passing a measure Thursday that would fund most of the Department of Homeland Security, though it’s unclear how swiftly the House will follow to largely end the longest partial government shutdown in history. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune announced a plan on Wednesday to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security as part of a two-step process. The agreement puts the leaders on the same page for ending the impasse after they pursued separate plans that resulted in Congress leaving Washington last week without a fix.
Earthquake off Indonesia topples buildings, kills 1 person and sets off small tsunami
MANADO, Indonesia (AP) — An undersea magnitude 7.4 earthquake toppled buildings in parts of northern Indonesia, sent people fleeing from their homes, killed at least one person and generated a small tsunami. Strong shaking was felt in parts of North Sulawesi and North Maluku provinces. A woman died in a building collapse and at least three injured people were hospitalized. Damage was still being assessed in places. Tsunami waves up to 30 inches above normal tides were recorded after the quake Thursday morning in the Molucca Sea. Indonesian authorities lifted the tsunami warning after the threat passed.
It’s International Fact-Checking Day. Refresh your AI identification skills
AI-generated content is everywhere these days, making it increasingly difficult to separate fact from fiction, particularly when it comes to breaking news. The Iran war is just one example — since its outset, fake footage has reached countless people around the world. Some strategies for identifying these images include looking for visual cues, determining their origin, seeking out multiple reputable sources, making use of technology such as invisible digital watermarks, and not immediately sharing content if its authenticity is unclear.
Danish warship sunk by Nelson's British fleet discovered after 225 years
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Marine archaeologists have found the wreck of a Danish warship that sank in the 1801 Battle of Copenhagen. Denmark’s Viking Ship Museum has said divers are racing to excavate it before construction starts nearby. The wreck lies 15 meters down in thick sediment with near zero visibility. Experts link it to the Danish flagship Dannebroge. The ship took heavy fire from British Adm. Horatio Nelson’s fleet and later exploded. Divers have recovered cannons and personal items like uniforms, shoes and bottles. They also found part of a sailor’s jaw. Researchers hope the wreck will reveal what sailors endured.
