Iran urges youths to protect power plants and Saudi Arabia closes bridge as Trump's deadline nears
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Saudi Arabia has closed the only road linking it to Bahrain after Iran fired missiles at its oil-rich Eastern Province. Tehran’s latest strikes Tuesday came as Iranian officials urged youths to form human chains around power plants to protect them, as the latest deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump to reopen the Strait of Hormuz drew closer. Trump has threatened to bomb all of Iran’s power plants and bridges if Iran does not meet his deadline to allow shipping traffic to fully resume through the strategic waterway. Israel’s military warned Iranians in Farsi to avoid taking trains throughout the day, likely telegraphing intended strikes on the rail network.
Trump has repeatedly delayed deadlines for Iran, but suggests Tuesday's is final
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has extended a deadline for Iran to cut a deal or open the Strait of Hormuz from Monday to Tuesday. This is the latest in several deadline delays. Trump warns that without a deal, "Hell will reign down on them." He initially set a deadline for March 23 but postponed it several times, now suggesting Tuesday at 8 p.m. will be final. Iranian state media reported Monday that it rejected a ceasefire proposal. Trump has threatened to attack bridges, electrical plants and oil wells if a deal isn't struck.
Asian shares are mixed ahead of Trump's deadline for Iran to reopen oil route
TOKYO (AP) — Asian shares are trading mixed as oil prices continued to surge ahead of a deadline that U.S. President Donald Trump set for Iran to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz or risk its power plants and bridges being bombed. Tokyo's benchmark fell early Tuesday, while shares rose in Sydney and Shanghai, and those in South Korea were little changed. The U.S. stock market drifted higher. The S&P 500 rose 0.4%, the Dow added 0.4%, and the Nasdaq climbed 0.5%. Brent crude was above $111 a barrel. Oil prices have been seesawing amid uncertainty about what will happen in the war and how long it will slow the global flow of oil and natural gas.
Artemis II breaks Apollo 13’s distance record with daring moon flyby that included a solar eclipse
HOUSTON (AP) — The Artemis II astronauts have completed their record-breaking trip around the moon. Monday’s lunar journey comes after Artemis II surpassed Apollo 13’s distance record. During the flyby, the three Americans and one Canadian were treated to never-before-seen views of the moon’s far side by eye and also a solar eclipse. The crew temporarily lost contact with Mission Control as they swung behind the moon without stopping. They’re now on a path back toward Earth with a splashdown return set for Friday. More activities are planned before then including a phone call with the International Space Station.
Bangladesh conducts emergency measles vaccinations as outbreak kills more than 100 children
DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Bangladesh is conducting emergency measles-rubella vaccinations while trying to contain an ongoing outbreak that has killed more than 100 children. The government in partnership with the World Health Organization, the U.N. children’s agency and the Gavi vaccine alliance began working to vaccinate children age 6 months to 5 years old in high-risk districts Sunday and will expand nationwide in phases from next month. Official data show more than 900 cases of measles have been confirmed among 7,500 suspected cases reported since March 15. Bangladesh's health minister said failures by past governments led to vaccine shortages.
Former Australian soldier charged with committing 5 war crime murders in Afghanistan
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — A former Australian soldier has been charged with war crimes on allegations that he killed five unarmed Afghans while serving in Afghanistan from 2009 and 2012. Police have not confirmed the 47-year-old man’s name. He is expected to appear in a Sydney court later Tuesday. The soldier is only the second Australian veteran of the Afghanistan campaign to be charged with a war crime. Former Special Air Service Regiment soldier Oliver Schulz has pleaded not guilty to a charge of war crime murder. Schulz is accused of shooting Afghan man three times in the head in an Uruzgan province wheatfield in 2012.
Taylor Frankie Paul faces protective order hearing in Utah after 'Bachelorette' cancellation
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A Utah judge is expected to hear arguments on a protective order sought by a former partner against Taylor Frankie Paul, star of Hulu's “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.” Paul and Dakota Mortensen are expected to participate remotely Tuesday while their lawyers appear in person. Mortensen is the father of Paul’s 2-year-old son. He is asking the court to extend a protective order. About three weeks ago ABC opted not to air a new season of “The Bachelorette” with Paul at its center. Production has also been paused on her Hulu series. It often featured Paul and Mortensen's tumultuous relationship.
Democrats hope to increase liberal control of battleground Wisconsin's Supreme Court
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Democrats are hoping to increase liberal control of the state Supreme Court in battleground Wisconsin in an election that has focused largely on abortion rights as cases affecting congressional redistricting, union rights and other hot button issues also await. Tuesday’s election in the swing state stands in stark contrast to the previous two, where national spending records were set in battles over majority control. The race features Democratic-backed Chris Taylor and Republican-supported Maria Lazar. Both Taylor and Lazar are state appeals court judges. Liberals won control of the court in 2023, ending 15 years under a conservative majority. They held onto control in last year's vote.
Rapper Offset shot in Florida, spokesperson says he is stable
HOLLYWOOD, Florida (AP) — The rapper Offset has been shot and is in stable condition. A spokesperson for the Migos rapper has confirmed the shooting and says he is being treated at a hospital. His exact condition is unknown. The Seminole Police Department says a person sustained injuries that were not life-threatening Monday evening at a valet area outside of the Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood, Florida. The police department did not identify the victim. The statement says two people were detained by police and officials are investigating the incident.
Russian attacks kill 4 as Ukraine drones target oil infrastructure
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian officials say a Russian drone attack on Odesa has killed two women and a toddler. The attack heavily damaged an apartment block, with rescuers pulling four people from the rubble. Eleven people were hospitalized, including a pregnant woman and two children. Russia has targeted civilian areas in Ukraine since its invasion over four years ago, killing more than 15,000 people, says the United Nations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for partner countries to provide more air defenses. Meanwhile, Ukrainian long-range drones have targeted Russian oil facilities. Russia's Defense Ministry claims air defenses downed 50 Ukrainian drones overnight.
