• Kim Vows to 'Irreversibly' Cement Nuclear Status
  • G7 Meets to Discuss Iran War
  • Asia boosts coal use as Iran war squeezes global LNG supplies
  • Israel Warns Attacks on Iran Will Expand
  • Everything you need to know about 'BTS: The Return'
Iran starts to formalize its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz with a 'toll booth' regime

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) – Iran appears to be setting itself up as the gatekeeper for the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most important artery for oil shipments. The move could cement Tehran’s de facto chokehold over the crucial waterway and formalize its ability to keep its own oil flowing to China.

Officials say 14 were killed in fire at South Korean auto parts plant

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) – South Korean rescue workers on Saturday recovered the remains of 14 people from the charred wreckage of an auto parts factory in the central city of Daejeon, where an explosion and fire injured at least 59 others.

China opens investigations into US trade practices in response to Trump tariff moves

BEIJING (AP) – China launched two investigations into U.S. trade practices on Friday, signaling its resolve to push back against President Donald Trump’s tariffs ahead of his visit in May. The Commerce Ministry said the new probes are a response to two investigations announced by Trump earlier this month against multiple countries, including China.

China's BYD sees first profit drop since 2021

HONG KONG (AP) – Chinese automaker BYD said Friday its annual sales rose to a record $116 billion, outpacing Tesla’s, but its profit fell for the first time since 2021 under pressure from cutthroat competition. BYD, the largest electric vehicle maker, has been expanding into global markets including Latin America and Europe.

Yahoo turns to AI engine Scout to lead it back it its roots in online search

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – Internet trailblazer Yahoo is exploring technology’s next frontier with Scout, an answer engine powered by artificial intelligence. Scout seems insightful, based on its response to a question posed by The Associated Press about why one of Silicon Valley’s brightest stars faded away a decade ago.

Austria plans to ban social media use for under-14s

VIENNA (AP) – Austria’s governing coalition on Friday announced plans to ban social media use for children under 14, joining a string of other countries in drawing up restrictions for young people. Alexander Pröll, the official in Chancellor Christian Stocker’s office responsible for digitization, said that draft legislation will be drawn up by the end of June.

G7 meets on the Iran war as Rubio tries to sell US strategy to skeptical allies

VAUX-DE-CERNAY, France (AP) – Top diplomats from the Group of Seven countries showed divisions over the Iran war but agreed to call for an immediate halt to attacks against civilian populations and infrastructure after meeting Friday in France. Marco Rubio joined his G7 counterparts a day after President Donald Trump lobbed his latest round of insults at NATO countries.

Iran starts to formalize its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz with a 'toll booth' regime

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) – Iran appears to be setting itself up as the gatekeeper for the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most important artery for oil shipments. The move could cement Tehran’s de facto chokehold over the crucial waterway and formalize its ability to keep its own oil flowing to China.

Iranian attack on Saudi base wounds at least 10 US troops

WASHINGTON (AP) – An Iranian missile attack Friday wounded at least 10 U.S. service members and damaged several planes at a military base in Saudi Arabia, according to two U.S. officials familiar with the situation.

JERUSALEM (AP) – The Hamas militant group is weighing a new proposal for disarming its fighters in Gaza, a major concession that would clear the way for U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan for rebuilding the war-ravaged territory.