• Ukraine Provides Saudi Arabia With Drone Expertise
  • G7 Meets to Discuss Iran War
  • World Happiness Report highlights social media's negative impact
  • Israel Warns Attacks on Iran Will Expand
  • Poland withdraws from treaty banning antipersonnel mines
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.

Survey says democracies' anti-corruption efforts are slipping

BERLIN (AP) – Established democracies’ efforts against public-sector corruption appear to be flagging, according to a survey released Tuesday that serves as a barometer of perceived corruption worldwide. It raised concern about developments in the United States and the impact elsewhere of U.S. funding cuts.

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.

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.

AI's arrival complicates Big Tech climate goals

Six years ago, Google was confident that by 2030 it would power all operations with electricity generated from clean sources, including wind and solar power. Today it calls those goals a “moonshot.” Microsoft says it’s still aiming to remove more carbon than it creates by 2030 but now describes the effort as “a marathon, not a sprint.”

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.

House considers whether to approve funding for TSA and most of Homeland Security

The House is considering whether to approve funds to pay Transportation Security Administration agents and most other Homeland Security agencies after the Senate unanimously passed the measure early Friday morning. The deal does not include funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, but the package puts no new limits on immigration enforcement.

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.