Russia and China veto resolution to re-open the Strait of Hormuz

UNITED NATIONS (AP) – Russia and China on Tuesday vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz that had been repeatedly watered down in hopes those two countries would abstain. The vote was  11-2, with two abstentions from Pakistan and Colombia.

JPMorgan CEO Dimon: Iran war could reignite inflation and keep rates higher

NEW YORK (AP) – JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon warned in his annual shareholder letter that a “resilient” U.S. economy could face renewed inflation pressures if the war in Iran disrupts global energy markets. Dimon described inflation as the potential “skunk at the party” this year.

Trump suggests Tuesday's deadline for Iran is final

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump has pushed back a deadline for Iran to cut a deal or open the Strait of Hormuz from Monday to Tuesday, the latest of several deadline delays, and threatened that without a deal “Hell will reign down on them.”

Taiwan opposition leader heads to China for 'journey for peace'

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) – Taiwan opposition leader Cheng Li-wun is heading to China on Tuesday at the invitation of President Xi Jinping, in what she call it a “journey for peace” as Beijing calls for the self-ruled island to come under its control.

Iran rejects ceasefire deal as Trump's deadline nears

Tehran rejected a 45-day ceasefire proposal and said it wants a permanent end to the war as U.S. President Donald Trump ‘s ultimatum to make a deal ticked closer with an expanded threat of strikes against the Islamic Republic to include all power plants and bridges.

Seoul says teen daughter of North Korean leader Kim as his heir

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) – South Korea’s spy agency says it’s now fair to view the teenage daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as his heir, its strongest assessment yet on the rising political status of the girl who it believes could extend her family’s rule into a fourth generation.

Trump's destruction of Iran's power plants could be war crime

WASHINGTON (AP) – In his news conference Monday, President Donald Trump threatened to blow up every bridge and power plant in Iran, action that would be so far-reaching that some experts in military law said it could constitute a war crime.

Bridge linking Saudi Arabia to Bahrain closed over Iranian threats

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) – The King Fahd Causeway, a key bridge linking Saudi Arabia to the island kingdom of Bahrain, closed early Tuesday over threats from Iranian attacks.

Former Australian soldier charged with committing 5 war crime

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) – A former Australian soldier was charged on Tuesday with war crimes on allegations that he killed five unarmed Afghans while serving in Afghanistan from 2009 and 2012, police said.