The Sheskharis oil terminal in Novorossiisk, in southern Russia, is shown. Russia is earning more for its oil as a result of the Iran war. (Sergei Guneyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File)

Rising energy prices from the Iran war could help Russia pay for fighting in Ukraine

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Oil and gas prices are soaring after the Iran war choked off tanker supplies from the Middle East. And that’s going to put more money in Russia’s government coffers that it can use to pay for its own war against Ukraine. Prices for Russia’s oil have risen along with global crude prices. And the effective shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz also has taken Qatar, a key natural gas supplier, off the market. That will increase demand for Russia’s supplies. A lot depends on how long the Mideast conflict lasts. But if it goes on, Russia will see significant relief for its strained state finances and added help in paying for its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

North Korean leader Kim inspects new warship, claims progress toward nuclear-armed navy

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspected his new destroyer for two straight days ahead of its commissioning and observed a test of cruise missiles fired from the warship, vowing to accelerate the nuclear-armament of his navy, state media said Thursday. The North’s official Korean Central News Agency said Kim, during his visits to the western shipyard of Nampo on Tuesday and Wednesday, also inspected the construction of a third destroyer of the same class as his 5,000-ton warship, the Choe Hyon, first unveiled in April 2025.

Authorities say 200 dead in mine collapse; rebels dispute toll

GOMA, Congo (AP) — A mine collapse at Congo’s key Rubaya coltan site kills large numbers of miners, and officials and rebels sharply dispute the death toll. Congolese mining authorities say the collapse happened on Tuesday and left at least 200 dead. The M23 rebels, who control the mine, reject that figure. An M23 official blames bombings and says only five people died. A miner says he helps recover more than 200 bodies. Rubaya sits in a conflict zone where M23 taxes the coltan trade. Congo supplies a huge share of coltan used in phones and computers, as fighting and displacement continue.

Ecuador declares Cuba’s ambassador ‘persona non grata,’ orders to leave the country

QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — Ecuador has declared Cuba’s ambassador, Basilio Antonio Gutiérrez, and his diplomatic staff “persona non grata” on Wednesday and given them 48 hours to leave the South American country. The Ecuadorian government’s decision follows an executive order signed by Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa in which he canceled the duties of Ecuador’s ambassador to Cuba, also without explaining why. The measure comes amid mounting pressure by U.S. President Donald Trump on Cuba.

American Airlines gets approval to resume regular flights to Venezuela

American Airlines received approval Wednesday to become the first U.S. airline to resume flights to Venezuela. The airline announced its intent to restore service to Venezuela in January on the same day that President Donald Trump ordered the Transportation Department to open up commercial airspace over that country in the wake of the U.S. military raid that ousted then-President Nicolás Maduro. American Airlines was the last U.S. airline flying to Venezuela when in 2019 it suspended flights between Miami and the capital, Caracas, as well as the oil hub city of Maracaibo. The airline said the details of which flights it will schedule between the United States and Venezuela weren’t immediately available.

Kurdish dissident groups preparing to join the fight against Iran with US support

IRBIL, Iraq (AP) — Kurdish Iranian dissident groups based in northern Iraq are preparing for a potential cross-border military operation in Iran, and the U.S. has asked Iraqi Kurds to support them, Kurdish officials have told The Associated Press. Kurdish party leaders have also discussed the Iran crisis with President Donald Trump, according to Iraqi Kurdish officials. One official says Trump has asked them to open the border and back the groups militarily. Iraqi Kurdish leaders fear Iranian retaliation. Recent drone and missile strikes have already hit the region, damaging homes, and disrupting electricity. Iraq also reinforces the border and the Iraqi government has vowed to stop infiltrations.

US sinks Iranian warship as Iran warns of widespread destruction in the Middle East

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A U.S. submarine has sunk an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean. The sinking happened as Washington and Israel intensified their bombardment Wednesday of Iran’s security forces and other symbols of power. As the war expands yet again, Tehran has warned of the destruction of the Middle East’s military and economic infrastructure. The tempo of the strikes on Iran was so intense that state television announced the mourning ceremony for Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would be postponed. In addition to striking Tehran on the fifth day of the conflict, Israel hit the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon. Iran fired on Bahrain, Kuwait and Israel.