Europe rallies around Cyprus during Iran war as Macron visits to show support for island

PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron is traveling to Cyprus on Monday, days after dispatching a warship to the east Mediterranean island nation, where a Shahed drone struck a British air base on its southern coast last week duringthe Iran war.

France Defense

Macron ordered the French frigate Languedoc to waters off Cyprus to bolster the European Union member country's anti-drone and anti-missiles defenses. The French president also decided to send ground-based anti-drone and anti-missile defenses to the island, which sustained the first drone attack on European territory.

France's Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier is also expected to arrive in the Eastern Mediterranean in the coming days.

Macron will meet with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and Greek Prime Kyriakos Mitsotakis at Cyprus' main air base on its southwestern edge where four Greek air force F-16s have been deployed.

"Together with our European partners, the aim will be to strengthen security around Cyprus and in the Eastern Mediterranean," a statement from Macron's office said.

Macron has been deeply involved in diplomatic talks in recent days to try to avoid further escalation in the Middle East. On Sunday, he had talks with Iranian President Massoud Pezechkian and urged him to stop strikes.

Cyprus government spokesman Constantinos Letymbiotis on Sunday said that the three leaders would assess regional developments and the close coordination on preemptive measures that have been taken. Letymbiotis repeated Cyprus' gratitude for the leaders' quick response to the island's call for assistance.

Last week, Macron ordered France's nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to move from the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean to help protect allied assets, citing the drone strike on Cyprus. He said that Cyprus was an EU member with which France has recently signed a strategic partnership.

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Greece's state-of-the-art Kimon and Psara frigates are already patrolling off Cyprus' southern coast. Warships from Italy, the Netherlands and Spain are expected in the coming days, while U.K. destroyer Dragon will arrive next week.

Despite the military buildup, the three leaders have urged against any expansion of the conflict. Christodoulides repeatedly has underscored that Cyprus won't take part in any military operation.

The Shahed drone caused minor damage to a hangar at the RAF Akrotiri air base minutes after midnight on March 2. No one was injured. Another two drones were intercepted by British Typhoon and F-35 warplanes that were scrambled from the air base shortly after midday that day.

Cyprus officials confirmed last week that the Shahed drone originated from Lebanon and speculation is that it was launched by the Hezbollah militant group, Iran's proxy in the country. Hezbollah's arsenal notably includes exploding drones, similar to the ones used by Iran.

Lebanon's foreign minister, Youssef Rajji, on Sunday condemned the drone attack.

"I called on our Cypriot friends not to confuse the Lebanese state with those acting outside its authority and legal framework," said Rajji, a staunch opponent of Hezbollah.

The Lebanese government has ordered its security agencies to crack down on non-state groups carrying out attacks.

Menelaos Hadjicostis reported from Nicosia, Cyprus. Kareem Chehayeb contributed to this report from Beirut.

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March 08, 2026

Europe rallies around Cyprus during Iran war as Macron visits to show support for island

PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron is traveling to Cyprus on Monday, days after dispatching a warship to the e...

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Bag containing weed and cash accidentally donated to a New Zealand charity shop

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Two teenagers mistakenly left a knapsack containing marijuana and cash at a donation area outside aNew Zealandcharity shop then returned in a panic to retrieve the bag, police said Monday.

A volunteer at the store noticed a pungent aroma before opening the knapsack and finding plastic bags of marijuana amounting to 43.2 grams (1.5 ounces) and 3,700 New Zealand dollars ($2,200) in banknotes, New Zealand Police said in a statement.

Using marijuana recreationally and selling the drug are illegal in New Zealand. Some medical use is allowed with a doctor's prescription.

Police said the episode happened Feb. 18 in the Southland region of the South Island. A spokesperson wouldn't give more details of the shop's location to protect staff.

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The boy and girl had left the knapsack outside the shop as they waited for their vehicle to be serviced at a nearby workshop, the police statement said. Officers were called after the agitated teens returned to the store.

Police found an air pistol — which those under 18 can't possess without a license and adult supervision — a police scanner and more cash in the teens' car. It's not illegal to have a police scanner in New Zealand, but distributing or acting on information heard is a crime.

Police didn't divulge details about any charges the arrested teens faced or if they had appeared in a court.

New Zealand has strict rules about what can be reported from cases before the Youth Court, where cases of alleged offenders younger than 17 are usually heard.

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March 08, 2026

Bag containing weed and cash accidentally donated to a New Zealand charity shop

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Two teenagers mistakenly left a knapsack containing marijuana and cash at a donation area ...

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The Latest: Oil prices soar after Iran names new supreme leader and launches more attacks

Iran launched more attacks on Israel and Gulf countries Monday, hours after Iranian state TV saidMojtaba Khamenei, son of the country's late supreme leader and long considered a contender,had been named his successor.

APTOPIX Iran US Israel

Iran's powerful paramilitary Revolutionary Guard answers to the supreme leader and the younger Khamenei will have a central say in the war strategy.

Oil prices skyrocketed Monday, leading to more worries that higher energy costs will fuel inflation and lead to less spending by U.S. consumers, the main engine of the economy. Tokyo's benchmark Nikkei 225 index plunged as much as 7% in early Monday trading, whileother Asian markets also tumbled.

Saudi Arabia sharpened its warnings to Iran, telling Tehran Monday it would be the "biggest loser" if it continues to attack Arab states. The Saudi statement came after a new drone attack apparently targeted its massive Shaybah oil field.

Here is the latest:

Israeli military claims strikes on Isfahan

The Israeli military claimed strikes Monday on targets in Iran's city of Isfahan targeting security forces there.

The Israelis described hitting command centers for Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard and its all-volunteer Basij force there.

The military also said it hit a rocket engine production facility and missile launch sites.

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Iran did not immediately acknowledge the strikes. Iran has not provided any details on its materiel losses since the war started Feb. 28.

China envoy urges end to fighting

A Chinese envoy to the Middle East has called on all sides to stop their military actions and said attacks on non-military targets and civilians should be condemned.

Special Envoy Zhai Jun, meeting in Saudi Arabia with Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, said Sunday that the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of all Gulf countries must not be violated, a Chinese Foreign Ministry statement said.

China is a major importer of oil and natural gas from the region.

Zhai also met Jassim Mohammed al-Budaiwi, the secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council, the Foreign Ministry said.

South Korea's president urges officials to diversify oil trade routes

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Monday warned that a steep rise in fuel prices could rattle the country's economy and called on officials to accelerate efforts to diversify fuel routes away from the Strait of Hormuz.

Lee spoke at a Cabinet meeting after the country's stock market opened with an 8% plunge, as concerns grew about how the spiraling war in the Middle East could affect an economy heavily dependent on trade and imported fuel.

Lee called on officials to aggressively use a 100 trillion won ($67 billion) market stabilization fund activated last week to reduce volatility in stock markets and strengthen monitoring of disruptive market activities, such as fuel price collusion or hoarding.

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Seoul was also negotiating with Gulf states to find alternative trade routes to reduce reliance on the Strait of Hormuz, including the possible use of alternative ports in the UAE.

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March 08, 2026

The Latest: Oil prices soar after Iran names new supreme leader and launches more attacks

Iran launched more attacks on Israel and Gulf countries Monday, hours after Iranian state TV saidMojtaba Khamenei, son of...

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Scoot Henderson scores 28 points as the Trail Blazers beat the reeling Pacers 131-111

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Scoot Henderson scored a season-high 28 points on 10-of-15 shooting and the Portland Trail Blazers beat the skidding Indiana Pacers 131-111 on Sunday night.

Pacers Trail Blazers Basketball

Jerami Grant and Jrue Holiday added 21 points apiece for the Blazers, who handed Indiana its ninth straight defeat. Henderson also had six assists with no turnovers.

Deni Avdija, who leads Portland in scoring (24.4 points per game) and assists (6.6), returned from a six-game absence caused by a lower back injury. He finished with 18 points and eight assists.

Indiana has dropped its past six games by an average of 20 points. This marks the team's third losing streak of at least eight games this season.

Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 22 points and Jay Huff had 16 points and five blocks. Andrew Nembhard added 14 points and nine assists, and Jarace Walker also scored 14.

Huff has an NBA-leading 39 games this season with at least two blocks, two more than San Antonio center Victor Wenbanyama, who had four in a145-120win over Houston earlier Sunday and leads the NBA in blocks.

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Robert Williams III had his streak of 18 consecutive games with at least one block snapped. It had been the longest active streak in the league.

Henderson scored or assisted on 15 points in a 25-7 run over the final 5 1/2 minutes of the second quarter to help the Blazers take a 69-52 lead into halftime. The Pacers were 2-of-11 shooting with three turnovers during that stretch.

Henderson had 19 points and five assists while going 7 for 9 from the field, including 2 of 4 from 3-point range, before the break. Grant added 14 points, Holiday had 11 and Avdija scored 10.

Up next

Pacers: Wrap up a four-game trip Tuesday at Sacramento.

Trail Blazers: Host the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday night.

AP NBA:https://apnews.com/NBA

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March 08, 2026

Scoot Henderson scores 28 points as the Trail Blazers beat the reeling Pacers 131-111

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Scoot Henderson scored a season-high 28 points on 10-of-15 shooting and the Portland Trail Blazers ...

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Boston College fires coach Earl Grant after 5 seasons

Boston College has fired Earl Grant after five seasons, the school announced Sunday.

Grant, 49, posted a 72-92 record during his time with the Eagles, including 11-20 this season with a 4-14 mark in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

"We are grateful to Earl for his dedication to our student-athletes and to the Boston College community over the past five seasons," Boston College AD Blake James said in a statement. "Earl is a man of high character who represented our institution with class. However, we have greater expectations for our basketball program and I believe a change in leadership is necessary to change the trajectory of our program. We wish Earl and his family nothing but the best going forward."

Boston College notched a 77-69 victory over Notre Dame on Saturday to move into position to potentially seize the 15th and final seed in the ACC tournament. However, Pitt wrested it away by toppling Syracuse later in the day.

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"Our goal remains to compete at the highest level of college basketball and provide a world-class experience for our student-athletes," James continued. "We will begin a national search immediately for a new head coach who shares our vision of excellence, both on the court and in the classroom."

Grant was 127-89 during his seven seasons at the College of Charleston. He guided the Cougars to the NCAA Tournament in 2018. He is 199-181 in 12 overall seasons.

Sunday's news comes one week after Boston College parted ways with women's basketball head coach Joanna Bernabei-McNamee.

--Field Level Media

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March 08, 2026

Boston College fires coach Earl Grant after 5 seasons

Boston College has fired Earl Grant after five seasons, the school announced Sunday. Grant, 49, post...

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Luka Doncic scores 35, Lakers hold off cold-shooting Knicks 110-97 in LeBron's absence

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Luka Doncic had 35 points and eight rebounds, Austin Reaves added 25 points and the Los Angeles Lakers overcame LeBron James' injury absence to grind out a 110-97 victory over the New York Knicks on Sunday.

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Rui Hachimura scored 13 points for the Lakers, who never trailed the surging Knicks in their fourth consecutive victory even while Jamesmissed his second straight gamewith a bruised left elbow and a left foot injury.

The Lakers slumped in the fourth quarter, managing just one basket in a 6 1/2-minute span down the stretch while New York cut its 23-point deficit to 10. But the Knicks couldn't hit enough shots to capitalize and committed eight turnovers in the fourth.

Luke Kennard made a 3-pointer with 1:37 left before Doncic iced it on his fifth 3-pointer with 1:05 left.

Karl-Anthony Towns had 25 points and 16 rebounds for the Knicks, who lost for just the second time in six games.

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Jalen Brunson scored 10 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter, but New York couldn't overcome 8-of-34 shooting on 3-point attempts in the second stop on its five-game trip, which began withan impressive win at Denver. Mikal Bridges went scoreless in 27 minutes.

The Lakers took a 19-point lead into the fourth quarter after a 20-8 run. Doncic, who hit an absurd fallaway 3-pointer during the surge, had 28 points afterscoring 44 in three quarterswhile beating Indiana two nights earlier.

Up next

Knicks: At the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday.

Lakers: Host Minnesota on Tuesday.

AP NBA:https://apnews.com/NBA

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March 08, 2026

Luka Doncic scores 35, Lakers hold off cold-shooting Knicks 110-97 in LeBron's absence

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Luka Doncic had 35 points and eight rebounds, Austin Reaves added 25 points and the Los Angeles Lakers...

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Crude oil prices surpass $100 a barrel as the Iran war impedes production and shipping

CHICAGO (AP) — Oil prices eclipsed $114 per barrel for the first time since 2022 on Monday as theIran warintensified, threatening production and shipping in the Middle East.

APTOPIX Iran US Israel

The price for a barrel of Brent crude, the international standard, surged past $114 after trading resumed on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. That was up 23% from its Friday closing price of $92.69.

West Texas Intermediate, the light, sweet crude oil produced in the United States, also was selling for about $114 a barrel. That's 25% higher than its close Friday at $90.90.

The war's toll on civilian targets grew early Monday as Bahrain accused Iran of striking adesalination plantvital to drinking water supplies, and oil depots in Tehran smoldered following overnight Israeli strikes.

The increases followed the U.S. crude price jumping by 36% and Brent crude rising by 28% last week.Oil prices have surgedas the war, now in its second week, ensnared countries and places that are critical to the production and movement of oil and gas from the Persian Gulf.

Roughly 15 million barrels of crude oil — about 20% of the world's oil — typically are shipped every day through theStrait of Hormuz, according to independent research firm Rystad Energy. The threat of Iranian missile and drone attacks has all but stopped tankers from traveling through the strait, which is bordered in the north by Iran, carry oil and gas from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Iran.

Iraq, Kuwait and the UAE have cut their oil production as storage tanks fill due to the reduced ability to export crude. Iran, Israel and the United States also have attacked oil and gas facilities since the war started, exacerbating supply concerns.

The last time Brent and U.S. crude futures traded near the current level was in 2022, after Russia invaded Ukraine.

The global surge in oil prices since Israel and the U.S. attacked Iran on March 1 has rattled financial markets, sparking worries that higher energy costs will fuel inflation and lead to less spending by U.S. consumers, the main engine of the economy.

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Tokyo's benchmark Nikkei 225 index plunged more than 7% early Monday, while other markets also foundered.

In the U.S., a gallon of regular gasoline rose to $3.45 on Sunday, about 47 cents more than a week earlier, according to AAA motor club. Diesel was selling for about $4.60 a gallon, a weekly increase of about 83 cents.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright, speaking on CNN's "State of the Union," said U.S. gas prices would be back under $3 a gallon "before too long."

"Look, you never know exactly the time frame of this, but, in the worst case, this is a weeks, this is not a months thing," Wright added.

If oil prices stay above $100 per barrel, some analysts and investors say it could be too much for the global economy to withstand.

Iranian authorities said strikes by Israel on oil depotsin Tehranand a petroleum transfer terminal early Sunday killed four people. Israel's military said the depots were being used by Iran's military for fuel to launch missiles. Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, the speaker of Iran's parliament, warned that the war's impact on the oil industry would spiral.

Iran exports roughly 1.6 million barrels of oil a day, mostly to China, which may need to look elsewhere for supply if Iran's exports are disrupted, another factor that could increase energy prices.

The price of natural gas also has climbed during the war, though not by as much as oil. It was selling for about $3.33 per 1,000 cubic feet late Sunday. That's 4.6% higher than its Friday closing price of $3.19, after rising about 11% last week.

U.S. stock index futures, a bellwether for the market, fell late Sunday, pointing to Wall Street's main indexes opening down on Monday. The future for the S&P 500 was down 2.2%, while the Dow's fell 2.3%. The future for the Nasdaq composite was down 2.6%.

On Friday, the S&P 500 dropped 1.3% and the Dow plunged as many as 945 points before finishing with a loss of roughly 450. The Nasdaq composite sank 1.6%.

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March 08, 2026

Crude oil prices surpass $100 a barrel as the Iran war impedes production and shipping

CHICAGO (AP) — Oil prices eclipsed $114 per barrel for the first time since 2022 on Monday as theIran warintensified, thr...

Read More