CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — Russia’s national anthem rang out at the Paralympics for the first time in more than a decade after Para alpine skier Varvara Voronchikhina won gold on Monday.

Related Articles

A guide to the six sports at the Milan Cortina Winter Paralympics

Winter Paralympics: Milan Cortina Games to open amid war in Middle East, boycott over Russian flag

Iran won’t compete at Milan Cortina Paralympics as its only athlete can’t travel safely to Italy

Paralympians try to focus on Milan Cortina Games amid tensions over Iran war, return of Russian flag

PWHL: Olympians returned with long term injuries, including Frost’s Kendall Coyne Schofield

Russian athletes are back competing under their own flag in the Winter Paralympics at Milan Cortina, after years of having to do so as neutral athletes because of the country’s doping violations and military conflicts.

The 23-year-old Voronchikhina, who claimed bronze in the downhill two days earlier, finished first in the women’s super-G standing competition.

With the Russian flag flying high during the podium ceremony shortly after the event, the anthem was played and Voronchikhina sang along, smiling. She raised her right hand to apparently wipe away tears only a few seconds in.

When it was over, she raised both her arms to celebrate as the crowd applauded.

There was also applause when her name was announced as the gold medalist during the ceremony.

It is the first time Russia’s anthem has been played at a major global sporting event since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the first time to be heard at the Paralympics since the 2014 Games in Sochi.

“It’s really special for me, I can see my flag (on the top of the podium),” Voronchikhina said. “Maybe now I can’t believe it, and I don’t understand what happened. Maybe I’ll see my gold medal and (believe)… it’s so special for me.

“It’s amazing. I have a big support of my family and friends and all the people in Russia.”

The Russian national anthem for a gold medal win has not been heard at any Olympics or Paralympics since the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Games.

Russian athletes were initially banned because of a state-sponsored doping program, and the sanctions had continued after the invasion.

Russia arrived at Milan Cortina with six athletes. The International Paralympic Committee gave wildcard entries to Russian athletes, a decision that upset Ukraine and a few other nations that boycotted the opening ceremony on Friday.

AP Winter Paralympics: https://apnews.com/hub/paralympic-games

By DAVID BAUDER, AP Media Writer

Fox News apologized for airing old video of a hatless President Donald Trump during coverage Sunday of his attendance at the dignified transfer ceremony for U.S. soldiers killed in the Middle East war, insisting it was an honest mistake.

Related Articles

Wall Street follows global markets lower as Iran war briefly pushes crude prices near $120 a barrel

Energy prices soar to levels not seen in years as Iran names new supreme leader and digs in

Today in History: March 9, Barbie doll makes its debut

U.S. and Israel launch punishing attacks as Iran says new leader is close

Pentagon announces seventh U.S. death in war with Iran

In a polarized time, some online critics suggested without evidence that it wasn’t an error — that the network was trying to make Trump look better by not showing him wearing a baseball cap during what is considered one of the most solemn duties of a commander in chief. The return of the bodies of six soldiers took place Saturday at Dover Air Force Base.

But Fox News said archival footage of Trump at an earlier ceremony was inadvertently pulled up by a staff member and used on two Sunday morning telecasts. A spokeswoman noted the correct footage was used at other times, including on Saturday.

“We regret the error and apologize for the incorrect footage,” Fox said in a statement.

Fox News anchor Griff Jenkins issued an on-the-air correction Sunday, saying “we extend our respect and condolences” to the families of the service members killed.

The apology didn’t sit well with some critics. “If any other network did this it would be a huge scandal, Fox would lead the chorus of criticisms and faux-outrage, and people would lose their jobs,” said Mehdi Hasan, founder of the online site Zeteo.

Johnny “Joey” Jones, a veteran and co-host of “The Big Weekend Show” on Fox News Channel, said on social media that he was “embarrassed and ashamed” that this happened.

“My belief was that this was an honest mistake, but that doesn’t make it an acceptable one,” Jones wrote. “Few things are more sacred than our heroes who give their lives in the line of duty.”

Jones said that “if posting snarky comments and insults is your way of reacting to this, please direct them at me. I’m the one with sharp words on these issues. If you are using this as a way to take a partisan jab at my hard working colleagues, check your watch.”

David Bauder writes about the intersection of media and entertainment for the AP. Follow him at http://x.com/dbauder and https://bsky.app/profile/dbauder.bsky.social.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military said it killed six men Sunday in a strike on an alleged drug-smuggling vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean as part of the Trump administration’s campaign against alleged traffickers.

Related Articles

Armed or unarmed? US and Iran spar over status of Iranian warship sunk by a submarine

Investigation further suggests it was the US that struck an Iranian school, killing 165

Iran names Khamenei’s son to succeed him, signaling no letup in war as oil prices surge

U.S. and Israel launch punishing attacks as Iran says new leader is close

Pentagon announces seventh U.S. death in war with Iran

Sunday’s attack brought the death toll to at least 157 people since the Trump administration began targeting those it calls “narcoterrorists” in small vessels in early September.

As with most of the military’s statements on the more than 40 known strikes in the Eastern Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, U.S. Southern Command said it targeted alleged drug traffickers along known smuggling routes. The military did not provide evidence that the vessel was ferrying drugs. It posted a video on X that showed a small boat being blown up as it floated on the water.

President Donald Trump has said the U.S. is in “armed conflict” with cartels in Latin America and has justified the attacks as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the United States. But his administration has offered little evidence to support its claims of killing “narcoterrorists.”

In a meeting with Latin American leaders on Saturday, Trump encouraged them to join the U.S. in taking military action against drug-trafficking cartels and transnational gangs, which he said pose an “unacceptable threat” to the region’s national security.

To that end, Ecuador and the United States conducted military operations this past week against organized crime groups in the South American country.

With Saturday’s gathering, Trump aimed to demonstrate that he remains committed to focusing U.S. foreign policy on the Western Hemisphere, even while waging a war on Iran that has had repercussions across the Middle East.

Critics have questioned the overall legality of the boat strikes as well as their effectiveness, in part because the fentanyl behind many fatal overdoses is typically trafficked to the U.S. over land from Mexico, where it is produced with chemicals imported from China and India.

The boat strikes also drew intense criticism following the revelation that the military killed survivors of the very first boat attack with a follow-up strike. The Trump administration and many Republican lawmakers said it was legal and necessary, while Democratic lawmakers and legal experts said the killings were murder, if not a war crime.

By ELAINE KURTENBACH and MATT OTT, AP Business Writers

Wall Street futures followed global markets lower early Monday and oil prices briefly spiked to nearly $120 per barrel as the Iran war intensified, threatening production and shipping in the Middle East.

Futures for the S&P 500, Nasdaq and Dow Jones Industrial Average all fell more than 1% before the opening bell after retreating more than 2% late Sunday.

Related Articles

Forest Lake’s first cannabis shop owner? The mayor.

Energy prices soar to levels not seen in years as Iran names new supreme leader and digs in

Business People: Erica Larson named president at Pope Design Group

Bailey Nurseries selling 184 acres for mixed-use development

Working Strategies: Researching your post-60 career path

Global markets also took a beating, with Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index plunging more than 5% and markets across Europe losing between 2% and 3%.

Shares of major U.S. airlines continued their descent as spiking fuel prices are projected to eat into their profits. Delta, American and United all fell more than 3% in premarket trading, adding to what was already double-digit losses since the U.S. and Israel launched their attack on Iran more than a week ago.

“The market woke up to the sound every macro trader dreads. The oil alarm bell. And this time it was not a polite chime. It was a fire siren,” Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management said in a commentary.

Surging oil and gas prices, if they persist, could ripple across the globe, further complicating matters for countries still adjusting to higher tariffs on exports to the United States under President Donald Trump.

As of 7:45 a.m. EDT, the price for a barrel of Brent crude was $104.94 a barrel. U.S. benchmark crude was trading at $103.27. Both were more than 13% above their closing prices Friday.

Senior officials of Southeast Asian countries were meeting this week in Manila, the Philippines, where they were expected to discuss ways to counter the shock from higher energy costs.

“Oil prices will reach a peak at some point –- maybe they already have, maybe there’s more to come -– but they are likely to fluctuate at elevated levels for weeks, perhaps months,” Ipek Ozkardeskaya of Swissquote said in a commentary. “Eventually -– even if the war persists –- energy prices will likely come down. But during this period, high energy prices will revive inflation globally and weigh notably on growth.”

The last time oil rose above $100 a barrel was shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

The Iran war, now in its second week, has ensnared countries and places that are critical to the production and movement of oil and gas from the Persian Gulf.

A Chinese special envoy to the Middle East, Zhai Jun, called for an end to the attacks and said strikes on non-military targets and civilians should be condemned. Meanwhile, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung warned against hoarding, panic buying and collusion between refiners and gas stations.

“Please respond proactively to the growing volatility in the financial and foreign exchange markets, which are the lifeblood of our economy,” Lee said. He said the government would cap fuel prices.

Both sides in the war struck new targets over the weekend, including civilian ones. Bahrain accused Iran of hitting one of the desalination plants that are crucial for drinking water in Gulf countries. Its national oil company declared force majeure after the country’s sole oil refinery was attacked. Israel struck oil depots in Tehran, sending up thick smoke and causing environmental alerts.

At midday in Europe, Germany’s DAX dropped 2.6%, the CAC 40 in Paris lost 2.7% and Britain’s FTSE 100 was down 1.9%. The only market to show gains was in oil exporter Norway, where its benchmark edged 0.1% higher.

During Asian trading, Japan’s Nikkei 225 plunged more than 7% early in the day but regained some of those losses to close 5.2% lower at 52,728.72. South Korea’s Kospi sank 6% to 5,251.87.

Chinese markets, which tend to be less affected by global trends, saw more moderate losses. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 1.4% to 25,408.46 and the Shanghai Composite index lost 0.7% to 4,096.60.

Taiwan’s benchmark dived 4.4% and India’s Sensex lost 2.3%. Other regional markets also swooned.

Early Monday, the U.S. dollar, which retains its status as a safe haven for investors bracing against uncertainty, gained against other major currencies. It was trading at 158.45 Japanese yen, up from 158.09 yen late Friday. The euro rose to $1.1563, up from $1.1556.

Associated Press writer Kim Tong-hyung contributed from Seoul, South Korea.