Ukraine’s Zelenskyy gets more air defense missiles from Spain

MADRID (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has secured from Spain a pledge of additional air defense missiles to help fight the about 3,000 bombs that he says Russia launches every month at Ukraine. He said Monday in Madrid that Ukraine still urgently needs another seven U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems to stop Russia hitting the power grid and civilian areas, as well as military targets, with devastating glide bombs that wreak wide destruction. Glide bombs are heavy Soviet-era bombs fitted with precision guidance systems and launched from aircraft flying out of range of air defenses.

UN watchdog: Iran further increases its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels

VIENNA (AP) — A report by the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog says that Iran has further increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels. The confidential report was seen by The Associated Press on Monday. It says Iran now has 142.1 kilograms, or about 313.2 pounds of uranium enriched up to 60% — an increase since the IAEA’s previous report in February and just a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%. The report also says that Tehran has not reconsidered reversing its September 2023 decision to bar IAEA’s nuclear inspectors from monitoring its nuclear program and adds that it is essential for Iran “to do so.”

North Korean rocket carrying its 2nd spy satellite explodes in mid-air

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea says its attempt to put another spy satellite into orbit has failed. North Korea’s state media say a rocket carrying the spy satellite exploded midair on Monday evening. Monday’s failed launch came hours after leaders of South Korea, China and Japan met in Seoul in their first trilateral meeting in more than four years. It’s highly unusual for North Korea to take provocative action when China, its major ally and economic pipeline, is engaging in high-level diplomacy in the region. The launch drew rebukes from the North’s neighbors because the U.N. bans North Korea from conducting any such launches, viewing them as covers for testing long-range missile technology.

Number of heat-related howler monkeys deaths in Mexico has risen to 157

MEXICO CITY (AP) — The number of heat-related howler monkeys deaths in Mexico has risen to 157, with a tragically small number of the primates treated or recovering. Last week, environmentalists reported that 138 of the midsize primates were found dead in the Gulf coast state of Tabasco. The Environment Department reported that number had risen, and that research was continuing into the causes of the deaths. A wildlife biologist said it appeared to be heat stroke. The department said deaths were occurring in both Tabasco and the neighboring state of Chiapas, and that 13 monkeys were under treatment and seven had been treated and released.