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US women's hockey team gold medalists Megan Keller and Hilary Knight skated by some ongoing drama related to the US men's hockey team when they appeared on the latest episode of "Saturday Night Live."

The episode, hosted by "Heated Rivalry" star Connor Storrie, took place days after theUS men's hockey team won goldat the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic Games, going on to draw ire for partying with FBI director Kash Patel and subsequently facing backlash for laughing during a call with President Trump after hejokedhe would be "impeached" for not inviting the US women's hockey team,who also won gold, to the White House.

The women's team later declined Trump's invitation to attend the State of the Union, citing scheduling conflicts, while the men's team did show up.

Storrie welcomed brothers Jack and Quinn Hughes on the stage first during hisopening monologueon Saturday, with the pair donning their gold medals and some missing teeth.

"We've been so busy playing, we haven't had time to see your show yet," Jack Hughes said, before his brother chimed in to joke, "It's about hockey, right?"

Keller and Knight, also donning their gold medals, then walked out on stage after Storrie said he hoped "somehockey players" watched "Rivalry," winking at the fact that much of the show'saudiencehas been women drawn to the gay romance aspect.

"Don't worry," said Keller. "We saw your show."

Keller and Knight went on to poke fun at the Hughes about how the women were originally supposed to appear on "SNL" alone, but "we thought we'd invite the guys too," and reminded the audience that the women's hockey team won gold just "two whole Olympics ago," after the men mentioned their team last won gold over 40 years ago.

The appearance by the athletes all appeared to be in good fun, with no mention of the controversy surrounding the men's team's reaction to Trump's remarks.

"My show speaks to people who are not always represented in hockey," Storrie said at the end of his monologue. "So this is really great to have actual hockey legends here tonight."

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Reaching a 'goal'

Storrie's debut appearance on "SNL" was akin to a decisive slap shot on the ice, a milestone he celebrated alongside his "Rivalry" costar Hudson Williams, who made a surprise appearance during a sketch that took place… at the Rockefeller Center ice rink.

The episode featured moments where Storrie exercised his considerate foreign accent skills, which fans of "Rivalry" — theromantic hockey-set seriesthat has turned Storrie and Williams into the hottest male screen sirens of the moment — already knew quite well. The actor, who portrays surly Russian hockey captain Ilya Rozanov in the show, is in no way, shape or form Russian, and learned to speak the language rather flawlessly in justthree weeks before filming.(This tweetsums up just how much of a quick study he is.)

"Selfishly, I just love Russian language. I love any opportunity to do an accent, learn a new skill, and this had all of it," he toldOutin November of the role.

Amere nine months ago, Storrie was working as a server at aCulver City, Los Angeles restaurant, and almost got fired the day he found out he landed one of the leads in "Heated Rivalry."

It's a part of Storrie's story that he touched on during his opening monologue on Saturday, saying that since he was plucked from that restaurant to star on "Rivalry," his life has "totally changed."

"I've only technically been a professional actor for like, six months now, but on the other hand, I've been preparing for this my entire life," he said. "On one hand, I'm totally surprised and humbled that this is happening to me, and on the other hand, this was my destiny," he added dramatically.

Aside from blowing the lid off of what was previously thought of as permissible with what can be shown onscreen when it comes to gay sex, "Rivalry" has changed the cultural conversation in relation to portrayals of masculinity, consent and the potential for the romance genre in the streaming age.

Before "Heated Rivalry," which (of course) has been renewed for a second season, Storrie was probably best known for a small but pivotal role in 2024's "Joker: Folie a Deux."

Along with Williams and their "Heated" costar François Arnaud, he has been just about everywhere recently, from theGrammystoannouncing the Actor Award nominationstoParis Fashion Weektohobnobbing with acclaimed Hollywood directors. And no one is tired yet.

Mumford & Sons served as the musical guest during Storrie's episode of "Saturday Night Live," with a special appearance by Hozier.

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By Mohammad Yunus Yawar

KABUL, March 1 (Reuters) - Afghanistan said it was firing at Pakistani jets in Kabul after blasts and gunfire rocked the capital on Sunday, compounding instability in a ‌region rattled by U.S.–Israeli strikes on Iran and retaliatory attacks on U.S. targets in Gulf states.

The ‌Taliban-ruled state has suffered Pakistani strikes against government installations over the past week following accusations, which it denies, that it harbours militants.

The ​heaviest fighting in years between the neighbours has raised fears of a protracted conflict along their 2,600-km (1,615-mile) border, with several countries including Qatar and Saudi Arabia calling for restraint and offering to help mediate a ceasefire.

Explosions echoed across parts of Kabul before sunrise, followed by bursts of gunfire, a Reuters witness said. It was not clear what ‌had been targeted or whether there ⁠were casualties.

Taliban administration spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the sounds were the result of Afghan forces targeting Pakistani aircraft over the capital.

"Air defence attacks were carried out in Kabul ⁠against Pakistani aircraft. Kabul residents should not be concerned," Mujahid said.

Pakistan's prime minister's office, information ministry and military did not respond to requests for comment.

The violence follows air strikes inside Afghanistan this week that Pakistan said targeted militant infrastructure. ​Afghanistan described ​the strikes as a violation of sovereignty and announced ​retaliatory operations along their shared border.

Iran, which shares ‌borders with both Afghanistan and Pakistan, had offered to help facilitate dialogue before itself coming under attack on Saturday from Israel and the U.S. bent on diminishing Iran's military capability.

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ACCUSATION AND ESCALATION

Pakistan has said Afghanistan harbours Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants, which it said are waging an insurgency inside Pakistan.

Afghanistan has denied the accusation, saying it does not allow Afghan territory to be used against other countries and that Pakistan's security challenges are an ‌internal matter.

Pakistani security sources have said operation "Ghazab Lil Haq", meaning "Wrath ​for the Truth", was ongoing and that Pakistani forces had destroyed ​Afghan posts and camps.

Both sides have reported heavy ​losses, issuing differing casualty figures for each other.

Reuters could not independently verify the claims.

Diplomatic ‌efforts have intensified, with Saudi Arabia, Russia, China, ​the European Union and ​United Nations urging restraint and calling for talks.

The U.S. said it supports Pakistan's right to defend itself.

Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif described the fighting as "open war".

Afghanistan Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani said the ​conflict would be "very costly". He said ‌only front-line forces were engaged in fighting that the country has yet to fully deploy its ​military.

(Reporting by Mohammad Yunus Yawar in Kabul and Rajveer Singh Pardesi in Bengaluru; Writing by ​Ariba Shahid; Editing by Christopher Cushing and Saad Sayeed)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The death of Supreme Leader AyatollahAli Khameneiafter almost 37 years in power raises paramount questions about Iran's future.

The contours of a complex succession process began to take shape the morning after Khamenei's killing in an airstrike campaign by the United States and Israel.

Here is what to know:

Temporary leadership council

As outlined in its constitution, Iran on Sunday formed a council to assume leadership duties and govern the country.

The council is made up of Iran's sitting president, the head of the country's judiciary and a member of the Guardian Council chosen by Iran's Expediency Council, which advises the supreme leader and settles disputes with parliament.

Iran's reformist president, Masoud Pezeshkian, and hard-line judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, are its members who will step in and "temporarily assume all the duties of leadership."

Panel of clerics

Though the leadership council will govern in the interim, an 88-member panel called theAssembly of Experts"must, as soon as possible" pick a new supreme leader under Iranian law.

The panel consists entirely of Shiite clerics who are popularly elected every eight years and whose candidacies are approved by the Guardian Council, Iran's constitutional watchdog.

That body is known for disqualifying candidates in various elections in Iran and the Assembly of Experts is no different. The Guardian Councilbarred former Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, a relative moderate whose administration struck the2015 nuclear deal with world powers, from election for the Assembly of Experts in March 2024.

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Khamenei's son

Clerical deliberations about succession and machinations over it take place far from the public eye, making it hard to gauge who may be a top contender.

Previously, it was thought that Khamenei's protege, hard-line PresidentEbrahim Raisi, may try to take the mantle. However, he was killed in aMay 2024 helicopter crash.

That has left one of Khamenei's sons, Mojtaba, a 56-year-old Shiite cleric, as a potential candidate, though he has never held government office.

But a father-to-son transfer in the case of a supreme leader could spark anger, not only among Iranians already critical of clerical rule, but also among supporters of the system. Some may see it as un-Islamic and in line with creating a new, religious dynasty after the 1979 collapse of the U.S.-backedShah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi's government.

Rare transition

There has been only one other transfer of power in the office of supreme leader of Iran, the paramount decision-maker since the country's1979 Islamic Revolution.

In 1989, Grand AyatollahRuhollah Khomeinidied at age 86 after being the figurehead of the revolution and leading Iran through itseight-year war with Iraq. This transition now comes after Israel launched a 12-day war against Iran in June 2025 as well.

Vast powers

The supreme leader is at the heart of Iran's complex power-sharing Shiite theocracy and has final say over all matters of state.

He also serves as the commander-in-chief of the country's military and the powerful Revolutionary Guard, a paramilitary force that the United Statesdesignated a terrorist organization in 2019, and which Khamenei empowered during his rule.

The Guard, which has led the self-described "Axis of Resistance," a series of militant groups and allies across the Middle East meant to counter the U.S. and Israel, also has extensive wealth and holdings in Iran.

President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Saturday, with daytime strikes in the joint U.S.-Israel attack targeting military and government sites, officials said.

On Sunday, Iranian state television confirmed that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was among those killed by airstrikes in Tehran on Saturday.

Iran is responding to the U.S.-Israeli operation with missile and drone attacks targeting Israel, regional U.S. bases and several Gulf nations. On Sunday, Israel said it was again bombing targets in Tehran.

Latest Developments

Mar 1, 10:03 AM3 US service members killed, 5 wounded, CENTCOM says

Three U.S. service members were killed and five were "seriously wounded" as part of the attacks on Iran, according to U.S. Central Command."As of 9:30 am ET, March 1, three U.S. service members have been killed in action and five are seriously wounded as part of Operation Epic Fury," CENTCOM announced Sunday morning in apost on X."Several others sustained minor shrapnel injuries and concussions — and are in the process of being returned to duty," the post continued. "Major combat operations continue and our response effort is ongoing."Identifies of the service members killed are being withheld "until 24 hours after next of kin have been notified," CENTCOM said, adding that "the situation is fluid."

Mar 1, 8:54 AMIran forms interim leadership council, state TV reports

The interim leadership council of Iran has been formed following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iranian state TV reported Sunday.According to the Islamic Republic's constitution, the interim leadership council is comprised of the president, the head of the judiciary and one of the members of the six "faghihs" – Islamic jurists who are scholars of Islamic law – of the Guardian Council.

According to the spokesperson for Iran's Guardian Council, since the faghih member of the Guardian Council to join the interim leadership council has been chosen, the leadership council is already formed."The constitution provides for the current situation and the Leadership Council will be in charge until the leadership is determined," the Guardian Council spokesman said on state TV.According to the law, the leadership must be determined as soon as possible, given the war conditions, according to a post on Iranian state TV's Telegram account.-ABC News' Somayeh Malekian

Mar 1, 8:35 AMIsrael reports 8 dead, 28 injured in 'missile barrage'

Israeli Emergency Services said on Sunday that eight people were killed and 28 were injured in a "missile barrage" in the Beit Shemesh region in central Israel.A spokesperson for the emergency service, also known as MDA, announced that paramedics were treating casualties after a missile barrage fired at Israel on Saturday and overnight.The injured were taken to hospitals in Jerusalem and Shamir, including two people in serious condition, two in moderate condition and 24 in mild condition, according to the MDA.-ABC News' Dorit Long and Victoria Beaule

Mar 1, 8:06 AM3 killed in Iranian attacks on UAE, Defense Ministry says

The United Arab Emirates' Defense Ministry said in a statement on Sunday that three people had been killed and 58 people injured in Iranian attacks since Saturday.

The ministry said that since the start of the conflict, Iran had launched 165 ballistic missiles, two cruise missiles and 541 drones toward the country. Of those, 152 ballistic missiles, both cruise missiles and 506 drones were intercepted. Thirteen ballistic missiles also fell into the sea, the ministry said.Thirty-five drones "fell within the country's territory" causing "material damage" and casualties, the ministry said. Those killed were from Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh, the statement said.

Mar 1, 8:06 AMLarijani says attacks on regional nations are targeting US bases

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Ali Larijani, the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, said in a post to X on Sunday that Tehran is launching attacks on regional nations to target U.S. military installations there.

"To the countries of the region: We are not seeking to attack you," Larijani wrote. "But when the bases located in your country are used against us, and when the United States carries out operations in the region relying on these forces, then we will target those bases.""These bases are not part of the land of those countries; rather, they are American soil," he added.Since the U.S. and Israel began their strikes on Iran on Saturday, Iranian forces have launched missile and drone attacks at Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman.

Mar 1, 7:25 AMUS Embassy in Bahrain advises citizens to avoid hotels after attack

The U.S. Embassy in Bahrainadvised U.S. citizensin the country "that hotels might be a target for future attacks" and encouraged them to avoid hotels in the capital Manama, following a reported strike on the city's Crowne Plaza Hotel.

The Bahrain Interior Ministry said on Sunday that the hotel was targeted resulting in material damaged but no loss of life.The U.S. Embassy said it was "tracking confirmed reports the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Manama was struck on March 1, 2026, resulting in injuries."Bahrain has reported being attacked with multiple waves of Iranian missiles and drones since Saturday.-ABC News' Victoria Beaule

Mar 1, 6:50 AMRegional nations condemn ongoing Iranian strikes

Several neighbouring countries -- including Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait -- condemned a strike on the port of Duqm in Oman on Sunday.The attack was the first apparent strike on Oman since the start of the conflict on Saturday.Qatar called the reported attack "an unacceptable escalation and a cowardly targeting of a country playing an active role in mediation efforts."Qatar itself reported attacks on Sunday "involving drones and cruise missiles launched by Iran." The country's Interior Ministry reported a fire in an industrial area caused by falling debris.Elsewhere, the Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense said it "confronted a number of hostile aerial targets" on Sunday morning.The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain also reported fresh Iranian attacks on Sunday.-ABC News Victoria Beaule

Mar 1, 6:12 AMChina 'strongly condemns' Khamenei killing, Foreign Ministry says

A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Sunday described the U.S.-Israeli killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei as "a grave violation of Iran's sovereignty and security."

"It tramples on the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter and basic norms in international relations," the spokesperson said. "China firmly opposes and strongly condemns it.""We urge for an immediate stop to the military operations, no further escalation of the tense situation and joint effort to maintain peace and stability in the Middle East and the world at large," the spokesperson added.-ABC News' Karson Yiu

Mar 1, 6:03 AMUS Embassy in Jordan issues shelter-in-place order

The U.S. Embassy in Amman, Jordan, issued a shelter-in-place order for all mission personnel, telling them to avoid the Embassy compound "as it may be targeted.""All Americans should exercise increased vigilance and avoid the U.S Embassy facility," the Embassy said ina postto X.Protests have erupted at several U.S. diplomatic facilities in the Middle East and South Asia following the launch of the U.S.-Israeli operation against Iran on Saturday.-ABC News' Kevin Shalvey

Mar 1, 5:58 AMAyatollah Alireza Arafi appointed to interim leadership council

Iran's Guardian Council announced on Sunday that it had selected Ayatollah Alireza Arafi to join the three-person temporary leadership council formed to lead Iran following the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Arafi will join President Mahmoud Pezeshkian and the head of the Iranian judiciary on the council.-ABC News' Somayeh Malekian and Victoria Beaule

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ANN ARBOR, Michigan (AP) — No. 3 Michigan sophomore guard L.J. Cason will miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL in his right knee, the team announced Saturday.

Cason came up limping a day earlier inan 84-70 win at Illinoisin which the Wolverines (27-2, 17-1) clinched the Big Ten regular-season title.

He appeared to be initially hurt when falling to the court after chasing down a defensive rebound late in the first half. Cason returned to play for two-plus minutes in the second half before leaving the game with about 13 minutes left, and finished with nine points.

"First and foremost, our hearts hurt for L.J.," coach Dusty May said in a statement.

"You never want to see a young man who has poured so much into this program have something like this happen," he added. "However, if there's anyone equipped to handle this and the rehab process, it's LJ."

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Cason is a primary backup, who was sixth on the team in averaging 8.4 points per outing, while going 33 of 82 in 3-point attempts in 28 games this season.

"This isn't how I wanted my season to end, but I trust God's plan, and I'll attack rehab the same way I approach everything -- with focus and determination," Cason said. "We've got many goals as a team, and I'll be locked in supporting my brothers every step of the way."

Michigan plays at Iowa on Thursday before closing its season hosting Michigan State on March 8. The team has earned a bye through the opening rounds of the Big Ten tournament, which it will open in the quarterfinals on March 13.

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Josh Norris scored twice, Rasmus Dahlin had a goal and two assists and the Buffalo Sabres beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 6-2 on Saturday night for their third straight victory.

Sabres Lightning Hockey

Zach Metsa had a goal and an assist, Alex Tuch and Tage Thompson also scored and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 36 saves to help Buffalo move within four points of the Atlantic Division-leading Lightning.

The Sabres improved to 16-2-1 in their past 19 on the road, ending Tampa Bay's 10-game home winning streak.

Dominic James and Victor Hedman scored for Tampa Bay. The Lightning have lost consecutive games for the first time since Dec. 15-18.

Andrei Vasilevksiy, who was 17-0-1 in his previous starts, was pulled after allowing five goals on 14 shots in his first regulation loss since Dec. 18. Jonas Johansson came on in relief and stopped 20 shots.

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Buffalo scored twice in a span of 50 seconds in the first period, both off the rush with Dahlin picking up his 12th of the season at 5:25 and Norris his first of the night at 6:15. Norris scored again on a deflection at 8:18, and Thompson made it 4-0 with 4:54 left in the first period.

Metsa scored 1:54 into the second period to end the night for Vasilevksiy, which marked the first time he has been pulled Oct. 21, 2024, at Toronto.

Up next

Sabres: Host Vegas on Tuesday night.

Lightning: At Minnesota on Tuesday night.

AP NHL:https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

South Carolina coachDawn Staley said on social mediaSaturday that the school is working to try and help a few former players return home from Israel where they are playing professionally.

Missouri South Carolina Basketball

The trio of former Gamecocks — Tiffany Mitchell, Destiny Littleton and Mikiah Herbert Harrigan — as well as other former WNBA players are playing basketball in Israel, which along with the United States,launched a major attackon Iran on Saturday.

"Please pray for our @GamecockWBB @TiffMitch25 @2121Mikiah @dstnylttltn24 who are in a war zone in Israel," Staley said on X. "We are working a plan to get home. Let us pray for our loved ones to return home safely asap! Thank you in advance."

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Mitchell played last season in Seattle, while Harrigan was on the Phoenix Mercury. Other players in the Israeli league with WNBA ties include Victoria Vivians, Christyn Williams, Shyanne Sellers, Arella Guirantes and Evina Westbrook.

"It's 12:48 am and I'm going to attempt to get some sleep,"Littleton tweeted. "Prayers for safety for everyone impacted."

AP WNBA:https://apnews.com/hub/wnba