Vance says talks with Iranian officials set 'good foundation' for a deal to end the war
OBBUERGEN, Switzerland (AP) — Vice President JD Vance says his lengthy talks with senior Iranian officials in Switzerland created a good foundation for a final deal to end the Iran war. Vance made the comment Monday after initial talks with Iran’s parliamentary speaker. Vance and U.S. officials claimed progress on multiple fronts, including the establishment of measures to ensure the Strait of Hormuz stays open and that a ceasefire holds in the fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in southern Lebanon. Iran noted “major progress” to end the fighting in Lebanon and called that the first real test of the negotiations.
Starmer says he'll resign as UK prime minister, roiling British politics yet again
LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced his resignation, forced out by his party after losing voter support. He will remain as caretaker until Labour chooses a new leader. Former Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham confirmed on social media that he will put himself forward to succeed Starmer. Burnham's recent victory in a special parliamentary election prompted Starmer's decision. He has struggled with economic promises and faced criticism for appointing scandal-linked figures. Despite domestic challenges, Starmer gained international praise for supporting Ukraine. U.S. President Donald Trump criticized his handling of immigration and energy policy. Starmer's resignation comes as Britain marks the 10th anniversary of its Brexit vote.
Senate passes a bipartisan housing bill aimed at increasing supply and lowering prices
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has passed a bipartisan housing bill that aims to bring down home prices and increase supply. The 85-5 vote on the bill Monday represents one of the most sweeping efforts in recent decades to reduce federal regulations for housing and expand local control. The legislation bans corporate investors from buying single-family homes but doesn’t include a provision that would have required investors to sell newly constructed homes within seven years. The House is expected to give the bill final approval later this week and send it to President Donald Trump, who has signaled his support.
Judge blocks use of federal database to check citizenship, saying it could wrongly purge voters
WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge has ruled that a revamped federal tool that state election officials have used in their efforts to identify illegally registered noncitizen voters is unlawful and cannot be used. U.S. District Court Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan on Monday sided with advocacy groups that argued the recent upgrades to the program, called Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements, or SAVE, aggregated Americans’ sensitive personal data in a way that could result in voters being wrongly purged from voter rolls. The tool has been around for decades and was recently upgraded. But some election officials have raised concerns about its accuracy and security.
Federal judge halts Trump administration effort to subpoena Walz in immigration enforcement probe
A federal judge has blocked an attempt by the Trump administration to subpoena Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and other state officials, calling it an effort to “harass and retaliate against them.” U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz found in a ruling unsealed Monday that the “dominant purpose” of the subpoenas was to “coerce Minnesota officials into assisting the federal government with enforcing civil immigration law and to harass and retaliate against them for failing to do so.” The subpoenas were served in January as part of an investigation into whether Walz and other officials obstructed or impeded law enforcement during a sweeping immigration operation in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. Walz calls the ruling “a victory for the rule of law and our democracy.”
Clive Davis, music industry starmaker, has died at 94
NEW YORK (AP) — Clive Davis, who rose from a job as a record company lawyer to become one of the music industry’s most powerful figures, has died at the age of 94. Davis launched or resurrected the careers of countless superstars, including Janis Joplin, Whitney Houston, Carlos Santana and Alicia Keys. Unlike other record moguls whose influence waned as they got older, his might only seemed to grow over the decades in a career that spanned multiple genres and labels. Davis also signed up Billy Joel, Blood Sweat & Tears, Patti Smith, the Grateful Dead and “American Idol” winners Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson.
Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan dies at 100
WASHINGTON (AP) — Former U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Alan Greenspan has died at the age of 100. He died on Monday from complications of Parkinson’s Disease. That's according to his wife of 29 years, NBC News correspondent Andrea Mitchell. In his 18½ years at the helm of the Fed, Greenspan presided over a sustained era of American growth and prosperity, yet one that ended with devastating consequences in 2008, two years after he had left the central bank. Greenspan was so respected during his many years as head of the world’s most influential central bank that by the time he stepped down in 2006, he was widely celebrated as the “Oracle’’ and “Maestro.’’
Supreme Court reinstates murder conviction in case of Etan Patz, missing New York City boy
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has reinstated a murder conviction in the 1979 disappearance of 6-year-old Etan Patz. The justices, by a 6-3 vote Monday, granted an appeal from New York prosecutors who had urged them to undo a federal appeals court decision that overturned the verdict. The three liberal justices dissented. Prosecutors had been preparing to try the man, Pedro Hernandez, for a third time. His first trial ended in a mistrial. Etan vanished while walking to his downtown Manhattan school bus stop on May 25, 1979. He was among the first missing children to appear on milk cartons, and the anniversary of his disappearance became National Missing Children’s Day.
Trump-endorsed populist poised to become Colombia's next president as rival challenges vote
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Abelardo de la Espriella is poised to become Colombia’s next president. The businessman and lawyer leads the presidential runoff race by a narrow margin, with almost all votes counted. His victory could reverse outgoing President Gustavo Petro’s agenda, including peace talks with illegal armed groups. De la Espriella, a lawyer and business owner, earned U.S. President Donald Trump’s endorsement despite never having run for office. He has 49.7% of the votes, while progressive candidate Iván Cepeda has 48.7%. Cepeda plans to challenge the results, citing concerns about democracy and social gains. De la Espriella promises a tough stance on crime. The election highlights Colombia’s regional and ideological divisions.
Messi sets World Cup scoring record as defending champion Argentina advances to knockout stage
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Lionel Messi set a World Cup record with his 17th and 18th goals, and defending champion Argentina advanced to the knockout stage with a 2-0 victory over Austria. Messi had a golden opportunity to break the record in the ninth minute, but went wide to the right on a penalty kick. Almost 30 minutes later, Messi caught Alexander Schlager leaning the wrong way after Thiago Almada let Facuno Medina’s pass go by him directly onto Messi’s left foot. Messi scored again in injury time to move two ahead of Germany striker Miroslav Klose.
