1 crew member rescued after US fighter jet shot down in Iran, officials tell AP
WASHINGTON (AP) — Officials say a U.S. fighter jet has been shot down in Iran and one crew member was rescued. It's first aircraft downed since the war began nearly five weeks ago. It marked a major escalation in the conflict just two days after President Donald Trump said in a national address that the U.S. has “beaten and completely decimated Iran." Separately, a second U.S. Air Force combat aircraft went down in the Middle East on Friday, according to a U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive military situation. It was not clear if the aircraft crashed or was shot down or whether Iran was involved.
Trump budget seeks $1.5T in defense spending alongside cuts in domestic programs
WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is releasing details of President Donald Trump’s 2027 budget, including a $1.5 trillion defense spending request. That's the largest of its kind in decades. The Republican president had indicated even before the war against Iran that he wanted to increase defense spending to modernize the military. He's also calling for a 10% cut in non-defense discretionary spending. The president’s annual budget does not carry the force of law. Instead, it reflects an administration’s priorities and provides a road map to Congress, which handles spending issues. But Congress is free to reject it and often does.
Trump’s Iran war leaves Republicans adrift ahead of midterms
NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump won the presidency by promising to lower costs and end wars. A year and a half later, he is a wartime president contemplating whether to send U.S. ground troops into an expanding conflict in Iran. Gas prices are spiking and Trump is urging Americans to be patient. Everything adds up to a perilous situation for Republicans in the midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress. The president did little to sell the war to skeptical voters before it started, and he defended his leadership on Wednesday night in his first major presidential address on the conflict.
Bondi struggled to prosecute Trump foes. But will a new attorney general make a difference?
WASHINGTON (AP) — Pam Bondi is out of her job after failing to deliver criminal cases against President Donald Trump’s political enemies. But there’s no guarantee her successor will have any better success at placating the president. Over the last year, Bondi’s Justice Department has encountered resistance from judges, grand jurors and its own workforce in trying to establish criminal conduct by one Trump foe after another. A new attorney general will confront not only Trump’s demand for political prosecutions — a constant dating back to his first term in the White House — but also the same skeptical court system, and factual and legal hurdles, that have impeded efforts to deliver the sought-after results.
US employers added a surprisingly strong 178,000 jobs last month, rebounding from a weak February
WASHINGTON (AP) — American employers added a surprisingly strong 178,000 new jobs last month, rebounding from a dismal February. And the unemployment rate dipped to 4.3%. The Labor Department reported Friday that hiring marked a rebound from the loss of 133,000 jobs in February. The job gains were about three times what economists had forecast. The unemployment rate was down from 4.4% in February. But uncertainty surrounding the war with Iran — and its impact on energy prices — is clouding the outlook for the labor market.
Pope Leo XIV carries cross for full Good Friday procession, the first pontiff to do so in decades
ROME (AP) — Pope Leo XIV has carried a wooden cross at the Colosseum to mark his first Good Friday as pontiff. This is the first time in decades a pope has carried the cross to every station of the Way of the Cross. Speaking earlier, Leo emphasized the importance of spiritual leadership and carrying the world's suffering in prayer. Thousands gathered to follow the stations recited over loudspeakers. The meditation, prepared for Leo's first Good Friday, highlighted the responsibility of those in power.
What to know about Tiger Woods' rollover crash in Florida and the aftermath
Tigers Woods’ second arrest on charges of driving under the influence has put golf on hold for one of the game's most important figures. There will be no chance of a return to the Masters next week or Ryder Cup captaincy in 2027. Woods is seeking treatment outside the U.S. following his crash a week ago in Florida. Authorities say Woods showed signs of impairment. He pleaded not guilty earlier this week to driving under the influence. Body camera footage of his arrest released Thursday shows Woods telling a deputy he was talking to the president shortly after crash. It's not clear if Woods was referring to President Donald Trump.
Descendants of Choctaw code talkers gather in Fort Worth for historical marker unveiling
Nuchi Nashoba has worked for decades to honor the legacy of the Choctaw code talkers, a group of 19 Native American soldiers, including her great-grandfather, who used their language to transmit encrypted messages during World War I. On April 1, their contributions were recognized in Texas with a historical marker at Fort Worth's Veterans Memorial Park. The soldiers volunteered to fight for the U.S. before Native Americans were recognized as citizens. They were part of the 36th Infantry Division at Camp Bowie. Their work paved the way for the Navajo code talkers in World War II. Nashoba's efforts have helped spread awareness of their story, connecting past and future generations.
Artemis II's moonbound astronauts capture Earth's brilliant blue beauty as they leave it behind
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — The Artemis II astronauts have captured Earth's brilliant blue beauty as they zoom ever closer to the moon. NASA released the crew's first downlinked images Friday, 1 1/2 days into the first astronaut moonshot in more than half a century. The first photo taken by commander Reid Wiseman shows a curved slice of Earth in one of the capsule's windows. The second shows the entire globe with the oceans topped by swirling white tendrils of clouds. It even includes a pale green aurora. As of midday Friday, the crew was 100,000 miles from Earth and quickly gaining on the moon.
Duke freshman forward Cameron Boozer named The Associated Press men's national player of the year
Duke freshman forward Cameron Boozer is The Associated Press men's college basketball national player of the year. The high-end NBA prospect helped the Blue Devils win 35 games while reaching No. 1 in the AP Top 25 poll. Boozer is the fifth freshman to win the honor. He's also the second in a row from Duke, following Cooper Flagg. Boozer averaged 22.5 points and 10.2 rebounds. He claimed 59 of 61 votes from AP Top 25 voters in results released Friday. BYU freshman and fellow top pro prospect AJ Dybantsa claimed the other votes after averaging a national-best 25.5 points.
