US military jets hit in Iran war are the first shot down by enemy fire in over 20 years
WASHINGTON (AP) — Iran shooting down two American military jets marks an exceedingly rare assault for the U.S. that hasn't happened in more than 20 years. It shows the Islamic Republic has a continued ability to hit back despite President Donald Trump asserting the country has been “completely decimated.” The last time a U.S. warplane was shot down in combat was during the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq. Experts suggest a shoulder-fired missile likely was used. Some analysts say the attacks reflect how Iran is “weak but still lethal."
Trump gives Iran 48 hours to open Strait of Hormuz as search continues for missing US pilot
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump has again warned Tehran over his Monday deadline to open the crucial Strait of Hormuz and allow ship traffic to flow again, and Iran has responded by threatening to open “the gates of hell.” The U.S. military meanwhile searched a remote area in Iran for a second day Saturday after a warplane was shot down and a pilot went missing. Israel confirmed striking a petrochemical complex in Iran, and state media there said at least five people are dead. Meanwhile, Iran's top diplomat signaled willingness for talks as Pakistan said efforts were “right on track.”
Russia and Ukraine trade deadly strikes as Zelenskyy travels to Istanbul for talks with Erdogan
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian drone strikes on Ukraine have killed six people and wounded over 30 more, according to Ukrainian officials, while Russia reported four deaths. The attacks occurred as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy traveled to Istanbul for talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia fired 286 drones overnight, with 260 being downed. Five of the Ukrainian dead were killed in the city of Nikopol. Meanwhile, the Russian-installed head of the occupied Luhansk region, Leonid Pasechnik, said Ukrainian forces hit railroad infrastructure in the region and private houses, killing a family of three, including an 8-year-old child.
European ministers call for profit caps on energy companies as Iran war drives price surge
Finance ministers from five European Union member states are urging the bloc to introduce a windfall tax on energy companies as surging oil and gas prices raise inflation fears. Spain, Germany, Italy, Portugal and Austria warned of market distortions linked to the Iran conflict that are driving up costs for households and businesses. The proposal would revive profit caps used during the 2022 energy crisis after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Inflation in the eurozone has already risen to 2.5% in March. With Iran disrupting tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, officials warn fuel prices may stay elevated.
Artemis II toilet acts up again as astronauts speed toward the moon to break Apollo 13's record
HOUSTON (AP) — The Artemis II astronauts are more than halfway to the moon. The three Americans and one Canadian will reach their destination Monday, performing a lunar flyby and then coming straight back home. They are the first moonbound crew in more than half a century, picking up where NASA's Apollo program left off. On the downside, their toilet is on the blink again. Until it is fixed, Mission Control has instructed the astronauts to break out more of the backup urine collection bags. The toilet malfunctioned following Wednesday's liftoff and has been hit and miss ever since.
Outspoken Iranians overseas say their loved ones are being detained back home
CAIRO (AP) — Iran's government is detaining family members of opposition figures in exile, according to some who spoke to The Associated Press. The crackdown on dissent comes amid the ongoing war with the United States and Israel. The internet shutdown during recent nationwide protests has made documenting these actions difficult. Iran "took my mother away to make me be quiet," one activist in exile says. Iran's judiciary is also seizing property of outspoken exiles. Rights groups report worsening conditions inside Iran, with increased detentions and executions. The situation has inspired new attempts to organize the Iranian opposition abroad.
Judge halts Trump effort requiring colleges to show they aren’t considering race in admissions
BOSTON (AP) — A federal judge has halted efforts by the Trump administration to collect data that proves higher education institutions aren’t considering race in admissions. The ruling granting the preliminary injunction follows a lawsuit filed last month by a coalition of 17 Democratic state attorneys general. President Donald Trump ordered the new policy in August after he raised concerns that colleges and universities were using personal statements and other proxies to consider race. The states argue the data collection effort threats student privacy and could lead to baseless investigations of colleges and universities. The federal judge said the federal government likely has the authority to collect the data, but the demand was rolled out to universities in a “rushed and chaotic” manner.
China aims to show global leadership with Iran war diplomacy. US appears uninterested
WASHINGTON (AP) — China is stepping up its diplomacy as the Iran war drags on. It has put forward a five-point proposal with Pakistan and is rallying support for the plan from Gulf countries and Western governments. China also has joined Russia in opposing a proposal by Bahrain to open the Strait of Hormuz using “all necessary means.” China's visible diplomacy in world capitals and at the United Nations headquarters is its latest push for a more prominent role in global affairs. It may, however, prove to be more rhetorical than substantive, with the U.S. appearing uninterested in Beijing’s efforts.
Southern California wildfire mostly contained as officials lift many evacuation orders
RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) — A smoky wildfire in Southern California that broke out Friday morning was mostly under control Saturday afternoon. The Springs Fire in Riverside County, about 64 miles east of Los Angeles, was 75% contained by Saturday. Strong Santa Ana winds that were predicted to gust up to 45 mph on Saturday had “dissipated a bit” since Friday, helping firefighters. About 260 personnel are battling the blaze, and no structures have been damaged. Most evacuation orders have been lifted, and officials expected the rest to be removed by the end of the day. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
UConn and Hurley muscle their way to 3rd national title game in 4 seasons, beating Illinois 71-62
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — UConn got another critical 3-pointer from Braylon Mullins and coach Dan Hurley’s Huskies are heading back to the national title game. UConn beat Illinois 71-62 in the Final Four on Saturday night as the Huskies seek their third championship in four seasons. Tarris Reed Jr. had 17 points and 11 rebounds, while the fabulous freshman Mullins scored 15 for the Huskies, who rode strong inside play and tough defense to their 19th straight victory in the Sweet 16 or later rounds of the NCAA Tournament. UConn will face Michigan on Monday night as it seeks its seventh title, all since 1999.
