US and Iran end 21-hour ceasefire talks without agreement before Vance departs Pakistan
ISLAMABAD (AP) — U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance says negotiations with Iran have ended in Pakistan after 21 hours without reaching an agreement. Vance spoke briefly to reporters after the talks concluded before dawn Sunday. Two Pakistani officials who spoke on condition of anonymity say discussions between the heads of the delegations will resume after a break. Some technical personnel from both teams are still meeting. The historic bargaining ended days after a fragile, two-week ceasefire was announced as the war that has killed thousands of people and shaken global markets entered its seventh week.
Artemis II's moon-traveling astronauts return home to cheers after a record-breaking trip
HOUSTON (AP) — Artemis II's moon-traveling astronauts are back home and feted to a thunderous welcome. Still marveling over their record-breaking lunar fly-around, the crew of four flew to Houston's Ellington Field from San Diego on Saturday afternoon. After a quick reunion with their families, the astronauts took the stage, surrounded by hundreds who took part in NASA's historic lunar comeback. The three Americans and one Canadian splashed down in the Pacific on Friday. During their nearly 10-day mission, they voyaged deeper into space than the Apollo explorers decades ago and captured views of the lunar far side never witnessed before by human eyes.
Unsettled and uncertain: What the Iran war means around the world as US and Iran enter talks
The long-term fallout of the war in Iran is only beginning to take shape, but this much is clear: The conflict has left the Middle East unsettled, alliances strained and the world facing uncertain shifts in the balance of economic and military power. Iran’s theocracy is tattered but alive, with new economic leverage. The U.S. and Israel will hold elections this year, their leaders potentially facing voters having fallen short of their war aims. The NATO alliance, already strained, is under even more pressure. The Gulf Arab states face an emboldened Iran in their backyard.
Pope Leo XIV denounces the 'delusion of omnipotence' he says fuels the US-Israeli war in Iran
ROME (AP) — Pope Leo XIV has denounced the “delusion of omnipotence” that is fueling the U.S.-Israel war in Iran and demanded political leaders stop and negotiate peace. Saturday's remarks were his strongest condemnation yet. Leo presided over an evening prayer service in St. Peter’s Basilica on the same day the United States and Iran began face-to-face negotiations in Pakistan and as a fragile ceasefire held. History’s first U.S.-born pope didn’t mention the United States or President Donald Trump in his prayer, which was planned before the talks were announced. But Leo’s tone and message appeared directed at Trump and U.S. officials, who have boasted of U.S. military superiority and justified the war in religious terms.
A Syrian man buries his wife and 4 children killed in Israeli strikes on Beirut
DEIR EL-ZOUR, Syria (AP) — A Syrian man has buried his wife and four of his five children after Israeli strikes hit Beirut earlier this week. The family was laid to rest in Deir el-Zour province in Syria on Saturday, six years after seeking safety in Lebanon from the civil war in their country. One daughter remains missing, believed trapped under rubble in Beirut. The father survived was at work during the attack and survived. The strikes on Wednesday targeting Hezbollah-linked sites killed more than 350 people, including many women and children. The latest Israeli attacks on Lebanon have pushed the death toll to over 1,950 with more than 6,300 wounded, according to the Health Ministry.
Allies yank support for Swalwell's California governor run after sexual assault allegations
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Prominent supporters of California Rep. Eric Swalwell's bid for governor are withdrawing their support in a stunning political reversal. It comes after the congressman denied allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman twice, including once when she worked for him. Swalwell said in a video posted to social media that the accusation is false. He did not end his campaign. The woman told her account to the San Francisco Chronicle. The AP hasn't been able to independently verify her account or identity. The allegations surfaced weeks before mail ballots are scheduled go out in advance of a June 2 primary election.
Orthodox Easter truce falters as Ukraine says Russia continues drone strikes
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia continued to strike Ukrainian positions with drones despite a Kremlin-declared Easter ceasefire. A Ukrainian military officer reported Saturday that while artillery fire paused in some areas, drone attacks persist. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the ceasefire for the Orthodox Easter weekend, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned of a swift response to violations. Hours before the ceasefire, Russian drone strikes killed at least two people in Odesa. Meanwhile, a prisoner swap took place, with both sides exchanging soldiers. Previous ceasefire attempts have failed, with both sides accusing each other of violations.
New York subway stabbings leave 3 hurt as police shoot and kill knife-wielding man, officials say
NEW YORK (AP) — Authorities say a suspect was fatally shot by police after stabbing three people in a random attack at a major New York subway station. Police say the incident happened Saturday morning at the 42nd Street-Grand Central station. Officers responding to a report of stabbings encountered a man armed with a machete. Police say the man was shot by one of the officers and taken to a hospital. The suspect later died. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the victims sustained injuries that were not thought to be life-threatening.
Judge told to reconsider national security implications of halting Trump's White House ballroom
WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge has been instructed to reconsider the possible national security implications of halting construction of President Donald Trump’s $400 million White House ballroom. An appeals court panel says in a ruling that it didn't have enough information to decide how much of the project can be suspended without jeopardizing the safety of the president, his family or the White House staff. The case was returned to the trial judge who last month barred work from proceeding without congressional approval, but suspended enforcement of that order for 14 days. The appeals court extended that for three days, to April 17, to allow the Trump administration to seek Supreme Court review.
Tribal gas stations offer a reprieve from high prices during Iran war
FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) — Gas prices are still rising due to the Iran war but drivers are saving by fueling up at tribally owned gas stations. Especially in California, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma and Washington state, tribes exempt from state fuel taxes offer much lower prices than gas stations nearby. Apps such as Gas Buddy make finding such stations easy. Nationwide, average prices are up more than $1 a gallon since the war began but some tribally owned gas stations offer savings of 50 cents or more. As with other convenience stores, the real profits aren't in gasoline but selling snacks and, on many reservations, getting drivers to gamble in casinos.
