A 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon goes into effect
BEIRUT (AP) — A 10-day truce in Lebanon appears to be holding as U.S. President Donald Trump calls it a “historic day for Lebanon.” Trump expressed optimism about the war with Iran, despite ongoing challenges. He said the ceasefire with Hezbollah could be a significant moment for Lebanon. The pause in fighting between Israel and Hezbollah might help extend the ceasefire between Iran and the U.S. and Israel. Pakistan’s army chief met with Iran’s parliament speaker to push for an extension. It’s unclear if the ceasefire will lead to a lasting deal, but diplomacy continues.
Macron and Starmer hold international summit on reopening the Strait of Hormuz
PARIS (AP) — The leaders of France and the U.K. are holding an international summit to push forward efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil route affected by the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. The coalition, excluding the U.S., aims to provide security for shipping once the conflict ends. French President Emmanuel Macron has said the mission will be strictly defensive. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has accused Iran of holding the world's economy to ransom. Military planning meetings have been held, but experts say the coalition's role may be limited. The list of countries involved remains undisclosed, with some European leaders expected to attend Friday's summit in person and others dialing in.
Iran war energy shock drives nuclear power plans in hard-hit Asia and Africa
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — The Iran war’s global energy shock is causing some nations in Asia and Africa to boost nuclear power generation and spurring atomic energy plans in non-nuclear countries on both continents. Nuclear power isn’t a quick fix for the current energy crisis caused by shipping disruptions in key oil and gas sea lanes. But analysts say the decisions and investments being made now in both major economies and developing countries will likely lock countries into a nuclear-powered future. Leaders across Asia and Africa have recently announced new-found nuclear ambition and plans, marking a new notable momentum in both continents.
More than a half-million people expected at Pope Leo XIV's Mass in Cameroon
YAOUNDE, Cameroon (AP) — Pope Leo XIV is marking the halfway point in his four-nation tour of Africa with a day focused on encouraging Cameroon’s young people. Leo was travelling Friday to Douala, Cameroon’s main port city, to celebrate Mass. The Vatican predicted some 600,000 people would turn out for the liturgy, the biggest crowd Leo is expected to draw on his 11-day, four-nation trip through Africa. Later Friday back in the capital Youande, Leo had an appointment with students, professors and administrators at the Catholic University of Central Africa. Popes have often used such encounters, especially in the developing world, to rally young people to persevere in the face of poverty, corruption and other challenges.
Iran war energy shock drives nuclear power plans in hard-hit Asia and Africa
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — The Iran war’s global energy shock is causing some nations in Asia and Africa to boost nuclear power generation and spurring atomic energy plans in non-nuclear countries on both continents. Nuclear power isn’t a quick fix for the current energy crisis caused by shipping disruptions in key oil and gas sea lanes. But analysts say the decisions and investments being made now in both major economies and developing countries will likely lock countries into a nuclear-powered future. Leaders across Asia and Africa have recently announced new-found nuclear ambition and plans, marking a new notable momentum in both continents.
Justin Fairfax killed his estranged wife and himself 2 weeks before a court deadline to move out
ANNANDALE, Va. (AP) — Court records show that former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax was facing a court-ordered deadline to move out of his family’s home before police say he killed his wife and then himself. Police say officers found the bodies of Fairfax and his wife, Dr. Cerina Fairfax, at the home early Thursday in the Washington, D.C., suburb of Annandale. A Virginia judge in March told Justin Fairfax he had to move out by the end of April amid what police say was a messy divorce. Justin Fairfax was a rising star in the Democratic Party several years ago before his chances of becoming Virginia’s second Black governor were derailed by sexual assault allegations. He called the encounters consensual.
Trump rails against court decision that once again stalls his White House ballroom project
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has railed against a federal judge’s decision that continues to block above-ground construction of a $400 million White House ballroom. The decision on Thursday allows only below-ground work on a bunker and other “national security facilities” at the site. U.S. District Judge Richard Leon in Washington issued his latest ruling Thursday in a lawsuit over the ballroom project several days after an appeals court instructed him to reconsider the possible national security implications of stopping construction. Leon said he is ordering a stop only to the above-ground construction of the planned ballroom, apart from any work needed to cover or secure that part of the project.
Progressive Analilia Mejía takes New Jersey US House special election, giving Democrats another win
DENVILLE, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey Democrat Analilia Mejía has won a special election to fill the U.S. House seat that was vacated by Democratic Gov. Mikie Sherrill after she was voted into that office. Mejía defeated Republican Joe Hathaway. Mejía is a former head of the Working Families Alliance and was backed by Vermont U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders. She emerged from a crowded primary in February and cast the race as a test of President Donald Trump’s leadership. She criticized his pardons of people convicted of Jan. 6-related crimes and faulted him for freezing funds authorized by Congress. Hathaway cast Mejía as too far left to represent the suburban district.
County prosecutor charges ICE agent with assault for pointing gun at people on Minneapolis highway
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota prosecutors have charged an ICE agent with assault for pointing his gun at the occupants of a car on a Minneapolis highway. The criminal case announced Thursday is believed to be the first brought against a federal immigration officer involved in the immigration crackdown in Minneapolis, part of a broader surge of federal agents to U.S. cities. Gregory Donnell Morgan Jr. is charged with two counts of second-degree assault in the Feb. 5 incident. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said Morgan illegally drove along the shoulder of the highway and pointed his service weapon at two people in a vehicle. Morgan and officials with the Department of Homeland Security and the Justice Department have not responded to emails seeking comment.
Asian stocks lower and oil falls after Wall Street sets another record on ceasefire hopes
HONG KONG (AP) — Asian stocks are lower even after Wall Street set another record, as investors watched for signs of U.S.-Iran talks and an extension of the ceasefire expiring next week. Oil prices fell Friday, while U.S. futures edged up modestly. U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday suggested that he’s open to extending the two-week Iran war ceasefire set to expire next week as hopes were growing over another round of U.S.-Iran talks. That came as a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, announced by Trump and agreed on by the two countries, went into effect on Friday.
