Iran-backed Houthis enter the monthlong war and could further threaten global shipping
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iranian-backed Houthi rebels have entered the monthlong war in the Middle East and claimed they launched missiles toward Israel. The Houthis could threaten another important global shipping lane in the region. About 2,500 U.S. Marines have arrived in the Middle East to strengthen the largest U.S. military buildup in the region in more than two decades. Pakistan says Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt will send their top diplomats to Islamabad for talks aimed at ending the war. But Iran's foreign minister has expressed skepticism about diplomatic efforts and accuses the U.S. of being “contradictory.”
Trump's conflicting messages sow confusion over the Iran war
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump describes the war with Iran as a success, even as his message about the conflict keeps shifting. Trump says the United States is winning even as he sends more troops to the Middle East. He blames other countries for not helping the American effort, then says he doesn't need their assistance. He's delayed deadlines for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. And he's sent mixed signals about how much the closure of the vital waterway matters. Former officials and analysts say his zigzagging is creating confusion. For Trump, his approach is bumping up against the unpredictability of war.
How the Homeland Security deal unraveled and split Republican leaders in Congress
WASHINGTON (AP) — There seemed to be a deal. Senators appeared to have finally reached an agreement to fund most of the Department of Homeland Security and effectively end a partial government shutdown that's dragged on for more than a month. But then it quickly collapsed after House Speaker Mike Johnson dismissed the deal as a “joke.” His criticism amounted to a denunciation of a deal that his counterpart, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, had orchestrated. The misalignment between the two Republican leaders is a sign of the difficulty ahead for Republicans as they try to maneuver President Donald Trump’s priorities through Congress.
Zelenskyy visits Gulf Arab states to talk drone defense and seek strategic ties
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has made unannounced visits to the United Arab Emirates and Qatar as Kyiv seeks to use its drone expertise to help Gulf Arab states blunt Iran’s attacks while the war in the Middle East rages on. Zelenskyy said Saturday that Ukraine has already signed 10-year security agreements with Saudi Arabia and Qatar. He expects to shortly finalize a similar agreement with the UAE. Ukraine has quickly grown into one of the world’s leading producers of cutting-edge and battle-tested drone interceptors that are cheap and effective. They are playing a key part in its defense against Russia’s full-scale invasion that began in February 2022.
Pope visits Monaco to urge its people to reject idolatry of power and wealth fueling wars
MONACO (AP) — Pope Leo XIV has urged the people of Monaco to use their Catholic faith and wealth for good. In his homily at the end of a one-day visit, Leo urged them to reject the “idolatry of power and money” that is fueling wars around the world. Prince Albert and Princess Charlene met Leo at the Monaco heliport Saturday. It is just down the coast from Monaco’s marina, which is home to the megayachts of the rich and famous. It is the first papal visit in modern times to Monaco and the first since Pope Paul III came in 1538.
Bills to pay FAA and TSA workers during shutdowns get introduced but keep stalling in Congress
Members of Congress have repeatedly introduced bills to ensure the federal employees who control air traffic and conduct airport security screenings get paid during government shutdowns. The Keep America Flying Act. The Keep Air Travel Safe Act. The Aviation Funding Stability Act. None passed in time to keep essential aviation workers from missing paychecks. President Donald Trump on Friday offered a short-term fix for the empty pockets of TSA agents who have gone unpaid since funding lapsed for the Department of Homeland Security in mid-February. Labor unions, airline executives and industry groups are urging Congress to provide a permanent solution by acting on any of the pending pay-protection bills with bipartisan support on paper.
CPAC activists embrace Paxton as MAGA's choice for Senate over Cornyn
GRAPEVINE, Texas (AP) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has positioned himself as the grassroots favorite in the runoff election to determine the party's Senate nominee. The election is May 26 and Paxton is trying to unseat John Cornyn. Paxton is drawing praise from right-wing activists who are attending the Conservative Political Action Conference near Dallas. Cornyn skipped the event, but Paxton headlined the Ronald Reagan dinner Friday night and had a private reception on Saturday. Cornyn has more fundraising and support from the party establishment, but Paxton is leaning into his “Make America Great Again” loyalty.
'No Kings' rallies draw crowds across US, in Europe. Springsteen headlines Minnesota demonstration
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Tens of thousands of people joined “No Kings” protests across the U.S. and in Europe against the war in Iran and President Donald Trump’s actions. Minnesota took center stage Saturday because of its resistance to Trump's aggressive immigration enforcement. Thousands of demonstrators stood packed shoulder-to-shoulder on the Minnesota Capitol lawn and surrounding streets in St. Paul. The event’s headliner was Bruce Springsteen, who sang “Streets of Minneapolis” to honor Minnesota's resistance and two residents shot to death by federal agents. Washington, New York, London, Paris and Rome had protests, but there also were rallies in smaller cities and towns. One spokesperson for Trump's Republican Party derided the events as “Hate America Rallies.” The protests were mostly peaceful.
UFC brings cage-match bout to the White House, home of a president who favors cage-match politics
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is hosting a UFC fight on White House grounds to celebrate his 80th birthday and the nation’s 250th anniversary. Trump has long supported UFC and during his 2024 campaign, he used those ties to attract voters who weren't traditionally politically engaged. The sport aligns with Trump's brawling, no-holds-barred style of politics. The Republican president is also close friend with UFC CEO Dana White and with the Ellison family, whose Paramount+ has the broadcast rights. Trump has boasted that the June 14 event feature “all top guys.” But fans online have panned the White House fight card as underwhelming.
Meet the Artemis crew in NASA's first astronaut mission to the moon in more than a half-century
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — The four astronauts making NASA's next lunar leap bear little resemblance to the Apollo era. The Americans who blazed the trail to the moon more than half a century ago were white men chosen for their military test pilot experience. The Artemis crew includes a woman, a person of color and a Canadian. None of them were alive during NASA's Apollo program that sent 24 astronauts to the moon. They won't land on the moon this time or even orbit it. But the out-and-back journey will take them thousands of miles farther from Earth than the Apollo astronauts ventured.
