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Here are the AP's top stories and promotable content. All times U.S. Eastern. For up-to-the minute information on AP's coverage, visit AP Newsroom’s Coverage Plan.
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NATIONAL
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Britney Spears enters substance abuse treatment facility weeks after her arrest on suspicion of DUI
SUMMARY: Britney Spears has entered a substance abuse treatment facility. A representative says Sunday that the 44-year-old pop star voluntarily checked herself in. Spears was arrested over a month ago on suspicion of driving under the influence. California Highway Patrol officers received a report on March 5 about a driver in a black BMW driving erratically in Ventura County. Spears took field sobriety tests before being arrested. She was released from county jail hours later. Investigators turned the case over to the Ventura County District Attorney's Office on March 23. Charges may be decided before her court date on May 4.
WORDS: 262 - MOVED: 04/13/2026 5:46 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APENTPeopleBritneySpearsndLdWritethru/bc4a18f3e3560d53ca18beb65133feb8/text___
What to know about Trump's tax breaks for tips and overtime when filing state tax returns
SUMMARY: Millions of Americans are expected to claim new federal tax breaks for tips and overtime wages under a law enacted by President Donald Trump. However, many states have decided not to match these federal changes. That means workers who receive federal deductions for tips or overtime will still owe state taxes on those earnings. Federal tax deductions for tips, overtime and auto loan interest are being matched in only about a half-dozen states. Arizona's situation is unique -- the tax deductions are being offered there under an executive order, even though state law has not been changed to officially allow them.
WORDS: 714 - MOVED: 04/12/2026 4:02 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTaxCutsStatesWhattoKnowndLdWritethru/6e0df85b458af504682ba5193637e645/text___
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WASHINGTON/POLITICS
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The US is short 10 million houses. A new White House report lays out a blueprint to fix that
SUMMARY: White House economists estimate the United States has a shortage of 10 million houses. That’s according to a report out Monday. It says more construction would lower prices, increase home ownership and fuel faster economic growth. President Donald Trump’s approval ratings have slumped because of concerns over his handling of the economy. Trump has taken some steps to make it easier to build houses, but he’s been slow to embrace other measures. The new report is from the White House Council of Economic Advisers. It lays out a blueprint for how more construction could help the middle class and the economy, setting up an argument Trump could make to voters.
WORDS: 822 - MOVED: 04/13/2026 4:06 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTrumpEconomyHousing/53aee15e8a48b930f286b19475b861ac/text___
Judge dismisses Trump’s $10B lawsuit against WSJ, Murdoch over reporting on ties to Epstein
SUMMARY: A federal judge has dismissed President Donald Trump’s $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal and Rupert Murdoch over a story on his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. U.S. District Judge Darrin P. Gayles in Florida wrote in the order issued Monday that Trump had failed to make the argument that the article was published with the intent to be malicious, but gave the president a chance to file an amended complaint. Trump filed the lawsuit in July. The lawsuit came after the Journal put a new spotlight on his well-documented relationship with Epstein by publishing an article that described a sexually suggestive letter that the newspaper said bore Trump’s signature and was included in a 2003 album compiled for Epstein’s 50th birthday.
WORDS: 293 - MOVED: 04/13/2026 1:49 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTrumpMurdochthLdWritethru/40e7aba7731db9e8800488038cb92a66/text___
Swalwell exits California governor's race after assault allegations as rivals seek his supporters
SUMMARY: Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell’s abrupt exit from the race for California governor left his rivals scrambling to lock down his former supporters in a crowded contest with no clear leader. Swalwell's withdrawal injected more turmoil into the campaign less than a month before mail ballots go out to primary election voters. The congressman's decision followed allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman twice, including when she worked for him, that were published Friday in the San Francisco Chronicle and later by CNN. He said on social media he will fight what he called "false allegations."
WORDS: 1092 - MOVED: 04/13/2026 4:18 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSCaliforniaGovernorSwalwellndLdWritethru/4967d90612894e5a58e438edfa5c37a2/text___
Pope Leo says he does not fear Trump, citing Gospel as he pushes back in feud over Iran war
SUMMARY: Pope Leo XIV has responded to President Donald Trump's criticism over the U.S.-Israel war in Iran, saying the Vatican's peace appeals are rooted in the Gospel. Speaking Monday, Leo emphasized that his message is not a direct attack on Trump but a call for peace. Trump criticized Leo on social media and to reporters, accusing him of being too liberal. Leo suggested over the weekend that a “delusion of omnipotence” is fueling the U.S.-Israel war in Iran. In a social media post, Trump accused Leo of being weak on crime and foreign policy. He also criticized Leo for opposing the U.S. attack on Venezuela.
WORDS: 1318 - MOVED: 04/13/2026 1:20 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTrumpPopethLdWritethru/02f6b4554ea4b83af02af15987ae1f2d/text___
Strikes on alleged drug boats kill 5, leave 1 survivor in eastern Pacific, US military says
SUMMARY: The U.S. military says it blew up two boats accused of smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean. It says the strikes killed a total of five people and left one survivor. The attacks are part of the Trump administration's campaign against alleged traffickers in Latin America. They occurred as the U.S. military prepares a naval blockade of Iranian ports following weeks of war with Iran and ceasefire talks that ended without a deal. Saturday's attacks in Latin America bring the total number of people killed in boat strikes by the U.S. military to at least 168. The Trump administration began targeting those it calls “narcoterrorists” in early September.
WORDS: 410 - MOVED: 04/13/2026 1:38 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTrumpCartelsstLdWritethru/cacfc0610c0f3c6c7f07231edef43372/text___
Swalwell suspends campaign for California governor after being accused of sexual assault
SUMMARY: Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell has suspended his campaign for California governor following sexual assault accusations that he continues to deny. Swalwell said in a social media post Sunday he’s suspending his campaign but will fight what he called “serious, false allegations" against him. The San Francisco Chronicle first reported on a woman’s allegations, which The Associated Press has not verified. The woman told the Chronicle, which didn’t name her, that Swalwell sexually assaulted her twice, while she was too intoxicated to consent. His exit from the race comes amid a messy and crowded primary campaign in which he had begun to emrege as a leading contender.
WORDS: 905 - MOVED: 04/12/2026 7:35 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSCaliforniaGovernorSwalwellthLdWritethru/8b60b0c226f93c691633231053d5ddf9/text___
Analysis: Trump declares victory, no matter what, and the Iran war is the latest example
SUMMARY: In an analysis of how Donald Trump treats almost every setback as a win and repeats it until many people doubt the loss, Associated Press writer Will Weissert cites the war with Iran as one of the latest examples. The Republican president declared victory just days into the war and has kept up that refrain in the weeks since, even though the reality is far from clear-cut. His penchant for insisting losses are wins stretches back to his decades of business failures and encompasses a federal discrimination lawsuit from the 1970s against Trump and his father over rental apartments. Former members of his administration and ex-business associates say it's always been a deliberate strategy.
WORDS: 1875 - MOVED: 04/12/2026 11:56 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTrumpNeverLosesAnalysis/ab6cb03806650a79f741ee2e51737379/text___
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INTERNATIONAL
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Hungarian election victor Magyar says he’d speak with Putin and ask him to end the war in Ukraine
SUMMARY: Hungarian election winner Péter Magyar says he would talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin but won't initiate contact. He spoke Monday after defeating Putin ally Viktor Orbán. Magyar said that he would ask Putin to end the killing in Ukraine and plans to review Hungary's Russian energy contracts and renegotiate them if needed. His victory has sparked hope across Europe for a more cooperative EU as many leaders were frustrated with Orbán's policies. Magyar aims to work closely with the EU and NATO. European leaders have praised his win. They see it as a shift away from populist politics. The outcome could impact Hungary's stance on issues like Ukraine.
WORDS: 1046 - MOVED: 04/12/2026 11:35 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEUHungaryElectionEuropethLdWritethru/ea81cfcc269eea44b6645e35a87bf3c2/text___
US military is poised to blockade Iranian ports, while Tehran threatens ports in the Mideast
SUMMARY: The U.S. military has vowed to blockade all Iranian ports starting Monday. That's part of efforts to force Tehran into agreeing to open the crucial Strait of Hormuz and accepting a peace deal. Iran responded with threats on all ports in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, taking aim at U.S.-allied countries. That set the stage for an extraordinary showdown that contains serious risks for the global economy and raises the specter that the current ceasefire could collapse and the war could resume. Iran’s effective closure of the strait is pushing up the cost of gasoline, food and other basic goods far beyond the Middle East.
WORDS: 1186 - MOVED: 04/13/2026 3:55 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLIranUSthLdWritethru/ed7a6cd4bc61dc47f317a2c82afcc1c9/text___
Peru election stretches into a second day after ballot delivery failures
SUMMARY: Thousands of Peruvians are back at the polls for a second day of voting. Electoral authorities extended the election by a day after failing to deliver ballots to voting centers on Sunday. More than 52,000 voters in Lima and others in Orlando and Paterson, New Jersey, are affected. Voting is mandatory for Peruvians aged 18 to 70, with fines for noncompliance. Thirty-five candidates are vying to become Peru’s ninth president in 10 years. The election comes amid a surge in violent crime and corruption. A runoff in June is likely due to the divided electorate.
WORDS: 382 - MOVED: 04/13/2026 1:57 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APLTPeruElectionthLdWritethru/ed0d37b1253b5acec4a6a14c2308e1f8/text___
At least 100 dead in Nigeria after air force 'misfire' on market, sources say
SUMMARY: A Nigerian Air Force strike targeting jihadi rebels hit a local market in northeastern Nigeria, killing over 100 civilians including children and injuring many others, a rights group and local media reported. Officials confirmed a misfire on Sunday but did not provide details. Amnesty International said it confirmed from survivors that at least 100 people were killed in the airstrike on a village in Yobe state. The state government confirmed that a Nigerian military strike was targeting a Boko Haram stronghold in the area and that “some people” at the Jilli weekly market were affected.
WORDS: 571 - MOVED: 04/12/2026 3:50 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APAFNigeriaAirstrikethLdWritethru/9da7e31dd8db3cec17e676e53f8b59cf/text___
Peru's voters face choice of 35 contenders for ninth president in 10 years
SUMMARY: Peru's next president is being chosen from among 35 candidates, including a former minister, a comedian and a political dynasty heiress. Voting is mandatory for most adults in Peru, but logistical issues meant some people were unable to cast ballots Sunday. Voting was extended to Monday for about 52,000 people affected. The election winner will be the country's ninth president in 10 years. Rising crime and corruption have led to voter discontent, and candidates have proposed solutions like megaprisons and the death penalty. A runoff is likely and would be held in June. Voters are also electing a bicameral Congress, which could make presidential impeachment easier.
WORDS: 803 - MOVED: 04/12/2026 2:22 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APLTPeruElectionWhatToKnowthLdWritethru/c9fa218b53389631445628240c4f675b/text___
Israel and Hezbollah clash in strategic Lebanese village ahead of official talks
SUMMARY: Fierce fighting has erupted in the strategic southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil. Israeli troops appeared to encircle the area while Hezbollah militants launched rockets and artillery to push them back. The clashes intensified over the past week after Iran and the United States agreed to a temporary truce. Lebanon and Israel's ambassadors to the U.S. are set to meet Tuesday in Washington for direct negotiations. Israel has scaled back attacks in Lebanon, especially in Beirut, after deadly strikes hit the capital. However, it has stepped up strikes and ground invasions in southern Lebanon.
WORDS: 889 - MOVED: 04/13/2026 12:27 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLLebanonIsraelHezbollahstLdWritethru/db8b021cfbfd06056016678bbde618c5/text___
Magyar wants to take over as Hungary's prime minister as early as May 5
SUMMARY: Péter Magyar has called on Hungary’s president to convene parliament to form a new government quickly. Magyar's Tisza party won a super-majority in Sunday’s election, allowing him to take over from Viktor Orbán as prime minister. Magyar promises a fundamental transformation in Hungary’s political culture, focusing on restoring ties with European allies and rooting out corruption. The victory has sparked celebrations in Budapest, with many hoping for a freer Hungary. However, challenges remain, including entrenched loyalists in key institutions. Magyar faces pressure from the EU to implement reforms and access frozen funds.
WORDS: 1116 - MOVED: 04/13/2026 10:04 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEUHungaryElectionthLdWritethru/0d0cafc08176a001218837254bc0c2a4/text___
In their words: How leaders reacted to Viktor Orbán's defeat in Hungary's election
SUMMARY: Viktor Orbán’s electoral defeat in Hungary has sent shockwaves across the world. Admirers saw him as a defender of national sovereignty, while critics viewed him as a threat to European democracy. Hungarian voters chose challenger Péter Magyar after 16 years of Orbán. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy quickly reached out to Magyar, hoping for support for his country against Russia. European leaders expressed relief, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and others welcoming the change. Populist leaders like Italy's Giorgia Meloni offered cautious responses, acknowledging Orbán's influence while respecting the election outcome.
WORDS: 588 - MOVED: 04/13/2026 4:10 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEUHungaryElectionInTheirWordsrdLdWritethru/93eb463b5def0c6d747f71ac6356b4ca/text___
Failed US-Iran talks in Pakistan raise questions about fragile ceasefire
SUMMARY: Ceasefire talks in Pakistan between the U.S. and Iran ended without an agreement, raising questions about what happens when a current two-week truce expires on April 22. As the talks wrapped up in Islamabad in the early hours of Sunday, both sides blamed each other for the failure. There was no word on whether negotiations will resume, and President Donald Trump made new threats against Iran. While the setback does not necessarily mean the war will resume, it showed how entrenched the sides remain after an inconclusive 40-day war.
WORDS: 780 - MOVED: 04/12/2026 2:16 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLIranUSExplainerstLdWritethru/36cd009a0b238fcad4665a5a02cc895e/text___
The Latest: US military says it will blockade Iranian ports after ceasefire talks end
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump said the U.S. Navy will swiftly begin a blockade of ships entering or leaving the Strait of Hormuz after U.S.-Iran ceasefire talks in Pakistan ended without an agreement. U.S. Central Command announced that it will blockade all Iranian ports beginning Monday at 10 a.m. EDT, or 5:30 p.m. in Iran. CENTCOM said the blockade will be “enforced impartially against vessels of all nations.” It said it would still allow ships traveling between non-Iranian ports to transit the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier in the day, the United States and Iran ended 21 hours of face-to-face talks in Islamabad without reaching a deal.
WORDS: 2612 - MOVED: 04/12/2026 4:17 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLIranUSTheLatestthLdWritethru/da12451198d54f63926d06983b262f98/text___
Paddington stage musical wins big with 7 trophies at London's Olivier Awards
SUMMARY: "Paddington The Musical” has won big at London's Olivier Awards, winning seven trophies including best new musical. The awards, akin to Broadway's Tonys, celebrate theater, opera, and dance. Based on Michael Bond's beloved stories, the musical opened in November and has charmed audiences with its blend of live acting and puppetry to bring the central character alive. James Hameed and Arti Shah jointly won best actor for their portrayal of Paddington. The show also took home awards for supporting performers, director, and design. Rachel Zegler was named best actress in a musical for “Evita” and Rosamund Pike won best actress in a play for “Inter Alia.”
WORDS: 775 - MOVED: 04/12/2026 5:19 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEUBritainTheaterAwardsthLdWritethru/3d00cc3e2119ef03763b6d41cb705abd/text___
Iranians left disappointed but defiant after failure of peace talks with US
SUMMARY: Iranians have reacted with a mixture of disappointment and patriotism after peace talks with the United States failed to reach an agreement. The hourslong negotiations ended in the early hours of Sunday with U.S. officials saying the talks had collapsed because Iran refused to commit to abandoning its nuclear program. Iranian officials blamed the U.S. for failing to reach a deal without specifying the sticking points. The future of a fragile two-week ceasefire was in doubt but even as it seems to hold, the war is not over and uncertainty remains.
WORDS: 563 - MOVED: 04/12/2026 11:50 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLIranUSVoicesrdLdWritethru/ca007ac1ba9f247cb3a59f9b97b06314/text___
Irish prime minister announces fuel tax cuts to stop protests over soaring pump prices
SUMMARY: Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin says his government will offer new fuel tax cuts to address protests over soaring fuel costs. He criticized the tactics of farmers and truckers who blocked access to the nation's only oil refinery and several depots. The package, worth nearly $600 million, aims to ease cost-of-living pressures since the U.S.-Israel war on Iran cut off a major route for global oil supplies. Protests that began on Tuesday have caused chaos, with blockades preventing fuel deliveries. Police began breaking up the protests on Saturday. The relief measure needs parliamentary approval. It’s unclear if the proposal will quell the uprisings.
WORDS: 656 - MOVED: 04/12/2026 11:31 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEUIrelandFuelProtestsndLdWritethru/4ce1d8e318cd04f2a28156cc8c909ea3/text___
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BUSINESS
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Oil rises back above $100, but US stocks hold steady as hopes continue for US-Iran talks
SUMMARY: Oil prices are back above $100 per barrel after 21 hours of ceasefire talks failed to end the U.S.-Iran war. But U.S. stocks are nevertheless holding steady Monday in an indication that Wall Street still sees a chance for both sides to avoid a worst-case scenario for the global economy. The S&P 500 was virtually flat. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 256 points, and the Nasdaq composite rose 0.3%. The oil market showed more concern, and prices there rose more than 6%. But even there, prices pared bigger, earlier gains as the morning progressed. Stocks fell in much of Europe and Asia.
WORDS: 794 - MOVED: 04/13/2026 3:54 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APFinancialMarketsthLdWritethru/fafebd0711ab3b2a191ae23d4fe33350/text___
Trump family deal spree could open door for future presidents to profit from office
SUMMARY: For the Trump family, business is booming. Whereas the Trump Organization didn’t do a single deal overseas in Donald Trump's first term as president, it did eight in the past year. It got more than double the money in four months selling Trump “meme” coins than it did in four years running a massive Washington D.C. hotel. And there are more potential conflicts as the family makes money investing in companies dependent on federal contracts and seeking taxpayer funded grants and loans. While past presidents avoided even the appearance of profiting from their office, some historians worry how Trump's approach might influence future holders of the office.
WORDS: 2166 - MOVED: 04/13/2026 11:03 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTrumpFamilyProfits/863d8850f536df291391e949ba1bc00e/text___
Oil prices rise after the US says it would block Iranian ports starting Monday
SUMMARY: Oil prices are rising in early market trading after the U.S. said it would blockade Iranian ports beginning Monday. The price of U.S. crude oil rose 8% to $104.24 a barrel and Brent crude oil, the international standard, rose 7% to $102.29. Brent crude has swung dramatically during the Iran war, rising from roughly $70 per barrel before the war in late February to more than $119 at times. On Friday, ahead of the peace talks, Brent for June delivery fell 0.8% to $95.20 per barrel. Iran has been effectively controlling the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for global oil shipping.
WORDS: 359 - MOVED: 04/12/2026 10:19 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSIranUSOilPricesrdLdWritethru/4b0b4b1f6df389bf2e17f47e55e13119/text___
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HEALTH/SCIENCE
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NASA already has next Artemis flight in its sights following astronauts' triumphant moon flyby
SUMMARY: With NASA's lunar comeback a galactic-sized smash, the space agency already has the next Artemis flight in its sights. In a mission recently tacked on for next year, Artemis III’s yet-to-be -named crew will practice docking their Orion capsule with a lunar lander in orbit around Earth. Then it will be on to Artemis IV's astronaut moon landing in 2028. NASA threw a Texas-sized welcome home party in Houston on Saturday for the four Artemis II astronauts who flew around the moon last week. The three Americans and one Canadian returned to Earth on Friday to close out humanity's first lunar voyage in more than a half-century.
WORDS: 807 - MOVED: 04/12/2026 3:09 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSSCINASAArtemisMoonshotstLdWritethru/74008cb58e79ed525ae5e1fe08a04ad9/text___
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RELIGION
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Pope starts Africa tour in Algeria and calls for peace against Iran war's backdrop
SUMMARY: Pope Leo XIV has arrived in Algeria for a first-ever papal visit, calling for peace amid the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. His 11-day tour includes four African nations, promoting Christian-Muslim coexistence. The trip begins with a backdrop of tension between Leo and U.S. President Donald Trump, who has criticized Leo's papacy. Leo emphasized peace and reconciliation, rooted in the Gospel. In Algiers, he visited a monument honoring those who died in the country's independence struggle. Leo's message focuses on justice and dignity, urging forgiveness. He later plans to visit the Great Mosque and Our Lady of Africa basilica.
WORDS: 1035 - MOVED: 04/13/2026 4:23 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APAFRELAfricaPopethLdWritethru/ccf9458e288db4355f359ddf56668caf/text___
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SPORTS
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World Cup 2026: Who's in, where to watch, betting odds, schedules and more
SUMMARY: The biggest FIFA World Cup ever, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches, is fast approaching. The tournament will be held across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Argentina, the defending champion, is back, and four nations will make their World Cup debuts. The group stage begins June 11, with teams guaranteed three matches. The top two teams from each group, plus the best eight third-place teams, will advance. The U.S. plays its first match on June 12. Argentina star Lionel Messi's participation remains uncertain, but is expected
WORDS: 868 - MOVED: 04/13/2026 9:00 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APSOCWCupGuide/cb70708367cc68bd94edff66416b3c7d/text___
Rory McIlroy goes back-to-back at the Masters to join Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods
SUMMARY: Rory McIlroy has joined more elite company at the Masters. He pulled away with a pair of birdies around Amen Corner and, as usual, saved a little drama for the end before taking his place in Augusta National history as only the fourth back-to-back champion. McIlroy seized control for good with a bold shot over Rae’s Creek to 7 feet for birdie on the par-3 12th. Then he blistered a 350-yard drive on the par-5 13th that set up another birdie. There were a few dicey moments, but he shot a 1-under 71 to for a one-shot victory to join Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods as repeat winners.
WORDS: 1110 - MOVED: 04/12/2026 5:12 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APGLFMastersthLdWritethru/75a1d45436953edc09cc0e62e6ab6f76/text___
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