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.
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.
ICE acting director Todd Lyons will resign at end of May, DHS says
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement acting director Todd Lyons, a key executor of President Donald Trump’s mass deportations agenda, will resign at the end of May, federal officials announced Thursday. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin described Lyons as a great leader of ICE. “We wish him luck on his next opportunity in the private sector,” Mullin said in a statement. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson described Lyons in a post on X as “an American patriot who made our country safer.” The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press asking why he is resigning.
Australia's most decorated veteran granted bail on war crimes charges related to Afghan deaths
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australia’s most decorated living veteran has been granted bail 10 days after he was charged with committing war crimes in Afghanistan. The judge ruled Friday that Ben Roberts-Smith had established exceptional circumstances to justify his release from custody. Prosecutors had opposed bail and argued there was a risk he would flee Australia or interfere with witnesses and evidence. The charges against him allege he was responsible for the unlawful killings of five Afghans in Uruzgan province in 2009 and 2012. Roberts-Smith testified during a separate civil trial that he never killed an unarmed Afghan and he denied ever committing a war crime.
House rushes to overnight vote to renew key surveillance tool used by US spy agencies
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republican leadership is rushing early Friday to renew a controversial surveillance program used by U.S. spy agencies. They unveiled substantial changes after days of negotiating with a bloc of Republican holdouts. Leaders have called lawmakers back to session for a middle-of-the-night vote. The substantial changes are far from the clean renewal President Donald Trump had previously demanded. At the center of the standoff is Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which permits the CIA, National Security Agency, FBI and other agencies to collect and analyze vast amounts of overseas communications without a warrant. In doing so, they can incidentally sweep up communications involving Americans who interact with foreign targets.
Trump draws Marie Antoinette comparisons as he leans into the gilded trappings of the presidency
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is more overtly leaning into some of the spoils of his office in his second term, drawing comparisons to French Queen Marie Antoinette from political opponents. He has celebrated renderings of his $400 million White House ballroom even during the war in Iran and a partial government shutdown. His administration is pushing ahead with plans to build a 250-foot Triumphal Arch near the Lincoln Memorial. Democrats say Trump is more interested in the gilded trappings of the presidency than in everyday Americans' concerns about affordability. The White House says the projects “will benefit generations of future presidents and American visitors.”
US military will target Iran-linked ships worldwide, broadening scope beyond blockade
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military has widened its efforts beyond the blockade of Iran’s ports. It is allowing its forces around the world to stop any ship tied to Tehran or those suspected of carrying supplies that could help its government. Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Thursday that the U.S. would be targeting vessels in other areas, like the Pacific, that had left before the blockade began earlier this week. The military also published a notice detailing an expansive lists of goods that it considers contraband, declaring that it will board, search and seize them from merchant vessels “regardless of location.”
