UAE reports drone and missile attack as Iran war ceasefire is challenged
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Defense announced that the country’s air defenses are “actively engaging” with a missile and drone attack as the Iran war’s shaky ceasefire was again challenged. The ministry advised residents not to approach, photograph or touch “any debris or fragments that have fallen as a result of successful air interceptions” early Friday. Hours earlier, the U.S. military said it had intercepted Iranian attacks on three Navy ships in the Strait of Hormuz Thursday night and “targeted Iranian military facilities responsible for attacking U.S. forces.” President Donald Trump told reporters in Washington that the ceasefire was holding despite the violence.
Asian stocks fall and oil prices climb after attacks imperil the ceasefire with Iran
HONG KONG (AP) — Asian stocks have retreated and oil prices climbed as the fragile ceasefire with Iran was strained by missile and drone attacks that prompted U.S. retaliatory strikes on Iranian military facilities. U.S. futures advanced despite the latest flaring in the conflict. On Thursday, U.S. stocks pulled back from records. Investors are closely watching the war situation as negotiations between the U.S. and Iran to end the war make limited progress. On Thursday, the S&P 500 dropped 0.4%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.6%, and the Nasdaq slipped 0.1%.
Alabama Republicans look to set new US House primaries if courts allow redistricting
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama lawmakers are set to vote on a measure that could change the state's congressional primaries as part of a bid to switch its U.S. House districts. This comes after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in a Louisiana case weakened Voting Rights Act protections for minorities. Alabama has asked federal judges to lift a court order requiring a second Black-majority district. Legislation awaiting a final vote Friday would allow new primaries to be scheduled if a court grants the state's request. Republicans in Tennessee already have enacted new U.S. House districts in response to the Supreme Court's ruling.
US lifts hold on immigration applications for doctors, but leaves others waiting
U.S. immigration officials have quietly lifted a hold on green card and visa applications for doctors from three dozen countries. The move means physicians whose cases have been paused for months could soon get them renewed. But scientific researchers and other professionals from countries including Iran, Venezuela and Afghanistan said their immigration applications still won't be reviewed. The Trump administration put a pause on applications from those countries citing a need to improve security screening. Some immigrants have filed lawsuits to try to get immigration officials to decide their cases.
Partial results show losses for Starmer’s Labour and wins for Reform UK in local elections
LONDON (AP) — Partial results from local elections in England show big losses for Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s governing Labour Party and gains for the hard-right party Reform U.K. The votes are being widely seen as an unofficial referendum on Starmer, elected less than two years ago. Areas that counted their ballots overnight saw Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, win hundreds of local council seats in working-class areas in England’s north such as Hartlepool. Results are due later Friday for the majority of local councils, including Labour strongholds like London, and for semiautonomous parliaments in Scotland and Wales.
Pope Leo XIV sought a pastoral role in his first year, but verbal sparring with Trump intervened
VATICAN CITY (AP) — In his first year as pontiff, Pope Leo XIV seems driven not by the dramatic gesture or tensions that often fueled the papacy of his predecessor, but by a calm, persistent zeal to preach the Gospel and emphasize community and harmony. His verbal feud with U.S. President Donald Trump over the Iran war may have complicated his effort, but he insists his essential role is that of a pastor accompanying his flock. After Pope Francis’ sometimes divisive 12-year papacy, Leo has brought a calming balm to the Vatican and the church at large. He seems intent on healing divisions, even as new threats of schism emerge.
Hungary's incoming prime minister plans a 'regime-change celebration' to mark Orbán's departure
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Péter Magyar takes office as Hungary's prime minister on Saturday, ending Viktor Orbán's 16-year rule. Magyar's Tisza party defeated Orbán's Fidesz in a historic landslide last month. This victory allows Tisza to reverse many of Orbán's controversial policies. Magyar has invited Hungarians to a “regime-change” celebration on Saturday. He aims to tackle corruption and mend ties with the European Union. Magyar plans to hold former officials accountable and overhaul Hungary’s government structure. He has nominated internationally recognized figures for key cabinet positions.
David Attenborough, the excited but hushed voice of nature programs, turns 100
LONDON (AP) — David Attenborough, the world’s most famous wildlife presenter, is celebrating his 100th birthday on Friday. The BBC is hosting a party at the Royal Albert Hall, and cinemas are playing his nature films. Despite the accolades, Attenborough prefers the animals to be the stars. Over 70 years, his documentaries have brought the wonders of nature into homes worldwide. His work has educated people on evolution, animal behavior, and biodiversity. Attenborough has also raised awareness about climate change and other environmental threats. He remains committed to his work, feeling privileged to continue sharing his passion.
Health officials track dozens who left hantavirus-stricken ship after first fatality
MADRID (AP) — Oceanwide Expeditions has revealed that 30 passengers disembarked from its cruise ship hit by a hantavirus outbreak on April 24. They left the ship on the remote island of St. Helena, nearly two weeks after the first passenger died. The company had previously said that a Dutch man's body was removed there, and that his wife also disembarked. She later died in South Africa. Authorities across four continents are tracing contacts of passengers who left the ship. Three passengers have died in the outbreak, and several others are sick. Argentina's Health Ministry tells The Associated Press that a team of investigators has yet to leave for the southern town they suspect is where a Dutch couple contracted the virus.
How public health officials are tracing people who came in contact with hantavirus victims
NEW YORK (AP) — Health officials in several countries are trying to identify and follow people who may have been exposed to hantavirus on a cruise ship. In addition to contact tracing, they are trying to learn more about the virus as fast as they can. Questions include whether it has mutated and how exactly it spreads. Hantaviruses usually spread when people inhale contaminated residue of rodent droppings. While human cases are rare, small outbreaks have been documented around the world. And the Andes virus implicated in the outbreak unfolding on a cruise ship now in the Atlantic Ocean may be able to spread between people in rare cases.
