AP-Newswatch

Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — An apparent Israeli drone attack on a major air base near the central city of Isfahan activated Iranian air defenses. The strike early Friday came just days after Tehran’s unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on Israel. Speaking at the G7 meeting in Capri, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the U.S. received “last-minute” information from Israel about the attack on Isfahan. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken did not dispute that immediately after Tajani’s remarks, but said: “We were not involved in any offensive operations.” The apparent attack came on Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s 85th birthday, with Israeli politicians also making comments hinting that the country had launched an attack.

The Latest | Iran says air defense batteries fire after explosions reported near major air base

Iran’s state news agency says the country’s air defense batteries have fired after reports of explosions near a major air base at the city of Isfahan. It remains unclear if the country is under attack, but tensions remain high after Iran’s unprecedented missile-and-drone attack on Israel. Israel has vowed to respond to Iran’s unprecedented weekend attack, leaving the region bracing for further escalation after months of fighting in Gaza. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment about Friday’s action in Iran. On Thursday, the U.S. vetoed a widely backed U.N. resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for a state of Palestine. The U.S. and Britain also announced new sanctions on Iran.

Jury selection could be nearing a close in Donald Trump’s hush money trial in New York

NEW YORK (AP) — Lawyers are working to round out the panel of 12 jurors and six alternates who will hear Donald Trump’s hush money trial. Jury selection could be nearing a close Friday, setting the stage for closing arguments as early as Monday. After arriving at the courthouse, as the former president railed against a gag order that has prosecutors seeking to hold him in contempt of court. After a jury of 12 New Yorkers was seated Thursday, lawyers have turned their attention to picking the remaining alternates who can vow to set aside their personal views and impartially judge the presumptive Republican presidential nominee.

The Latest | Jury selection in Trump’s hush money trial shifts to picking alternates

NEW YORK (AP) — Lawyers in former President Donald Trump’s hush money case have shifted their attention to picking alternates. Jury selection in Trump’s hush money trial resumed Friday after 12 jurors and one alternate were sworn in Thursday afternoon. The judge in the case has suggested that opening statements could begin as early as Monday. The case is the first of Trump’s four indictments to reach trial. Trump is accused of falsifying internal business records and making payoffs to two women as part of a scheme to bury stories he worried would hurt his 2016 campaign. He has pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts.

Ukraine, Israel aid back on track as House pushes past hardliners toward weekend vote

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House is preparing to push a $95 billion national security aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies closer to passage. A key procedural vote to move ahead with the bill is set for Friday. House Speaker Mike Johnson has been making the rounds on conservative media working to salvage the wartime funding, particularly for Ukraine as it faces a critical moment battling Russia. His own job is also under threat as the restless right flank threatens to oust him from office. President Joe Biden sent a swift endorsement of the speaker’s plan. Final votes on the package are expected Saturday.

Indians vote in the first phase of the world’s largest election as Modi seeks a third term

NEW DELHI (AP) — Millions of Indians are voting in a six-week election that’s a referendum on Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The first round of voting is being held across 21 states. Modi is seeking a rare third term in office. He is up against a broad opposition alliance that hasn’t named their candidate for prime minister if they win. India’s voters will elect 543 members for the lower house of Parliament during the staggered elections running until June 1. The votes will be counted on June 4.

Emergency rooms refused to treat pregnant women, leaving one to miscarry in a lobby restroom

WASHINGTON (AP) — Complaints about pregnant women being turned away from emergency rooms spiked in the months after states began enacting strict abortion laws following the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade. The cases are detailed in federal documents obtained by The Associated Press and raise serious questions about the state of emergency pregnancy care in the U.S. Federal law requires emergency rooms to stabilize patients who are in active labor and provide a medical transfer to another hospital if they don’t have the staff or resources to treat them. The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments next week in an Idaho case that could weaken those federal protections.

Chicago’s response to migrant influx stirs longstanding frustrations among Black residents

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago is one of several big American cities grappling with a surge of migrants. With help from state and federal funds, the city has spent more than $300 million to provide housing, health care and more to over 38,000 mostly South American migrants. The speed with which these funds were marshaled has stirred widespread resentment among Black Chicagoans. But community leaders are trying to ease racial tensions and channel the public’s frustrations into agitating for the greater good. The outcry is having wider implications in an election year: The Biden administration is advocating a more restrictive approach to immigration in its negotiations with Republicans in Congress.

AP Explains: 4/20 grew from humble roots to marijuana’s high holiday

SEATTLE (AP) — Marijuana advocates are gearing up for April 20. Known as 4/20, marijuana’s high holiday on Saturday is often marked by large crowds gathering in parks, at festivals and on college campuses to smoke together. This year activists can reflect on how far the legalization movement has come. Medical marijuana is now legal in 38 states. Of those, 24 also allow recreational use. Additionally, the Biden administration has shown an openness to marijuana reform. Biden has pardoned thousands of people with federal “simple possession” convictions. The Department of Health and Human Services has recommended marijuana be reclassified as a lower-schedule drug, which would affirm its medical use under federal law.

The NBA playoffs are finally here. And as LeBron James says, ‘it’s a sprint now’

There’s a 64-win team in Boston that ran away with the league’s best record. The defending champions in Denver, a group that won 57 games. A fearless young bunch in Oklahoma City, whose No. 1 seed was no fluke. A trio of Villanova alums in New York, who turned the Knicks into a real contender. And, once again, there’s LeBron James, too. The NBA playoffs are about to begin with the Celtics and Nuggets the heavy favorites to collide in the Finals, and no shortage of teams have realistic belief that they can win the whole thing as well.