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President Donald Trump speaks with Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, March 19, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Surprise, embarrassment, unease in Japan after Trump uses Pearl Harbor to defend Iran war

Foster Klug And Mari Yamaguchi, The Associated Press 5 minute read Updated: 9:35 AM CDT

TOKYO (AP) — Senior U.S. and Japanese officials tend to shy away from anything but very careful public comments about Japan's 1941 sneak attack on U.S. forces at Pearl Harbor. So there was embarrassment, confusion and unease on Saturday in Japan after President Donald Trump casually used the World War II attack to justify his secrecy before launching the war against Iran.

The Japanese discomfort was compounded by the fact that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi was sitting awkwardly at Trump's side as he spoke.

Partly, the reaction is linked to the crucial security and economic role that the U.S. plays for Japan, its top ally in the region. Put simply, Japan needs to make sure the U.S. relationship thrives. That's why Takaichi was in Washington.

But it's also a reflection of just how fresh the political debate about Japan's role in World War II remains here, even 80 years after its end.

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Former FBI Director Robert Mueller, who investigated Russia-Trump campaign ties, dies

Eric Tucker, The Associated Press 9 minute read Preview

Former FBI Director Robert Mueller, who investigated Russia-Trump campaign ties, dies

Eric Tucker, The Associated Press 9 minute read Updated: 1:32 PM CDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Robert S. Mueller III, the FBI director who transformed the nation's premier law enforcement agency into a terrorism-fighting force after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and who later became special counsel in charge of investigating ties between Russia and Donald Trump's presidential campaign, has died. He was 81.

“With deep sadness, we are sharing the news that Bob passed away” on Friday night, his family said in a statement Saturday. “His family asks that their privacy be respected.”

At the FBI, Mueller set about almost immediately overhauling the bureau’s mission to meet the law enforcement needs of the 21st century, beginning his 12-year tenure just one week before the Sept. 11 attacks and serving across presidents of both political parties. He was nominated by Republican President George W. Bush.

The cataclysmic event instantaneously switched the bureau’s top priority from solving domestic crime to preventing terrorism, a shift that imposed an almost impossibly difficult standard on Mueller and the rest of the federal government: preventing 99 out of 100 terrorist plots wasn’t good enough.

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Updated: 1:32 PM CDT

FILE - Special counsel Robert S. Mueller III testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington before the House Judiciary Committee in Washington, July 24, 2019. Mueller, a former FBI director, died on Friday, March 20, 2026. He was 81. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

A deadly South Tyrol avalanche kills 2 skiers, trapping 25 near the Austria border

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

A deadly South Tyrol avalanche kills 2 skiers, trapping 25 near the Austria border

The Associated Press 2 minute read 12:58 PM CDT

An avalanche in high alpine terrain in Italy 's South Tyrol on Saturday killed two skiers, according to the country's mountain rescue service.

The avalanche happened at an altitude of around 2,400 meters (7,874 feet) on the slopes of the 2,669-meter (8,757-foot) Hohe Ferse (also known as Monte Tallone Grande) near the town of Ratschings, close to the border with Austria.

The CNSAS rescue service's Bolzano emergency center reported that 25 skiers were caught in the avalanche. Besides the two dead, three were seriously injured and two lightly injured, it said.

The avalanche took place at 11:40 a.m. local time (1040 GMT). A rescue operation involved six helicopters and around 80 rescuers from CNSAS, the Alpine Association, police and firefighters, Italian news agency ANSA reported.

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12:58 PM CDT

Rescuers search on the site where an avalanche broke loose in Val Ridanna, in Alto Adige, northern Italy, engulfing a group of 10 skiers Saturday, March 21, 2026. (Italian Alpine the National Alpine and Speleological Rescue Corps Trentino Via AP)

Senate blocks amendment on transgender athletes during weekend session on voting bill

Mary Clare Jalonick, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Senate blocks amendment on transgender athletes during weekend session on voting bill

Mary Clare Jalonick, The Associated Press 3 minute read 1:24 PM CDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate on Saturday blocked an amendment that would ban transgender athletes from playing in women’s sports, rejecting one of President Donald Trump’s priorities as he pressures Congress to act on a broad voting bill.

Senators were holding a rare weekend session to debate the voting legislation, which would put in place strict new requirements for voter registration and require photo IDs at the polls in an effort to prevent people in the country illegally from casting ballots.

The House passed the bill earlier this year, but the Republican president has since said he wants additional priorities added to the legislation, including the sports ban for transgender athletes and a ban on all mail-in voting.

Democrats are expected to eventually block the broader legislation. Republicans senators have said repeatedly that they do not have enough support to jettison the legislative filibuster, which triggers a 60-vote threshold in the 100-member Senate, or find another workaround to pass the bill. Republicans hold 53 seats.

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1:24 PM CDT

Senate Majority Leader John Thune R-S.D., center, privately speaks to Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, and Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., ahead of a news conference on Capitol Hill on Saturday, March 21, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Tom Brenner)

Newly discovered photos show astronaut Neil Armstrong after the Gemini 8 emergency

Adithi Ramakrishnan, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Newly discovered photos show astronaut Neil Armstrong after the Gemini 8 emergency

Adithi Ramakrishnan, The Associated Press 3 minute read 12:01 PM CDT

NEW YORK (AP) — Sixty years after Neil Armstrong barely survived an emergency in orbit around Earth on Gemini 8, never-before-seen photos of his heroic return have been donated to the Ohio museum that bears his name.

Quick thinking saved Armstrong and fellow astronaut David Scott, who ended the mission early with a splashdown off Okinawa, Japan.

Previously unreleased photos taken by Ron McQueeney, an Army veteran and professional photographer who escorted Armstrong and Scott, show new angles of the pair.

Since the splashdown was unplanned, few members of the media were on site, though NASA and military photographers were there. People who were unexpectedly called to help with recovery operations, like McQueeney, played a key role in capturing the aftermath.

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12:01 PM CDT

This 1966 image taken by Ron McQueeney shows the Gemini 8 spacecraft being lifted for transport at Naha Air Base in Okinawa, Japan. (Ron McQueeney/Ohio History Connection via AP)

Timeline of events since Breonna Taylor’s shooting death by police

The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Timeline of events since Breonna Taylor’s shooting death by police

The Associated Press 4 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 6:20 PM CDT

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Here is a timeline of events that began with the death of Breonna Taylor, a Black woman who was killed by police in her home in Louisville, Kentucky:

— March 13, 2020: Officers serving a narcotics warrant fatally shoot Taylor in her home.

— March 13, hours later: Police announce the arrest of Taylor's boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, in the wounding of an officer during an exchange of gunfire; Taylor is left unidentified at the news conference, described as “an unresponsive woman who was later pronounced dead.”

— March, April, 2020: The shooting stays out of the headlines as the COVID-19 pandemic spreads in the U.S.

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Updated: Yesterday at 6:20 PM CDT

FILE - An image of Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman who was fatally shot by police in her Louisville, Ky., apartment, is seen as people march to honor the 60th Anniversary of the March on Washington, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

Judge sides with New York Times in challenge to policy limiting reporters’ access to Pentagon

Michael Kunzelman, The Associated Press 6 minute read Preview

Judge sides with New York Times in challenge to policy limiting reporters’ access to Pentagon

Michael Kunzelman, The Associated Press 6 minute read Updated: 12:28 PM CDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge agreed Friday to block the Trump administration from enforcing a policy limiting news reporters’ access to the Pentagon, agreeing with The New York Times that key portions of the new rules are unlawful.

U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman in Washington, D.C., sided with the newspaper and ruled that the Pentagon policy illegally restricts the press credentials of reporters who walked out of the building rather than agree to the new rules.

The Times sued the Pentagon and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in December, claiming the credentialing policy violates the journalists’ constitutional rights to free speech and due process.

The current Pentagon press corps is comprised mostly of conservative outlets that agreed to the policy. Reporters from outlets that refused to consent to the new rules, including from The Associated Press, have continued reporting on the military.

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Updated: 12:28 PM CDT

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks to members of the media during a press briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, Thursday, March 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Tom Kean Jr.’s political roots date to 1776. Is that enough to protect the Republican’s House seat?

Mike Catalini, The Associated Press 6 minute read Preview

Tom Kean Jr.’s political roots date to 1776. Is that enough to protect the Republican’s House seat?

Mike Catalini, The Associated Press 6 minute read 7:22 AM CDT

LEBANON, N.J. (AP) — Tom Kean Jr.'s political pedigree dates to 1776, when one of his ancestors became New Jersey's first leader after the United States declared independence. His great grandfather was a senator, his grandfather was a congressman and his father was a governor.

But the family lineage may not be enough to protect Kean in this year's midterm elections. The Republican congressman is among his party's most endangered members as Democrats try to capitalize on President Donald Trump's unpopularity and regain control of the U.S. House.

If Kean and other Republicans in competitive races cannot retain their seats, it will be an early sign that a blue wave is washing across the country.

Kean represents New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District, a scenic mix of bedroom communities and farming towns perpetually on the shifting front lines of American politics. Two previous incumbents were ousted during midterm elections over the past decade: Kean defeated Democrat Tom Malinowski in 2022, after Malinowski beat Republican Leonard Lance in 2018.

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7:22 AM CDT

FILE - Rep. Tom Kean, R-N.J., listens during a Subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs about Belarus on Capitol Hill, Dec. 5, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib, file)

Noah Wyle tells hearing that ‘The Pitt’ shows TV and film production in the US can be revived

Andrew Dalton, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Noah Wyle tells hearing that ‘The Pitt’ shows TV and film production in the US can be revived

Andrew Dalton, The Associated Press 4 minute read Yesterday at 5:55 PM CDT

BURBANK, Calif. (AP) — “The Pitt” has won praise — and a gurney full of Emmys — for bringing a dose of classic episodic TV to the prestige streaming era.

Its star, executive producer and sometimes director Noah Wyle said Friday that the HBO Max hospital series is also a throwback of a different sort — it actually shoots in Hollywood at a time when film and television production has shifted to other places with more favorable economic conditions. Wyle said “The Pitt,” which won the Emmy for best drama for last year's first season, is “proof of concept” that the model can work.

Wyle spoke at a hearing organized by California Sen. Adam Schiff held at City Hall in Burbank, the Los Angeles-adjacent city that is home to most major studios, including the Warner Bros. lot where “The Pitt” shoots.

“I was asked to participate in today’s hearing to tell a success story,” Wyle said. “I’m happy to report we’ll commence shooting season three this summer, and that a rising tide has indeed lifted all boats.”

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Yesterday at 5:55 PM CDT

Actor Noah Wyle attends a hearing on the challenges facing the film industry in Burbank, Calif., Friday, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

What to know about Diego Garcia after Iran targets the remote island’s key US military base

Jill Lawless, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

What to know about Diego Garcia after Iran targets the remote island’s key US military base

Jill Lawless, The Associated Press 4 minute read Updated: 11:20 AM CDT

LONDON (AP) — Iran has launched missiles at Diego Garcia, an Indian Ocean island that is home to a strategic U.K.-U.S. military base.

Britain condemned “Iran’s reckless attacks” after the unsuccessful attempt to hit the base. It’s unclear how close the missiles came to the island, which is about 2,500 miles (4,000 kilometers) from Iran.

Here is what to know about the remote but strategic base.

Hub for U.S. operations

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Updated: 11:20 AM CDT

FILE - This image released by the U.S. Navy shows an aerial view of Diego Garcia in the Chagos Island group. (U.S. Navy via AP, File)

Congress looks for Trump’s exit plan as the Iran war drags on

Lisa Mascaro, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Congress looks for Trump’s exit plan as the Iran war drags on

Lisa Mascaro, The Associated Press 5 minute read Updated: 8:53 AM CDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump took the United States to war without a vote of support from Congress, but lawmakers are increasingly questioning when, how and at what cost the war with Iran will come to an end.

Three weeks into the conflict, the toll is becoming apparent. At least 13 U.S. military personnel have died, and more than 230 have been wounded. A $200 billion request from the Pentagon for war funds is pending at the White House. Allies are under attack, oil prices are spiking and thousands of U.S. troops are deploying to the Middle East with no endgame in sight.

“The real question is: What ultimately are we trying to accomplish?” Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., told The Associated Press.

“I generally support anything that takes out the mullahs,” he said. “But at the end of the day, there has to be a kind of strategic articulation of the strategy, what our objectives are."

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Updated: 8:53 AM CDT

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., descends an stairwell after a vote at the Capitol, Friday, March 20, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Tom Brenner)

Trump’s mixed messages on Iran: ‘Winding down’ the war and easing sanctions but adding more troops

Nicholas Riccardi, The Associated Press 6 minute read Preview

Trump’s mixed messages on Iran: ‘Winding down’ the war and easing sanctions but adding more troops

Nicholas Riccardi, The Associated Press 6 minute read 11:58 AM CDT

President Donald Trump frequently contradicts himself, sometimes in the same speech, social media post or even sentence. In the past 24 hours, he sent a torrent of mixed signals about the Iran war that raise more questions about the direction of the conflict and his administration's strategy.

Within the space of a few hours Friday, Trump said he was considering winding down the war, his administration confirmed it was sending more troops to the Middle East and, in an effort to lessen the economic impact on global energy markets, the United States lifted sanctions on some Iranian oil for the first time in decades — relieving some of the pressure that Washington traditionally has used as leverage.

The confusing combination of actions deepens a sense among Trump's critics that there is no clear, long-term strategy for the war the U.S. and Israel launched against Iran. Now in its fourth week, the war remains on an unpredictable path and a credible endgame is unclear even as the global economy is being roiled.

‘Winding down’ the war

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11:58 AM CDT

President Donald Trump, accompanied by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaks with reporters while departing the White House, Friday, March 20, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

For airline passengers, the shutdown answer is simple: Pay TSA officers

Jeff Amy, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

For airline passengers, the shutdown answer is simple: Pay TSA officers

Jeff Amy, The Associated Press 5 minute read Updated: 1:38 PM CDT

ATLANTA (AP) — Regardless of politics or destination, American air travelers were unified by one desire Saturday: it's time to pay Transportation Security Administration employees.

Christian Childress, a private flight attendant, sees the aviation system up close. When the Redwood City, California, resident is working, he doesn’t wait in TSA lines. But he frequently goes through a checkpoint when flying commercial to get to his job.

Childress said the shutdown effects have been “hit or miss” thus far. He came to the Atlanta airport nearly three hours before his 1:30 p.m. Saturday flight to Nashville, Tennessee, for a leisure trip. Some passengers have been arriving even earlier in Atlanta — one of the world's busiest airports — spooked that delays could cause them to miss flights.

“Issue No. 1 should be paying the people who need to get paid and keeping our air travel system secure,” Childress said. “Then they can debate whatever they want to debate about homeland security.”

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Updated: 1:38 PM CDT

March 21, 2026

Surprise, embarrassment, unease in Japan after Trump uses Pearl Harbor to defend Iran war

Weather

Former FBI Director Robert Mueller, who investigated Russia-Trump campaign ties, dies

Former FBI Director Robert Mueller, who investigated Russia-Trump campaign ties, dies

A deadly South Tyrol avalanche kills 2 skiers, trapping 25 near the Austria border

A deadly South Tyrol avalanche kills 2 skiers, trapping 25 near the Austria border

Senate blocks amendment on transgender athletes during weekend session on voting bill

Senate blocks amendment on transgender athletes during weekend session on voting bill

Newly discovered photos show astronaut Neil Armstrong after the Gemini 8 emergency

Newly discovered photos show astronaut Neil Armstrong after the Gemini 8 emergency

Timeline of events since Breonna Taylor’s shooting death by police

Timeline of events since Breonna Taylor’s shooting death by police

Judge sides with New York Times in challenge to policy limiting reporters’ access to Pentagon

Judge sides with New York Times in challenge to policy limiting reporters’ access to Pentagon

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Tom Kean Jr.’s political roots date to 1776. Is that enough to protect the Republican’s House seat?

Tom Kean Jr.’s political roots date to 1776. Is that enough to protect the Republican’s House seat?

Noah Wyle tells hearing that ‘The Pitt’ shows TV and film production in the US can be revived

Noah Wyle tells hearing that ‘The Pitt’ shows TV and film production in the US can be revived

What to know about Diego Garcia after Iran targets the remote island’s key US military base

What to know about Diego Garcia after Iran targets the remote island’s key US military base

Congress looks for Trump’s exit plan as the Iran war drags on

Congress looks for Trump’s exit plan as the Iran war drags on

Trump’s mixed messages on Iran: ‘Winding down’ the war and easing sanctions but adding more troops

Trump’s mixed messages on Iran: ‘Winding down’ the war and easing sanctions but adding more troops

For airline passengers, the shutdown answer is simple: Pay TSA officers

For airline passengers, the shutdown answer is simple: Pay TSA officers

March 21, 2026

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