Pope Leo XIV and the top U.S. Catholic bishop for the military both used Easter Sunday to emphasize Jesus' message of peace amid theescalating Iran war.
Why it matters: The first U.S.-born pope urged those who "unleash wars" to lay down weapons as President Trump continued his increasingly aggressive wartime rhetoric on Sunday to demand that Tehran "Open the Fuckin' Strait, you crazy bastards, or you'll be living in Hell — JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah."
President Trump threatened to bomb Iran's power plants and bridges starting Tuesday if the regime doesn't open the Strait of Hormuz.
Why it matters: Trump's 10-day deadline to Iran is expected to expire Monday. He previously threatened to bomb the country's energy, water and oil infrastructure if no deal was reached to open the strait.
President Trump claimed in an interview with Axios that the U.S. is "in deep negotiations" with Iran and that a deal can be reached before his deadline expires on Tuesday.
"There is a good chance, but if they don't make a deal, I am blowing up everything over there," he said.
Why it matters: The mediators are less optimistic that a deal is close but say they will work to the last minute to reach at least a partial agreement to delay Trump's ultimatum. Trump has threatened to destroy infrastructure that is vital to Iranian civilians if he is unable to reach a deal with their leaders.
President Trump told Axios the U.S. initially worried that a message from the stranded crew member of an F-15 downed by Iran was a trick by the Iranians to lure U.S. forces into a trap.
The big picture: The crew member survived more than 24 hours in the mountains despite being wounded, before being rescued in a special forces operation on Saturday.
U.S. special forces rescued the second crew member of the F-15 fighter jet that was shot down over Iran, three U.S. officials tell Axios.
The crew member, a weapons system officer, was wounded after ejecting from the aircraft on Friday but could still walk, and evaded capture in the mountains for more than a day, one of officials said.
The big picture: The shootdown was a nightmare scenario for the U.S. military, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) also racing to locate the missing U.S. officer in southwest Iran. Both crew members were rescued in special forces operations inside Iran.
President Trump threatened on Saturday that "hell will reign down" on Iran if the regime doesn't agree to open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours.
Why it matters: Trump's 10-day deadline to Iran is expected to expire on Monday. He previously threatened to bomb the country's energy, water and oil infrastructure if no deal was reached to open the strait.
As America pulls back from investments in traditional pillars of soft power such as international aid and broadcasting, one area stands out as a growing cultural export: music.
Why it matters: The forces that launched the U.S. to the top of the global stage in music can't be easily unwound by a single administration or policy. They are woven into the cultural fabric of America's history and identity.
