US AND CANADA

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Thousands of U.S. Army paratroopers have begun arriving in the Middle East, according to officials familiar with the matter, signaling a deepening American military posture as Washington weighs its next moves in the ongoing conflict with Iran.

The deployment centers on elite units from the 82nd Airborne Division, reinforcing a growing presence that already includes naval, Marine and special operations forces across the տարածաշրջան. Over the weekend, approximately 2,500 Marines were also sent, underscoring the pace of the buildup.

Officials said the troops' exact destinations remain undisclosed, but described the movement as part of broader contingency planning rather than a confirmed step toward ground operations inside Iran. The forces include command elements, logistical support units and a brigade combat team, providing flexibility for multiple mission profiles.

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US President Donald Trump has claimed that the US-Israel war has achieved regime change in Iran after successive strikes killed multiple layers of its leadership. 

Trump disclosed this while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, March 29. 

Reiterating that the Iran war is “ahead of schedule”, Trump also said that the US is dealing with a “completely different set of people” who are reasonable and that there can be a deal with Tehran “pretty soon.”

About the new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, Trump said that he may be alive, but he is seriously wounded.

"The one regime was decimated, destroyed, they're all dead. The next regime is mostly dead. And the third regime, we're dealing with different people than anybody's dealt with before. It's a whole different group of people. So I would consider that regime change. And frankly, they've been very reasonable. So I think we've had regime change. We can't do much better than that. The regime that was really bad, really evil, was the first one. That was done. The second was appointed, and they're gone. They're all dead,” the president told reporters aboard Air Force One.

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Spain’s Defence Minister Margarita Robles announced that the country has closed its airspace to U.S. planes involved in attacks on Iran and will not authorize the use of its Morón and Rota military bases for related operations. Robles stated that this position was made clear to the American government from the outset. Foreign Affairs Minister José Manuel Albares added that the decision aims to avoid any action that could "encourage an escalation in this war.”

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U.S. President, Donald Trump has said Iran allowed multiple oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz as what he described as a goodwill gesture during ongoing negotiations.

Speaking during a Cabinet meeting at the White House, Trump explained that the move was what he had earlier referred to as a “present” from Iran.

“They said, to show you that we’re real and solid, we’re going to let you have eight boats of oil—eight big boats,” Trump said. “It ended up being 10 boats.”

He added that the vessels were believed to be Pakistani-flagged, though no further official details were immediately provided by the White House.

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Authorities in Los Angeles deployed tear gas near a federal detention center and made dozens of arrests following one of thousands of “No Kings” rallies held this weekend across the United States and in Europe to protest President Donald Trump’s actions and the war in Iran.

Los Angeles police said Sunday that 74 people were arrested for failing to heed a dispersal order that was given after Saturday’s rally ended. One other person was taken into custody on suspicion of possessing a weapon that police described as a dagger.

The arrests stood out from what otherwise were mostly peaceful protests. Organizers said there were more than 3,100 events registered in all 50 U.S. states.

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President Donald Trump has announced he will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in China on May 14–15. This marks the first visit to the country by a U.S. president in nearly a decade. The trip, which was delayed due to the ongoing conflict involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran, will be followed by a reciprocal visit from Xi to Washington later this year. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the dates, noting that President Xi accepted the request to postpone the original schedule.

"President Xi understood that it's very important for the president to be here throughout these combat operations right now," Leavitt said at a press briefing on Wednesday.

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Even after President Donald Trump ordered emergency pay for Transportation Security Administration agents to ease long security lines, major U.S. airports on Sunday were still urging travelers to arrive hours early — and federal immigration officers brought in to help may not be leaving anytime soon.

Trump’s executive order on Friday instructed the Department of Homeland Security to pay TSA officers immediately, though it’s unclear how quickly travelers will see an impact. The move comes during a busy travel stretch, with spring breaks underway and Passover and Easter approaching.

Tens of thousands of TSA employees have been working without pay since DHS funding lapsed on Valentine’s Day. The department’s shutdown reached 44 days on Sunday, eclipsing the record 43-day shutdown last fall that affected all of the federal government.

Trump deployed Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to some airports a week ago to help with security as TSA callouts rose nationwide — the same officers who may now remain in place if TSA staffing strains continue.

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Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple, has some surprising advice for smartphone users. In an interview with Good Morning America’s Michael Strahan, the 65-year-old executive reflected on the company’s 50-year legacy, the impact of recent tariffs and

Apple's expanded contributions to school music programs as part of its partnership with Save The Music.