The United States has pulled off a daring rescue of two aviators whose fighter jet was shot down by Iran. After plucking the pilot from behind enemy lines, it launched a complicated extraction of the second service member hiding deep in the mountains as Tehran called for Iranians to help capture him. The CIA looked to throw off Iran’s government before the crew member was found, launching a deception campaign to spread word he had already been located. Rescuers also faced major obstacles, including two Black Hawk helicopters coming under fire and problems with two transport planes that forced the U.S. military to blow them up.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is concerned that a prolonged U.S.-Israeli war on Iran could erode America's support for Ukraine as Washington's global priorities shift. He says Ukraine urgently needs more Patriot air defense systems from the United States as Kyiv tries to fend off relentless Russian aerial attacks. Zelenskyy says he fears there will be reduced deliveries as resources are diverted to the Middle East. He spoke late on Saturday. Zelenskyy also claims Russia benefits economically from the war and is sharing intelligence with Iran. Zelenskyy has offered Ukraine's expertise in countering Iranian drones and defense cooperation with Gulf Arab states as measures that would keep Ukraine on the global agenda.

Pope Leo XIV has celebrated his first Easter Mass as pontiff, urging peace through dialogue and calling for an end to conflicts worldwide. He departed from tradition by not listing global woes in his Urbi et Orbi blessing. Leo, the first U.S.-born pope, emphasized Easter’s message of hope and transformation. With ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, he acknowledges indifference to the suffering caused by wars. Leo announced a prayer vigil for peace on April 11. In the Holy Land, Easter celebrations are subdued due to restrictions on public gatherings, while Gazan Christians celebrated the first Easter since a ceasefire. Armenian Christians gathered in the Iranian capital during the fifth week of war.

U.S. President Donald Trump has issued an expletive-filled threat to escalate strikes on Iran if it doesn't open the Strait of Hormuz by his Tuesday deadline. It follows the U.S. rescue of an aviator whose plane was downed by Iran. Trump on Sunday promised strikes on Iran’s power plants and bridges. Iran shows no sign of backing down and has hit targets in Gulf Arab countries. Both sides threaten civilian targets. War crime concerns have been raised.. Diplomatic efforts continue with countries like Oman and Pakistan trying to mediate. The war now in its sixth week has already caused significant casualties and economic disruption.

The Artemis II astronauts are more than halfway to the moon. The three Americans and one Canadian will reach their destination Monday, performing a lunar flyby and then coming straight back home. They are the first moonbound crew in more than half a century, picking up where NASA's Apollo program left off. On the downside, their toilet is on the blink again. Until it is fixed, Mission Control has instructed the astronauts to break out more of the backup urine collection bags. The toilet malfunctioned following Wednesday's liftoff and has been hit and miss ever since.

U.S. President Donald Trump has again warned Tehran over his Monday deadline to open the crucial Strait of Hormuz and allow ship traffic to flow again, and Iran has responded by threatening to open “the gates of hell.” The U.S. military meanwhile searched a remote area in Iran for a second day Saturday after a warplane was shot down and a pilot went missing. Israel confirmed striking a petrochemical complex in Iran, and state media there said at least five people are dead. Meanwhile, Iran's top diplomat signaled willingness for talks as Pakistan said efforts were “right on track.”