Indian and Pakistan troops swap intense artillery fire

SRINAGAR, India (AP) — Indian and Pakistani soldiers have exchanged heavy volleys of shells and gunfire across their frontier in Kashmir, killing at least five civilians in a growing military standoff. Police in Pakistan say an unusually intense night of artillery exchanges left at least four civilians dead and wounded 12 others in areas near the Line of Control that divides Kashmir. In India, military officials said Pakistani troops barraged their posts overnight with artillery, mortars and gunfire at multiple locations. A woman was reported killed and two other civilians were injured.

Victory Day parade in Russia celebrates the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany

MOSCOW (AP) — Russia has celebrated the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II, with President Vladimir Putin presiding over a massive parade of tanks, missiles and troops through Red Square. He welcomed over two dozen world leaders — the most since Moscow sent troops into Ukraine. Victory Day is celebrated in Russia on May 9, the country’s most important secular holiday. The Red Square parade and other ceremonies underline Moscow’s efforts to project its power and cement the alliances it has forged while seeking a counterbalance to the West amid the 3-year-old conflict in Ukraine. The festivities were overshadowed by reports of Ukrainian drone attacks targeting Moscow, disrupting service at the capital’s airports.

Iran and US to meet in Oman for more talks on Tehran’s advancing nuclear program

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran and the United States will meet again this weekend for talks over Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff said the talks Sunday would again be held in Oman, which has mediated three previous rounds of negotiations. Oman did not immediately acknowledge the talks, which will come ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates next week. In an interview before the meeting, Witkoff hardened the U.S. position, saying that Iran would not be allowed to enrich uranium, even at non-bomb levels, under any deal that Trump would accept.

Rights groups sue to free Venezuelans deported from the US and held in El Salvador

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP) — International human rights organizations have filed a lawsuit with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights asking that the commission order El Salvador’s government to release Venezuelans deported from the United States and held in a maximum-security prison. The U.S. government deported more than 200 Venezuelan immigrants in March that it alleged had ties to the Tren de Aragua gang to El Salvador, paying the Salvadoran government to imprison them. Since then, they have had no access to lawyers or ability to communicate with their families. Neither the U.S. nor Salvadoran governments have said how the men could eventually regain their freedom.