The briefing for Sunday, April 12.

Vice President JD Vance left Pakistan Sunday morning after historic face-to-face talks with Iran ended without a peace deal. The negotiations, which lasted 21 hours, collapsed when Iran refused to commit to not developing a nuclear weapon, according to Vance. The breakdown leaves uncertainty over a fragile two-week ceasefire announced April 7 as the seven-week war entered a critical phase.

Vance said he remained in constant communication with President Trump throughout the negotiations but that Iran would not provide "an affirmative commitment that they will not seek a nuclear weapon, and they will not seek the tools that would enable them to quickly achieve a nuclear weapon." Iran's Foreign Ministry acknowledged a "gap between our opinions over two or three important issues" without specifying what they were. The ministry said negotiators reached mutual understanding on some topics, including the Strait of Hormuz, but did not mention nuclear weapons discussions.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar called on both countries to maintain their ceasefire commitment and said his country would continue facilitating dialogue. The talks marked the highest-level direct contact between the US and Iran since 2013, when President Obama called Iran's then-president to discuss the nuclear program. The war has killed thousands and disrupted global oil markets, with Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz affecting energy supplies worldwide.

The Senate advanced Pete Hegseth's nomination for defense secretary along party lines Friday, with a final confirmation vote expected today. The vote comes as new information emerged about Hegseth's past, including that he paid $50,000 to a woman who accused him of sexual assault in 2017, according to written answers he provided to Senator Elizabeth Warren that the AP obtained.

Two days after Hegseth's confirmation hearing, Trump's transition team briefed Senate Armed Services Committee leaders on an additional FBI statement from Hegseth's second wife, Samantha. According to a person familiar with the briefing, she told the FBI that Pete Hegseth "had and continues to have a problem with alcohol abuse." Senators also received an affidavit from a former sister-in-law alleging repeated drunkenness and abuse toward Samantha Hegseth. Both Pete and Samantha Hegseth have denied the abuse allegations.

Hegseth's attorney Timothy Parlatore said Samantha Hegseth told the FBI that Pete drinks "more often than not" but acknowledged she hadn't spent time with him in seven years, calling Senator Jack Reed's characterization of the briefing "knowingly lying." Democrats and two Republicans have raised concerns about Hegseth's nomination. The payment to the California woman who accused him of assault was previously unknown, though Parlatore confirmed in November that a settlement had been made. Hegseth told senators he was "falsely accused" and completely cleared.

Hungarians cast ballots Sunday in what observers call Europe's most consequential election this year, a vote that could end Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's 16-year grip on power. Polls opened at 6 a.m. local time with challenger Péter Magyar's Tisza party leading in independent polls. Turnout after five hours reached 37.98%, a record in Hungary's post-communist history with around 876,000 more voters than in 2022 elections.

Magyar, a 45-year-old former Fidesz insider who broke with Orbán's party in 2024, has campaigned on government corruption and Hungary's failing public services. He told the AP the election represents a "referendum" on whether Hungary continues drifting toward Russia or retakes its place among democratic European societies. His rapid rise has made him Orbán's most serious challenger after the opposition won 30% of votes in European Parliament elections last year.

Orbán, an ally of President Trump and the EU's longest-serving leader, has been accused of eroding democratic institutions, restricting media freedoms, and straining Hungary's relationship with the European Union. Most recently, he blocked a €90 billion EU loan to Ukraine, prompting accusations of hijacking critical aid. Speaking after voting, Orbán expressed confidence in victory while Magyar urged Hungarians to exercise their right to vote and resist "Fidesz pressure and blackmail." Results are expected during the evening.

The Manhattan District Attorney's Office launched an investigation Saturday into sexual misconduct allegations against California gubernatorial candidate Eric Swalwell. Four women have accused the congressman of misconduct ranging from harassment to rape, including an alleged incident in New York. Swalwell denies the claims and vowed to defend himself "with facts" while bringing legal action where necessary.

The first public allegation emerged Friday in the San Francisco Chronicle from a former staff member who said Swalwell made inappropriate comments and solicited her for sex after hiring her to work in his district office. She alleged two assaults by Swalwell, in September 2019 and 2024, claiming she was too intoxicated to consent on both occasions. CNN published accusations from four women total, with Swalwell's legal team sending cease-and-desist letters to two accusers.

Within hours of the allegations surfacing, Swalwell lost backing from prominent supporters including Senator Adam Schiff and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. The congressman, elected in 2012 to represent a district near San Francisco, had been considered a top Democratic candidate in the crowded primary race to replace outgoing Governor Gavin Newsom. The allegations have emerged just weeks before voters receive mail ballots ahead of the June 2 election. Manhattan prosecutors urged survivors and anyone with knowledge to contact their Special Victims Division.

Irish police using pepper spray pushed back protesters at Whitegate Refinery in County Cork Saturday, restoring access to the facility after a days-long blockade. The operation, supported by the Irish Defence Forces, allowed more than 20 oil trucks to enter the refinery as Ireland's fuel crisis entered its fifth day. Hundreds of petrol stations across the country have run out of fuel due to ongoing protests against high fuel prices.

Protesters have been blocking fuel depots and creating slow-moving convoys of tractors and vehicles across Ireland. Blockades continue at facilities in counties Limerick and Galway, while protesters have also set up a blockade near Rosslare Europort. The harbour master warned the port may reach capacity by Sunday afternoon and have to turn away ferries due to freight stuck at the facility. Public transport has been affected, with some services suspended and major disruption in Dublin.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly ordered protesters to cease blockades or "face the full rigours of the law," noting that gardaí are aware of intimidation against fuel tanker drivers. The conflict in the Middle East has caused diesel to rise from about €1.70 per litre to €2.17 at many forecourts in recent weeks. Tánaiste Simon Harris said talks with protesters are "going well" and promised a "substantial and significant" support package, but emphasized "the blockade has to end." A cabinet meeting is scheduled for Sunday to discuss the crisis.