ROME (AP) — The Vatican says Pope Francis remains in critical condition but has shown slight improvement in laboratory tests. He has resumed some work activities, including calling a parish in Gaza City that he has kept in touch with since the war there began. The Vatican’s evening bulletin was more upbeat than in recent…… MORE

Many federal employees across the country are back at agency offices under President Donald Trump’s return-to-office mandate. Trump advisor Elon Musk warned on his platform X Monday that workers who don’t comply will be placed on administrative leave. At least some federal agencies are not fully prepared for all remote workers to return to the…… MORE

NEW YORK (AP) — Job searches can be tough for anyone, but some of the federal workers flooding the market after widespread layoffs are finding it particularly tough. Park ranger? Nuclear submarine engineer? Diplomat? Some jobs are almost exclusively the realm of government, making the search even harder. President Donald Trump and his cost-cutting czar,…… MORE

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. on Monday imposed sanctions on dozens of people and oil tankers across China, the United Arab Emirates, India and other jurisdictions for allegedly helping to finance Iran and its support for militant groups that launch attacks against the U.S. and its allies. This is the second round of sanctions imposed…… MORE