>> Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman.
Negotiations between Iran and the U.S. evaded without an agreement.
“Vice President Jady Vance was in Pakistan to lead the talks and is now headed back to the U.S.”
Vance says Iran's nuclear program continues to be a major sticking point in the talks. >> They're nuclear programs such as it is, the enrichment facilities that they had before, they've been destroyed. >> But the simple question is, do we see a fundamental commitment of will for the Iranians not to develop a nuclear weapon, not just now, not just two years from now, but for the long term. We haven't seen that yet, we hope that we will. >> The talks ended just days after a two-week ceasefire was announced in the Middle East meanwhile, the military says two U.S.
destroyers translated the straight of Hormuz Saturday.
That's the first time that's happened since the war began.
A federal appeals court says President Trump's construction of a ballroom at the White House can continue at least temporarily. The administration is continuing to challenge a lower court ruling, saying the project exceeds the president's authority. And PR's Chloe Veltman reports. >> A three-judge panel for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled two to one to allow construction to proceed through next Friday, while the district court further reviews the case.
“The national trust for historic preservation sued to stop construction last December.”
It argued the president lacked the statutory authority to undertake the project. In March, a district court judge granted a preliminary injunction to halt construction, even though the project was greenlit by the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission on Finance. Also, the East Wing had already been demolished. In a statement to NPR in response to today's ruling, national trust presidents and CEO Carol Quillin expressed appreciation for the Court of Appeals's swift actions. Chloe Veltman and Pionneuse.
>> The Trump administration is defending a plan to restructure the U.S. Forest Service and send its headquarters to Utah. And as Rachel Cohen of the Mountain West News Bureau reports, the plan would also close dozens of research laboratories. 57 of 77 for his service labs nationwide are on a list to shutter. Scientists at these lab study, everything from pollinators to wildfires. The agency said this week, the closures don't mean an end to research.
It's just relocating small teams to other spaces. But Carol Hopman and Union representative with the National Federation of Federal Employees says those workers haven't been told where their jobs could be moved. We asked them for details. They say, well, those are still being worked out. >> He says the changes could harm long-term projects. For NPR News, I'm Rachel Cohen.
>> Russian forces using drones this week into hit targets in Ukraine, at least two people were killed by attacks in Odessa. The strikes come despite Kremlin announced ceasefire. Russian officials say the 36-hour ceasefire was to provide safety for residents during the Orthodox Easter weekend. You're listening to NPR News. The crew from Artemis 2 are now back in Houston, where they received a big welcome Saturday from their NASA support team.
It was an emotional return for the four crew members. U.S. team commander Reed Weissman struggled to say, just want to trip to the moon meant for him. >> Victor, Christina and Jeremy, we are bonded forever. And no one down here is ever going to know what the four of us just went through. And it was the most special thing that will ever happen in my life.
>> The trip was NASA's first lunar flyby in more than 50 years.
A program offering music lessons, Jim Access, and cooking facilities that drug-addicted prisoners in Britain has cut reoffending rates dramatically there. That's according to the government data, Fiki Barker reports. >> The program was started by a past conservative justice secretary who was eager to encourage abstinence. Over the methadone treatments, he felt left drug-addicted prisoners virtual zombies. Inmates pledged to give up drugs and to undergo frequent drug tests.
In return, they're moved to special drug-free wings, where access to gardens, music lessons, and other perks are on offer. The Ministry of Justice says reoffending rates are down by 44%. And acts of violence and self-harmed down 30% inside those prisons participating. The program is now in place in 70% of English prisons. For NPR News, I'm Viki Barker, in London.
>> I'm Dale Willman and you're listening to NPR News from Upstate New York.
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