JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 879

Washington: Senior U.S. officials said on April 12 that negotiations with Iranian representatives in Islamabad lasted roughly 21 hours and ended without an agreement; Vice President JD Vance told reporters that President Donald Trump was closely involved, and that the United States presented what it described as a 'final and best offer' to Tehran during the talks.

Immediate consequences include continued diplomatic stalemate and public reaction: U.S. officials said they pursued a deal in good faith but set clear limits, protesters in Baton Rouge demonstrated against negotiating with Iran, and regional strikes were reported around the same period; U.S. negotiators and the White House signaled next steps would depend on whether Tehran accepts the offered terms.

Colorado Avalanche coach Jared Bednar was struck in the right cheek by a puck Saturday night when a shot from Vegas defenseman Keegan Kolesar sailed over the boards with 16:39 left in the third period, and he was helped to the locker room by a trainer after bending over and holding the side of his head. A team spokesperson said Bednar was fully alert and conscious and was taken to a hospital for a CT scan and further evaluation; assistant coach Dave Hakstol assumed Bednar's in-game duties for the remainder of the contest.

The Avalanche lost the game 3-2 in overtime to the Vegas Golden Knights. Colorado, which clinched the top overall seed Thursday and sits at 115 points, will travel to Edmonton on Sunday for a two-game road trip; it had not been determined whether Bednar would accompany the team pending hospital results and medical clearance. The club also lost defenseman Josh Manson to an upper-body injury late in the second period. Assistant coach Nolan Pratt said, 'It's certainly a little unnerving,' and noted Bednar was being evaluated to determine his status for Sunday.

Seattle on Saturday unveiled a life-size bronze statue of Swami Vivekananda at Westlake Square, where Mayor Katie Wilson and Consul General of India in Seattle Prakash Gupta jointly presided over the ceremony. The installation, identified by officials as the first hosted by a U.S. city government, occupies a central downtown public space.

The unveiling on April 12 drew regional mayors and community leaders, and the Consulate General posted celebratory remarks referencing Vivekananda's 1893 Chicago address. City officials described the monument as strengthening cultural ties and public recognition for Indian Americans, and the site’s high foot traffic positions the statue as a visible civic artwork.

Columbus, Ohio — Head coach Ted Ginn Jr. was arrested in Tarrant County, Texas, early Saturday and charged with driving while intoxicated, removing him from the Columbus Aviators' sideline for their scheduled Sunday UFL game in Frisco. Police reports place the arrest at about 12:58 a.m.; Ginn was transferred to Tarrant County jail and was not listed as an inmate later Saturday.

Frisco, Texas — United Football League president Russ Brandon said the league is gathering information, and Offensive Coordinator Todd Haley was named to handle head coaching duties for the Aviators' Sunday game; Haley, a former Kansas City head coach and Pittsburgh offensive coordinator, will lead the team in Week 3 as scheduled while officials continue to process arrest records and team communications.

Mosinee, Wisconsin — Multiple fire crews responded Saturday evening to a blaze at Crystal Finishing Systems, where the initial call arrived at 5:15 p.m. Firefighters contained the fire, declared the scene clear later that night, and reported no injuries while the cause remained under investigation. Several neighboring departments provided mutual aid, and operations returned to normal for much of the facility by Sunday morning.

Niskayuna, New York — Early Sunday morning at 5:39 a.m., Niskayuna Fire District crews fought a garage and vehicle fire that involved a Tesla lithium‑ion battery entering thermal runaway; crews brought the vehicle under control by 6:31 a.m. In Hurricane, Utah, an April 12 afternoon house fire displaced six residents, caused heavy interior damage, and prompted Red Cross assistance while investigations continue.

Miami. Josh Hokit defeated Curtis Blaydes by unanimous decision in a three-round heavyweight bout at UFC 327 on Saturday, engaging in prolonged striking exchanges that saw both fighters repeatedly rocked and the contest run the full 15 minutes, with officials rendering the decision after regulation time concluded and no extra rounds were contested.

Post-fight, UFC President Dana White announced Hokit’s rapid rebooking, stating Hokit will appear on an upcoming 'White House Card' and face Derrick Lewis in roughly two months, a move White said followed suggestions from broadcast commentators and attendees; outlets additionally reported combined significant-strike totals and specific strike counts for each fighter during the bout.

Washington DC — On April 12, US Central Command said two destroyers, USS Frank E. Petersen (DDG 121) and USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112), transited the Strait of Hormuz and began setting conditions for clearing mines in the Arabian Gulf to establish a safe passage for commercial shipping. CENTCOM said the operation is part of a broader mission addressing mines attributed to Iran's IRGC.

Tehran — On Saturday, Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters issued a swift denial of CENTCOM's claim, saying the reported approach and entry of US vessels into the Strait of Hormuz was 'strongly denied', as reported by Al Jazeera. CENTCOM also posted a related X status and said it would share the established safe pathway with the maritime industry soon.

Miami. Inter Miami and New York Red Bulls played to a 2-2 draw at Nu Stadium on Saturday night, April 12, 2026, after Mateo Silvetti and Germán Berterame scored for Miami and Jorge Ruvalcaba and 17‑year‑old Adri Mehmeti equalised for New York; Lionel Messi assisted Berterame’s goal and Miami extended its unbeaten MLS run to six matches.

Miami’s hopes of a first home win at the new stadium were frustrated this week when Mehmeti levelled in the 77th minute, leaving Inter Miami without a victory at Nu Stadium after also drawing with Austin FC last week; the point preserved New York’s away return and sets both teams to resume MLS play with updated standings on the table.

Washington: US and Iranian delegations held extended talks in Islamabad on Saturday, with negotiators meeting into early Sunday as multiple outlets reported overnight sessions. The New York Times reported discussions continued past 5 a.m. local time, and outlets described the meetings as marathon diplomacy focused on disputes including control of the Strait of Hormuz and security arrangements.

Mediators from Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey signaled they will press to narrow gaps and pursue further rounds; Saudi Gazette and Axios reported a 21-hour session ended without agreement. Officials described the situation as ongoing bargaining rather than collapse, and parties aim to continue negotiations ahead of the April 21 ceasefire deadline.

AUGUSTA, Ga. Scottie Scheffler surged at Augusta National on Saturday, firing a bogey-free, seven-under 65 that moved him from 12 shots back into contention and left him at seven under for the tournament, four strokes behind co-leaders Rory McIlroy and Cameron Young. He eagled the par-5 second, made five birdies and recorded no bogeys during the round.

On Sunday Scheffler shot a 4-under 68 and finished one stroke behind Rory McIlroy, who won the Masters to reach two career green jackets; Scheffler completed the weekend with back-to-back bogey-free rounds, an accomplishment noted in reporting as the first such streak since World War II, and broadcasters and sponsors saw elevated audience engagement.