On Sunday, Secretary of State John Kerry announced he’d be extending his stay in Switzerland to continue talks with Iran and the foreign ministers of five other countries. The parties involved in the talks haven’t revealed many details about how close they are to a deal.

“As you know we have never been so close to a deal,” European Commission Vice President Federica Mogherini said.

[…] Add increased instability the conflict in Yemen has brought to the region and the fact that the U.S. is helping in strikes against Iranian-backed rebels there, and progress in the talks suddenly seems more important. (more)

Meanwhile – President Barack Obama kicked off the spring season on Saturday with a weekend golf getaway in Florida, teeing off with former NBA star Alonzo Mourning and former sportscaster Ahmad Rashad.

During his stay at the Floridian National Golf Club, less than 50 miles up the coast from Palm Beach, Obama planned to be out of public view, with no official events scheduled. After arriving midday Saturday, he immediately hit the links with Mourning, Rashad and Cyrus Walker, a cousin of Obama’s senior adviser Valerie Jarrett, the White House said.

[…]  Previous administrations have allowed brief news media coverage during presidential rounds of golf. Obama’s policy generally is not to allow reporters to observe him. He has made a few exceptions when he’s golfed with prominent figures, including House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, former President Bill Clinton and the leaders of New Zealand and Malaysia.

Obama planned to return to the White House on Sunday evening. (read more)