Rep. Eric Swalwell of California says he will resign after sexual misconduct allegations
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell of California says he will resign from Congress following sexual assault and misconduct allegations. The decision Monday caps a swift political fall for the seven-term lawmaker, who had been seen as one of the leading candidates in California’s gubernatorial race before dropping out after the allegations surfaced. Swalwell denies the allegations against him but apologized Monday for "mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past.” The House Ethics Committee earlier Monday launched an investigation into whether Swalwell engaged in sexual misconduct toward an employee working under his supervision. Other lawmakers were pushing for a quick vote to expel Swalwell from Congress.
Trump says US military has blockaded Iranian ports to pressure Tehran
CAIRO (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump says the American military has blockaded Iranian ports to try to force Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Trump's statement Monday was part of his effort to pressure Iran to accept a deal to end the war that has raged for more than six weeks. Iran responded with threats on all ports in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, taking aim at U.S.-allied countries. That set the stage for an extraordinary showdown that posed serious risks for the global economy and raised the specter that the ceasefire could collapse.
Trump says he won't apologize to Pope Leo and explains his reason for posting much-criticized meme
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is refusing to apologize to Pope Leo XIV after criticizing the pontiff's opposition to the war in Iran. Trump told reporters Monday that he wasn't sorry for responding to Leo's public comments. Trump lashed out at the pope on Sunday night in both a social media post and to reporters after disembarking Air Force One. Leo responded by saying that the Vatican’s appeals for peace and reconciliation are rooted in the Gospel and that he doesn’t fear the Trump administration. On Monday, Trump also sought to explain away a now-deleted social media post depicting himself as Jesus by saying he thought it showed him as a doctor.
Judge dismisses Trump’s $10B lawsuit against WSJ, Murdoch over reporting on ties to Epstein
WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge has dismissed President Donald Trump’s $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal and Rupert Murdoch over a story on his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. U.S. District Judge Darrin P. Gayles in Florida wrote in the order issued Monday that Trump had failed to make the argument that the article was published with the intent to be malicious, but gave the president a chance to file an amended complaint. Trump's lawsuit came after the Journal published an article that described a sexually suggestive letter the newspaper said bore Trump’s signature and was included in an album compiled for Epstein’s 50th birthday. Trump has denied writing it. After the ruling, Trump said he has a “powerful case” and will be refiling the complaint.
Florida teenager charged with sexually assaulting and killing stepsister Anna Kepner on cruise ship
A 16-year-old boy has been charged with murder and aggravated sexual abuse in Florida in the death of his 18-year-old stepsister on a Carnival Cruise ship, the U.S. Justice Department said Monday. Timothy Hudson was indicted on March 10. But the entire case was sealed until Friday, weeks after a judge said he would be prosecuted as an adult at the request of prosecutors. Anna Kepner had been traveling on the Carnival Horizon ship in November with her family. Before the ship was scheduled to return to Florida, her body was found concealed under a bed in a room.
Man accused in Molotov cocktail attack of OpenAI CEO's home charged with attempted murder
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins says that 20-year-old Daniel Moreno-Gama has been charged with attempting to kill the OpenAI CEO as well as a security guard at the residence when he threw the incendiary device at the gate of Sam Altman’s home on April 10. Moreno-Gama was arrested a short time later outside the headquarters of OpenAI, and police said that he threatened to burn down the business. Court documents say the man is opposed to artificial intelligence and had a list of other AI tech executives. Matt Cobo, the FBI's San Francisco Acting Special Agent in Charge said of the incident: “This was not spontaneous. This was planned, targeted and extremely serious."
Hungarian election victor Magyar says he’d speak with Putin and ask him to end the war in Ukraine
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungarian election winner Péter Magyar says he would talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin but won't initiate contact. He spoke Monday after defeating Putin ally Viktor Orbán. Magyar said that he would ask Putin to end the killing in Ukraine and plans to review Hungary's Russian energy contracts and renegotiate them if needed. His victory has sparked hope across Europe for a more cooperative EU as many leaders were frustrated with Orbán's policies. Magyar aims to work closely with the EU and NATO. European leaders have praised his win. They see it as a shift away from populist politics. The outcome could impact Hungary's stance on issues like Ukraine.
Trump administration agrees to return rainbow Pride flag to New York’s Stonewall monument
NEW YORK (AP) — The Trump administration has agreed to keep flying a rainbow Pride flag on a federal flagpole at the Stonewall National Monument, reversing course after removing the banner in February. The government revealed the decision Monday as it agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by LGBTQ+ and historic preservation groups who had sought to block the removal. A judge approved the agreement. According to court papers, the Interior Department and National Park Service “have confirmed their intention to maintain a Pride flag at Stonewall.” It won’t be removed, except for “maintenance or other practical purposes.”
Minnesota authorities investigate arrest by ICE of a Hmong American man as a possible kidnapping
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A Minnesota county is investigating the arrest by federal officers of a Hmong American man as a potential case of kidnapping, burglary and false imprisonment. Ramsey County Attorney John Choi and Sheriff Bob Fletcher said Monday they are pursuing information from the Department of Homeland Security that they need for their investigation into the arrest of ChongLy “Scott” Thao, an American citizen. Armed federal officers bashed open the front door of Thao’s St. Paul home without a warrant in January. They led him outside in freezing conditions wearing only his underwear and a blanket. His arrest was captured on video.
Dallas Wings select Azzi Fudd of UConn No. 1 in WNBA draft with a $500,000 payday waiting
NEW YORK (AP) — Azzi Fudd is on her way to Dallas as the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft with a $500,000 payday waiting for the former UConn star. Fudd will pair again with former Huskies teammate Paige Bueckers, who was the Wings’ No. 1 pick last year. The new collective bargaining agreement that was ratified last month gave huge pay raises to rookies. Fudd will make nearly seven-times what Bueckers earned last season as the top choice. UCLA had quite a night with five players drafted in the first round breaking the record held by the 2002 UConn team and six overall.
