Trump says Lebanon and Israel agree to extend Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire by 3 weeks
Washington (AP) — President Donald Trump says Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend a ceasefire between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group by three weeks after talks at the White House. Trump said the meeting Thursday between the Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors, the second in the past week, went “very well.” They were the first direct diplomatic talks in decades between the two countries. The initial 10-day ceasefire took effect last Friday and had been due to expire Monday. Trump says he expects to meet at the White House with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in the next couple of weeks.
Trump orders US military to 'shoot and kill' Iranian small boats choking Strait of Hormuz
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump says he has ordered the U.S. military to “shoot and kill” small Iranian boats that deploy mines to choke traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Trump’s post on social media Thursday came shortly after the U.S. military seized another tanker associated with the smuggling of Iranian oil. That ratcheted up a standoff with Tehran over the strait through which 20% of all crude oil and natural gas traded passes. The Defense Department released video footage of U.S. forces on the deck of the oil tanker Majestic X, which was seized in the Indian Ocean. Trump also announced that a ceasefire in Lebanon would be extended by three weeks.
US soldier charged with using classified intel to win $400K Polymarket bet on Maduro raid
WASHINGTON (AP) — A U.S. soldier involved in the military operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been charged with using classified information about the mission to win more than $400,000 in an online betting market. Federal officials unsealed the indictment Thursday. Gannon Ken Van Dyke was part of the work to capture Maduro in January and used his access to classified information to make money on the prediction market site Polymarket, the federal prosecutor’s office in New York said. He has been charged with unlawful use of confidential government information for personal gain, theft of nonpublic government information, commodities fraud, wire fraud, and making an unlawful monetary transaction.
Trump unveils deal with Regeneron to lower drug prices as part of most-favored-nation initiative
President Donald Trump has announced a deal with Regeneron to lower the cost of its pharmaceutical products. The agreement, announced Thursday, includes lowering the prices of current and future drugs on Medicaid and selling a cholesterol drug for $225 on the White House’s discounted drug website, TrumpRx. The deal first reported by NOTUS is part of the Trump administration's efforts to provide economic relief to Americans ahead of the midterm elections. It's one of many deals the White House has struck that aim to align U.S. pharmaceutical prices with other developed nations. Details of these agreements remain undisclosed, but Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says nonproprietary information will be shared with Congress.
What to know about a federal order reclassifying medical marijuana as a less dangerous drug
President Donald Trump's administration has reclassified medical marijuana as a less dangerous drug. The order, signed Thursday, marks a first step toward broader federal acceptance. It could boost research and profitability in the marijuana industry. But it doesn't legalize marijuana under federal law. The reclassification moves state-licensed medical marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, alongside substances like ketamine. Recreational marijuana remains a Schedule I drug, like heroin. The change could allow businesses that sell medical marijuana to claim tax deductions for expenses, though complications remain. Studies show that marijuana use has increased nationally, as more states embrace legalization.
Firefighter heard ‘stop, stop’ before LaGuardia jet crash, but didn’t know who it was for, NTSB says
NEW YORK (AP) — The National Transportation Safety Board says a firefighter whose truck collided with an Air Canada jet last month on a runway at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, killing both pilots, heard an air traffic controller warn “stop, stop, stop” but didn’t know who it was for. That's according to an investigative report released on Thursday. The NTSB said in a preliminary report on the March 22 crash that a crash prevention system for air traffic controllers didn’t generate an audio or visual alert. The report said the truck started moving while warning lights that act as a stop sign for crossing traffic were still lit.
Exchange of gunfire inside Mall of Louisiana leaves 1 person dead and 5 wounded
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Police say one person died and five more were wounded after a shooting inside the food court at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge. Police have described it as a confrontation between two groups. Authorities had initially said as many as 10 people were injured, but the number was changed a few hours after the shooting. Lafayette Parish officials say at least three of the victims were high school seniors from a local school. Baton Rouge Police Chief TJ Morse says five people have been arrested, and there is no ongoing threat to the public. The chief has appealed to witnesses to provide any video of the shooting.
What a combined Paramount-Warner would mean
NEW YORK (AP) — HBO Max, “Harry Potter,” “Top Gun,” CBS and CNN may all be placed under the control of the upstart Paramount Skydance soon. That’s because shareholders of Warner Bros. Discovery approved an $81 billion sale of the company on Thursday. The deal, including debt, is valued at nearly $111 billion. While the megamerger faces ongoing regulatory review, it could vastly reshape Hollywood and the wider media landscape. It would further consolidate power in an industry already run by just a handful of major players. Paramount itself was acquired by Skydance just last year. Here’s what a Paramount-Warner combo could look like for streaming, movies, news and more.
Trump considers a taxpayer takeover of Spirit Airlines and would aim to resell carrier
NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump says he is weighing a taxpayer takeover of Spirit Airlines and would aim to resell the troubled carrier after oil prices drop. The president confirmed his continued interest in offering Spirit a financial lifeline after a lawyer told a U.S. Bankruptcy Court that the airline was in advanced talks with the U.S. government on a financing deal. Speaking at an unrelated Oval Office event, Trump said he had “a smart person” in mind who could potentially run Spirit and that he believed the could get back on solid financial footing and eventually be sold for a profit
QB Fernando Mendoza, edge rusher David Bailey, running back Jeremiyah Love go 1-2-3 in the NFL draft
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Fernando Mendoza’s journey from overlooked two-star recruit to the top of the NFL draft is complete after the Las Vegas Raiders took him with the first pick on Thursday night. Turning the Raiders into a contender is the next challenge for the Heisman Trophy winner who led Indiana to its first national championship. The 22-year-old quarterback wasn’t in the Steel City for the festivities, choosing instead to celebrate with family and friends at home in Miami. Mendoza’s selection was expected for months. The intrigue began at No. 2 with the New York Jets, who selected Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey over Ohio State edge Arvell Reese. Arizona took Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love with the third pick.
