Lebanon and Israel hold first direct diplomatic talks in decades in Washington
WASHINGTON (AP) — Lebanon and Israel have held direct diplomatic talks for the first time in decades. Tuesday's more than two-hour meeting in Washington came after more than a month of conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah. The State Department praised the two sides for what it called “productive discussions.” Israel's ambassador to the U.S. hailed what he called a convergence of opinion about removing Hezbollah's influence from Lebanon. Lebanon's ambassador to the U.S. called for a ceasefire and to address the humanitarian crisis resulting from the conflict. Hezbollah opposed the direct talks and wasn’t represented. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the talks a “historic opportunity.”
Diplomats try to arrange more US-Iran talks during first full day of American blockade
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Diplomats are working through back channels to arrange more talks between the United States and Iran. As Washington blockaded Iranian ports, Tehran threatened to retaliate by striking targets across the region. Though last week’s ceasefire appeared to hold, the showdown over the Strait of Hormuz risked reigniting hostilities. Talks last weekend aimed at permanently ending the conflict in Iran failed to produce an agreement. Pakistan has proposed hosting a second round in the coming days. In Washington, direct talks between Israel and Lebanon concluded Tuesday. The U.S. State Department said they were “productive.” They were the first such negotiations in decades.
California woman says she was raped by Rep. Eric Swalwell in 2018
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A California woman says she was raped by Rep. Eric Swalwell in 2018 and now plans to make a report to law enforcement. Lonna Drewes said during a news conference Tuesday that she believes Swalwell drugged her and then sexually assaulted her at a hotel. Drewes says Swalwell choked her, and she lost consciousness. Swalwell's attorney did not immediately comment on the allegations. Swalwell has denied prior accusations of sexual assault by another woman. The Associated Press does not typically name people who say they have been sexually assaulted unless they come forward publicly. Swalwell dropped out of the California governor’s race on Sunday amid the sexual misconduct allegations.
Justice Department moves to toss seditious conspiracy convictions of Oath Keepers and Proud Boys
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department has asked a federal appeals court to throw out the seditious conspiracy convictions of Proud Boys and Oath Keepers leaders who were sentenced to prison terms for leading members of the far-right extremist groups in attacking the U.S. Capitol over five years ago. Trump commuted the prison sentences of several Proud Boys and Oath Keepers leaders last January in a sweeping act of clemency for all 1,500-plus defendants charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack. Tuesday's requests by the Justice Department would go a step further and erase the convictions for the extremist group leaders, including Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes.
Attorney for suspect in attack at Sam Altman’s home says he was in midst of 'mental health crisis'
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The public defender for a man accused of throwing an incendiary device at Sam Altman’s home says her client has autism and was experiencing an “acute mental health crisis.” San Francisco Deputy Public Defender Diamond Ward said Tuesday that Daniel Moreno-Gama has been overcharged by prosecutors. He faces charges including attempted murder. She says prosecutors have overcharged Moreno-Gama to curry favor with Altman, who is the chief executive officer of OpenAI. Authorities say he targeted Altman and was motivated by his hatred of AI technology. The San Francisco District Attorney says prosecutors have evidence to back up their charges. The suspect was ordered held without bail and his arraignment was set for May 5.
Super Typhoon Sinlaku pounds remote US islands in the Pacific Ocean with ferocious winds
A super typhoon steadily battered a pair of remote U.S. islands in the Pacific Ocean with ferocious winds and relentless rains. The storm shredded tin roofs and forced residents to take cover from flying tree limbs on Tinian and Saipan, which are home to 50,000 people. A spokesperson for Saipan's mayor says preliminary reports of damage from Super Typhoon Sinlaku include a lot of flooding, uprooted trees and downed power lines. There were no reports of deaths. The National Weather Service says the tropical typhoon was packing sustained winds of up to 150 mph when it made landfall on the islands.
Appeals court orders judge to end contempt investigation of Trump administration deportation flights
WASHINGTON (AP) — An appeals court panel has ruled that a federal judge must end his contempt investigation of the Trump administration for failing to comply with an order over flights carrying Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador last year. The divided appeals court panel made that ruling Tuesday. The panel majority said Chief Judge James Boasberg abused his discretion in forging ahead with criminal contempt proceedings stemming from the March 2025 deportation flights. Circuit Judge Neomi Rao wrote in the court’s majority opinion that President Donald Trump’s administration has a “clear and indisputable” right to the termination of the contempt proceedings.
Wall Street rallies to the edge of its all-time high as oil prices ease
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rallied to the edge of their all-time high, and crude oil prices eased as hopes climbed that the United States and Iran may try again on talks to end their war. The S&P 500 rose 1.2% Tuesday, bringing the index within 0.2% of its record set in January. The Dow gained 0.7%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 2%. If talks succeed and the war ends up being only a temporary setback for the global economy, investors can turn their attention back to the rising profits for companies that had markets worldwide doing well before the fighting began.
Ex-Michigan coach Sherrone Moore gets probation for confrontation with woman who disclosed affair
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Former Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore has been placed on probation for 18 months for a confrontation with his executive assistant soon after he was fired for having an inappropriate relationship with her. Moore was sentenced Tuesday. He pleaded no contest in March to trespassing and malicious use of a telecom device. The maximum possible penalty was six months in jail, though Moore had no previous criminal record. Moore was fired on Dec. 10 and was accused that same day of confronting the woman with whom he had been having an affair and blaming her for his firing.
NFL reporter Dianna Russini resigns from The Athletic after photos published of her with Mike Vrabel
NFL reporter Dianna Russini has resigned from The Athletic less than a week after published photos of her and New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel at an Arizona resort prompted an internal investigation at The New York Times-owned sports outlet. The New York Post last week published the photos of Vrabel and Russini at the Sedona hotel and said they were taken before the NFL owners meetings that began in Phoenix on March 29. Russini joined The Athletic in 2023 after nearly a decade at ESPN, where she held various roles, including SportsCenter anchor, NFL analyst and insider. She hosted a podcast for The Athletic and made appearances on their video platform.
