Netanyahu authorizes direct talks with Lebanon in potential boost to ceasefire efforts
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has authorized direct negotiations with Lebanon aimed at disarming Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants and establishing relations between the neighbors. Israel and Lebanon have technically been at war since Israel was established in 1948. The announcement Thursday offered a potential boost to ceasefire efforts in the region. There was no immediate response from Lebanese authorities. The tentative ceasefire in the Iran war has staggered under the weight of Israel’s bombardment of Beirut and Tehran’s continued chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz. Netanyahu made the announcement amid disagreement over whether the ceasefire deal included a pause in fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.
What to know about the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon
BEIRUT (AP) — Israel has escalated its attacks against Hezbollah in Lebanon after the U.S. and Iran announced a tentative ceasefire. Health officials say the Israeli strikes in central Beirut and other areas killed more than 300 people and wounded more than 1,150 others. Israel says it targeted Hezbollah sites and killed an aide to the group's leader. But the country's health ministry said that the attacks also killed more than 100 women, children and older people. Experts say a negotiated settlement is necessary between Israel and Hezbollah. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Israel had agreed to enter into direct talks with Lebanon that would focus on disarming Hezbollah and a possible peace deal.
Melania Trump delivers statement at the White House denying knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein's crimes
WASHINGTON (AP) — First lady Melania Trump has delivered a statement at the White House denying ties to Jeffrey Epstein and knowledge of his crimes. In the extraordinary moment on Thursday, the first lady denied any association with Epstein and called accusations that she was involved in Epstein’s crimes “baseless lies.” The seemingly out-of-the-blue message came as her husband, President Donald Trump, and his administration had finally seemed to move past more than a year of controversy surrounding Epstein, especially as the Iran war had become all-consuming in Washington. A spokesman for the first lady said the West Wing knew beforehand that she'd be giving a statement, but it wasn't clear it the content of her remarks were known.
Travelers face higher costs and fewer flight options as jet fuel prices swing
Air travelers are facing a new reality of higher fees, fewer flights and tough choices about whether a trip is worth the cost. The culprit is volatile oil and jet fuel prices that have been swinging since the war in the Middle East started and fighting near the Strait of Hormuz disrupted global oil shipments. Airlines around the world are responding by trimming schedules and raising fees and fares. Experts say budget carriers and the customers who rely on them will feel the pinch first, but even business travelers and front-cabin passengers won’t escape higher costs. Relief may not come quickly even if oil prices start to drop, experts warn, because airlines can take months to adjust fares while they wait for energy markets to stabilize.
US stocks rise and oil prices trim their gains on hopes for the ceasefire with Iran
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rose, even though oil prices did too, as financial markets moved more modestly a day after surging on optimism about a ceasefire in the war with Iran. After beginning Thursday with moderate losses following drops for Asian and European stocks, the S&P 500 erased its dip and rose 0.6%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 0.6%, and the Nasdaq composite added 0.8% after Israel’s prime minister authorized direct negotiations with Lebanon. That eased worries that the two-week ceasefire announced late Tuesday may already be in trouble. Oil prices pared some of their earlier gains but nevertheless remained higher.
Democrats grow bolder on talk about removing Trump from office after his Iran threats
WASHINGTON (AP) — Dozens of Democratic lawmakers are saying President Donald Trump should be removed from office after he threatened Iranian civilization would “die” if it didn’t meet his demands. The episode unleashed demands for Democrats to oppose the Republican president in the strongest possible terms even though he eventually pulled back on his threat and agreed to a two-week ceasefire. Lawmakers are showing no sign they'll back off as they return to Washington. The new imperative from Democrats underscores how seriously many in Washington take Trump’s talk of a mortal threat to a country of 91 million people. The White House has defended Trump’s rhetoric as effective.
Former NYPD officer gets 3 to 9 years in prison for throwing a cooler that caused fatal crash
NEW YORK (AP) — A former New York City police officer has been sentenced to three to nine years in prison for tossing a picnic cooler full of drinks at a fleeing suspect, who then crashed his motorized scooter and died. Former Sgt. Erik Duran was convicted of manslaughter in the 2023 death of Eric Duprey. Duran had pleaded not guilty. He testified at trial that he was trying to protect other officers from the approaching scooter on a Bronx sidewalk. Prosecutors argued the sergeant had enough time to warn others but tossed the cooler in frustration. Duran is the first former NYPD officer sentenced to prison for an on-duty death in at least two decades.
Artemis II astronauts describe their lunar voyage as surreal and profound ahead of Earth return
HOUSTON (AP) — The Artemis II astronauts are tidying up their lunar cruiser for Friday's “fireball” return to Earth. They're also reflecting on their historic journey around the moon, describing it as surreal and profound. The three Americans and one Canadian are now under 150,000 miles from home. Humanity's first lunar explorers in more than a half-century, they set a new distance record during Monday's lunar flyby. Artemis II is aiming for a splashdown in the Pacific off the San Diego coast.
Appeals court judges raise questions about severity of Sean 'Diddy' Combs' four-year prison sentence
NEW YORK (AP) — Appeals court judges are questioning whether a judge who sentenced Sean “Diddy” Combs to over four years in prison on prostitution-related charges went too far in considering evidence supporting behavior he was acquitted of. Three federal appellate judges heard arguments for two hours Thursday in New York before saying they'll rule at a later date. Combs is in federal prison in New Jersey. He's challenging his conviction and his prison sentence. His attorneys say his conviction should be reversed, or he should at least be freed and resentenced to less time. Prosecutors oppose the arguments.
AP study: MLB average salary hits a record $5.34M as the Mets lead spending again
NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball’s average salary rose 3.4% on opening day to a record $5.34 million, according to a study by The Associated Press, and the New York Mets topped spending at the season’s start for the fourth straight year. Mets outfielder Juan Soto is the highest-paid player for the second consecutive season at $61.9 million and was followed by New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger at $42.5 million. Philadelphia pitcher Zack Wheeler and Mets third baseman Bo Bichette tied for third at $42 million, followed by Toronto first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at $40.2 million and Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge at $40 million.
