Episode Details

Today’s Headlines: Israel and Lebanon held their first direct diplomatic talks in decades in Washington yesterday, hosted by Marco Rubio at the State Department. Hezbollah refused to participate and kept firing. A second round of U.S.-Iran negotiations could restart in Pakistan within days, according to Trump — who has never overpromised anything. The Trump administration eased sanctions on Venezuela the day after Chevron quietly struck an oil production deal there. And the administration formally informed Congress that Cuba has contributed up to 5,000 soldiers to Russia's war in Ukraine, which feels like the beginning of a regime change justification tour. Meanwhile, Pam Bondi skipped her congressional subpoena yesterday — the one requiring her to testify about her handling of the Epstein files. House Oversight Democrats threatened to charge her with contempt of Congress, punishable by up to a year in prison. A fourth accuser came forward against Eric Swalwell at a press conference, describing being drugged and raped at his hotel room in 2018. According to People magazine, over 30 women have made similar allegations. A 20-year-old Texas man was arrested after throwing an incendiary device at Sam Altman's San Francisco home, then attempting to attack OpenAI's headquarters with a chair while saying he wanted to "burn it down and kill anyone inside." He was carrying a document expressing views opposed to AI executives. Attempted murder and arson charges filed. A federal judge blocked Indiana's law banning student IDs at polling places, protecting an estimated 40,000 voters ahead of the May 5th midterm primary — ruling there's zero evidence student IDs have ever caused electoral confusion or fraud. A new long-term study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that drinking fluoridated water has no effect on IQ or brain function, which RFK Jr. will absolutely ignore.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

AP News: Lebanon and Israel hold first direct diplomatic talks in decades in Washington

CNN: Live updates: Trump hints US-Iran talks could resume over next two days

Axios: Scoop: U.S. eases bank sanctions amid Venezuela's economic woes

Axios: Scoop: US suggests Cuba complicit in helping Russia fight Ukraine

The Independent: Pam Bondi could face contempt charges over Epstein testimony after failing to show up for deposition

NYT: A New Accuser Says Eric Swalwell Sexually Assaulted Her

People: Influencer Who Helped Break Eric Swalwell Sex Scandal Says At Least 30 More Women Have Shared Stories of Alleged Misconduct

CNN: Suspect in attack at Sam Altman’s house charged with attempted murder and attempted arson 

Democracy Docket: In major win for voters, judge blocks Indiana GOP’s student ID ban

NBC News: F