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- [00:01]
Lakshmi Singh
Live from NPR News, I'm Lakshmi Singh. Lebanon and Israel held their first direct diplomatic talks in more than 30 years to date. The meeting in Washington was designed as a first step toward negotiations to resolve Israel's conflict with the Iranian proxy militants Hezbollah. NPR's Daniel Estrin reports from Tel Aviv.
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Daniel Estrin
Lebanon and Israel have never had formal relations, making today's talks rare. They come after more than a month of fighting between the Iranian backed Hezbollah and Israel. Hezbollah has fired at killing soldiers and civilians. Israel invaded southern Lebanon, destroying tens of thousands of homes, according to Lebanese officials, and carrying out strikes, killing Hezbollah operatives and civilians. Lebanon wants to negotiate a ceasefire. Israel wants Lebanon to take steps to disarm Hezbollah first. Israel is preparing for a long term occupation of southern Lebanon to keep Hezbollah away from Israel's border. Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv.
- [00:58]
Lakshmi Singh
CENTCOM has released a statement saying no ships from Iranian ports have gotten through the US Blockade in the Strait of Hormuz and that six merchant vessels complied with direction from US Forces to turn around. Pope Leo has traveled to the ancient birthplace In Algeria of St. Augustine of Hippo, who inspired him to become a priest. As he began his trip to Africa this week, the first American to lead the Roman Catholic Church publicly questioned the Iran war and Trump administration calls for prayers to to support the U.S. military campaign. U.S. catholics have been closely following the feud between Pope Leo and President Trump, among them Reverend James Martin, a Jesuit priest and author.
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Reverend James Martin
The pope is always open to talking to anyone, and he has his papal ambassador also called the nuncio in Washington, who is his representative. The Vatican has relationships with all sorts of leaders that they may not agree with. So, you know, my sense was the pope was very open to conversation and a relationship with the United States. And he's not closing off any doors. He's the one who's, you know, keeping the door open.
- [01:57]
Lakshmi Singh
MARTIN Speaking to NPR's Morning Edition about the impact on relations between the U.S. and the Vatican, a man who received a pardon from President Trump for assaulting police in the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot has agreed to plead guilty to new charges of child sexual abuse. Here's NPR's Tom Dreisbach.
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Tom Dreisbach
David Daniel assaulted police protecting the U.S. capitol on January 6, and he was set to be sentenced when President Trump issued mass pardons to the riot defendants. But that pardon did not cover additional charges against Daniel for possession of child pornography. Now Daniel has agreed to plead guilty to illegally inducing two children to engage in sexually explicit conduct. The children were both young girls, according to court filings, and one victim was under 12 years old at the time of the abuse. Daniel is one of dozens of former January 6th defendants who have been charged or convicted of crimes since receiving Trump's pardon. Tom Dreisbach, NPR News, from Washington.
- [02:57]
Lakshmi Singh
This is npr. A heat wave is forecast to bring temperatures into the 90s for parts of the eastern U.S. this week. NPR's Jeff Brady reports some high temperature records could be broken.
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Jeff Brady
The early spring heat wave will feel more like summer weather. A warming climate from humans burning fossil fuels and releasing pollution into the atmosphere is increasing the chance that extreme weather will happen. Christina Dahl is a climate researcher and vice president for science at the nonprofit organization Climate Central.
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Christina Dahl
When we look at an event like the heat wave that's affecting the east coast of the US Right now, we can see that many of those temperatures were made about twice as likely because of climate change.
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Jeff Brady
Dahl says a heat wave in April feels warmer than one in August because people's bodies haven't adjusted to hot weather yet. She advises taking it easy and drinking plenty of fluids. Jeff Brady, NPR News, Philadelphia.
- [03:55]
Lakshmi Singh
Well, it's that time of year again when Switzerland showcases the art of the luxury watch, the Watches and Wonders. International Fair is expected to attract about 60,000 visitors to Geneva to scan offerings from high end brands such as Cartier, Omega and Rolex, whose handcrafted timekeepers can go for tens of thousands of dollars. But the US Israel war against Iran remains a cloud over the annual gathering. The Middle east accounts for roughly 10% of all Swiss watch exports. U.S. stocks are trading higher this hour with the Dow up more than 300 points or more than half a percent. This is NPR News.
- [04:41]
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