In today’s newsletter: The U.S. seizes an Iranian ship as the two sides remain at odds on when to resume peace talks. What we know about the man who shot seven of his children and three others in Louisiana. And tsunami waves hit Japan after a major 7.5-magnitude earthquake.
Here’s what to know today.
Tensions rise as U.S. and Iran trade blame for alleged ceasefire violations
The U.S. and Iran traded accusations of ceasefire violations over the weekend, underscoring the fragility of their truce ahead of its expiration Wednesday.
President Donald Trump said yesterday that U.S. forces had seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship that allegedly attempted to breach the American naval blockade. The vessel was intercepted in the Gulf of Oman after ignoring warnings to stop, the president wrote on Truth Social.
Iran vowed to retaliate for the seizure, which a military spokesperson called an “act of armed piracy and theft.”
As tensions rise, the two sides also appear divided over the prospects for a second round of talks. Two senior administration officials told NBC News that Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to travel to Pakistan to continue negotiations with Iran.
Trump said negotiators would arrive in Islamabad tonight, but Iranian media has denied the reports, saying there is “no clear prospect” for a discussion under current conditions.
Read the full story here and follow live updates on our blog.
Related news:
- The price of oil jumped sharply and stock futures tumbled last night as traders digested renewed tensions over the Strait of Hormuz.
- Across Lebanon, hundreds of thousands are weighing whether to return to homes that may no longer exist, as Israeli forces remain and the risk of renewed violence lingers.
- NBC News poll: Trump’s approval rating sunk to a new low as Americans express growing concerns about rising costs and the Iran war.
- After a spate of arson attacks targeting Jewish sites in London, British authorities are investigating a shadowy online group with possible ties to Iran.
For subscribers: New poll reveals how Trump’s support among young Americans is significantly changing
Support for the president among Gen Z is eroding faster than with any other generation, including millennials, members of Generation X and baby boomers, according to a new NBC News poll. Our survey of Americans ages 18-29 allows for a closer look at the sentiments of young adults at a moment of rapid technological advancement and geopolitical change. The findings are a potential warning sign for Republicans in this year’s midterm elections.
Suspect dead after 8 children killed, 2 women wounded in Louisiana shooting
A man in Louisiana killed eight children yesterday in a shooting that authorities described as a domestic violence incident, and was later killed by police after fleeing in a carjacked vehicle, officials said.
Shamar Elkins was identified by police as the shooter, and seven of the eight children killed were his, police spokesperson Christopher Bordelon said. Elkins had served in the Louisiana Army National Guard and had a criminal history.
The children killed were three boys and five girls, ages 3 to 11, according to the Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office. It appears many of them were shot in their sleep, most in the head, Bordelon said.
Two women were also wounded. One is the suspect’s wife, who was shot in the face but was alive, and the other woman is believed to be his girlfriend, according to Bordelon.
Tsunami waves hit Japan after major earthquake
A 7.5-magnitude quake struck off the northeast of Japan, prompting a tsunami warning and evacuation orders for tens of thousands of people. Waves as high as two and a half feet were reported.
There is no tsunami expected in California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska or the Canadian province of British Columbia, the U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center said on X.
Follow the latest on our liveblog.
Epstein survivor says it’s not too late to expose what happened at his New Mexico ranch
More than two decades after she was sexually abused at Jeffrey Epstein’s New Mexico ranch, Rachel Benavidez is still waiting for someone to be held responsible for crimes there.
“Until survivors are heard and believed, then I don’t think there’s ever going to be any justice,” Benavidez, 52, said in an interview.
She is among at least 10 girls and young women who have alleged they were groomed or assaulted at Zorro Ranch beginning in the late 1990s. They overcame paralyzing fear to share their ordeals again and again — yet authorities have never fully investigated what happened at the ranch.
Benavidez says she would willingly tell investigators what she endured. Even though Epstein is long dead and his chief accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, is in prison, she says more people need to be held accountable.
“I don’t think it’s too late for the truth to come out,” Benavidez said.
Read All About It
- For subscribers: Planning to fly Spirit? Here’s what to know amid reports the airline could liquidate.
- Cher again filed for a conservatorship over her adult son, alleging he has a disabling drug addiction.
- Five people, including three students, were injured in a shooting near the University of Iowa, officials said.
- California homeowners got quite the surprise when a hot-air balloon filled with people landed in their backyard.
Staff Pick: Robots are coming for your marathon bibs
It seems even machines are getting in on the running craze. A bright-red Chinese robot named “Lightning” lived up to its name this weekend — smoking its competition by completing a half-marathon in 50 minutes.
The competition was 12,000 humans. Not a single one made it on the podium.
When I first saw a video of the race, it felt a tad dystopian. Hordes of people with their phones in the air, chasing a piece of metal moving faster than we ever have before (seriously — the robot beat the human world record).
Regardless of whether you find it cool or freaky, the robots signify incredible advancements in technology. And if it’s any consolation, they’re not infallible: Lightning crashed into a railing before it crossed the finish line.
— Kayla Hayempour, platforms editor
NBC Select: Online Shopping, Simplified
It doesn’t matter if you’re a seasoned gardener or a newbie with a green thumb. There’s no better time to invest in a proper weeding tool than right now. If real plants aren’t your thing, Lego has tons of botanical sets that look good on any shelf (no watering required.) Speaking of, we rounded up the best flower and plant gifts for Mother’s Day, which is just around the corner.
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