Iran rejects ceasefire proposal as regional violence intensifies

Iran has dismissed a ceasefire proposal from the United States and issued its own demands as military strikes escalate across the Middle East. Iranian officials said they do not plan to negotiate, even as Israel launched airstrikes on Tehran and American forces increased deployments in the region. The proposed plan reportedly addressed sanctions relief, limits on Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, reopening a vital oil shipping route, and curbing support for armed groups.

Social media companies found liable in addiction case

A California jury ordered Meta and YouTube to pay millions in damages to a 20 year old woman who argued their platforms were designed to addict young users and worsen her mental health. Jurors awarded both compensatory and punitive damages, concluding the companies acted with malice. The verdict could influence thousands of similar lawsuits alleging harm to children.

Political and legal battles unfold in Washington

The head of the Transportation Security Administration warned that airports could face shutdowns as a funding impasse over the Department of Homeland Security stretched into its fortieth day, leaving workers unpaid. Meanwhile, the Justice Department agreed to pay about 1.2 million dollars to settle a lawsuit from former national security adviser Michael Flynn over his prosecution in the Russia investigation.

Other major developments

Investigators in New York continued examining a deadly runway collision at LaGuardia Airport as most injured passengers were released from hospitals. In Pennsylvania, two teenage boys received probation after using artificial intelligence to create fake nude images of classmates. President Donald Trump also rescheduled a trip to Beijing for mid May as debate continues among conservatives over the war in Iran, and a Florida woman pleaded not guilty to attempting to kill Rihanna in a shooting that caused no injuries.