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The national average gasoline price has climbed to $3.98 per gallon — up a full dollar in a month — as the US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz chokes off oil shipments. California drivers are paying $5.87/gallon. Energy Secretary Chris Wright warned prices may not stabilize until shipping fully resumes, with analysts projecting at least 2–3 more weeks of elevated costs.
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas delivered a rare, televised address at UT Austin marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, calling progressivism an existential threat to the nation's founding principles. Thomas argued that progressivism "holds that our rights and our dignities come not from God, but from the government" and urged younger Americans to "stand up and take ownership of our country." The speech went viral across social media.
Former President Obama released a campaign video urging Virginians to vote "yes" on a redistricting ballot measure ahead of Tuesday's statewide referendum. If passed, the measure would temporarily hand redistricting power to the Democrat-controlled legislature through the 2030 election, potentially adding four US House seats for Democrats heading into the midterms. Republicans are calling it an "unconstitutional power grab."
After weekend peace talks in Pakistan ended in a stalemate over Iran's nuclear program, President Trump ordered a sweeping "all or nothing" naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. More than 10,000 sailors, marines, and airmen with over a dozen warships are enforcing the blockade, targeting all ships entering or leaving the strait. Iran has condemned the action as "piracy" and vowed to respond with force. Separately, Trump announced Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire.
Beijing issued a sharp rebuke of the US military blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, calling it a "dangerous and irresponsible move" that threatens global energy markets and international shipping. China is a major importer of Iranian oil and has a direct economic stake in the strait remaining open. The condemnation raises the geopolitical stakes of the standoff beyond the US-Iran bilateral conflict.
Hundreds of opposition protesters clashed with police on the streets of Tirana, hurling Molotov cocktails as police responded with tear gas and water cannons. The Democratic Party-organized demonstration, fueled by corruption allegations involving Deputy PM Balluku and controversial procurement contracts, marks one of the most significant episodes of unrest in recent Albanian history. Former PM Sali Berisha's corruption trial continues, with current PM Edi Rama set to testify as a witness on April 30.
Source: Tirana Times | Pravda Albania
A new study published in Science Advances found that the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) may weaken by roughly 51% by 2100 — a 60% steeper decline than previous model-only estimates. Researchers combined direct ocean observations with CMIP6 climate models to arrive at the revised projection. An AMOC collapse could plunge Europe into severe winters, accelerate East Coast sea-level rise, and trigger prolonged droughts across parts of Africa.
Source: Phys.org | Science Advances
The White House has launched an investigation into a disturbing pattern: at least 10 high-profile American scientists — including astrophysicists and nuclear researchers — have vanished or died under unexplained circumstances since mid-2024. Among the missing is retired Air Force Major General William McCasland, who disappeared February 27 leaving behind his phone, glasses, and wearable devices. A Los Alamos National Laboratory employee vanished after factory-resetting both her personal and work phones. Several cases have ties to classified defense and UFO-related research programs.
