#1Trump Announces Two-Week Ceasefire With Iran After 38 Days of Operation Epic Fury
President Trump announced a ceasefire deal between the US, Israel, and Iran, halting military operations after over five weeks of conflict. Negotiations are set to begin Friday in Islamabad, Pakistan, though the ceasefire is already showing strain over a dispute about whether Israeli operations in Lebanon are covered by the agreement. VP Vance has warned that Iran has "not accepted our terms" on key issues.
Source: [Fox News Live Updates](https://www.foxnews.com/live-news/trump-us-iran-war-ceasefire-strait-hormuz-israel-live-updates-04-08-2026) | [Newsmax](https://www.newsmax.com/world/globaltalk/iran-israel-us-lebanon-latest-April-8-2026/2026/04/08/id/1252169/)
#2Virginia Redistricting Referendum Sparks Major Political Battle
Virginians will vote April 21 on a redistricting referendum backed by Gov. Abigail Spanberger that could redraw the state's congressional map from a 6-5 Democratic edge to a potential 10-1 Democratic advantage. Former Gov. Glenn Youngkin has accused Spanberger of "illegal and unconstitutional" gerrymandering, while the RNC has filed suit to block the vote. Critics say the new maps would dilute rural voters across central and western Virginia.
Source: [Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com/media/glenn-youngkin-accuses-gov-spanberger-illegal-unconstitutional-gerrymandering-virginia-map-fight) | [Newsmax](https://www.newsmax.com/politics/virginia-redistricting-democrats/2026/02/19/id/1246749/)
#3Four Key April Elections Could Decide House Majority Control
Special House elections in Georgia and New Jersey, a state Supreme Court race in battleground Wisconsin, and the Virginia referendum are all on the April calendar. These contests could reshape the balance of power heading into November's midterms, with Democrats needing a net gain of four Senate seats to reclaim the chamber.
Source: [Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/april-showdowns-four-key-races-watch-month-test-trump-gop-grip-power)
#4Treasury Secretary Bessent Predicts "Blockbuster" 2026 Economy
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent cited cooling inflation and the Dow's historic breach of 50,000 as evidence that the Trump economic agenda is delivering for Main Street. "The president's agenda set the table in 2025, and now the American people are going to benefit in '26," Bessent said, though some analysts caution that market volatility could persist.
Source: [Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com/media/treasury-secretary-predicts-blockbuster-2026-us-economy-dow-hits-historic-milestone)
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**Top World Stories**
#1Iran Ceasefire Under Immediate Strain Over Lebanon Dispute
Just days into the two-week ceasefire, Iran is arguing the deal covers Israeli military operations in Lebanon, while the US insists it does not. Iran has also reportedly moved to halt oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, raising fears the fragile truce could collapse before nuclear talks even begin in Islamabad.
Source: [Newsmax](https://www.newsmax.com/world/globaltalk/iran-israel-us-lebanon-latest-April-9-2026/2026/04/09/id/1252313/)
#2Trump Blasts NATO; Alliance Chief Signals Allied Action on Hormuz
Trump took to Truth Social to slam NATO allies, writing "NATO WASN'T THERE WHEN WE NEEDED THEM." A White House official said Trump "has zero expectations for NATO at this point." However, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte pushed back, saying allies are "coming together to make sure the strait stays open" and warned against "unhealthy codependence" on US military power.
Source: [Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/nato-chief-signals-allies-may-act-hormuz-warns-unhealthy-codependence-us)
#3US Navy Begins Mine-Clearing Operations in Strait of Hormuz
CENTCOM announced the US has begun clearing Iranian-laid mines from the Strait of Hormuz, the critical chokepoint for global oil shipments. This follows earlier operations in which US forces destroyed 16 Iranian mine-laying vessels. Approximately 50,000 US service members, the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier group, and 16 warships remain deployed in the region despite the ceasefire.
Source: [Fox News Video](https://www.foxnews.com/video/6392935411112) | [Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/us-destroys-16-iranian-mine-boats-strait-hormuz-oil-showdown-escalates)
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**Science & Technology**
#1Artemis II Crew Splashes Down After First Crewed Lunar Mission in 50+ Years
NASA's Artemis II crew — Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen — splashed down off San Diego on Friday evening after a 10-day mission around the Moon. The Orion capsule re-entered Earth's atmosphere at approximately 25,000 mph, slowing via an 11-parachute sequence to about 20 mph before ocean landing. Hansen became the first Canadian to venture to lunar space.
Source: [Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com/science/artemis-ii-astronauts-splashdown-first-moon-mission-50-years) | [Newsmax](https://www.newsmax.com/us/bethany-stevens-nasa-artemis-ii/2026/04/10/id/1252493/)
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**Wildcard**
#1Mysterious String of Missing and Dead US Scientists Raises Alarm
Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) is raising concerns about a pattern of prominent US scientists and researchers who have died or gone missing over the past year, alleging that intelligence agencies have stonewalled congressional inquiries into what happened. The cases include the disappearance of a retired Air Force general with ties to the UFO research community. Fox News and Jesse Watters Primetime have covered the story extensively.
Source: [Fox News Video](https://www.foxnews.com/video/6392482517112) | [Newsmax](https://www.newsmax.com/politics/tim-burchett-ufo-nasa/2026/03/23/id/1250487/)
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