President Trump announced that a U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is now in effect after 21 hours of peace negotiations in Pakistan — led by VP J.D. Vance — ended without a deal. Trump said on Truth Social that "the only point that really mattered, NUCLEAR, was not" agreed upon, and declared an "all or nothing" posture. The Navy is also deploying advanced underwater drones to clear Iranian mines from the strait. Oil prices have surged, with global markets in a tailspin as the waterway — through which 20% of the world's oil supply transits — remains effectively closed.
A three-judge panel on the U.S. Court of International Trade appeared doubtful of the administration's use of Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 to justify sweeping 10% global tariffs. The hearing follows a lawsuit by 24 state attorneys general who argue Trump is trying to "sidestep" the Supreme Court's February ruling that blocked his Liberation Day tariffs under emergency economic powers. A ruling against the administration would mark the second major legal setback for Trump's trade agenda.
A new Fox News poll shows President Trump's approval at 41% — the lowest of either term — with 59% disapproving. A 53% majority expects economic conditions to worsen in the next year, and 86% report concern about inflation and high prices. Nearly two-thirds of voters say the White House is "out of touch," though similar numbers say the same about congressional Republicans and Democrats alike.
The special election to replace former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene is heading to a runoff after no candidate topped 50%. Retired Army Brig. Gen. Harris led with 39.9%, followed by district attorney Fuller at 34.2%. The race is one of several April contests that could shape House majority control ahead of the November midterms.
Despite the U.S. blockade announcement, some 3,200 vessels — including 800 oil tankers — remain backed up in and around the Strait of Hormuz. The global oil market is now in a deficit of roughly 10–12 million barrels per day. The crisis is driving up prices for oil, gas, diesel, and fertilizer worldwide, with allies and adversaries alike scrambling to respond.
Fox News reports that a network of pro-Iran and pro-China far-left organizations has activated anti-American protest campaigns across major U.S. cities in response to the escalating Iran conflict. The DOJ faces demands from the House Oversight Committee to investigate foreign funding of domestic agitator groups tied to these demonstrations.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez publicly opposed the U.S. military campaign against Iran despite pressure from the Trump administration, which had threatened trade consequences for non-cooperating allies. The rift highlights growing transatlantic tensions over the Hormuz crisis and the broader conflict with Tehran.
The James Webb Space Telescope has revealed the atmosphere of TOI-5205b, a Jupiter-sized exoplanet orbiting a tiny red dwarf star — a configuration once thought impossible. Its atmosphere is surprisingly poor in heavy metals, even less enriched than its host star, defying all current models of giant planet formation. The findings, published in The Astronomical Journal, force astronomers to rethink how gas giants form around small, cool stars.
Shortly after launch, the Artemis II crew discovered their Orion spacecraft toilet couldn't accept urine due to a malfunctioning controller. For six hours, at least one astronaut resorted to NASA-approved backup bags before mission specialist Christina Koch troubleshot the fix and declared herself the "space plumber." The toilet later developed a frozen vent line, adding to the most memorable plumbing saga in spaceflight history.
