Saturday, April 18, 2026

The News Roundup – Domestic and International (The 1A) 2026-04-17

Domestic

We start with the U.S.-Israel war with Iran — a war that President Donald Trump said would end in two to three weeks. Now, in its seventh week, the Pentagon is sending 10,000 more troops to the Middle East to pressure Iran into making a peace deal.

On Sunday, Trump posted a long rant on Truth Social calling Pope Leo XIV “weak on crime, and terrible for foreign policy.” Then, later that night, Trump posted an AI-generated photo that appeared to depict him as Jesus Christ.

Rep. Eric Swalwell was a front-runner for the seat of California governor just weeks ago. Now, he’s out of the race and out of Congress after numerous sexual assault allegations were leveled against him.
Interview: 

International

This morning, Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz completely open to commercial vessels. This move is expected to lessen severity of the growing global energy crisis and bring the possibility of a peace agreement between Iran and the U.S. closer to becoming a reality.

New reporting from Axios indicates that U.S. and Iranian negotiators made progress in new peace talks on Tuesday. On Thursday, Pakistan’s foreign ministry said a second round of talks between the U.S. and Iran will be held in Islamabad. But no date has been announced yet.

And it’s the dawn of a new era in Hungary this week. For the first time in 16 years, Viktor Orbán will no longer lead the nation from Budapest, having lost the election for his position as prime minister to conservative rival Peter Magyar.
Interview: 


Texas Medical Board Disciplines Doctors in Porsha Ngumezi and Nevaeh Crain Cases — ProPublica

Maternal care experts say health care providers will continue to hesitate to offer standard care as long as bans carry serious criminal consequences — Texas’ law can put a physician behind bars for 99 years. But those who spoke to ProPublica say that medical board sanctions are one of the few levers that can provide a counterweight, pushing hospitals and doctors to provide standard care despite uncertainty over vaguely written laws...

 https://www.propublica.org/article/tmb-disciplines-doctors-ngumezi-crain-cases


 

Federal judge dismisses DOJ lawsuit seeking personal details about Rhode Island voters | PBS News

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A federal judge on Friday dismissed a Trump administration lawsuit demanding detailed voter data from Rhode Island, a decision that follows similar rulings in a handful of other states. 

 U.S. District Court Judge Mary McElroy sided with Rhode Island's top election officials and civil rights advocates, writing that federal law does not permit the U.S. Department of Justice "to conduct the kind of fishing expedition it seeks here."…

 https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/federal-judge-dismisses-doj-lawsuit-seeking-personal-details-about-rhode-island-voters


They’ve been detained by ICE and ordered deported. Judges are releasing them from custody. - POLITICO

A POLITICO analysis of immigration detention cases has found that federal judges have ordered bond hearings and, more often, outright release for more than 400 people detained under these circumstances. And the rebukes have come from judges appointed by every president since Ronald Reagan...

 https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/17/ice-detainees-deportation-orders-rulings-00878579


‘We are not going back’: Iran war forces global energy shift - POLITICO

Many of the countries that are most severely affected by the war say they recognize the benefits of transitioning faster to renewable energy to avoid future shocks related to oil disruptions. Others remain bullish on fossil fuels, including the United States — whose Treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, applauded America’s rising oil and gas production, and called for fewer climate policies...

 https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/17/iran-war-global-energy-shift-00877861 


Diplomatic cables show Iran war is damaging US on multiple fronts across the world - POLITICO

The documents show the fallout for the US in Bahrain, Indonesia and Azerbaijan as it struggles to catch up with pro-Iran messaging...

 https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/17/embassy-cables-detail-how-iran-war-is-hurting-the-us-abroad-00877205


GOP senators urge Trump to find Iran exit plan as energy prices rise: ‘The clock is ticking’ - POLITICO

Even senior Republicans are warning that if the administration wants Congress to greenlight tens of billions in additional war funding, Republicans are going to need to know more about the president’s ultimate Iran strategy beforehand…

 https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/17/republicans-trump-war-energy-prices-00879104


Trump keeps claiming victory in Iran. Our new poll shows voters aren’t buying it. - POLITICO

 A majority say the war is not in the national interest, and many lack confidence in the president’s goals — including some 2024 supporters…

https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/17/trump-iran-war-poll-voters-midterms-00877754 


The strait of "Iran" is open? Can't fight a war with starving U.S. soldiers

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJtYcJWW2jk

 

Fox Host PANICS Over Trump Backlash As Desperate Pope Attack Unravels

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOZf3l-Zo5c

Hakeem Jeffries On Stripping Away Trump's War Powers (Find Out podcast on YouTube)

As Trump's illegal war with Iran rages on, causing the highest gas prices for the American consumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) joins us ahead of a very important vote tomorrow. 

The House will vote on the War Powers Resolution Bill aimed at curbing Trump's war powers. Jeffries and House Democrats are working tirelessly to secure a few more Republican votes, anticipating a very tight vote. 

We also spoke with the Minority Leader about Trump's AI Jesus photo and his latest attacks against Pope Leo. Jeffries also previews what Democrats plan for Trump if they win both the House and the Senate following the midterm elections.
Interview: 

NEW LINCOLN PROJECT AD: Trump for Pope

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfV4WTx0LDk

 

RFK Jr believes that the acetaminophen-autism study was garbage. #autism...

 https://www.youtube.com/shorts/1r0WCpjUnwU

Sen. Whitehouse: The Republican-led Senate Budget Committee is Making the debt worse not better

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1msHvZr2O04

Pete Hegseth PANICS as DAMNING Secret Goes Public!

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lh9-iT4AuA0

Trump’s pardons are costing shooting survivors millions

Most of that figure is from a single case. Last year, Trump pardoned HDR Global Trading Limited, the owner and operator of the crypto exchange BitMEX, which had been ordered to pay $100m in fines for flouting anti-money laundering laws. Trump issued the pardon, the first for a corporation, just hours before the payment was due. Because the pardon calls for the “remission of any and all fines, penalties, forfeitures, and restitution ordered by the Court”, that $100m will never make it to the Crime Victims Fund...

 https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/17/trump-pardons-cost-shooting-survivors-millions


 

Inside the CDC’s leadership vacuum: work at a ‘standstill’ and low morale as 80% of top posts remain vacant

Current and ex-officials at the CDC warn Americans’ health security in danger under RFK Jr’s direction…

 https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/17/cdc-rfk-jr-leadership-positions-empty


 

Progressive Democrat Analilia Mejia wins New Jersey special election for US House

Victory means Democrats hold on to the 11th district seat in the House, where Republicans hold a thin majority…

 https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/16/progressive-democrat-analilia-mejia-wins-new-jersey-special-election-for-us-house


The Big Story to Me in This Moment

 https://www.youtube.com/shorts/0vemeojbF5k

RFK Jr. Said Black Kids on ADHD Meds Should Be Sent to “Wellness Farms” ...

 https://www.youtube.com/shorts/oNSc7gzHBDk 

We Heard You The First Time | Paula Poundstone

 https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-LCUbpaRWPo

This Soft Sell of Hell Completely Fails

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Hh6ol1_8jY








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