On April 15, 2026, the U.S. Senate voted to reject a Democratic-led war powers resolution concerning the conflict with Iran, which began on February 28, 2026, amid a disputed tally of either 47-52 or a preliminary 51-47. The vote, described variably as the fourth such action or the first, occurs as the War Powers Resolution's 60-day authorization requirement (plus potential 30-day extension) approaches at month's end. Key cross-party votes included Sen. Rand Paul's support and Sen. John Fetterman's opposition.
Pope Leo XIV, a U.S.-born former Cardinal Robert Prevost, arrived in Algiers on April 13, 2026, and criticized President Trump's threats toward Iran as 'truly unacceptable' while stating he has no fear of the Trump administration. Trump responded by calling the Pope 'weak' and captive to the 'Radical Left,' suggested the Pope owed his position to him, refused to apologize, and briefly posted then deleted a social media image depicting himself as a healer resembling Jesus. The incident occurs during the Pope's apostolic journey to Africa, with details on trip length disputed across reports.
A Molotov cocktail was thrown at OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's San Francisco home around 4 a.m. on April 10, 2026, igniting an exterior gate. The suspect, identified as Daniel Moreno-Gama from Spring, Texas, proceeded to OpenAI headquarters less than an hour later and threatened to burn it down, carrying a document expressing anti-AI views. Moreno-Gama faces federal charges including damage by explosives and possession of an unregistered firearm following an FBI raid on his home.
The U.S. House of Representatives agreed to consider legislation requiring a three-year extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian immigrants, allowing hundreds of thousands to remain in the U.S. without deportation fear. House Democrats, joined by a small number of Republicans, forced the measure forward on Wednesday despite objections from Speaker Mike Johnson and GOP leadership, with a full vote scheduled for Thursday. The action counters Trump administration efforts to terminate TPS for Haiti and other nations.
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Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, stated in an Associated Press interview that Europe has 'maybe 6 weeks or so' of jet fuel left due to oil supply blockages through the Strait of Hormuz caused by the Iran war, describing it as 'the largest energy crisis we have ever faced.' He predicted possible flight cancellations, higher petrol, gas, and electricity prices, and severe impacts on countries including Japan, Korea, India, China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Coverage is limited to two center-biased sources, with some claims unverified by CNBC.
The US-Iran war, initiated by US and Israeli strikes on February 28, entered a ceasefire last week following intensive peace talks in Islamabad hosted by Pakistan. The US imposed a blockade on Iranian ports on Monday amid plans for a second round of discussions, prompting threats from Iran and criticism from China. Oil prices showed volatility, while unverified details surround blockade scope and negotiation specifics.
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The U.S. military has confirmed a full blockade of Iranian ports is in effect, following an Israeli airstrike on a building in central Beirut last week. Tehran has threatened regional retaliation, while President Trump and U.N. Secretary-General Guterres indicated potential resumption of talks within days, alongside productive direct discussions between Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors to the U.S. Oil prices fell, though some market reactions remain disputed.
U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell, a Democrat from California, suspended his campaign for governor on Sunday amid sexual misconduct allegations published the previous Friday in the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN. Swalwell denied the allegations and stated he would address them separately from his campaign. The incident occurred ahead of California's gubernatorial primary, which features over 50 candidates and mail ballots starting in early May.
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Lonna Drewes held a news conference on April 14, 2026, in Beverly Hills, California, accusing Rep. Eric Swalwell of raping her in 2018 at a Southern California hotel after she consumed one glass of wine, which she believes was drugged. Swalwell has denied the allegation and others, while dropping out of the California governor's race. Additional claims and investigations remain unverified or disputed.
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Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced on April 16, 2026, charges of two counts of second-degree assault against ICE officer Gregory Donnell Morgan Jr. for an incident on February 5 involving pointing a gun at vehicle occupants while driving an unmarked SUV on a Minneapolis highway shoulder. An arrest warrant was issued in Hennepin County, which includes Minneapolis. Moriarty described the case as potentially the first criminal prosecution of a federal immigration officer linked to the Trump administration's immigration enforcement efforts.
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Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S.-born pope, addressed journalists aboard the papal plane en route to Cameroon on April 15, 2026, the third day of his 11-day apostolic journey to Africa, referencing St. Augustine of Hippo without mentioning Donald Trump or JD Vance. Trump issued multiple criticisms of the pope this week, including accusations of weakness on crime and claims that the pope owes his position to him, alongside posting and deleting an AI-generated image depicting himself in a Christ-like manner. An ongoing war in Iran provides context, though the pope focused on peace and his African itinerary.