The American Conservative

Pope Leo XIV, a U.S.-born pontiff, publicly opposed the war in Iran and stated he does not fear the Trump administration, prompting accusations from Donald Trump that the Pope is weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy. Trump refused to apologize for his remarks and for a now-deleted social media post depicting himself in a manner he later claimed showed him as a doctor. Multiple sources confirm key elements of the exchange, though many specific quotes remain unverified.

Lonna Drewes accused U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) of drugging her wine, raping her while incapacitated, and choking her during a 2018 hotel encounter, marking her as the fifth woman to level such claims against him. Drewes held a press conference on April 14 in Beverly Hills, announcing plans to file a police report with evidence including texts and journals, represented by attorney Lisa Bloom. Swalwell suspended his gubernatorial campaign days after initial reports, amid his denials and a pending Manhattan DA probe into another allegation.

US-Iran talks held over the weekend in Islamabad, Pakistan, ended without agreement, following which President Trump announced a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz that began on Monday. Six merchant ships turned around during the blockade's first day, while around 40 Japan-linked vessels remain stranded in the Persian Gulf. Conflicting reports exist on whether any ships transited the strait amid a prior two-week ceasefire.

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.

Pope Leo XIV, the U.S.-born pontiff, opposed the war in Iran, citing Gospel-based appeals for peace, while President Donald Trump criticized him as 'weak on crime' in a Truth Social post featuring an AI-generated image of himself in a healer-like pose. Trump refused to apologize, and the Pope stated he does not fear the administration amid his ongoing apostolic journey to Africa. The exchange highlights tensions over foreign policy and national security.

U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) faces accusations of sexual misconduct ranging from harassment to rape by four women, as reported in the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN. Swalwell has apologized for past mistakes in judgment while denying the most serious claims, and he suspended his campaign for California governor. Reports of his resignation from Congress are disputed.

Pope Leo XIV arrived in Yaoundé, Cameroon, on Wednesday as the second leg of his African tour after Algeria, where he is set to meet President Paul Biya and call for peace in the English-speaking regions amid a decade-long separatist conflict. Separately, U.S. President Donald Trump has criticized the Pope's opposition to the war in Iran, refusing to apologize for remarks labeling him weak on crime and foreign policy. Many details about the Pope's background, tour specifics, and Trump's statements remain unverified from single sources.

A two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, agreed upon by both parties, is set to expire next week, with the White House denying reports of requesting an extension. Recent talks in Islamabad failed to yield a deal, but U.S. officials describe negotiations as productive and likely to resume in Pakistan. President Trump stated the conflict is very close to over, while a U.S. blockade of Iranian ports remains in place.

Donald Trump stated he is permanently opening the Strait of Hormuz for China and the world, claiming China agreed not to send weapons to Iran and predicting a future hug from President Xi. These verified remarks follow unverified reports of U.S. naval actions in the strait, including a disputed claim of a full blockade on Iranian trade. Evidence shows multiple vessels, including Iranian and Chinese tankers, transiting the strait without interruption.

A blockage of the Strait of Hormuz is confirmed by multiple sources, handling about 20% of global oil transit and risking energy price spikes. Disputes persist over responsibility, with claims of Iranian or U.S. actions contradicted across outlets, alongside unverified reports of Donald Trump's deadlines and threats. Deadlocks on the strait and Iran's nuclear stockpile continue into Ceasefire Day 6, as Israel maintains operations in Lebanon.

The United States initiated a blockade targeting Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, following the failure of US-Iran peace talks mediated by Pakistan over the weekend. President Trump posted on social media claiming Iran's navy largely destroyed and threatening elimination of approaching ships, amid Iran's threats to retaliate against Gulf neighbors' ports. Many details on prior events, ship transits, and economic impacts remain unverified across sources.

The United States initiated a military blockade of ships leaving Iranian ports on Monday following the collapse of US-Iran peace talks in Islamabad over the weekend. Regional tensions persist amid scheduled Lebanon-Israel talks in Washington and statements from US President Donald Trump on Iran's navy. Oil prices have reportedly surged, while Iran has threatened retaliation against Gulf neighbors.

Iran has barred tanker passage through the Strait of Hormuz, stranding ships including 15 India-flagged vessels, while weekend peace talks in Islamabad collapsed. The U.S. announced a naval blockade of Iranian ports and the strait, with conflicting reports on whether it has begun, as oil prices exceed $100 per barrel. India's nine LPG tankers passed without tolls, per Iranian and Indian statements.

Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, has criticized the U.S. war in Iran and plans to continue speaking out, prompting President Donald Trump to refuse an apology and call the pope weak on crime. Multiple sources verify these core positions, though specific quotes and actions remain unverified or supported by fewer outlets. The exchange highlights tensions between Vatican peace appeals and U.S. foreign policy.

Pope Leo XIV, the U.S.-born pontiff, stated he will persist in opposing the war in Iran despite criticisms from President-elect Donald Trump, who accused him of weakness on crime and poor foreign policy. Verified exchanges include Trump's broadside against the pope's anti-war stance, while the pope expressed no fear of the Trump administration. Reactions include Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni deeming Trump's remarks unacceptable.

The United States initiated a naval blockade of Iranian ports and the Strait of Hormuz on Monday following the collapse of peace talks mediated by Pakistan. President Trump warned that any Iranian vessels breaching the blockade would be immediately eliminated. While core elements are verified across multiple outlets, details on prior actions and specifics remain unconfirmed.

U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell (D-CA) announced on Sunday the suspension of his California gubernatorial campaign following sexual misconduct accusations from four women, including a former staffer alleging assault. Swalwell denied the assault claims as false while apologizing for past mistakes in judgment and stated he would fight the allegations privately. A House Ethics Committee investigation into potential misconduct toward an employee is supported by reports, though plans for Swalwell to resign his House seat remain disputed.

Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell of California suspended his gubernatorial campaign and faces multiple accusations of sexual misconduct, which he denies, while Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas admitted to an affair with a staffer and announced his retirement from Congress. The House Ethics Committee has opened an investigation into Swalwell, and lawmakers have discussed potential expulsion for both. Specific details of allegations against Swalwell remain unverified, with one claim of his House resignation contradicted by reporting.

Pope Leo XIV, verified as U.S.-born, opposes the war in Iran involving U.S.-Israel interests and responded to Donald Trump's supported criticisms labeling him 'weak on crime' and sharing an AI-generated image of himself in a beatific pose. Trump refused to apologize, while the Pope stated he has no fear of the Trump administration and rooted his peace appeals in the Gospel. Many details of the Pope's trip and specific quotes remain unverified or disputed.

Democratic U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell from California, who entered the race to succeed term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom, suspended his gubernatorial campaign following reports of sexual assault and misconduct allegations from a former staffer. While the suspension and candidacy are verified across multiple outlets, details of the accusations, investigations, and political reactions remain unverified or low-confidence. The development occurs in an early-stage 2026 Democratic primary with over 20 candidates.

U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), a leading contender in the California governor's race, suspended his campaign over the weekend and announced plans to resign from Congress following sexual misconduct allegations from multiple women, including a claim by Lonna Drewes of being drugged and raped in 2018. Drewes held a press conference on Tuesday detailing her account, while investigations by the Manhattan District Attorney's office and House Ethics Committee are underway. Swalwell has denied serious allegations but acknowledged past mistakes.

US President Donald Trump has publicly attacked Pope Leo XIV, the leader of the Catholic Church, calling him weak on crime and criticizing his opposition to the Iran war. The Pope, on an apostolic journey to African nations including Cameroon, plans to appeal for peace in conflict zones. Multiple sources confirm the attacks and the Pope's anti-war position, though details like the Pope's background and war timeline remain unverified.

Multiple outlets report that Donald Trump criticized Pope Leo XIV for opposing the US war with Iran, while the Pope condemned the US-Israel actions and emphasized peace rooted in the Gospel. Trump described the Pope as weak on crime and poor at foreign policy, prompting a swift rebuttal from the pontiff. Many details surrounding the conflict and additional statements remain unverified or 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.

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.

The United States has enacted a naval blockade targeting vessels traveling to or from Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz, while permitting passage for ships bound to or from non-Iranian ports, as confirmed by multiple outlets. This occurs during a two-week ceasefire in a war that began on February 28, following Iran's effective closure of the strait and failed U.S.-Iran negotiations. China condemned the blockade as 'dangerous and irresponsible,' and Iran warned of widespread consequences.

The U.S. has begun a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, as reported by multiple outlets, coinciding with the last pre-conflict oil and LNG tankers reaching their destinations. Energy markets show volatility with Brent crude reaching $102 per barrel before falling to $98, alongside rises in European gas prices and U.S. fuel costs. Several claims about a full closure or direct causal links to prior attacks remain disputed.

Reps. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) and Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) both submitted formal resignations from Congress on Tuesday amid separate scandals involving allegations of misconduct. Swalwell faces unverified accusations of sexual assault, harassment, and rape, which he denies, while Gonzales admitted to an affair with a former staffer who later died by suicide. Both cited a desire to avoid distracting constituents, with ongoing discussions of potential expulsion votes.

Rep. Eric Swalwell has suspended his campaign for California governor and announced plans to resign from Congress following allegations of sexual misconduct from two women, which he has denied. The move comes ahead of California's June 2 top-two primary in a race with numerous candidates, as incumbent Gov. Gavin Newsom terms out. Remaining contenders include Republicans like Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and Steve Hilton.

A blockade in the Strait of Hormuz by Iran is verified across multiple sources, while the US intends to allow a sanctions waiver for Indian imports of Iranian oil to expire. Reports of ships U-turning and potential pauses in shipments remain unverified, and claims of US-Iran ceasefire talks are disputed. The development occurs against a backdrop of global oil flow risks through the strait.

President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social criticizing Pope Leo XIV as 'WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy,' amid reports of the pontiff's critiques of U.S. foreign policy actions. The Pope, described in some sources as American-born, responded from his papal plane en route to Africa, emphasizing the Church's Gospel mission over politics. Many details, including specific quotes and background, remain unverified across sources.

The U.S. House of Representatives voted 213-214 against a war powers resolution that would have required congressional approval for further U.S. military operations against Iran, failing by one vote with Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME) as the sole Democrat voting no and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) as the sole Republican voting yes. The measure, introduced by Rep. Greg Meeks, invoked the 1973 War Powers Resolution in response to U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. This follows a Senate rejection of a similar measure the previous day and a failed House attempt in March.

Debates on whether U.S. policies under Trump fundamentally altered Gulf stability center on the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for one-fifth of global oil and gas flows [France 24]. Perspectives differ on the 'maximum pressure' campaign against Iran, with limited verified facts beyond energy vulnerabilities. Numerous claims about Hungarian elections and other topics remain unverified, primarily sourced from RT.

China, Iran's top oil importer, labeled a U.S. blockade of Iranian ports 'irresponsible and dangerous' while reportedly steering Iran toward talks with the U.S. in Pakistan. The conflict, entering its second month, coincides with economic warnings and a fragile ceasefire set to expire soon. Separate reporting covers Sudan's four-year civil war and potential disruptions like a Strait of Hormuz blockage.