Trump News for Friday, April 24, 2026

WATCH: Newly released video shows a suspect driving off with a police officer in the car

ABC News, Abcnews.com

Surveillance video shows a suspect driving off with a police officer in the car during a confrontation of a reported robbery in Antioch, California.

ANDREW SULLIVAN: IS WORM FINALLY TURNING ON TRUMP?

Andrew Sullivan, Substack.com

ANDREW SULLIVAN: IS WORM FINALLY TURNING ON TRUMP? (Second column, 1st story, link)

Reporters at news site are AI bots! OPENAI funding it...

Model Republic, Substack.com

Reporters at news site are AI bots! OPENAI funding it... (Second column, 4th story, link) Related stories:WEEKEND: Remaking of America's media order... AM/FM Radio Listening Hits All-Time Low... Altman Apologizes for Not Flagging Mass …

Appeals court rules that Trump's asylum ban at the border is illegal

The Associated Press, NPR

A U.S. appeals court ruled Friday that immigration laws allow people to apply for asylum at the border, and the president cannot bypass this. The decision stems from Trump declaring the border situation an invasion and suspending asylum.

Are the latest Iran talks for real?

Cameron Peters, Vox

This story appeared in The Logoff, a daily newsletter that helps you stay informed about the Trump administration without letting political news take over your life. Subscribe here. Welcome to The Logoff: US and Iranian diplomats will meet again in Pakistan t…

Israel kills at least 12 Palestinians in Gaza amid ‘ceasefire’

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Hamas says the Israeli escalation represents the failure of the international community to uphold the truce in Gaza.

From night life in Egypt to rice farming in Vietnam, the war in Iran is a drain

Fatma Tanis, NPR

Fuel costs more. Food is harder to get. jobs are evaporating. And in Cairo, cafes and restaurants are ordered to close at 9 p.m.

US sending envoys to Pakistan, raising hopes of talks with Iran’s Araghchi

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrives in Islamabad, but Tehran yet to commit to more talks with US delegation.

Who is running Iran right now? Trump, security officials offer different accounts

Ian Pannell, Charlotte Gardiner, Jordana Miller, Somayeh Malekian, Abcnews.com

Decision-making in Iran is no longer centralized around the supreme leader and there is not a huge gap between different factions within the regime, sources say.

Trump to again end legal status of people who entered US with CBP One app

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Judge had previously blocked move to end temporary legal status for those who entered US via Biden-era application.

Petro becomes first president to visit Venezuela since Maduro abduction

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Border security set to loom large as Colombia's leader meets interim Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez.

'Case Study in Congressional Smut: I Have Receipts'...

Juliegrace Brufke, Sourcessay.news

'Case Study in Congressional Smut: I Have Receipts'... (First column, 12th story, link) Related stories:New Worry for Republicans: Latino Catholics Offended by Trump... Senate Benches 'Save America' Voting Bill...

US appeals court rejects Trump’s ban on asylum seekers, teeing up appeal

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Judges say Trump's order for swift removal at the border 'cast aside federal laws affording' right to seek asylum.

Karoline Leavitt, having a baby 'any minute,' preps for White House leave

Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, USA Today

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt is due to have a baby girl soon. She told reporters on April 24 they will be 'in very good hands.'

Democrats Just Won Big in Virginia. A Court Could Still Take It Away.

Dahlia Lithwick and Mark Joseph Stern, Slate Magazine

Virginia voters delivered a major blow to Republicans on Tuesday.

Trump government extends Jones Act waiver by 90 days to dampen oil prices

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Move is part of a broader US push to curb politically sensitive fuel price spikes before November’s midterm elections.

Can Mayor Mamdani get Democrats back on track?

Ariana Aspuru, Sean Rameswaram, Vox

After a historic victory last fall, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani marked 100 days in office earlier this month. So far, it’s going pretty well: His approval numbers are broadly positive, he’s begun to deliver on some of his key campaign promises, and he …

Israeli attacks on Lebanon may violate international law, UN warns

Adam Hancock, Al Jazeera English

UN report says Hezbollah rocket attacks on Israel may have breached international humanitarian law.

Reality check: Israeli ambitions confront US dictates in Iran and Lebanon

Simon Speakman Cordall, Al Jazeera English

Ceasefires with Iran and Lebanon appear imposed by the US rather than negotiated by Israel, much to latter's unease.

Kash Patel Filed a Defamation Case Monday. His Other Defamation Case Got Dismissed Tuesday.

Mike Masnick, Techdirt

To have one defamation case about public allegations of your drinking as FBI Director would be unfortunate. To have a second dismissed the very next day would be, well, perhaps a sign that something has gone wrong. Earlier this week we wrote about Kash Patel’…

Trump administration to prioritise seeking death penalty, use firing squads

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Capital punishment remains controversial in the US, with critics warning of innocent people being put on death row.

Half of Gen Z Is Concerned or Anxious About AI’s Impact on Jobs: Survey

Matt Novak, Gizmodo.com

47% also said they'd rather live in the past.

RFK, Jr., praises ibogaine for depression treatment. Is the psychedelic a magic bullet?

Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American

At a Senate hearing on Wednesday, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., referred to ibogaine as the most promising treatment for PTSD and depression “that anybody’s ever seen.” Does the science hold that up?

Splinter: Nerds Attend Prom With Trump as the Chad Fed Fights Back and Wins

Jacob Weindling, Jezebel

Trump drops sham inquiry into Fed Chair the day before he plans to humiliate the media at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.

Fox News AI Newsletter: Your next Dairy Queen order could be taken by AI

Fox News

Dairy Queen's automated AI drive-thru initiative sparks customer concern as Meta lays off 8,000 workers and voters flag AI risks to privacy and pay.

Bette Midler Is Bringing Back the Protest Song

CT Jones, Rolling Stone

The triple-threat legend talks about revamping a Woody Guthrie classic into an anti-Trump anthem and why older generations are responsible for calling out fascism

RFK, Jr., puts psychedelics on fast track to FDA review and approval

Claire Cameron, Scientific American

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is seeking to accelerate the review process for three companies that are studying psilocybin and an MDMA-like drug as treatments for depression and PTSD

The Federalist Is Super Mad Virginia Will No Longer Subsidize Racists

Tim Cushing, Techdirt

The state of Virginia is trying to break with its racist past. It’s not pretending it doesn’t exist. But, better late than never, it’s trying to undo some of the damage still being perpetrated by Virginians and their legislators. Governor Abigail Spanberger s…

Soldier who made $400K betting on Maduro's removal makes 1st court appearance

Peter Charalambous, Abcnews.com

The special operations soldier who was indicted for allegedly using classified information to bet on the capture of Nicolas Maduro appeared in a courtroom Friday.

Here's how much the US government has made on its Intel investment after the latest big stock rally

jsor@businessinsider.com (Jennifer Sor), Business Insider

The government, which took up nearly a 10% stake in Intel last August, has seen gains on paper of nearly $30 billion amid Friday's big rally.

US Justice Department drops criminal probe of Fed chair Jerome Powell

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

The announcement on Friday is expected to clear the path for the confirmation of his successor, Kevin Warsh.

US has three aircraft carriers in the Middle East for first time since 2003

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

As tensions ramp up amid fragile truce, US military says it 'redirected' 34 vessels as part of blockade on Iran's ports.

Kash Patel Got Arrested for Public Urination After a Night of Drinking

Trevor Aaronson, The Intercept

The FBI director was arrested twice in his youth for alcohol-related incidents that he said were “not representative of my usual conduct.” The post Kash Patel Got Arrested for Public Urination After a Night of Drinking appeared first on The Intercept.

“We Knew They Were Paying Informants”: SPLC Donors Reject Trump DOJ Fraud Claims

Noah Hurowitz, The Intercept

Twenty donors to the Southern Poverty Law Center said the alleged “fraud” being prosecuted in their name was exactly how they hoped the group would spend their money. The post “We Knew They Were Paying Informants”: SPLC Donors Reject Trump DOJ Fraud Claims ap…

What we know about the secret White House bunker — and the 'massive' military complex beneath Trump's new ballroom

Talia Lakritz, Business Insider

The Presidential Emergency Operations Center, built for FDR in 1942, served a crucial role post-9/11 and is undergoing new expansions under Trump.

The Trump Admin Is Bringing Back Firing Squads like It’s 1890

Danielle Han, Jezebel

Since 2007, Jezebel has been the Internet's most treasured source for everything celebrities, sex, and politics...with teeth.

Three psychedelics undergo 'ultra-fast' FDA review...

Matthew Perrone, The-independent.com

Three psychedelics undergo 'ultra-fast' FDA review... (First column, 11th story, link) Related stories:The Rich and Powerful Want to Live Forever. What if They Could? Who's Using Magic Mushrooms? Survey Points To Surprising Pattern... …

Homebuyers Sitting Out Season for Real Estate Deals...

Paulina Cachero, Financial Advisor Magazine

Homebuyers Sitting Out Season for Real Estate Deals... (First column, 6th story, link) Related stories:Companies, Not Consumers, to Cash In Big From Tariff Refunds...

What's all the buzz about? Melania Trump is growing the White House honey program with a new beehive

DARLENE SUPERVILLE, Yahoo Entertainment

Melania Trump on Friday announced that she is expanding the White House honey program by adding a beehive in the shape of the White House to two other...

The Latest Push to Extend Key US Spy Powers Is Still a Mess

Dell Cameron, Wired

A US surveillance program that lets the FBI view Americans' communications without a warrant is up for renewal. A new bill aims to address mounting lawmaker concerns—with smoke and mirrors.

Iran-Iraq Tanker War redux? Why the Strait of Hormuz crisis is different

Priyanka Shankar, Al Jazeera English

The Tanker War between Iran and Iraq in the 1980s also disrupted global shipping. But the situation today is different.

Palantir Is Helping Trump’s IRS Conduct “Massive-Scale” Data Mining

Sam Biddle, The Intercept

Military contractor Palantir has been paid more than $130 million by the IRS to analyze sensitive federal databases. The post Palantir Is Helping Trump’s IRS Conduct “Massive-Scale” Data Mining appeared first on The Intercept.

Trump’s Polling Is Now as Bad as It Was After the Jan. 6 Capitol Riots

Jim Vorel, Jezebel

A full 70% of Americans now say that the economy is getting worse, and that it's the fault of Trump. It's time for Republicans to flee.

US Navy authorised to target Iranian fast boats in Strait of Hormuz

Al Jazeera English

Hegseth says President Trump authorised the navy to target Iranian fast boats in the Strait of Hormuz.

Top general shares new details on how a US destroyer shot out the engine of an Iran blockade runner

Jake Epstein, Business Insider

USS Spruance fired nine "inert" rounds into the engine room of the Iranian-flagged M/V Touska last weekend.

DOJ expected to drop criminal probe of fed chair amid pressure from senators: Sources

Katherine Faulders, Elizabeth Schulze, Allison Pecorin, Alexander Mallin, Abcnews.com

The DOJ is expected to drop its criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell as soon as Friday, sources tell ABC News.

Elon Musk's near-daily online posts about race are turning off some fans

Washington Post, Yahoo Entertainment

Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. Elon Musk, the world's richest person, is on...

Fruits and Vegetables Might Be Linked to Lung Cancer Risk in Non-Smokers. Cool, Cool, Cool

Matthew Phelan, Gizmodo.com

Somewhat maddening new research has linked a rise in young lung cancer patients to a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Falklands is a pressure point for the UK – and the US knows it

BBC News

This story will make greater waves in the UK than in the US, which for Donald Trump is an opportunity for leverage, Joe Inwood writes.

Iranian FM Araghchi to visit Pakistan as talks with US set to resume

Abid Hussain, Al Jazeera English

As Pakistan hosts US-Iran talks, twin-city residents face road closures, halted courts and growing economic strain.

What’s been happening during the Lebanon ceasefire?

Al Jazeera English

Trump has extended the Lebanon ceasefire by 3 weeks. But Israel has been accused of using the truce to further its war.

WATCH: Hikers flee erupting volcano

ABC News, Abcnews.com

A group of tourists in Guatemala was forced to run down Santiaguito, an active volcano nicknamed “the Death Trail,” after it suddenly erupted, sending ash and debris falling around them.

Jimmy Kimmel Delivers Scathing, “Alternative” White House Correspondents’ Dinner Roast Of Donald Trump

Ted Johnson, Deadline

Jimmy Kimmel delivered his own, alternative to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner comedy monologue, with scathing jokes about Donald Trump, his wife Melania and the president’s White House team. In his monologue on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Thursday, Kimmel no…

With 3,000 containers stuck in Pakistan, Iran explores more land routes

Osama Bin Javaid, Al Jazeera English

Documents seen by Al Jazeera say Iran is seeking land transit for stranded sea cargo to bypass US blockade.

Russian troops, warships in India soon? Why their new military pact matters

Yashraj Sharma, Al Jazeera English

In a significant pact, India and Russia agree to the deployment of soldiers and warships on each other's soil during peace and wartime.

Minnesota Passes Landmark Bill to Ban AI Nudification Apps

Pesala Bandara, PetaPixel

The Minnesota House has passed a landmark bill to ban AI nudification apps and websites that create explicit images of people, mostly women, without consent. [Read More]

“National Security” Can’t Exist in a World with Prediction Markets

Jim Vorel, Jezebel

Prediction markets make the allure of profiting from privileged information impossible to deny. Even Trump is establishing his own.

How long can Iran survive the US’s Hormuz blockade?

Priyanka Shankar, Al Jazeera English

And just how long can the US hold out?

Israel and Lebanon extend ceasefire. And, Trump eases medical marijuana rules

Brittney Melton, NPR

Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend their ceasefire for three weeks, President Trump says. And, the Trump administration is easing rules on medical marijuana.

US considers suspending Spain from NATO, reported internal email suggests

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Pentagon email obtained by Reuters reveals US anger at Spain and the UK as Iran war tensions persist.

988 crisis hotline linked to drop in young adult suicide rates

Allison Parshall, Scientific American

The states with the greatest increases in 988 crisis hotline use since 2022 experienced the greatest decrease in suicide mortality, but the hotline alone may not explain the drop

Explosions by Israeli forces in south Lebanon despite ceasefire

Al Jazeera English

Smoke rise above Khiam in southern Lebanon after Israel carries out explosions despite the ceasefire.

Trump wants Iran's 'nuclear dust.' Here's how the U.S. could remove the uranium

Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American

President Trump keeps promising to secure Iran’s nuclear “dust,” which is actually a gas

WATCH: Tornado rips through northwest Oklahoma amid severe storms across Plains

ABC News, Abcnews.com

More than a dozen tornadoes were reported across the central U.S. on Thursday night, including a powerful storm in northwestern Oklahoma.

Conservative super PAC threatens to unseat Republicans over immigration bill

By David Hood-Nuño, Yahoo Entertainment

By David Hood-Nuño April 24 (Reuters) - House Republicans are facing a fresh challenge in the 2026 midterms: the Homeland Political Action Committee, a new...

GOP senators ratchet up pressure on Speaker Johnson to quickly end DHS shutdown

Alexander Bolton, The Hill

Republicans in the upper chamber are ramping up the pressure on Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to swiftly approve a Senate-passed bill to fund most of the...

“Me Too” Comes Back To Congress

The Intercept Briefing, The Intercept

Intercept staffers discuss the themes emerging this midterm election season. The post “Me Too” Comes Back To Congress appeared first on The Intercept.

India denounces ‘hellhole’ remark shared by Trump

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

India’s Foreign Ministry says comments by US radio host Michael Savage, circulated by Trump, are 'uninformed'.

After 2 failed votes, Mike Johnson unveils new plan to extend key U.S. spy powers

Eric McDaniel, NPR

With an April 30 deadline fast approaching, Johnson unveiled his latest proposal to extend the controversial surveillance program known as FISA 702.

Morning news brief

Michel Martin, NPR

Ongoing U.S. blockade of Strait of Hormuz strands thousands of seafarers, Trump administration eases rules on medical marijuana, Wildfires fueled by drought continue to spread in parts of Georgia.

Why Trump wants to spend $1 billion on Great Salt Lake

Saige Miller, NPR

Utah's Great Salt Lake has been labeled an "environmental nuclear bomb" and it has the attention of the president of the United States.

US says Iran can play at 2026 World Cup but bars those with ‘IRGC ties’

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the US has not told the Iranian national team that it cannot play.

The story Tehran wants you to read

Jason D Greenblatt, Al Jazeera English

A new narrative about Iran’s leadership mistakes continuity for change - and echoes the regime’s own preferred framing.

US rights groups urge caution for World Cup visitors

Michael Short, BBC News

More than 120 organisations issue a travel advisory for visitors to this summer's World Cup, warning of potential threats to their human rights.

Trump’s May 1 deadline: Can he continue war on Iran after that?

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Trump is obliged under the War Powers Act to limit the conflict after 60 days with congressional approval.

Trump says he speaks 'for the UK more than Prince Harry'

BBC News

The US president's comments come ahead of a state visit from King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

Iran war: What’s happening on day 56 after Trump extended ceasefire?

Elizabeth Melimopoulos, Al Jazeera English

The Israel-Lebanon ceasefire is extended by three weeks after White House talks with Israeli and Lebanese envoys.

First ever talks to ditch fossil fuels as UN deadlock deepens

BBC News

Some 60 countries are meeting in Colombia as frustration grows with lack of progress in tackling climate change

China’s DeepSeek unveils latest models a year after upending global tech

John Power, Al Jazeera English

Chinese startup says DeepSeek-V4-Pro beats all rival open models for maths and coding.

China to send giant pandas to Atlanta again

The Associated Press, Abcnews.com

China is sending two giant pandas to Zoo Atlanta, the China Wildlife Conservation Association says

Stephen Colbert Scores Barack Obama Interview For ‘Late Show’s Final Stretch: “I Have A Quick But Exciting Announcement”

Dominic Patten, Deadline

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert won’t quite be over on May 6, and Barack Obama’s presidential library won’t quite be open, but the duo will be sitting down for a chat next month just before the late night host heads into the CBS sunset. In what will be Col…

RFK Jr. Wipes His Hands Of This Whole Measles Outbreak Thing

Timothy Geigner, Techdirt

In the year 2,000 (cue the Conan O’Brien music), America had so successfully defeated measles as a disease that we were awarded elimination status for the disease. Then Trump was elected to a second term, for reasons I still can’t fully explain, after which R…

Oil rises above $106 per barrel as US, Iran deadlocked in Strait of Hormuz

John Power, Al Jazeera English

Jump in prices comes as Donald Trump says vessels will need permission of US Navy to transit key waterway.

Man accused of spraying Omar with apple cider vinegar plans to plead guilty

Sophie Brams, The Hill

The man accused of spraying Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) with apple cider vinegar during a January town hall in her Minnesota district has reached a plea...

Things Are Finally Looking Up for Intel and It Has CPUs to Thank for It

Ece Yildirim, Gizmodo.com

Intel is slowly starting to enjoy the fruits of AI hype.

Trump says he'll resurface Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, turning it blue

Yahoo Entertainment