In Case You Missed It … This Week in News

A lot happened in the world this week – Make sure you didn’t miss it with Liberty Nation GenZ’s weekly news roundup!

Sunday, April 19, 2026

Iran Reimposes Closure of Strait of Hormuz

Iran said on April 18 that the Strait of Hormuz was closed again, one day after the regime stated it would be “completely open” to shipping traffic. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Navy announced that the narrow waterway will remain shuttered until the US blockade is lifted and that passage will require approval. “It is announced that until the US ends its obstruction of the full freedom of movement of vessels from and to Iran, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will remain under strict control and in its previous state,” an IRGC spokesperson said on X.

Monday, April 20, 2026

Trump: US Seized Iran Ship That Tried to Run Blockade

President Donald Trump on Sunday said US forces have seized an Iranian cargo ship that tried to break through a naval blockade of the Middle East nation’s ports. “Today, an Iranian-flagged cargo ship named TOUSKA, nearly 900-feet long and weighing almost as much as an aircraft carrier, tried to get past our naval blockade, and it did not go well for them,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. “The US Navy Guided Missile Destroyer USS SPRUANCE intercepted the TOUSKA in the Gulf of Oman, and gave them fair warning to stop. The Iranian crew refused to listen, so our Navy ship stopped them right in their tracks by blowing a hole in the engine room. Right now, US Marines have custody of the vessel. The TOUSKA is under US Treasury sanctions because of their prior history of illegal activity. We have full custody of the ship, and are seeing what’s on board.”

Iran Calls Naval Blockade Violation of Ceasefire

Iran is assuming a belligerent posture in response to the ongoing US Naval blockade of its sea ports. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian “in a call with Pakistan’s [Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declared that] the naval blockade of Iran is a clear violation of the ceasefire understanding and contrary to the UN Charter. Iran is fully determined to defend its sovereignty against any renewed US and Israeli regime adventurism,” a Sunday X post from Iran’s government read. “You cannot keep violating the international law, double down on your blockade, threaten Iran with further war crimes, insist on unreasonable demands, pace out with rhetoric and pretend to be pursuing ‘diplomacy,’” Iran Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam wrote in a separate X post.

Mamdani: ‘I Believe In’ Democratic Socialism ‘More Than Ever’

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Sunday doubled down on his allegiance to “democratic socialism” as a crippling $5.4 billion budget shortfall hovers over the Big Apple.

Eight Children Dead, Three Injured in Louisiana Mass Shooting

A suspect has been named in a shocking mass murder in Louisiana. “Shreveport police identified Shamar Elkins as the suspect in the shooting that killed eight children, including a 1-year-old, calling it a ‘heinous act,’” Fox News reports. “Shreveport Police Department Corporal Christopher Bordelon released the identity while speaking with reporters near the crime scene on Sunday evening. He also said seven of the eight children killed are believed to be Elkins’ children.”

Michigan Refuses DOJ Demand For 2024 Election Ballots

Top state officials in Democrat-controlled Michigan on Sunday denounced a letter sent by the Justice Department to Wayne County Clerk Cathy M. Garrett “demanding the production of 2024 November election materials, including all ballots, ballot receipts, and ballot envelopes” in a joint statement released by Attorney General Dana Nessel, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson.

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

Trump: Won’t Let Democrats ‘Pressure’ Me Into Weak Iran Deal

President Donald Trump on Monday said he will not allow political pressure applied by Democrats to cause him to rush into an unacceptable deal to end the US-Iran war. “The Democrats are doing everything possible to hurt the very strong position we are in with respect to Iran,” Trump wrote in a lengthy Truth Social post. “I’m not going to let them rush the United States into making a deal that is not as good as it could have been. I read the Fake News saying that I am under ‘pressure’ to make a deal. This is not true. I am under no pressure whatsoever, although, it will all happen, relatively quickly! Time is not my adversary, the only thing that matters is that we finally, after 47 years, straighten out the mess that other presidents let happen because they didn’t have the courage or foresight to do what had to be done with respect to Iran.”

Iran Says It Will Not Negotiate While ‘Under Threat’

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf on Monday said the Middle East nation will not negotiate with the US to end the war between the two countries while “under the shadow of threat.” President Donald Trump, “by imposing a blockade and violating the ceasefire, seeks, in his view, to turn this negotiating table – in his own imagination – into a table of surrender or to justify renewed warmongering,” Ghalibaf wrote in an X post. “We do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threat, and over the past two weeks we have prepared to reveal new cards on the battlefield.”

Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Virginia Democrats Win Redistricting Referendum

Virginia Democrats on Tuesday won a massive victory as voters approved a redistricting referendum that is likely to flip four congressional seats from red to blue. With 95% of the count in, the measure was ahead by a tight 51.5%-48.5% margin as Democrat dominance in the heavily populated urban Northern Virginia and Richmond areas helped push “yes” backers through.

Trump Extends Ceasefire With Iran as Negotiations Continue

President Donald Trump has announced that he is extending the ceasefire with Iran to allow room for continued negotiations with what he described as a chaotic Iranian government. “Based on the fact that the government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so and, upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our attack on the country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. “I have therefore directed our military to continue the [naval] blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able, and will therefore extend the ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other.”

Grand Jury Indicts Southern Poverty Law Center for Donor Fraud

In a blockbuster development on Tuesday, the Justice Department announced a grand jury in Montgomery, Alabama, has indicted leftist activist group the Southern Poverty Law Center “for wire fraud, false statements, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.” The charges stem from startling allegations that the organization paid members of designated “hate groups” to foment agitation that was then used as a reason to raise money from donors.

Hegseth: Military Will No Longer Mandate Flu Shots

In a victory for vaccine skeptics, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Tuesday declared that the US military will no longer mandate flu shots for service members.

Court Upholds Texas Law on Ten Commandments in Schoolrooms

The US Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday upheld a Texas law requiring public schools to display the Ten Commandments in schoolrooms. “The court found the law to be legally compliant with the First Amendment, meaning it does not improperly establish or endorse a religion nor does it prevent individuals from practicing their faith,” CBS News reports.

Thursday, April 23, 2026

Virginia Judge Bars Redistricting Certification

On Wednesday, Jack Hurley Jr., a judge in rural southern Virginia, blocked the state from certifying Tuesday’s redistricting results. “Hurley agreed with Republicans that the question’s partisan language was misleading and fell short of what is acceptable to present to voters. The judge further sided with Republicans, ruling the referendum violates the state constitution’s timing requirements,” Courthouse News Service reports.

Hegseth Fires Navy Secretary John Phelan

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth abruptly fired Navy Secretary John Phelan on Wednesday amid the US naval blockade of Iran. No specific reason was given for the sudden move, but it reportedly comes after mounting tensions between Hegseth and Phelan increased in recent weeks.

Appeals Court Blocks California Law Banning Masked ICE Agents

The federal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday “slapped down a California law that would have forced immigration agents and other law enforcement officers to display ID while on duty, with a ruling finding that the measure ‘attempts to directly regulate’ the federal government,” The Los Angeles Times reports.