International
Starting Monday, U.S. forces set up a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz to disrupt Iranian trade and have turned away 13 ships without using force.
The United States started implementing a “blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports” on April 13 according to a press release from the U.S. Central Command.
“The blockade will be enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman,” U.S. Central Command said.
The press release clarified the Strait of Hormuz remains open for vessels not traveling to or from Iranian ports.
On Thursday, military leaders announced the operation has disrupted 90% of Iran’s maritime trade activities.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine emphasized at a Pentagon briefing that the blockade is for all ships and only blocks travel to and from Iran and does not fully obstruct the strait.
“This blockade applies to all ships regardless of nationality heading into or from Iranian ports,” Caine said. “The U.S. action is a blockade of the Iran’s ports and coastline, not a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.”
According to the Pentagon, this operation seeks to pressure Tehran into resuming negotiations, and U.S. naval forces have turned away 13 ships without the use of force as of Thursday morning.
National
President Donald Trump deleted an AI-generated image on social media depicting himself as Jesus on Monday morning, prompting outrage even from long-time supporters.
“This is gross blasphemy,” conservative commentator Brilyn Hollyhand posted on X. “Faith is not a prop. You don’t need to portray yourself as a savior when your record should speak for itself.”
Trump denied any reference to Jesus when he spoke with reporters at the White House Monday.
“I thought it was me as a doctor,” Trump said. “And it had to do with Red Cross. Only the fake news could come up with that one. I make people a lot better.”
Advocate against transgender athletes in women’s sports Riley Gaines, who has been invited to the White House by the Trump administration several times, spoke out on X.
“Why? Seriously, I cannot understand why he’d post this. Is he looking for a response? Does he actually think this?” Gaines posted. “Either way, two things are true. 1) a little humility would serve him well. 2) God shall not be mocked.”
This incident occurred shortly after Trump attacked Pope Leo XIV in a 334-word message on Truth social, calling Leo “WEAK on Crime” and “Terrible for Foreign Policy” that morning.
Local
An Oklahoma principal at Pauls Valley High School is hailed as a hero after tackling and disarming a former student who entered the building with two semi-automatic handguns.
Surveillance footage shows Principal Kirk Moore rushing toward and tackling the shooter as a second staff member helped disarm the suspect.
Moore suffered a gunshot to his lower right leg, but authorities in Garvin county say his actions almost certainly prevented a tragedy.
According to court documents, the alleged attacker is Victor Lee Hawkins, a 20-year-old obsessed with the 1999 shooting at Colorado’s Columbine high school.
Pauls Valley Police Chief Don May told NBC Moore’s actions stopped the attack before it became a fatal incident.
“It doesn’t surprise me the actions that he took, but it is amazing, the actions that he took,” May said. “There’s not a doubt in my mind that he saved kids’ lives.”
Hawkins remained at Garvin county detention center as of Tuesday with a $1 million bail and a court appearance scheduled for May. He faces charges of shooting with intent to kill, feloniously pointing a firearm and carrying a weapon to a public assembly.
Be First to Comment