Blockades & Diplomacy, Cocaine Hippos, & Cost of Living

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Adam Rogers
April 15, 2026

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The US military said it has begun enforcing a blockade of Iranian ports, deepening the standoff as Iran threatened to strike targets across the region. Trump warned on social media that any Iranian warships approaching the blockade would be destroyed.
With the ceasefire set to expire on April 22, Pakistan is pushing to bring both sides back to the table. Trump said a second round of talks could happen within two days, but a US official said no talks have been scheduled. The first round ended without agreement on Iran's nuclear program, which the White House says remains the central sticking point.
Meanwhile, Israel and Lebanon opened their first direct diplomatic talks in decades in Washington. The Israeli ambassador said both nations are "on the same side" in liberating Lebanon from Hezbollah. However, Hezbollah immediately said it will not abide by any agreements reached.

A new study in Radiology found that people who eat more ultra-processed foods, like fast food, sugary drinks, and snacks, have higher levels of fat embedded within their muscles, regardless of weight, calorie intake, or exercise levels.
Researchers analyzed 615 adults using MRI scans and diet data, finding a clear link between ultraprocessed diets and intermuscular fat, which can weaken muscle function and increase the risk of knee osteoarthritis. Each 1% increase in muscular fat raises cardiovascular disease risk by 7%. The effect appeared independent of obesity, suggesting diet quality plays a distinct role.
While the study doesn't prove cause and effect, experts say nutrient-poor diets promote fat buildup and muscle inflammation. The good news: the buildup is reversible through whole foods, less ultraprocessed food, and sustained exercise — though researchers say it requires long-term lifestyle changes.

Colombia authorized killing up to 80 hippos descended from four brought by drug lord Pablo Escobar in the 1980s, known as “cocaine hippos. The population has grown to an estimated 170 and spread more than 60 miles from Escobar's original ranch. "If we don't do this, we will not be able to control the population," Environment Minister Irene Vélez said.
Colombia is the only country outside Africa with a wild hippo population. The animals have no natural predators and are booming, poisoning rivers with waste and threatening native species like manatees, otters, and turtles. Neutering proved too expensive and limited. Deporting them would cost $3.5 million, and their limited gene pool makes returning them to Africa unfeasible.
The plan faces backlash from animal rights advocates who call the cull cruel, while locals remain divided as the animals double as a tourist draw.

Texas Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales and California Democrat Eric Swalwell both announced they are leaving Congress, Gonzales after admitting to an affair with a staffer and Swalwell amid sexual misconduct accusations he denies. (More)

Trump's Federal Reserve chairman pick Kevin Warsh disclosed up to $226 million in personal assets, far more than any recent Fed chief, ahead of a Senate confirmation hearing set for April 21. (More)

Maryland Democrats dropped a plan to redraw congressional districts that could have cost the state's only Republican House member his seat, citing fears the map wouldn't survive a court challenge. (More)

Canada's Liberal Party swept three parliamentary byelections Monday, giving Prime Minister Mark Carney a majority that lets him pass legislation without opposition support. (More)

Pope Leo XIV began an 11-day trip across Africa in Algeria, where he visited a mosque and called for peace between Christians and Muslims. (More)

Spain finalized a plan to let up to 800,000 undocumented immigrants apply for legal status, a sharp break from the stricter immigration crackdowns happening across much of Europe. (More)

US stock markets closed higher on Tuesday (S&P +1.18%, Nasdaq +1.96%, Dow +0.66%) as the S&P stands just 1% below its all-time high. (More)

Amazon is buying satellite company Globalstar for $11.57 billion to expand its space-based internet service and better compete with Elon Musk's Starlink. (More)

7-Eleven plans to close 645 North American stores this year while opening just 205 new ones, as the convenience chain works to trim its network of more than 13,000 U.S. and Canadian locations. (More)

Atlético Madrid reached the Champions League semifinals for the first time since 2017 by holding off Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate, while PSG eliminated Liverpool 4-0 on aggregate to advance alongside them. (More)

NFL reporter Dianna Russini quit The Athletic days after photos surfaced showing her at an Arizona hotel with Patriots coach Mike Vrabel, both of whom are married to other people. (More)

Phil Collins, Oasis, Iron Maiden, Sade, Wu-Tang Clan, Queen Latifah, and Luther Vandross are among the artists joining the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's class of 2026. (More)

Several US states and cities are dropping or restricting insurance coverage for Ozempic-style weight-loss drugs for low-income residents as costs soar. (More)

Researchers confirmed a 250-million-year-old mammal ancestor laid eggs after scanning a fossilized embryo discovered in South Africa. (More)

Scientists detected empty voids moving faster than light inside a thin material without breaking relativity, since the voids carry no matter, energy, or information that the speed limit actually governs. (More)

Mapping the cost of living in every US state.

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