Iranian officials said recent US actions, including pressure around the Strait of Hormuz and the seizure of an Iranian cargo ship, had undermined the conditions for diplomacy. Pakistan, which has been trying to mediate, continued its preparations anyway, hoping both sides could still return to the table.

Security measures were tightened across Islamabad ahead of the expected meetings. Major hotels near the diplomatic zone were cleared, roads were blocked, and extra police and paramilitary forces were deployed.

The immediate goal was not a final peace deal but a temporary understanding that could extend the ceasefire and give negotiators more time. Even with that limited aim, the chances of talks going ahead remained uncertain as both sides exchanged sharp public statements.

The announcement took place at the White House with Joe Rogan in attendance, alongside Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other supporters. Reports around the event noted that Rogan has been a vocal advocate for ibogaine and played a role in bringing attention to the issue within Trump’s circle.

The order focuses on easing some of the regulatory barriers that have slowed research into substances that remain restricted under federal law. Ibogaine, a naturally derived psychedelic, has been studied for its potential to address addiction and trauma-related conditions, though it continues to raise safety concerns among medical experts.

Officials described the directive as part of a broader effort to explore alternative treatments while maintaining oversight through controlled studies and clinical evaluation.

President Trump said the blockade will stay in effect until a broader deal with Tehran is completed. He also said talks are continuing, but warned the ceasefire could lapse on Wednesday, April 22, if no longer-term agreement is reached.

The renewed restrictions put fresh strain on one of the world’s most important shipping routes. A convoy of tankers moved through the strait on Saturday, marking the first major transit since the war began in late February, but traffic remains far from normal. Maritime sources also reported gunfire involving merchant vessels trying to cross. Because a large share of global oil trade normally passes through Hormuz, even limited disruption there can quickly ripple through shipping and energy markets.

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The latest poll in the race for California governor is out, the first since Eric Swalwell dropped out of the race.  It was conducted by Emerson College Polling on Tuesday and Wednesday.  Republican commentator Steve Hilton remains in first place with the support of 17 percent of likely voters.  Republican Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and billionaire activist Tom Steyer, a Democrat, are tied for second place, each polling at 14 percent.  Behind them are former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and former congresswoman Katie Porter, who are each tied at ten percent.  San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, another Democrat, is polling at five percent.  Those six candidates will be invited to next Wednesday’s primary debate.  Twenty-three percent of the thousand likely voters surveyed said they are still undecided.

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Tom Steyer is announcing a plan to fight against ICE in California.  The plan includes jailing agents in some cases.  Steyer, a billionaire climate activist and progressive Democrat, says Democrats need to do more than “simply engage in rhetoric” if they’re going to stand up to the Trump Administration.  This week, he announced a five-part plan.  It includes passing stronger legislation to combat racial profiling, appointing a special task force to prosecute crimes at detention facilities and launching a “Know Your Rights” public awareness campaign.  He is also promising to bring people detained by ICE back home by creating a stronger legal defense network to help immigrants.  Finally, he wants to give the state attorney general the power to prosecute ICE leadership, which could lead to arrests.  Steyer calls ICE a “violent extremist group.”

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The Justice Department is launching an investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against former California Congressman Eric Swalwell.  That’s according to multiple reports.  At least five women have come forward with accusations.  Earlier this week, a woman accused Swalwell of drugging and raping her.  Swalwell has denied the allegations.  The Democrat has suspended his campaign for California governor and resigned from Congress.

Russian authorities later said the tanker had arrived with a large cargo of crude, giving Cuba a needed supply boost as the country struggles through a severe energy shortage. The shipment is expected to help ease blackouts that have disrupted daily life, transportation, schools, and hospital operations in recent months.

Cuba depends heavily on imported fuel, and those supplies have become harder to secure after shipments from key partners fell sharply. The latest delivery offered short-term relief, but it also highlighted the island’s continued dependence on foreign oil during a fragile moment.

US officials maintained that the sanctions policy toward Cuba had not changed. For now, the shipment stands as a limited exception made during a worsening humanitarian and energy emergency.

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The White House says Democrats must have known about the “despicable” behavior of former Congressman Eric Swalwell.  Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt pushed reporters on Wednesday to find out, in her words, why Democrat leaders stayed silent for so long.  Swalwell announced his resignation after sexual assault allegations were made against him.  Leavitt called those allegations “despicable and disgusting.”

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A California county sheriff says he’s embarrassed over a video that appears to show a SWAT deputy scrolling through a dating app during a police standoff.  Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco told CBS L.A. he is “shocked,” and “angry.”  It happened last Wednesday, during a standoff with an armed suspect after a pursuit in Jurupa Valley.  Aerial footage showed a deputy looking through what appeared to be a dating app while sheltered behind an armored vehicle, just feet from the suspect’s car.  Bianco says the video is not representative of his department.  He went on to say he is proud of the members of his SWAT unit, calling it a slap in the face to them.  The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is still conducting an internal investigation into the incident.

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Three more San Diego based naval war ships are arriving in the Middle East to support a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.  Those ships are part of the amphibious ready group led by the San Diego-based assault ship USS Boxer.  Other San Diego ships include the amphibs Portland and Comstock with combat ready Marines from Camp Pendleton on board.  The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln Strike Group which includes the destroyer USS Spruance are already in place.  The USS Pinkney,  a guided missile destroyer, is in the region.  Navy intelligence indicates with the arrival of those amphibious ships — that puts at least 27 Navy vessels in the region.