The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits increased last week, according to data released Thursday by the US Department of Labor. Initial jobless claims rose by 6,000 to reach 214,000, exceeding market expectations of 211,000. The previous week’s revised figure stood at 208,000. The four-week moving average also climbed slightly to 210,750 from the prior week’s revised 210,000.

Despite the uptick in claims, the broader labor market showed signs of resilience. In March, the United States added 178,000 new jobs, significantly higher than the expected 65,000. The unemployment rate also edged down from 4.4 percent in February to 4.3 percent in March, indicating continued strength in employment conditions.

The data suggest a mixed picture for the US labor market, with short-term fluctuations in jobless claims but sustained job creation and a modest decline in unemployment.

The United States Navy has seized an Iranian oil-carrying vessel identified as the 'M/T Majestic X' in the Indian Ocean. The operation took place on Wednesday night, when US forces boarded and took control of the ship. The US Department of War confirmed the seizure in a statement posted on social media platform X, describing the vessel as 'stateless' and operating under the jurisdiction of the US Indo-Pacific Command.

According to the statement, the ship was transporting Iranian oil in violation of US sanctions. The department said the action was part of efforts to disrupt illegal maritime networks and prevent material support to Iran. It emphasized that no sanctioned entity would be allowed to use international waters as a shield.

The seizure was described as part of the broader enforcement of strict sanctions imposed on Iran. The US also pledged to continue global operations aimed at curbing unlawful maritime activities and protecting freedom of navigation.

Two Bangladeshi students studying at the University of South Florida have gone missing, raising concern among their families and the local community. The missing students are identified as Jamil Limon, a 27-year-old PhD researcher, and Nahida S. Brishti, a 27-year-old chemical engineering student. According to university police, Limon was last seen at his Tampa residence around 9 a.m., while Brishti was last seen at the Natural and Environmental Sciences building around 10 a.m. on the same day. Separate missing person reports have been filed by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and the university police.

Authorities said the two were friends and might have been staying together, though their families expressed doubts about that assumption. Limon’s younger brother described him as responsible and unlikely to disappear without notice, while Brishti’s family said she maintained regular contact and spoke normally on the day she went missing.

Reports indicate the two previously had a romantic relationship and future plans together, though they were not formally involved recently. Brishti left her laptop and belongings in the lab, while Limon’s passport was found at his home.

U.S. President Donald Trump has said there is no pressure to extend the ceasefire with Iran, emphasizing that he is not in a hurry to end the war. In an interview with Fox News, Trump stated that he wants a 'better deal' with Iran rather than a quick resolution.

White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt said on Wednesday that President Trump has clearly presented his final conditions to the Iranian side. She added that Washington is now waiting for Tehran’s response. Meanwhile, Israeli media reported that the United States has informed Tel Aviv that the current ceasefire with Iran will expire on Sunday.

According to Israel’s state broadcaster Kan, Washington told Israeli officials that the deadline set by President Trump for Tehran is only a few days away, signaling that the next phase of U.S.-Iran negotiations could depend on Iran’s forthcoming reply.

U.S. President Donald Trump continues military operations against Iran without new authorization from Congress, as a key legal deadline approaches under the War Powers Resolution. The law allows a president to deploy troops for only 60 days without congressional approval, and that period is set to expire within a week. Despite this, most Republican lawmakers are still backing Trump, effectively giving him a political free pass.

Public support for the war is declining, and Trump’s approval rating is also falling. Confidence in the Republican-controlled Congress has hit a low point, while the U.S. military has requested an additional 200 billion dollars to cover war expenses. Rising living costs and fuel prices have fueled voter dissatisfaction.

Observers are now watching how Republican members of Congress will respond once the legal time limit expires, as their stance could determine the future of Trump’s wartime authority.

US President Donald Trump has claimed that the United States now has full control over the Strait of Hormuz. In a statement on April 23, 2026, he said the vital waterway would remain tightly sealed until Iran agrees to a deal. Trump emphasized that the blockade would not be lifted until Tehran reaches an understanding or agreement with Washington.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important routes for oil transportation. The US Navy’s firm stance in the area has raised concerns about potential disruptions to global trade. However, the Trump administration stated that the move aims to ensure the security of this strategic maritime passage. Earlier, Trump had also warned of strong action against those attempting to plant mines in the strait.

The situation underscores rising tensions in the region, with possible implications for international energy markets and diplomatic relations between the United States and Iran.

US President Donald Trump has ordered the US Navy to destroy any boats or small vessels found laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz. The directive was issued on Thursday through a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, where Trump instructed naval forces to act without hesitation. He also stated that US mine-sweeping operations in the area would be tripled to ensure maritime safety.

Following Trump’s announcement, tensions in the region have sharply escalated. The US Department of Defense said it remains committed to maintaining safe navigation in international waters and preventing illegal activities by Iran. A recent Pentagon assessment indicated that fully clearing mines from the Strait of Hormuz could take about six months.

Experts cited in the report warned that the situation could drive global oil prices higher as uncertainty grows over maritime security in one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s public approval has dropped sharply in 2026, reaching levels comparable to George W. Bush’s lowest ratings nearly two decades ago. According to three new polls released Tuesday, Trump’s support now stands in the mid-30 percent range. The Reuters-Ipsos poll recorded 36 percent approval, Strength in Number Verasight found 35 percent, and AP-NORC reported 33 percent. Earlier, an NBC News survey showed 37 percent support, then the lowest of his presidency.

Out of nine major polls conducted over the past month, eight placed Trump’s approval in the 30s, with only Fox News showing 41 percent—still its lowest since 2017. Analysts note that the current decline surpasses previous dips seen early in Trump’s first term and after the Capitol Hill attack. CNN’s “Poll of Polls” indicates that 62 percent of Americans now disapprove of him.

Experts cited in the report suggest that more Americans than ever before are opposing Trump, and his second-term approval trend continues to fall steadily.

The US Senate has once again failed to pass a proposal aimed at limiting President Donald Trump’s war powers. The measure, intended to halt military action against Iran, was put to a vote for the fifth time. It received 46 votes in favor and 51 against, falling short of the required majority. Before the vote, Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer criticized Trump for what he described as empty promises to end wars.

The vote followed recent joint airstrikes by the United States and Israel on Iran on February 28. President Trump stated that positive news regarding a second round of peace talks with Iran could come by Friday. According to The New York Post, citing Islamabad-based sources, discussions may resume within 36 to 72 hours.

Earlier, Trump extended the existing ceasefire with Iran to allow more time for peace negotiations. He noted that, for the first time, the United States had not set a specific deadline for Iran’s next move and credited Pakistan’s leadership for its advisory role in this decision.

US Navy Secretary John Phelan has been removed from his position, according to CNN citing sources. The decision was made as part of an ongoing wartime restructuring within the Pentagon. The move follows Defense Secretary Hegseth’s earlier dismissal of the US Army’s top general about a week ago.

A brief Pentagon statement confirmed that the order for Phelan’s removal took immediate effect and that he has vacated his post. However, no explanation was provided regarding the reason for his dismissal or whether it was voluntary. CNN reported that Hegseth spoke with President Trump before informing Phelan that he must resign or be dismissed.

According to the report, President Trump and Secretary Hegseth agreed that new leadership was needed in the Navy. The Pentagon has not yet announced Phelan’s replacement or further details about the restructuring process.

A 15-day ceasefire between the United States and Iran, brokered by Pakistan on April 9, 2026, expired on April 22 without renewal. Despite mediation efforts by Pakistan and Egypt, no agreement was reached on extending the truce. Key disputes remain unresolved, including Iran’s nuclear program, control of the Strait of Hormuz, and Israeli attacks in Lebanon. Iran accused the US of violating the ceasefire by maintaining naval blockades, while Washington claimed Iran was attempting to blackmail it by closing the strait.

Reports indicate that the US has increased its military activity in the region, deploying additional naval and air assets, including aircraft carriers, artillery brigades, and missile defense systems. Analysts suggest the US may be using the ceasefire to rebuild its strategic strength after failing to achieve its objectives during earlier hostilities. Iran, meanwhile, is said to be rebuilding its defenses with support from Russia and China.

Observers believe the short-term truce may serve as a tactical pause for both sides to regroup, raising concerns that renewed conflict could erupt soon if diplomatic efforts fail.

The Pentagon has informed that removing sea mines from the Strait of Hormuz will take six months, according to a report by the Associated Press citing sources familiar with the matter. The information was shared during a closed-door briefing to the U.S. House Armed Services Committee on Tuesday, where defense officials outlined the current situation in the strategic waterway.

The AP report noted that the briefing left lawmakers with more questions than answers, particularly regarding the cost, strategy, and objectives of the ongoing conflict with Iran. Lawmakers also raised concerns about an earlier attack on an Iranian school that reportedly killed around 165 people, most of them young schoolgirls. No responses were provided to these questions during the meeting.

The situation underscores ongoing uncertainty surrounding U.S. military operations and policy objectives in the region, as well as the humanitarian consequences of recent hostilities.

The United States Senate has once again rejected a proposal aimed at limiting President Donald Trump’s authority to conduct military operations against Iran. In the fifth such attempt, 46 senators voted in favor of the measure while 51 opposed it, leaving the proposal short of the majority needed for passage.

Before the vote, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer sharply criticized Republican senators, accusing them of failing to act to end what he described as an unnecessary conflict. Schumer argued that President Trump had been offering only empty promises about ending wars in recent weeks and said this vote represented the fifth missed opportunity for the Senate to stop the war.

The vote leaves President Trump retaining his wartime powers regarding Iran, as efforts to restrict them have repeatedly failed in the Senate.

The White House stated that U.S. President Donald Trump has not set any specific timeline for the ceasefire with Iran. The clarification came on Wednesday, when White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said reports suggesting a three-to-five-day deadline were incorrect. She emphasized that the duration of the ceasefire would be determined solely by President Trump.

According to the White House, the U.S. administration is awaiting a collective response from Iranian leaders regarding the conditions proposed by Washington for a peace agreement. The statement was reported by Al Jazeera and aimed to counter claims circulating in some media outlets about a fixed ceasefire period.

The remarks highlight the uncertainty surrounding the next steps in U.S.-Iran negotiations, as the final decision on the ceasefire’s duration remains with the U.S. president.

The United States has extended the easing of sanctions on oil sales from Iranian and Russian ships for an additional 30 days. The decision was announced by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who said it followed requests from countries facing potential oil shortages due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Bessent told the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee that finance ministers from about ten countries made the appeal during last week’s meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. The move marks a reversal from Bessent’s earlier statement last week, when he said the relaxation period would not be extended.

According to the report, the extension aims to ease supply concerns among nations dependent on oil shipments affected by the regional disruption.