🌊 A Holy Beef

Plus: Iran peace talks progress, Swalwell resigns, & woman reunited with lost cat

Imagine if Lincoln got shot today (also, not too soon, right?).

On this day in 1865, John Wilkes Booth shot President Lincoln at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, DC. Can you imagine how the modern media would’ve handled that same event back then? Within days, you’d see reports about Egyptian carriages following Lincoln’s to the play and Mary Todd Lincoln being an undercover Free Mason. Then you’d get episode one of a 72-part series on how the Rothschilds are connected to Ford’s Theatre and John Wilkes Booth is really a woman.

Wait a second… have we ever seen John Wilkes Booth as a kid? Time to do some digging.

• Peace negotiations resume

• Swalwell resigns from Congress

• Woman reunited with lost cat

– Max and Max

US, Iran Talks Progress

The US and Iran might be making headway.

By the end of the day on Monday, US and Iranian officials had exchanged proposals on Iran’s nuclear program. Iran offered to suspend uranium enrichment for up to five years, but the US rejected the timeframe and insisted on 20 years.

The breakthrough comes after relations appeared to be headed right back to square one – talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, ended on Saturday without an agreement on Iran’s nuclear program, and Trump announced the US Navy would block all ships from entering or leaving Iranian ports through the Strait of Hormuz.

Shortly after the blockade took effect Monday morning, Trump posted on Truth Social:

Iran’s Navy is laying at the bottom of the sea, completely obliterated - 158 ships. What we have not hit are their small number of, what they call, “fast attack ships,” because we did not consider them much of a threat. Warning: If any of these ships come anywhere close to our BLOCKADE, they will be immediately ELIMINATED.

In response to Trump’s threats, Iran responded with its own. The IRGC warned that “NO PORT in the region will be safe” if the US proceeds with the blockade, declaring that security in the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman is “either for everyone or for no one.” Other Iranian officials said the country is prepared for “any scenario” and would respond with “harsh and decisive” retaliation.

While the two sides failed to reach an agreement, their public proposals signal progress and a renewed interest in talks as the two-week ceasefire continues to weather the storm.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that his government remains committed to mediating renewed discussions and bringing both countries back to the negotiating table before the ceasefire expires on April 22. Both the US and Iran have reportedly discussed holding another round of in-person talks, but have yet to finalize plans.

Oil markets reacted to the US’ blockade, with Brent crude rising above $103 per barrel Monday morning before settling around $98, reflecting renewed concerns over potential disruptions. Domestically, the conflict is delivering a blow to US consumers, as inflation jumped to 3.3% year-over-year – the highest level in nearly two years. The spike was driven almost entirely by a surge in gasoline prices, which soared 21.2% in March.

With midterm elections now less than seven months away, the economic fallout adds mounting domestic pressure on the Trump Administration to resolve the conflict.

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Holy Beef
President Trump blasted Pope Leo XIV on social media Sunday, calling him “WEAK on crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy,” days after Leo condemned Trump’s threats against Iran as “truly unacceptable.”

Trump claimed Leo owed his papacy to him, writing, “If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican.”

Trump also shared an AI-generated image depicting himself in a Jesus-like pose, drawing criticism from prominent conservative Christian supporters who called it blasphemous. Trump removed the post following backlash.

Writers, Actors, Directors Oppose Deal
Over 1,000 writers, actors, and directors – including Bryan Cranston, Joaquin Phoenix, and Lily Gladstone – signed an open letter on Monday opposing Paramount’s $111B acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.

The signatories warned the merger would produce fewer films, fewer jobs, and less creative diversity, urging California’s attorney general to scrutinize the deal. Paramount CEO David Ellison has defended the acquisition, which is expected to close later this year, and pledged to release at least 30 theatrical films annually.

McIlroy Wins Masters

Rory McIlroy won his second consecutive Masters title Sunday, becoming the first back-to-back champion since Tiger Woods in 2001-02 and the owner of six major championships.

McIlroy overcame a shaky start – including a double bogey on the fourth hole – with back-to-back birdies on 12 and 13 to seize control down the stretch. He finished at 12-under 276, one stroke ahead of world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.

England’s Justin Rose held the lead at the turn before back-to-back bogeys at Amen Corner ended his bid.

Judge Dismisses Suit
A federal judge on Monday dismissed President Trump’s $10B defamation suit against The Wall Street Journal, ruling that Trump fell far short of showing the paper acted with malice.

The suit stemmed from a July 2024 WSJ report claiming Trump’s name appeared in a “birthday book” given to Jeffrey Epstein in 2003. The judge dismissed the case without prejudice, giving Trump until April 27 to refile. Trump’s lawyer said the president will refile and “continue to hold accountable those who traffic in Fake News.”

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Israel, Lebanon to Meet

In Israel, the ongoing conflict escalated Monday as Hezbollah claimed responsibility for an air attack in Northern Israel just before Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors are set to meet on Tuesday for direct talks in Washington.

Hezbollah’s attack follows Israel’s strikes on the town of Bint Jbeil in southern Lebanon over the weekend. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it intercepted more than 10 missiles launched from Lebanon toward Israel. Israel has emphasized that the US-Iran ceasefire doesn’t apply to its operations against Hezbollah.

Tuesday’s talks will be aimed at ending the Israeli military campaign in Lebanon, which Lebanon’s health ministry claims has killed over 2,000 people since March 2. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu authorized the talks following what he described as “repeated requests from the Lebanese government,” and said negotiations would focus on disarming Hezbollah and establishing peace between the two countries.

Going into the talks are two key sticking points: Hezbollah’s disarmament and Israeli control of southern Lebanese territory. Hezbollah has rejected the diplomatic initiative and held protests in Beirut, while Lebanon’s prime minister said his government aims to reverse Israel’s “buffer zone” inside Lebanon.

Swalwell to Resign from Congress

California Representative Eric Swalwell (D), a leading candidate in California’s 2026 governor race, announced on Monday that he plans to resign from Congress, one day after suspending his campaign amid multiple allegations of sexual misconduct.

The seven-term congressman, who was a frontrunner to succeed term-limited Governor Gavin Newsom (D), strongly denies the claims and suggested they surfaced due to his campaign’s momentum.

He said in his Monday statement:

I am aware of efforts to bring an immediate expulsion vote against me and other members. Expelling anyone in Congress without due process, within days of an allegation being made is wrong. But it’s also wrong for my constituents to have me distracted from my duties. Therefore, I plan to resign my seat in Congress.

Last Friday, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that a former staffer alleged that Swalwell sexually assaulted her twice when she was too intoxicated to consent. Following the Chronicle’s report, CNN reported allegations from the first accuser along with three other women who accused Swalwell of sexual misconduct, including unsolicited explicit photos and nonconsensual touching or kissing.

The reports triggered swift backlash – Swalwell lost nearly all endorsements from fellow Democrats in Congress, along with support from other backers and labor unions. His departure leaves the governor’s race wide open and the future of his House seat uncertain.

The House Ethics Committee opened an investigation, while the Manhattan District Attorney’s office also confirmed it is investigating one of the incidents that happened in New York. California authorities are considering one as well.

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The Young Influencers Fighting America

Shortly after the October 7, 2023, attacks, a phenomenon swept the internet. Online creators began sharing excerpts from Osama bin Laden’s 2002 “Letter to the American People.”

The letter’s virality grew so intense that The Guardian removed the text from its site, arguing the letter had been shared widely “without the full context.”

The letter’s removal reinforced a belief among some that mainstream institutions were hiding truths from the public. We break down the ongoing cultural shift in today’s deep-dive – read it here.

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What does Roca Nation think?

🤔 Yesterday’s Question: Do you fear death? Do you think about it often?

Do I fear death or do I think about it often? The answer, for me is yes and no.

I think about more now than at any other point in my life, however I don’t dwell on it. In June of 2024, I was very sick. High fever, abdominal pain, very pale and shivering. This was on a Sunday morning, by 11:30 am I was in the ER. A CT scan showed them I had a cyst, it also showed them something else was in there. While in the hospital, they attempted a colonoscopy on me, during which I flatlined on the table. Three minutes of CPR brought me back and I woke up in the ICU. Quick side note: I was working at this hospital and so I knew immediately what room I was in. Several weeks later in mid August I was back in the hospital. This time death was sitting in the corner: Stage 4 colon cancer.

I’ve had chemotherapy, a major surgery and some more, albeit lighter chemotherapy. I’m still working towards remission, but everything has changed. I don’t fear death itself, I fear more the things I didn’t do, the time I didn’t spend with friends and loved ones. I’m not dead yet or even close to dying yet. Still receiving chemotherapy and right now, fairly healthy. But I’m under no illusion, my time is shorter now. But, as I said, I don’t dwell on it. I have a wife of 28 years, two grown children and a grandson. I’m almost 55, I still have time left. So I think about death occasionally, then I stop and reach for life.

Josh from Undisclosed

I have zero fear of death. I’d rather not suffer while dying, but my religious convictions instill a very optimistic view of the after life.

While I understand people’s concerns around religion, I have found that earnest practitioners of Christianity (maybe other religions, but I can only speak from a Christian standpoint) have very little fear of death.

This releases you to have almost no real anxiety in general since we are promised victory over death. So now the worst thing that could happen to me, dying, is something that I look forward to because it means that I can enter into an eternal rest in paradise.

Josh from Iowa (two Joshes in a row!)

Naturally, of course. It’s horrifying. But, I’ve learned to accept it and believe it is far more complex than we may think. I believe our energy lives on. Yes, we will die as a human, but that’s not the end of the road. We are put on earth to learn. We come with nothing, we leave with nothing, besides the lessons we take away. Maybe these lessons trail on into future lives of ours, who knows. I feel as though thats the truth. I highly recommend the book Many Live Many Master by Brian Weiss - it completely shifted something in my brain! Especially if you are dealing with grief, I found it a very reassuring way to look at death.

Hannah from Massachusetts

😔 Today’s Question: Why are young adults so unhappy today? The findings from recent global surveys are dismal.

Reply to this email with your response!

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Blunt Instrument
Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University have developed a prototype marijuana breathalyzer using 3D-printed test cartridges, bringing roadside THC detection a step closer to reality. The device uses color-reactive dyes to distinguish between Delta-9 THC, CBD, and CBN – key for avoiding false positives.

Researchers say further testing is needed, but the study establishes a proof-of-concept for a portable, low-cost tool.

Eviction Notice
Manny Pacquiao has taken over a Hollywood gym previously associated with Floyd Mayweather Jr., rebranding it Pacquiao Prime Boxing ahead of their September 19 rematch at the Sphere in Las Vegas.

The facility will operate as a private training center for professional fighters, with plans to expand the model to other markets. A large image of Mayweather still hangs inside – though Pacquiao’s team says it won’t be there much longer.

The Prodigal Cat Returns
A woman in Derby, England, was reunited with her cat, Bodhi, five years after he vanished, after a good samaritan tracked her down through a years-old Facebook post.

Owner Danielle Arme had assumed Bodhi was gone for good – the family had moved twice and lost hope – until a woman reported a stray cat had been living under her carport 20 miles away. “There’s not many cats that go missing for that long and come back to you,” Arme said. “It was just so surreal.”

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EDITOR’S NOTE

Final Thoughts

That response from Josh is among the most moving we’ve ever received. Thank you so much for sharing that, Josh, and we are praying for your recovery.

We also loved reading other Josh’s answer and Hannah’s. Your emails really make our days so much more interesting. Have a wonderful Tuesday and let us know if you can find John Wilkes Booth’s birth certificate!

–Max and Max