☕ FIRST CUP — April 11, 2026
Sorry I’m a bit late today friends, I finally got to sleep in! Go me!
Here is your morning news roundup!
TOP STORIES
1. Historic US-Iran Talks Underway Right Now in Islamabad
Direct ceasefire talks between the US and Iran are underway in Islamabad, Pakistan — the first direct in-person talks between Washington and Tehran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The US delegation is led by JD Vance and includes Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Iran’s delegation of more than 70 people is led by parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
The talks are happening under a fragile ceasefire, made shakier by Israel’s continued strikes on Lebanon and Iran’s demand to maintain control over the Strait of Hormuz. Trump accused Iran of doing a “very poor job” of reopening the Strait — only a handful of ships have transited since the agreement, and oil prices have climbed again.
Iran’s Tasnim news agency said Tehran has presented four “non-negotiable conditions”: full sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, complete war reparations, unconditional release of blocked assets, and a durable ceasefire across the entire West Asia region.
2. Democrats Win Big in Wisconsin — Again
Voters in Wisconsin ensured the state Supreme Court will be controlled by liberals through at least 2030. Progressive-backed Chris Taylor easily beat conservative Maria Lazar, growing the court’s liberal majority from 4–3 to 5–2 — the largest liberal margin since at least the 1970s.
Taylor overperformed by 21 points compared to 2024 Democratic presidential results, and 10 points over the last Supreme Court race. Taylor received 60% of the vote — the fourth consecutive liberal win on the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
3. Mahmoud Khalil Deportation Case Moves Forward
The Board of Immigration Appeals denied Mahmoud Khalil’s latest attempt to dismiss his deportation case, bringing the Palestinian activist one step closer to possible expulsion.
4. Polymarket Under Scrutiny in Congress
Calls are increasing inside Congress for investigations into the prediction market platform Polymarket after another instance of anonymous traders making well-timed bets on a major geopolitical event hours before it occurred.
That’s all I have for you this morning, make sure you follow me over on threads for the latest breaking news as the weekend unfolds!
Have an awesome weekend friends!
Sean