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President Trump asserted that Iran asked for another round of negotiations, but Iran did not immediately respond. The U.S. military is blocking ships entering or leaving Iran in an effort to cut off its oil income.

Iranians enduring the latest communications shutdown warn that it’s crippling businesses. Critics say officials flagrantly use the internet they block citizens from.

The Hungarian leader’s pro-Moscow tilt cemented his reputation in Kyiv as a spoiler. Now, Ukraine hopes a 90-billion-euro loan he blocked will be disbursed.

The vessels exited the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, hours before a U.S. naval blockade took effect.

President Trump’s announcement of a U.S. blockade was his latest effort to pressure Iran to negotiate after direct talks over the weekend did not yield an agreement.

The lack of a breakthrough after 21 hours of negotiations leaves the Trump administration facing several unpalatable options.

The election defeat for Prime Minister Viktor Orban is less the result of an ideological shift in Hungary, and more the playing out of a fundamental rule of politics.

The body of Anna Kepner was found in November on a Carnival Cruise ship

Vessels will be subject to ‘interception, diversion and capture’ the US military warned as oil prices hit nearly $150 a barrel

A senior Hezbollah official says the Lebanese militant group will not abide by any agreements made in upcoming direct talks between Israel and Lebanon in the United States

Italy’s prime minister, who has cultivated close relations with Trump in recent years, issued a statement backing Leo but failed to criticise the US president

Trump’s comments on Sunday follow a decade of disputes between the U.S. leader and his Vatican counterparts on topics spanning war to migration

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency for the area Friday as crews began installing additional pumps and 1,500 sandbags to divert the rising current

Right-wing Christian figures and MAGA allies condemned the president’s AI-generated image as blasphemy

Trump grabs two bags of McDonald’s before issuing threats to Iran over nuclear program

CENTCOM has warned that blockade would apply to all ships regardless of flag

Executive order signed by President Donald Trump in January 2025 left trans troops with choice of leaving voluntarily or being forced out, resulting in frustration, hurt, and squandered expense, according to report

Brian Hooker reported his wife missing on April 5, saying she had fallen overboard. He denies any wrongdoing and is said to be in a ‘fragile’ state

Hungarians took to the polls Sunday in what Magyar’s party called a ‘now or never’ moment to topple Europe’s longest-serving leader

US president claims Iran ‘called this morning’ and says blockade of ships transiting the strait has begunCircling back to Donald Trump’s coming naval blockade, the US military said it would block all Iranian Gulf ports on Monday at 10am ET on Monday (5.30pm in Iran and 1400 GMT), effectively seizing control of maritime traffic in the strait of Hormuz.“The blockade will be enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman,” US Central Command said on X.This is like a game of chicken. It’s who caves first. The Iranian regime is hoping that Trump will cave. Today, he showed he’s not.” Continue reading...

US government reverses course on removing LGBTQ+ Pride flag from New York monument after efforts from advocatesThe Trump administration agreed on Monday to keep flying a rainbow Pride flag at the Stonewall national monument, reversing course after removing the banner in February.The government revealed the decision as it seeks to settle a lawsuit filed by LGBTQ+ and historic preservation groups who had sought to block the removal. A judge must still approve the agreement. Continue reading...

Stunning loss of rightwing populist in Hungary carries symbolic and psychological significance for US politicsFor US Democrats seeking rays of light in the dark landscape of Donald Trump’s authoritarian onslaught, illumination has arrived from the unlikely source of Budapest.Viktor Orbán’s stunning defeat in Hungary’s general election – ending 16 years of unbroken rule for his governing Fidesz party – carries symbolic and psychological significance for American politics out of all proportion to the central European country’s modest size and distance from the US. Continue reading...

Flamengo footballer previously accused pop star’s security of aggressive behavior to his 11-year-old stepdaughterThe Chappell Roan security incident raises a bigger question: what do celebrities owe their fans?The Flamengo footballer Jorginho has clarified his comments on last month’s incident between his 11-year-old stepdaughter and a security guard in Brazil, calling his previous claims against Chappell Roan “a misunderstanding”.“I made my initial statement in the heat of the moment, after hearing that my child and wife had been approached by an adult male security guard in an intimidating way,” Jorginho wrote on Instagram. “I reacted as any father would. My priority is, and always will be, protecting my family, and that is exactly what I did.” Continue reading...

PM says lessons must be learned from shocks to cost of living as government plans to align with bloc’s rules by defaultThe economic and security benefits of a closer relationship with the EU are “simply too big to ignore”, Keir Starmer has told parliament as the British government prepares for more rapid alignment with European rules.Updating MPs on the Iran conflict and his visit to the Gulf last week, the prime minister was explicit about what he argued was the need for renewed ties with Europe given the chaotic global situation and Donald Trump’s unpredictable US administration. Continue reading...

Official report says system ‘completely failed’ because some form of violence by Axel Rudakubana had been ‘unambiguously signposted over many years’No joined-up approach, role of autism and parental failings: key points from Southport inquiryAxel Rudakubana was able to carry out the Southport atrocity because of “catastrophic” failures by multiple agencies and the “irresponsible and harmful” role of his parents, a damning inquiry has found.Sir Adrian Fulford condemned the “inappropriate merry-go-round” of state bodies passing the buck and their “frankly depressing” refusal to accept responsibility, saying: “This culture has to end.” Continue reading...

Prime minister-elect promises ‘new era’ for country after defeating far-right Viktor OrbánHungary’s prime minister-elect, Péter Magyar, has pledged to pursue those who “plundered, looted, betrayed, indebted and ruined” his country, promising “a new era” after a landslide election victory over his far-right predecessor Viktor Orbán.Magyar, whose centre-right Tisza party won at least 138 of the 199 seats in parliament, said the full election results should be confirmed by 4 May and he hoped his government could be installed the next day. Continue reading...

The home secretary made the comments after an inquiry revealed that the system ‘completely failed’Keir Starmer has confirmed that he wants to stop children being exposed to addictive scrolling features on their phones as part of measures to protect them from social media.The PM is under pressure to implement an Australian-style ban on social media for under-16s, and the government is consulting on whether to go ahead with a full ban, or whether to just impose more specific restrictions.It’s not a question of if we do something, it’s what we do.The addictive scrolling mechanisms are really problematic to my mind, they need to go.Despite some lower-income households receiving a long-overdue real-terms increase in their benefits, we now estimate – based on market-forecasts for the rise in energy prices consistent with market pricing after the announcement of a ceasefire – that average income growth for the poorest fifth this year is now set to be just 1.2 per cent, down from 2.8 per cent before the conflict.The picture is brighter for families in the bottom half of the income distribution with three or more children. Even after the inflation shock, the abolition of the two-child limit is estimated to deliver 7.7 per cent income growth for this group this year – compared to 0.0 per cent for poorer families with fewer than three children.Despite hopes for a sustained peace, the path of this conflict remains uncertain and energy prices remain well above pre-war levels, meaning many households face a decline in their purchasing power this year. Continue reading...

Wife of Pawel Bukowski criticises care husband received over depression he suffered following failed procedureA man who took his own life was suffering from depression after a failed dental procedure in Turkey left him without any teeth, an inquest has heard.Pawel Bukowski, a 48-year-old forklift driver, had travelled to a private clinic in the country in January 2025 to have his teeth replaced after suffering from periodontal disease, a chronic bacterial infection that can erode the gums and lead to tooth and bone loss.In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, you can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org Continue reading...

Exclusive: Pre-chemotherapy tests previously did not look for gene variant that put some ethnicities at higher risk of serious side effectsThousands of cancer patients from minority ethnic backgrounds will have access to “groundbreaking” genetic testing on the NHS that previously discriminated against them.This routine form of genetic testing, used before chemotherapy treatment, could save the lives of Black and minority ethnic cancer patients who already face poorer health outcomes after diagnosis compared with their white counterparts. Continue reading...

Geoffrey Robertson says proposals to reduce backlog are betrayal of party’s values and a ‘cure worse than the disease’The founder of Keir Starmer’s barristers’ chambers has condemned the planned restriction of jury trials in England and Wales as “a betrayal of the values for which Labour purports to stand”.Geoffrey Robertson KC, founding head of Doughty Street Chambers, where the attorney general, Richard Hermer KC, and the justice secretary, David Lammy, also had their professional homes, has written a more than 9,000-word polemic to coincide with the committee stage of the courts and tribunals bill. Continue reading...

Leader of Catholic church says he will continue to speak out against war after president’s extraordinary criticismMiddle East crisis – live updatesEurope live – latest updatesPope Leo said he did not fear the Trump administration and would continue to speak out against war after Donald Trump delivered an extraordinary broadside against him in which he said he did not think the Chicago-born pontiff was “doing a very good job”, while also suggesting he should “stop catering to the radical left”.In remarks that have been widely criticised, the US president used a lengthy social media post to sharply criticise Leo while he flew from Florida to Washington on Sunday night, then continued in comments on the tarmac to reporters. “I’m not a fan of Pope Leo,” he said. Continue reading...

Failing to appreciate the danger the killer posed led to "catastrophic consequences", an inquiry finds.

Christian allies of the president call the AI-generated image offensive as Trump says he thought it showed him as a doctor.

Italy's prime minister and the US president are close allies, but Trump has refused to apologise to the "very weak" Pope Leo XIV.

The three defendants continue to face a charge of criminal damage.

Strongest storm on planet bearing down on U.S. islands in Western Pacific  San Francisco ChronicleDangerous super typhoon barreling toward group of remote US islands  The GuardianCat 5 Super Typhoon Sinlaku the 2nd-strongest typhoon so early in the year  Yale Climate ConnectionsStrong Winds Blow Through Mariana Islands Ahead of Super Typhoon's Arrival  YahooIn Pacific Ocean, Super Typhoon Sinlakua bears down on group of remote US islands  South China Morning Post

Live Updates: U.S. military blockade on Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz begins  CBS NewsHow the US Navy could blockade Iran’s ports and sweep mines from the Strait of Hormuz  CNNWhat to know about Trump's blockade in the Strait of Hormuz  USA TodayIran war live updates: Trump vows to 'kill' Iranian warships that get near US blockade  AP NewsTrump Said Other Countries Would Help Blockade Iran. So Far, There Are No Takers.  The New York Times

Trump Attack on Pope and Posting of Jesus Image Draw Widespread Criticism  The New York TimesPope Leo says he does not fear Trump, citing Gospel as he pushes back in feud over Iran war  AP NewsTrump Caves: Removes Christ-Like Image That Angered Conservative Christians  ForbesTrump posts AI image of himself as Jesus-like figure, drawing outrage  ReutersTrump on AI Jesus image: ‘I thought it was me as a doctor’  The Hill

Starmer has announced talks to be held this week and co-hosted with France, aiming at diplomatic end to the war on Iran

Von der Leyen warns Hormuz closure and Israeli strikes on Lebanon threaten regional stability.

What does Donald Trump’s naval blockade of Iranian ports look like and can it achieve what the US president wants?

Move reflects regional alarm over attacks by pro-Iranian groups based in Iraq, which continue despite ceasefire.

Attempting a comeback after years of antisemitic statements, the artist formerly known as Kanye West is facing consequences while trying to navigate a test of his own making.

President Trump’s announcement of a U.S. blockade was his latest effort to pressure Iran to negotiate after direct talks over the weekend did not yield an agreement.

The image, which President Trump shared on Truth Social shortly after criticizing Pope Leo, depicted him as a divine leader healing the sick.

The letter warns that the deal will result in fewer jobs for creatives, along with higher costs and less choice for audiences.

The election defeat for Prime Minister Viktor Orban is less the result of an ideological shift in Hungary, and more the playing out of a fundamental rule of politics.

The firm, which manages $14 trillion for clients, said in its weekly market note that it raised the rating a notch to overweight from neutral.

President Donald Trump has denied sending a bawdy 50th birthday letter to his then-friend Jeffrey Epstein at the request of Ghislaine Maxwell.