Fire

DoJ kündigt Änderungen an, darunter das „Schlupfloch“, das Personen den Kauf von Waffen auf Messen ohne Hintergrundprüfung ermöglicht Das US-Justizministerium hat mehrere bedeutende Beschränkungen für Waffen zurückgenommen, einschließlich der Wiedereinführung des sogenannten „Schlupflochs bei Waffenmessen“, das es Personen bei solchen Veranstaltungen ermöglichte, Schusswaffen ohne Hintergrundprüfung zu erwerben. Die vom amtierenden Justizminister Todd Blanche angekündigten Änderungen kommen einer Kehrtwende in der Waffenpolitik gleich, die von Anhängern des second amendment befürwortet wird, welche in Donald Trumps Unterstützerbasis prominent vertreten sind. Weiterlesen...

• Mid and West Wales fire and rescue service versucht seit Sonntag, Brände im Elan valley zu löschen • Feuerwehrleute kämpfen den fünften Tag in Folge darum, die Waldbrände unter Kontrolle zu bringen, die im malerischen Elan valley in Mittelwales wüten. • Der Mid and West Wales fire and rescue service arbeitet seit Sonntag daran, Brände in und um die Powys-Naturschönheit zu löschen.

• Die US verlegten am 24. April eine dritte Aircraft Carrier Strike Group mit Tausenden von Elitetruppen in den Middle East, was den größten militärischen Aufmarsch seit der Iraq-Invasion 2003 markiert, während der zweimonatige Iran-Konflikt trotz eines Waffenstillstandsabkommens eskaliert. • President Trump warnte, das amerikanische Militär sei „ready to go“, falls Friedensbemühungen scheitern, und erklärte, die US hätten den Waffenstillstand vom 8. April genutzt, um militärische Kapazitäten zu „restock“, während Washington und Tehran sich gegenseitig Verstöße vorwerfen. • Die am 28. Februar gestartete US-Bombenkampagne hat Irans militärische Infrastruktur und Führung dezimiert, doch Tehran behält die Kontrolle über die Strait of Hormuz, einen kritischen globalen Öl- und Gasversorgungsweg, was zu einer am 13. April verhängten US Naval blockade führte.

Russischer Präsident begrüßte Entscheidung zur Verlängerung des Iran-Waffenstillstands in einem, wie der US-Präsident sagte, „sehr guten Gespräch“. Vladimir Putin und Donald Trump besprachen den Krieg im Iran und brachten in einem Telefonat am Mittwoch einen vorübergehenden Waffenstillstand in der Ukraine zur Sprache. In dem Telefonat, das mehr als 90 Minuten dauerte, sagte der russische Präsident laut Yuri Ushakov, Putins außenpolitischem Berater, Moscow betrachte die Aussicht auf eine US-Bodenoperation im Iran als gefährlich, während er Trumps Entscheidung zur Verlängerung eines Waffenstillstands in der Region begrüßte. Weiterlesen...

Drei Angeklagte bestreiten die Planung eines Brandanschlags auf zwei Wohnhäuser und ein Auto in Verbindung mit dem Premierminister in London im letzten Jahr Eine Serie von Brandanschlägen auf Immobilien mit Verbindungen zu Keir Starmer wurde von einem russischsprachigen Kontakt unter dem Pseudonym „El Money“ gesteuert, wie ein Gericht hörte. Roman Lavrynovych (22) und Petro Pochynok (35), beide aus der Ukraine, sowie Stanislav Carpiuc (27), ein rumänischer Staatsangehöriger, saßen mit gesenktem Kopf vor ihren Dolmetschern, als Duncan Atkinson KC, der Ankläger, den Prozess über die Brandanschläge im Mai letzten Jahres eröffnete. Weiterlesen...

An 89-year-old man armed with a shotgun wounded an employee at a social security office in Athens before opening fire at a courthouse, injuring several more people. Police are actively searching for the suspect, with the motive behind the attacks currently unknown.

The Israeli military began carrying out strikes in eastern Lebanon on Monday, expanding the scope of its bombing campaign during a ceasefire that has failed to fully halt hostilities with Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.

ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel denied making a joke that hinted at the assassination of Donald Trump, hours after the U.S. president said Kimmel should be fired by the network and its parent company ‌Walt Disney. Trump's wife, Melania, was first to call out Kimmel for a monologue he delivered on Thursday.

• SkyfireAI Inc., a US-based autonomous drone startup, raised $11 million in new funding to advance dual-use technology. • The investment targets AI autonomy for public safety, defense, and commercial drone applications. • This funding accelerates development amid rising demand for intelligent unmanned systems in critical sectors.

Positions ‘terminated, effective immediately’, says email to scientists sent on president’s behalf, in move labelled ‘dangerous attack’ on US innovationThe Trump administration has fired members of an independent board that oversees the National Science Foundation (NSF).Members of the National Science Board received an email on Friday sent from the Presidential Personnel Office “on behalf of President Donald J Trump” stating that their position was “terminated, effective immediately”. Continue reading...

Pineland Road fire and Highway 82 fire have destroyed over 100 homes, and are part of large number of wildfires this spring in the US southSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxHeavy rain slowed the progress of two sprawling southern Georgia wildfires over the weekend, allowing crews to make some progress in containing the blazes that have destroyed more than 100 homes.Although the rain helped the firefighting efforts, it wasn’t “nearly enough to put the fires out” and crews responded to 10 new blazes throughout the drought-stricken state Sunday, the Georgia Forestry Commission said Monday. Continue reading...

• Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi returned to Islamabad on April 27, 2026, to push a new proposal through Pakistani mediators aimed at ending the US-Iran war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. • The proposal reached the White House, but President Trump canceled planned envoy visits by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, citing lack of progress, while indirect talks continue. • Araghchi headed to Moscow for talks with President Putin after blaming the US for failed peace efforts; Russia urged Washington to abandon ultimatums in Vienna negotiations.

Teatro La Fenice called comments by its controversial appointee Beatrice Venezi ‘offensive and detrimental’Teatro La Fenice, the prestigious Venice opera house, has fired its incoming music director after she insinuated its hiring practices were nepotistic, with jobs “practically passed down from father to son”.After months of controversy over the appointment of Beatrice Venezi, La Fenice Foundation said on Sunday it had decided to “cancel all future collaborations” with the 36-year-old conductor and pianist. Continue reading...

Owner of Pink Punters vows to reopen club as police call on the public not to speculateA man has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life after a fire at an LGBTQ+ nightclub, police have said.Officers have called on people not to speculate about why the fire may have been set at Pink Punters in Fenny Stratford, near Milton Keynes, saying it is too early to tell. Following the fire, the club’s owner said he was relieved no one was hurt – and vowed the club would reopen. Continue reading...

The Israeli government and Hezbollah have traded blame over breaches to the truce, which is set to run for several more weeksLebanon’s health ministry said Israeli strikes on the country’s south killed 14 people on Sunday, the deadliest day since a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah came into force over a week ago.The health ministry said the dead on Sunday included two women and two children, adding that 37 other people were wounded. Israel said one of its soldiers was also killed. Continue reading...

NSW police say human remains found and four people taken to hospital after overnight fire in Bowen Mountain houseFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastTwo bodies have been found following an early morning house fire that caused four others to be taken to hospital.New South Wales police said remains were found when the house was able to be searched on Monday morning, after firefighters extinguished the blaze. Continue reading...

Extreme weather likely to continue after devastating homes and endangering millions in US south and midwestAt least one person was killed after a very powerful tornado struck northern Texas on Saturday night, as extreme weather continued to devastate homes and put millions across the south and midwestern US at risk, with wildfires also raging on in parts of Georgia.Officials from Wise county in Texas said the storm reached the area at around 10pm and caused significant damage across multiple neighborhoods. In addition to the confirmed death, six people were treated or transported by emergency responders to be treated for storm-related injuries. Continue reading...

• Indian and Pakistani military forces have engaged in heavy artillery exchanges along the Line of Control in Kashmir, with reports of at least 18 soldiers killed and dozens wounded in the most serious escalation in six months. • Pakistan's military spokesperson claimed Indian forces initiated the bombardment Friday morning; India stated Pakistani positions fired first, creating conflicting narratives about the incident's origins. • The US has urged both nations to exercise restraint and resume diplomatic channels; UN Security Council members are monitoring the situation amid concerns about potential nuclear escalation.

Blazes in US south-east have blown smoke over a wide area, and contributed to at least one death in FloridaTwo wildfires in south-eastern Georgia that have destroyed more than 120 homes continued to threaten property and lives on Saturday as officials warned that strong winds could spread the flames.The Brantley county manager, Joey Cason, called it a “dynamic situation” in a Saturday-morning video posted to social media and begged residents to “please evacuate” if they are ordered to do so. Continue reading...

Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were to travel to Islamabad to attempt to revive ceasefire negotiationsDonald Trump said he has told US envoys not to go to Pakistan for more talks with Iran, shortly after Tehran’s top diplomat left Islamabad late on Saturday.Trump added to Fox News: “They can call us anytime they want.” The White House on Friday said Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would travel to Pakistan’s capital to attempt to revive ceasefire negotiations. Continue reading...

West Midlands police confirm deaths in blaze on Friday eveningTwo young children have died in a house fire in Wolverhampton on Friday evening, West Midlands police have confirmed.More details soon … Continue reading...

• President Trump is attending the White House Correspondents' Dinner, colliding politics and media in a highly charged event. • Flashback highlights include Stephen Colbert roasting George W. Bush and Axios reporter Alex Thompson calling out colleagues. • The dinner underscores ongoing media-political tensions, especially post-executive orders and impeachment talks.

Exclusive: Samaritans calls for mandatory training for firefighters amid rise in incidentsSuicide-related callouts to fire and rescue services in England have tripled in the last decade, with Samaritans now calling for mandatory training for firefighters, who they say are struggling to deal with the increase in traumatic incidents.New figures show that fire services in England attended 3,250 suicide callouts in the year ending September 2025, the equivalent to 62 callouts a week. This was up from 997 callouts in 2009-10 when records begin.In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email [email protected] or [email protected]. 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...

One blaze broke out north-west of Fort Lauderdale in Florida, a state known for its wetlands and evergladesMuch of the US is battling a widespread drought after a very dry winter and start to spring. South-eastern areas, in particular the states of Florida and Georgia, are experiencing some of the worst of this prolonged bout of dry weather, with calls for the risk to be labelled a level 4 “exceptional” drought in the region, the most severe category. In recent days, strong winds and low humidity conditions have brought an increased fire risk. These ingredients combined with such unusually dry ground have led to multiple large wildfires, particularly across Florida, a state known for its wetlands and everglades.A fire broke out early on Tuesday morning in Broward County, Florida, just north-west of Fort Lauderdale, scorching an area of more than 9,200 acres as of Thursday afternoon. The National Guard helped Broward Sherriff Fire Rescue tackle the blaze, which has since been brought to 50% containment. Residents nearby and farther west have been warned of reduced air quality as a result of travelling smoke. Fires have been breaking out elsewhere, with multiple active blazes across northern Florida, Georgia and into Alabama. Abnormally dry weather is set to continue over the next few weeks before the arrival of the rainy season, usually around June, with the drought and fire risk set to last. Continue reading...

National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report further says crash prevention system didn’t generate alertA firefighter whose truck collided with an Air Canada jet last month on a runway at New York’s LaGuardia airport, killing both pilots, heard an air traffic controller warn “stop, stop, stop” but didn’t know who it was for, federal investigators said Thursday.The National Transportation Safety Board said in a preliminary report on the 22 March collision that a crash prevention system for air traffic controllers didn’t generate an audio or visual alert, and lights on the runway that act as a stop light for crossing traffic were on until about three seconds before the collision. Continue reading...

• Navy Secretary John Phelan was fired by the Pentagon on Wednesday night amid escalating tensions with Iran over the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. • The firing comes as the U.S. maintains military pressure on Iran, with reports indicating the blockade is costing Iran an estimated $500 million per day and pushing the regime toward economic collapse. • U.S. intelligence officials warn that Iran retains thousands of missiles and drones capable of threatening American interests in the region.

Fires that spread during drought in Georgia and Florida have blanketed cities hundreds of miles away in smokeSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxWildfires tearing through the south have forced hundreds of Georgia residents to flee in minutes, leaving them distraught about the homes and animals they left behind.The fires that spread this week during an extreme drought in Georgia and Florida have blanketed cities hundreds of miles away in smoke, leading to more air quality warnings Thursday across the southeast. Continue reading...

After Keir Starmer’s statement to the Commons and gripping evidence from the sacked top civil servant Olly Robbins, Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey talk about how the story of Peter Mandelson’s vetting for his job as UK ambassador to the US, which was first broken by the Guardian last Thursday, has unfolded this week Continue reading...