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The painting by self-taught artist Sean Layh was chosen by the Art Gallery of NSW staff who hang the finalists, ahead of the main announcement on 8 MayArchibald prize 2026 finalists: Virginia Trioli, Jan Fran, Ahmed al-Ahmed and more – in picturesA portrait of actor Jacob Collins by Sean Layh has won the favour of Art Gallery of NSW staff, who awarded it the Packing Room prize on Thursday, ahead of the Archibald prize’s main announcement on 8 May.Layh, a self-taught painter, said winning the prize for his work – an oil painting titled The tragicall historie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke – was “one of the great honours of my professional life”. Continue reading...

PM will face Kemi Badenoch and other MPs at final PMQs of the 2024-26 parliamentary sessionGood morning. Originally Keir Starmer was hoping that there would not be a need for a PMQs today, but we have got one, and it will definitely be the last of the 2024-26 parliamentary session. It will be a chance for Starmer to reflect on all the legislation passed.There is some relief that the government won the vote on Kemi Badenoch’s call for Starmer to be referred to the privileges committee with ease. Here is our overnight story by Pippa Crerar, Ben Quinn and Jessica Elgot. Continue reading...

An Israeli airstrike killed Amal Khalil on Wednesday and injured her colleague in the south of Lebanon. The journalist's colleagues accuse Israel of targeting her deliberately and obstructing first responders from reaching her in time to save her life, which Israel denies.

• Denver Broncos completed their 2026 NFL Draft class on Sunday with selections through the seventh round. • The finalized roster additions aim to bolster depth across multiple positions. • Additions position Broncos for improved performance in upcoming training camp and season.

Millionaire funded operation called ‘pure animal cruelty’ after environment minister sent threats on social mediaFinal preparations are reportedly under way for a millionaire fundedplan to tow a sickly humpback whale into the North Sea.The 12-tonne whale, nicknamed Timmy, has been stranded on the Baltic Sea coastline for almost a month. A barge resembling a giant steel aquarium will attempt to transport Timmy 400km (248 miles) towards the North Sea, and then hopefully back to the Atlantic Ocean from where it is believed to have arrived. Continue reading...

National Gallery, the Box in Plymouth and the Fitzwilliam in Cambridge also shortlisted for £120,000 Art Fund prizeThe V&A East Storehouse, the National Gallery and an accessible castle in Norwich are among the contenders for this year’s Art Fund museum of the year award, the most prestigious UK prize in the sector.The annual prize offers the winner £120,000, with £20,000 going to each of the other finalists, who the Art Fund’s director, Jenny Waldman, said had all “innovated in different ways”. Continue reading...

• Director Denis Villeneuve confirmed production on "Dune: Part Three" has officially begun, with filming taking place in Morocco and Jordan through October 2026. • Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, and Oscar Isaac are set to return, with newcomers Rebecca Ferguson and Austin Butler joining the expanded cast for the concluding installment. • Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures have greenlit a 2027 release date, with Villeneuve stating this final chapter will "definitively conclude Frank Herbert's epic saga."

• At age 80, Cher announced her "Final Farewell Tour," featuring 120 dates across North America and international venues spanning 2027 through 2029. • The tour will celebrate Cher's 60-year career with a multimedia production featuring her iconic performances, unreleased footage, and special guest appearances. • Ticket sales begin April 24, 2026, with Cher stating this represents her definitive goodbye to touring, though she plans to continue recording music.

Keir Starmer says it is ‘staggering’ and ‘unforgivable’ that he was not told Peter Mandelson had failed security vetting before taking up the role of US ambassador. The comments follow a Guardian investigation that exclusively revealed Mandelson had initially been denied clearance after a background check by security officials, but that the decision was overruled by the Foreign Office. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s head of investigations, Paul Lewis – watch on YouTube Continue reading...

70 Up to conclude long-running show following group of children into adulthood, revisiting them every seven yearsAsif Kapadia will bring the long-running and influential ITV documentary series Up to an end, with a concluding instalment that will air later this year.The series, which began in 1964, was voted the most influential UK TV show of the last 50 years in 2024, followed a group of children from infancy via their teen years to adulthood, and now revisits them as they approach old age. Continue reading...

Legislation will expunge convictions and end prosecution of women who terminate their pregnanciesLegislation to pardon women who have been convicted of illegal abortions has passed its final parliamentary hurdle, paving the way for a landmark change in the law.The amendment to the crime and policing bill, which will also expunge the police records of those arrested and investigated over illegal abortions, was considered in the House of Lords during a phase of parliamentary ping-pong, where a bill passes back and forth between the Lords and Commons. Continue reading...

• Taylor Swift revealed on April 16 the final US dates for her 'Eras Tour' kicking off June 15 in Miami, wrapping December 20 in New Orleans, via social media to 300 million followers. • Confirmed openers include Sabrina Carpenter for 12 shows and Post Malone for five stadium dates, with ticket sales starting April 18 via Ticketmaster. • The announcement sent Ticketmaster crashing briefly, with resale prices already hitting $1,200 average per Billboard reports, underscoring Swift's $2 billion tour dominance.

Plans for such a transport system have been discussed for many years and not all locals believe that service will comeIt is 1993 and a young James Lewis is going to do work experience in Leeds city council’s highways department. His team, Leeds United FC, have only just relinquished the title of defending English champions. And the council is marching on with big ideas: putting the abandoned 1980s Metroline tram plan behind them, and forgetting the unloved 1991 concept of a Leeds Advanced Transit skytrain. The Supertram is the coming thing.“I remember these drawers and drawers, full of big paper plans,” says Lewis, 33 years on. Lewis is now leader of the city council, and it is all done online. Much of the city centre has been transformed, rebuilt and pedestrianised. Leeds United have never threatened to be champions again. But as Lewis stands outside Elland Road stadium, explaining how to cross the adjacent motorway, one thing has not changed. What Leeds really wants is to build a tram. Continue reading...

• Cole Reinhardt scored his second goal with 1:50 left to lead the Florida Panthers to a 3-2 victory over the New York Rangers on Monday night. • Reinhardt and Mackie Samoskevich scored in the first period for a 2-0 lead, with Quick making 14 saves in his retirement finale after 19 seasons and three Stanley Cups. • The win spoils Jonathan Quick's last NHL appearance as the three-time champion announced his retirement beforehand.

• Michigan's Final Four Most Outstanding Player Elliot Cadeau plans to stay with the Wolverines next season after their national title. • His decision provides continuity for the champions amid widespread transfer portal activity. • Cadeau's retention bolsters Michigan's bid to repeat as NCAA champions.

Opposition candidate Péter Magyar warns supporters against complacency as some voters undecided ahead of Sundayin BudapestWe talked to a few Budapest residents this morning in the city centre at Jászai Mari Square. Continue reading...

• HHS issued a final rule on April 7, 2026, permanently extending Medicare telehealth flexibilities introduced during COVID-19, covering 85 million Medicaid enrollees. • Audio-only visits now reimbursable at $18-$40 per session, with $37 billion allocated through 2030 to rural providers. • Addresses access gaps in 20% of US counties lacking specialists; 'This bridges urban-rural divides,' said HHS Secretary.

Planning application expected shortly as London City airport and bank reach agreement for 265m-high buildingBusiness live – latest updatesJP Morgan Chase has reached agreement with London City airport to build one of Europe’s tallest office towers in the east of the capital.The £3bn tower is poised to be the tallest in the Canary Wharf financial district, after JP Morgan, one of Wall Street’s biggest banks, secured approval from the airport. Continue reading...

As Israel expands its invasion of southern Lebanon, people are having to bury their dead in temporary gravesIn Lebanon, the dead are usually given one last glimpse of their home town before they are laid to rest. Hoisted high above the heads of the living, their casket is slowly marched through the streets where they grew up.It is the hands of their loved ones that guide them into their final resting place, already dug, and gently sprinkle dirt on their body. Continue reading...

• The Nuclear Regulatory Commission granted final approval for Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant to continue operations through 2030, concluding a three-year regulatory review process. • This decision represents a significant policy shift regarding nuclear energy in California and demonstrates regulatory confidence in the plant's safe operation and maintenance standards. • The approval reflects broader national conversations about nuclear energy's role in meeting energy demands and climate goals, particularly as the U.S. seeks to expand clean energy capacity.

• HBO Max launches its April 2026 slate on April 1 with classics like The Devil Wears Prada, Practical Magic, Twister, and all three Brendan Fraser Mummy movies. • Euphoria Season 3 returns April 12 with eight episodes shifting characters into adulthood, while Hacks Season 5 premieres April 9 as the comedy's final season. • Marty Supreme starring Timothee Chalamet arrives April 24 post-awards push, alongside Alien: Romulus on April 3 and Game Night on April 4 for diverse viewing.

• No. 3 seed Illinois defeated Big Ten rival Iowa 71-59 in the South Region final, earning a spot in Saturday's national semifinal against No. 2 seed Connecticut at 6:09 p.m. ET. • Freshman Keaton Wagler led with 25 points and was named Region Most Outstanding Player, while Andrej Stojakovic added 17 points. • Illinois outscored Iowa 20-8 after a 51-51 tie with 7:14 left, closing with an 8-0 run as Iowa failed to score in the final two minutes.

• NASA's Artemis II mission, the first crewed flight test of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft, has cleared its final hurdle and remains on track for launch no earlier than April 1, 2026. • The mission will send four astronauts—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Jeremy Hansen, and Christina Koch—on a 10-day orbital test around the Moon, validating systems for future lunar landings. • This milestone follows rigorous technical reviews, ensuring crew safety and vehicle performance after lessons from uncrewed Artemis I in 2022.

Pete Wilcox says point of investigation into infamous 1984 clashes with police is to ‘enable communities to move on’ Former miners will finally get the chance to speak the truth about their experiences after four decades of silence during a public inquiry into infamous clashes with police at Orgreave, the inquiry’s chair has said.Pete Wilcox, the bishop of Sheffield, said only an inquiry could help South Yorkshire move on from the events of 18 June 1984, when striking miners unexpectedly found themselves in a pitched battle against thousands of police officers brought in from forces across the UK. Continue reading...

• The Pentagon is developing military options described as a 'final blow' against Iran that could include ground forces invasion, according to Axios reporting on March 27. • One plan involves invading or blockading Kharg Island, Iran's main oil export terminal; another would send U.S. forces into Iran's interior to secure highly enriched uranium at nuclear facilities. • The escalation plans emerge as President Trump extended his ultimatum deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz to April 6, marking the third delay since initially setting the deadline for March 27.

• The US Pentagon is developing plans for a 'final blow' in the Iran war, involving ground troops and massive bombing, as reported by Axios citing two US officials and knowledgeable sources on March 27, 2026. • US Central Command confirmed an Israeli airstrike killed Iran's IRGC Navy commander, amid escalating naval tensions near the Strait of Hormuz. • The Wall Street Journal revealed considerations for deploying 10,000 additional US troops with armored vehicles to the Middle East, coordinating with existing Marines and the 82nd Airborne Division.

• The Cincinnati Reds lost to the Milwaukee Brewers 4-1 in their final exhibition game of spring training on March 24, 2026. • The Reds will open their regular season on March 26, 2026, against the Boston Red Sox in downtown Cincinnati. • In related news, Joe Flacco is returning for his 19th NFL season as backup quarterback to Joe Burrow with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Legislation initiated by far-right Otzma Yehudit party drew mounting criticism from opponents and rights groups as it moved through the KnessetIsrael’s parliament has advanced a contentious bill to impose the death penalty on Palestinians convicted of terrorism to its final vote, after the Knesset’s national security committee approved the measure on Tuesday.The legislation, initiated by the far-right Otzma Yehudit party led by National Security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has drawn sharp criticism from opponents who warn it would mark a significant escalation in Israel’s penal policy. Members of Otzma Yehudit have worn noose-shaped pins in support of the bill. Continue reading...