History

• Europe is seeking increased regulatory control over global AI services, sparking a debate on technology protectionism between the EU and the United States. • The U.S. has cautioned Europe against these restrictive measures, citing historical failures like Brazil’s "market reserve policy" from the 1970s. • Brazil's previous "Brazil-first" approach attempted to shield domestic industry from foreign competition but ultimately hindered technological growth and innovation.

• An analysis by The Athletic identifies five teams—Spain, France, Argentina, Germany, and the Netherlands—as the most likely winners of the 2026 World Cup based on historical trends. • Spain and France are currently the top betting favorites, while Argentina enters as the defending champion and Germany is noted for its ability to win across different eras. • The Netherlands is highlighted as a strong contender despite never winning a title, having previously lost finals in 1974, 1978, and 2010.

• Saud Abdulhamid has made sports history by becoming the first Saudi player to win the French Cup. • After moving to Europe in the summer of 2024, Abdulhamid previously became the first Saudi athlete to compete in both Italy’s Serie A and France’s Ligue 1. • This achievement is significant as it underscores his pioneering role in opening doors for other Saudi footballers to pursue professional careers in top European leagues.

Chi Leung Wai and Chung Biu Yuen convicted over surveillance of dissidents in ‘shadow policing’ operationA UK Border Force officer and Hong Kong trade official based in London have been found guilty of spying for China and surveilling dissidents through a “shadow policing” operation.Chi Leung “Peter” Wai, 38, and Chung Biu Yuen, 65, also known as Bill, were found guilty at the Old Bailey of assisting a foreign intelligence service, making them the first people in British history to be convicted of spying for China. Continue reading...

Ukraine commemorated the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster on Sunday, amid fears that Russia's four-year war could spark a repeat of the world's worst nuclear accident that led to thousands of deaths and devastating environmental consequences.

• President Donald Trump outlined sweeping healthcare reforms in an Oval Office address, announcing what he described as the largest prescription drug price cuts in U.S. history. • The announcement represents a major domestic policy initiative focused on reducing medication costs for American consumers. • Trump simultaneously signaled potential progress in Iran conflict negotiations, suggesting possible diplomatic breakthroughs as ceasefire talks continue.

Tectonic plate movements over millions of years have lifted and tilted the layers, with records of ancient earthquakes in the rocksGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastMicroscopic fossils embedded in limestone have helped reveal the true age of Victoria’s Twelve Apostles, as 8.6 to 14m years old.The conclave of giant golden pillars is visited by 2.8 million tourists each year, a highlight for those travelling along the Great Ocean Road south-west of Melbourne. Continue reading...

• Karol G headlined Coachella Weekend 1, becoming the first Latina artist to do so in the festival's history, performing on Sunday night in Indio, California. • The Colombian reggaeton star delivered a high-energy set with hits and special guests, drawing massive crowds to the Empire Polo Club. • Her milestone performance underscores growing Latino representation in major U.S. music festivals amid shifting industry demographics.

Elon Musk’s aerospace to AI company will host summer event to try to convince buyers it is worth $2 trillionBusiness live – latest updatesSpaceX will kick off the marketing for its highly anticipated stock exchange debut by hosting an event in June for 1,500 retail investors, as executives set out to convince buyers that the aerospace-to-artificial-intelligence group should be valued at $2 trillion.In an unusual move, the company has earmarked a large portion of its shares – potentially up to 30% – for non-professional, non-institutional investors, banking on the popularity of its chief executive, Elon Musk, to help it raise $75bn (about £56bn) in what is expected to be the largest public offering in history. Continue reading...

• NASA's Artemis II mission surpassed the Apollo 13 record on April 6, 2026, at 1:57 p.m. EDT, reaching beyond 248,655 miles (400,171 km) from Earth as the Orion capsule 'Integrity' looped around the moon's far side. • The mission will peak at 252,760 miles (406,777 km), breaking the prior record by 4,100 miles (6,600 km) during its six-hour lunar flyby, marking the first crewed deep-space mission since Apollo. • This milestone validates life-support systems, navigation, and thermal protection for humans, paving the way for sustained lunar presence under the US Artemis program.

The rightwing populist has been in power for 16 years but a new generation of voters are preparing to vote for his opponent, polls suggestAs he rushed to finish off his cigarette before heading to class, Ákos, 20, confessed that he has more at stake than most as Hungarians prepare to head to the polls in the coming days.“If things remain the same, or get even worse, I can’t see a future here,” said the aspiring teacher. “There are many people who want to try living elsewhere, and that’s totally fine, but I’m not one of them. For so long I’ve dreamed of working and teaching here.” Continue reading...

Trump has ordered pay be restored to TSA employees but it is unclear where money will come from and whether he has such legal powersHello and welcome to the US politics live blog.Airports continue to warn passengers to arrive several hours early due to unpredictable Transportation Security Administration (TSA) wait times, as the shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) became the longest shutdown in US history.A generational divide over the Iran war has emerged between older attendees and their political heirs at this year’s Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Texas, as the group’s leaders pleaded for unity ahead of a challenging midterm election year for Republicans. More here.Iran has warned the US that it is prepared to confront any ground assault, accusing Washington of secretly planning a land attack while publicly seeking talks, as the war that has killed thousands of people and caused the biggest ever disruption to global energy supplies entered its second month. More here.US lawmakers have responded to reports that the Pentagon is preparing for weeks of ground operations in Iran as thousands of US troops assemble in the Middle East and the conflict showed signs of entering a more dangerous phase. More here.The abortion rate is holding steady in the US despite total and partial bans in some states – largely because of travel across state lines and a significant increase in telehealth appointments, a new report says. More here.Pope Leo has said God ignores the prayers of leaders who wage war and have “hands full of blood”, in an apparent rebuke to the Trump administration. The pontiff made the comments on Sunday as thousands of US troops arrived in the Middle East.More than 8 million people protested against the Trump administration at more than 3,300 No Kings events across the US and in more than a dozen countries on Saturday, according to organizers. Continue reading...

If the now-six-week partial shutdown continues after the weekend, it will become the longest of any shutdownThe shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the fourth largest agency in the US government, became the longest partial shutdown in US history on Sunday.If the now-six-week partial shutdown continues after the weekend, it will also become the longest of any shutdown, surpassing the impasse late last year that dragged on for 43 days. Continue reading...

Rationing is not under consideration yet as hundreds of retailers report being without one or more types of fuelGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastPetrol stations are reporting a surge in demand of up to 25% in the last fortnight alone on top of already major spikes earlier in the Iran war as Anthony Albanese comes under pressure to devise a national plan to cushion Australia against the “biggest energy crisis in history”.The Australasian Convenience and Petroleum Marketers Association has revealed the scale of the demand on retailers, which has left hundreds of stations across the country without one or more types of fuel. Continue reading...

Martinez Lake, about 145 miles west of Phoenix, reached 110F (43.3C) on Thursday amid scorching south-west heatSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxA small community in the Arizona desert has broken a record for the highest March temperature ever recorded in the US, as the south-west bakes in a blistering late-winter heatwave.The astonishing temperature was recorded just outside Martinez Lake, Arizona, which reached 110F (43.3C) on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. Continue reading...

London museum defies drop in numbers seen elsewhere, attributed to cost of living and fall in international touristsLondon’s Natural History Museum (NHM) was the most popular attraction in the UK during 2025, with its renovated gardens, new climate gallery and lack of entry fee leading to record-breaking numbers of visitors.More than 7.1 million people passed through its doors, a 13% increase in visitors year on year and an all-time record for any UK museum or gallery. Continue reading...

• A cinematographer from the film "Sinners" achieved a significant milestone at the 98th Academy Awards on March 15, 2026, breaking through a glass ceiling in their category. • The achievement marks a historic moment for representation in Hollywood's technical awards categories. • "Sinners" emerged as a major winner at the ceremony, with Michael B. Jordan taking home the best actor award for the film directed by Ryan Coogler.

The American propelled ahead of frontrunner Michael Kimani Kamau by a fraction of a secondSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxIn the final moments of the Los Angeles marathon last weekend, the announcers were already narrating frontrunner Michael Kimani Kamau’s finish when Nathan Martin suddenly propelled forward, shocking newscasters and spectators.The 36-year-old Martin prevailed in a single stride, stepping across the finish line an almost imperceptible fraction of a second before Kamau and becoming the first Black American to win the contest. He had challenged himself in the final miles of the race to keep putting his all into it, despite physical exhaustion, and finished the 26.2-mile race in 2 hours, 11 minutes and 18 seconds. Continue reading...

The speed at which artificial intelligence is gaining in mathematical ability has taken many by surprise. It is rewriting what it means to be a mathematician

Spain's international feature film 'Sirat' has earned a historic Best Sound nomination at the 2026 Oscars, featuring the first all-female sound team in Academy Awards history. ABC News reports the team's achievement in a male-dominated category, highlighting their innovative work on the film directed by an emerging Spanish filmmaker. The nomination underscores growing diversity in technical Oscars fields, potentially influencing future sound design inclusivity. Industry experts predict the team could win, breaking barriers ahead of the March ceremony.

Spain's international feature Sirat achieves a milestone with its all-female sound team nominated for Best Sound at the 2026 Oscars, marking the first time women have dominated this male-led category. ABC News reports director Linsey Davis highlighting the team's innovative techniques that propelled the film's authentic audio landscape. The nomination underscores growing diversity in technical Oscars fields amid industry pushes for inclusion. Experts predict potential wins could inspire more female-led crews in future sound design.