Articles about Key

With former ministers and party heavyweights ​b​eing dragged into court, the country is once again confronting the unresolved legacy of political ​g​raft and ​shady backroom deals• Don’t get This Is Europe delivered to your inbox? Sign up hereEaster will not have been a particularly celebratory time for Spain’s two biggest political parties. In a quirk of judicial fate, both the ruling Spanish Socialist Workers’ party (PSOE) and the conservative People’s party (PP) are bracing themselves after two high-profile trials involving former senior figures from each party began in Madrid this week.Though vastly different, both cases have the potential to seriously dent each party’s claims of having zero-tolerance for corruption as voters in Andalucía, Spain’s most populous autonomous community, prepare for next month’s regional election. That will be followed by a general election next year. Continue reading...

• President Trump issued a major endorsement in a competitive California congressional race, targeting a 'RINO' opponent and boosting Laura Loomer and Fox allies. • The endorsement highlights Trump's focus on maintaining House majority ahead of 2026 midterms in a state he won in 2024. • It underscores ongoing GOP infighting and could shift primary dynamics significantly.

More than 33GW of battery capacity approved for Turkish grid since 2022 compared with 12-13GW in GermanyTurkey has given the green light to more batteries to buffer its electricity grid than any EU member state, a report has found, in a further sign of rich countries losing steam in the race to a clean economy.More than 33GW of battery capacity have been approved in Turkey since 2022, according to the climate thinktank Ember, while the total planned and operational capacity in European frontrunners that started deploying them earlier, such as Germany and Italy, is 12-13GW. Continue reading...

• Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt have initiated mediation between the US and Iran to end the ongoing war, relaying messages since its start. • An Islamabad-brokered ceasefire plan was presented to both sides on Monday, proposing a 15-20 day settlement with immediate ceasefire and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz ahead of a US Tuesday deadline threatening escalated strikes. • Earlier on March 25, a 15-point US proposal via Pakistan demanded dismantling Iran's nuclear facilities, missile limits, and a 30-day ceasefire, countered by Iran's five conditions including compensation and maritime control rights.

Exclusive: Seven of England’s 24 stroke centres still not providing mechanical thrombectomy 24/7 despite ministers’ pledgesThe NHS has not made a “life-changing” treatment for stroke available around the clock across England despite ministers repeatedly promising that it would.The health service was expected to improve stroke care by making a clot removal technique called mechanical thrombectomy available everywhere in the country 24/7 from 1 April. Continue reading...

• Türkiye positions itself at the center of diplomatic initiatives and alternative energy transit routes as U.S.-Israel-Iran hostilities enter their second month. • Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan conducted intense phone diplomacy and Gulf trips, coordinating with Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan on ceasefire frameworks. • Ankara prioritizes preventing escalation, staying outside direct hostilities while warning against conflict expansion amid surging global oil prices.

• Yubico announced partnerships with HYPR and Nametag on April 3, 2026, to embed verified identities in passkey systems from onboarding. • Integration ties biometric and hardware verification for phishing-resistant authentication. • Initiative advances passwordless security standards for enterprises.

• Tensions between the United States and Turkey reached new levels on Wednesday following Turkish military incursions into northeastern Syria targeting Kurdish militant groups, operations the US opposes due to potential civilian casualties and disruption to counter-terrorism efforts. • US Secretary of State issued a formal statement urging Turkey to exercise restraint, while Turkish officials countered by questioning US commitment to NATO and threatening to restrict American military access to Incirlik Air Base absent policy changes. • The dispute reflects broader disagreements over Syria strategy, regional stability priorities, and the role of Kurdish armed groups in counter-ISIS operations, complicating US military logistics and diplomatic coordination in the Eastern Mediterranean.

• President Trump's hold on the Republican Party faces its first major test in 2026 with upcoming primaries and special elections in Indiana, Georgia, Louisiana, and Kentucky. • In North Georgia's special election runoff on April 7, Trump-backed Clayton Fuller competes against Democrat Shawn Harris in a district Trump won by nearly 70% in 2024, where a narrow win could signal waning GOP enthusiasm. • Efforts to unseat Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), a vocal Trump critic, intensify with funding from Chris LaCivita's groups and the Republican Jewish Coalition targeting his Northern Kentucky district.

The meeting of foreign ministers was, in a way, the opening ceremony of an initiative that is intriguing diplomatsMiddle East crisis – live updatesThe meeting on Sunday of the foreign ministers of Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey in Islamabad not only represented the best hope for a ceasefire in Iran but was also the embryo for a new order designed to curb Israeli and Iranian dominance after the war.Although the four nations have met as a quartet before, the one-day meeting of foreign ministers in Islamabad on Sunday was, in a way, the official opening ceremony of an initiative that is intriguing diplomats. Continue reading...

Younger conservatives say they are disappointed by Donald Trump’s decision to launch war against Iran. Key US politics stories from 29 MarchA 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.Younger conservatives spoke of disappointment and even “betrayal” over Donald Trump’s launch of strikes against Iran, saying that the president’s actions run counter to his many pledges to oppose foreign entanglements. Continue reading...

• The United States men's national soccer team plays Belgium in an international friendly at 7:30 PM ET on March 28, 2026, providing crucial preparation for upcoming tournaments. • Bleacher Report offers live scores, play-by-play breakdowns, detailed stats, injury reports, and betting odds for the matchup. • This game highlights US soccer's international standing and player performances ahead of major 2026 competitions.

• U.S. hospitals face escalating financial pressures as expenses rise over twice as fast as prices, with specialty margins varying widely amid ongoing challenges. • Ophthalmology leads with 17.5% margins, followed by genetics at 12.8%, hematology at 12.2%, cancer at 10.6%, and pulmonology at 2.4%. • Dipping overall margins signal need for cost controls as systems grapple with climbing operational expenses.

• Rising sea levels are creating 'ghost forests' of dead trees along the eastern US coast, where saltwater intrusion drowns vibrant ecosystems, as presented at ACS Spring 2026 meeting in Atlanta on March 26. • Undergraduate Samantha Chittakone's team studies water cycling through these dying stands to predict coastal forest responses to climate change. • Findings could inform preservation strategies amid accelerating sea level rise threatening US shorelines.

President urges people to reduce consumption after power line passing through Ukraine damaged by drones; Moscow spring offensive steps up. What we know on day 1,491Moldova declared a state of emergency in the energy sector after a key power line with Europe was disconnected following Russian strikes in Ukraine. The declaration comes into effect on Wednesday and lasts for 60 days. The prime minister, Alexandru Munteanu, appealed to people to “avoid unnecessary consumption, especially during peak hours” and “stay united”, according to a statement from parliament. The former Soviet republic imports electricity from neighbouring EU member Romania, mostly via a power cable that passes through southern Ukraine. Moldovan authorities said crashed drones had been identified in Ukraine near the line and that “demining operations” were needed before repairs could be done. Restoring the power line itself was expected to take up to seven days, the energy minister, Dorin Junghietu was quoted by the Moldovan media outlet Ziarul de Gardă as saying. “Russia alone bears responsibility,” the Moldovan president, Maia Sandu, wrote on X, while the foreign ministry also condemned the Russian attacks. Russia has frequently targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure since it invaded its neighbour in 2022.The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has accused Russia of “absolute depravity” after Moscow fired an unprecedented daytime barrage across Ukraine, including on the historical centre of the western city of Lviv. “Iranian ‘shaheds’ [attack drones], modernised by Russia, are striking a church in Lviv – this is absolute depravity, and only someone like [Vladimir] Putin could find this appealing,” Zelenskyy said in his daily address. “The scale of this attack makes it abundantly clear that Russia has no intention of actually ending this war,” Zelenskyy added, vowing that Ukraine “will certainly respond to any attacks”.Russia’s military said on Wednesday it had shot down 389 Ukrainian drones overnight in one of the largest attacks to date. Russian regions bordering Ukraine, as well as Moscow and northwestern Leningrad were the main areas targeted, according to the military.Moscow appears to be stepping up a spring offensive intended to break Ukrainian resistance, writes Pjotr Sauer. Ukrainian officials said Moscow fired nearly 400 long-range drones and 23 cruise missiles overnight, followed by another 556 drones in an unusual daytime assault on Tuesday, hitting cities across the west of the country and killing at least seven people. Taken together, the barrage marks one of the largest aerial bombardments of Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion more than four years ago. One Russian drone struck the Bernardine monastery, a 16th-century church in Lviv’s Unesco-listed medieval centre, causing damage, local authorities said.North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un, said his country would always support Russia in a thank-you letter to his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. Ties between the two have grown closer since Putin began the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with Pyongyang sending ground troops and weapons systems to aid Russia’s war effort. “I express my sincere thanks to you for sending warm and sincere congratulations first on my reassumption of the heavy duty as president of the state affairs,” Kim said in the message on Tuesday, the official Korean central news agency said. “Today the DPRK and Russia are closely cooperating to defend the sovereignty of the two countries,” Kim said, using the initials of the North’s official name. “Pyongyang will always be with Moscow. This is our choice and unshakable will,” he added. South Korean and western intelligence agencies have estimated that the North has sent thousands of soldiers to Russia, primarily to the Kursk region, along with artillery shells, missiles and long-range rocket systems. Analysts say the assistance has been provided in exchange for Russia’s provision of food and weapons technologies. Continue reading...

• In Regional 4 at Sacramento, California, the Virginia Cavaliers defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes 83-75 in overtime. • This college basketball victory advances Virginia in the tournament bracket. • The game highlights intense regional semifinal competition on March 24.

• A federal judge blocked sweeping changes to U.S. vaccine recommendations, including reductions in childhood immunizations and removal of COVID-19 guidance for certain groups, in a lawsuit brought by the American Academy of Pediatrics and other medical groups. • The ruling paused a reconstituted vaccine advisory committee and signals a forthcoming decision on broader legal questions, with the case expected to reach the U.S. Supreme Court soon. • Changes were driven by RFK's authority over federal vaccine policy, which critics argue lack scientific basis and threaten public health.

The result in Slovenia will relieve EU diplomats and means the incumbent will lead exploratory talks to form the next governmentMeanwhile, Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni has urged Italians to take part in the referendum on the government’s proposals to shake up the organisation of the justice system.On her social media accounts, she posted a picture posing with a ballot paper, and said:“Ready to vote. Remember: you have until 3 PM today to get to the polls. Participation is important.” Continue reading...

• No. 1 South Carolina faces No. 16 Southern at 1 p.m. ET on ABC, while No. 1 UConn plays No. 16 UTSA at 3 p.m. ET in the Women's NCAA Tournament first round. • No. 2 Iowa takes on No. 15 Fairleigh Dickinson at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN, followed by No. 3 Ohio State vs. No. 14 Howard at 11:30 a.m. ET on ESPN2. • These games mark the start of bracket action across multiple sites, with CBS Sports providing live updates and highlights throughout Saturday.

• NCAA March Madness first-round games begin Thursday, March 19, featuring TCU vs. Ohio State at 12:15 p.m. ET in Greenville, S.C., on CBS, marking the start of 48 games over two days. • Additional early contests include Troy vs. Nebraska at 12:40 p.m. on truTV in Oklahoma City and South Florida vs. Louisville at 1:30 p.m. on TNT in Buffalo, N.Y., with evening games like VCU vs. North Carolina at 6:50 p.m.. • Tournament schedule spans first round on March 19-20, second round March 21-22, progressing to Final Four on April 4-6 in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium, hosted across sites like Portland, Ore., and Oklahoma City.

• House Committee on Appropriations convenes multiple subcommittees on March 26, 2026, covering agriculture, homeland security, financial services, labor, health, and commerce. • Hearings include Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration at 10:00 AM in Rayburn HOB 2362-A. • Sessions address critical budget areas amid ongoing fiscal deliberations for federal agencies.

• Nvidia held its annual GTC technology conference on Monday, March 16, with CEO Jensen Huang delivering the keynote address amid broader market volatility tied to geopolitical tensions and oil price fluctuations. • The event timing coincides with elevated uncertainty in tech stocks, as investors reassess earnings estimates downward and monitor the impact of elevated oil prices on corporate profitability and consumer spending. • Tech sector performance remains sensitive to macroeconomic headwinds, including potential inflation from energy costs and Federal Reserve policy decisions expected this week.

• Team USA's sled hockey squad won gold at the 2026 Paralympics by capturing the final event of the competition, clinching an unprecedented fifth straight Paralympic title. • The American sled hockey team received their historic gold medals and heard the Star Spangled Banner play following the victory on March 15, 2026. • The achievement represents a dominant run of Paralympic success for the United States in winter sports competition.

• FY2026 federal budget passed by Congress includes critical funding for autism research, early identification, health care training, and essential support programs. • Provisions secure resources for autism initiatives amid broader federal spending priorities for health and disability services. • Funding wins represent advocacy successes for autism community in annual appropriations process.

The NWSL 2026 season opened Saturday with NJ/NY Gotham FC visiting Boston Fleet at 12:30 p.m. ET on ABC, followed by Utah Royals at Kansas City at 4 p.m. Other matchups include Denver at Bay FC and Houston at San Diego Wave. 'This season promises more parity and star power,' said commissioner Jessica Berman. Attendance is projected up 20% after last year's record crowds, with playoffs set for November.

Detroit defeated Toronto 4-3 in MLB Spring Training on Saturday in Dunedin, Florida, with Riley Greene's two-run homer in the seventh proving decisive. Tarik Skubal pitched 3 scoreless innings for the Tigers, striking out 5. This win improves Detroit's spring record to 12-5, building momentum for Opening Day. Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. went 2-for-4 in the loss.

Superconducting computing circuits were briefly heralded as the future of computing in the 1980s. Columnist Karmela Padavic-Callaghan visits a quantum chip foundry where one company is betting this technology’s second act will revolutionise quantum computers

The United States men's para ice hockey team beat Czech Republic 6-1 in the semifinals on March 13, 2026, in Milan, advancing to Sunday's gold medal final against Canada after sweeping Olympic hockey golds last month. Forward Kevin McKee scored twice, as the US seeks the first-ever clean sweep of Olympic and Paralympic tournaments. Canada, Paralympic runners-up in recent years, advanced past China 4-2; captain Tyler McGregor eyes redemption. US coach David Hoff urged focus: 'Put the blinders on.'