• Heartland Forward-commissioned research released March 19 reveals broad U.S. consensus on maternal health priorities and actionable steps forward.
• Conducted in Bentonville, Ark., the poll finds Americans ready to address maternal care gaps nationwide.
• Results point to unified public support for policy and community interventions to boost outcomes.
Foreign minister issues warning after Israeli attack on South Pars gasfield, as Qatar reels from retaliatory strike‘Doomsday scenario’: a visual guide to the oil and gas site attacks in the Middle EastMiddle East crisis – live updatesIran said on Thursday it would show “zero restraint” if its energy infrastructure was targeted again, as Qatar revealed that almost one-fifth of its liquefied natural gas export capacity had been knocked out in an Iranian strike, in an attack likely to have a years-long impact.The warning, delivered by the Iranian foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, follow Israel’s attack on the Iran’s massive South Pars gasfield – which it shares with Qatar – which triggered Iranian retaliatory strikes on Qatar’s Ras Laffan gas complex and other Gulf neighbours, sending stock markets tumbling globally and triggering sharp increases in gas prices. Continue reading...
Lovehoney sponsors Aphrodite-themed ‘pleasure garden’ full of flowers associated with love and sexIt is one of the most prestigious events of the UK social calendar, but the great and good attending Chelsea flower show may be in for a shock this year as the Royal Horticultural Society unveils a sex-themed garden sponsored by a company that sells vibrators.Lovehoney, a sex toy company, is sponsoring an Aphrodite-themed “pleasure garden” full of flowers and plants associated with love and sex.Chelsea flower show will be held at the Royal Hospital Gardens from 19-23 May. Continue reading...
New work will be choreographed and directed by Benoit Swan Pouffer, artistic director of Rambert, with Davies and Pet Shop Boys serving as executive producersIt’s a Sin, the award-winning TV series about friendship during the 1980s Aids crisis, is to be adapted for the stage as a dance show. The new production is being developed by Rambert who had a hit in 2022 with its prequel to the TV series Peaky Blinders.The creator of It’s a Sin, Russell T Davies, is executive producer on the new work which will be choreographed and directed by Benoit Swan Pouffer, Rambert’s artistic director. “Storytelling sits at the heart of Rambert’s mission,” said Pouffer on Thursday. “Collaborating with Russell – one of the most powerful storytellers of our time – is incredibly exciting. Together we’re exploring how dance and choreography can carry urgent, emotional narratives in a visceral way.” Continue reading...
• Stagwell's Harris Poll found 88% of Republicans and 92% of Democrats view rigorous science as essential for progress, with 80-90% crediting US scientists for quality-of-life improvements.
• Only 19% believe US leads China in research, 33% say falling behind; 90%+ across parties want US global leadership role.
• If government funding lags, Americans favor businesses (23%) and nonprofits (19%) to fill gaps.
Research finds cockapoo, cavapoo and labradoodle dogs display more undesirable behaviours than breeds they derive fromThe UK has oodles of doodles but a study might offer paws for thought: researchers have found some of these designer crossbreed dogs show more behavioural problems than the pure breeds from which they derive.Crosses between poodles and other dog breeds have become increasingly popular in the UK, with research suggesting the trend is – at least in part – driven by the expectation such dogs will be hypoallergenic, healthy and good with children. Continue reading...
Steady UK opposition to the war and the US president’s insults mean MPs are finding it easier to point out the obviousWhen is a U-turn definitely a U-turn? To the consternation of politicians through the ages, this is rarely something within their control, but decided instead by the herd. And thus it is with Kemi Badnoch over Iran and Donald Trump.The Conservative leader would very much like it to be known that she had not changed her stance on the US-Israeli attacks on Iran, or on the US president. Continue reading...
Government’s first published land use framework maps how land is used and how it can be adapted to meet changing needsAbout 7% of England’s land – an area roughly two-and-a-half times the size of Cornwall – will need to be given over to nature, forests and renewable energy, to meet the UK’s environmental targets, new data shows.But there will still be enough land to grow the food needed, and to house a growing population, according to the government’s first “land use framework”, published on Wednesday.Placing a high priority on restoring peatland, all but 13% of which is degraded across England, but this will not include an outright ban on development such as wind or solar farms.Encouraging the “multi use” of land, for instance with livestock grazing alongside wind and solar farms, and wildlife protection and nature restoration on arable land.Encouraging local authorities to put nature reserves in urban areas as well as in the countryside.Grouse moors to come under closer scrutiny and tighter regulation, which will go further than EU rules.No new “right to roam” is included in the framework, but there will be a consultation on “making landowner liability more proportionate”, which could open up areas for public access.A national soil map will be published.A new “land use unit” will be established.Government planning for changes to the UK’s landscape under global heating of 2C above preindustrial levels, and of much higher heating of 4C. Continue reading...
Exclusive: Drug users face felonies and prison under Prop 36, with analysis showing racial disparities and little helpCalifornia prosecutors have filed nearly 20,000 drug possession felony cases under a tough-on-crime measure passed in 2024. But despite promises to get people into services, the vast majority of those arrested have not received drug treatment, state data reveals.Proposition 36, a state ballot measure, enacted harsher penalties for minor theft and drug offenses, with proponents pledging the crackdown would lead to “mass treatment to keep people alive, out of jail, and off our streets”. Continue reading...
Records shed light on how Scott Brown – then Trump’s New Zealand ambassador, now running for Senate – responded to Kennedy’s 2019 Samoa trip ahead of measles outbreakWhen Robert F Kennedy Jr ran for president as a Democrat in 2023, he found an unexpected ally in Scott Brown. A former Republican senator, Brown had begun a tradition of hosting Republican presidential candidates for barbecues in his New Hampshire back yard, where they could stump for votes and get attention ahead of the state’s crucial primary.Kennedy became Brown’s first Democratic invitee. His appearance in September 2023 drew hundreds of people, Brown’s biggest crowd ever. Kennedy held Brown in such high regard that after he decided to run instead as an independent, he reportedly reached out to Brown as a possible vice-presidential running mate, though Brown declined. Continue reading...
Baghsarian, 85, was taken in case of mistaken identity before being murdered, NSW police allege. Two men have been charged so farFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastNew South Wales police have released CCTV footage of three further men they want to question over the alleged kidnapping and murder of Sydney grandfather Chris Baghsarian last month.Daniel Stevens, 24, and Gerard Andrews, 29 have previously been charged with murder and detaining in company with intent to ransom, occasioning actual bodily harm. Continue reading...
Kiis FM radio host was suspended from work after an on-air argument with co-host Jackie ‘O’ HendersonKyle Sandilands has been sacked by ARN Media and his top-rating Kyle and Jackie O Show cancelled, but he says will fight to save his $100m contract.ARN Media said in a statement on Wednesday it had issued a notice of termination of contract to Sandilands and his company Quasar Media, over a dispute that began with an on-air argument between Sandilands and his co-host Jackie ‘O’ Henderson. Continue reading...
• Ondas Holdings, Nvidia, and Accenture are among the best-performing tech stocks this week according to Wall Street analyst ratings, with Ondas up 3.64%, Nvidia up 1.65%, and Accenture up 1.35%.
• The strength in these stocks reflects investor confidence in AI infrastructure (Nvidia), enterprise AI services (Accenture), and specialized communications technology (Ondas Holdings).
• Tech sector momentum continues amid optimism about AI deployment and enterprise technology spending across multiple verticals.
• Advantech, a global leader in IoT intelligent systems and embedded platforms, is demonstrating next-generation edge AI platforms powered by NVIDIA Jetson Thor and NVIDIA IGX Thor at GTC 2026 (March 16-19 in San Jose, California).
• The company is highlighting real-world applications of physical AI across robotics, medical systems, smart logistics, and intelligent retail environments, including the USM-500 medical-grade platform optimized for AI-assisted surgery and intraoperative imaging.
• Advantech's showcase reflects the industry's shift from cloud-based model training toward physical AI applications and edge deployment, enabling faster commercialization of AI technologies across industrial and healthcare sectors.
Immersive exhibition will form the centrepiece of the celebration of the artist’s 90th birthday next yearTate Modern’s Turbine Hall will be transformed into an immersive opera house as it plays host to an exhibition featuring the sets David Hockney designed for productions of works by Mozart, Wagner and Stravinsky dating back to the 1970s.The art form might be considered passé by Timothée Chalamet, but Tate is to use the sets as the centrepiece of its celebration of Hockney’s 90th birthday in 2027. Continue reading...
• Cosmo Technologies is presenting its technical session 'Engineering Medical Grade Platforms for Real Time AI' at the NVIDIA GTC 2026 conference in San Jose, California, running from March 16 to 19.
• The session, scheduled for Thursday, March 19 from 10:00 to 10:50 CET, explores engineering challenges for building AI platforms that operate in real time during medical procedures to assist physicians.
• This highlights Cosmo's commitment to advancing AI in healthcare, positioning it at the intersection of medical technology and AI amid growing demand for clinical-grade systems.
Kiis FM could face cancellation of radio station licence if ban breached, regulator saysAny Kiis FM radio program hosted by Kyle Sandilands and or Jackie “O” Henderson must not air strong sexual content for the next five years or ARN Media could face penalties as serious as the cancellation of the radio stations’ licence.However, the penalty from broadcasting authorities has come two weeks after the Kyle & Jackie O Show was taken off the air and Henderson’s contract with ARN was terminated. Continue reading...
Borrowers coming off fixed deals hit hard as Savills says big spike in interest payments made up half the overall rise UK households spent a record £226bn to keep a roof over their heads last year, figures showed on Monday, with mortgage borrowers finishing fixed-rate deals particularly hard hit by rising payments.Overall housing costs have gone up by £66bn over the past five years, a rise of 41%, the property group Savills said. Continue reading...
Ministers go to Brussels for talks amid tuition fees standoff, 10 years after Britons voted to leave EUThis week is “Brexit reset” week for the British government, as ministers engage in a flurry of activity intended to highlight their determination to forge closer ties with Brussels 10 years after the country first voted to leave the EU.On Monday, Nick Thomas-Symonds, the Cabinet Office minister in charge of negotiating the government’s reset with the EU, will arrive in Brussels for a meeting of the joint EU-UK parliamentary partnership assembly. He travels mob-handed, to be joined by the Europe minister, Stephen Doughty, and the trade minister, Chris Bryant. Continue reading...
Sacramento Kings visit the LA Clippers at 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, closing out Saturday's NBA schedule with a Pacific Division clash. Both teams vie for improved Western Conference standings in a high-energy contest. This game follows marquee matchups like Denver at Lakers on ABC. It underscores intense late-season competition.
Some Samoyeds adjust the pitch of their howls depending on the music being played, showing a form of vocal ability they might have inherited from their wolf ancestors
The US stock market displayed divergent performance on Friday, March 13, 2026, with the S&P 500 falling to 6,658 (down 14 points), the Nasdaq dropping 100 points to 22,211, while the Dow Jones held relatively steady near 46,702 amid rising geopolitical tensions and volatile oil prices. The VIX volatility index remained elevated at 26.49, signaling sustained market uncertainty, and the S&P 500 is tracking its first three-week losing streak in approximately one year, down roughly 1.1% for the week. Institutional investors and hedge funds reduced risk positions ahead of the weekend, with analysts attributing the decline to normal profit-taking after strong gains in AI and semiconductor stocks earlier in 2026. Key market watchers noted that smart money was likely to remain in defensive positions until clarity emerged regarding the Strait of Hormuz and potential ceasefire negotiations.
The Florida Gators take on Vanderbilt Commodores in the SEC Tournament semifinals on March 14, 2026, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, with Florida favored by 6.5 points and a total set at 160.5. Florida enters hot, winning four straight including 71-63 over Kentucky, led by Tyler Tanner's 19.2 PPG average. Vanderbilt seeks an upset after beating Tennessee 75-68, with odds at +258. A Gators win advances them toward the title game against Auburn or Alabama, impacting NCAA Tournament seeding.
ABC News interviewed Variety's chief awards editor Clayton Davis, who analyzed recent awards to forecast 2026 Oscar outcomes, including Best Actress, Best Picture, and whether 'Sinners' will set records. Davis highlighted frontrunners emerging from guilds and other ceremonies as reliable indicators for Sunday's Academy Awards. The discussion underscores 'Sinners' potential historic run from Warner Bros amid industry turmoil. Predictions come days before the March 15 ceremony in Los Angeles.
CDC studies from September 2025 to February 2026 estimate flu vaccine effectiveness (VE) at 22-34% against influenza A/B outpatient visits for adults and 30-41% for those 65+, with 30-31% against hospitalizations. Patrick Maloney, PhD, from CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, led the analysis. Low VE underscores need for improved formulations amid slumping protection. Findings inform next season's vaccine development.
GLP-1 drugs, once primarily used for diabetes treatment, have demonstrated impressive effectiveness in treating obesity, which affects over 100 million Americans, according to PBS NewsHour reporting. The class of medications is generating significant clinical interest as researchers explore both the therapeutic benefits and potential risks associated with their use. Medical experts including Dr. Jody Dushay, Dr. Rekha B. Kumar, Dr. Anna Lembke, and Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly discussed the promise of these drugs alongside concerns about safety and long-term outcomes in recent coverage.
Cleveland Cavaliers face Dallas Mavericks at 7:30 p.m. ET on Prime Video, featuring Donovan Mitchell vs. Luka Doncic in a battle of MVP candidates. Dallas enters with a 48-20 record, boosted by Kyrie Irving's 28.5 PPG average. Cleveland seeks to solidify their Eastern Conference standing post-All-Star break. Analysts predict over 220 total points given both teams' offensive firepower.