• No. 5 Alabama Crimson Tide defeated No. 1 Texas Longhorns 7-4 on April 4, 2026, securing their first series victory over a top-ranked team since 2016.
• Jena Young hit a crucial three-run home run, powering Alabama past Texas in a key SEC matchup.
• The win strengthens Alabama's position in college softball rankings and highlights their momentum heading into conference play.
• Cheryl Miller, alongside Val Ackerman and Ann Meyers Drysdale, spoke on the evolution of women's hoops at the AP Top 25 Poll Experience on April 4.
• The panel addressed key challenges and growth in college women's basketball.
• Their insights matter as the sport sees record viewership and investments post-Caitlin Clark era.
Carasses wash ashore Guemes Island in ‘creepy mystery’, with authorities saying canines appear to be the same sizeOfficials are investigating after nearly two dozen dead canines washed ashore on a Washington state island, in what one local has compared to “the start of a horror movie”.The Skagit county sheriff’s office said 21 canines had been found on the shoreline of Guemes Island, about 80 miles north of Seattle, between 26 March and Friday. Continue reading...
Royal visitors have long been popular in the US, and Charles has decades of diplomacy under his belt. But can soft power save the special relationship?What’s the worst that could happen when King Charles visits Donald Trump in Washington at the end of this month? And what will be the best outcome from Keir Starmer’s point of view, since it is the prime minister who directed the visit to go ahead in the hope of improving our battered, supposedly special relationship? While the relationship is still apparently meaningful to Britain, to the US it appears to not mean so much – especially now.The king goes where he is told, whether he would prefer to stay at home or not. This time to a land whose president denounces our aircraft carriers as toys and accuses us of cowardice, and whose defence secretary talks derisively of our Royal Navy. Perhaps Charles ought to wear his naval admiral’s uniform when he goes to the White House, medals and all. Continue reading...
US president makes baseless claims about fraud in blue states and says JD Vance will lead clampdown as ‘fraud czar’Donald Trump announced a fresh crackdown on “fraud” in Democratic states and tapped JD Vance to lead the charge. Officials swiftly announced a string of arrests in California.In a Truth Social post on Friday, the US president announced that his vice-president is now “in charge of ‘fraud’ in the United States”, claiming the problem is “massive and pervasive” and that Vance’s new role as “fraud czar” will be “a major factor in how great the future of our country will be”. Continue reading...
Drone-maker backed by Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr tries to win contracts with Gulf countries protected by USA drone-maker backed by Donald Trump’s two oldest sons is trying to sell to Gulf countries while they are under attack by Iran and dependent on the US military led by their father.The sales drive by Florida-based Powerus – which announced a deal last month to bring aboard Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr – positions the company to potentially benefit from a war that their father began. Continue reading...
Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese announces GST revenue on fuel sales to be used to reduce fuel costs by a combined 32 cents a litreFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastTrack Australia’s fuel prices, service station outages and shipments in chartsA deal with the states to return GST revenue on fuel sales will knock another 5.7 cents off the price of petrol for three months, bringing the total reduction to 32 cents a litre after this week’s halving of the fuel excise.The government said the 26.3 cent reduction in the fuel tax and the GST deal would cut the cost of filling a 65-litre vehicle by nearly $23. Continue reading...
• The No. 4-ranked University of Georgia baseball team overcame a hitless start through four innings to beat Georgia State 14-9 at Foley Field on Tuesday.
• Georgia exploded for eight runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, securing the comeback victory after trailing earlier in the game.
• The Bulldogs, known for one of the nation's most potent offenses, demonstrated their resilience in the high-scoring contest.
• The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 on April 1, 2026, that state bans on conversion therapy for minors violate counselors' First Amendment rights.
• The decision overturns California's pioneering 2012 law and similar measures in over 20 states prohibiting practices aimed at changing sexual orientation.
• Chief Justice Roberts wrote the majority opinion, emphasizing licensed professionals' speech protections in private counseling.
PM’s deadline to establish the biggest gun buyback in 30 years passes with half of the nation’s governments refusing to joinGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe federal government has accused state and territory leaders who refuse to sign up to its proposed national gun buy back scheme, of “standing in the way” of efforts to get dangerous weapons off Australian streets.Anthony Albanese’s end of March deadline to establish the biggest gun buyback in 30 years has now passed with half of the nation’s governments refusing to join. There is no timeline for the buyback, announced in the weeks after the Bondi terror attack, and it remains unclear how costs will be split. Continue reading...
• Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-NV) introduced HR 8167, the Diplomatic Reserve Corps Act of 2026, on March 31, authorizing a 1,000-member ready reserve for U.S. diplomatic efforts.
• Co-led by Rep. Michael Baumgartner (R-WA) and endorsed by the American Academy of Diplomacy, the bill addresses heightened demand periods for diplomacy.
• The reserve would enable rapid deployment of experienced personnel to support State Department operations globally.
• On March 31, 2026, the New York Legislature passed and Governor Hochul signed the first budget extender bill, funding government operations through April 8 amid stalled budget talks.
• The extender ensures state workers remain paid as negotiations continue over policy differences, pushing past the April 1 deadline for the SFY 2026-27 budget.
• This signals ongoing delays in finalizing New York's $239 billion state budget, with key disputes on spending priorities and reforms.
• CMS announced the Accelerating State Pediatric Innovation Readiness and Effectiveness Model (ASPIRE), a 10-year voluntary program for up to five states.
• ASPIRE targets Medicaid and CHIP enrollees up to age 21 with complex medical and behavioral needs through early identification, care coordination, and quality accountability.
• A Notice of Funding Opportunity will be released later this year to solicit state participation.
• 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.
As living costs rise, the state where Gates and Bezos made billions is targeting top earners – could other states follow?Noel Frame knows exactly how difficult it is to raise taxes on the ultra-wealthy, because she has been trying to do just that – first as an activist, then as a state legislator – for the past 15 years. And until recently almost all of her efforts ended in failure.She lives in Washington, a solid blue state that should, in theory, be hospitable to the idea of more progressive taxation and has plenty of multi-millionaires to target, since it is the home of Microsoft, Amazon and an array of other tech-driven corporations. While the wealth of these tech giants has grown exponentially in recent decades, the state – which levies no income taxes – has struggled to bring in enough revenue to pay for basic services like public schooling and long-term healthcare. Continue reading...
Visit with Camilla to take place in late April despite calls for it to be delayed because of US war against IranUK politics live – latest updatesThe king’s state visit to the US is to go ahead next month as planned, Buckingham Palace has confirmed.Charles and the queen’s long-expected trip to see Donald Trump will take place in late April, despite calls for it to be postponed because of the ongoing war in the Middle East. Continue reading...
• The Guttmacher Institute released a report showing U.S. abortion rates have remained largely steady despite strict bans in 13 states.
• Travel for abortions has declined as telehealth access increases, with data scientist Isaac Maddow-Zimet noting, 'It makes sense that we'd see a decline in travel for abortion.'
• The findings highlight shifts in care delivery amid policy changes, impacting access in states like Illinois, Maryland, and New York.
• Secretary of State Marco Rubio told G7 foreign ministers on Friday that the ongoing military conflict with Iran will continue for another two to four weeks, according to sources cited by Axios.
• The timeline represents official U.S. government assessment of the expected duration of military operations in the region amid escalating tensions and ground operation preparations.
• This projection comes as the U.S. expands military presence and considers multiple operational options in the Persian Gulf region.
• The SAVE America Act, which would have implemented election law changes at the federal level, has stalled in Congress.
• President Trump has shifted strategy to reshape election laws at the state level while attempting to assert control over elections beyond constitutional limits.
• Election law experts warn that Trump's efforts to influence state election procedures represent an attempt to consolidate power beyond what the Constitution permits.
• Huge crowds rallied across the U.S. on Saturday for 'No Kings Day' protests against President Donald Trump, expressing fury over his policies amid international tensions.
• Demonstrations also spread abroad, including massive marches in France and crowds at NIH headquarters protesting cuts to medical research.
• The protests highlight domestic opposition to Trump's leadership, potentially influencing U.S. politics as global conflicts intensify.
• A new analysis identifies Louisiana and Kentucky as among the most stressed US states in 2026, with stress levels significantly influenced by geographic factors.
• Rising healthcare costs are forcing residents to skip medical care, contributing to elevated stress levels across affected regions.
• The stress disparities highlight how healthcare affordability challenges vary by state, with geographic and economic factors playing key roles in residents' wellbeing and access to care.
Sara Ziff, founder of Model Alliance, said business leaders need to be hauled before House oversight committeeA top modeling industry activist has called for business leaders to be hauled before lawmakers in Washington to investigate what role modeling agencies may have played in the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking scandal.Sara Ziff is founder of the Model Alliance, a non-profit advocacy group calling for fair treatment, labor rights and safe working conditions for fashion industry workers. Continue reading...
Nigel Farage has called Tate an ‘important voice’ for young men and held back from criticising his misogynistic viewsReform insiders are becoming increasingly irritated by the party’s association with Andrew Tate and other extreme online celebrities whose views are too toxic for the mainstream voters Nigel Farage needs to win over.Insiders have revealed that as Reform prepare for power they are trying to end their association with more controversial figures on the right such as Tate, whose extreme and misogynistic content could taint the party’s credibility. Continue reading...
• Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the US conflict with Iran would extend another two to four weeks, while signaling no immediate plans for a ground operation into Iranian territory.
• Rubio identified preventing Iran from imposing tolls on ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz as the biggest post-conflict challenge, characterizing such action as illegal and dangerous to global commerce.
• The statement comes as the US deploys additional troops to the region following an Iranian missile and drone attack that injured 12 American service members at a Saudi base.
• President Trump called on a gridlocked Congress to establish a unified national AI regulatory framework to prevent a patchwork of state laws on March 28, 2026.
• States have enacted dozens of AI laws covering child safety, transparency requirements, and whistleblower protections due to federal inaction.
• The White House framework emphasizes protecting children from AI harms and consumers from data center cost increases, prompting mixed reactions from lawmakers.
Chad Bianco, running for governor, previously confiscated 650,000 ballots for baseless voter fraud investigationSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxA Republican sheriff in California has confiscated additional ballot materials from a special election, escalating his conflict with state lawmakers who say he is conducting a baseless investigation into claims of voter fraud.On Tuesday, Chad Bianco, the Riverside county sheriff who is running for governor, was already at the center of a legal controversy after seizing 650,000 ballots from last year’s special election. Earlier this week he ordered his office to seize 426 additional boxes of ballot materials as part of the alleged criminal investigation, prompting criticism from lawmakers including Rob Bonta, California’s Democratic attorney general. Continue reading...
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed an E. coli outbreak with illnesses in several states including Texas and Florida, over half affecting children under age 5 as of March 27, 2026.
• Three people hospitalized and one developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a dangerous kidney infection, amid ongoing investigations into the source.
• The outbreak underscores vulnerabilities in food safety systems, particularly for young children, prompting heightened surveillance and public alerts.
Move by state education officials picked by Republican governor removes the course as a graduation componentEducation leaders in Florida have removed sociology as a graduation component at state universities in Ron DeSantis’s latest attack on what the Republican governor sees as the “woke” indoctrination of students.The move on Thursday by a majority of DeSantis’s hand-picked university board of governors effectively relegates the stand-alone Introduction to Sociology course to a makeweight elective instead of a core component subject that has been a popular choice for generations of students. Continue reading...
• Health plans' reliance on downcoding programs to cut physician reimbursements prompts state-level reforms highlighted in AMA's March 27, 2026 State Advocacy Update.
• These practices harm doctors' earnings and patient care quality, leading policymakers to intervene for fairer payment systems.
• The update covers top advocacy stories from March 2026, emphasizing protections for physicians amid ongoing reimbursement battles.
• The U.S. has implemented a ban on consumer routers manufactured outside the country, marking a significant shift in domestic technology supply chain policy.
• The move reflects broader efforts to strengthen U.S. technological independence and reduce reliance on foreign-manufactured networking hardware.
• This regulatory action represents part of a wider trend toward reshoring critical technology infrastructure and supply chain resilience.