Turns

President claims planned Tehran attack postponed to allow talks to continue – but no indication peace plan is imminentAs he seeks an exit from the Iran war, Donald Trump is increasingly outsourcing his policymaking to US allies in the Middle East, while the White House appears unable to find a simple way to end the fighting and reopen global shipping lanes held by Tehran.In Trump’s telling, the “dealmaker-in-chief” has maintained a consistent policy toward Iran aimed at preventing Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, leveling threats and incentives to reach a new deal that would also open the Strait of Hormuz. Continue reading...

• Emmy Award-winning host Conan O'Brien will return to host the 99th Oscars broadcast, reuniting with executive producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan for the major awards ceremony. • O'Brien brings his extensive experience in late-night television and comedy to the prestigious Hollywood event, continuing his tradition of hosting major award shows. • The selection of O'Brien signals the Academy's confidence in maintaining strong viewership and engaging presentation for the global entertainment audience.

• A federal appeals court ruling overturned a district judge’s injunction, allowing the administration to withhold certain grants previously directed for restoration. • Decision impacts funding for multiple programs, affecting states and nonprofits reliant on federal support. • Ruling reinforces executive authority on spending, potentially setting precedent for future policy disputes.

• CDC mortality data published in 2026 shows suicide has reentered the top 10 causes of death in the US, displacing COVID-19 amid rising mental health issues. • In 2024, 61.5 million US adults reported mental health conditions, including 11.6 million young adults aged 18-25, up from 58.7 million adults and 11.5 million young adults in 2023. • About 5% of US adults regularly reported depression and 12% reported anxiety, the most common conditions driving increased mental health prevalence.

Home reportedly occupied by mother of Paul Flores, who was convicted of killing college student who went missing in 1996Soil testing at a property linked to the man convicted in the murder of California college student Kristin Smart, who disappeared in 1996, turned up evidence of human remains, a state sheriff announced on Friday.“We can’t call it Kristin, but there’s evidence to support human remains – there at one time,” the San Luis Obispo county sheriff, Ian Parkinson, said at a news conference. Continue reading...

• A federal trade court overturned an administration ruling that had blocked grant restoration, overturning a previous district judge's injunction regarding federal aid programs. • The decision requires the administration to restore the flow of contested grants, marking a judicial victory for grant recipients and advocacy groups challenging the policy. • The ruling impacts federal funding distribution and suggests courts are actively reviewing Trump administration decisions affecting federal spending programs.

• Ally Financial swung to profitability in Q1 2026, reporting net income of $319 million and diluted EPS of $0.93, reversing a $225 million loss and $0.82 loss per share from the prior year. • Total net revenue climbed to $2.102 billion from $1.541 billion year-over-year, driven by higher net financing revenue of $1.589 billion and significantly smaller investment losses. • Noninterest expenses fell sharply to $1.235 billion from $1.634 billion, demonstrating improved cost management and operational efficiency despite modest credit cost increases.

Simon White comes clean after finding clay pieces in toffee tin, saying he took them as souvenir from Wenlock PrioryFragments of a priory’s medieval tiled floor that spent almost 60 years stashed in a toffee tin after being pocketed by a nine-year-old boy during a family outing have finally been handed back.The three pieces of decorative clay tiles, dating from the late 13th to early 14th century, were taken as a souvenir by Simon White during a family visit to Wenlock Priory in Shropshire in the late 1960s. Continue reading...

Ruling is blow to Office for Students after it issued fine for handling of protests over professor’s trans rights viewsSussex University has overturned a £585,000 fine by England’s higher education watchdog after the high court rejected claims the university had breached free speech regulations involving its former professor Kathleen Stock.The ruling is a damaging blow to the credibility and management of the Office for Students, after the court rejected the regulator’s lengthy investigation into Sussex’s handling of the protests aimed at Stock over her views on transgender rights and her subsequent resignation in 2021. Continue reading...

First recorded in 687BC, the meteoroids were once part of the tail of a comet discovered in 1861This week, the annual Lyrid meteor shower returns to the spring skies. Although active since 16 April, the shower peaks during the late evening of Wednesday 22 April and early the next morning.The chart shows the view looking east from London at 00.01 (BST) on Thursday 23 April. The origin point of the meteors, known as the radiant, is labelled Lyrids. It sits in the constellation of Lyra, the Lyre, close to the bright star of Vega. Continue reading...

Not ‘reasonable’ to impose that Siena Hopper, 25, with no criminal history, should be excluded from City of Sydney except for work or to attend courtFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA judge has overturned the bail conditions imposed by police on a Sydney anti-Herzog protester with no criminal history, saying the conditions were not “reasonable”.Lawyer Wael Skaf made an application before the Downing Centre local court to vary Siena Hopper’s bail conditions, which barred her from attending any “unlawful protests” and included a condition that she not enter the City of Sydney except for work or to attend court. Continue reading...

• Usain Bolt, 39, competed in the 4x100-meter relay at the New York Grand Prix on Friday, marking his official return to competitive sprinting after a five-year retirement. • Bolt's relay team finished second with a time of 39.12 seconds, demonstrating unexpected competitiveness for the legendary sprinter. • The return came as part of a exhibition series celebrating the careers of track and field's all-time greats.

Clarence Curtis Jordan was convicted in 1978 but hadn’t had a lawyer for over 30 yearsThe Texas court of criminal appeals has overturned the death sentence of Clarence Curtis Jordan, a 70-year-old man with intellectual disabilities, who spent nearly 50 years on death row – much of that time without a lawyer.Jordan was convicted in 1978 for the murder of Joe L Williams, a 40-year-old grocer in Houston, and was sentenced to death. In the years that followed, courts determined that Jordan, who has intellectual disabilities, was “incompetent”, making him ineligible for execution under constitutional standards. Continue reading...

• Ottawa Senators defenseman Thomas Chabot returned to noncontact practice on Tuesday, signaling a faster-than-anticipated recovery from injury. • Chabot has recorded 31 points (7 goals, 24 assists) in 55 games this season while averaging 22:34 of ice time before his injury. • The early return to practice suggests the Senators could have Chabot available sooner than originally projected for the remainder of the regular season.

• Amanda Bynes is releasing her new single 'Girlfriend' on April 10, marking her return to music after nearly 4 years away from the scene. • The track blends EDM and rap elements and is described as "built around a strong hook and confident, flirt-heavy energy," featuring Los Angeles-based rapper Fenix Flexin. • Bynes, known for roles in 'She's The Man' and 'Easy A,' teased the collaboration on social media, calling the music "straight fire."

‘Here we go, ready or not, let’s do the news,’ Guthrie said, two months after the disappearance of her mother, NancySign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxToday show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie made an emotional return to the NBC morning show on Monday, 64 days after her mother, Nancy, was abducted from her home in Phoenix, Arizona.“Welcome to Today on this Monday morning. We are so glad you started your week with us, and it’s good to be home,” Guthrie told viewers. Continue reading...

Brady Ebert, a former member of the Grammy-winning US hardcore band, allegedly hit the father of Brendan Yates with his carBrady Ebert, the former guitarist of the Grammy-winning US hardcore band Turnstile, has been charged with attempted second-degree murder after allegedly hitting the father of the band’s frontman, Brendan Yates, with his car.On 29 March, police found William Yates outside his home with “trauma to his lower extremities”, with a broken bone protruding from his leg, according to the Baltimore Banner. Continue reading...

• The Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Cincinnati Reds 8-3 in downtown Cincinnati, with Reds catcher Elly De La Cruz and Sal Stewart hitting back-to-back home runs in the 8th inning. • Brandon Williamson made his first Major League appearance in two years, struggling in his comeback from Tommy John surgery by giving up six runs including three homers in 4 2/3 innings. • Oneill Cruz homered twice for the Pirates in the victory.

• Lady Gaga celebrates her 40th birthday on March 28, 2026, marking a major milestone after performing with Bad Bunny at the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show. • Reba McEntire turns 71, hailed as an absolute legend in country music with a career spanning decades. • Vince Vaughn reaches 56, recently attending a movie premiere in March 2026, while Dianne Wiest turns 78 and Julia Stiles celebrates her birthday.

National Trust says one year after reintroduction they are enriching habitats and may be having kits this summerThey were released this time last year with fanfare, much hope and also, perhaps, a little trepidation.Twelve months on, there have been ups and downs for the first beavers to be (officially) reintroduced into the wild in England since the semiaquatic mammals were hunted to extinction 400 years ago. Continue reading...

• Diana Ross celebrates her 82nd birthday on March 26, 2026, joined by Steven Tyler at 78, Martin Short at 76, Jennifer Grey at 66, and Kenny Chesney. • The Supremes icon, born Diane Earl but renamed Diana due to a birth certificate error, continues performing despite her age. • Martin Short recently attended the 2026 Santa Barbara International Film Festival screening of 'You Had to Be There.'

• The U.S. Senate passed its version of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act (H.R. 6644) by a 89-10 vote, sending it back to the House for reconciliation on federal housing policy reforms. • This bipartisan legislation aims to ease housing development barriers, building on prior House actions amid national affordable housing efforts.

• Elton John turns 79 on March 25, 2026, while actress Sarah Jessica Parker celebrates her 61st birthday on the same day. • Other notable celebrities sharing March 25 birthdays include Marcia Cross (64), Big Sean (38), Jenny Slate (44), and comedian Nate Bargatze (47). • The musical icon was recently featured at the 2026 Elton John AIDS Foundation's 34th Annual Academy Awards Viewing Party charity event.

• The U.S. Senate passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act on March 24, 2026, sending it back to the House to increase housing supply through reforms. • The legislation targets zoning and permitting barriers to boost construction amid ongoing housing shortages. • Passage marks a key step in addressing national housing crisis, potentially easing affordability for millions if enacted.

Mors Imperator caused a scandal in 1887 amid fears it mocked the German kaiser – more than 100 years later it is being displayed in a state museumWrapped in a cloak with ermine fur and wearing a jagged iron crown, a hulking skeleton rests one foot on a globe and knocks over a royal throne with a dramatic flick of its ivory wrist.Entitled Mors Imperator (“Death is the Ruler”), the German artist Hermione von Preuschen’s 1887 symbolical painting was meant to express the transience of fame and power. But authorities feared the picture could be seen as mocking the ageing German Emperor Wilhelm I, who then had recently turned 90, and refused to accept its submission to the Berlin Academy of the Arts’ annual exhibition that year. Continue reading...

After series of delays, US space agency hopes to carry out first crewed flyby of the moon in more than half a century Nasa has begun returning its towering SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft to its Florida launch pad ahead of a planned flyby of the moon, after completing necessary repairs.Artemis engineers began the manoeuvre, which can take up to 12 hours, at 8pm local time. The US space agency will then begin the final preparations before its next launch window opens on 1 April. Continue reading...

Ilya Remeslo sends Telegram post titled ‘Five reasons why I stopped supporting Vladimir Putin’ to his 90,000 followersFor years, Ilya Remeslo was a reliable pro-Kremlin operator, going after critics of the regime and smearing independent journalists, bloggers and opposition politicians.Then the 42-year-old lawyer abruptly turned on the country’s most powerful man. Late on Tuesday, Remeslo posted a manifesto to his 90,000 Telegram followers titled: “Five reasons why I stopped supporting Vladimir Putin.” Continue reading...

• Sprite has reclaimed its position as the NBA's official global soft drink sponsor after an 11-year absence, marking a significant return to professional basketball partnership. • The multi-year deal reconnects the league with a brand that was synonymous with pro basketball culture during the 1990s. • This sponsorship renewal reflects the NBA's continued focus on securing major consumer brand partnerships to enhance league visibility and cultural relevance.