Birth

Exclusive: Cambridge research finds socioenvironmental stressors may influence body’s ability to function healthily in pregnancyStress from racism and deprivation could explain why black women are more likely to die during childbirth, a study has found.Researchers reviewed 44 existing studies that examined three physiological pathways associated with worse pregnancy outcomes: oxidative stress, inflammation, and uteroplacental vascular resistance, and found black women had higher levels of the three metrics. Continue reading...

Latest ONS figures also suggest lower population growth in coming decades than previously expectedDeaths are projected to outnumber births in the UK every year from 2026 and the population is expected to grow at a slower rate over the next few decades than previously reported, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).About 1.7 million people are projected to join the population between 2024 and 2034, pushing the total up 2.5% from 69.3 million to 71.0 million, before it starts to decrease in the mid-2050s. Continue reading...

Paramedics on Atlanta-Portland flight help Ashley Blair give birth to ‘gorgeous’ Brielle Renee just before landingWhen baby Brielle Renee was born, new mom Ashley Blair was flying high – quite literally. Blair unexpectedly went into labor shortly before her full Delta flight from Atlanta to Portland touched down on Friday night.The surprise birth was just one of two medical emergencies on board that emergency medical technicians Tina Fritz and Caarin Powell responded to during the flight, capping the end to their vacation in the Dominican Republic, the pair told the Associated Press. They were helping another passenger when flight crews called for assistance for Blair. Continue reading...

Noongar woman Mary Ann Miller died of sepsis, while homeless to avoid an allegedly abusive ex-partnerWarning: This article contains images of and references to Indigenous Australians who have diedThe family of an Aboriginal mother of seven who died just weeks after giving birth say the Western Australian government knew she was experiencing domestic violence and fearing for her safety weeks before her death.Mary Ann Miller died of sepsis in Fiona Stanley hospital on 28 March, two weeks after giving birth to her son and after she was allegedly assaulted and had her nose broken by her former partner. Guardian Australia is not suggesting the alleged assault contributed to her death. Continue reading...

Seven-day-old Poppy Hope Lomas died after complications during home birth encouraged by midwives at Barnet hospitalA mother who lost her baby a week after an “unsafe” home birth that went against medical advice was failed by the NHS, an inquest has found.Poppy Hope Lomas was seven days old when she died at University College hospital in London on 26 October 2022 after complications during a home birth that, according to her mother, was encouraged by midwives at Barnet hospital. Continue reading...

Monarch says Elizabeth II would have been troubled by recent events but she believed ‘goodness will always prevail’King Charles has said his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, would have been troubled deeply by current affairs as he paid a heartfelt tribute to her on what would have been her 100th birthday.In a video message to honour the nation’s longest-reigning monarch, he said she had “remained constant, steadfast and wholly devoted to the people she served”. Continue reading...

After the attempted arson attack on a London synagogue, communities remain determined that ‘building higher walls’ will not stem rising tide of antisemitism“How good and how wonderful it is when friends sit together,” reads a quote from the Psalms painted high on the wall inside Finchley Reform Synagogue (FRS). For the congregation gathering in a cheerful hubbub before its Shabbat service on Friday evening, that felt like an especially apt sentiment.Three days after the synagogue was the victim of an attempted firebombing, hundreds of members made an extra effort to get together in determined if slightly nervy solidarity, joined by guests including local politicians, other faith leaders, police officers – and one particularly special group of neighbours. Continue reading...

• CDC data shows 3.6 million US births in 2025, a 1% decline from 2024, with fertility rate at 53.1 births per 1,000 women ages 15-44, down 23% since 2007. • Trump administration downplays contraception in Title X grants, mentioning it once as overprescribed with side effects, amid efforts to reverse birth decline. • High maternal mortality of 17.9 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2024, with 4 in 5 pregnancy deaths preventable, contrasts lower risks of contraception.

Baby was delivered during Caribbean Airlines flight from Kingston to the US; nationality of child to be determinedSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxA routine passenger flight from Jamaica landed at New York’s John F Kennedy international airport with one more person than it took off with after a woman gave birth in midair, potentially setting up a tricky situation over the newborn’s citizenship.The “medical event” occurred on a Caribbean Airlines flight from Kingston on Saturday, according to a news release from the carrier. Continue reading...

• Federal judges blocked Trump administration actions that canceled asylum appointments for hundreds of thousands of migrants and terminated temporary legal status for up to 900,000 immigrants, ruling the administration acted unlawfully. • A federal judge threw out a Justice Department lawsuit against Denver and Colorado sanctuary laws, determining the federal government cannot override state and local decisions on resource allocation. • Judge Leon ruled Trump cannot restructure the White House ballroom without Congressional authorization, stating the president is a "steward" of the building, not its "owner"—a decision Trump disputed on Truth Social.

Some underscore Trump’s unprecedented court appearance as protesters defend 14th amendment rightAround 250 demonstrators packed the steps of the supreme court on Wednesday, chanting in defense of birthright citizenship as Donald Trump himself watched from the public gallery in an unprecedented appearance.Beija McCarter, an eighth grade US history teacher, and Noah Goldstein, a New Yorker who was also at last month’s trans rights rally, both arrived at the demonstration with little optimism about what the justices inside might decide. Continue reading...

• The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Trump v. Barbara, a case challenging the constitutionality of birthright citizenship under the 14th Amendment. • President Donald Trump attended the arguments in person, making him the first sitting president to observe Supreme Court oral arguments, according to historians cited by Politico. • The case centers on Trump's executive order on birthright citizenship, with the Court expected to issue a ruling later in the term that could fundamentally alter citizenship eligibility in the United States.

Court case will weigh the constitutionality of his contentious bid to end birthright citizenship President Donald Trump will watch the US supreme court hear a landmark case today weighing the constitutionality of his contentious bid to end birthright citizenship – an extraordinary and possibly unprecedented move for the nation’s highest office.Trump signed an executive order on his return to the White House decreeing that children born to parents in the United States illegally or on temporary visas would not automatically become US citizens.Trump signed an executive order seeking to restrict mail-in voting across the US with a series of new requirements, including the establishment of a national voter list.The move was unprecedented and likely unconstitutional, according to experts. The Brennan Center said in response, “He has no lawful authority to write the rules that govern our elections. He tried a year ago; we sued him; we won. A year later, he has tried again. He can expect the same result.”Several states and Democratic officials criticized the order, describing it as an illegal attack that amounted to voter suppression ahead of the midterms, and said they will take legal action to stop the president, including California.Trump continued to fume over today’s ruling from a US judge that halted the construction of his $400m White House ballroom, and sharply criticized the decision during a press briefing and on social media.Pete Hegseth lifted the suspension of the crew of the military helicopters that hovered near the home of singer Kid Rock, and said there would be no investigation. Continue reading...

Trump issued executive order in January 2025 that seeks to undo birthright citizenship, overriding the constitutionSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxThe US supreme court will hear arguments on Wednesday over whether Trump can reverse generations of precedent and deny birthright citizenship to babies born on US soil, which would impact hundreds of thousands of children annually.On his first day in office, Trump issued an executive order that sought to undo birthright citizenship, overriding the US constitution – or, as his administration has argued, interpret the constitution correctly, in defiance of supreme court precedent. Continue reading...

Policymakers should address financial barriers that hinder young people from starting families, says thinktank Politicians hoping to persuade young people in the UK to have more children should prioritise tackling housing affordability, according to research by the Resolution Foundation thinktank.There has been growing concern in recent years about Britain’s declining birthrate, given the long-term fiscal pressures of supporting an ageing population. Continue reading...

• The U.S. Supreme Court will argue Barbara v. United States on April 1, directly challenging President Trump's executive order limiting birthright citizenship. • The Trump administration has secured victories in most immigration-related lawsuits reaching the court, including last summer's birthright citizenship dispute. • Legal experts note that these immigration wins do not guarantee success in the citizenship case, as it tests the 14th Amendment's core protections.

• Ewan McGregor, Christopher Walken, and Al Gore celebrate birthdays on March 31, 2026. • The annual roundup highlights star power with these icons marking another year.

• International superstar Celine Dion, legendary guitarist Eric Clapton, and acclaimed actor-director Warren Beatty all celebrate birthdays on March 30, 2026. • The three iconic figures represent decades of achievements across music, rock, and cinema, with each marking another year in their storied careers. • The celebration highlights the cultural impact of artists born on this date who have shaped entertainment across multiple generations and mediums.

• Celebrated comedian Eric Idle of Monty Python fame turns a year older today, March 29, 2026, joining other stars in Hollywood's birthday spotlight. • Actor Brendan Gleeson, known for roles in In Bruges and The Banshees of Inisherin, is also marking his birthday alongside comedy icon Amy Sedaris. • Bored Panda highlights 10 familiar faces born on this date, emphasizing their enduring contributions to film, TV, and stage entertainment.

• 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.

Female named Rounder was surrounded by family members and others as she was about to give birth to her second calfScientists have managed to film a sperm whale giving birth while other female whales worked together to support the mother and her newborn.A team from Project Ceti, an international effort seeking to understand how whales communicate, was in a boat near a pod of 11 whales off the coast of the Caribbean island of Dominica on 8 July 2023. Continue reading...

• A March 26 SCOTUSblog outside opinion by Neil Weare examines a Supreme Court ruling that permitted a president to redefine birthright citizenship, highlighting judicial deference in constitutional matters. • The piece critiques the court's approach to executive overreach on a core 14th Amendment right, drawing parallels to historical citizenship disputes. • It argues the decision sets a precedent for future policy changes via executive action without robust judicial checks.

• 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.'

• 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.

• Jim Parsons turns 53 on March 24, known for four Emmy wins as Sheldon Cooper on The Big Bang Theory and currently starring in Titanique musical. • Jessica Chastain and Peyton Manning also celebrate birthdays today, with Manning famous for his 2007 SNL United Way spoof sketch. • Alyson Hannigan, star of Buffy and How I Met Your Mother, shares the date after competing on Season 32 of Dancing with the Stars.

• American actress Victoria Pedretti celebrates her 31st birthday on March 23, 2026, continuing her career in psychological thrillers and acclaimed television work. • Pedretti gained widespread attention for her roles in popular Netflix series, where she anchors narratives with raw emotional intensity and has earned critical praise and a dedicated fanbase. • The actress was diagnosed with ADHD at age seven and expressed early interest in musical theatre before pursuing her successful acting career.

• Reese Witherspoon turns 50 on March 22, 2026, evolving from 'Legally Blonde' star to influential producer behind hits like 'Big Little Lies' and 'The Morning Show.' • The Oscar winner has amplified female-driven stories through Reese's Book Club, turning picks into award-winning adaptations and reshaping media tastemaking. • Fellow celebrities marking birthdays include William Shatner at 95, Cole Hauser at 51 for his 'Yellowstone' role as Rip Wheeler, and Constance Wu at 44.