American journalist released a week after being kidnapped in Iraq 07. April 2026 (20:15) Freelancer Shelly Kittleson was reportedly held by Iran-backed militia which says she must now leave countryThe US journalist Shelly Kittleson, who was kidnapped from a Baghdad street corner last week, has been released, according to an Iraqi official with direct knowledge of the situation.Kittleson was freed in the afternoon, said the official, who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment publicly. He did not share her current whereabouts but said that before her release, she had been held in Baghdad. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Starmer urged to limit US access to UK bases after ‘dangerous’ Trump threats 07. April 2026 (20:15) Lib Dems, Greens and some Labour MPs demand UK block US from using its airbases for Iran missionsMiddle East crisis – live updatesKeir Starmer is facing increasing pressure to limit US access to British airbases after Donald Trump threatened “a whole civilisation” would die if Iran ignored his demands, comments that Downing Street has not directly criticised.No 10 has allowed US forces to use UK bases only for defensive missions against Iran, such as targeting missile sites, ruling out involvement in attacks on civilian infrastructure such as power stations, which the US president has threatened. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Iran calls on young people to form human chains around power plants as Trump deadline looms 07. April 2026 (19:51) President Masoud Pezeshkian says 14m people ‘declared their readiness to sacrifice their lives’ for defence of IranMiddle East crisis – live updatesIranians officials called on young people to form human chains around the country’s power plants and people in Tehran stocked up on basic provisions, as the clock ticked down on Donald Trump’s deadline for Iran to open the strait of Hormuz or face massive strikes on civilian infrastructure.Iranian media showed people gathering outside electricity stations, waving Iranian flags and holding up banners, including at the country’s largest power plant, near Tehran, and in Tabriz in the north-west. In Dezful in the south-west, people gathered on a bridge said to be 1,700 years old. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Charity cleared after false claims online over migrant welcome project 07. April 2026 (19:51) Watchdog finds allegations against City of Sanctuary UK were misleading after complaint from Tory MPA refugee charity subjected to vicious social media attacks over a migrant welcome project in schools has been cleared of wrongdoing after watchdogs found allegations it encouraged pupils to send Valentine’s Day cards to asylum seekers were misleading and false.City of Sanctuary UK came under fire last year after rumours spread online that under its schools programme, children were being “forced” to write heart-shaped welcome cards to adult migrants, including cards addressed to “my fiance”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
National Gallery picks Tokyo Olympic stadium architect to design new wing 07. April 2026 (19:44) London gallery to undergo biggest transformation in its 200-year history, with Kengo Kuma’s design called ‘exemplary’The National Gallery has announced that its largest and most significant transformation in its 200-year history will be designed by the Japanese architect behind Tokyo’s Olympic stadium.The new wing will be designed by Kengo Kuma as part of Project Domani, the gallery’s expansion into art from the 20th and 21st centuries. Its completion will make the National Gallery the only museum in the world that exclusively displays paintings where visitors will be able to view the entire history of painting in the western tradition. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
First Nation asks court to block Alberta referendum on seceding from Canada 07. April 2026 (18:43) Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation has asked a court to halt the separatist push, arguing it would violate their treaty rightsA First Nation in Alberta has said that a separatist push for the province to secede from Canada is “consummately irresponsible and dishonourable” and should be shut down, arguing in court that a proposed referendum would violate their treaty rights.A minority of residents of the oil-rich province have long argued that the province’s woes are due to the structure of payments to the federal government and a perceived inability to get their vast fossil fuel reserves to market. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘We still deserve due process,’ says Cambodian man deported by US to Eswatini 07. April 2026 (18:13) Pheap Rom was one of 15 people sent to prison in African kingdom last year despite completing US sentencesA Cambodian man deported by the US said he would have accepted being sent to Cambodia, but instead ended up imprisoned in Eswatini, a country he knew so little about that when he first read the name he thought it was another immigration detention centre in Louisiana.Pheap Rom, who had been convicted of attempted murder, was one of 10 deportees sent to Eswatini by the US in October 2025. They joined a group of five men, from Cambodia, Cuba, Jamaica, Vietnam and Yemen, who were deported to the small southern African country in July. All were sent to a maximum-security prison. Rom was deported from Eswatini to Cambodia in March. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Human skull discovered during Easter egg hunt near Los Angeles 07. April 2026 (17:49) Authorities launch investigation after human remains found at DeForest Park in Long BeachSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxThe discovery of a human skull during an Easter egg hunt near Los Angeles has prompted authorities to launch an investigation.At about 5pm on Sunday a family discovered the human remains during an egg hunt at DeForest Park in Long Beach, California, according to local reports. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
JD Vance accuses EU of ‘interference’ as he visits Hungary to help Orbán win election 07. April 2026 (17:43) US vice-president rails against ‘bureaucrats in Brussels’ interfering in Sunday’s vote as he arrives in BudapestJD Vance has railed against the EU, accusing it of blatantly interfering in Hungary’s upcoming elections, even as the US vice-president said he had travelled to Budapest to “help” Viktor Orbán win Sunday’s vote.Speaking to reporters shortly after landing in Budapest on Tuesday, Vance’s tone was combative as he alleged that the EU was responsible for “one of the worst examples of foreign election interference” he had ever seen. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Reform cold calling public in bid to find ‘paper’ candidates for local elections 07. April 2026 (17:41) Guardian journalist among those to get surprise request, though Farage denies party are ‘begging’ people to standUK politics live – latest updatesReform UK has been cold calling people asking them to become “paper” candidates for the party at the local elections, as parties dash to sign up enough names before Thursday’s deadline.Nigel Farage’s party has been ringing members of the public asking them to stand despite apparently knowing very little about them except that they have signed up for Reform’s email updates. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
