Florida officials investigate planned ‘Sloth World’ attraction after 31 sloths die in warehouse 24. April 2026 (15:56) Languorous tree dwellers from Guyana and Peru died from ‘cold stun’ in warehouse with no power or running waterSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailWildlife officials in Florida said in a newly released report that dozens of sloths taken from South American rainforests for display at a controversial new tourist attraction in Orlando died in the care of their new owners.An incident report from the Florida fish and wildlife conservation commission (FWC) said that 31 of the mammals procured from Peru and Guyana by the owners of a forthcoming attraction called Sloth World perished in a storage warehouse more than a year ago, between December 2024 and February 2025. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Netanyahu says he was successfully treated for prostate cancer 24. April 2026 (15:40) Israeli prime minister says early-stage malignant tumour was discovered during a routine check-upMiddle East crisis – live updatesBenjamin Netanyahu has revealed that he received successful treatment for early-stage prostate cancer, without specifying when the treatment took place.In a statement on social media, as his annual medical report was released, the Israeli prime minister said an early-stage malignant tumour had been discovered during a routine checkup. The 76-year-old said targeted treatment had removed “the problem” and left no trace of it. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK position on Falklands will not change, No 10 says after leaked Pentagon memo 24. April 2026 (15:18) Internal email proposes US should reassess support for UK claim to islands because of lack of support for Iran warUK politics live – latest updatesThe UK’s position on the Falklands is resolute and unchanging, Downing Street has insisted, after a leaked Pentagon internal email proposed the US should reassess its support for Britain’s claim to the islands because of a lack of support over Iran.Keir Starmer’s spokesperson did not push back against the likely veracity of the email but insisted that the UK’s defence and security relationship with the US remained extremely strong. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
EU leaders look to little-known mutual assistance pact amid Trump Nato jibes 24. April 2026 (15:13) Members to plan how to assist each other in event of attack as transatlantic alliance faces worst crisis in its historyBrussels officials will draw up a plan on how to use the EU’s little-known mutual assistance pact in the event of a foreign attack, as Donald Trump’s criticism of Nato intensifies.EU leaders have agreed that the European Commission “will prepare a blueprint” on how the bloc will respond if the mutual assistance clause is triggered, according to Nikos Christodoulides, the president of Cyprus, who is hosting the talks. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Death of the gatekeeper: Devil Wears Prada 2 depicts a revolution in the fashion world 24. April 2026 (15:04) Film sequel reveals how luxury brands have turned the tables on once-dominant magazine editorsThe National Gallery was the grand setting for the party that followed The Devil Wears Prada 2’s London premiere this week. Donatella Versace held court in a roped-off area beneath Paul Delaroche’s The Execution of Lady Jane Grey.Meryl Streep, reprising her role as Miranda Priestly – Anna Wintour’s fictional alter ego – wore a red satin Prada coat as a nod to the film’s title and black sunglasses as a wink to Wintour. Glossy magazine editors from Spain, Germany and the Netherlands, flown in for the night, nibbled on fried chicken served with caviar and dishes of mac and cheese presented theatrically under silver cloches. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Young people may not recognise they have been victims of stalking, says CPS 24. April 2026 (15:00) Crown Prosecution Service launches action plan to help potential victims and perpetrators understand behavioursYoung people may not even realise they have been victims of stalking, the Crown Prosecution Service has said as it launched a scheme to tackle a rise in offending.The number of stalking offences charged by the CPS in England and Wales reached a record high last year of 7,168. More than 80% of these were flagged as relating to domestic abuse, meaning most victims were stalked or harassed by someone they knew. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Justice department watchdog will investigate release of Epstein files – US politics live 24. April 2026 (14:45) An internal watchdog will review the agency’s handling of records related to Jeffrey Epstein, including whether relevant documents were properly redactedSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxDuring his remarks at the Pentagon today, Pete Hegseth noted that “Europe and Asia have benefited from our protection for decades, but the time for free riding is over.”This comes after a leaked Pentagon internal email proposed that the US should reassess its support for Britain’s claim to the Falkland Islands because the UK did not do enough to assist the American bombing of Iran. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Man, 32, jailed for life for rape and assault of Sikh woman in Walsall 24. April 2026 (14:34) John Ashby to serve minimum of 14 years after admitting rape, robbery, intentional strangulation and religiously aggravated assaultA man has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 14 years for the religiously aggravated rape and assault of a Sikh woman.John Ashby, 32, had admitted charges of rape, robbery, intentional strangulation and religiously aggravated assault on Tuesday. Ashby asked to see his barrister and changed his pleas around an hour after being sworn at and told to “sort your shit out” by a member of the public who approached the dock of Birmingham crown court. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Tokyo workers encouraged to wear shorts to cut energy costs and keep cool 24. April 2026 (14:22) Officials hope more casual attire for public servants will save electricity during Iran war as summer heat approachesPublic servants working for the Tokyo metropolitan government are being encouraged to swap their suits for shorts this summer to combat sweltering heat and rising energy costs caused by the US-Israel war on Iran.Inspired by Japan’s Cool Biz energy-saving initiative, Tokyo officials hope the measure will cut dependence on air conditioning. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Greta Thunberg, Sally Rooney and Brian Eno defy Palestine Action ban in letter to judges 24. April 2026 (14:12) Exclusive: Scholars, writers and artists risk arrest with message of support for proscribed group before next week’s appeal hearingUK politics live – latest updatesSally Rooney, Greta Thunberg and Brian Eno have written to the court of appeal in support of Palestine Action before next week’s hearing to determine the lawfulness of the ban on the direct action protest group.The letter, composed of only seven words – “We oppose genocide, we support Palestine Action” – is signed by more than 130 people and is the first time that prominent scholars, writers and activists have come together to defy the ban. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
