Dave Mason, co-founder of Traffic who had a star-studded solo career, dies aged 79 22. April 2026 (12:44) British singer and guitarist wrote and performed Traffic classics including Feelin’ Alright? before platinum-selling solo albums and work with Jimi Hendrix, Fleetwood Mac and moreDave Mason, the co-founder of rock band Traffic who also collaborated with Jimi Hendrix, Fleetwood Mac and many other A-list musicians, has died aged 79.A statement from his representative said he died peacefully on Sunday at his home in Gardnerville, Nevada, having settled in the US in 1969. “Dave Mason lived a remarkable life devoted to the music and the people he loved,” the statement added. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
EU close to signing off on critical €90bn loan for Ukraine after months of vetoing from Hungary – Europe live 22. April 2026 (12:02) Member states meet this morning, as Ukraine starts pumping oil through Druzhba with Slovakia deliveries to resume ThursdayMeanwhile, Slovak prime minister Robert Fico is giving a press conference in Bratislava now, and I am listening along for hints on what is about to happen with the 90bn loan for Ukraine and the Druzhba pipeline.Fico says his government is “watching closely” as “two processes go hand in hand” of unblocking the €90bn loan for Ukraine – that Slovakia has an opt-out from, alongside the Czech Republic and Hungary – and of restarting the pipeline.“I don’t know how the EU will act if the loan is unblocked and in a few days the flow of oil from the Druzhba pipeline stops again. What we will do then, I really don’t know, but we must prepared for such an alternative.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Right place at the right time’: Arizona utility worker saves toddler from rush-hour traffic 22. April 2026 (12:00) Robert Butler leaped into action to save child who was running into busy intersection in downtown PhoenixSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxAn Arizona electric utility worker is said to have issued “a powerful reminder of what it means to look out for one another” when, while on duty, he stopped a toddler from running into heavy car traffic after bolting away from a parent.Robert Butler’s timely intervention was captured recently in a hair-raising video recorded by a surveillance camera in downtown Phoenix and released recently by his employer, Arizona Public Service (APS). Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Nearly half of US children are breathing dangerous levels of air pollution, report warns 22. April 2026 (12:00) American Lung Association report comes amid Trump EPA’s expansive rollback of environmental protections Nearly half of children in the United States are breathing dangerous levels of air pollution, according to a new report, as experts warned Donald Trump’s expansive rollback of protections will make the situation worse.The 27th annual air quality report from the American Lung Association (ALA) released on Wednesday evaluates pollution across the country by grading levels of ground-level ozone – also known as smog – as well as year-round and short-term spikes in particle pollution, commonly referred to as soot. The report analyzed quality-assured data collected between 2022 and 2024. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Virginia congressional map vote could embolden Florida Republicans to push for boundary changes, says Jeffries – US politics live 22. April 2026 (12:00) House Democratic leader says result should serve as a warning to Ron DeSantis after latest blow to Donald Trump’s redistricting battlePolls showed a close race in the weeks leading up to Tuesday’s vote, with signs that right-leaning voters in Virginia’s rural areas were incensed by new maps that would see many of them represented by lawmakers who live in the state’s northern suburbs outside Washington DC.The surveys also showed that voters were divided on Spanberger’s performance as governor, with Republicans accusing her of lying about her moderate credentials on the campaign trail then quickly pivoting left as governor, including by supporting the referendum.If Florida Republicans proceed with this illegal scheme, they will only create more prime-pick up opportunities for Democrats.We are prepared to take them all on, and we are prepared to win. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Gibraltar’s monkeys eat mud ‘to avoid upset stomachs from tourist junk food’ 22. April 2026 (11:00) Macaques have learned to eat soil to avert gut irritation caused by salty and sugary snacks, researchers believeTroops of monkeys living on the Rock of Gibraltar have learned to eat soil in what scientists believe is an effort to settle their stomachs after all the junk food they receive – and sometimes steal – from crowds of tourists.Researchers spotted the intentional mud eating, known as geophagy, while observing groups of Barbary macaques in the territory. Monkeys that had the most contact with tourists ate the most soil and consumption peaked in the holiday season, they found. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK firms to face tougher checks on export licences to bolster sanctions on Russia 22. April 2026 (11:00) News follows Guardian report on licence given to British firm exporting machinery to Armenian firm linked to Russian war effortBritish firms will face “much tougher” controls to prevent their goods from reaching Russia via other countries, undermining sanctions and aiding Vladimir Putin’s assault on Ukraine.Under plans to be unveiled on Wednesday, the government will be able to require UK manufacturers to obtain a licence if they want to export to a country suspected of acting as a staging post for exports ultimately destined for Russia. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Fury in Cornwall over herbicide plan to tackle weeds 22. April 2026 (11:00) Council proposal to use glyphosate to tidy up pavements criticised over potential harm to humans and wildlifeCornwall is famed for its glorious gardens and verdant landscapes but a bitter row has broken out over a plan to tackle a less glamorous type of vegetation – roadside weeds.The unitary authority has announced plans to use the controversial herbicide glyphosate to tidy up pavements and kerbsides, after largely phasing out its use over the last decade amid concerns about potential harm to humans and the peninsula’s rich ecosystems. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Why Trump’s pick for Fed chair will not bring home the bank for the president 22. April 2026 (11:00) Kevin Warsh, Trump’s ‘central casting’, has a long road ahead of convincing board members to lower interest ratesDonald Trump’s fate is to be frustrated by monetary policy.Even assuming he gets his way and Kevin Warsh succeeds Jerome Powell as chair of the Federal Reserve next month, it is unlikely that the president will finally gain control of the Fed. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Tucker and Trump’s marriage of convenience heads for divorce court 22. April 2026 (11:00) Conservative host says he’s ‘tormented’ by previous support for Trump – could this presage his own run for president?He can’t live with him and can’t live without him. But, finally, the conservative podcaster Tucker Carlson seems to have made up his mind about Donald Trump. Their up-and-down marriage of political convenience is heading for the divorce court.On Tuesday Carlson admitted that he will be “tormented” for a long time by his support for Trump in the 2024 US presidential election “and I want to say I’m sorry for misleading people”. What he did not say is whether this presages his own run for president in 2028. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
