EU foreign ministers reject proposal to suspend association agreement with Israel 21. April 2026 (20:46) A part suspension was tabled by Ireland, Spain and Slovenia but did not receive enough backing from other member statesThe EU remains split on imposing sanctions on Israel, despite some member states criticising the country over the plight of Gaza and violence against Palestinians by Israeli settlers in the West Bank.Kaja Kallas, the EU foreign policy chief, said proposals for a part suspension of the EU-Israel association agreement remained on the table but required states to shift their positions to come into force. Speaking after a meeting between EU foreign ministers on Tuesday, she told reporters: “We didn’t see that today, but these discussions will continue.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Bill banning people born after 2008 from buying tobacco clears UK parliament 21. April 2026 (20:38) Ministers hope tobacco and vapes bill, which will become law next week, will create a ‘smoke-free generation’A bill banning anyone born after 2008 from buying tobacco in the UK has completed its progress through parliament in a move that ministers hope will create a “smoke-free generation”.Under the tobacco and vapes bill anyone born on or after 1 January 2009 will never be able to be legally sold tobacco across the UK, in an effort to save lives and reduce the burden on the NHS. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Prolific unregulated sperm donor loses UK legal fight to be named as child’s father 21. April 2026 (20:35) Robert Albon cannot be declared four-year-old’s father because he ran illegal sperm donation business, court rulesA prolific unregulated sperm donor described in the high court as a “highly dangerous man” has lost a legal fight to be named as the father of a child conceived using his sperm.Robert Albon, who calls himself Joe Donor, was not entitled to be declared the father of a four-year-old child because he was running an illegal sperm donation business, Britain’s most senior family court judge ruled. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Anger remains white hot in Whitehall over Olly Robbins sacking 21. April 2026 (20:25) Keir Starmer’s decision to oust senior official may have knock-on effect for No 10’s relationship with civil serviceFury within Whitehall about the treatment of Olly Robbins remains white hot several days on from Keir Starmer’s decision to sack the senior Foreign Office civil servant.“It’s just total self-serving, narrow, selfish, political-endgame stuff,” said one supporter of Robbins, who was dismissed for failing to tell the prime minister that the now disgraced former US ambassador Peter Mandelson had not passed UK security vetting. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Taiwan president blames China for forced cancellation of Eswatini trip 21. April 2026 (20:22) Lai Ching-te abandons visit after Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar revoke overflight permission Taiwan’s president, Lai Ching-te, has cancelled his trip to Eswatini, the democratic island’s only diplomatic ally in Africa, after his government said several countries had revoked overflight permits because of “intense pressure” from China.Lai was to leave on Wednesday for the 40th anniversary of King Mswati III’s accession. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Two US officials who died after Mexico drug raid reported to be CIA agents 21. April 2026 (20:11) Mexico to investigate possible breach of its constitution and assess US’s role in anti-drug operation near ChihuahuaMexico has launched an investigation into a possible breach of its constitution as it was reported that two US embassy officials who died in a car accident while returning from a raid on a drug lab with local officials in the border state of Chihuahua were CIA operatives.The accident happened early on Sunday, as the officials were driving back from the scene of the raid. Their vehicle skidded off the road and plunged down a 200 metre ravine in the mountains near Chihuahua’s border with the state of Sinaloa. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Push to bring US and Iran together for talks as ceasefire deadline looms 21. April 2026 (20:04) Donald Trump says US ready to renew attacks but Iran appears unwilling to bend to president’s threatsIntense efforts are under way to bring Iran and the US together in Pakistan for a new round of talks a day before the end of the two-week ceasefire that has paused the conflict in the Middle East.Donald Trump said on Tuesday he was ready to renew attacks against Iran if progress was not made at any talks, with the US military “raring to go”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
California man arrested for allegedly swapping in pasta for Lego pieces then returning them 21. April 2026 (19:45) Irving police department announces bust in pun-filled social media post about alleged $34,000 Lego lootingSo much for using his noodle.A California man pilfered thousands of dollars in Lego toy sets from the retailer Target in a return-based scam, sometimes swapping valuable figurines with dried pasta pieces and before returning the construction-centric toys, authorities recently alleged. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Four Labour activists charged with trying to fix candidate selection process 21. April 2026 (19:37) Police bring criminal case over alleged manipulation of party database in Croydon East constituencyFour Labour activists have been charged over allegations that a party database was manipulated to increase a candidate’s chance of selection.The four include Joel Bodmer, 40, who ran as a potential candidate for the Croydon East constituency in south London but later withdrew. He is charged with perverting the course of justice for allegedly altering phone records. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Airlines demand UK relax noise rules and cut flight tax as fuel shortage looms 21. April 2026 (19:34) Ministers also asked to alter compensation rights and suspend emissions trading scheme amid Middle East warAirlines are lobbying the UK government to relax environmental and noise rules, modify passenger rights and cut taxes on flying, as they prepare for higher costs and a possible shortage of jet fuel because of the war in the Middle East.A list of policy requests submitted to ministers and the aviation regulator includes suspending the emissions trading scheme and relaxing limits on night flights, it has emerged. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
