Two Israeli soldiers jailed over smashing of Jesus statue in Lebanon village 21. April 2026 (19:22) Israel Defense Forces say the ‘soldiers’ conduct completely deviated from IDF orders and value’Two Israeli soldiers have been removed from combat duty and sentenced to 30 days in jail after one used a sledgehammer to smash a statue of Jesus in southern Lebanon while the other filmed him, the Israel Defense Forces have said.An image circulating on social media on Monday showed an Israeli soldier using a sledgehammer to strike the head of a statue of a crucified Jesus that had fallen from its cross in a Christian village in southern Lebanon, near the border with Israel, prompting outrage among Christian communities worldwide. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
North Carolina officials to charge adults who allegedly ‘stood by’ teen fight that became mass shooting 21. April 2026 (19:04) Two teenagers were killed and five others wounded in Winston-Salem after pre-planned fight in parkSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxNorth Carolina authorities say they are pursuing criminal charges against adults who allegedly “stood by” a scheduled fight among teenagers that led to a mass shooting that killed two people and wounded five others on Monday.“We’re sending the message that if you stand by, encourage, aid or abet our juveniles in delinquent behavior, we will not tolerate it,” William H Penn, the Winston-Salem police chief, said in a joint video message on Tuesday alongside the local sheriff and district attorney. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘He talks too much’: how Trump’s erratic commentary is the real block to an Iran deal 21. April 2026 (18:49) US president’s contradictory statements only make Tehran more wary of anything but the most watertight dealDonald Trump’s blend of threats and hubristic commentary, often casually dismissive of Iran, has, as much as the continuation of the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, been a key stumbling block to restarting peace talks between the two countries under Pakistan’s mediation in Islamabad.However much the Iranian foreign ministry insists it will not respond to every social media utterance issued by the US president on Iran, and sometimes there are as many as seven a day, Tehran cannot ignore them all, even if they contradict what the Iranians are being told in private about Trump’s true intentions. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Albanians in UK scapegoated by rightwing media and politicians, says ambassador 21. April 2026 (18:30) In a letter to the Guardian, Uran Ferizi criticises ‘obsession’ with demonising AlbaniansAlbanians in Britain are paying the price in schools and workplaces of being scapegoated by rightwing media and politicians, the Albanian ambassador has said.Uran Ferizi also criticised Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary, for comments in parliament where she singled out Albanians when discussing problems with immigration. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Carney names broad team to advise on tense US-Canada trade talks 21. April 2026 (18:15) Conservatives and former provincial premiers among those PM names to advisory committee on economic relationsCanada’s prime minister, Mark Carney, says his new advisory committee on economic relations with the United States will draw on the “best advice and the broadest perspectives” as the country braces for what many expect will be tense trade negotiations with its southern neighbour.The 24-member advisory committee, announced on Tuesday, shows the prime minister’s eagerness to reach across the political spectrum to ensure Canada is “well positioned to advance its interests” at the looming trade talks. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Rabbi who boasts of bulldozing Palestinian homes will light torch for Israel’s national day 21. April 2026 (18:02) Human rights campaigners say honour for Avraham Zarbiv endorses ethnic cleansing and war crimesMiddle East crisis – live updatesAn extremist rabbi known for razing civilian homes in Gaza will light a torch at Israel’s independence day celebration on Tuesday, a role human rights campaigners said marked the embrace of genocide as the official ‘spirit of the nation’.Avraham Zarbiv is one of 14 people chosen for their “extraordinary contribution to society and the state”, alongside a scientist, a Michelin-starred chef, a leading doctor, members of the security forces and entrepreneurs. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Social media executives deny platforms are inherently addictive to children 21. April 2026 (17:57) UK representatives from Meta, Roblox and TikTok also tell MPs they believe under-16 ban would be ‘unenforceable’Executives from three social media companies have denied their platforms are inherently addictive to children and young people in a combative appearance before MPs in Westminster.Representatives from Meta, Roblox and TikTok faced robust questioning from the cross-party education select committee about the impact of screen time and social media on children. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Hot-air balloon with 13 people lands in California back yard: ‘out of a fairytale’ 21. April 2026 (17:48) Pilot made emergency landing on small plot of grass at Temecula home amid low fuel and shifting windsA balloon landed in a southern California back yard – a balloon with 13 people.The enormous hot-air balloon, with a pilot and passengers in the basket, descended perfectly on Saturday on a small plot of grass at a home in Temecula. Hunter Perrin said he had no idea that he had visitors until a neighbor alerted him. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US DoJ launches investigation into Southern Poverty Law Center 21. April 2026 (17:44) Justice department’s focus seems to be on SPLC’s prior use of paid informants to monitor hate groups, group’s CEO says The Department of Justice has launched a criminal investigation into the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), a prominent civil rights organization, the group’s CEO said on Tuesday.Bryan Fair, the CEO of the SPLC, said the details of the investigation were not entirely clear, though “the focus appears to be on the SPLC’s prior use of paid confidential informants to gather credible intelligence on extremely violent groups”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK and EU close in on agricultural deal to reduce Brexit barriers 21. April 2026 (17:44) Lords told sales of Scottish shellfish among areas that may benefit – but agreement will not erase all paperworkEurope live – latest updatesA new agriculture agreement with the EU would not wipe out all Brexit paperwork but may greatly increase sales of Scottish langoustines and oysters, the House of Lords has heard.The UK and EU are close to finalising a sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement to reduce Brexit trade barriers, and while it will have “modest” impact on the UK economy the agreement will be significant, peers on the European affairs committee were told on Tuesday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
