Trump nominates Erica Schwartz, ex-deputy surgeon general, as CDC director 16. April 2026 (23:34) Schwartz was deputy surgeon general under Trump’s first administration and is a rear admiral in the US Coast GuardDonald Trump has selected Erica Schwartz to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), bringing to an end a months-long search for a permanent head of the troubled public health agency.Trump revealed his choice on Truth Social, saying: “I am pleased to announce the new leadership of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is my Honor to nominate the incredibly talented Dr Erica Schwartz, MD, JD, MPH, as my Director of the CDC,” he wrote. “She is a STAR!” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Senate Democrats move to stall Trump’s ‘absurd’ bid to install new Fed chair 16. April 2026 (23:12) Democratic lawmakers urged Republican leaders to postpone the confirmation hearing of Kevin WarshSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxDemocrats have moved to stall Donald Trump’s effort to exert greater control over the US Federal Reserve, condemning the president’s “absurd” bid to install a new leader of the central bank while it is targeted with criminal investigations.Democratic lawmakers on the Senate banking committee urged its Republican leadership on Thursday to postpone the planned confirmation hearing for Kevin Warsh, the financial executive and former Fed governor Trump has nominated to replace Jerome Powell as Fed chair. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Co-founder Reed Hastings to step down from Netflix board 16. April 2026 (22:53) Chair’s decision to not seek re-election in June ‘not as a result of any disagreement’, company says in SEC filingReed Hastings, the Netflix chair, is leaving the streaming service he co-founded 29 years ago as the company regains its footing after it lost its $72bn deal for Warner Bros Discovery.In a letter to investors released on Thursday, Netflix said Hastings will not stand for re-election at its annual meeting in June and plans to focus on philanthropy and other pursuits. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
RFK Jr accused of ‘dangerous conspiracy theories’ at heated budget hearing 16. April 2026 (21:30) Trump ally grilled by lawmakers over ‘terrible decisions’ on vaccines, public health and funding cuts to key programsUS politics – latest updatesVaccines and public health dominated a frequently contentious hearing with Robert F Kennedy Jr on Thursday before the US House ways and means committee.Kennedy, the health secretary and a longtime vaccine opponent, has overseen sweeping changes to routine vaccination recommendations and has promoted misinformation even amid the biggest measles outbreak in decades. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Man charged over 2002 Jam Master Jay killing to plead guilty, documents show 16. April 2026 (20:29) Jay Bryant negotiating plea deal in New York death of Run-DMC star, over which one conviction has been overturnedOne of the three men charged in the killing of Jam Master Jay plans to plead guilty, court records show, in what would be the first admission anyone has made in court to any role in the Run-DMC star’s death in 2002.Jay Bryant pleaded not guilty to murder after his 2023 indictment, but his lawyer and federal prosecutors told the court in recent letters that they were negotiating a plea agreement. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Hegseth channels his inner Tarantino with fake Bible verse from Pulp Fiction 16. April 2026 (20:25) The defense secretary said his prayer drew on Ezekiel, but wording closely matches Quentin Tarantino dialogueIt was perhaps inevitable that a braggadocious Christian nationalist defense secretary elevated from his role as a weekend Fox News television host would pluck a fake Bible verse from a violent Hollywood blockbuster and present it at a Pentagon prayer session to rally the troops for the “holy war” in Iran.Certainly among a glut of stories swirling around Pete Hegseth this week, including articles of impeachment brought against him by a group of ambitious Democratic lawmakers, the bizarre allegation that the Bible-thumping Hegseth was passing off a fire-and-brimstone script by Quentin Tarantino, an Oscar-winning director, as the word of the Lord was far too compelling to ignore. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Counter-terror police investigate London arson attacks on Iranian and Jewish targets 16. April 2026 (20:20) Officers looking into attacks on Iran International media offices, synagogue and Jewish charity ambulancesCounter-terrorism investigators are examining three separate arson attacks in London against an Iranian dissident and Jewish targets amid fears the Iranian state may be behind them.The latest attack happened at about 8.30pm on Wednesday, outside the offices of Iran International, a Persian-language news channel that opposes the regime in Tehran. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Badenoch calls Farage an ‘opportunist’ after he urges Scottish nationalists to back Reform 16. April 2026 (20:17) Tory leader criticises Farage for saying that holding another independence vote ‘probably quite reasonable’Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the Conservative party, has accused Nigel Farage of being an opportunist who does not believe in unionism after he urged Scottish nationalists to back Reform.Farage said earlier this week he believed “genuine nationalists” would not support the Scottish National party’s bid to rejoin the EU, and urged them to vote Reform in the Holyrood election on 7 May. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Top Gun 3 officially confirmed with Tom Cruise returning 16. April 2026 (20:17) Paramount confirmed the actor will play flying ace Maverick again in one of first major films in new eraTom Cruise is heading to the skies once again with the confirmation of Top Gun 3.While a sequel had been reportedly in the works since 2024, this week saw an official announcement from Paramount during the annual CinemaCon presentation. The 63-year-old will headline the third film in the action drama series with no other returning cast members confirmed. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Armed robbers hold 25 people hostage at Naples bank before fleeing through hole in floor 16. April 2026 (20:08) Thieves believed to have escaped into sewers after holding staff and customers in Crédit Agricole branch for two hoursArmed robbers held 25 people hostage at a bank in Naples for two hours on Thursday, before fleeing through a tunnel.The three thieves entered a branch of Crédit Agricole in the southern Italian city at about 11.30am, taking hostage staff and customers, who were freed by police a couple of hours later. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
