US jury finds Live Nation and Ticketmaster subsidiary operated monopoly 15. April 2026 (22:19) Verdict in states’ lawsuit says concert giant stifled competition, raising pressure for changes to ticketing marketConcert giant Live Nation and its Ticketmaster subsidiary had a harmful monopoly over big concert venues, a Manhattan federal jury has found, dealing the company a loss in a lawsuit over claims brought by dozens of US states.The jury deliberated for four days before reaching its decision on Wednesday in the closely watched case, which helped peel back the curtain on a business that dominates live entertainment across much of the world. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
MPs vote against social media ban for under-16s a second time 15. April 2026 (21:27) Commons rejects proposal by 256 to 150 to side with government on plan to tackle online harms affecting childrenMPs have voted against a proposal to ban under-16s from using social media for the second time, as the prime minister summoned tech bosses to demand tougher action on internet safety.The House of Commons rejected a Lords amendment to the children’s wellbeing and schools bill that imposed a new age limit on using social media platforms, amid pressure from parents and campaign groups for greater urgency in tackling online harms. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Attempted arson attack a bid to scare British Jews, says leader of London synagogue 15. April 2026 (20:51) Met seeking two suspects and says overnight incident in Finchley being treated as antisemitic hate crimeA suspected attempted firebomb attack on a north London synagogue was a bid to intimidate British Jews, a leader at the place of worship has said, vowing that they would continue to work to “build bridges”.The Metropolitan police said a manhunt was under wayafter two people “wearing dark clothing and balaclavas” approached Finchley Reform Synagogue (FRS) just after midnight on Wednesday and threw a brick and two bottles suspected to contain petrol at the building. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Boosting military spending by slashing welfare is not the answer, senior Labour figures warn Reeves 15. April 2026 (20:49) MPs and peers say pitting defence and welfare against each other risks losing public support for increased spending on the militarySenior Labour figures have warned that Rachel Reeves must find alternative ways to increase military spending rather than slashing welfare, saying it risks public support for investment in defence.Pressure has been mounting from Labour backbenchers for the Treasury to urgently agree the defence investment plan (Dip) after George Robertson, a former Nato secretary general, said there was a “corrosive complacency” on defence funding. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Suspect accused of planting pipe bombs on eve of January 6 faces new charges 15. April 2026 (20:45) Brian Cole Jr, accused of planting the devices near the RNC and DNC buildings in DC, faces two more felony countsThe individual accused of placing pipe bombs near the headquarters of both the Republican and Democratic national committees on the night before the January 6 Capitol attack is now facing two more felony counts, as detailed in a newly released indictment on Wednesday.Brian Cole Jr, 30, of Woodbridge, Virginia, had previously been arrested in December and charged with transporting and positioning two improvised explosive devices outside the DNC and RNC buildings. The updated indictment introduces charges of attempting to use weapons of mass destruction and carrying out an act of terrorism while armed. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Reeves tells Americans Trump’s Iran war is a ‘mistake’ 15. April 2026 (20:33) UK chancellor steps up criticism, telling Washington event she is unconvinced conflict has made world a safer placeMiddle East crisis – live updatesRachel Reeves has stepped up her criticism of Donald Trump’s war on Iran, describing it as a “mistake” that has destabilised the global economy and damaged living standards around the world.In a marked fraying of the transatlantic relationship, the British chancellor said Trump breaking off from diplomatic talks with Iran and launching airstrikes seemed to have left the president in a worse place than he started. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
The AI images Trump can’t get enough of 15. April 2026 (20:30) Who wouldn’t want to be a king, a footballer, a friend of lions, a maestro and Jesus?This was originally published in This Week in Trumpland. Sign up to receive it in your inbox every WednesdayIn Donald Trump’s telling, the image showed him as a medical professional, never mind the lack of training.“It’s supposed to be me as a doctor making people better,” Trump said, responding to the outrage after he posted an AI-generated photo which critics – including some on the right – say showed him as a Jesus Christ-figure.A kingA skilled footballerA person roaring with a lionA maestroWhat I think is supposed to be a rich guy, but instead looks like a money laundererSupermanA 1930s-era private dickColonel Kilgore from Apocalypse NowA Nobel peace prize winnerA very muscly Sith lord Continue reading...(The Guardian)
BBC to cut up to 2,000 jobs in biggest downsize in 15 years 15. April 2026 (20:25) Announcement comes before Matt Brittin replaces Tim Davie as director general next monthThe BBC is to cut as many as 2,000 jobs in the biggest downsizing of the public service broadcaster in 15 years.Staff were informed of the cuts, which will affect about 10% of the BBC’s 21,500 employees, at an all-staff meeting on Wednesday afternoon. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump needs a better Iran deal than Obama’s – but faces major hurdles 15. April 2026 (20:12) US president will need to show heavy costs of war were worthwhile while Iran must choose between instant and delayed gratification Middle East crisis – live updatesIf talks between Iran and the US reconvene within the next few days in Islamabad, Donald Trump will have two major political hurdles to overcome – first showing that any deal he secures is better than the one signed by Barack Obama in 2015 and from which he withdraw in 2018, and secondly proving the deal is more favourable than the one on offer in Geneva in February before he launched his war.Otherwise he will have inflicted massive damage on the world economy when alternatives were available that were less costly in blood and treasure. He will also have to show that Iran has made no permanent gain by taking control of shipping passing through the strait of Hormuz. These are the yardsticks, or tests, around which his negotiating team will be keeping an anxious eye. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Palestine Action activists wanted to smash up Elbit Systems’ property, court told 15. April 2026 (19:50) Defendants used sledgehammers and crowbars to destroy drones at Israeli-linked arms factory, says prosecutionSix Palestine Action activists entered an Israeli-linked arms factory intending to smash up as much property as possible before police arrived, a court has heard.Prosecutor Deanna Heer KC said the defendants used sledgehammers and crowbars to destroy drones manufactured by Elbit Systems and computers at its factory in Filton, near Bristol, on 6 August last year. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
