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A Miami‑based U.S. District Judge, Darrin Gayles, dismissed former President Donald Trump’s $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal and its proprietor Rupert Murdoch. The case centered on a July 2025 article that linked Trump to a birthday greeting allegedly sent to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.Judge Gayles concluded that Trump, as a public figure, did not satisfy the stringent “actual malice” threshold required in defamation actions. To prevail, a plaintiff must prove that the media outlet knowingly published false information or acted with reckless disregard for the truth.In his written opinion, Gayles noted that WSJ reporters had reached out to Trump for comment before publishing the story and included his denial, thereby giving readers a balanced view. He wrote, "This complaint comes nowhere close to the actual‑malice standard—quite the opposite."The judge granted Trump permission to file an amended complaint, setting a deadline of April 27 for any revisions.Trump’s original filing labeled the alleged birthday note to Epstein as a “fake” and sought damages for perceived harm to his reputation. The newspaper’s parent company, News Corp’s Dow Jones & Company, defended the article’s accuracy, emphasizing its adherence to journalistic standards.The dismissal adds to a series of legal setbacks for the former president as he attempts to curb reporting on his connections to Epstein. Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that he intends to re‑file the suit within the court‑ordered timeframe.A Dow Jones spokesperson welcomed the decision, stating, "We are pleased with the judge’s decision to dismiss this complaint and stand behind the reliability, rigor, and accuracy of The Wall Street Journal’s reporting."

US President Donald Trump has faced intense backlash after sharing an AI-generated image of himself as a Jesus-like savior on his Truth Social platform. The image, which depicted Trump in a white robe with his hand on a man's head in a scene resembling a healing, was deleted on Monday following widespread criticism. The controversy began when Trump posted the image alongside a series of social media attacks on Pope Leo XIV, calling him 'weak on crime' and 'terrible for foreign policy.' These comments drew condemnation from across the Christian political spectrum, with many accusing Trump of blasphemy and disrespect towards the Pope. Later, Trump claimed that the image was meant to depict him 'as a doctor' and had to do with the Red Cross. However, this explanation did little to quell the criticism. Pope Leo XIV responded by stating that he would continue to speak out against war and promote peace, dialogue, and multilateral relationships among states. The backlash against Trump extended beyond church leaders, with conservative figures also criticizing his posts. Brilyn Hollyhand, a former co-chair of the Republican National Committee Youth Advisory Council, described the image as 'gross blasphemy,' while Riley Gaines, a FOX News host, questioned Trump's intentions and called for humility. The controversy highlights the ongoing tensions between the White House and the Vatican, particularly over issues such as immigration policies, military actions, and the US-Israel war on Iran. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned Trump's attack on Pope Leo as 'unacceptable,' emphasizing the Pope's role as the head of the Catholic Church and his right to call for peace. The incident also raises questions about Trump's support among Christian voters, who have historically been a significant part of his base. Despite not attending church regularly, Trump secured strong support from Christian voters in the 2024 election, including a majority of Catholics.

Islamabad transformed into a security zone on Saturday as the city imposed a lockdown, sealing roads, establishing checkpoints, and deploying over 10,000 security personnel ahead of the anticipated US‑Iran ceasefire talks. The Iranian delegation arrived quietly late on Friday night, traveling through Balochistan before a Pakistani Air Force aircraft switched off its call sign. By the next afternoon, the American team touched down at Nur Khan Air Base, a site India once claimed was damaged during last year’s brief conflict. On the tarmac, three distinctive tail fins—one American, two Iranian—caught the eye, a subtle reminder of the region’s reliance on symbolism. Both delegations were escorted along pre‑cleared routes to the Serena Hotel, which had been emptied and secured days earlier, turning the former luxury venue into a tightly controlled diplomatic arena. This marked the first direct, high‑level engagement between post‑revolution Iran and the United States on foreign soil. Clashing worldviews in the negotiation room Inside, the talks juxtaposed an American “peace through strength” stance with Iran’s “resistance with dignity” perspective. Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif warned the night before that the meeting was a make‑or‑break moment for lasting peace. Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, set pre‑conditions: any dialogue required progress on a Lebanon ceasefire—where Israel’s campaign has killed over 2,000 people—and the unfreezing of Iranian assets held abroad, which have crippled Tehran’s economy. Within hours of arrival, bilateral side‑talks began, offering a tentative thaw for Pakistani officials facilitating the process. Although previous rounds in Muscat, Vienna, Geneva and Abu Dhabi suffered from deep mistrust, this was the first occasion that the United States’ vice‑president JD Vance and Iran’s parliamentary speaker Ghalibaf faced each other face‑to‑face. Pakistan’s strategic mediating role Pakistan leveraged its unique position—close ties to Gulf states, a shared border with Iran, proximity to the Strait of Hormuz, and a strategic partnership with China—while not hosting US military bases. This allowed Islamabad to engage all parties without overt alignment. The marathon 21‑hour session Officials described the talks as continuous yet uneven. The first session lasted under two hours, followed by a brief procedural pause during which dinner was served but informal discussions continued. Subsequent rounds involved multiple draft exchanges and rapid redrawing of red lines, with constant communication to Washington—including President Donald Trump—and Tehran. Pakistani leaders, including Prime Minister Sharif, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Army Chief Asim Munir, worked around the clock, aiming not for a final pact but for a framework to prevent further escalation. Why the talks stalled As the session entered its final phase, the United States signaled an abrupt end. JD Vance summed up the outcome: “We had substantive discussions, but no agreement.” He emphasized the US demand for an affirmative, long‑term commitment from Iran not to pursue nuclear weapons, describing Washington’s proposal as its “final and best offer.” Iran’s ambassador in Islamabad framed the meeting as “not an event, but a process,” claiming it laid groundwork for future dialogue, while state‑affiliated outlets criticized the US stance as overly demanding. A senior Iranian foreign‑ministry spokesperson noted that, for Tehran, diplomacy is a continuation of its broader struggle, and any progress hinges on the other side’s “seriousness and good faith.” Pakistan’s cautious post‑talk posture Finance Minister Dar thanked both sides and pledged continued facilitation, avoiding any claim of victory or admission of failure. Behind the scenes, officials acknowledged pressure from multiple fronts—including Israel, whose prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is perceived by some sources as a major obstacle to peace. Aftermath in Islamabad The city did not immediately revert to normal; security checkpoints and traffic diversions persisted, and the Serena Hotel remained under tight control. Journalists reported a disciplined environment with limited leaks, suggesting a deliberate effort to contain information. As the delegations departed, the door on diplomatic engagement remained open, albeit without a concrete agreement. The talks, though inconclusive, demonstrated that high‑level US‑Iran dialogue is possible under Pakistan’s mediation, preserving a channel that could prove pivotal in future regional negotiations.

The United Kingdom's decision to ban Israelis from attending the Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS) over Israel's actions in Gaza has sparked concern within the college about its reputation. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) announced the ban in September after Israel planned a major ground assault on Gaza City.The British government made the decision amid widespread condemnation of Israel's escalation of the war. Previously unreported correspondence shows that the move prompted discussion within the RCDS about potential harm to its reputation as an institution that welcomes students of all backgrounds.RCDS commandant George Norton asked a senior military official, Tom Copinger-Symes, for help in shaping the public narrative while a government minister was preparing to answer a question about the ban in the UK's upper house of parliament. Norton sought to ensure that the public understood the college played no role in the decision.In an email, Norton told Copinger-Symes that it would be important for the government minister to highlight that the college does not invite or select participants in its courses, and that invitations were a government-to-government matter. He emphasized that the college's reputation as a welcoming institution could be harmed by the perception that it was deciding which countries to invite or not.The emails, obtained by Al Jazeera via a Freedom of Information request, reveal the college's efforts to distance itself from the government's decision. The MOD spokesperson stated that decisions about military education and training are made on a case-by-case basis and following robust assessment of benefits and risks.The UK-Israel relationship has been strained due to Israel's actions in Gaza, where over 72,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel launched its military operation. The RCDS did not respond to a request for comment.

Peter Magyar, once a staunch supporter of Prime Minister Viktor Orban, has shattered the latter’s 16‑year grip on power after his Tisza Party won a landslide victory in Sunday’s parliamentary election. With 97.35% of precincts counted, the centre‑right Tisza Party secured 138 of the 199 parliamentary seats and 53.6% of the popular vote. By contrast, Orban’s Christian‑nationalist Fidesz obtained 55 seats with 37.8% of the vote, according to official tallies. Addressing a crowd of tens of thousands along the Danube in Budapest, the 45‑year‑old victor declared, “Tonight, truth prevailed over lies,” adding that Hungarians had chosen to ask what they could do for their homeland rather than the reverse. Who is Peter Magyar? Born in Budapest in March 1981 to a family of lawyers, he is the great‑nephew of former President Ferenc Madl (2000‑2005). After earning a law degree from Pázmány Péter Catholic University in 2004, Magyar began a career in corporate law and joined Orban’s Fidesz while the party was still in opposition. He later served as a legal aide to Fidesz during the 2006 anti‑government protests, married future justice minister Judit Varga (they have three children), and held several senior posts after Fidesz returned to power in 2010, including a stint at Hungary’s Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels and a board seat at state‑owned road operator Magyar Közút ZRT. Why did he break with Orban? A 2024 scandal involving a presidential pardon for a man linked to a children’s‑home abuse cover‑up implicated Varga, then justice minister, prompting public outrage and Novak’s resignation. Magyar seized the moment, publishing a Facebook post accusing the government of corruption and releasing a recording of a conversation with his ex‑wife that suggested interference in a corruption case. Policy analyst Gábor Győri of Policy Solutions described Magyar’s departure as a “gradual estrangement” that accelerated after Varga’s fall from power. The exposure boosted Magyar’s domestic popularity, positioning him as a fresh opposition figure amid widespread voter fatigue with Fidesz. In April 2024, Magyar joined the centre‑right Tisza Party, won a seat in the European Parliament, and now stands poised to become Hungary’s next prime minister. Political analyst Zsuzsanna Vegh (German Marshall Fund) noted that Magyar’s win “dispels the myth that Orban cannot be defeated,” emphasizing his ability to unite a diverse electorate through a moderate, policy‑focused campaign rather than a radical right‑wing challenge. Scandals surrounding Magyar have also surfaced. His former wife Varga accused him of domestic violence and of using a secret recording for political gain. Earlier in 2026, Magyar faced allegations of a sex‑related scandal and drug use after compromising photos emerged; he denied drug use, describing the episode as a “honey‑trap” orchestrated by a “classic Russia‑style compromising situation.” He further claimed that Fidesz targeted him personally to undermine his campaign. On policy, Magyar pledges to revive Hungary’s stagnant economy, reduce dependence on Russian energy by 2035, and restore pragmatic relations with both the EU and Moscow. He aims to unlock EU funds frozen over alleged rule‑of‑law breaches and has previously expressed caution about accelerating Ukraine’s EU accession. Observers caution that while Magyar’s election fuels hope among young Hungarians, the real test will be translating opposition momentum into effective governance. As Izabella Nagy, a Budapest professional, observes, “Rebuilding a democracy is far more gruelling than dismantling one,” underscoring the challenges ahead for the new administration.

Jorginho, the Flamengo footballer, has clarified his comments on last month's incident between his 11-year-old stepdaughter and a security guard in Brazil, calling his previous claims against Chappell Roan “a misunderstanding”.“I made my initial statement in the heat of the moment, after hearing that my child and wife had been approached by an adult male security guard in an intimidating way,” Jorginho wrote on Instagram. “I reacted as any father would. My priority is, and always will be, protecting my family, and that is exactly what I did.”Chappell Roan was in Brazil to perform at Lollapalooza festival, two years after reportedly drawing one of the biggest crowds in the festival’s history.“At the time, we acted on the information that was available to us,” Jorginho said. “Since then, I have become aware of new information that has changed my understanding of parts of what happened. Chappell Roan made a public statement, reached out privately to [my wife] Catherine, and our teams also spoke directly. It became clear that she had no knowledge of what took place at breakfast and had not asked anyone to approach them. She was understanding and sympathetic to what had happened to our child.”Previously, the ex-Chelsea player had said that his stepdaughter was “extremely shaken and cried a lot” after Roan’s security spoke “in an extremely aggressive manner” to her and his wife when they saw the singer at a São Paulo hotel. Roan denied that the security guard was part of her team, saying: “No one came up to me, no one bothered me, I was just sitting at breakfast at my hotel.”Following Roan’s response, security guard Pascal Duvier spoke up about the events, saying: “I take full responsibility for the interactions on March 21st. I was at the hotel on behalf of another individual, and I was not part of the personal security team of Chappell Roan.”Noting Duvier’s comments, Jorginho said: “While we still do not know what prompted him to approach them, and do not believe an 11-year-old at breakfast could reasonably be seen as any kind of security threat, it is now clear that he was not acting on behalf of Chappell.“It was, ultimately, a misunderstanding in that respect, and I am glad to set the record straight. It’s important to me that this is clarified fairly and accurately. I regret the impact this situation has had on Chappell Roan, Catherine Ada, and our family.”Jorginho ended his statement by drawing a line under the incident. “As far as I am concerned, this matter is closed.”

Trump Media and Technology Group (TMTG), the parent company of the Truth Social platform, has formally withdrawn its defamation claim against The Guardian and two additional defendants. The suit had challenged a March 2023 Guardian report alleging that federal prosecutors were investigating $8 million in payments received by TMTG from entities with connections to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The dismissal was filed in the 12th Judicial Circuit Court in Sarasota County, Florida, on Friday. By withdrawing without prejudice, TMTG retains the option to re‑file the case at a future date. The Guardian’s original article said New York prosecutors opened a criminal inquiry into money wired to TMTG via the Caribbean by two parties that appeared to be partially controlled by an associate of a Putin ally. At the time, TMTG was preparing for a merger with Digital World Acquisition Corp (DWAC) that would have created a company valued at roughly $1.3 billion. Feeling vulnerable to accusations of receiving funds from a potentially hostile source, TMTG sued for libel, asserting that the Guardian’s statements were false and defamatory. In November, Judge Hunter W. Carroll dismissed the case against Guardian News and Media Ltd., Penske Media Corporation (owner of Variety), and former TMTG founder‑turned‑whistleblower Will Wilkerson, citing a failure to prove actual malice. Carroll, appointed by former Florida Governor Rick Scott, allowed TMTG to file an amended complaint, which the company did in January. A hearing was scheduled for the following Tuesday, but TMTG’s sudden withdrawal halted the proceedings. No reason was provided for the abrupt change. The Guardian has been contacted for comment. In April 2024, a lawyer for Trump sent The Guardian a letter calling its reporting “false” and a “hoax,” insisting that litigation would continue until the outlet retracted the story. Despite the legal tussle, there is no evidence that TMTG or its executives knowingly concealed the origin of the loans. No criminal charges have been brought against the company. Guardian News and Media responded, welcoming the voluntary dismissal and emphasizing that its reporting was based on meticulous fact‑checking, credible sources, and thorough documentation, while characterizing TMTG’s claims as meritless. The dismissal marks a rare retreat for Trump’s legal team, which has pursued an increasingly aggressive strategy against media outlets during his second presidential term, securing several high‑profile settlements with broadcasters such as ABC and CBS. Trump is currently pursuing a $15 billion defamation suit against The New York Times and a $10 billion claim against the BBC, alleging editorial manipulation of his speeches. Both cases have been described by the defendants as groundless and potentially chilling to press freedom. The Guardian’s investigation focused on two emergency loans TMTG received in December 2021 and February 2022, when the company faced a financial crisis after its merger with DWAC was delayed by SEC and FINRA investigations. Wire‑transfer records traced a $2 million payment through Paxum Bank, a Dominica‑registered institution, and a subsequent $6 million payment involving the ES Family Trust, whose trustee also served as a Paxum director. Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York examined Paxum Bank’s ownership, identifying a link to Anton Postolnikov, a relative of Aleksandr Smirnov, an associate of Putin.

Tanya Khovanova has long been a leading voice in the world of recreational mathematics, authoring a popular blog and running the Number Gossip site where enthusiasts can inquire about any number.She now debuts her first book, Mathematical Puzzles and Curiosities, co‑written with fellow puzzle‑enthusiasts Ivo David and Yogev Shpilman. Published by World Scientific, the volume offers fresh challenges and inventive twists on classic problems.To give readers a taste, Khovanova selected three puzzles for the Guardian column:1. Battleships – As a naval admiral you must choose between sending a single vessel with a success probability of P % or two vessels each with a P/2 % chance, where the mission succeeds if at least one ship does. Which strategy maximises the odds?2. The Two Oracles – You face two respondents, Randie, who answers randomly, and Rando, who randomly decides to tell the truth or lie before each answer. Is there a method to distinguish them?3. Bad Maths – A student computes 5548 − 5489 as 59, claiming the “548” cancels out. He then experiments with a subtraction of the form XXYZ − XYZW (distinct digits) and observes the result is XW. How many digits in the new expression match those in the original calculation?Solutions to the trio were later posted online (update), but readers were urged to avoid spoilers until the scheduled reveal.Khovanova also reminds fans that she has been curating puzzles for the Guardian every other Monday since 2015 and welcomes new submissions via email.

Israeli forces have fired teargas at Palestinian schoolchildren who were staging a sit-in in the occupied West Bank after settlers blocked access to their school. The incident occurred in the village of Umm al-Khair, in the southern West Bank region of Masafer Yatta.The schoolchildren, who had been due back in class on Monday for the first time in more than 40 days, had gathered near a barbed wire fence erected by Israeli settlers. The fence blocked access to the school, prompting the children and some local adults to hold an open-air class as a sit-in to demand access. Israeli troops responded by firing teargas at the protesters.Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with children screaming and fleeing after the teargas canisters were fired. A 12-year-old girl, Sarah al-Hathaleen, recounted her experience: “We were sitting and they threw a grenade [teargas canister] at us. I got scared and started screaming and ran away.”The Israeli military stated that they had dispersed an “unusual gathering” but did not specify whether they had fired teargas. The incident highlights the ongoing tensions in the West Bank, particularly in the Masafer Yatta region, which is a known hotspot for settler violence and Palestinian home demolitions.The Masafer Yatta region has seen increased violence since the outbreak of the Iran war. More than 500,000 Israelis now live in settlements in the West Bank, which are illegal under international law, among about 3 million Palestinians. Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967.