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A devastating Israeli drone strike occurred near a mosque in Gaza, claiming the lives of multiple Palestinians. The incident has heightened concerns about the ongoing conflict and its impact on civilians in the area.The attack underscores the persistent violence and instability in the region, with Gaza being a focal point of Israeli-Palestinian tensions.The international community is closely monitoring the situation, as efforts to broker peace and reduce hostilities continue.

Senior Iranian officials, including parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, have arrived in Islamabad, Pakistan, for ceasefire talks with the United States. The US delegation, led by Vice President JD Vance, along with special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, is representing Washington in the negotiations.Ahead of the talks, Vance indicated a potential opening for diplomacy, stating that Washington is ready to “extend an open hand” if Iran negotiates in good faith. However, the situation on the ground remains volatile, with Lebanon’s Health Ministry reporting that at least 357 people were killed in Israeli attacks on Wednesday, with the death toll expected to rise.In IranIran is experiencing a near internet blackout that has passed 1,000 hours, making it one of the longest nationwide internet disruptions on record, according to the monitoring group NetBlocks.Analyst Zohreh Kharazmi noted that Iranians remain sceptical ahead of the negotiations, despite Tehran believing it holds leverage, including over the Strait of Hormuz.War DiplomacyIran’s delegation of top officials arrived in Islamabad for ceasefire talks with the US, as reported by Iranian state television on Friday.Lebanon’s presidency announced that a meeting will be held at the US Department of State on Tuesday to discuss declaring a ceasefire and the start date for negotiations between Lebanon and Israel under US auspices.Iran demands a truce in Lebanon and the release of its blocked assets as Vance warned Tehran not to “play” Washington in their talks.US President Donald Trump stated that Iran has “no cards” in upcoming talks with the US and mentioned that US warships are being reloaded with weaponry to strike Iran if the talks fail to produce a deal.In the USTrump says the Strait of Hormuz will reopen ‘fairly soon’, pledging that Washington will “open up the Gulf” amid ongoing disruption to global energy supplies.Former US ambassador Douglas Silliman noted that Trump is likely to push for a fast outcome in the talks to ease economic pressure, with the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz seen as a critical priority.US consumer prices surged to a two-year high, increasing pressure on the administration as economic concerns grow at home.In IsraelThe US has reportedly asked Israel to halt attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon to avoid derailing negotiations, with the current US-Iran ceasefire set to expire on April 21.Israel’s military operations and expanding ground offensive in Lebanon continued, even as ceasefire negotiations were scheduled.In Gaza and JerusalemMore than 100,000 people attended the first Friday prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem since its reopening following the US-Iran truce, the holy site’s Islamic authority reported.An Israeli air strike killed at least six people and injured several others at the Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.In LebanonHeavy toll from Israeli attacks: Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that nearly 2,000 people have been killed by Israeli air strikes and ground operations since early March, with thousands more wounded.Lebanon is facing a food security crisis, with prices surging and supply chains disrupted amid Israel’s offensive, according to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).

The US State Department has taken a significant step in its ongoing efforts to crack down on individuals with ties to the Iranian regime, revoking the green cards of three Iranian nationals. This move comes as part of a broader strategy to prevent foreign nationals with connections to anti-American terrorist regimes from residing in the United States. The individuals affected include Seyed Eissa Hashemi, whose mother was a key figure in the 1979 Iran hostage crisis, known as 'Screaming Mary' for her role as a leading propagandist for the violent Islamists. The State Department also revoked the green card statuses of Hashemi's wife and son. According to the department, Hashemi entered the US in 2014 on a visa and was granted lawful permanent resident status in 2016 through the diversity immigrant visa program, which the Trump administration has since ended. The arrests and green card terminations are part of a series of actions against those the State Department deems to have ties to the current or former government of Iran. This is particularly significant given the ongoing tensions between the US, Israel, and Iran, with Washington DC and Tehran recently reaching a two-week ceasefire agreement. The US has been waging war against Iran since late February, and these actions are seen as part of the US efforts to counter Iranian influence. Recent actions also include the arrest of Hamideh Soleimani Afshar, the niece of Qasem Soleimani, an Iranian military general assassinated by the US in 2020, and her daughter. The State Department has also revoked the green card status of Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani, the daughter of former Iranian national security council secretary Ali Larijani, and her husband. The situation remains complex, with US Vice-President JD Vance dispatched to Islamabad to broker peace talks, though Iranian leadership has stated they will not participate until Israel agrees to stop bombing Lebanon. The international community remains watchful as diplomatic efforts continue to navigate the intricate landscape of US-Iran relations.

The Aintree meeting was a resounding success, with a sellout crowd of 55,000 on Ladies' Day, marking the first sellout since 2012. The event saw a significant shift in demographics, with a younger crowd in attendance, many of whom were in their teens and 20s.The Jockey Club's strategic use of TikTok and Instagram played a crucial role in attracting this new audience. According to Joe Hughes, the social media manager at the Jockey Club, they now have 162,000 followers on TikTok. The club's efforts to stress the social side of the sport to younger audiences have clearly paid off.Attendees like Hayley Bentley, a bride-to-be, exemplified the festive atmosphere, dressing up in a bridal dress and veil as part of her hen party. The event featured a range of activities, including musicians, jugglers, and fanfare, as well as competitions with prizes such as trips to Ibiza.Despite the celebratory mood, the event was marred by the fatal injury of a horse, Gold Dancer, which suffered a broken back after jumping the final fence. The incident highlighted the ongoing concerns about horse safety in the sport.The Grand National, set to take place on Saturday, is expected to attract over five million viewers on TV and features a field of 34 horses. The Jockey Club acknowledges that more needs to be done to ensure horse safety, and they are committed to making changes to prioritize the welfare of horses and riders.

Eamonn Holmes, the 66‑year‑old presenter of GB News’s breakfast programme, is recovering in hospital after suffering a stroke last week.A GB News spokesperson confirmed that the Northern Irish broadcaster is responding well to treatment and has requested privacy while focusing on his recovery. The network added that “his colleagues and everyone at GB News wish him a speedy recovery and look forward to welcoming him back when he is ready.”In Holmes’s absence, the channel said that Alex Armstrong will co‑anchor the morning slot alongside Ellie Costello for the coming week.Holmes, who previously fronted ITV’s This Morning and co‑presented with his former wife Ruth Langsford for 14 years, has a documented history of serious health issues. He has undergone spinal surgery, a double hip replacement, and endured multiple falls, including a live on‑air incident when a studio chair collapsed.Speaking about that on‑air fall, Holmes recalled, “It was a bit of a shock for me because I’d had a fall in my bathroom two weeks earlier that hospitalised me, and it hit me again right in the back.” He described the aftermath as “really, really sore.”His health struggles have also impacted his personal life. In 2022, Holmes told the Sun that chronic pain and mobility problems strained his marriage to Langsford, and he later disclosed a dislocated pelvis in 2021 that led to three slipped discs.Holmes is now in a relationship with 44‑year‑old counsellor Katie Alexander. The pair were photographed together at a recent event, with Holmes using a wheelchair.GB News chief executive Angelos Frangopoulos expressed support, stating, “Eamonn is a loved member of the GB News family, and we’re with him every step of the way as he recovers.”

It's been a year since the Trump administration's sweeping cuts to the federal workforce, and the effects are still being felt. Tens of thousands of employees were offered buyouts or faced termination, leaving many to navigate a difficult job market. Maggie, a former employee of the US Office of Personnel Management, took a buyout offer in May 2025. She has since applied to over 250 jobs but is still waiting for an ethics letter to start work elsewhere. 'I couldn't be without health insurance through the delivery of my baby,' she said, highlighting the challenges faced by those who lost their jobs. The federal workforce has declined by about 355,000 employees since Trump took office, with 18,000 workers leaving in March 2026 alone. The cuts have left remaining government workers overwhelmed, trying to keep essential public services afloat. Charles Melton, a 20-year veteran of the US Department of Agriculture, took early retirement but still helps former colleagues with job applications. 'I'm still mad as hell,' he said. 'We just got thrown away like garbage.' The impact on public services has been significant, with customer service at the Social Security Administration worsening and healthcare workers at the Department of Veterans Affairs reporting ongoing staffing issues. The shutdown of USAID has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths worldwide due to the spread of infectious diseases and malnutrition. The White House has declined to comment, but Scott Kupor, OPM's director, stated that 'reshaping the federal workforce is essential to building a government that works for the American people, not the bureaucracy.'

The New York Times Company has launched an investigation into the coverage of New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel by NFL reporter Dianna Russini. This move comes after photos of Russini and Vrabel together at an Arizona resort were published, raising concerns about their relationship and potential bias in reporting.Russini, who works for The Athletic, owned by The New York Times, has been temporarily sidelined while the review is ongoing. The images, published by the New York Post’s Page Six, show Russini and Vrabel together at a luxury hotel in Sedona, including by a pool, in a hot tub, and on a rooftop deck. Some photos appear to show the pair embracing and holding hands.Both Russini and Vrabel, who are married to other people, have claimed that the interaction was platonic and taken out of context. Russini stated that the photos did not reflect that they were part of a larger group gathering, while Vrabel called any suggestion of impropriety “laughable”.The Athletic initially defended Russini, with executive editor Steven Ginsberg saying the images lacked context and depicted public interactions among multiple people. However, the outlet has since expanded its review after additional reporting raised questions about Russini’s coverage of Vrabel and the nature of their relationship.Editors are now seeking to verify claims that others were present at the gathering. Notably, no stories under Russini’s by-line have been published since the photos surfaced earlier this week. The review is ongoing and expected to take time. Russini is among the highest-paid reporters at The Times Company, and her contract is set to expire later this year.

Madeline Horwath has created a new cartoon for The Guardian's Saturday Opinion section, focusing on spring picnics. The illustration is part of the publication's ongoing series of cartoons that provide humorous commentary on various topics.The cartoon, published on April 11, 2026, offers a visual take on the joys of picnics during spring, a season often associated with outdoor activities and gatherings. Horwath's work is known for its engaging and thought-provoking style, making complex issues more approachable through humor and satire.Readers can explore more on topics related to picnics, spring, and food through The Guardian's website, which features a range of articles and opinion pieces on these subjects.

The 2026 Grand National is underway at Aintree, with a sellout crowd gathering to witness one of the most historic and compelling spectacles in sport. A total of 34 runners and riders are set to line up for the big race at 4pm BST. An early smattering of rain is clearing away, with a brighter forecast expected for later in the afternoon. The betting market for the National is already heating up, with an early gamble on Jagwar, one of just three seven-year-olds in the field. Panic Attack, the only mare in the field, is also popular and has taken over at the top of the market at 8-1. Meanwhile, I Am Maximus, yesterday's favourite, has drifted out to 9-1 in a place. Jagwar is top-priced at 17-2. Other notable horses include Oscars Brother from the two-horse yard of Connor King in Ireland; Haiti Couleurs, bidding to be the first Welsh-trained winner since 1905; and Mr Vango, trained by Sara Bradstock. Every punter will have their own strategy for picking a winner. Gorgeous Tom may be a popular choice later, with a decent each-way chance. A full guide to all the runners can be found here, and previews are available here.