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Syria has taken full control of every former U.S. military site, completing a handover that Damascus says demonstrates the successful absorption of Kurdish‑led fighters into national structures.The final U.S. convoy departed Qasrak air base in Hasakah on Thursday, ending a presence that began in 2014 when American troops entered the fight against ISIL alongside Kurdish units that later formed the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).In Damascus, President Ahmed al‑Sharaa received the two most senior SDF officials – military commander Mazloum Abdi and political head Ilham Ahmad – accompanied by Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al‑Shaibani and the presidential envoy overseeing the integration process.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hailed the completed handover as evidence of the government’s drive to bring the entire country, including border areas and the northeast, under a single state authority. It stressed that the transfer was carried out in full coordination with the United States, pointing to a constructive relationship that dates back to al‑Sharaa’s 2025 meeting with then‑U.S. President Donald Trump.U.S. Central Command confirmed that American forces have “completed turning over all of our major bases in Syria as part of a deliberate and conditions‑based transition.”The handover follows a January cease‑fire agreement between Damascus and the SDF and a March integration pact that places Kurdish fighters into the Syrian national army, deploys Syrian security forces to the city centres of Hasakah and Qamishli, and transfers control of border crossings and civilian institutions to Damascus.Syria’s entry into the international coalition against ISIL in November reshaped its role from obstacle to partner, fundamentally altering the rationale for a continued U.S. military footprint.Analyst Charles Lister noted that the last U.S. convoy was routed overland through Jordan rather than Iraq to reduce exposure to potential attacks by Iranian‑backed militias operating in the region.

Ten years after Prince’s death, friends and collaborators such as George Clinton, Apollonia Kotero and drummer Charles “Chazz” Smith share personal memories that illuminate his musical brilliance and private life.George Clinton, the legendary leader of Parliament‑Funkadelic, remembers meeting the 19‑year‑old Prince in 1977 and immediately recognizing a talent “a new version of Sly Stone.” Clinton praised Prince’s ability to master guitar, keyboards, bass and drums, noting his “arranging genius” inherited from his pianist father and his dance flair “like James Brown.” Clinton also recalled how Prince later signed him to Paisley Park Records and inducted him into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, cementing a friendship that survived countless late‑night studio sessions.Apollonia Kotero, actress and singer who starred alongside Prince in the 1984 film Purple Rain, describes a bond that spanned 33 years. She recounts the grueling shoot—jumping into a freezing lake, suffering hypothermia, and Prince’s frantic plea, “Please don’t die, Apple. I love you.” Their relationship, she says, was “family, not romance,” and Prince’s protective nature shone when he cared for her during illness. Kotero also recalls a surreal moment when Prince hummed the opening melody of “When Doves Cry” into her answerphone, urging her “Don’t erase this!” as a reminder of his creative process.Beyond the studio, Kotero notes Prince’s voracious appetite for literature and politics, his 3 a.m. visits that turned into midnight drives across Hollywood, and his habit of showing her walls plastered with fan mail—a testament to his deep connection with his audience.Charles “Chazz” Smith, Prince’s cousin and original drummer in the early band Grand Central, paints a picture of Prince’s childhood obsession with music. After a spontaneous Sly and the Family Stone concert in Minneapolis, Prince declared, “We’re gonna form a band, and you’re gonna be the drummer.” Within weeks, a newly gifted guitar allowed him to replicate Santana’s “Black Magic Woman” note for note, signalling the start of an insatiable drive to master every genre—from rock to funk to ballads.In the final months of his life, Prince’s friends observed a shift. He reclaimed the rights to his catalog in 2014, began repaying debts, and expressed grief over the death of Vanity, his longtime muse. Smith recalls a poignant encounter six weeks before Prince’s passing: after a brief hug, they exchanged the words “I love you,” marking the last conversation they ever shared.These testimonies collectively reveal a portrait of Prince that goes beyond his public persona: a relentless virtuoso, a compassionate confidant, and an artist whose influence continues to reverberate a decade after his untimely death.

On 17 April 2026 the Guardian released its weekly sports quiz, testing readers on recent European football semi‑finalists, Tottenham’s relegation history, the first female head coach in Europe’s top five leagues, and a range of other sporting milestones. The quiz, published on the Guardian’s website, aims to engage fans by linking current events with historic trivia. European Cup tally: The quiz asks how many times Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Paris Saint‑Germain and Atlético Madrid have collectively won the competition. The correct answer is seven – Bayern’s six titles, PSG’s inaugural win last season, while Arsenal and Atlético have yet to lift the trophy. Tottenham’s relegation: After a 14‑match winless streak, Spurs fell into the relegation zone. The quiz asks when they were last demoted; the answer is 1977, a year also marked by Elvis Presley’s death, Pelé’s final professional match, the debut of Star Wars and Manchester United’s sacking of Tommy Docherty. Breaking the glass ceiling: Marie‑Louise Eta became the first woman to manage a club in Europe’s top five leagues when she was appointed interim boss of Union Berlin. Her tenure is expected to be brief as she will move to the women’s side next season. Golf history: Rory McIlroy’s sixth major win prompts the question of which European golfer has more majors. The answer is Harry Vardon, who captured seven majors (six Opens and one U.S. Open) and is celebrated as golf’s first international star. Masters oddities: Shane Lowry made Masters history by becoming the first player to record two holes‑in‑one at Augusta, the 35th hole‑in‑one overall at the tournament. Women’s Six Nations: Wales suffered a 24‑19 defeat to Scotland in the opening round, continuing a recent run of wooden‑spoon finishes. World Cup coaching: Carlos Queiroz was appointed Ghana’s manager, giving him the chance to coach at a sixth World Cup after previous stints with South Africa, Portugal and Iran. Grand National legacy: I Am Maximus joins the post‑war elite of multiple Grand National winners, following Tiger Roll, who claimed back‑to‑back victories in 2018 and 2019. Managerial debut: Former England midfielder Jack Wilshere secured his first trophy as a manager, guiding Luton Town to an EFL Trophy win at Wembley. County Championship rule change: The quiz highlights that Tom Westley, Jonny Bairstow and others have all been substituted this season under new regulations allowing injury or personal‑circumstance replacements. NBA consistency: The Boston Celtics have reached the playoffs for a 12th consecutive season, though they have captured only one championship in that span (2024). Combat sports crossover: Oleksandr Usyk will face kick‑boxing legend Rico Verhoeven, who held the heavyweight kick‑boxing world title for 12 years, in a bout billed as “Glory in Giza” at the Egyptian pyramids. Snooker prodigy: Fourteen‑year‑old Stan Moody qualified for the World Snooker Championship after playing a decisive match while recovering from tonsillitis, underscoring his remarkable determination. Overall, the quiz blends current headlines with historic facts, offering readers a chance to test their knowledge while reflecting on the broader narratives shaping sport today.

Coventry City clinched promotion to the Premier League on 17 April 2026 after a 1‑1 stalemate with Blackburn Rovers in the Championship showdown, ending a 25‑year absence from England’s top tier.The decisive moment arrived when Bobby Thomas rose to meet a free‑kick from Torp, nodding the ball home to level the score and seal the Sky Blues’ return.Manager Frank Lampard praised his side’s resilience, acknowledging Blackburn’s quality while celebrating the achievement: “What a journey it’s been, from despair to here. Well done, Frank Lampard and team.”Blackburn’s performance was described as “excellent,” but Coventry’s determination proved decisive, ensuring their place among the elite for the upcoming season.

British food critic and journalist Grace Dent and Irish chef Anna Haugh have taken over as the new co-hosts of the popular cooking competition MasterChef. The duo, who have previously served as guest judges on the show, bring their unique blend of humor, warmth, and culinary expertise to the program.Dent, who grew up watching MasterChef with her father, says she never imagined she'd be hosting the show. 'We used to laugh our heads off at the critics,' she recalls. 'Just utterly ridiculous people, with their overblown egos, thinking their opinions on food matter. Who are these people?'Haugh and Dent make a wonderful pair, with Dent being funny and warm, and Haugh being pristine in her chef's whites and demanding of excellence. They come from working-class families and have succeeded in male-dominated fields. Dent believes that 'tenacity, hard work' are key to success, while Haugh thinks that 'success is authenticity. It's being able to pay your bills, [but] it's not about somebody else telling you that you're great. You have to be able to acknowledge it yourself.'The new hosts are focused on celebrating culinary ambition and promoting opportunities in the hospitality industry. 'MasterChef opens that door,' says Haugh. 'Tons of people, whether they win the show or not, enter into hospitality because they entered MasterChef. Our industry really needs that.'MasterChef starts on Tuesday, April 21, on BBC One at 9 pm. Don't miss the new season with Dent and Haugh at the helm!

Air Canada announced a temporary pause on a handful of routes departing from Toronto and Montreal to New York’s John F. Kennedy airport, attributing the decision to sharply rising jet‑fuel costs. The suspension comes as airlines worldwide grapple with fuel price spikes triggered by the ongoing US‑Israel war with Iran. Although the Strait of Hormuz reopened earlier this month, easing some oil‑price pressure, jet‑fuel costs remain markedly higher than before the conflict. In a related development, Spirit Airlines has appealed to the U.S. government for emergency financing worth hundreds of millions of dollars to mitigate its own fuel‑price surge, according to industry source reports. Air Canada explained that jet‑fuel prices have doubled since the start of the Iran conflict, rendering several lower‑margin routes financially untenable. The carrier said it is implementing “schedule adjustments, including frequency reductions,” to preserve overall network viability. Effective June 1, the airline will halt one Montreal‑to‑New York flight and three Toronto‑to‑New York flights, with service slated to resume on October 25. Additional temporary suspensions include the Salt Lake City‑Toronto corridor, which will be paused from June 30 and is not expected to return until 2027, as well as a postponed launch of a Guadalajara‑to‑Montreal service. Air Canada estimates the changes will impact about 1 % of its total passenger‑carrying capacity. Affected passengers will be offered alternative travel options, with the airline continuing to operate to LaGuardia and Newark airports 34 times daily across six Canadian cities. The move mirrors broader industry pressures: British low‑cost carrier easyJet projects a pre‑tax loss of £540‑£560 million for the six‑month period ending March, while Australian airlines Qantas and Virgin Australia have announced fare hikes and reduced flight frequencies. Moreover, the International Energy Agency warned that Europe possesses only six weeks of jet‑fuel reserves, raising concerns that further supply disruptions could trigger additional flight cancellations.

A stunning visual compilation of 20 photographs has been curated to encapsulate the essence of the past week on a global scale. Published by The Guardian, this collection offers a unique perspective on international events, highlighting the diversity and complexity of global affairs.The photographs, selected by Jim Powell, provide a glimpse into various aspects of life and current events worldwide. While specific details about each image are not provided, the collection serves as a testament to the power of visual storytelling in journalism.This initiative by The Guardian underscores the importance of photography in capturing pivotal moments and conveying the nuances of global issues. By presenting these images, The Guardian aims to engage its audience and foster a deeper understanding of international developments.

The 2026 Bafta games awards, held in London, recognized several standout games in the industry. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, with 12 nominations, was a favorite to win big, and it did, taking home awards for Best Game and Debut Game, as well as Performer in a Leading Role for Jennifer English.Another major winner was Dispatch, a superhero comedy that won Animation, Audio Achievement, and Performer in a Supporting Role for Jeffrey Wright. Ghost of Yōtei, a historical samurai slasher, also had a strong showing, winning Music and Technical Achievement.Other notable winners included Atomfall for British Game, No Man’s Sky for Evolving Game, and Blue Prince for Game Design. The Bafta Fellowship was presented to Ilkka Paananen, chief executive and co-founder of Supercell.

Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi announced that the Strait of Hormuz is now fully open to commercial vessels, a statement that raised hopes for de‑escalation in the Middle‑East conflict and sent global oil prices tumbling. President Donald Trump took to social media to celebrate the news, proclaiming it a "great and brilliant day for the world" and asserting that Iran had pledged never to shut the strategic waterway again. Trump also claimed that Tehran had agreed to suspend its nuclear programme indefinitely and would forfeit any frozen U.S. funds, suggesting that a deal‑making session could occur over the upcoming weekend. In contrast, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) offered only qualified support for Araghchi’s declaration, indicating that commercial traffic would be permitted only along a prescribed route and under IRGC naval permission. The United States, however, signalled that its naval blockade of Iranian ports will remain in force until all transactions are completed, warning that few vessels are likely to risk passage under the current uncertainty. Oil markets reacted swiftly: Brent crude slipped below $90 per barrel, easing inflationary pressures that had surged after the strait’s earlier closure. Simultaneously, a ten‑day truce in Lebanon entered its second day, temporarily halting Israeli airstrikes against Hezbollah‑aligned forces and offering a brief respite to civilians after weeks of intense fighting. Despite the truce, an Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon killed a civilian, and Defence Minister Israel Katz reiterated that the Israeli Defence Forces were not withdrawing and could resume operations. In Paris, representatives from roughly 40 nations gathered at a conference co‑chaired by France and the United Kingdom to discuss a coordinated plan for safeguarding the strait, which historically carries about one‑fifth of the world’s oil and gas shipments. French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Araghchi’s statement but urged a "full, unconditional reopening" by all parties, while UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for any reopening plan to be "lasting and workable". The International Maritime Organization’s secretary‑general, Arsenio Domínguez, said the agency is reviewing the announcement to ensure it complies with the principle of free navigation for all merchant vessels. Pakistan’s army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, acting as a key mediator, arrived in Tehran to advance negotiations for a more durable peace, underscoring Pakistan’s growing diplomatic role in the region. Overall, while the Hormuz opening has eased immediate market pressures, the broader geopolitical landscape remains volatile, with the U.S.–Iran cease‑fire set to expire soon and regional actors still poised for further confrontation.