Independent News & People Network Desk of News

No 10 claims Starmer did not know Mandelson failed security vetting until this week – as it happened

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-04-16T17:54:49+00:00

The prime minister was not aware that the former US ambassador had failed the vetting process, according to Downing StreetSwinney says this is a manifesto for the whole of Scotland.He confirms that the SNP would argue for the Scottish power to have more control over energy policy (still largely reserved to Westminter). He says:The problem is not that we do not have the energy. The problem is that Westminster has the power. This election is our opportunity to take those powers and put them into Scotland’s hands. Continue reading...

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Orbán’s defeat threatens to halt Hungarian support of populist right

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-04-16T17:52:55+00:00

Individuals such as Matt Goodwin and Lord Frost benefited from largesse of self-styled ‘illiberal democracy’UK politics live – latest updatesThe last 16 years of Viktor Orbán’s rule have been kind to a number of British political figures – from the Tory peer David Frost to Reform UK’s Matt Goodwin and James Orr.All benefited from largesse extended by the self-styled “illiberal democracy” established by the Hungarian leader’s ruling Fidesz party, which took a particular liking for those on the harder right of British conservatism. Continue reading...

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Condé Nast will close its women’s health magazine, Self, after 47 years

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-04-16T17:52:37+00:00

The magazine company is also shuttering some editions of Allure, Glamour and Wired deemed to be unprofitableCondé Nast is planning to shutter Self, its women’s health magazine, after 47 years.In a memo published on the magazine giant’s website on Thursday, the CEO Roger Lynch explained the decision by saying: “As audience behaviors shift, we have not seen a path for Self to continue in its current form as a digital publication.” Continue reading...

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London primary schools see 3.5% drop in children entering reception

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-04-16T17:42:12+00:00

Capital’s schools hardest hit in England and Wales by rising housing costs and falling birthrate, with further falls predicted in coming yearsSchools in London continue to be hardest hit by housing costs and the falling birthrate. Further closures and mergers of primary schools are expected after a sharp fall in the number of children entering reception classes in the capital.London’s boroughs will have nearly 3,000 fewer infants aged four enrolling at the start of the next school year in September, according to school place offers announced by local authorities across England. Continue readin

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London primary schools record 3.5% drop in children entering reception

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-04-16T17:42:12+00:00

Capital’s schools hardest hit in England and Wales by rising housing costs and falling birthrate, with further falls predicted in coming yearsSchools in London continue to be hardest hit by housing costs and the falling birthrate. Further closures and mergers of primary schools are expected after a sharp fall in the number of children entering reception classes in the capital.London’s boroughs will have nearly 3,000 fewer infants aged four enrolling at the start of the next school year in September, according to school place offers announced by local authorities across England. Continue readin

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Sharp fall in number of children entering reception classes in London

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-04-16T17:42:12+00:00

Capital’s schools hardest hit in England and Wales by rising housing costs and falling birthrate, with further falls predicted in coming yearsSchools in London continue to be hardest hit by housing costs and the falling birthrate. Further closures and mergers of primary schools are expected after a sharp fall in the number of children entering reception classes in the capital.London’s boroughs will have nearly 3,000 fewer infants aged four enrolling at the start of the next school year in September, according to school place offers announced by local authorities across England. Continue readin

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США и Иран согласовывают время и место второго раунда переговоров

Source: Vedomosti – All Articles · Published: 2026-04-16T17:41:50+00:00

Дипломатические усилия Пакистана для запуска второго раунда американо-иранских переговоров, по всей видимости, могут принести плоды. Сразу после завершения рабочего визита начальника штаба пакистанской армии Асима Мунира в Тегеран пакистанский министр иностранных дел Тахир Андраби 16 апреля объявил о согласии противоборствующих сторон возобновить диалог с целью заключения сделки. При этом дату, место встречи и состав переговорных делегаций сторонам в ближайшее время еще предстоит согласовать, подчеркнул дипломат. Андраби добавил, что успех будущего диалога будет также зависеть от ситуации в Ли

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Trump officials urge other countries to join new ‘trade over aid’ push

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-04-16T17:41:26+00:00

US calls free-market capitalism ‘surest path to prosperity’ and seeks to forgo direct aid to developing countriesMiddle East crisis – live updatesThe Trump administration has moved to formally enlist foreign governments in a sweeping reorientation of global development policy, directing American diplomats worldwide to seek official support for a “trade over aid” declaration before its introduction at the United Nations later this month. This would mean a move away from direct aid to poor nations in favor of increased trade, led by private companies.Principal deputy spokesperson at the state de

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РСПП раскритиковал поправки к закону о банкротстве

Source: Vedomosti – All Articles · Published: 2026-04-16T17:40:36+00:00

Российский союз промышленников и предпринимателей (РСПП) подготовил замечания к внесенным в конце марта масштабным поправкам в закон «О несостоятельности (банкротстве)». Свои предложения Союз 13 апреля отправил в Минэкономразвития, а также председателю комитета по вопросам собственности, земельным и имущественным отношениям Сергею Гаврилову (оба письма есть в распоряжении «Ведомостей»). Вице-президент союза Александр Варварин подтвердил «Ведомостям» отправку писем. РСПП считает, что в текущей версии законопроект не может быть поддержан и требует существенной доработки. Авторы писем предложили

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El independentismo escocés promete un nuevo referéndum en 2028

Source: El País - Internacional · Published: 2026-04-16T17:39:11+00:00

El líder del SNP asegura que impondrá límites al precio de los alimentos básicos si logra la mayoría en las elecciones autonómicas del próximo 7 de mayo

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Utah reports more than 600 measles cases as outbreak spreads across US

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-04-16T17:38:56+00:00

Data shows 85% of those infected in the state have been not vaccinated against measles as dozens are hospitalizedMeasles: how does it spread and how can I protect my child?Utah has emerged as a major center of measles infections in the US, as an outbreak that has been building for some time continues to expand.State officials reported a total of 602 measles cases on Wednesday tied to an outbreak that started last year and is still ongoing, including 19 newly identified infections, according to the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP). Recent exposures have been reported a

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10-day Lebanon-Israel ceasefire announced by Trump

Source: Al Jazeera - World · Published: 2026-04-16T17:35:46+00:00

Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire starting at 21:00 GMT on Thursday, said US President Donald Trump.

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US House rejects war powers resolution that would prevent further action against Iran

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-04-16T17:33:20+00:00

Resolution needed two more votes to pass, but Democrats now appear solidified in oppositionSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxThe US House of Representatives on Thursday narrowly rejected a war powers resolution that would have prevented further military action against Iran, as Democrats united against continued US involvement in the conflict amid peace talks that have yet to make a breakthrough.The resolution introduced by Greg Meeks, the top Democrat on the House foreign affairs committee, failed by a vote of 213-214, with one Republican member votin

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US House narrowly rejects war powers resolution as dissent grows

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-04-16T17:33:20+00:00

Resolution needed two more votes to pass, but Democrats now appear solidified in oppositionSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxThe US House of Representatives on Thursday narrowly rejected a war powers resolution that would have prevented further military action against Iran, as Democrats united against continued US involvement in the conflict amid peace talks that have yet to make a breakthrough.The resolution introduced by Greg Meeks, the top Democrat on the House foreign affairs committee, failed by a vote of 213-214, with one Republican member votin

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Pooh in pencil: sketches for original Winnie-the-Pooh book shared for first time

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-04-16T17:30:06+00:00

E H Shepard drawings go on display for book’s centenary, showing how he brought AA Milne’s character to lifePreviously unseen drawings of Winnie-the-Pooh that show the honey-loving bear before he was introduced to generations of readers in the 1926 book have come to light.Two preliminary pencil sketches by E H Shepard have been shared for the first time by his family to mark the centenary of one of the most loved books in children’s literature. Continue reading...

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Israel escalates attacks on medics in Lebanon with deadly ‘quadruple tap’

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-04-16T17:12:32+00:00

Lebanese health ministry says killing of 91 healthcare workers shows ‘total disregard’ for international lawMiddle East crisis – live updatesWhen they received the call to respond to an Israeli airstrike in the city of Mayfadoun, in southern Lebanon, most of the paramedics held back, having previously seen colleagues killed by double-tap attacks targeting rescuers. But the medics from the Islamic Health Association (IHA) rushed to the scene.By the time the other emergency workers arrived at the site, they found the IHA medics had indeed been caught in a second strike. They started evacuating t

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No 10 claims Starmer did not know Mandelson failed security vetting until this week – UK politics live

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-04-16T17:11:39+00:00

The prime minister was not aware that the former US ambassador had failed the vetting process, according to Downing StreetSwinney says this is a manifesto for the whole of Scotland.He confirms that the SNP would argue for the Scottish power to have more control over energy policy (still largely reserved to Westminter). He says:The problem is not that we do not have the energy. The problem is that Westminster has the power. This election is our opportunity to take those powers and put them into Scotland’s hands. Continue reading...

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Trump’s triumphal arch moves closer to approval after key agency meets

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-04-16T17:09:29+00:00

US Commission of Fine Arts reviews plan while judge lets below-ground work at White House ballroom site proceedPresident Donald Trump’s design for the triumphal arch he wants built at an entrance to the nation’s capital moved a step forward on Thursday after a key agency reviewed the proposal for the first time.One commissioner suggested changes, including losing the Lady Liberty-like statue and pair of eagles that would sit on top of the arch and add to its height. Continue reading...

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Hegseth’s Pentagon prayer mirrors fake bible verse from Pulp Fiction

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-04-16T16:57:27+00:00

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 bizarr

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Hegseth’s Pentagon prayer mirrors fake Bible verse from Pulp Fiction

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-04-16T16:57:27+00:00

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 bizarr

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Как снижение инфляционных ожиданий граждан скажется на решении ЦБ

Source: Vedomosti – All Articles · Published: 2026-04-16T16:48:53+00:00

Инфляционные ожидания населения России в апреле 2026 г. снизились на 0,5 п. п. до 12,9% против 13,4% в марте, следует из опроса «инФОМа» по заказу Центрального банка России. Ниже значений марта они были только в октябре 2025 г., когда уровень был на отметке в 12,6%.

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Man used AI to make false statements in effort to shut down London nightclub

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-04-16T16:47:20+00:00

Case of businessman using AI to generate false letters of complaint against Heaven nightclub part of a growing issue, say policeA businessman has pleaded guilty to making false statements in order to shut down a nightclub, which police believe were generated using AI.A Metropolitan police source said the use of AI to generate letters by complainants who do not exist is a growing issue. Continue reading...

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No injustice to South States in delimitation process: PM

Source: The Hindu Business Line – Markets · Published: 2026-04-16T16:41:58+00:00

3 Bills to push women’s reservation in Parliament/Assemblies clear LS amid Opposition protests; delimitation exercise to ensure quota doesn’t reduce general seats

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Starmer faces calls to resign as opposition parties accuse him of lying over Mandelson’s vetting – UK politics live

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-04-16T16:41:14+00:00

Opposition party leaders said the prime minister misled parliamentariansSwinney says this is a manifesto for the whole of Scotland.He confirms that the SNP would argue for the Scottish power to have more control over energy policy (still largely reserved to Westminter). He says:The problem is not that we do not have the energy. The problem is that Westminster has the power. This election is our opportunity to take those powers and put them into Scotland’s hands. Continue reading...

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Le suprémaciste noir béninois Kemi Seba arrêté par les autorités sud-africaines

Source: Le Monde - International · Published: 2026-04-16T16:40:58+00:00

L’activiste, déchu de sa nationalité française et connu pour ses attaques contre l’impérialisme occidental en Afrique, est sous le coup d’un mandat d’arrêt émis par le Bénin, qui le soupçonne d’avoir soutenu la tentative de coup d’Etat du 7 décembre 2025.

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