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Ministers rally around Keir Starmer as leadership questions grow over Mandelson saga – UK politics live | Politics– www.theguardian.com

pgnewser April 20, 2026 0

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Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has indicated Keir Starmer’s mishandling of the economy and the Peter Mandelson saga risks leading Nigel Farage to become prime minister.

Davey told Sky News’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips that Starmer should “move aside” if he wants the Labour party to succeed.

He said: “The thing that I think Labour MPs should think about quite carefully now is their Government has been a bit of a failure, frankly, on the economy, on so much, and it’s in chaos, in the way that Conservatives were in chaos, in perpetual crisis, and I don’t think they can get out of that unless Keir Starmer moves aside.

“And if they don’t, there’s a real danger they’re handing the keys to Number 10 to Nigel Farage, who can benefit from this chaos.

“So I would really say to Labour MPs, who in many ways, have the future of the prime minister in their hands, that they really now have to accept, the prime minister is a big part of their own problem and in the context of the threat that Nigel Farage poses to our democracy and to our country with his divisive Trump-like politics, I think the Labour party has to realise they have to move on.”

Stanford’s AI Index for 2026 Shows the State of AI– spectrum.ieee.org

pgnewser April 20, 2026 0

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The capabilities of leading AI models continue to accelerate, and the largest AI companies, including OpenAI and Anthropic, are hurtling toward IPOs later this year. Yet resentment toward AI continues to simmer, and in some cases has boiled over, especially in the United States, where local governments are beginning to embrace restrictions or outright bans on new data center development.

It’s a lot to keep track of, but the 2026 edition of the AI Index from Stanford University’s Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence center pulls it off. The report, which comes in at over 400 pages, includes dozens of data points and graphs that approach the topic from multiple angles, from benchmark scores to investment and public perception.

As in prior years (see our coverage from 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025), we’ve read the report and identified the trends that encapsulate the state of AI in 2026.

Supreme Court will hear from religious preschools challenging exclusion from taxpayer-funded program– abcnews.com

pgnewser April 20, 2026 0

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The Supreme Court will hear from Catholic preschools that say Colorado violated their religious rights by excluding them from a state-funded program over their admission policies.

The court agreed on Monday to take up the appeal from St. Mary Catholic Parish, which is supported by the Republican Trump administration.

Joined by the Archdiocese of Denver, the facilities argue it’s unconstitutional to bar them from a taxpayer-funded universal preschool program because of their faith-based restrictions on admission of LGBTQ+ families and kids.

The state said that religious schools are welcome to participate but are required to follow nondiscrimination laws. The program was created by a 2020 ballot measure and provides public funding for free preschool at centers selected by parents.

Pressure on Starmer grows over Mandelson vetting despite ousting of Foreign Office official – UK politics live | UK news– www.theguardian.com

pgnewser April 20, 2026 0

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Meanwhile, Peter Mandelson’s replacement as British ambassador to the US has said the relationship between the two countries is in the middle of an “extraordinary moment”.

Speaking in Washington on Friday, Sir Christian Turner said that the transatlantic relationship, which has become strained due to tensions over the Iran war and Donald Trump’s intense criticism of Keir Starmer for his supposed lack of support in the conflict, was still “one of the deepest and closest alliances in history”.

He said:

I’ve now been in this job for about two months, and they said, ‘Come to Washington for a rest. It’ll be very calm. It’ll be very quiet. You’ll be okay.’

And we’re in the middle of this extraordinary moment, geopolitically, geoeconomically, and indeed for the transatlantic relationship.

It is, of course, all relative – 250 years ago we had a small disagreement. We were in the midst of a dispute back then.

To our credit, we’ve only tried to burn down the White House once since, and what began in that moment of tension has been forged into one of the deepest and closest alliances in history.

He added:

I like to think it’s a pragmatic partnership. It’s not one based in backwards looking and nostalgia. It’s looking forwards as it really secures security and prosperity for both Britons and Americans alike.

Iran’s Supreme Leader sends chilling threat as he mocks US ‘arrogance and weakness’ | World | News– www.express.co.uk

pgnewser April 20, 2026 0

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Iran’s Supreme Leader has issied a chilling threat in a new bombshell message, while also taking a brutal swipe at Donald Trump and US troops.

Mojtaba Khamenei commended his forces for resisting what he called American and Israeli “arrogance”, before threatening to bring about “new defeats”. The Supreme Leader also said his opponents’ “weakness and humiliation” had been exposed for all to see. Khamenei has not been seen since the war began. He replaced his father Ali Khamenei, who was killed in Israeli-US strikes at the start of the conflict.

In a statement issued through an Iranian state news agency, Khamenei said his forces had “stood firm against America’s sinister schemes.”

He continued: “With its strong divine and popular support and in dense, fortified ranks, it (the army) stands shoulder to shoulder with other mujahideen of the armed forces against the two armies at the forefront of the front of kufr (disbelief) and arrogance, clashing with them hand-to-hand and exposing their weakness and humiliation to the eyes of the world.

Trump plans to ease access to psychedelics like psilocybin, ibogaine – The Washington Post– news.google.com

pgnewser April 20, 2026 0

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  1. Trump plans to ease access to psychedelics like psilocybin, ibogaine  The Washington Post
  2. Trump Loosens Restrictions on Psychedelic Drugs  The New York Times
  3. Trump signs order to speed up review of psychedelic drugs for mental health treatment  NBC News
  4. Trump announces reforms to accelerate access to psychedelic drug treatments  The Guardian
  5. President Trump orders faster review of psychedelic drugs for mental health treatment  10tv.com

Oil prices jump after U.S. seizes Iranian vessel, imperiling ceasefire – The Washington Post– news.google.com

pgnewser April 20, 2026 0

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  1. Oil prices jump after U.S. seizes Iranian vessel, imperiling ceasefire  The Washington Post
  2. Iran War Live Updates: Tehran Sends Mixed Signals on Talks After U.S. Seizes Ship  The New York Times
  3. U.S. seizes Iranian-flagged ship, Warsh’s big week, Cursor funding and more in Morning Squawk  CNBC
  4. Live updates: Pakistan prepares for upcoming peace talks despite US seizure of Iranian cargo ship  AP News
  5. Oil and Gas Prices Surge After U.S. Navy Seizes Iranian-Flagged Cargo Ship  Democracy Now!

A new force of nature is reshaping the planet, study finds– www.sciencedaily.com

pgnewser April 20, 2026 0

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Human societies have not just adapted to the natural world. They have steadily learned how to transform it. Drawing on research from archaeology, ecology, anthropology, and evolutionary theory, Erle Ellis, professor of geography and environmental systems at the University of Maryland Baltimore County, explains how cultural practices have evolved to give humans extraordinary influence over the ecosystems that sustain them.

From early uses of fire to cook food and shape landscapes to modern systems like industrial agriculture, global trade, and rapidly growing cities, societies have developed powerful tools and institutions. These social and cultural advances have allowed humans to reshape the planet on a massive scale while improving their ability to survive and thrive.

Middle East crisis live: ceasefire under pressure as Iran says it has no plans for talks after US seizes ship | US-Israel war on Iran– www.theguardian.com

pgnewser April 20, 2026 0

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Esmail Baghaei, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson, has been quoted by Al Jazeera as having said that Iran has no plans for a new round of talks with the US, saying Washington has violated the agreement from its implementation.

The spokesperson also said Tehran can’t forget US attacks on Iran during previous diplomatic talks as he insisted that Iran will continue defending its national interests.

Claudia Sheinbaum vows to ‘defend Mexicans at every level’ – National– globalnews.ca

pgnewser April 16, 2026 0

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Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum vowed Tuesday to take a harder line against the U.S. over the deaths of Mexican migrants in its immigration detention centres.

Sheinbaum had previously responded to U.S. President Donald Trump‘s anti-immigration provocations by defending Mexico’s sovereignty while meeting his requests to crack down on drug cartel activity. At the same time, the threat of tariffs and other economic or military-style sanctions loomed.

Armed Citizen Shoots and Kills Teen Suspect Who Opened Fire on Two People in Downtown Seattle– www.usacarry.com

pgnewser April 16, 2026 0

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Key Takeaways

  • A 16-year-old boy shot two people in downtown Seattle before being killed by a licensed concealed carrier.
  • The shooting occurred near the Four Seasons Hotel during a fight that escalated with gunfire.
  • Two victims, aged 18 and 17, were hospitalized in serious condition following the incident.
  • The armed citizen cooperated with police and was not arrested after the event.
  • This incident highlights the importance of lawful concealed carry in responding to active threats.

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

SEATTLE, WA — A 16-year-old boy who shot two people in downtown Seattle Wednesday night was killed by a licensed concealed carrier who intervened at the scene. As reported by MSN, the initial shooting happened around 10 p.m. near the Four Seasons Hotel on Union Street.

Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes said three people got into a fight when one pulled out a gun and shot two bystanders before fleeing the scene. A private citizen who was licensed to carry a firearm stepped in and shot the suspect.

Seattle Fire Department crews treated an 18-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy, both transported to the hospital in serious condition. The 16-year-old suspect was taken to Harborview Medical Center, where he died from his injuries.

Who is Péter Magyar? Meet the new prime minister of Hungary– www.foxnews.com

pgnewser April 16, 2026 0

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Péter Magyar has gone from political outsider to Hungary’s most powerful politician almost overnight.

The 44-year-old lawyer and former insider in former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s ruling party swept to victory in Hungary’s 2026 election, ending Orbán’s 16-year rule and stunning Europe.

“Thank you to every Hungarian at home and around the world!” he wrote on X. “It is an immense honor that you have empowered us to form a government with the most votes ever received, and to work for the next four years for a free, European, functioning, and humane Hungary.”

The Cross They Still Bear: Nigeria and Syria’s Christians Endure Bloody Massacres– www.cbn.com

pgnewser April 16, 2026 0

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International communities like Nigeria and Syria are experiencing seasons of bloodshed. Islamist militants are attacking churches, villages, and Christian neighborhoods while governments do little to stop them.

Ancient Christian communities that have survived for centuries now face extinction.

In parts of Nigeria, being a Christian can be a death sentence. During Easter week, Islamist gunmen unleashed a wave of terror on Christian communities, slaughtering more than 60 believers in villages, businesses, and churches—turning sacred days of celebration into unimaginable horror.

On Palm Sunday alone, armed militants stormed Angwan Rukuba, a predominantly Christian neighborhood in the city of Jos. That night, they fired on villagers, killing at least a dozen innocent people.

Will Earth really lose gravity on August 12, 2026? The shocking viral claim and the scientific reality behind it |– timesofindia.indiatimes.com

pgnewser April 16, 2026 0

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Rumours that Earth’s gravity suddenly disappeared for a few seconds have circulated widely on the Internet lately. This rumor is associated with 12 August 2026 and is based on an alleged link between Project Anchor and the temporary disappearance of Earth’s gravity. Although this might sound impressive, scientists have stated that this information is absolutely false. According to NASA and other relevant institutions, there is not a single scientific reason to believe in this conspiracy theory. It can be helpful to investigate the origin of this rumor and examine the nature of gravity.

What does the August 12 gravity theory actually claim

The statement was never made by a scientific organisation, nor was it backed up by any study in the field. The statement originated online, where creative content can easily attract the interest of netizens if it is bizarre or sensational enough. The case at hand had elements that sounded believable because of the inclusion of a supposed “leaked document” and an alleged “secret program” of NASA.As reported by The New York Post, there is also no record in history of any scientific venture named “Project Anchor.” There have been no documents authenticated for it, and no scientists or agencies have ever endorsed the idea. This is a classic example of viral misinformation in the age of the internet.

North Korea’s ‘very serious’ nuclear weapons threat to Washington and NYC | World | News– www.express.co.uk

pgnewser April 16, 2026 0

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(FILES) North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump cross south of the Military Demarcation Line that divides North and South Korea, after Trump briefly stepped over to the northern side, in the Joint Security Area (JSA) of Panmunjom in the Demilitarized zone (DMZ) on June 30, 2019. A new push to lift aid sanctions on North Korea could kickstart efforts to lure Kim Jong Un into nuclear negotiations with US President Donald Trump, analysts told AFP. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP via Getty Images) (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

The United Nations’ nuclear watchdog has warned that North Korea has made “very serious” advances in its ability to produce nuclear weapons.

This comes at a time when nuclear warfare is firmly in the public consciousness, amid ongoing Middle East tensions surrounding what the US claims are Iran’s nuclear capabilities.