California protection crews contain parts of wildfire that burned 4,100 acres 04. April 2026 (20:13) Springs fire, which had spread quickly by windy conditions, at least 45% contained on Saturday, say fire officialsCalifornia fire protection crews on Saturday were getting a handle on the wildfire that broke out the previous evening in Riverside county, fanned by high winds that quickly spread the flames to more than 4,100 acres.The Springs fire, about 64 miles (103km) east of Los Angeles, was at least 45% contained on Saturday, a fire department spokesperson said. It was 25% contained late on Friday evening. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
What we know so far about the US fighter jet shot down over Iran 04. April 2026 (19:04) The pilot of the downed jet has been safely rescued, but a search and rescue operation is still under way for the jet's second crew member, US media reports. (BBC News)
Federal judge halts White House effort to collect university data on applicants’ race 04. April 2026 (19:02) Trump ordered data collection after raising concern about race being used as factor in college admissionsA federal judge on Friday halted efforts by the Trump administration to collect data that proves higher education institutions aren’t considering race in admissions.The ruling from the US district court judge F Dennis Saylor IV in Boston granting the preliminary injunction follows a lawsuit filed earlier this month by a coalition of 17 Democratic state attorneys general. It will only apply to public universities in plaintiffs’ states. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Horror movie’: officials investigate after 21 dead dogs wash up on Washington state shore 04. April 2026 (18:59) Carasses wash ashore Guemes Island in ‘creepy mystery’, with authorities saying canines appear to be the same sizeOfficials are investigating after nearly two dozen dead canines washed ashore on a Washington state island, in what one local has compared to “the start of a horror movie”.The Skagit county sheriff’s office said 21 canines had been found on the shoreline of Guemes Island, about 80 miles north of Seattle, between 26 March and Friday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US authorities arrest relatives of late Iranian military commander who were living in Los Angeles 04. April 2026 (18:25) State department said niece and grandniece of Qassem Soleimani, killed in 2020 US drone strike, celebrated attacks against US soldiersUS federal agents have arrested the niece and grandniece of the late Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani after the Trump administration’s top diplomat, Marco Rubio, revoked their lawful permanent resident status, officials said on Saturday.“Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter are now in the custody of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement,” or ICE, the state department said in a statement. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
