Sir Keir Starmer says it is “deeply concerning” the rapper is set to headline a festival after recent antisemitic comments.
Source link
Kanye West: Pepsi withdraws as Wireless Festival sponsor after backlash
Jeffries ‘thankful’ US airman was rescued but criticizes ‘reckless and costly war’
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Sunday called the rescue of a U.S. airman in Iran “heroic,” but continued to criticize what he called a “war of choice” with Iran, now in its sixth week.
“I’m thankful that a second U.S. airman has been rescued heroically by our special forces. And we, of course, continue to pray for the safety, the health, the well-being of all of our men and women who are in uniform in a very dangerous theater of war,” Jeffries told ABC News’ “This Week” anchor George Stephanopoulos. “Donald Trump has gotten us involved in this reckless war of choice without any plan, any strategic objectives, and no clear exit strategy.”
U.S. forces overnight rescued an American airman who was reported missing after an F-15 was shot down by Iran over its territory Friday. President Donald Trump announced just after midnight Sunday that he had been found and was now “safe and sound.” Trump said the airman “sustained injuries, but he will be just fine.” The pilot was rescued on Friday.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., appears on ABC News’ “This Week” on April 5, 2026.
ABC News
Jeffries and most of his party have been staunchly opposed to the war with Iran and criticized the White House’s proposed budget, which would raise defense spending in fiscal year 2027 to $1.5 trillion, a 42% increase from 2026. The Pentagon is also seeking a $200 billion supplemental funding bill from Congress to fund the war.
Jeffries criticized the supplemental request, saying that the war is already costing taxpayers.
“They have more than enough resources, as far as we can tell. in order to do what is necessary at the same period of time, Congress has to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars,” Jeffries said. “This reckless and costly war of choice is increasing the cost of living on everyday Americans, particularly through gas prices.”
Gas prices in the U.S. have shot up to more than $4 per gallon on average since the start of the war after Iran brought oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz to a halt. Trump has threatened Iran to open the strait or face “hell,” warning of strikes targeting the country’s infrastructure and energy facilities.
Opening up the strait could require U.S. troops on the ground, military experts say, though the Trump administration has not announced any plans for ground forces. Jeffries said he would oppose any troops on the ground.
“The American people are not going to accept ground troops being put into harm’s way in this war of choice, when there’s no clear evidence that it actually is designed to improve our national security interests,” Jeffries said.
The president has also said that countries dependent on oil from the strait, including NATO allies of the U.S., should be responsible for opening it themselves. He has attacked those allies for staying out of the conflict and in recent weeks has floated leaving the alliance altogether. Those comments have already received bipartisan criticism, and Jeffries said he hopes that any attempt to leave NATO, which would require approval from Congress, would be rejected.
“I hope that there will be a bipartisan effort to convince this administration that withdrawing from NATO would be a reckless choice. This is a dangerous world. We need more friends, not more adversaries,” Jeffries said. “We should not walk away from an alliance that has actually kept the world and the United States as safe as possible.”
Here are more highlights from Jeffries’ interview:
On Trump’s executive order restricting mail-in voting
“We’re going to work as hard as we can to make sure that this is a free and fair election. That executive order is unlawful and unconstitutional. We’ve already filed litigation, and we expect that it will be declared so in short order by the courts.”
On his party’s unpopularity ahead of the midterms
“As it relates to the parties being perceived as unfavorable across the country, we understand that dynamic because the American people want to see action. Things haven’t been working out for them over the last several decades. Far too many people are struggling to, to survive and certainly can’t thrive paycheck to paycheck in this country, which should not be happening in the wealthiest country in the history of the world.
“And so we’re going to continue to forcefully push back against the extremism being unleashed on the American people, push back against the chaos, while at the same rate of time, convince every single American that it’s us who are determined to do the things that are necessary, bring about the bold, transformational changes necessary to support working-class Americans, everyday Americans, and middle-class Americans in a manner consistent with who we are when we are the best version of ourselves here in America.”
Pope Leo marks first Easter as pontiff with call for hope amid global conflicts
VATICAN CITY — VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Easter Mass as pontiff with a call Sunday to lay down arms and seek peace to global conflicts through dialogue, but he departed from a tradition of listing the world’s woes by name in the Urbi et Orbi blessing from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Leo, the first U.S.-born pope, emphasized Easter’s message of hope as a celebration of Jesus’ resurrection after being crucified.
“Let us allow our hearts to be transformed by his immense love for us! Let those who have weapons lay them down! Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace! Not a peace imposed by force, but through dialogue! Not with the desire to dominate others, but to encounter them!” the pope implored.
With the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran in its second month and Russia’s ongoing campaign in Ukraine, Leo acknowledged a sense of indifference “to the deaths of thousands of people … to the repercussions of hatred and division that conflicts sow … to the economic and social consequences they produce.’’
Without mentioning the wars by name, Leo quoted his predecessor, Pope Francis, who during his last public appearance from the same loggia last Easter reminded the faithful of the “great thirst for death, for killing, we witness each day.’’
Francis, weakened by a long illness, died the next day on Easter Monday.
The Urbi et Orbi blessing, Latin for “to the city and the world,’’ has traditionally included a litany of the world’s woes. Leo followed that formula during his Christmas blessing. There was no immediate explanation for the shift.
Earlier, Leo addressed some 50,000 faithful from an open-air altar in St. Peter’s Square flanked with white roses, while the steps leading down to the piazza where the faithful gathered were filled with spring perennials, symbolically resonating with the pope’s words.
He implored the faithful in his homily to keep their hope in the face of death, which lurks “in the abuses that crush the weakest among us, because of the idolatry of profit that plunders the earth’s resources, because of the violence of war that kills and destroys.’’
Speaking from the loggia, the pope announced a prayer vigil for peace April 11 in the basilica.
“On this day of celebration, let us abandon every desire for conflict, domination, and power, and implore the Lord to grant his peace to a world ravaged by wars and marked by a hatred and indifference that makes us feel powerless in the face of evil,’’ he said.
Leo greeted the global faithful in 10 languages, including Arabic, Chinese and Latin, reviving a practice that his predecessor Pope Francis had let lapse.
Before retreating into the basilica, Leo stepped forward out of the loggia’s shadow and waved to the cheering crowd below. He later greeted people in the piazza from the popemobile that took him all the way down Via della Conciliazione toward the Tiber River and back.
During the marathon that is Holy Week, Leo also reclaimed the tradition of washing priests’ feet on Holy Thursday, a gesture of encouragement toward clergy, after Francis had chosen a more inclusive path, traveling to prisons and homes for the disabled to wash the feet of women, non-Christians and prisoners.
The 70-year-old pontiff also became the first pope in decades to carry the light wooden cross for the entire 14 stations during the Way of the Cross on Good Friday.
Traditional ceremonies at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, revered by Christians as the traditional site of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, were scaled back under an agreement with Israeli police. Authorities have put limits on the sizes of public gatherings due to ongoing missile attacks.
The restrictions also dampened the recent Muslim holy month of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr holiday, as well as the current weeklong Jewish festival of Passover. On Sunday, the Jewish priestly blessing at the Western Wall — normally attended by tens of thousands — was limited to just 50 people.
The restrictions have strained relations between Israeli authorities and Christian leaders. Police last week prevented two of the church’s top religious leaders, including Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, from celebrating Palm Sunday at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
On Tuesday, the pope had expressed hope that the war could be finished before Easter.
Armenian Christians celebrated Easter at a church in Iran’s capital on Sunday, striving to maintain a sense of normalcy five weeks into the war.
Families embraced and children exchanged painted eggs at the St. Sarkis Cathedral in central Tehran. Iran’s capital has been targeted by daily airstrikes since the United States and Israel launched the war on Feb. 28.
“Whether we like it or not, we have young children who do not understand what’s going on,” said Juanita Arakel, 40, an English language teacher. “They just need to feel normal.”
The Islamic Republic, with a population of around 90 million, is home to some 300,000 Christians, mostly Armenians, and three seats in parliament are reserved for Christians.
“My appeal first is to those who started the war to look up to the sky where love and mutual respect was given to us, whether through the birth of Jesus or his rising from the dead,” said Sepuh Sargsyan, the archbishop of the Armenian Diocese of Tehran. “Our calls and prayers are that we will be able to end this war.”
____
Barry reported from Milan. Associated Press writer Josef Federman in Jerusalem and Bassem Mroue in Tehran, Iran, contributed to this report.
NHL fan goes into labor during Oilers game against Golden Knights, broadcaster says
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
An NHL fan at Rogers Place to watch the Edmonton Oilers take on the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday gave birth in the arena during the game, according to a broadcaster.
Oilers play-by-play man Jack Michaels made the revelation as Sportsnet came back on air for the start of the third period.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Vegas Golden Knights’ Noah Hanifin and Oilers’ Jack Roslovic battle for the puck in Edmonton, Alberta, on April 4, 2026. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press)
“Breaking news, we have word that someone has gone into labor here tonight,” Michaels said. “There’s a baby being born on the seventh floor at Rogers Place as we speak. So, someone is going to have a great story to tell. It would be nice to have them join us on ‘After Hours’ to describe what’s happened but that could be asking a bit much.”
There was no more information given about the baby, including the child’s name. Perhaps Edmond or Edmund could be a fitting name if the child is a boy.
OILERS LOSE LEON DRAISAITL FOR REST OF REGULAR SEASON AS PLAYOFFS APPROACH
Oilers goalie Connor Ingram makes a save against the Vegas Golden Knights in Edmonton, Alberta, on April 4, 2026. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press)
Meanwhile, the Oilers fell to the Golden Knights, 5-1. Brett Howden and Jeremy Lauzon each had a goal and an assist. Colton Sissons, Mark Stone and Rasmus Andersson had a goal each as well.
Vegas goaltender Carter Hart made 31 saves in the victory as the team remained perfect since John Tortorella was named head coach.
Both teams are in the midst of a division title race. Edmonton maintained a slim lead over the Anaheim Ducks with five games left in the season. Each team has 87 points on the year.
With the win, Vegas moved a point back behind both teams.
Vegas Golden Knights’ Ivan Barbashev, Mark Stone and Noah Hanifin celebrate a goal against the Oilers in Edmonton, Alberta, on April 4, 2026. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
The sublime perfection of Raphael
Raphael was believed to be 17 when he did this chalk sketch, likely a self-portrait. “What is really extraordinary is the perfection of his technique in drawing,” said curator Carmen Bambach.
CBS News
You can see in this chalk sketch, by a kid, what was coming … how, in an incredibly short time, Raphael would be regarded as one of the greatest artists of the Italian Renaissance, right up there with Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. “I think posterity sometimes sees him in third place,” said Bambach. “I believe he is in equal place.”
Bambach spent eight years putting together the first comprehensive exhibition of Raphael’s work ever in the United States – 237 works in total. It has just opened at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
Born in Urbino in 1483, Raphael’s precociousness exploded into brilliance when he moved to Florence at the age of 21. “He encounters Leonardo, who is very interested in, sort of, the way that an artist can let the creative juices flow on the paper,” said Bambach. “Raphael absorbs this, and all of a sudden, we see this tremendous sense of movement, of drama, storytelling. He’s able to pick the climactic point of any story. He’s got to be one of the most amazing storytellers that way.”
The humanity, the tenderness of a mother with her baby … his drawings and paintings of the Madonna and Child are beautiful exercises in wishful thinking.
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., Andrew W. Mellon Collection 
“Mortality of women of child-bearing age was stratospheric, and the same thing for children,” Bambach said. “When one has Madonnas that look like they’re a beautiful picture of health, these bambini that are plump and delightful – you want to pinch them! – it’s like producing a kind of idealized universe that was entirely aspirational.”
As opposed to his portraits, which look like the real people he painted.
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. 
Bindo Altoviti was one of the pope’s bankers, and a friend of Raphael’s, who captured his gaze, the tendrils of hair down his back, the personification of sensuality. “Bindo Altoviti is kind of my favorite portrait in that I have always had a crush on that guy,” said Bambach.
Raphael’s friendships with well-connected patrons led to bigger and bigger commissions, and ultimately to Rome and the Vatican, at the age of 25, to produce frescoes for the pope’s private offices and library. (They are reproduced in the Met show at ¾ size.)
He slipped a likeness of himself into the most famous, “The School of Athens,” and of Leonardo. Some scholars say one brooding figure is Michelangelo.
Bildagentur-online/Universal Images Group via Getty Images 
Bambach said, “Michelangelo was intensely envious of Raphael. Raphael was the tragedy that happened to Michelangelo in many ways, because it came so easily to him.”
Raphael was commissioned to create the designs for enormous tapestries meant to hang directly below Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling.
Of the artist’s drawing of an old and young man, Bambach noted, “This is the most beautiful drawing that Raphael ever produced. For somebody to get that foreshortening of the fingers, and the different planes of the hands in a credible way, this is how you tell the greatest artists from somebody who is just good.”
CBS News 
The drawing was for “The Transfiguration,” what would turn out to be his last painting.
On April 6, 1520, his 37th birthday, Raphael died of a fever in Rome. The inscription on his tomb in the Pantheon reads, “While he was alive, Nature feared she would be surpassed by him. When he died, she feared that she would die, too.”
For more info:
Story produced by Robert Marston. Editor: Remington Korper.
See also:
3 killed as high winds topple a tree on an Easter egg hunt in Germany
FRANKFURT, Germany — Three people, including a 10-month-old girl, were killed Sunday when high winds toppled a tree in northern Germany during an Easter egg hunt, police said.
Around 50 people from a nearby residential facility for new mothers, pregnant women and children were attending the event in woods near the town of Satrupholm at about 11 a.m. when a 30-meter (100-foot) tree fell on the group, police said in a statement.
Four people were pinned under the tree. A 21-year-old woman and a 16-year-old girl were treated by first responders but died at the scene, while the woman’s 10-month old daughter died later in the hospital. An 18-year-old woman suffered serious injuries and was brought to the hospital by helicopter.
The facility is part of the state-funded child welfare system and supports pregnant women and new mothers who need help, according to its website. Grief counselors were sent to the scene.
Pictures from the scene published by the Bild news site showed several Easter eggs scattered on the ground and two of the victims covered in white sheets.
The area had been under a high winds warning from the German weather service.
Extended Interview: Jean Smart
In this web exclusive, Jean Smart, the Emmy-winning star of “Hacks,” talks with correspondent Tracy Smith about filming the final season of her HBO series.
Source link
VAR review: Should Man City have had another penalty in Liverpool thrashing?
Video assistant referee causes controversy every week whether it be the Premier League, Champions League or FA Cup, but how are decisions made and are they correct?
This season, we take a look at the major incidents to examine and explain the process both in terms of VAR protocol and the Laws of the Game.
Andy Davies (@andydaviesref) is a former Select Group referee, with over 12 seasons on the elite list, working across the Premier League and Championship. With extensive experience at the elite level, he has operated within the VAR space in the Premier League and offers a unique insight into the processes, rationale and protocols that are delivered on a Premier League matchday.
0:37
Cherki furious after penalty no-call
Manchester City’s Rayan Cherki goes down under pressure from Milos Kerkez, but isn’t happy to his penalty claims waved off.
Referee: Michael Oliver
VAR: Paul Howard
Time: 17 minutes
Incident: Possible penalty to Man City
What happened: City’s Rayan Cherki tries to step around Liverpool defender Milos Kerkez, who made a challenge for the ball. Cherki ended up on the floor as his City teammates demanded a penalty. Pep Guardiola, who was watching the game from the stands due to a touchline ban, looked indignant when TV cameras showed him looking at a replay.
VAR decision: Referee Michael Oliver decided no penalty given, with VAR quickly checking and agreeing. VAR deemed that Kerkez’s challenge was not a foul.
Verdict: As we always discuss, the starting point for any review is with the referee’s on-field decision and their rationale given. On-field communications from referee Oliver described Kerkez playing the ball in the first contact, with the second contact created by both the attacker and the defender’s natural movement and no foul action by the defender. The VAR was comfortable that the referee’s interpretation of the incident in real time matched that of the replays and cleared the decision as correct.
It is the right call. City players showed their frustrations, but for a penalty to be awarded a clear foul would have had to have taken place to send the referee to the pitchside monitor. As described by Oliver, the second contact, which left Cherki on the floor, was a combination of both players’ natural movement with inevitable contact being made. There will be a view that Cherki dragged his left leg to try and find contact and create a foul, and there is evidence of this being the case.
These types of situations can be misread by a referee. However, Oliver was well positioned and judged the incident for what it was.
0:34
O’Reilly earns City a penalty after Van Dijk foul
Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly draws a penalty from Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dijk.
Time: 38 minutes
Incident: Penalty awarded to Man City
What happened: Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk challenged Nico O’Reilly in the penalty with the city player ending up on the floor. Referee Michael Oliver did not hesitate and pointed to the penalty spot.
VAR decision: It was a very quick review for VAR Paul Howard. He was happy the on-field decision was correct and cleared the decision.
Verdict: It is a mystery why Van Dijk seemed so upset with the referee’s decision. It was without a doubt the correct decision. The Liverpool captain was late with his tackle and made no contact with the ball. It was a clear foul and penalty.
0:23
Ekitike wins a penalty for Liverpool
Hugo Ekitike gets past Matheus Nunes and draws a penalty for Liverpool.
Time: 38 minutes
Incident: Penalty awarded to Liverpool
What happened: Man City defender Matheus Nunes caught Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitike late with a challenge in the City area. Referee Oliver had a great position and awarded a penalty to Liverpool.
VAR decision: The on-field decision of a penalty kick was checked and cleared.
Verdict: This was a very straightforward review for the VAR, and, in truth, he would have known his position in real time as it was such an obvious and unnecessary foul by Nunes. However, a full check process must still be completed using three alternative camera angles to confirm that he was comfortable the on-field decision was correct.
A correct on-field decision by Michael Oliver, and not one that would have tested him too much. The challenge was late, unnecessary and a strange decision by Nunes, as Ekitike was running to the goal line with little danger.
From a VAR perspective, they don’t get simpler than that as an incident review. It was a good afternoon for Oliver and VAR Paul Howard following a week when VAR had had a lot of negative noise — three in four match-going fans in England have opposed VAR in a survey.
The officiating team at Etihad Stadium will be pleased with their work.
Yankees legend Reggie Jackson criticizes Pete Hegseth’s leadership amid Iran conflict
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Baseball Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson criticized War Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday over the decision to shake up leadership amid the ongoing military operation in Iran.
Hegseth asked Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George to step down and take immediate retirement on Thursday. A senior War Department official told Fox News that Hegseth called George and asked for his immediate retirement, saying, “It was time for a leadership change in the Army.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks to members of the media during a press briefing at the Pentagon, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Gen. David Hodne, who led the U.S. Army’s Transformation and Training Command, and Maj. Gen. William Green, the head of the Army’s Chaplain Corps, were also ousted, according to Reuters.
The former New York Yankees star was critical of the moves.
“What’s happening with our Sec of Defense. How do we get rid of all that experience at this time? Help me I don’t get it. Getting rid of The Chaplin (sic) leader?” Jackson wrote on X.
KNICKS BROADCASTER’S JOKE COMPARING BULLS’ ‘OBLITERATED’ DEFENSE TO IRAN LEAVES PARTNER STUNNED
New York Yankees special advisor Reggie Jackson bats during practice before a game against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on June 25, 2018. (Eric Hartline/USA Today Sports)
“What? We’ve got a war going on and we’re getting rid of most of our experience and knowledge built with uniform time.”
War Department chief spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed George’s move in a post on X.
“General Randy A. George will be retiring from his position as the 41st Chief of Staff of the Army effective immediately,” he wrote. “The Department of War is grateful for General George’s decades of service to our nation. We wish him well in his retirement.”
Hegseth announced last month changes to military “faith codes” as he began to overhaul the Pentagon chaplain corps. He vowed that more changes would be coming.
Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson is introduced during the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Clark Sports Center in Cooperstown, N.Y., on July 27, 2025. (Gregory Fisher/Imagn Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Fox News’ Morgan Phillips contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.