Spain's far-right Vox party secures first regional coalition deal with conservatives

By Victoria Waldersee

MADRID, April 17 (Reuters) - Spain's far-right party Vox and the mainstream conservative opposition People's Party have struck a preliminary deal to govern in coalition in Extremadura in the first ‌of three regional deals being negotiated that could test the ability of the right-wing alliance to ‌oust the ruling Socialists in the next general election.

Vox had previously pulled out of five regional governments in 2024 in protest at the ​PP accepting the distribution of unaccompanied migrant minors around the country including in regions their coalitions governed.

In a sign of Vox's growing influence over immigration policy, the latest deal says a future PP-Vox government will "oppose by all means necessary" any further such distribution of undocumented migrants including minors.

The success or failure of this second attempt at joint governance ‌will be closely watched by voters ⁠who are considering supporting an alliance of the two parties in the next national election, which Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez must call before June next year.

Polls currently suggest ⁠the PP and Vox are the only pairing able to form a majority, with the two parties expected to garner a combined 51.4% of votes compared to just 27.7% for the Socialists and roughly 8% for smaller parties further left, ​which ​have taken a battering in regional elections.

'BLANK CHEQUE'

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The three regions ​of Aragon, Extremadura and Castille and Leon, ‌together home to roughly 10% of Spain's population, are major agricultural producers with billions pledged by U.S. and Chinese firms in industrial investments in coming years, including in data centres and battery production.

Extremadura also hosts renewable energy production sites, including Europe's largest solar facility, that are likely to come under scrutiny by Vox, which opposes the European Green Deal and climate protection policies.

Though the PP will take the presidency and most ministries in Extremadura, ‌Vox will lead the agriculture ministry as well as the family ​ministry, granting it greater control over important areas for its voter ​base.

The coalition deal includes opposition to large renewable ​projects on agricultural land and a pledge to push to keep open the Almaraz ‌nuclear plant, currently slated to close by 2028.

A ​future Vox-PP government would cut ​regional taxes for lower-income earners, expand inheritance tax breaks and prioritise access to public services and housing for nationals or those with a "real, lasting and verifiable connection to the territory," according to the ​deal.

The Socialist government has accused the ‌PP of writing Vox a "blank cheque" to get deals done. PP leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo argues ​an alliance is the only democratic solution given Vox's position as Spain's now third-largest political force.

(Reporting ​by Victoria Waldersee, editing by Aislinn Laing, Kirsten Donovan)

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April 19, 2026

Spain's far-right Vox party secures first regional coalition deal with conservatives

By Victoria Waldersee MADRID, April 17 (Reuters) - Spain's far-right party Vox and the mainstream conservative opposition Peo...

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Andrew Lloyd Webber reveals he’s a recovering alcoholic and shares moment he knew he needed help

Andrew Lloyd Webberhas revealed that he is a recovering alcoholic, and that he now attends AA meetings every day – regardless of whether he is at home in London, Hampshire or New York.

The British musical theatre impresario behind hit shows such asThe Phantom of the Opera, EvitaandJesus Christ Superstarfirst announced that he had stopped drinking back in 2016.

At the time, he sold much of his famous wine collection that included cases of Château Pétrus 1982 worth £50,000 each.

But Lloyd Webber, 78, now says that he began drinking again in secret after 18 months.

“I was doing what they call ‘white-knuckling’, without any backup, and I started to worry that I wasn’t being creative,” he toldThe Times.

Lloyd Webber said he realised he needed help last year and that getting sober was “the best thing that ever happened to me”.

“You think it’s a secret, but it’s not,” he said of his past drinking habit. “Everybody knows. I started getting into a downhill spiral and about 18 months ago the family was in a desperate state. My wife was feeling she couldn’t go on.”

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The composer said he had been surprised by how much he enjoyed attending AA meetings: “You go into a room and everybody’s equal. I’ve made friends that I wouldn’t have thought possible.”

Lloyd Webber was also delighted to discover that, without alcohol, he is more productive than ever. He is writing two musicals, one based on the 2006 filmThe Illusionist,and another about the 1911 theft of the Mona Lisa.

He plans to auction off the last of his wine at Christie’s between 22 April to 6 May, with the estimated £300,000 raised to be donated to the Music in Secondary Schools Trust.

Lloyd Webber’s revelation comes shortly after his younger brother, the cellist Julian Lloyd Webber,announced that he is undergoing treatment for prostate cancer.

The musician, who had only just returned to live performances after a 12-year absence due to injury, said he looked forward to making a “full recovery” and had no intention of cancelling any of his engagements.

If you or someone you know is suffering from alcohol addiction, you can confidentially call the national alcohol helpline Drinkline on 0300 123 1110 or visit the NHS website here for information about the programmes available to you.

If you have been affected by this article, you can contact the following organisations for support: actiononaddiction.org.uk, mind.org.uk, nhs.uk/livewell/mentalhealth, mentalhealth.org.uk.

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April 19, 2026

Andrew Lloyd Webber reveals he’s a recovering alcoholic and shares moment he knew he needed help

Andrew Lloyd Webberhas revealed that he is a recovering alcoholic, and that he now attends AA meetings every day – regardless of whethe...

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Luke Kennard scores 27, Lakers take Game 1 against Rockets

Luke Kennard scored 27 points and LeBron James added 19 points with 13 assists as the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers earned a 107-98 victory over the visiting Houston Rockets on Saturday in Game 1 of a Western Conference first-round playoff series.

Deandre Ayton scored 19 points with 11 rebounds and Marcus Smart added 15 points with eight assists as the fourth-seeded Lakers won with leading scorers Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) watching from the bench.

"We were really poised as a team," Lakers head coach JJ Redick said. "We had a great next-play mentality. Wasn't a perfect game. None of these games are gonna be perfect. Got contributions from a lot of people in a lot of different ways and made enough winning plays, despite the turnovers and the offense rebounds."

In just his seventh start since joining the Lakers from the Atlanta Hawks at the trade deadline, Kennard went 9 of 13 from the floor and 5 of 5 from 3-point range while delivering a season high in points to fill the scoring void at guard.

"I just liked that he was aggressive shooting 3s. He played a fantastic basketball game," Redick said of Kennard. "There were a couple of shots he hesitated on but he just played aggressive tonight."

Alperen Sengun scored 19 points while Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard each added 17 for the fifth-seeded Rockets, who were playing without leading scorer Kevin Durant (knee).

Jabari Smith Jr. scored 16 points with 12 rebounds and Tari Eason also had 16 points for Houston, which has lost three consecutive road games to Los Angeles since the middle of March.

"There are some things we left on the table and didn't do as well as we could have and opportunities missed," Rockets head coach Ime Udoka said. "Some of that is just converting easy shots. But at the same time, it felt like we weren't at our best."

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The Lakers shot 60.6% from the floor and 52.6% from 3-point range, while the Rockets shot 37.6% and 33.3% respectively.

Kennard helped put the Rockets away with three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter. His second of the final period capped a 13-3 run and gave the Lakers an 88-72 lead with 7:58 remaining.

James made a turnaround hook inside with 4:43 remaining to put Los Angeles up 96-80. The 41-year-old added a fadeaway jumper with 2:57 remaining for a 98-84 lead.

Houston was within 100-91 with 1:40 remaining on a dunk from Thompson before Ayton put the game away for Los Angeles on a three-point play with 1:04 left for a 105-93 lead.

"I don't know if it was a deer-in-the-headlight thing," Udoka said. "We have some young guys out there, but it's not their first time. When you kind of struggle across the board like that, some nerves might have been there a little bit. We have to flush that part of it and bounce back on Tuesday."

The Lakers shot 70.6% from the floor in the fourth quarter and 56.2% in the second half.

The Rockets finished with a 44-35 rebounding advantage.

The Lakers got off to a fast start, leading by eight points in the first quarter, when James had eight assists, and took a 33-29 lead after the opening period. Los Angeles led 50-48 at the half on 64.7% shooting from the floor as Ayton scored 12 points. Sengun had 11 at the half for Houston.

--Field Level Media

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April 19, 2026

Luke Kennard scores 27, Lakers take Game 1 against Rockets

Luke Kennard scored 27 points and LeBron James added 19 points with 13 assists as the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers earned a 107-98 v...

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These are college football's eight biggest QB competitions. Who has edge?

Quarterback competitions aren’t what they used to be.

The amount of player movement at quarterback every winter has removed much of the guesswork from these offseason battles, given that many quarterbacks simply hop into the transfer portal rather than roll the dice on losing a competition and a year of eligibility.

But there are a few high-profile contests underway this spring in the Power Four, including at potential College Football Playoff contenders inAlabama,ClemsonandTennessee.

Heading into a crucial season, Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer is evaluating two highly talented but unproven contenders in redshirt sophomore Austin Mack and true freshman Keelon Russell. The latter made a late move with 240 yards and four touchdowns in the Tide’s spring game.

These eight competitions are worth monitoring as the Bowl Subdivision gets ready for the summer:

Alabama

Contenders:Austin Mack, Keelon Russell.

Mack looked the part of Alabama’s next starter after coming in for Ty Simpson during the tail end of a Rose Bowl loss to Indiana in last year’s playoff quarterfinals. He completed 11 of 16 attempts against the Hoosiers and went 24 of 32 for 228 years on the season. Russell was a top-level recruit who played in just two games in 2025 and preserved his redshirt. Mack has the edge in overall experience and in his experience in the scheme after following DeBoer from Washington. But Russell winning the battle would come as no surprise.

Austin Mack or Keelon Russell?The latest intel on Alabama's QB competition

Clemson

Contenders:Brock Bradley, Chris Denson, Trent Pearman, Tait Reynolds, Christopher Vizzina.

Vizzina is the heavy favorite coming out of the spring after spending the past two seasons as Cade Klubnik’s backup and going for 317 yards and three touchdowns as the starter in last year’s loss to SMU. Reynolds, a freshman, has ascended into the backup role. That could result in Denson moving away from quarterback this season. Reynolds has a shot at unseating Vizzina heading into the opener but is more likely to earn an in-season promotion if the passing game sputters.

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Tennessee

Contenders:Faizon Brandon, George MacIntyre.

The talent may be obvious, but neither option inspires huge confidence at this point: MacIntyre is a redshirt freshman who attempted nine passes in 2025 and Brandon is a true freshman, though of the five-star variety. While Josh Heupel’s biggest successes at Tennessee have come with a veteran under center, the Volunteers did make the playoff with then-freshman Nico Iamaleava as the starter.

Florida

Contenders:Tramell Jones Jr., Aaron Philo.

New coach Jon Sumrallhas said this competition will extend into fall camp even if Philo seems to be the favorite. He has the edge in experience after making more than 100 attempts across two years at Georgia Tech and has a deeper familiarity with the Gators’ offense under coordinator Buster Faulkner, who held the same position with the Yellow Jackets. Yet Jones outplayed Philo in the final scrimmage and did a better job during the spring of protecting the football.

Duke

Contenders:Walker Eget, Dan Mahan, Ari Patu, Terry Walker III.

Duke lost rising junior and projected starterDarian Mensah to Miami just as the portal closed this winter. In response, the Blue Devils signed San Jose State transfer Walker Eget, who went for 5,555 yards and 30 touchdowns the past two seasons and was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA. Eget has been slowed by knee surgery, however. That could give Mahan a small window to make a move in this competition; the Blue Devils’ coaches are high on the redshirt freshman.

North Carolina

Contenders:Travis Burgess, Taron Dickens, Billy Edwards Jr., Au’Tori Newkirk, Miles O’Neill.

Well, the Tar Heels definitely have options. Bill Belichick andnew offensive coordinator Bobby Petrinocould go with Edwards, who has Power Four starting experience but missed all but two games of last season at Wisconsin because of a knee injury. They could roll with Dickens,who put up jaw-dropping numbers at Western Carolinabefore transferring to Chapel Hill in February. O’Neill looks the part at 6-5 and 220 pounds but needs more seasoning after getting into seven games at Texas A&M as a redshirt freshman in 2025. Newkirk is the only UNC quarterback returning from last season, which probably means nothing. Burgess arrives on campus as a true freshman and is buried on the depth chart, though that could quickly change if the Tar Heels’ season runs off the rails. Anyone who saw Belichick’s debut knows that’s a possibility.

Virginia Tech

Contenders:Ethan Grunkemeyer, Troy Huhn.

The Hokies went into spring workouts with Grunkemeyer as the heavy favorite for the starting job. The sophomore was the primary starter at Penn State last season after Drew Allar's injury andfollowed former coach James Franklin, joining a quarterback room that lost starter Kyron Drones to graduation and needed an overhaul. But even as Grunkemeyer remains the odds-on pick to start the opener, Tech will enter Saturday’s scrimmage with a tighter competition thanks to Huhn’s strong performance in the spring. A true freshman, Huhn was verbally committed to Penn State but switched to Tech after Franklin was hired.

Iowa

Contenders:Hank Brown, Jeremy Hecklinski.

Former starter Mark Gronowski’s performance last season proved the right kind of quarterback can shine in Iowa coordinator Tim Lester’s scheme. True freshman Tradon Bessinger will arrive this summer and possibly impact the race during preseason camp. But the competition is really centered on two former transfers in Hecklinski (Wake Forest) and Brown (Auburn), who joined the program before last season. Hecklinski took over the backup role from Brown at the midseason point, though both continued to share practice snaps through bowl play.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:College football biggest QB battles this spring in Power Four conferences

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April 18, 2026

These are college football's eight biggest QB competitions. Who has edge?

Quarterback competitions aren’t what they used to be. The amount of player movement at quarterback every winter has removed much o...

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Bayern primed to finish the job against Real Madrid in Champions League

MUNICH (AP) — Bayern Munich is primed to finish the job against embattled Real Madrid to reach the Champions League semifinals on the way to a potential treble of trophies from an outstanding season.

Germany Champions League Soccer

The Bavarian powerhouse holds a 2-1 lead over Madrid from the first leg of their quarterfinal last week, and coach Vincent Kompany has a full squad at his disposal with no injuries after Bayernsmashed the Bundesliga goals recordwith a 5-0 rout of St. Pauli at the weekend.

That victory put Bayern within touching distance of yet another league title – the 13th in 14 years – while it faces Bayer Leverkusen in the semifinals of the German Cup on April 22.

Bayern’s excellence contrasts sharply with Madrid’s troubles. The 15-time European champion faces the prospect of a second consecutive season without a trophy unless it beats Bayern away by two goals in what is sure to be a hostile environment in Munich.

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Madrid washeld 1-1 at home by Gironaat the weekend, allowing Barcelona to open a nine-point lead in La Liga, after its third straight game without a win.

Kylian Mbappé received a blow to his face at the end of that match but will be able to play as Madrid attempts a famed “remontada” (comeback) to salvage the tie and keep alive its hopes of a trophy in the competition that defines the club.

“We are the team that never gives up,” coach Álvaro Arbeloa said.

AP soccer:https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

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April 18, 2026

Bayern primed to finish the job against Real Madrid in Champions League

MUNICH (AP) — Bayern Munich is primed to finish the job against embattled Real Madrid to reach the Champions League semifinals on the w...

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‘Instead of bonding with my newborn I was fighting for my life – I want change for mothers diagnosed with cancer’

Amotherwho was diagnosed with breastcancerwhen her daughter was just months old has said she spent hermaternity leavefightingfor her life instead of bonding with her newborn.

Anna Priest, 41, noticed a lump at the start of 2024while she was breastfeeding her youngest childIvy, who was four months at the time but is now two. However, she said she had to wait until Ivy started to wean, which was still premature, before medical examinations confirmed herbreast cancerdiagnosis in May of that year.

What followed were months of gruelling treatment, including 16 rounds of chemotherapy, surgery that meant she was unable to carry Ivy, and the difficult decision to use a cold cap to reduce her other children’s distress but which meant more time in hospital away from her newborn.

“It was a real battle for me as I was leaving little baby Ivy at home, then I would be at home and feel dreadful with the side effects,” she toldThe Independent. “It was not the maternity leave I’d planned, [of] baby clubs and spending time with other mums. [There are] milestones you feel you’re missing out on, as well as bonding time that’s so precious.”

But this was time the mother-of-three never got back, as under current UK law, maternity leave must begin at the birth of a child and cannot be paused or postponed.

Every day, at least two women in the UK are diagnosed with cancer during pregnancy or within the first year after giving birth, according to charity Mummy’s Star, which supports women diagnosed with cancer in or around pregnancy.

As a result, hundreds of mothers face losing much, or all, of the period designed for recovery and bonding with their baby – because they are undergoing life-saving treatment. Mummy’s Star found that almost all of the mothers (94 per cent) who responded to its survey last year said their maternity leave was disrupted by their diagnosis.

Campaigners are urging thegovernmentto allow maternity leave to be deferred until cancer treatment has finished. The #SaveOurBond campaign suggests women on maternity leave would automatically go on sick leave if they receive a serious diagnosis, then they can finish their maternity leave once they are feeling well enough, before returning to work. A similar change was introduced in Ireland in 2024.

If maternity legislation had been reformed and clarified at the time Ms Priest needed it, she said it would have been life-changing. “It would’ve very much helped me emotionally, physically, mentally, financially,” she said. “It’s been brutal financially because I haven’t been well enough to return to work.”

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The 41-year-old was freelancing at the time and so on statutory maternity pay, which ended two months after her diagnosis. She said she was then not made aware she was eligible for sick leave, which she also discovered was an arduous process.

“When you’re fighting for your life and your kids, that’s not the sort of thing you prioritise,” she said. So there was a six-month gap when she had no money coming in at all, a stressor which can force women back to work prematurely. Ms Priest said she felt “huge pressure” and has now decided to return to work, despite still receiving treatment, although there is fortunately now no evidence the cancer remains.

She said: “It’s just another thing to worry about. My mental health throughout this has been ripped to shreds. You’re not only thinking about your children, but also, ‘Am I going to survive this? What’s my legacy?’ The emotional toll this has taken on me – it’s kicking you when you’re down. That mental pressure when you should be fighting for other things such as your life, and then the financial impact on us.”

The campaign has already gained backing from the likes of John McDonnell MP and Grahame Morris MP.

Mr McDonnell, Labour MP for Hayes & Harlington and former shadow chancellor, said: “At the request of several constituents, I met the ‘Save our Bond’ campaigners. This campaign asks that mums and birthing parents diagnosed with cancer in or around their pregnancy are allowed to defer their maternity leave until their treatment is complete. Really good idea – I support.”

Ms Priest, who is a trustee of Mummy’s Star, is joining calls for legislative change.

“It’s only a tiny amendment, yet makes such a significant difference to women such as myself’s lives – I feel completely and utterly robbed,” she said. “Sick leave is sick leave, maternity leave is maternity leave. We want the law to be changed so you can make that clear distinction and still be allowed to have that precious maternity leave for the purpose it was intended – which is to bond with your child.”

A UK government spokesperson said: “Receiving news of a cancer diagnosis is devastating for individuals and families at any time, especially for mothers on maternity leave who should be spending that precious time bonding with their newborn baby.

“Our National Cancer Plan sets out how we will support people including pregnant and postnatal women with cancer, and our parental leave review is exploring how we can better support working families so that parents can spend time doing what matters most – caring for their baby.”

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April 18, 2026

‘Instead of bonding with my newborn I was fighting for my life – I want change for mothers diagnosed with cancer’

Amotherwho was diagnosed with breastcancerwhen her daughter was just months old has said she spent hermaternity leavefightingfor her li...

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57 days to the World Cup: Jairzinho can't stop scoring during Brazil's 1970 title run

The countdown to the2026 World Cupis on! Each day ahead of the tournament’s return to North America, Yahoo Sports will highlight an insight or moment that showcases just how grand the world’s biggest sporting spectacle has become — even beyond the expanded field of this year’s global event.

The 1970 World Cup in Mexico was a memorable one for the number offirststhat happened. There was also an historicsecond, and one very notablelastthat occurred during the tournament.

It was the first World Cup to:

• be held outside of Europe or South America• allow teams to make subs (Anatoliy Puzach for Viktor Serebryanikov, Soviet Union)• feature a yellow and red card system• see a coach win the World Cup as a player and a manager (Mário Zagallo, Brazil)

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It was also the last World Cup for the legendary Pelé, who helped lead Brazil to its third title, which meant they were able tokeep the Jules Rimet Trophy.

The 1970 tournament also marked the second time in World Cup history that a player scored in every single one of their team's matches en route to the title. Alcides Ghiggia found the back of the net in each of Uruguay's four matches in 1950. Two decades later, a Brazilian would match that record and do so in two more games.

After struggling as a left wing during the 1966 World Cup, Jairzinho moved to the right side for 1970 following the retirement of Garrincha. In a team full of stars like Pelé, Carlos Alberto, and Gérson, among many others, he would would shine for the Seleção.

Jairzinho, who earned the nickname "O Furacão'" (The Hurricane), scored twice in Brazil's opening match against Czechoslovakia and once in each of their final two group stage matches against England and Romania. The goals kept coming in the knockout round as he tallied once each against Peru, Uruguay and then Italy during a 4-1 win in the final.

After his playing career ended, Jairzinho became a coach for youth teams and is credited with discovering future legend Ronaldo Nazário, who was playing for São Cristóvão at the time.

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April 18, 2026

57 days to the World Cup: Jairzinho can't stop scoring during Brazil's 1970 title run

The countdown to the2026 World Cupis on! Each day ahead of the tournament’s return to North America, Yahoo Sports will highlight an ins...

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