LONDON — Former One Direction member Niall Horan has fans buzzing with the announcement of his new single “Dinner Party,” set for digital release on Friday, March 20, 2026. The track marks the Irish singer-songwriter’s first solo single since his 2023 album *The Show* and serves as the lead single from his as-yet-untitled fourth studio album.

Horan, 32, shared the news directly with fans in early March via Instagram and other social platforms, posting a heartfelt video in which he teases lyrics and explains the song’s deeply personal inspiration. “I’m so happy and excited to tell you my new single ‘Dinner Party’ is coming out March 20,” he said. “This song is about a really happy and big moment in my life. An evening at a simple dinner party that changed the course of my life.”

He continued, revealing that the song became the creative core of the entire new record: “After writing the song, the words ‘Dinner Party’ became the nucleus for the rest of the record. That once-in-a-lifetime moment that I am grateful for and for everything that came after that night.”

A snippet shared by Horan includes lines such as “I’m done looking for somebody / behind closed doors / things I never felt before / crashing lights / when you first saw me / yeah, I met you at a dinner party,” hinting at a romantic, introspective ballad rooted in real-life gratitude. Multiple reports suggest the track draws from his relationship with girlfriend Amelia Woolley, though Horan has not explicitly confirmed details beyond its transformative personal significance.

The announcement follows Horan’s February 2026 update that his fourth solo album was “DONE,” posted alongside casual photos and a brief preview of new music. That post ignited speculation among Directioners and solo fans eager for fresh material after a multi-year gap since *The Show*, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and earned critical praise for its folk-pop maturity.

In the weeks leading up to the single’s arrival, Horan has built anticipation with listening events. Fans in select cities including Milan and Toronto got early access to “Dinner Party” on March 14, followed by London, Paris and Berlin on March 15, and Manila on March 17. These intimate previews have generated widespread social media excitement, with clips circulating on TikTok, Instagram and X.

Physical formats are also available for preorder. Horan’s official online store offers a limited-edition red 7-inch vinyl featuring the new single, described as his first solo release since 2023. Digital presaves went live immediately after the announcement at niallhoran.com.

**A New Era for Horan**

Horan rose to global fame as one-fifth of One Direction, the British-Irish boy band that dominated charts in the 2010s before going on hiatus in 2016. His solo career launched successfully with 2017’s *Flicker*, followed by 2020’s *Heartbreak Weather* and 2023’s *The Show*. Known for blending pop, folk and rock influences with introspective songwriting and guitar-driven melodies, Horan has also built a television presence as a coach on “The Voice” and collaborated with artists including Lewis Capaldi and, more recently, Myles Smith on “Drive Safe.”

The upcoming project, tentatively referred to in some fan circles and early reports as connected to the “Dinner Party” theme, represents Horan’s continued evolution as an artist. While a full album title and release date remain unconfirmed in official channels as of March 19, recent social media buzz and unverified posts have circulated speculation of a June 5, 2026, album drop titled *Dinner Party*, complete with track lists featuring upbeat cuts like “Boys Are Fun.” However, Capitol Records, EMI and Horan’s team have not yet corroborated those details, focusing promotion strictly on the March 20 single.

Music critics and industry observers view the single as a strategic re-entry. After a period of touring, television work and personal milestones, “Dinner Party” appears positioned to showcase Horan’s growth while delivering the heartfelt, relatable storytelling that built his loyal fan base. Early lyric snippets suggest themes of unexpected connection, gratitude and life-changing encounters — a departure from some of the more polished pop of prior eras toward something more intimate.

**Fan and Industry Reaction**

The news has been met with widespread enthusiasm across social platforms. Directioners, who have cheered on solo releases from bandmates Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik in recent years, celebrated the timing as “2026 is the year of One Direction alumni.” Hashtags such as #DinnerParty, #NiallHoran and #NH4 trended shortly after the announcement, with fans sharing pre-save confirmations and theories about the dinner party’s real-life details.

Radio stations and streaming playlists have already begun teasing the track. Outlets including Audacy, iHeartRadio and MOViN 92.5 highlighted the personal story behind the song, positioning it as a potential spring radio hit. Previews have drawn comparisons to Horan’s softer acoustic moments on *Flicker* while hinting at evolved production.

Limited details about additional album tracks or a supporting tour have emerged, though Horan’s official store lists festival appearances, including BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend in May 2026. Fans hope the single’s release will be followed by more reveals, potentially including a full album rollout later in the year.

**What’s Next**

“Dinner Party” arrives on streaming platforms and digital retailers worldwide on March 20, 2026. The limited red vinyl is available for preorder now via niallhoran.com, with shipping expected after the digital launch. Fans can presave the single and stay updated through Horan’s official social channels and website.

As anticipation builds in the final hours before release, Horan’s message of gratitude and personal milestone resonates strongly. In an industry often focused on spectacle, the former boy band star continues to ground his music in authentic moments — starting with a simple dinner party that, according to the artist, altered everything that followed.

For the latest updates on Niall Horan’s “Dinner Party” single, upcoming album and tour news, follow official announcements at niallhoran.com or his verified social media accounts. The March 20 release is expected to dominate playlists and social conversations heading into the weekend.

The UK government has stepped back from one of its most controversial proposals on artificial intelligence and copyright, signalling a decisive shift towards market-led licensing and greater transparency rather than sweeping legal reform.

In its long-awaited Report on Copyright and Artificial Intelligence, published in March 2026, ministers confirm they will no longer pursue a broad copyright exception for AI training with an opt-out mechanism — a policy that had triggered fierce opposition from across the UK’s creative industries.

Instead, the government is opting for a more cautious, evidence-led approach, prioritising transparency obligations and allowing a nascent but rapidly expanding licensing market to develop. The move marks a significant recalibration of policy at a time when the UK is seeking to position itself as both an AI superpower and a global creative hub.

At the heart of the report is a clear admission: the government’s preferred option, allowing AI developers to use copyrighted material unless rightsholders explicitly opted out, failed to win support.

The consultation attracted more than 11,500 responses, with the overwhelming majority of creators, publishers and rights organisations rejecting the proposal outright.

Ministers now concede that a broad exception “with opt-out is no longer the government’s preferred way forward”, citing strong industry opposition, lack of consensus, and insufficient evidence on economic impact.

This represents a notable victory for the UK’s creative sectors, from publishing and music to film and photography, which argued that such an exception would effectively legalise uncompensated use of their work by generative AI systems.

The report lays bare the fundamental policy dilemma: how to balance AI-driven economic growth with the protection of intellectual property.

On one side sit AI developers, who require vast datasets, often including copyrighted material, to train large language models and generative systems. On the other are creators whose works underpin those systems but risk being displaced by them.

The government acknowledges that modern AI models are typically trained on “billions of copyright works”, raising complex questions about fairness, consent and competition.

Yet it also highlights uncertainty around the economic benefits of reform, noting limited evidence that loosening copyright rules would materially increase AI investment in the UK.

In effect, ministers are choosing to pause rather than gamble.

Rather than legislating, the government is placing its bets on licensing, a market-based mechanism already beginning to take shape.

A growing number of deals between AI firms and content owners, particularly in publishing, music and image libraries, suggests a commercial model is emerging. However, the report acknowledges this market is still “new and evolving” and lacks transparency.

Crucially, ministers have ruled out direct intervention for now:

“We propose not to intervene in the licensing market at this stage… and will keep market-led approaches under review.”

This position aligns closely with industry sentiment across both creative and technology sectors, which broadly favour voluntary, negotiated agreements over statutory schemes.

However, it also raises important questions, particularly for SMEs and individual creators, about bargaining power and equitable remuneration.

Among those welcoming the shift is Tom West, CEO of Publishers’ Licensing Services (PLS), who sees licensing as both practical and scalable.

West said: “We welcome that the government has listened to the strong response it received from across the UK’s creative industries to its consultation and has stepped back from its preferred option of a copyright exception with an opt out and is to review the transparency of AI inputs, which would further boost licensing.

Whilst we await further clarity from the government on the long-term direction of its copyright policy, PLS will continue to serve our publishers and work with our partners on market-based, industry-backed AI licensing solutions.

This approach is already being put into practice. At the London Book Fair last week, PLS launched the first stage of a new collective licensing solution designed specifically to support the use of published content in AI. It was met with strong interest and positive feedback from publishers and industry partners, with publishers already beginning to sign up. The solution offers a practical, scalable way for AI developers to access high-quality content while ensuring creators are paid and retain control over how their work is used.

The case has not been made for the introduction of a new copyright exception. There is no market failure and a dynamic licensing market for the use of content in AI has developed and continues to grow. Any copyright exception for generative AI would jeopardise these licensing solutions, removing the ability of large and small rightsholders to receive payment for the use of their works in AI and reducing control over their content.

PLS welcomes the government’s engagement on this critical issue. We share a commitment to a mutually beneficial outcome and invite the government to work closely with us to help further develop and promote licensing options that support rightsholders of all sizes and AI developers seeking high-quality, trusted content.”

If licensing is the economic mechanism, transparency is the regulatory lever.

More than 90% of consultation respondents supported requirements for AI developers to disclose the sources of training data.

The government agrees, in principle, but stops short of immediate regulation. Instead, it proposes:
• developing industry-led best practice
• monitoring international frameworks (notably the EU AI Act)
• considering future legislation if needed

Transparency is seen as essential to enable enforcement, licensing and trust, particularly given that creators often have no visibility over whether their work has been used.

For UK businesses, particularly SMEs, the implications are nuanced.

For creators and publishers
• greater protection in the short term
• stronger negotiating position in licensing deals
• ongoing challenges around enforcement and visibility

For AI startups and developers
• continued legal uncertainty
• potential cost barriers to accessing training data
• reliance on licensed or overseas-trained models

For the wider economy
• slower regulatory clarity
• reduced risk of over-regulation
• continued dependence on global AI ecosystems

The report explicitly notes that SMEs on both sides, creators and developers, face disproportionate challenges under the current system.

Perhaps the most striking aspect of the report is its tone: cautious, iterative, and deliberately non-committal.

The government repeatedly emphasises the need for more evidence, more international alignment, and more market development before taking decisive legislative action.

With ongoing litigation in the US, new rules emerging in the EU, and rapid advances in generative AI, the UK risks being pulled in multiple directions, economically, legally and politically.

This is not a resolution, it is a holding position.

By stepping back from sweeping reform, the government has bought time. But it has also shifted responsibility onto the market to prove that licensing can work at scale, fairly and efficiently.

If it can, the UK may yet carve out a balanced model that supports both innovation and creativity.

If it cannot, the debate over copyright and AI will return, sharper, louder, and far harder to resolve.

Paul Jones

Harvard alumni and former New York Times journalist. Editor of Business Matters for over 15 years, the UKs largest business magazine. I am also head of Capital Business Media’s automotive division working for clients such as Red Bull Racing, Honda, Aston Martin and Infiniti.

Advertisement

In a high-stakes balancing act, Apple CEO Tim Cook is rejecting political labels while aggressively aligning his company with the Trump administration’s “America First” economic agenda.

Highlighting a massive $600 billion investment in U.S. operations, Cook defended his proximity to the White House as a necessary pursuit of pro-growth policy — even as he faces a firestorm from the left over his attendance at the “Melania” documentary screening.

“You were at the inauguration last year, just feet from the president. You gave him a nice gift at the White House. You were at the screening of ‘Melania,’ the documentary for the First Lady. There’s so many people [who] say you’re really close to the administration, and you’re being criticized for that,” “Good Morning America” co-host Michael Strahan told Cook during an interview discussing Apple’s 50th anniversary.

“Well, what I do is I interact on policy, not politics,” Cook responded.

NEW EMOJIS COMING TO APPLE IPHONE IN LATEST UPDATE

“I’m not a political person on either side. I’m not political. And so I’m kind of straight down the middle, and I focus on policy,” the CEO continued. “And so, I’m very pleased that the president and the administration is accessible to talk about policy.”

Apple CEO Tim Cook (right) shakes hands with U.S. President Donald Trump during an event in the Oval Office of the White House on August 6, 2025. (Getty Images)

Apple has openly been collaborating with President Donald Trump to reshore critical supply chains and move away from overseas reliance, aiming to secure a made-in-America future that hedges against global trade volatility. Cook further discussed the leading tech company’s $600 billion commitment to the domestic economy over the next four years.

“If you looked at your iPhone today, the front cover and the back cover, all of that glass will be coming out of Kentucky by the end of this year. The engine, the system on a chip, we’re gonna make over 100 million of those in Arizona this year,” Cook said.

“We’re going to make over 20 billion semiconductors in the U.S. And again, this is not only for the U.S. market-sold iPhones, it’s for worldwide iPhones,” he added. “We’ve invested more in the U.S. Absolutely. We’re a very proud American company and want to do as much here as we possibly can.”

As Apple approaches its 50th birthday on April 1, Cook also took the opportunity to shut down speculation that he is preparing to step down as CEO.

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

“I haven’t said that,” he clarified. “That’s a rumor going around.”

“Here’s the way I look at it: I love what I do deeply. 28 years ago, I walked into Apple, and I’ve loved every day of it since… I can’t imagine life without Apple.”

READ MORE FROM FOX BUSINESS

Travelers at several major U.S. airports faced significantly longer **Transportation Security Administration** (TSA) security lines in mid-March 2026, with wait times reaching up to three hours at some checkpoints. The delays, reported across hubs like Atlanta, Houston and New Orleans, stem from a partial government shutdown affecting federal staffing, compounded by high travel volumes and occasional weather disruptions.

CNN has been tracking real-time TSA wait times at 15 key airports, including Atlanta (ATL), New York (JFK and LaGuardia), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Denver (DEN) and others. As of March 18, 2026, fluctuations were evident: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the nation’s busiest, saw main checkpoint waits drop to around 20 minutes by late afternoon Tuesday after peaking at over 90 minutes earlier in the day for international terminals and 30-40 minutes for domestic. Reports from March 17 indicated morning spikes to three hours at ATL.

Houston’s airports also experienced extended delays. William P. Hobby (HOU) reported up to 3.5 hours over the weekend, while George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) hovered near two hours. New Orleans Louis Armstrong International (MSY) saw lines up to two hours, and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood (FLL) had reports of lines stretching out the door. Charlotte Douglas (CLT) and Austin-Bergstrom (AUS) noted longer-than-normal waits, with some Chicago O’Hare (ORD) checkpoints hitting hour-long delays.

In contrast, other major hubs showed shorter lines during off-peak periods. Los Angeles International (LAX) reported waits as low as 2-6 minutes on March 17, and JFK in New York had minimal delays of just a few minutes Tuesday morning despite weekend crowds. Dallas-Fort Worth checkpoints generally stayed under 20 minutes in most terminals.

The TSA does not maintain a single nationwide real-time dashboard due to the decentralized nature of checkpoint data. Instead, the agency directs travelers to the **MyTSA mobile app**, available on iOS and Android. The app provides crowd-sourced and historical wait time estimates in 15-minute intervals, allowing users to check current conditions or forecast for specific days and times. It also includes weather updates, delay information and tips for security screening. During the partial shutdown, however, some data may rely more heavily on historical trends if live inputs lag.

Many airports publish their own live or near-real-time wait times on official websites, offering checkpoint-specific details:

– **Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (ATL)**: Real-time updates at atl.com/times show varying times by terminal and checkpoint.

– **Miami International (MIA)**: miami-airport.com/tsa-waittimes.asp lists general, priority and TSA PreCheck lanes, with recent samples showing 3-14 minutes in some checkpoints.

– **Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW)**: dfwairport.com/security provides per-terminal estimates.
– **Los Angeles (LAX)**: flylax.com/wait-times offers quick checks.

– **Orlando (MCO)**: Recent Florida reports showed 14-44 minutes depending on gates.

– Other sites like Reagan National (DCA), Baltimore-Washington (BWI) and Charlotte (CLT) feature dedicated wait-time pages or PreCheck schedules.

The current disruptions highlight ongoing TSA staffing pressures. A partial government shutdown has left many TSA employees working without full pay, prompting call-outs and lane closures — including some dedicated TSA PreCheck lanes at affected airports. Over half of Houston-area TSA staff reportedly called out in recent days, exacerbating lines. Private-contractor screening at select airports has insulated those locations from federal shutdown impacts.

Travelers are advised to arrive earlier than standard recommendations. Many airports now suggest three hours for domestic flights and longer for international, especially during peak periods. Enrolling in TSA PreCheck, CLEAR or other expedited programs can significantly reduce wait times where available. The MyTSA app and airport websites remain the best tools for planning, though data accuracy may vary amid operational challenges.

Spring break travel, combined with the shutdown, has amplified congestion at Sun Belt hubs like Atlanta, Florida airports and Texas facilities. Florida-specific updates from March 17 showed manageable waits at many smaller airports (e.g., 3-19 minutes at Northwest Florida Beaches), but major ones like Orlando and Miami experienced moderate increases.

Experts urge checking multiple sources before heading to the airport, as conditions can change rapidly due to staffing, weather or sudden volume surges. The TSA encourages using the app to report wait times if at the checkpoint, helping crowdsource better data for others.

As the partial shutdown persists, air travelers should monitor updates closely. The situation underscores the vulnerability of security operations to federal funding issues, with potential for continued variability until resolved.

The initiative is now in its ninth year and has support many young people to move into managerial positions

The 2026 list of the Hull and Humber Top 30 under 30 has been released, highlighting promising young professionals in a number of sectors. The ninth year of the training programme is designed to equip the selected young people with skills towards leadership pathways and ongoing professional development.

The scheme was launched in 2017 in a bid to recognise and support rising stars within businesses across the area. As part of the programme, each of the selected winners will undergo 12 months of development in line with the Leadership Excellence Acceleration Programme.

The process aims to equip each winner with the skills to become effective leaders, as well as providing an opportunity for businesses to recognise and invest in their own young talent.

Simon Jones, founder of Top 30 Under 30, said: “I am proud to announce this year’s winners, and our class of 2026. This year has seen us receive a record number of nominations, making the judging process the most difficult to date.

“Today, we celebrate the contribution of the region’s best young talent. This group have made a significant difference to their organisations, to their teams and to the local business community, and it is an honour to showcase who they are”

The programme provides winners the unique opportunity to further enhance their leadership skills, led by industry experts in leadership, self-development, and communication. It also campaigns to raise awareness around the various career opportunities that are available in the Humber area, including different pathways to success, and the range of professional industries that operate in the area.

Over its history, the initiative has supported 35 winners to become directors of organisations in the region, 14 heads of’ departments and more than 100 new managers. Organisers said that this year saw them receive a record number of nominations.

Mr Jones said: “By delivering the Top 30 Under 30s, we create an evidence-based narrative that helps shifts the often common perception that you need to leave the area to climb the career ladder, whereas in fact there are jobs, careers and progressive opportunities worth staying for.”

He added: “Seeing more organisations engaging with these awards is a positive sign for the future of our local economy, and our business community. We are upskilling and mobilising Hull and Humber’s future leaders, and I can’t wait to take this year’s winners on that journey.”

The winners are:

Lottie Almey, Events & General Donations Manager, Jon Egging Trust

Michael Atkin, Site Fuel Engineer, British Steel

George Baker, Compliance Manager, Pure Block Management Ltd

Michael Boland, Product Lead, Parallel

Sophie Broadhead, Customer Service Team Leader, Turner Price Ltd

Scarlet Bulmer, Regulatory Director, Rubicon Technical

Olly Burdett, Content and Design Executive, Future Humber

Sam Cassidy, Order Fulfilment Manager, Villeroy & Boch

Hannah Cochrane, Business Executive Assistant, Adams and Green Limited

Nathan Cocker, Material Planner, Bericap (Uk) Ltd

Phil Croft, Chemist, AAK

Heidi Donnison, Tourism Events & Projects Officer, East Riding of Yorkshire Council

Jack Drewry, Production Lead, Siemens Gamesa

Adam Griffiths, HR Specialist (Change and Recruitment), University of Hull

Jacob Hodgson, Helpdesk Team Leader, The One Point

Lucy Holland, Global Marketing Manager, Van Ameyde Marine

Tom Hornby, Product Analyst, Wren Kitchens

Chris Hughes, Control Design Engineer, Aldercote Limited

Abbie Jensen, Project Surveyor, Hull City Council

Ellie Kerins, Customer Service Liaison Officer, Advanced Plastics

Amy Leeman, Assistant HR Manager, Humber Bridge

Elena Martinez, Team Leader, Wescot Credit Services

Josh Milburn, Business Analyst, Rix Group

Tom Needler, Project Resource Manager, Boston Energy

Dainora Olechnovic, Shift Production Chemist, Phillips 66

Lucy Phillips, Research and Development Senior Associate, Reckitt

Jessica Pidgeon, Process Engineer, VPI

Zoi Sarris, Assistant Accountant, MKM Building Supplies

Jordan Stachan, R&D Engineer II, Smith+Nephew

Lucy Whyld, HR Manager UK & IE, Flora Group Ltd