Top World News

Apr 20, 2026 - World

Meanwhile treasurer warns of ‘big risks’ to inflation and growth as global oil price jumps again. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastTreasurer says capital gains changes and other tax reform still under considerationSticking with the budget, Chalmers said the government hasn’t made any decisions on capital gains tax reform.We haven’t taken any decisions on those policies, whether the specific ones you mentioned [or others].There’s more work to do on our options for tax reform in this budget.The savings package won’t be exactly the same as what we would have been contemplating over the summer, but it will be a substantial savings package.When we came to office the NDIS was out of control and it had strayed a long way from its original intended purpose.It was growing around 22% when we got to office. Continue reading...

Apr 20, 2026 - World

Donald Trump said on Sunday that US marines had taken custody of a vessel that tried to get past the American blockade on Iranian portsTehran has ‘no plans to participate’ in new talks, state media reports, as it accuses US of violating ceasefireThe US has just released some more footage of the encounter with the Iranian flagged vessel, the M/V Touska.In a post on X, US Central Command said US Marines had departed the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli by helicopter and rappelled onto the Iranian-flagged vessel. Continue reading...

Apr 20, 2026 - World

Iran calls seizure an act of piracy as Trump says ship tried to get past US naval blockade ‘and it did not go well for them’ Middle East crisis – live updatesThe US military has attacked and seized an Iranian-flagged container ship that attempted to get past an American blockade near the strait of Hormuz, the first such interception since the blockade of Iranian ports began last week.Iran’s joint military command said Tehran would respond soon and called the US seizure an act of piracy that violated the ceasefire that has been in place since 8 April. Continue reading...

Apr 20, 2026 - World

In today’s newsletter: As questions mount over transparency and accountability in the ambassadorial appointment process, the political fallout continues to spread across ​Keir Starmer’s government Good morning. Today the prime minister will face parliament in the wake of the Guardian’s exclusive revelation that during the process of appointing Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US, the former New Labour “prince of darkness” failed UK security vetting – something Keir Starmer says he was not told about.On Friday, Starmer said he was “absolutely furious” and described the situation as “totally unacceptable”. But the episode has once again raised questions about his political judgment, with opposition parties – and some of his own MPs – calling for his resignation.Iran | Tehran is not planning to take part in new talks with the US in Islamabad, Iranian state media reported, as its military accused America of violating a fragile ceasefire by attacking a cargo ship.US news | At least eight children were killed and two adults wounded in a mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana. Police said the suspect, who died after a police pursuit, killed seven of his own children and wounded their mother, as well as killing another child.UK politics | Keir Starmer will deliver a high-stakes statement to MPs on Monday setting out how Peter Mandelson was able to take up his role as UK ambassador without the Foreign Office revealing it had overruled the decision to fail his vetting.Protest | Seven people from an activist group calling for higher taxes on the super-rich have been arrested by police on suspicion of conspiracy to steal after a plot to steal from high-end stores was uncovered.Crime | A woman has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a car hit pedestrians in central London in the early hours of yesterday morning. A woman in her 30s was in hospital in a critical condition and a man in his 50s suffered life-changing injuries. Continue reading...

Apr 20, 2026 - World

Band shows montage of leaders whose death or ousting the CIA has been proven or suspected to have been part ofUS band the Strokes have used their Coachella set to make a stark political statement against America’s history of foreign intervention and war in other countries, including Iran and Palestine.At the end of their set at the second weekend of the California music festival, the band performed their 2016 song Oblivius in front of giant LED screens that showed a montage of world leaders whose death or ousting the CIA has either been a proven or suspected party in, as lead singer Julian Casablancas sang the lyrics: “What side you standing on?” Continue reading...