Top World News

Apr 17, 2026 - World

Follow updates liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia secures extra fertilizer and 100m extra litres of fuel, PM saysAlbanese has also provided an update on Australia’s talks with its allies in Asia to shore up imports of fuel and other goods affected by the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.The advice that we have received today is that 80% of diesel production is continuing, 80% of aviation fuel is continuing, ongoing.It has been slowed down just slightly because of the circumstances which are there, but 60% of petrol production [is] proceeding today as well. Continue reading...

Apr 17, 2026 - World

Elderly people take advantage of courses on how to navigate mobile devices and avoid ‘analogue isolation’It’s not only young people whose gaze is fixed on tiny screens. But for these users in Tokyo, clicking and scrolling is anything but second nature.“I can’t deal with all of the apps that jump out at me,” says one. “How do I know if I’ve definitely ended a call?” asks another. Continue reading...

Apr 17, 2026 - World

António Guterres welcomes truce and says through spokesperson he hopes halt in fighting will ‘pave the way for negotiations’The US president, Donald Trump, has posted a short statement on Truth Social about the 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.“May have been a historic day for Lebanon. Good things are happening!!!” Trump wrote, signing off as “President DJT”.A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon has come into effect, pausing fighting in a devastating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah that has killed more than 2,100 Lebanese people and displaced more than 2.1 million. The agreement was announced earlier by Donald Trump, who said he had spoken with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese president Joseph Aoun, and invited both leaders “for meaningful talks” at the White House. Both leaders welcomed the agreement. But how long the ceasefire will hold is the key question, as both Israel and Hezbollah have maintained their right to defend themselves if the truce is broken. Here’s our report.Netanyahu called it a “historic” opportunity for peace, though he refused to withdraw his troops from southern Lebanon during the pause in fighting. “We are remaining in Lebanon in an expanded security zone,” he said, due to the “danger of an invasion” and to prevent fire into Israel. “That is where we are, and we are not leaving.” The Israeli prime minister maintained that his key demand was dismantling Hezbollah. He has previously declared his intention to occupy southern Lebanon up to the Litani River – about 30km from the border – while Lebanon demands the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces and for displaced residents to be able to return to their homes. Continue reading...

Apr 17, 2026 - World

Former SAS soldier to be released from Silverwater prison ahead of possible trial on charges relating to alleged killing of civilians in AfghanistanFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastBen Roberts-Smith has been granted bail under strict conditions while he awaits a potential trial on alleged war crimes.The Victoria Cross recipient, once Australia’s most lionised soldier, faces five charges of war crime murder over allegations he killed unarmed civilians during his service with the Australian SAS in Afghanistan. Continue reading...

Apr 17, 2026 - World

A 10-day ceasefire deal agreed between Lebanon and Israel took effect on Thursday, as US President Donald Trump said he was trying to set up the first-ever meeting between the leaders of the two countries.