Top World News
Five killed in strikes on alleged drug boats in eastern Pacific, US military says
Apr 13, 2026 - World 
Attacks on Saturday bring number of people killed in boat strikes by US military to at least 168The US military said that it blew up two boats accused of smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing a total of five people and leaving one survivor, as the Trump administration pursues its campaign against alleged traffickers in Latin America while preparing a naval blockade of Iranian ports.The attacks on Saturday bring the number of people who have been killed in boat strikes by the US military to at least 168 since the Trump administration began targeting those it calls “narcoterrorists” in early September. Continue reading...
Hate small talk? You may enjoy that ‘dull’ chat more than you think, say researchers
Apr 13, 2026 - World 
Participants reported enjoying the human connection regardless of whether they thought the topic was dullThe human aversion to dull experiences was nailed by the author Paulo Coelho when he declared: “I can stand defeats, pain, anger. But I can’t stand boredom.”But the natural desire to avoid boring conversations comes at a cost, according to researchers, who found that people enjoyed chatting about tedious topics far more than they expected. Continue reading...
Don’t mention the climate: Trump creates ‘beyond absurd’ situation at global finance talks
Apr 13, 2026 - World 
Developing countries face possible shelving of crucial green action plan at IMF and World Bank spring meetingsGovernments desperate for cash to protect their citizens from the growing impacts of the climate crisis are being put in a “beyond absurd” situation this week at global finance talks: they are being urged not to mention the climate, even as they address the current oil crisis.The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) spring meetings take place this week amid a fragile ceasefire in Iran and upended geopolitics. One of the priorities was to forge a new “climate change action plan” (CCAP) for the world’s biggest provider of funds to developing countries, to replace the current strategy, which expires in June. Continue reading...
Southport attack: report shows ‘systemic failure of the state’ to prevent atrocity, says home secretary – live updates
Apr 13, 2026 - World 
Shabana Mahmood calls Axel Rudakubana a ‘vile and sickening indiviudal’ and pays tribute to the ‘immense bravery’ of families of the three girls who died and the survivorsAttack blamed on agencies’ failures and killer’s ‘irresponsible’ parentsRudakubana was known to the state from October 2019, when the then 13-year-old made several calls to Childline admitting to having murderous thoughts about a bully. He said he had taken a kitchen knife to school on 10 occasions.Two months later, he returned to his high school armed with a hockey stick and attacked another pupil, breaking their wrist. Police later found a knife in his backpack and arrested him on suspicion of assault and carrying a bladed article. Continue reading...
Middle East crisis live: US plans blockade of Iran’s ports as Pope Leo says he has ‘no intention to debate’ Trump over war
Apr 13, 2026 - World 
Centcom says blockade in the strait of Hormuz to begin at 10am ETFull report: Trump says US will blockade strait of Hormuz after Iran peace talks failPlaneloads of negotiators and too little time: US and Iran’s 21 hours of talksCircling back to Donald Trump’s coming naval blockade, the US military said it would block all Iranian Gulf ports on Monday at 10am ET on Monday (5.30pm in Iran and 1400 GMT), effectively seizing control of maritime traffic in the strait of Hormuz.“The blockade will be enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman,” US Central Command said on X.This is like a game of chicken. It’s who caves first. The Iranian regime is hoping that Trump will cave. Today, he showed he’s not.” Continue reading...
