Top World News

Feb 25, 2026 - World

Drinks maker cuts annual sale and profit forecast for second time in four months amid weak demand in US and ChinaDiageo has slashed its dividend and cut its annual sales and profit forecast for the second time in four months, as the maker of Guinness warned of capacity constraints affecting drinkers of “the black stuff” in London pubs.The world’s largest spirits maker – which owns brands including Smirnoff vodka, Johnnie Walker whisky and Don Julio tequila – reported weak demand in the US and China in the first results released under the new chief executive, Sir Dave Lewis. Continue reading...

Feb 25, 2026 - World

Former official at Altach given suspended prison termPlayer says the sentence ‘leaves me speechless’A man has been given a seven-month suspended prison sentence and fined €1,200 (£1,046) after being found guilty of taking secret videos and photographs from the changing room, gym and showers of the Altach women’s football team. He was also told to pay the victims €625 each in compensation.The sentence was handed out in the regional court in Feldkirch, Austria, with the judge saying that it made a huge difference “if one looks at pictures or actually creates them oneself”. The defendant accepted the sentence but the prosecutor may appeal. Continue reading...

Feb 25, 2026 - World

End of government subsidies drives electricity costs up by 19% in the month and leaves power bills nearly a third higher than they were a year earlierFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Reserve Bank governor has denied inflation is “taking off” after new data showed price rises had persisted into 2026 and boosted bets on two more interest rate hikes.Annual inflation stayed at a high 3.8% in January, as the end of government subsidies drove electricity costs up by 19% in the month and left power bills nearly a third higher than they were a year earlier. Continue reading...

Feb 25, 2026 - World

Witness claims suspect entered mosque during Ramadan evening prayers armed with axePolice in Manchester have arrested a suspect after he allegedly entered Manchester Central Mosque “acting suspiciously” and carrying an offensive weaponA witness said the suspect, whom he described to be in his late 40s, entered the mosque on Tuesday evening armed with an axe. Four people quickly restrained the suspect and hit him with a fire extinguisher, he said. Continue reading...

Feb 25, 2026 - World

Opposition campaigners claim top figures in regime use state wealth to fund lifestyles counter to those they preachMembers of Iran’s ruling elite have been accused of brazen hypocrisy by allegedly using the state’s wealth to help to fund their adult children’s lives in the west while presiding over growing economic misery and repression at home.Opposition campaigners made the accusation against some of the clerical regime’s most powerful figures as a military confrontation with the US appears increasingly likely. Donald Trump has deployed a vast armada in the Middle East and confirmed he is considering strikes. Continue reading...