Top World News

Apr 9, 2026 - World

Uncertainty over US-Iran ceasefire pushes price of Brent crude towards $100 a barrelBusiness live – latest updatesMiddle East crisis – live updatesThe boss of Abu Dhabi’s state-owned oil company has said the strait of Hormuz is “not open” despite the US-Iran ceasefire agreed earlier this week, as uncertainty over the truce pushed the price of Brent crude towards $100 a barrel on Thursday.Sultan Al Jaber, the chief executive officer of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), said passage through the crucial waterway was subject to “permission, conditions and political leverage” by Iran. He said energy security and global economic stability depended on the strait being opened “fully, unconditionally and without restriction”. Continue reading...

Apr 9, 2026 - World

Republicans will almost certainly block Democrats’ efforts to pass legislation amid ‘fragile’ two-week US-Iran ceasefireHouse Democrats will attempt to pass a resolution on Thursday curtailing Donald Trump’s war powers over Iran – a move Republicans will almost certainly block, but one that signals unease on Capitol Hill about a Middle Eastern conflict on pause with no clear endgame.The vote, scheduled for Thursday morning, will use a procedure called unanimous consent, which is a shortcut that allows legislation to pass the chamber instantly, without debate or a formal tally, so long as not a single member objects. Any one lawmaker can kill the resolution by simply objecting, and Republicans are expected to do exactly that. Continue reading...

Apr 9, 2026 - World

An interview with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) got off to a ragged start on Thursday morning when MS NOW regular Katty Kay accused him of being ineffective.Brought on to promote an Iran war resolution vote to be held Thursday morning at the request of his office, Kay immediately charged ahead with, “It doesn't have really very much chance of passing at all. So is this just performative on your part?”“Well, good morning,“ the New York Democrat replied. “We're going to make sure that we provide our Republican colleagues with every single opportunity to do the right thing on behalf of the American people, which means bringing an immediate end to Donald Trump's reckless and costly failed war of choice against Iran. So we're going to proceed at 11:30 today through what's called a pro forma session, and demand that the legislation that has been previously introduced by Representative Greg Meeks (D-NY) that would end the hostilities immediately in the Middle East in the absence, of course, of congressional authorization, which was never obtained.”“But the truth is, there really isn't very much you can do, is there?” Kay shot back. “Because these resolutions are not passing; they're not going to pass even if you introduce them every day, they're not going to pass because you're not going to get the Republican votes to have them passed. So what else?”Appearing unsettled by the question, Jeffries complained, “I disagree with that. I disagree with that. We've seen repeatedly Democratic efforts in the House be successful. We successfully extended the Affordable Care Act tax credits. We successfully advanced [Jeffrey ] Epstein legislation in order to force transparency –– so far, the disclosure of 3 million documents. We're working on the other 3 million. We've successfully passed legislation to overturn the Trump tariffs as it relates to Canada, and we're going to successfully move a war powers resolution.”“All we need are a handful of Republicans,” he admitted. “Two have already joined us; we just need 1 or 2 more. And if we get that, when we get that, we're going to be able to successfully move this in the House simultaneously. We know that Leader [Chuck] Schumer and Senate Democrats are advancing a war powers resolution in the Senate, and the American people are with us.” - YouTube youtu.be

Apr 9, 2026 - World

Exclusive: Survey of 2,000 people by Barnardo’s also finds almost half feel their child has missed opportunities due to costUK politics live – latest updatesFour in 10 parents across the UK are struggling to afford essential items for the care of their newborn babies, according to research.The survey of 2,000 parents with children aged under five by the charity Barnardo’s found that almost half (49%) felt their child had missed out on opportunities to learn or play because of the cost of living. Continue reading...

Apr 9, 2026 - World

Kristalina Georgieva says even ‘most hopeful scenario’ will lead to growth downgrade and cause permanent hit to living standardsBusiness live – latest updatesThe head of the International Monetary Fund has warned that the Iran war will permanently scar the global economy even if a durable peace deal in the Middle East can be reached.In a speech delivered as the ceasefire in the conflict threatened to unravel, Kristalina Georgieva said the “scarring effects” caused by the war to date would mean slower global growth this year than first anticipated. Continue reading...