Top World News

Jul 23, 2026 - World

US military says it is degrading Tehran’s ability to threaten ships in strait of Hormuz; Houthis say tankers violated their blockade; US signs nuclear deal with Saudi ArabiaHouthis claim strikes on two Saudi tankers as US attacks on Iran widenEarlier in the US day, before Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said it had stopped three oil tankers from passing through the strait of Hormuz, Donald Trump issued this threat on his Truth Social platform:From this point forward, any time the Islamic Republic of Iran shoots at a ship in the Strait of Hormuz, whether it be by Missile, Rocket, Drone, or any other device or weapon, the United States will bomb and destroy ONE BRIDGE OR POWER PLANT, including those located next to, or in, the Capital City of Tehran. Continue reading...

Jul 23, 2026 - World

Italian authorities have seized around 1,700 pounds of high-purity cocaine worth nearly $290 million that was hidden inside a refrigerated banana shipment from Ecuador.

Jul 23, 2026 - World

Follow the day’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSelf-reported domestic violence incidents declining in NSW but deaths and hospitalisations fail to fallNew data shows self-reported domestic violence incidents in New South Wales have declined, but the number of women and children murdered or hospitalised in domestic and family violence incidents over the past eight years has not significantly budged.The decline in self-reported violence is significant because it reflects underlying levels of violence in the community, not just what is reported to police. It suggests that, despite rising reports of domestic violence to police, domestic violence in the community is not increasing and may be trending down.There’s a strong perception that violence against women is rising, which is understandable given increases in police-recorded incidents, heightened media attention and greater public awareness. Continue reading...

Jul 23, 2026 - World

Burnham says relief for vape shops and other ‘non-positive’ businesses to be reviewed as part of £100m plan to fund cutPubs, clubs and live music venues in England will receive a 20% cut to their business rates bills from next April under a plan from Andy Burnham to support local high streets, in his latest measure to tackle costs for working people and communities.The prime minister said the £100m package would be fully funded including through reviewing reliefs for businesses that do not make a positive contribution to communities, such as vape shops. Continue reading...

Jul 23, 2026 - World

Live, rolling coverage of business, economics and financial markets as government says it will review reliefs for ‘anti-social’ businessesMajor carmakers privately lobbied the UK government to revoke a ban on new petrol and diesel cars after 2035, according to documents that reveal for the first time the efforts to overturn a key decarbonisation policy.BMW, Ford, Nissan and Toyota, plus the parts maker Bosch, wrote a joint letter to ministers in April calling for an “open technology approach” including petrol and diesel cars after 2035, when the government had said new cars must produce zero carbon emissions.For years and years, pubs have paid a disproportionately higher rate which has ground down their ability to keep the doors open, so we’re delighted that after working with Andy Burnham’s team prior to his election as Labour Party leader, he has swiftly acted on our concerns and provided new backing to our nation’s pubs as he promised.The local has and always will be more than just a place to get a pint; it creates jobs, it’s our nation’s living room, it’s the anchor of the high street, so this sorely needed discount will be celebrated by pubs up and down the country.This is a brilliant start to the new Prime Minister’s tenure, living up to the statements that he’s made before about pubs, pints and people.Our business rates system is grossly unfair to pubs and social clubs, bricks and mortar businesses that are also vital social institutions for their communities and desperately needs reform. Continue reading...