Syria arrests suspected leader of Tadamon massacre 24. April 2026 (11:53) Amjad Youssef one of most-wanted fugitives in relation to slaughter of almost 290 civilians under AssadA Syrian former regime official suspected of leading a notorious civilian massacre revealed by the Guardian – and who became one of the country’s most-wanted fugitives after the fall of Bashar al-Assad – has been arrested by security forces, Syria’s interior ministry announced.Amjad Youssef was captured in the countryside about 30 miles (50km) outside the city of Hama and had “been taken into custody following a carefully executed security operation”, the interior minister, Anas Khattab, said in a social media post on Friday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US justice department blocking Met police investigation into Mandelson, reports say – UK politics live 24. April 2026 (11:48) The department of justice has refused to hand over key evidence from the Jeffrey Epstein files and could delay Scotland Yard’s criminal inquiry.The final debate in the House of Lords on the assisted dying bill is happening now, follow along as we bring you the latest lines.The bill passed the House of Commons in June last year, but there has been so many amendments tabled in the Lords – more than 1,280 – that it appears doomed to fail given there is not enough time to review them all before the end of this parliamentary session, expected next week. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Feeling gloomy about the economy? The ‘vibecession’ has arrived in Australia – but experts are less worried 24. April 2026 (10:12) A poll shows most Australians think the country is either in a recession or will be soon. Economists have a different viewGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralian households were already on edge before the bombs started falling in Iran.The cost of living was high and inflation was accelerating again, forcing the Reserve Bank to start ratcheting up interest rates. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ice block stalls hundreds of Everest climbers at base camp 24. April 2026 (10:06) Officials assessing route after serac between base camp and camp one deemed unstable and too risky for climbers A large ice block on the route just above the Mount Everest base camp has forced hundreds of climbers and local guides to delay their attempt to scale the world’s highest peak.The serac between base camp and camp one was unstable and risky for climbers, said Himal Gautam of Nepal’s department of mountaineering on Friday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ben Roberts-Smith to attend first Anzac Day service since war crime charges 24. April 2026 (09:58) Former soldier says he will ‘pay my respects’ at commemoration in Queensland where he has been living since being released on bailGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastBen Roberts-Smith will attend an Anzac Day service in Queensland on Saturday morning, describing the day as “sacred” to him, the first commemoration since he was criminally charged.Roberts-Smith, the recipient of the Victoria Cross and once one of Australia’s most lionised soldiers, faces five charges of the war crime of murder, allegedly committed during his service with the SAS in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Retail sales rise in Britain after Iran war prompted ‘panic at the pumps’ 24. April 2026 (09:16) ONS says sales rose by 0.7% in March, spurred by motorists filling their tanks and sunny weather helping retailersBusiness live – latest updatesMotorists stocking up on fuel helped push up retail sales in Great Britain last month as the Iran war prompted “panic at the pumps” amid rapid rises in petrol and diesel prices.The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said that the volume of retail sales rose by 0.7% last month, well above analysts’ forecasts of just 0.1%, as the quantity of fuel bought hit the highest level since 2021. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Reform UK asks steel bosses to draft ‘alternative strategy’ for industry 24. April 2026 (09:00) Rival to government plans would scrap net zero policies, as party aims to woo sector after decades of job lossesReform UK has asked steel bosses to draw up an “alternative steel strategy” to rival recent government plans, stoking industry fears over a charm offensive by Nigel Farage’s party as it eyes gains in former Labour heartlands.Richard Tice, Reform’s deputy leader, met a group of bosses shortly before Labour announced new steel tariffs in March and commissioned them to draft a competing plan that will include scrapping net zero policies. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Embassy encourages Australia-based Iranians to volunteer to help war effort 24. April 2026 (08:37) Message on Telegram account has sparked alarm among diaspora groups, with one calling for the embassy to be closedGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastTehran’s embassy in Canberra is promoting a recruitment drive for a paramilitary campaign to defend Iran from US forces, with the Australian federal police now looking into the matter.As the war approaches the two-month mark, the embassy’s website and Telegram channel this week posted a message that instructed people on how to register for a voluntary drive to fight for their country, known as the “Janfada” – or “sacrificing life” – program. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Revealed: UK oil refinery owner moved Russian loans to offshore subsidiary where sanctions did not apply 24. April 2026 (07:00) MPs call for investigation into Essar Energy, owner of Stanlow refinery, which shifted loans from ‘Putin’s piggy bank’ VTB to MauritiusDays after the first wave of Russian tanks surged over the border into Ukraine in March 2022, dockers at a port in northern England took a stand.Appalled by Vladimir Putin’s brutality, workers at Ellesmere Port in Cheshire vowed never to unload any Russian oil destined for the nearby Stanlow refinery, a major hub for UK fuel supplies. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Not democratic’: opponents and backers of assisted dying bill remain divided 24. April 2026 (07:00) Recriminations continue over failure to bring in new laws allowing assisted dying for terminally ill people in England and WalesAmid the failure of an attempt to bring in new laws allowing assisted dying for terminally ill people with less than six months to live, campaigners on both sides of the debate vented their anger and frustration with the opposing side.Its supporters, including terminally ill people, blamed the failure of the terminally ill adults (end of life) bill, which passed in the House of Commons, on sabotage by a handful of unelected peers. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
