First Thing: US military seizes Iran-flagged ship trying to pass strait of Hormuz blockade 20. April 2026 (13:55) Iran decried the seizure as an act of piracy, saying it has no plans to participate in talks with the US. Plus, how Maui residents are rebuilding Lahaina for locals, not touristsDon’t already get First Thing in your inbox? Sign up hereGood morning.The US military has attacked and seized an Iranian-flagged container ship that tried to evade its blockade near the strait of Hormuz. It is the first such interception since the US began blocking Iranian ports last week.When does the ceasefire end? It is set to expire by Wednesday.Where does the US public stand on the war? An NBC poll on Sunday estimated 67% and 68% of adults “somewhat” or “strongly” disapproved of the way Trump was handling the Iran war (as well as inflation and the cost of living domestically).Stay up to date on developments with our liveblog.Was the suspect known to the authorities? Police said he had been arrested in 2019 in a firearms case. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Cabinet secretary apparently advised Starmer to wait for vetting before appointing Mandelson 20. April 2026 (13:48) Documents also show PM’s choice for US ambassador was offered ‘higher tiers’ briefing before vetting was finalisedUK politics live – latest updatesThe then cabinet secretary, Simon Case, appeared to advise Keir Starmer to complete security vetting for Peter Mandelson before announcing an appointment, documents reveal.The documents released last month by the Cabinet Office as part of the disclosures over the US ambassadorial appointment also show Mandelson was offered a “higher tiers” briefing before his vetting was finalised. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Amy Winehouse’s father Mitch loses high court battle against her friends 20. April 2026 (13:40) Judge throws out claim by the singer’s father over the sale of items she once ownedAmy Winehouse’s father has lost a high court claim against two of his daughter’s friends over the auctioning of items once owned by the singer.Mitch Winehouse, acting as the administrator of his daughter’s estate, sued her stylist Naomi Parry and friend Catriona Gourlay over claims they profited from selling dozens of items at auctions in the US in 2021 and 2023. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Electric car sales soar 51% in mainland Europe as Iran war drives up fuel prices 20. April 2026 (13:25) Data shows 224,000 new EVs were registered in March, with Norway leading way in terms of switchingBusiness live – latest updatesSales of electric cars soared 51% in continental Europe last month, amid a rise in petrol and diesel costs driven by the Iran war.Data shows that 224,000 new electric vehicles (EVs) were registered in March, and 500,000 across the first three months of the year – a 33.5% increase on a year earlier, according to analysis of national sales data in 15 countries by New AutoMotive and E-Mobility Europe, a trade body. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US urges contractor to evacuate workers from Kuwait and Iraq over worries of Iran-backed attacks 20. April 2026 (13:00) After Guardian reports about danger to V2X employees, sources say state department raised concerns with defense contractorSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxThe US government has called on the defense contractor V2X to evacuate its employees from Kuwait and Iraq, warning the company that they could be targeted by Iran-backed militias, four sources said.The intervention follows reporting by the Guardian that V2X employees were stationed at US military bases in Kuwait, and at Martyr Brigadier General Ali Flaih airbase and Erbil in Iraq. Employees claimed having inadequate protections, receiving limited communications from the company about evacuation plans and being pressured to remain in the Middle East. In Iraq, workers say they are targets of Iran-allied attacks, and one employee was killed in a night-time drone attack in March. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump DoJ’s mixed messages bode ill for Epstein victims, experts fear 20. April 2026 (13:00) Non-appearance of Pam Bondi and remarks from Todd Blanche suggest full accounting may never be revealedIn the days since Pam Bondi’s exit from Donald Trump’s justice department, Jeffrey Epstein survivors and transparency advocates have been confronted by mixed messaging, prompting questions about whether a full accounting of his crimes would ever be revealed.Legal veterans told the Guardian that authorities’ decisions – such as Bondi’s failure to appear for a congressional subpoena about her handling of Epstein investigative files – portend poorly for accountability. Moreover, her replacement’s comments about the status of Epstein investigations has been perceived by some as an effort to acknowledge prior missteps without presenting definitive solutions. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Eurosceptic Radev wins majority in Bulgarian election – Europe live 20. April 2026 (11:55) Former president – heading a left-leaning, pro-Russia coalition – to take power following eighth election in five yearsIn one of the first reactions to the Bulgarian vote last night, the Kremlin has just said it was impressed by Radev’s words about pragmatic dialogue with Moscow, Reuters reported.In full quotes reported by AFP, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said:“Of course, the words of Mr Radev ... as well as some other European leaders about their readiness to resolve problems through dialogue, appeal to us.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Japan tsunami alert issued following powerful earthquake off northern coast – follow latest 20. April 2026 (11:55) People in affected areas urged to evacuate as quake registering 7.5 magnitude occurred off the coast of SanrikuJapan’s meteorological agency said earthquakes of a “similar scale” could continue for as long as a week, according to the Kyodo news agency.As darkness fell, there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, amid warnings that other tsunami had been observed offshore.Tsunami waves are approaching the coasts. Evacuate as quickly as possible. Waves can hit repeatedly. Continue to evacuate until all warnings are lifted.If you are in the affected areas, keep away from coasts and river mouths which could overflow. Continue to evacuate until all advisories are lifted.People in the affected areas must evacuate immediately. Escape to a higher, safe location right away.The time of the tsunami’s arrival is just an estimate.Waves could actually arrive sooner or later. Continue to evacuate as long as the warning is in place. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Former footballer Barry Cable cleared of historic child sex abuse charges 20. April 2026 (11:42) The 82-year-old was accused of abusing girls in the 1960s but was acquitted in Perth despite judge finding the alleged victim was probably telling the truthGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe former champion footballer Barry Cable has been acquitted of a slew of historical child sexual abuse charges despite a judge finding the alleged victim was likely telling the truth.The 82-year-old faced a judge-only criminal trial over allegations he abused a girl aged about eight or nine at his family home in the late 1960s. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘We wasted a lot of lives’: CIA spymaster’s caution over past Iran intervention resurfaces from beyond the grave 20. April 2026 (11:19) A documentary about Peter Sichel – the ‘Jewish James Bond’ who died in 2025 – includes striking mea culpas about the cost and efficacy of US involvement in the Middle EastIn New York social circles, he was known as the “Jewish James Bond”: a refugee from Nazi Germany whose gratitude to his American hosts was such that he volunteered to join the US army and became the CIA’s first station chief in Berlin as a mere twentysomething, filing early warnings about Soviet activity that have been credited with ringing in the cold war.Like 007, Peter Sichel also appreciated a fine tipple, and after leaving the US foreign intelligence service it was he who briefly turned a sweet German white, Blue Nun, into one of the best-selling wines in the world. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
