Detention of journalist in Kuwait raises questions about crackdown on freedom of speech 14. April 2026 (12:45) Ahmed Shihab-Eldin was arrested after reporting on friendly fire incident during US conflict with IranMiddle East crisis live – latest updatesThe detention of a prize-winning international journalist over his reporting of a friendly fire incident in Kuwait is raising questions about the crackdown on freedom of speech across the Middle East as a result of the US-Israel war with Iran, the Committee to Protect Journalists has warned.Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, born in the US and a Kuwaiti national, was arrested on 3 March during a brief visit to Kuwait. He published footage of a US air force F- 15 E Strike Eagle crashing in al Jahra west of Kuwait city. On his Substack he said the pilot and weapons officer had successfully ejected and survived. He added that video circulating online showed local residents assisting one of the crew in a civilian truck. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Hegseth right to mock Royal Navy, says ex-army chief as he backs claims over military underfunding – UK politics live 14. April 2026 (12:07) Richard Barrons backs George Robertson and says UK forces ‘too small and undernourished for the world that we now live in’A funding boost of almost £130m is set to be distributed across cultural venues, museums and libraries in England, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has announced. In a news release, it says:Venues ranging from The Lowry Centre in Salford, The Hexagon in Reading and the Royal Shakespeare Company in Warwickshire will receive a much needed cash boost to help open up access to facilities, complete much needed building projects and upgrade technology on site.The 130 organisations receiving funding today mark the first projects receiving cash from the government’s Arts Everywhere Fund. As the cost of living continues to affect families across Britain, funding for these venues will help provide welcoming, affordable spaces for communities to visit, come together and celebrate what makes their local area special. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Vance ‘sad Orbán lost’ but says US will work with new Magyar government in Hungary – Europe live 14. April 2026 (12:02) US vice-president defends pre-election visit to Hungary with fresh barbs against EU in first comments since Orbán’s lossin BudapestWe are getting some interesting comments from the Kremlin in reaction to the Hungarian election over the weekend. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Powerful woman: Dolly Parton tops list of global figures in US favorability poll 14. April 2026 (12:00) The 11-time Grammy winner had a net favorability of 65%, Obama came second with 14%, while Zelenskyy had 12%For the US public, the feeling that Dolly Parton expressed in her country music chart-topping 1974 classic I Will Always Love You is clearly mutual.A poll of Americans’ opinions about more than 20 international luminaries established as much, with the 11-time Grammy winner and philanthropist leaving her two closest competitors – Barack Obama and Volodymyr Zelenskyy – in the dust by more than 50 percentage points. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Horse swept away in a fast-moving flood in Illinois rescued after eight hours 14. April 2026 (12:00) Crews from Morengo fire and rescue built a makeshift raft to get Troy, who was stuck in 15ft deep creek, safely to shoreA horse in Illinois swept from a barn in a fast-moving flood has been reunited with his owner after firefighters joined a local veterinarian in a unique, daring deep-water rescue.Crews from the Marengo fire and rescue districts constructed a makeshift raft to move Troy, who was stranded about 600ft from the nearest shore and surrounded by a strong current of water in Coon Creek, about 60 miles north-west of Chicago. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Gina Rinehart and rival heirs brace for court verdict on claim to billion-dollar fortune 14. April 2026 (11:12) Judgment will rule on whether spoils of some of Hancock Prospecting’s iron ore projects must be shared with family of her father’s business partnerGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastGina Rinehart faces the possibility of losing billions of dollars in riches from her Pilbara iron ore empire and her mantle as Australia’s wealthiest person when a long-awaited court verdict is delivered in Perth on Wednesday.The Western Australian supreme court judgment will rule on whether Rinehart must share the spoils of some of Hancock Prospecting’s most lucrative iron ore projects with the family of her late father’s business partner. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
China Evergrande’s billionaire boss pleads guilty to fraud 14. April 2026 (10:56) Hui Ka Yan expresses remorse in trial proceedings after collapse of world’s most indebted property developerBusiness live – latest updatesA former steelworker who rose to become one of China’s richest people has pleaded guilty to charges including fundraising fraud after the collapse of Evergrande, the world’s most indebted property developer.The property group’s founder, Hui Ka Yan, “pleaded guilty and expressed remorse” in trial proceedings at a court in China’s southern city of Shenzhen against him and Evergrande, the court said in a posting on its official WeChat account. He also pleaded guilty to misuse of funds and illegally taking public deposits. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
HSBC says Iran war is hitting confidence as businesses warn over economic risks 14. April 2026 (10:31) Oil-driven inflation is big challenge to world economy, lifting inflation and depressing growth, says bank’s chairBusiness live – latest updatesHSBC bosses have said the Iran war is already hitting global economic confidence, as a string of business leaders warned over the impact of the conflict.Georges Elhedery, the Lebanon-born chief executive of the bank, told Bloomberg Television at a HSBC conference in Hong Kong: “We’re saddened and concerned with what’s happening in the Middle East, and we’re concerned not just with what’s happening but also with how long this will take. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Taylor’s Trumpian immigration pitch is aimed at fighting One Nation – but puts Australia’s identity at stake 14. April 2026 (10:20) The Coalition might be in opposition to Labor but it is hoping to stem its loss of voters to Pauline Hanson Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastIt was not long ago that the notion of Australia as the world’s most successful multicultural country was not just a bipartisan political position but a source of national pride, expressed as enthusiastically by Liberals as their Labor counterparts.“I believe, no, I know that Australia is the most successful multicultural immigration country on the planet,” the then Liberal prime minister, Scott Morrison, told the National Press Club in 2021. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Police watchdog investigates handling of inquiry into Wimbledon crash that killed two schoolgirls 14. April 2026 (09:43) Independent Office for Police Conduct examines allegations that the race of victim’s’ families influenced conduct of officersThe police watchdog is investigating complaints made against 11 officers over their handling of an inquiry into a car crash that killed two schoolgirls.The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has confirmed that the officers, including a serving commander and a detective inspector, are being investigated over alleged gross misconduct. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
