Iran War Live Updates: Iran’s Foreign Minister Rebuts Trump Claim of Progress in Peace Talks

South Africa Sees Maritime Traffic Surge Amid Iran War

Global shipping companies looking for safer routes are turning to the Cape of Good Hope, a much longer, more expensive journey.

Confident of Air Supremacy, U.S. Sends B-52 Bombers Over Iran

Iran continued to retaliate across the region on Tuesday but markets saw hopes that fighting might ebb. Israel said it would occupy a large chunk of Lebanon even after the war ends.

Tiger Woods 'stepping away for treatment' after not guilty plea

Tiger Woods has said he is "stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment" after being charged with driving under the influence.

Australia politics live: Chalmers announces support package for businesses hit by fuel crisis including tax relief

Meanwhile government and opposition MPs all refuse to provide ‘commentary’ on Trump’s latest rebuke to allies. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe makers of Claude.ai will become the first company to sign onto Australia’s national AI plan following a meeting with Anthony Albanese this morning.Anthropic, one of the world’s largest AI companies, will meet with the prime minister, science minister Tim Ayres and assistant science minister, Andrew Charlton, to sign a memorandum of understanding.The Australian government and Anthropic are working together to harness AI responsibly – securing investment into Australia’s energy grid, driving economic resilience and safety for all Australians.What we’re announcing today will make our systems more flexible, our supply chains more responsive, and also businesses more supportive as well.Obviously, there is a threshold for where this kind of concessional treatment will be provided, but the ATO is prepared to provide that kind of support in circumstances which are obviously because of what we’re seeing in the Middle East. Continue reading...

Democrats and voting rights advocates vow to fight Trump’s latest order: ‘massive and unconstitutional suppression effort’ – live

Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer vows to take Trump administration to court over order for federal voter list and curbing of mail-in ballotsSign up for the Breaking News US emailDonald Trump confirmed that King Charles and Queen Camilla, will travel to the US for a state visit from 27 to 30 April.The president said that the trip will include a banquet dinner at the White House on 28 April. “I look forward to spending time with the King, whom I greatly respect. It will be TERRIFIC!,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. Continue reading...

Silicon Valley city to give residents doorbells equipped with cameras

Milpitas approves measure to distribute smart doorbells and says residents can upload footage to police databaseA Silicon Valley city will offer its residents free wireless doorbells equipped with cameras to help police collect video evidence.The city council of Milpitas, a suburb north of San Jose, California, recently approved $60,000 to provide these devices on a one-camera-per-household, first-come, first-served basis, as was first reported by Milpitas Beat and confirmed by the Guardian. Continue reading...

Narges Mohammadi Denied Treatment after Heart Attack in Iranian Prison, Husband Says

Trump signs order to restrict mail-in ballots in probably unconstitutional move

President has falsely claimed ‘legendary’ fraud for limiting mail-in ballots and himself voted by mail last weekDonald Trump signed an executive order directing his administration to compile a national voter file and to restrict the use of mail-in ballots, an unprecedented move that is probably unconstitutional.The executive order directs the Department of Homeland Security to work with the Social Security Administration to compile a list of verified US citizens who can vote in every state. It also directs the United States Postal Service (USPS) to begin rule-making on a process that would require states to notify the agency of voters who intend to receive a mail-in ballot and prohibit them from receiving one unless they are on a USPS-approved list of eligible voters. Continue reading...

Middle East crisis live: Trump says no reason for US to secure strait of Hormuz and war will end in ‘two or three weeks’

US president reiterates that responsibility for reopening the vital oil and gas hub rests on the countries who rely on itSaudi Arabia’s defence ministry has said it has intercepted and destroyed ten drones over the past hours, and eight missiles launched towards the Riyadh area and the country’s eastern region.Early this morning Kuwait said its air defences were responding to hostile missile and drone attacks. Neither Saudi Arabia nor Kuwait said where the drones or missiles came from.Iran attacked and set ablaze a fully loaded crude oil tanker off Dubai. Local authorities later said response teams contained the incident with no oil leakage and that no injuries had been reportedDonald Trump warned that the US would obliterate Iran’s energy plants and oil wells if it did not open the strait of Hormuz.The Israeli military said four soldiers had been killed in combat in southern Lebanon, where its forces are clashing with Iran-backed Hezbollah.Two giant Chinese container ships have sailed through the strait of Hormuz on their second attempt to leave the Gulf after turning back on Friday, ship-tracking data shows. The transit signals a diplomatic breakthrough between Beijing and Tehran as Iran widens its list of approved nations for transiting the vital route, Lloyd’s List reported.Indonesia’s foreign minister called for an emergency UN security council meeting and a thorough investigation” into a “heinous attack” after three UN peacekeepers from Indonesia were killed in southern Lebanon.Blasts were heard in Tehran and power cuts hit some areas of the capital, Iranian media reported on Tuesday. Israel earlier carried out missile strikes on what it called military infrastructure in Tehran and infrastructure used by Hezbollah in Beirut.Japan and Indonesia agreed to step up coordination on energy security, Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi said on Tuesday.Two Iranian missile launches targeted central Israel, Israeli media reported, with the emergency service saying it had not received reports of any injuries.Turkey reported a ballistic missile launched from Iran had entered Turkish airspace before being shot down by Nato air and missile defences.An earlier summary of key developments is here. Continue reading...