Top World News

Feb 26, 2026 - World

Exclusive: Former New Zealand PM ‘based out of Australia’, according to spokesperson, after rumours she was looking for houses in SydneyThe former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern is living in Australia with her family, a spokesperson has confirmed.“The family has been travelling for a few years now,” her office told the Guardian. Continue reading...

Feb 25, 2026 - World

President Donald Trump's State of the Union address revealed an actuality that MAGA can't ignore ahead of midterms. Salon's Sophia Tesfaye described on Wednesday how the president's "bragging" about destabilizing the nation appealed to some conservative media outlets; however, some right-wing media have seen the noticeable shift underway in the Republican Party."There was no recalibration nor hint of strategic retreat, only chest-thumping and grievance," Tesfaye wrote. "Right-wing media lapped it up.""What they celebrated was a performance engineered to dazzle the president’s base and humiliate everyone else," Tesfaye wrote. "It’s a reminder that for much of conservative media, the bar for greatness is not policy coherence or factual accuracy but emotional catharsis. If MAGA feels seen, if the libs are owned, if Democrats are forced into awkward stillness as Republicans leap to their feet, then the speech is a triumph."But Trump's MAGA base can't ignore the president's diving approval rating, despite the president's attempts to deny that. "If the president dazzled parts of the media and thrilled his base, he also exposed the limits of his vision," Tesfaye explained. "Two hours on the biggest stage in American politics, and the offer was the same as ever: fear them, cheer me. It’s stale to nearly all but his biggest sycophants."And while some right-wing outlets claimed it was Trump's best work, others have questioned the president. "The split screen couldn’t have been more brutal: the man who claims to have delivered an economy 'roaring like never before' was being repudiated at the polls in real time — and by working people in swing districts," Tesfaye wrote. And the GOP can't dismiss what Americans already have on their minds. "It’s a harsh reality too apparent for even Fox News to ignore," Tesfaye added. When Vice President JD Vance took to the network on Wednesday morning for a post-speech victory lap, even network anchor Bill Hemmer threw a wet blanket on the parade. 'It seems like you’re pushing a car uphill and you’ve got nine months to turn it around,' he said. 'You know Democrats are juiced. They are ready to vote tomorrow.'”

Feb 25, 2026 - World

Leaked draft of $1bn memorandum of understanding reveals mandatory targets, sharing of data, and reported access to mining concessionsThe US has been accused of “shameless exploitation” over a health financing agreement with Zambia worth more than $1bn (£740m), amid warnings that the country is getting a raw deal from the Trump administration.A leaked draft of a five-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the two countries, seen by the Guardian, reveals that Zambia may accept terms worse than health financing agreements the US has reached with 16 other African countries. Continue reading...

Feb 25, 2026 - World

Tommy Schaefer released early from sentence for murder of Sheila von Wiese-Mack and will face US federal chargesIndonesia has freed and deported a US man after he spent 11 years in prison for the premeditated murder of his then girlfriend’s mother on the tourist island of Bali, and he will now faces federal charges in the US.Tommy Schaefer was sentenced to 18 years in prison in Bali for the 2014 murder of Sheila von Wiese-Mack, the mother of Heather Mack, during a luxury holiday, in a case that became known as the Bali suitcase murder. Prosecutors allege the couple were trying to gain access to a $1.5m (£1.1m) trust fund. Continue reading...

Feb 25, 2026 - World

President Donald Trump spoke for more than 90 minutes Tuesday night during his first State of the Union speech of his second presidential term — breaking records for the longest address in history. Trump's SOTU speech was reportedly the longest since at least 1964 and broke the previous record for President Bill Clinton's 2000 address, CNN reported. The president spoke on many topics throughout the evening at the House Chambers, touting his first year in office. He gave multiple awards to guests in the audience and spoke at great length just days after his tariffs were struck down by the Supreme Court. Trump also made mention of the potential US military action against Iran amid growing tensions and upcoming negotiations.