Boy, 16, charged with murder of teenager stabbed in Luton park

• On February 28, 2026, American and Israeli air forces conducted nearly 900 strikes against Iran, resulting in the death of the Iranian Supreme Leader. • In immediate retaliation for the strikes, Tehran closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global maritime chokepoint for oil transport.

• The United States has paused airstrikes on Iran following nearly two weeks of continuous bombardment. • Mediators are currently attempting to revive an interim ceasefire, with specific negotiations focusing on easing transit restrictions for vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

• On Saturday, July 25, 2026, conflict escalated as Saudi Arabia and Houthi rebels engaged in a series of reciprocal attacks. • The hostilities occur within the broader context of an ongoing war involving the United States and Israel against Iran.

• President Trump has decided to hold off on a major military escalation against Iran following a Friday meeting with top cabinet members and advisers. • Key concerns include the potential depletion of air defense munitions in the Middle East and the risk of alienating vulnerable Gulf allies.

Bank of England expected to keep rates on hold on Thursday but renewed Iran conflict casts shadow over energy costsThe Bank of England could be forced to tear up its economic forecasts and raise interest rates later this year if oil prices return to above $100 a barrel, according to City economists.Before a meeting of Bank officials on Thursday, economists said that while an interest rate hike would probably be avoided this week there could be some in the future because of conflict in the Middle East. Continue reading...

PM urged to end ‘cover-up culture’ and order independent review taking in evidence that has emerged on 1994 crashThe families of those killed in an RAF Chinook crash in 1994 have urged Andy Burnham to end Britain’s “cover-up culture” and order an independent review into the disaster.Twenty-nine serving military personnel died when the Chinook HC2 helicopter crashed on the Mull of Kintyre in south-west Scotland during a flight from Northern Ireland. Continue reading...

Christian Ellis, a former registered lobbyist, is named in two Independent Commission Against Corruption allegationsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA key figure at the centre of an anti-corruption inquiry involving the New South Wales Liberal party has moved to the UK and is not expected to give evidence during eight weeks of public hearings.The Independent Commission Against Corruption will start its Operation Rosny hearings on Monday. The first witness will be a hotelier, Michael O’Hara, followed later in the week by a former Liberal staffer, Dylan Whitelaw, and a consultant, Robert Assaf. Continue reading...

Figures are source of dispute as US defense department days ago reduced record of troops killed and woundedThe Pentagon updated its official war casualty database over the weekend, adding more than 140 wounded service members. The Defense Casualty Analysis System (DCAS) also introduced a new casualty category labeled “Overseas Operations” for personnel killed and wounded “starting July 7”.According to the updated database, the official toll for the earlier phase of the US-Iran war, known as Operation Epic Fury, now stands at 14 service members killed and more than 400 wounded in action. Continue reading...

Minister says Victorian premier ‘not going anywhere’ and describes leaking of Sunday night meeting as attempt to build momentum for spillThe Victorian Labor premier, Jacinta Allan, is expected to face a leadership challenge when state parliament resumes this week.Just four months out from a state election, factional conveners from Labor’s left and right met on Sunday night to discuss whether Allan still had the support of a majority of the caucus. It is understood the group agreed she did not. Continue reading...

Ukrainian president will be first overseas visitor for new British prime ministerVolodymyr Zelenskyy will become Andy Burnham’s first overseas visitor as prime minister, in a visit that Burnham said underlined Britain’s “unwavering” backing for Ukraine.Less than two weeks after Keir Starmer travelled to Kyiv for the final foreign visit of his prime ministership, the Ukrainian president will on Monday join Burnham at a naval base where Ukrainian forces have been receiving training. Continue reading...

Israeli prime minister says ICC’s war crime charges are ‘bogus’ and plans to be in New York for UN gathering this fallBenjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Zohran Mamdani, the New York City mayor, is “fomenting hate” by calling the Israeli prime minister a war criminal who should be arrested over Israel’s war in Gaza if he visits the city for the United Nations general assembly.Netanyahu said he intends to be in New York in September to address the annual UN gathering of world leaders, despite the mayor’s suggestion that he is not welcome. Mamdani said on Wednesday that while New York City does not have legal authority to execute an arrest warrant issued by the world’s top war crimes court, he encouraged the federal government to do so. Continue reading...