• La American Heart Association publicó un Aviso Presidencial el 30 de abril de 2026, declarando que la asequibilidad de la atención médica en EE. UU. se encuentra en un punto de crisis debido al aumento de los costos impulsado por las enfermedades crónicas.
• Los costos están obligando a los estadounidenses a retrasar o evitar la atención médica, lo que empeora los resultados de salud e incrementa la deuda médica; una encuesta de Gallup muestra una preocupación generalizada por acceder a una atención asequible.
• Una encuesta de McLaughlin & Associates encontró que el 51% de los votantes cita el seguro médico como su principal preocupación, seguido de las facturas hospitalarias (11%) y los costos de los medicamentos (10%).
Robert Hayward predice que Reform será el gran ganador, arrebatando escaños tanto a Labour como a los Conservatives. Buenos días. Ya estamos en la última semana de campaña para el Scottish parliament, el Welsh Senedd y las elecciones locales inglesas. Keir Starmer había planeado un gran discurso para hoy, pero él y otros líderes políticos se centran hoy en su respuesta al apuñalamiento en Golders Green y a la amenaza de antisemitismo que enfrenta la comunidad judía de Gran Bretaña – descrita como una “national security emergency” por Jonathan Hall KC, el revisor independiente del gobierno sobre legislación antiterrorista. Aquí está nuestra overnight story. Y aquí está nuestro live blog de Taz Ali. Taz cubrirá la mayor parte de la reacción política a esa historia, por lo que eso no será algo que yo cubra aquí. (Y dado que hay procesos penales activos, me temo que no se permitirán comentarios relacionados con el ataque debajo de la línea). Continue reading...
Mercados petroleros alarmados mientras Donald Trump parece dispuesto a mantener el bloqueo de la US Navy e Irán mantiene el estrecho de Hormuz prácticamente cerrado
El precio del crudo Brent se disparó por encima de los 126 dólares por barril el miércoles, su nivel más alto desde 2022, después de que Donald Trump advirtiera que el bloqueo de los EE. UU. a los puertos iraníes podría durar meses y las conversaciones de paz permanecieran estancadas.
Con un aumento de más del 13 % en 24 horas, el crudo Brent alcanzó un precio récord desde que comenzó la guerra el 28 de febrero. El Brent no superaba los 120 dólares desde la invasión rusa de Ucrania en 2022, cuando el precio alcanzó un máximo de 139 dólares. Continuar leyendo...
• Ursula von der Leyen se reunirá más tarde con el nuevo líder húngaro, quien busca desbloquear fondos de la UE a cambio de reformas
• Von der Leyen afirma que “cada estado miembro tiene un energy mix diferente”, por lo que no funcionaría una solución de la UE generalizada.
• Pero pide una mayor coordinación no solo en la contratación común, sino también en las reservas de combustible, “especialmente jet fuel y diesel, donde los mercados se están tensionando”.
El Niesr afirma que, incluso en el mejor de los casos, la economía crecería a un ritmo más lento en 2026 y 2027 debido al conflicto. Britain se enfrenta a un golpe económico de £35bn y al riesgo de una recesión este año, ya que las consecuencias de la guerra de Iran se suman a la presión sobre el gobierno de Keir Starmer, según ha advertido un destacado thinktank. El National Institute of Economic and Social Research (Niesr) señaló que, incluso bajo el mejor de los escenarios, la economía del UK crecería a un ritmo mucho más lento este año y el próximo a causa del conflicto en el Middle East. Continuar leyendo...
Israeli strikes killed 14 people and wounded 37 on Sunday, Lebanon's health ministry said, as the Israeli military warned residents to leave seven towns beyond the "buffer zone" it occupied before a ceasefire that has failed to fully halt hostilities.
Australia is dependent upon UK’s ability to deliver new submarines, but report finds ‘cracks are already beginning to show’ “Cracks are already beginning to show” in the UK’s funding for the Aukus agreement that could derail the ambitious nuclear submarine plan, a British parliamentary inquiry has found, highlighting a threat to Australia’s security.UK shipbuilding has been under-funded for decades and the country’s submarine availability is “critically low”, the House of Commons defence committee’s report found. Continue reading...
Claudia Sheinbaum says Mexico was not aware of US participation until four officials were killed in car crashClaudia Sheinbaum, Mexico’s president, said on Monday that her government told the United States, in a diplomatic note, that the unauthorized presence of US officials at an anti-narcotics operation in the northern state of Chihuahua should not be repeated.The incident came to light after two US officials, along with two Mexican officials, were killed in a car crash on 19 April after the operation. Sheinbaum has said the federal government was not aware of the participation of the US officials, who were widely reported to be CIA officers. Continue reading...
• Russia's Mikhail Ulyanov stated in Vienna that US tactics of strength, blackmail, ultimatums, and deadlines fail against Iran and undermine talks.
• Hours before Araghchi's Moscow meeting with Putin, Ulyanov criticized Washington's approach amid broader Eurasian conflicts involving Ukraine and Iran.
• The remarks align with Iran's regional tour, including Pakistan and Russia, as Tehran coordinates with allies against US pressure.
Former prime minister says policies will lose support without continued lower prices, while Malcolm Turnbull points to some progress in USGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastKevin Rudd has described Donald Trump’s cuts to support for green industries as “unfortunate”, warning that Australians would conclude the clean transition was “bullshit” if it did not offer tangible benefits to their lives.But – in some of his first comments since finishing his term as Australia’s ambassador to the US – the former prime minister said climate policies would have staying power if they delivered affordable prices, a reliable energy supply and new job opportunities. Continue reading...
• The United Nations has issued an urgent warning that Haiti faces a full-scale humanitarian catastrophe as gang violence has displaced over 300,000 people in the past two months alone.
• The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports critical shortages of food, water, and medical supplies; gang-controlled areas now cover approximately 60% of Port-au-Prince.
• The US has deployed additional Coast Guard vessels to monitor the situation and assist with refugee operations, while discussions continue about potential military intervention or expanded peacekeeping measures.
The gambling crisis ‘demands a public health response’ and should be regulated like alcohol or tobacco, expert says Gambling addiction is spiraling “out of control” in the US, a leading campaigner for stricter guardrails has warned, as experts from around the world are set to gather in Boston to push for more regulation of the industry.The rapid expansion of online gambling, prediction markets and sports betting platforms, “demands a public health response”, according to Harry Levant, director of gambling policy at the Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI), urging policymakers to intervene. Continue reading...
Britain’s cybersecurity agency says companies must step up vigilance to prevent espionage attacksBusiness live – latest updatesBritish businesses are being urged to step up their vigilance against a China-linked hacking ploy that uses everyday devices for espionage.The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and agencies in nine other countries have warned of persistent attempts by Beijing-backed groups to hack equipment such as wifi routers to launch cyber-attacks. Continue reading...
• The United Nations reported that renewed fighting in South Sudan has displaced over 500,000 people in the past month, creating a humanitarian emergency affecting food security across the region.
• The World Food Programme warned that without immediate intervention, famine conditions could emerge within 60 days, affecting approximately 8 million people across South Sudan and neighboring countries.
• The US has committed an additional $150 million in humanitarian assistance, but aid organizations stress that security challenges continue to impede delivery of food and medical supplies to affected populations.
American Lung Association report comes amid Trump EPA’s expansive rollback of environmental protections Nearly half of children in the United States are breathing dangerous levels of air pollution, according to a new report, as experts warned Donald Trump’s expansive rollback of protections will make the situation worse.The 27th annual air quality report from the American Lung Association (ALA) released on Wednesday evaluates pollution across the country by grading levels of ground-level ozone – also known as smog – as well as year-round and short-term spikes in particle pollution, commonly referred to as soot. The report analyzed quality-assured data collected between 2022 and 2024. Continue reading...
Health minister faces backlash from states as he announces major changes to scheme ahead of May budgetGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastNational disability insurance scheme service providers will be required to undergo mandatory character checks and eligibility rules will be tightened further for children under 18, as Labor moves to curb growth in the $50bn program.But the health minister, Mark Butler, faces a backlash from state counterparts as he announces major changes on Wednesday, with Queensland accusing federal Labor of walking away from responsibilities to families dependent on long-term care. Continue reading...
Iranian parliamentary speaker also says passage through waterway will depend on Iranian authorisation and accuses Donald Trump of multiple falsehoodsIran says strait of Hormuz ‘completely open’ to commercial vessels as oil prices fallBritain will make “a wide-ranging military contribution” to an international mission to protect shipping in the strait of Hormuz trade waterway, the UK ambassador to the US has said.Christian Turner’s commitment comes amid long-running concerns over the state of Britain’s armed forces and warnings of under-funding. Continue reading...
About 26 million people are under tornado watches from Wisconsin to Oklahoma, according to one reportA stretch of the midwestern states is at risk of severe weather, forecasters warned on Friday, as tornadoes battered towns across the central US region, leaving behind debris and destroyed property.According to the National Weather Service, severe thunderstorms may be seen in north-west Oklahoma through western Missouri during Friday afternoon and evening. Continue reading...
Budget airline says passengers are leaving it later to book flights owing to economic uncertaintyBusiness live – latest updatesThe budget airline easyJet has warned the impact of the Iran war on bookings and oil prices will hit its profits, having driven up fuel costs by £25m in the last month alone.It said it expected to report an increased pre-tax loss of £540-£560m for the six months to March, up from £394m in the first half of 2024-25. The carrier typically makes its money in the second half of the year which includes the peak summer period. Continue reading...
UK’s biggest supermarket voices caution for year ahead despite annual profits rising 8.5% to £2.4bnBusiness live – latest updatesTesco has warned that profits could fall back in the year ahead amid “increased uncertainty caused by the conflict in the Middle East”.The warning came after the UK’s biggest supermarket hit its highest share of the market in a decade. Continue reading...
• Cal.com co-founder Peer Richelsen stated on April 15, 2026, in San Francisco that AI has upended open source security, forcing commercial apps to close code for data protection.
• Anthropic's Mythos model in early April demonstrated breaching secure systems like OpenBSD, exposing open source vulnerabilities.
• Third-party experts like Hex Security CEO Huzaifa Ahmad note open source apps are 5-10 times easier to exploit than closed source.
President says he gave Britain ‘better deal than I had to’ but ally was ‘not there when we needed them’ on IranMiddle East crisis – live updatesBusiness live – latest updatesDonald Trump has threatened to row back on the trade deal the US signed with the UK last year, in his latest salvo against the British government over sharp differences about the US’s approach to the Middle East.The US president said the economic deal struck with the UK, which cut some of his tariffs on cars, aluminium and steel, was “better than I had to” and that it could “always be changed”. Continue reading...
Pyongyang making ‘very serious’ progress on producing weapons, with rapid rise in activity at main nuclear complexNorth Korea has made “very serious” progress in its ability to produce more nuclear weapons, the head of the UN’s nuclear watchdog has warned, in another sign that the regime is seeking to use its nuclear arsenal to ensure its survival.North Korea is thought to have assembled about 50 nuclear warheads, although some experts are sceptical of its claims that it is able to miniaturise them so they can be attached to long-range ballistic missiles. Continue reading...
Food delivery services say the proposed laws will affect their workers, while shared e-vehicle schemes claim the laws could make them uninsurableFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastLegislation that would crack down on ebikes and e-scooters in Queensland could curtail food delivery services and potentially end shared e-vehicle schemes, industry figures warn.The proposed laws would set an age limit of 16 on ebikes and e-scooters, require users to obtain a driver’s licence, and set a limit of 10km/h on almost all cycle lanes. Continue reading...
UK suffers sharpest downgrade and is predicted to face joint highest inflation in G7 as growth forecasts are cutBusiness live – latest updatesA further escalation in the Iran war could trigger a global recession, spiralling inflation and a sharp backlash in financial markets, the International Monetary Fund has warned.Against an increasingly volatile backdrop, the Washington-based fund said the economic damage from the Middle East conflict was steadily rising as it cut its growth forecasts for 2026 based on the impact from the war so far. Continue reading...
As treasurer Jim Chalmers weighs ‘extreme uncertainty’, one economic scenario sees global growth plunging to just 2% in 2026Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe International Monetary Fund has warned the US-Israel war on Iran risks creating an “energy crisis of an unprecedented scale” that could tip the global economy towards recession.The grim warning contained in the IMF’s latest World Economic Outlook comes as Jim Chalmers prepares to attend the organisation’s spring meetings in Washington DC this week, where he said he would be “joining with other countries continuing to call for an enduring end to the war”. Continue reading...
• The UN's top aid official has warned that Sudan's humanitarian crisis is being abandoned as the war between rival militaries enters its fourth year, with attacks intensifying and humanitarian access shrinking following a deadly airstrike on a funeral gathering in West Kordofan.
• Civilians caught in the conflict face mounting dangers as the situation deteriorates, with the UN condemning the escalating violence and calling for renewed international attention to the neglected crisis.
• The warnings come as the global community grapples with multiple concurrent conflicts, raising concerns about resource allocation and diplomatic focus on overlooked humanitarian emergencies.
• The UN Office on Genocide Prevention issued a warning on April 11 regarding indicators of potential genocide in Tigray, citing reports of mass killings, sexual violence, and forced displacement by Ethiopian federal forces and regional militias.
• Aid organizations document over 600,000 internally displaced persons in Tigray with limited humanitarian access, while credible reports indicate systematic targeting of civilian populations based on ethnicity and political affiliation.
• International pressure on the Ethiopian government is intensifying, with the African Union calling for ceasefire negotiations and US officials threatening sanctions if atrocities verification confirms genocide findings.
Centcom says blockade of Iranian ports to begin at 10am ET; Iran’s negotiator says ‘we will not bow to threats’; oil prices rise. Follow the latest newsFull report: Trump says US will blockade strait of Hormuz after Iran peace talks failPlaneloads of negotiators and too little time: US and Iran’s 21 hours of talksWelcome to the Guardian’s continuing coverage of the US-Israel war on Iran and its consequences for the wider region, the world and the global economy.Here are the main developments:Trump said the US Navy would start blockading the Hormuz strait and would also interdict every vessel in international waters that had paid a toll to Iran. In a lengthy post on his Truth Social platform, the president said the US was going to start “BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz”.In another post Trump also claimed Iran had “knowingly failed” to make good on its promise to open the strait, causing “anxiety” and “pain” for many countries around the world.US Central Command (Centcom) announced it would begin its blockade of the strait beginning Monday morning. “Centcom forces will begin implementing a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports on April 13 at 10am ET [1400 GMT], in accordance with the president’s proclamation.”Iran’s Revolutionary Guard warned that “approaching military vessels to the strait of Hormuz is considered a violation of the ceasefire”.Oil prices rose in early market trading after Trump’s blockade announcement. The price of US crude oil rose 8% to $104.24 a barrel and Brent crude oil – the international standard – rose 7% to $102.29. Australia’s share market dropped sharply on Monday morning.Donald Trump and his advisers are looking at resuming limited military strikes in Iran in addition to the US blockade of the strait of Hormuz, the Wall Street Journal is reporting, citing officials and people familiar with the situation.Trump launched a scathing attack on Pope Leo XIV, saying he was “weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy” and was hurting the Catholic church. “Leo should get his act together as Pope,” the president said on Truth Social. The attack came after Leo denounced the “delusion of omnipotence” as fuelling the US-Israel war in Iran and demanded political leaders stop and negotiate peace.Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese said his government had not been asked to participate in any US blockade of the strait of Hormuz and that he wanted to see negotiations between the US and Iran continue.Trump reiterated his threat to destroy Iran’s power plants and other civilian energy infrastructure if no deal was reached to end the war, which he started with Israel in what is widely seen as an illegal and unprovoked attack. “I could take out Iran in one day,” he told Fox News on Sunday.Trump also said the US didn’t need the strait. “We don’t get our oil from there. We have so much oil,” he told Fox. “We have boats pouring up to the United States … We don’t need the strait.”Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who led the Tehran side in the US talks, said Trump’s new threats would have no effect on the Iranian nation. “If you fight, we will fight, and if you come forward with logic, we will deal with logic. We will not bow to any threats.” He later taunted Trump on X, posting: “Enjoy the current pump figures. With the so-called ‘blockade’, Soon you’ll be nostalgic for $4–$5 gas.” Continue reading...
Catherine King says while peace talks were ‘best chance’ at lowering fuel prices, further help may be included in budgetFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesTrack Australia’s fuel prices, service station outages and shipments in chartsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Albanese government is contemplating further relief for struggling households and businesses in next month’s federal budget, as peace talks continue between the US and Iran amid a fragile ceasefire.The infrastructure minister, Catherine King, said the success of those talks was the “best chance” at bringing down fuel prices. But she warned there would be a “long tail” from the crisis even if the strait of Hormuz – which was still being blocked by Iran and strangling global oil supplies – reopened imminently. Continue reading...
