Iran’s security chief, Ali Larijani, killed in airstrike, Israel says 17. March 2026 (11:31) If confirmed, death would make Larijani the most senior Iranian figure to be killed since Ali Khamenei on first day of warMiddle East crisis – live updatesIsrael says it has killed the Iranian national security chief, Ali Larijani, in overnight strikes, a claim that if confirmed would make him the most senior Iranian figure to die in the war since the supreme leader Ali Khamenei was killed on its first day.Israel’s defence minister, Israel Katz, said a separate strike killed the Basij paramilitary force commander, Gholamreza Soleimani, along with other senior Basij figures. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK energy: about 14m households getting ‘below-average’ service 17. March 2026 (11:29) Ecotricity ranked top in Citizens Advice survey, followed by Outfox, Octopus and Co-operativeBusiness live – latest updatesApproximately 14 million households in the UK are receiving “below average” customer service from their energy supplier, a consumer group has warned.Citizens Advice said energy suppliers must improve their service, as its survey of 16 companies showed that half of gas and electricity consumers are with suppliers scoring less than three out of five stars for their customer service. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump relied on unverified intelligence to blame Iran for deadly school strike 17. March 2026 (11:00) Exclusive: Early US assessment suggesting missile was Iranian was almost immediately dismissed, sources sayDonald Trump’s attempt to blame Iran for the deadly strike on an elementary school stemmed from an early US intelligence assessment that initially suggested the missile was Iranian but was almost immediately dismissed, according to two people familiar with the matter.The CIA initially told the president that they did not believe the missile that struck the school was a munition used by the US because the fins appeared to be positioned too low for it to be a Tomahawk cruise missile. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Close Brothers banking group to cut 600 jobs and roll out AI ‘at pace’ 17. March 2026 (10:45) Specialist lender’s shares plunge after short seller claims it will have to raise provision for car finance scandalBusiness live – latest updatesThe banking group Close Brothers is to cut about 600 jobs and roll out the use of AI “at pace” after posting further losses in the face of a mounting compensation bill for the motor finance scandal.The specialist lender said the cuts – nearly a quarter of its 2,600-strong workforce – would be made over the next 18 months across its teams in the UK and Ireland. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
867-5309: number from 1980s hit song Jenny now routes callers to cancer support 17. March 2026 (10:00) Music’s most famous number is being repurposed to offer resources for patients and caregiversSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxThe telephone number immortalized in the enduring Tommy Tutone hit song 867-5309/Jenny has started connecting callers to a cancer support line – as one ad touting the news says it was time that music’s most famous digits “did some good”.Cancer Support Community (CSC)’s Instagram page announced the campaign with a series of posts on Monday alluding to the song about a guy who nervously ponders calling the phone number of a woman named Jenny, which is scrawled on a bathroom wall. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Illinois heads to elect next senator and five congressional district candidates 17. March 2026 (10:00) Midwestern state has a slate of competitive races with money flowing in from donors including AipacSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxIllinois voters on Tuesday will decide between a crowded field of Democratic candidates vying to be the state’s next senator as the midwestern state also nominates candidates for five open congressional seats.Longtime Illinois senator Dick Durbin’s retirement leaves a competitive race that includes two US representatives and the lieutenant governor vying to replace him, with massive infusions of money coming to the candidates from outside groups, including donors affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (Aipac), that are spending millions to sway voters. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
The RBA has made one of its most controversial calls in recent years - and this rate rise may not age well 17. March 2026 (09:42) Michele Bullock says high inflation hurts everyone, but there still seems to be an extraordinary level of complacency about potential fallout from the US-Israel war on IranGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Reserve Bank has made some controversial calls over recent years, but hiking interest rates in the middle of a historic global energy shock is right up there.If this Middle East conflict lasts for months, not weeks, and drags the world and our economy down, then Tuesday’s decision to increase households’ borrowing costs will not age well. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Labor appears set to reform capital gains tax discount after parliamentary inquiry findings 17. March 2026 (09:02) Report reveals the Howard-era settings are helping fuel intergenerational inequality in Australia’s housing marketFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastLabor has given one of its strongest signals yet the capital gains tax discount will be reworked in the May budget, with a parliamentary inquiry finding the Howard-era settings are helping fuel intergenerational inequality in Australia’s housing market.A Greens-led parliamentary inquiry said the 50% discount “skewed the ownership of housing away from owner-occupiers and towards investors”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Women feel coerced during maternity care in England, charity says 17. March 2026 (07:00) Exclusive: Birthrights report says women are being told they are ‘not allowed’ and are being denied genuine choiceWomen feel put under pressure to have medical procedures such as caesareans during their maternity care, according to a report.The charity Birthrights collated the experiences of 300 people in England who said they had felt or witnessed coercion within a maternity setting. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK must learn lessons from AI race and retain its quantum computing talent, says minister 17. March 2026 (07:00) Liz Kendall announces £1bn funding to help design large-scale quantum computers for scientists, researchers, public sector and businessThe UK will not let quantum computing talent slip through its fingers and must learn lessons from US dominance of the AI race, the technology secretary has said, as the government announced a £1bn quantum funding pledge.Liz Kendall said the government hoped to retain homegrown quantum startups, engineers and researchers rather than lose them to competing countries, with the US stealing a march on its western rivals in AI. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
