UK inflation likely to rise because of Middle East war, says Rachel Reeves 09. March 2026 (20:31) Chancellor says she is ready to help households with rising costs but stops short of setting out specific stepsMiddle East crisis – live updatesBritain is likely to be hit by rising inflation because of the US war with Iran, the chancellor has said, as she suggested a “rapid de-escalation” would be the best protection against a jump in energy prices.Rachel Reeves stopped short of setting out any new relief for people who could be hit by rising prices, rebuffing calls to ditch a planned 5p rise in fuel duty in September.The price of Brent crude oil rocketed to as high as $119.50 on Sunday, a jump of 29%.The Bank of England is now expected to keep interest rates on hold through 2026, with a small possibility of a rise in 2027.The prospect of a prolonged conflict and higher inflation also pushed global markets lower.The AA said drivers could “consider cutting out some non-essential journeys and changing their driving style to conserve fuel”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘We thought we were doomed’: Canadian fishers in dramatic rescue after ice shelf floats away 09. March 2026 (20:14) Anglers describe harrowing phone calls to loved ones once ice detached from shores of Georgian Bay in OntarioSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxKevin Fox thought the spring-like temperatures that had temporarily pushed the cold away from south-eastern Ontario meant a good day on for ice fishing, a popular winter pastime in the region.After shifting location because the wind and ice “didn’t feel right” and the fish weren’t biting close to shore, he and a friend joined nearly two dozen others far out on a sheet of ice in Lake Huron. They followed the familiar routine of anyone who spends a day on the ice: they drilled holes, dropped their lines and waited. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Golf club firm owned by Trump’s sons merges with drone manufacturer 09. March 2026 (19:42) Merger to take drone firm public is latest business move by Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr as father is in White HouseSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxA golf club company backed by the sons of Donald Trump is merging with drone manufacturer Powerus in a deal designed to take the drone technology company public.The merger with Aureus Greenway Holdings is the latest in Eric and Donald Trump Jr’s growing investments in the drone sector, following last month’s $1.5bn tie-up between Israeli drone maker XTEND and Florida-based JFB Construction Holdings. Drones have become a major procurement priority for the Pentagon and are widely used in Ukraine, where dense air defense systems near the front lines limit the deployment of conventional aircraft. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
How high could oil prices go – and what might the global economic fallout be? 09. March 2026 (19:35) Crude prices could surpass their 2008 record, with potentially dire effects for consumers and businessesFears over the global economy have been stoked by the oil price soaring past $100 a barrel as a result of the US-Israel war with Iran.Economists say the increasing likelihood of a prolonged conflict in the vital energy exporting region could have serious consequences for living standards around the world amid the threat of a renewed inflation shock. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
A country divided: state media show Mojtaba supporters as Iranians online fear repression 09. March 2026 (19:35) With new supreme leader’s strong connections to the IRGC, critics fear worse is to come – if he survivesMiddle East crisis – live updatesAt around midday, even as airstrikes hit several parts of the capital, large crowds gathered in Tehran’s famous Enghelab Square to chant their allegiance to Iran’s new supreme leader.Carrying banners showing the face of the country’s slain leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, people on Monday held a new portrait – that of his son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Emmanuel Macron vows Europe will stand by Cyprus after Iran drone strike 09. March 2026 (19:35) French president says attack on island is ‘an attack on Europe’ as EU states send military supportMiddle East crisis – live updatesEmmanuel Macron has vowed that Europe will do whatever it takes to stand by Cyprus, the continent’s first state to be directly affected by the Iran war, after coming under what he described as “attack from multiple drones and missiles.”In the strongest show yet of solidarity towards the EU member closest to the Middle East, Macron likened the attacks, which included a drone strike against a British base on the eastern Mediterranean island, to an attack on Europe. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
X suspends 800m accounts in one year amid ‘massive’ scale of manipulation attempts 09. March 2026 (19:34) Social media company tells MPs of continual fight against state-backed efforts, with Russia being most prolificElon Musk’s X said it had suspended 800m accounts over a 12-month period as it fights the “massive” scale of attempts to manipulate the platform.The social media company told MPs it was continually fighting state-backed attempts to hijack the agenda on its network, with Russia the most prolific state actor, followed by Iran and China. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Labour lawyers ‘blocked’ from briefing MPs on jury trials overhaul before vote 09. March 2026 (19:33) Leader of rebel group says there is deep concern within Society of Labour Lawyers about courts and tribunals bill Lawyers affiliated to Labour were “blocked” from briefing party MPs to share concerns about plans to cut the number of jury trials in England and Wales, it has been claimed.
The allegation was made by Karl Turner, the leader of a backbench rebellion against a flagship government bill that would remove the right to a jury trial in thousands of cases, before the first chance by MPs to vote on the legislation.As many as 65 Labour MPs are understood to have been considering voting against the courts and tribunals bill before Monday’s second reading. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ohio State University president resigns over ‘inappropriate relationship’ 09. March 2026 (19:33) Walter ‘Ted’ Carter Jr says he ‘made a mistake in allowing inappropriate access to Ohio State leadership’Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxThe president of the Ohio State University has resigned following the disclosure of an “inappropriate relationship” to the college’s board of trustees.In a statement, Walter “Ted” Carter Jr, who had led the university since 2024, said that he “made a mistake in allowing inappropriate access to Ohio State leadership”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Iran’s new supreme leader brings mystery element to Middle East crisis 09. March 2026 (19:30) What Mojtaba Khamenei will do with his leadership is now the key question after he succeeds his fatherMiddle East crisis – live updatesCrowds in Tehran greeted the announcement of the country’s new supreme leader by chanting: “God’s hand is still upon us, Khamenei is still our leader.” As the world economy grinds to a halt, Iran is selling the elevation of Mojtaba Khamenei as a sign of reassuring continuity for a country determined to show its defiance of the west.Yet in reality he injects a new unpredictable, even mysterious, element into the Middle East crisis, since just as he is unknown to Washington, so he is a figure of deep obscurity to ordinary Iranians. By contrast, the first supreme leader, Ruhollah Khomeini, led Iran to revolution in 1979 and the second, Mojtaba’s father, Ali Khamenei, had been president for eight years before he was chosen by the Assembly of Experts within a day of Khomenei’s death. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
