British AI datacentre firm Nscale raises $2bn as Sheryl Sandberg and Nick Clegg join board 09. March 2026 (14:51) London-based startup, which is vital to the government’s artificial intelligence ambitions, is now valued at $14.6bnBusiness live – latest updatesNscale, a UK company vital to the government’s AI ambitions, has raised $2bn (£1.5bn) in a funding round and appointed former Meta executives Sheryl Sandberg and Nick Clegg to its board of directors.It brings the valuation of the London-based startup, which is backed by US tech company Nvidia, to $14.6bn, it said in a statement, and follows a $1.1bn funding round the company raised last September. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Pete Hegseth says ‘there will be more casualties’ in US war with Iran 09. March 2026 (14:33) Comments from defense secretary come as number of US service members killed in conflict has climbed to sevenSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxPete Hegseth, the US defense secretary, has said “there will be more casualties” in the US military from the Trump administration’s war in Iran after officials confirmed on Sunday that the number of US service members killed had climbed to seven.Hegseth made the statement during an appearance Sunday night on CBS’s 60 Minutes, during which he portrayed Donald Trump’s decision for the US to join Israeli attacks on the Middle East country as essential “to advance American interests, and protect American lives”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘A stage for whitewashing war crimes’: Venice Biennale urged to exclude Russia 09. March 2026 (14:31) Ukraine criticises organisers’ decision to allow Russia to take part in prestigious art exhibition as ‘incomprehensible’ Ukraine has urged organisers of the Venice Biennale to reconsider Russia’s participation in the prestigious art exhibition, arguing that it must not become “a stage for whitewashing… war crimes.”Biennale organisers said last week that Russia would be allowed to take part in the event, held from 9 May until 22 November, triggering widespread criticism, including from Italy’s culture ministry, which said it opposed the decision. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
OpenAI delays ‘adult mode’ for ChatGPT to focus on work of higher priority 09. March 2026 (14:29) Startup still believes in ‘principle of treating adults like adults, but getting experience right will take more time’OpenAI is delaying the launch of “adult mode” for ChatGPT after admitting it had more pressing priorities than introducing erotica on its signature artificial intelligence product.The startup’s chief executive, Sam Altman, had announced last year that OpenAI would allow adult content as it rolled out age checking. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Video shows US Tomahawk missile hit base next to bombed Iranian school 09. March 2026 (13:57) Footage of attack on Minab compound adds to evidence indicating it was a US strike that killed scores of childrenMiddle East crisis – live updatesA video has shown a US Tomahawk missile hitting the Iranian naval base next to a primary school in Minab where more than 168 people, mostly children, were killed – adding to evidence that indicates the US was responsible for the school strike.The video, released by the Iranian news agency Mehr and geolocated to the site by the investigative collective Bellingcat, shows the missile hitting the Minab compound on the morning of 28 February, when US-Israeli strikes on Iran began. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Travelers face long waits at some US airports amid DHS shutdown 09. March 2026 (13:30) Wait times at security checkpoints in Houston and New Orleans as long as three hours due to shortage of TSA agentsSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxTravelers complained of long waits Sunday – lasting hours in some cases – at security checkpoints at airports in Houston and New Orleans, which officials blamed on a government shutdown of the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS).The estimated wait time at the standard security checkpoint at the William P Hobby airport in Houston early Sunday evening was at one point three hours, according to the Houston Airports website. The Hobby airport on social media Friday said it expected more travelers than normal due to spring break. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Nigel Farage invests £215,000 in Kwasi Kwarteng’s bitcoin firm 09. March 2026 (12:50) Reform UK leader strengthens ties with crypto sector with stake in former Tory chancellor’s company Stack BTCBusiness live – latest updatesNigel Farage has invested in Kwasi Kwarteng’s bitcoin reserves company, as the leader of Reform UK aligns himself closer with the cryptocurrency industry.The MP has invested £215,000 in Stack BTC, the crypto business that is chaired by the former Conservative chancellor. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Countries can rewild borders to deter invasions, says EU environment chief 09. March 2026 (12:17) Jessika Roswall cites Poland and Finland, which have made border areas near Russia or its allies ‘more hostile’ to crossCountries should look to rewild their land borders as a deterrence to invasion and build up other geographical defences to attack, Europe’s environment chief has said.Jessika Roswall, the EU’s commissioner for the environment, water resilience and a competitive circular economy, said nature should be used to improve national security. “Investing in nature and using nature as a natural border control is necessary, and actually increases biodiversity. It’s a win-win,” she said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Proposed law does not protect children born to convicted paedophiles, Lords to hear 09. March 2026 (11:15) Amendment to victims and courts bill in England and Wales aims to remove anomaly in parental responsibilityA proposed law to restrict paedophiles’ parental rights in England and Wales is too weak because it does not protect children of theirs born after their conviction, parliament will hear this week.Under the victims and courts bill, a parent convicted of serious sexual offences against any child and who is sentenced to four or more years in prison will lose parental responsibility but they could come out of jail and have other children who would not be protected. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Yorkshire Water receives fresh funding despite sewage fines and pay row 09. March 2026 (11:11) Private equity group EQT to take 42% stake as supplier faces scrutiny over environmental record and CEO’s payBusiness live – latest updatesA leading European investor will pump fresh funding into Yorkshire Water including helping to cover a £600m loan, despite recent heavy sewage fines and a scandal over executive pay at the utility firm.EQT, a Swedish private equity group, said on Monday it would take a 42% stake in Kelda Holdings, the Jersey-registered parent company of Yorkshire Water, which has 5.7 million customers across Yorkshire and parts of the East Midlands and Lincolnshire. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
