Iran war pushes oil price above $90 threatening rise in global inflation 06. March 2026 (18:04) Reports Kuwait was cutting output pushed up cost of barrel of Brent crude to highest weekly gain since Covid pandemic beganThe Iran conflict has driven the oil price past $90 a barrel to its highest weekly gains since the Covid-19 pandemic six years ago, threatening a fresh rise in global inflation.Reports that Kuwait had begun cutting production of oil at some fields after running out of space to store it drove the cost of a barrel of Brent crude to as high as $91.89 at one point on Friday – its highest since April 2024 and up from about $72.50 just before war broke out. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
North Korean agents using AI to trick western firms into hiring them, Microsoft says 06. March 2026 (18:00) Firm says AI tools are masking identities of false applicants, who then funnel wages from remote IT jobs to North KoreaFake IT workers deployed by North Korea are using AI technology, including voice-changing tools, to trick western companies into hiring them, Microsoft has said.The US tech firm said a signature Pyongyang money-raising ruse is being enhanced by AI, which is helping create fake names and alter stolen IDs to increase the credibility of false applicants for IT and software development jobs. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
German twist in the Telegraph tale shatters Lord Rothermere’s dreams 06. March 2026 (17:50) The European powerhouse has scuppered the Daily Mail owner. But why did it not bid sooner? And what will Brexit-backing readers think?After three years, a series of failed bids stretching from the US to Abu Dhabi, internal rebellions and even changes in the law, it should be no surprise that the tortured sale of the Telegraph has delivered another spectacular twist with a blockbuster offer from the media giant Axel Springer.It has torpedoed the long-held dreams of the Daily Mail proprietor, Lord Rothermere, to secure the Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph and begin the next chapter of his family’s love affair with the British press. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
White House releases war video promoting ‘justice the American way’ featuring Hollywood characters 06. March 2026 (17:35) Critics have called Trump administration’s provocative video ‘slopaganda’, used to promote president’s agendaA Hollywood-themed propaganda video released by the White House promising “justice the American way” for Iran features movie stars from Australia, New Zealand and Canada, and promotes characters including a corrupt lawyer, a drug dealer and a freedom fighter who stands up to the overwhelming force of an invading foreign army.The 42-second video posted on the official X account of the White House on Thursday was met with almost universal mockery online, with comments accusing the Trump administration of immaturity, and likening its social media strategy to one run by teenagers. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Teenagers killed themselves in Dorset after baby taken into care, inquest finds 06. March 2026 (17:29) Katie Powell, 17, and Jack Williams, 18, were found dead days after being arrested and child entering foster care in 2022A teenage couple killed themselves after they were arrested and their infant child taken into foster care, a jury has concluded.Katie Powell, 17, and Jack Williams, 18, were found dead at a nature reserve in Dorset, a four-week inquest in Bournemouth heard.In the UK, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 and the domestic abuse helpline is 0808 2000 247. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is on 13 11 14 and the national family violence counselling service is on 1800 737 732. In the US, the suicide prevention lifeline is 1-800-273-8255 and the domestic violence hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Other international helplines can be found via www.befrienders.org Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Indonesia to ban social media for children under 16 06. March 2026 (17:25) Platforms include YouTube, TikTok and Instagram as communication minister says ‘our children face real threats’Indonesia will ban social media for children under 16, its communication and digital affairs minister said on Friday.Meutya Hafid said in a statement to media said that she signed a government regulation that will mean children under the age of 16 can no longer have accounts on high-risk digital platforms, including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Roblox and Bigo Live, a popular livestreaming site. With a population of about 285 million, the fourth-highest in the world, the south-east Asian nation represents a significant market for social networks. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne no longer interested in Reform-Tory pact 06. March 2026 (17:08) Donor who has given £12m to Reform UK had previously wanted Nigel Farage to keep open mind about deal with ConservativesChristopher Harborne, the ultra-wealthy political donor who has given £12m to Reform UK, has told the Guardian he is “no longer” interested in a Reform-Conservative pact before the next general election.A possible collaboration between Reform and the Conservative party had been an important aspect of discussions about donations between Harborne and senior figures including Nigel Farage, sources familiar with the conversations said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Hungary seizes millions of euros in cash and gold from Ukrainian convoy 06. March 2026 (17:00) Seven Ukrainians arrested and money-laundering investigation launched in latest spat between Kyiv and BudapestAn increasingly acrimonious spat between Hungary and Ukraine has escalated further, as Budapest impounded two Ukrainian armoured bank vehicles carrying millions of euros of hard cash as well as bars of gold.Seven Ukrainian citizens accompanying the convoy were also arrested. Hungarian officials said the detained Ukrainians had intelligence links and suggested the money could be of dubious origin, while Ukraine’s foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, accused Budapest of “taking hostages and stealing money”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Tory peer to leave House of Lords after investigation finds he breached standards over Covid PPE deals 06. March 2026 (16:58) Lord Chadlington introduced government to supplier in which he had financial interest in 2020The Conservative peer Peter Gummer has said he will leave the House of Lords after an investigation found he committed five breaches of standards over Covid PPE deals and failing to cooperate with previous inquiries.The Lords standards commissioner, Martin Jelley, also found that Gummer, whose peerage title is Lord Chadlington, “did not act on his personal honour” by failing to cooperate with the previous investigations, which cleared him. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
DoJ releases Epstein files containing uncorroborated abuse allegations against Trump 06. March 2026 (16:56) Justice department said the files were initially withheld because they were mistakenly categorized as duplicatesThe US justice department released additional files related to Jeffrey Epstein on Thursday, including FBI memos describing interviews with a woman who made uncorroborated allegations against Epstein and Donald Trump.The documents were not included in the justice department’s earlier releases of Epstein-related records, which began in December. Justice department officials have said the files were initially withheld because they were mistakenly categorized as duplicates. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
