Maritime insurers cancel war risk cover in Gulf as Iran conflict disrupts shipping 02. March 2026 (19:31) Strait of Hormuz is effectively closed and vessels rerouted, sending some freight costs surgingUS-Israel war on Iran – live updatesLeading maritime insurers have cancelled war risk cover for vessels operating in the Gulf as the escalating Iran conflict disrupted shipping and sent some freight costs surging.At least 150 vessels including oil and liquefied natural gas tankers have dropped anchor in the strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters, and at least three tankers were damaged and one seafarer killed over the weekend. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK firms in Middle East face heightened threat from Iran hackers, agency warns 02. March 2026 (19:27) National Cyber Security Centre urges increased vigilance over risk of indirect attack by hacktivists amid conflictUS-Israel war on Iran – live updatesUK businesses with a presence in the Middle East have been urged to step up vigilance against cyber threats from Iran after US-Israeli attacks.The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) said there was “almost certainly” a heightened risk of an indirect cyber threat for organisations that had offices, or supply chains, in the Middle East. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Jacinta Allan says planned work-from-home law would affect all Victorian businesses 02. March 2026 (19:00) Small employers won’t be exempt from proposed legislation designed to allow offsite working two days a weekFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAll employers will be affected by the Victorian government’s plan to legislate a right to work from home two days week, with Jacinta Allan to confirm there will be no exemptions for small businesses.It comes as cabinet met on Monday to greenlight the plan – a key pillar of Labor’s re-election campaign – with further announcements expected during the parliamentary sitting week. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
McDonald’s CEO’s awkward taste test sparks mocking online: ‘His aura screams kale salad’ 02. March 2026 (18:33) Video of Chris Kempczinski trying new ‘product’ the Big Arch burger criticized for feeling forced and corporateBusiness leaders are increasingly placing themselves in front of the camera, in an effort to appear more relatable to a social media-first audience. When it goes well, it can be a huge hit. When it doesn’t, you risk becoming the subject of online ridicule.In the recent case of Chris Kempczinski, the McDonald’s CEO and president, it’s the latter. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Daily Mail royal editor denies using private investigator to ‘blag’ Harry information 02. March 2026 (17:58) Rebecca English shown emails at high court trial suggesting investigator ‘went out on a limb’ to help herThe Daily Mail’s royal editor has denied using a private investigator to “blag” information about the Duke of Sussex and his former girlfriends, as she was shown emails suggesting the investigator “went out on a limb” to help her.Rebecca English’s name appears on six of the articles cited by Prince Harry in his case against Associated Newspapers Ltd (ANL), publisher of the Daily Mail. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Fourth American service member killed in Iran operation 02. March 2026 (17:56) US military also says three US fighter jets were shot down over in ‘friendly fire’ incident, all six crew members survivedUS-Israel war on Iran – live updatesSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxA fourth American service member has been killed in the US military operations against Iran, the US Central Command said on Monday.The announcement comes one day after the military confirmed the deaths of three US service members on Sunday, which marked the first known US fatalities since the strikes against Iran began on Saturday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
MPs’ basic salary to rise to £110,000 by end of parliament, watchdog says 02. March 2026 (17:54) Ipsa cites abuse and constituency workloads as reasons for above-inflation increase of 5% over next financial yearThe basic annual salary of MPs will rise to £110,000, the expenses watchdog has said, on the grounds of increased abuse and intimidation as well as growing constituency workloads.This year, MPs’ basic pay will rise by almost £5,000, a jump of 5% over the next financial year to £98,599 – and will reach £110,000 by the end of the parliament. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Farage emulating ‘his hero Trump’ in deriding byelection results, says new Green MP 02. March 2026 (17:52) Reform leader says without evidence that his party’s candidate came first among UK-born voters, as Hannah Spencer takes seat in parliamentNigel Farage has been accused of Donald Trump-style election denial by the Green party’s new MP for Gorton and Denton, after he claimed her Reform rival “came first” among British-born voters in last week’s byelection.Hannah Spencer, a local plumber and councillor, was elected as the party’s first MP in northern England last week after winning 14,980 votes, more than 4,400 ahead of Reform’s candidate, who came second. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Starmer says UK will not join ‘regime change from the skies’ on Iran 02. March 2026 (17:32) PM defends use of UK bases for defensive action but says Britain has ‘learned the lessons from Iraq’ on need for ‘thought-through plan’US-Israel war on Iran – live updatesKeir Starmer has said the UK will not join offensive strikes by Israel and the US on Iran, saying the UK does not believe in “regime change from the skies”.But the prime minister defended the use of UK bases for defensive action, saying that was “the best way to protect British interests and British lives”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
BrewDog bought by US cannabis and drinks firm for £33m, costing nearly 500 jobs 02. March 2026 (17:28) Many early stage crowdfunders left empty-handed as Tilray acquires beer company’s UK and Irish assetsBusiness live – latest updatesThe UK and Irish assets of BrewDog, the Scottish self-styled “punk” brewer, have been sold to the US cannabis and drinks firm Tilray for £33m, in a deal that will cost nearly 500 jobs and leave legions of the company’s early stage crowdfunders empty-handed.Tilray agreed a deal to buy BrewDog’s brand, intellectual property, UK brewing operations and 11 “strategic” bars in the UK and Ireland, the two companies confirmed, preserving 733 jobs. The remaining 38 bars will close immediately, at a cost of 484 jobs. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
