Bank of England holds interest rates at 3.75% but warns war could force future rises 17. September 2026 (14:04) Central bank announces surprise plan to sell billions of pounds in government bonds back to the TreasuryBurnham has to sell Bank rate rises as ‘breathing space’ – good luck with thatBusiness live – latest updatesThe Bank of England has kept interest rates on hold as it warned a continuation of the bitter fighting in the Middle East could force it to raise borrowing costs amid mounting fears over inflation.It also announced a surprise plan to sell billions of pounds in UK government bonds back to the Treasury to avoid fuelling turbulence in the gilt market, a decision that could have significant consequences for the public finances before next month’s budget. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Albanese government considers ‘world-leading’ ban on smart glasses in public office and buildings 17. September 2026 (14:00) Minister for public service says the devices pose ‘legitimate privacy and security concerns’ in commonwealth-run workplaces The Albanese government is considering a “world-leading” ban on smart glasses in its offices and service centres as councils around Australia push the technology out of public spaces over privacy fears.The government has avoided a sweeping ban on the import of the camera-equipped technology and encouraged individual workplaces to set their own rules. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Andy Burnham: UK must fully commit to reaching net zero by 2050 17. September 2026 (14:00) Exclusive: PM, who is facing pressure over whether to approve North Sea oil and gasfields, makes strongest comments yet on issueBritish people understand the climate crisis threat. Today I’m empowering them to tackle itUK politics live – latest updatesThe UK must fully commit to reaching net zero by 2050, Andy Burnham has argued in his strongest comments yet on the issue, saying it is no longer possible for Britons to believe they are not already affected by a changing climate.Writing for the Guardian about new plans for a mass of community-led local green energy projects, the prime minister said the UK must “believe in itself”, and set out his determination to reach net zero targets, which have been rejected by the Conservatives and Reform UK. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Burnham has to sell Bank rate rises as ‘breathing space’ – good luck with that 17. September 2026 (13:54) PM’s push to cut cost of living is threatened by rising inflation and higher government borrowing costsBank of England holds interest ratesBusiness live – latest updatesGood luck to Andy Burnham convincing voters he is giving them “breathing space,” if the Bank of England ratchets up interest rates in the coming months.That was the prospect opened up by Thursday’s minutes of the Bank’s monetary policy committee (MPC) meeting, which left rates unchanged at 3.75% – for now – but suggested policymakers may be unlikely to hold out much longer. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump and Rubio allies are vying for control of Cuba’s assets if regime falls 17. September 2026 (13:00) Washington and Florida insiders are exploring lucrative deals for a post-communist Cuba crushed by ever-increasing US sanctionsSpanish hotel chains. A Canadian mining firm. European shipping giants. Visa and Mastercard. Scores of foreign companies have been driven out of Cuba this summer over fear of being hit with potent, new secondary sanctions. Marco Rubio, the secretary of state, told Axios last month there are “no escape valves” from his unprecedented pressure campaign against the island.But not everybody is losing out. A growing cast of Washington and Florida insiders – from billionaire Trump cronies and Rubio-linked lobbyists to Cuban exiles – are jockeying for control of the communist-ruled island-nation’s key assets, charging top dollar to help clients navigate the ever-expanding web of sanctions, and positioning themselves for lucrative business opportunities in the case of regime collapse. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ilhan Omar brings bill to make ICE ‘pay the price’ for terrorizing communities 17. September 2026 (13:00) Make ICE Pay Act would block nearly $140bn in funding and redirect money to places reeling from Trump crackdownThe US congresswoman Ilhan Omar is set to introduce a bill that would make federal immigration agencies “pay the price” for terrorising vulnerable communities, blocking nearly $140bn in funding and redirecting it to local recovery efforts, the Guardian has learned.The Make ICE Pay Act, due to be introduced on Thursday, targets funding previously designated for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) under Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
