Khan says Labour should rejoin EU customs union and single market this parliament – UK politics live
The Guardian
11 minutes ago
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Middle East crisis live: Trump threatens to ‘blow up’ entire South Pars gasfield if Iran strikes Qatar
US president says Israel will not launch another attack on the giant gasfield shared by Iran and Qatar, but promises to destroy it if Tehran retaliatesFull report: Trump threatens to ‘blow up’ all of Iran’s South Pars gasfield if Tehran strikes QatarFighting intensifies between Israel and Hezbollah in southern LebanonTurning to Australia now, a petrol tsar will manage “unprecedented” supply issues caused by the Middle East conflict as the finishing touches are put on measures to address dire shortages in many regional areas.Prime minister Anthony Albanese convened a snap virtual meeting of the national cabinet on Thursday to discuss major price shocks and shortages driven by the US-Israel war on Iran.My government will be announcing more measures to prepare the nation for supply chain challenges over coming days and weeks.Our fuel supply is currently secure. However, I want us to be over-prepared. Continue reading...
The Guardian
13 minutes ago
Hungary’s Orbán says he won’t back down and allow EU’s €90bn loan to Ukraine – Europe live
Hungarian PM, who is facing an upcoming election, appears in no mood to compromise as EU leaders meet in Brussels this morningFrance’s Emmanuel Macron is the latest leader to offer his thoughts on arrival in Brussels, backing calls to simplify the EU’s rulebooks and push to increase the bloc’s competitiveness.He says France wants “more simplification” and to “deepen the European single market,” with more investment “particularly in innovation, research and technology.” Continue reading...
The Guardian
16 minutes ago
Gas prices surge 25% as Middle East conflict ‘spooks the markets’; airlines warn of higher fares as oil jumps 10% – business live
Attacks on South Pars and Ras Laffan, and Donald Trump’s threat to “massively blow up” the world’s largest gasfield, all hit marketsUK wage growth slows sharply as unemployment holds steadyFed holds interest rates steady as Iran war drives up oil prices and inflation fearsMiddle East crisis live: Trump threatens to ‘blow up’ entire South Pars gasfield if Iran strikes QatarEuropean stock markets have dropped sharply at the start of trading, hit by worries about surging energy prices.In London, the FTSE 100 blue-chip share index has tumbled by 162 points, or 1.6%, to 10,142 points.“Fears of a sustained energy shock have resurfaced after the escalation in the Iran war sent oil and gas prices soaring. The prospect of a longer, more drawn-out conflict is in sharp focus, as both sides ratchet up attacks on energy infrastructure.Brent crude remains highly volatile but has traded as high as $114 a barrel today, threatening to climb back towards recent scorching levels. Gas prices have surged by 25%, reaching a range not seen since early January 2023.The Company is ready to restart production and exports quickly with an improvement in the security environment. Continue reading...
The Guardian
16 minutes ago
UK pay growth sinks to five-year low as younger workers hit by hiring slowdown
Unemployment holds steady, but Bank of England is unlikely to be convinced by ONS data to cut interest rates Business live – latest updatesWage growth slowed sharply in the three months to January according to the latest snapshot of the jobs market from the Office for National Statistics.Average earnings fell to 3.8% in the three months to January, from 4.2%, which was a larger fall than forecast by City economists. It was the slowest rate of wage growth in more than five years. Continue reading...
The Guardian
24 minutes ago
Baking in rubble: Gaza woman keeps Eid traditions alive despite shortages
Border closures and rising prices make Eid baking difficult in Gaza, but families persist to keep traditions alive.
Al Jazeera
3 hours ago
Power prices expected to fall by up to 10% from July, bringing ‘welcome relief’ to Australia’s east coast
Increased wind and solar generation, along with falling electricity contract prices, are expected to deliver lower energy billsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastPower prices on Australia’s east coast are predicted to fall from July because of increased output from wind generation and batteries, and falling electricity contract prices, with potential savings up to $1,320 for some small businesses.In a draft decision on Thursday, the Australia Energy Regulator (AER) proposed a price reduction for customers on standing electricity plans – known as the “default market offer” – of between 1.3% to 10.1% for residential customers, and between 8.5% and 21.2% for small businesses, depending on the region. Continue reading...
The Guardian
4 hours ago
Cathay Pacific suspends flights to and from Dubai until end of April – as it happened
This liveblog is closed – follow our new liveblog here.Iran is still exporting millions of barrels of oil, with about 90 ships, including oil tankers, having crossed the strait of Hormuz since the beginning of the war with Iran, according to maritime and trade data platforms reports.This is despite Iran saying it had closed the vital waterway to vessels from the US and its allies. Continue reading...
The Guardian
6 hours ago
Labubu film is official with Paddington director at the helm
The film will combine live action and computer-generated animation and is in "early development".
Bbc.com
10 hours ago
Israel strikes Iran’s South Pars gasfield hours after forces kill intelligence minister
Death confirmed of Esmail Khatib, the third senior Iranian figure killed in 24 hours, as Israel also launches intense airstrikes on LebanonMiddle East crisis – live updatesExplainer: why attacks on gasfields are a major escalationIsrael struck Iran’s giant South Pars gasfield on Wednesday, marking a major escalation of the war, hours after Israeli forces killed the regime’s intelligence minister and launched some of the most intense airstrikes in Beirut for decades.The attack on the Pars site in the Persian Gulf, which Iran shares with Qatar and constitutes the world’s largest natural gasfield, prompted Tehran to warn neighbouring states that their energy infrastructure could be targeted “within hours”, and triggered furious rebukes from Qatar and other nations in the region. Continue reading...
The Guardian
14 hours ago
UK says it remains in talks over escorting ships through strait of Hormuz
Officials say military planners liaising with US Central Command but situation remains too dangerous for anything to happen soonMiddle East crisis – live updatesBritain has said it remains involved in discussions with the US and European allies over escorting merchant shipping through the strait of Hormuz but the situation remains too dangerous for it to happen soon.Iran is still considered to pose a threat and to have a wide range of weapons available – from cruise missiles to sea drones – despite 19 days of US-led bombing of its navy and coastal sites. Continue reading...
The Guardian
15 hours ago
Canada in push for joint G7 and Middle East effort to de-escalate Iran war
Foreign minister Anita Anand says she has drafted principles to reduce risk of regional spillover and wider shocksMiddle East crisis – live updatesCanada is pushing for a collective G7 and Middle East approach to de-escalating the Iran war, including off ramps that could bring an end to the conflict, the Canadian foreign minister, Anita Anand, has said.In London to meet the UK foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, after talks with the her Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, Anand told the Guardian she hoped a G7 meeting chaired by France, this year’s president of the group, might start to build a broader collective approach to the crisis. Continue reading...
The Guardian
15 hours ago
US and Israel’s strategy to kill Iran’s top figures may prove counterproductive
Attempt to ‘decapitate’ state may harden resistance instead of destabilising regimeMiddle East crisis – live updatesFighting intensifies between Israel and Hezbollah in southern LebanonIsrael’s decision to authorise its military to kill any senior Iranian official on its assassination list has raised significant new questions about its so-called decapitation strategy and what it is intended to achieve.Privately, Israeli officials have briefed their US counterparts that in the event of an uprising, Iran’s opposition would be “slaughtered”. That appears to be at odds with Benjamin Netanyahu’s strategy to pursue regime change by targeting senior figures in Iran’s political and security apparatus. Continue reading...
The Guardian
15 hours ago
Fuel rations and no air con: south-east Asian nations race to conserve energy
Governments in countries heavily reliant on Middle Eastern oil introduce measures to shield public from soaring costsMiddle East crisis – live updatesIn Thailand, news anchors ditched their jackets on air as the government called on the public to reduce their use of air conditioning to save energy. In the Philippines, many government workers are now operating on a four-day week. In Vietnam, officials have urged employers to allow staff to work from home.Across south-east Asia, governments are scrambling to find ways to conserve energy and shield the public from soaring costs as war in the Middle East causes what the International Energy Agency has described as the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market. Continue reading...
The Guardian
1 day ago
Belgian court sends ex-diplomat, 93, to trial over 1961 murder of Congo leader
Family of then PM, Patrice Lumumba, welcome decision to charge Étienne Davignon as ‘beginning of a reckoning’ A former Belgian diplomat, 93, should stand trial over alleged complicity in the 1961 murder of Patrice Lumumba, the first prime minister of what was then the newly independent Congolese state, a Brussels court has ruled.Étienne Davignon, the only person still alive among 10 Belgians the Lumumba family accuses of involvement in the killing, is charged with participation in war crimes.The illegal transfer of Lumumba and his associates from Léopoldville (now Kinshasa) to Katanga.The “humiliating and degrading treatment” of the men.Depriving them of a fair trial. Continue reading...
The Guardian
1 day ago
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