The Guardian

Chancellor’s statement comes amid backdrop of economic and geopolitical turmoil, including gas prices at three-year highRachel Reeves’s plans could be hit by Middle East conflict, say economistsUK grocery price inflation has risen, showing that people are being hit in the pocket even before the surge in energy prices feeds through to the economy.Data provider Worldpanel by Numerator has reported that annual grocery inflation rose to 4.3% in February, after four consecutive months of falls, in a blow for households. That’s up from 4% in January.Sentiment towards BP and Shell has strengthened significantly off the back of oil price spikes. But

Defence secretary has not made a final decision but multiple sources say the deployment of HMS Duncan is under considerationEllie Chowns, the Green party’s foreign affairs spokesperson, has said she has tabled an “armed conflict (requirements) bill’” which would require any UK military intervention to have a lawful basis, viable objective and approval from MPs.In a letter addressed to the prime minister, which she shared to X, Chowns, who is the Green’s MP for North Herefordshire, wrote:In recent days we have seen a deeply concerning escalation in conflict in the Middle East following a series of illegal and dangerously irresponsible

British, Czech, Italian and Polish media report first successful returns from Oman and the United Arab Emirates The family of the Italian defence minister, who was embarrassingly left stranded in Dubai in first hours of the war, has returned to Italy on last night’s return flight to Rome Fiumicino airport, local media reported.As we reported yesterday, Guido Crosetto returned on Sunday on an Italian state flight, which sparked further criticism, as hundreds of other Italians remain stuck in Dubai while he was evacuated alone. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/mar/03/european-travel-flights-iran-middle-east-freidrich-merz-europe-latest-news-updates Author : Jakub Krupa Publish date : 2026-03-03 09:59:00 Copyright

Israeli airforce attacking cities simultaneously with a ‘wave of extensive strikes’ against the Iranian regime and HezbollahUS strikes on Iran triggered by Israel’s plan to launch attack, Rubio saysAnger with Hezbollah boils as war returns to weary BeirutUS secretary of state Marco Rubio has claimed the US attacked Iran after learning that Israel was going to strike, which would have meant retaliation against US forces.“We knew that if we didn’t pre-emptively go after them before they launched those attacks, we would suffer higher casualties,” he told reportersThe Air Force is now attacking Tehran and Beirut simultaneouslyThe Air Force has now

Warning comes as OBR projections in the spring forecast are expected to show public finances moving in the right directionSoaring global energy prices as a result of the widening Middle East conflict will jeopardise Rachel Reeves’s plan to conquer inflation and rekindle growth, economists have warned as she prepares to deliver her spring forecast later today.Responding to the latest projections from the independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), the chancellor will insist she has “the right economic plan for our country, in a world that has become more uncertain”. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/mar/03/rachel-reeves-middle-east-obr-spring-forecast Author : Heather Stewart Economics

Liberal MP says rules are irrelevant when Trump acts as an ‘apex opportunist’, following a drone strike at Al Minhad airbase where Australian troops are basedFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastCoalition frontbencher Andrew Hastie has declared anyone who thinks the rules-based order still exists is living in a “fantasyland”, amid an escalating US-Israel war on Iran, and as the government confirmed Australian troops in the region were safe after a weekend drone strike.Australian troops posted at the defence force’s headquarters in the United Arab Emirates are all

State secretary frames strikes as necessary to protect US forces from retaliation; Chuck Schumer tells reporters ‘this is Trump’s war’ and ‘he has no strategy’Hegseth says US won’t get ‘bogged down’ in IranWhat is the legality of the US and Israeli attacks on Iran?Sign up for Breaking US News email alertsWhile speaking today, Pete Hegseth acknowledged the fourth US service member killed in Iran’s counterattacks.“War is hell and always will be,” he said. “Our grateful nation honors the four Americans we have lost thus far and those injured – the absolute best of America.” Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/mar/02/democrats-to-force-vote-in-congress-to-limit-trumps-war-powers-against-iran-us-politics-live

PM tells ABC’s 7.30 that the late Iranian leader should not be mourned. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastGovernment takes conflict ‘a day at a time’Moving across to ABC News Breakfast, Richard Marles say the government is taking the conflict in the Middle East – and its economic consequences – a day at a time.It sounds trite, but you literally kind of have to take this at a day at a time. It is very difficult to speculate about how long this will go. You are right that there could easily be

UK considering all evacuation options, including charter and military flights and bus trips across land bordersMore than 100,000 Britons were stranded in the Gulf on Monday, with airspace in the region still closed to most flights and overland evacuation regarded as risky while Iran continues to launch missile and drone strikes across the region.Downing Street said UK officials were considering all options to get citizens home safely, including using commercial, charter and military flights and bussing evacuees across land borders into Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/02/more-than-100000-britons-stranded-in-gulf-with-airspace-closed-to-most-flights Author : Pippa Crerar and Gwyn Topham Publish date

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 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.

All six crew members ejected safely in apparent ‘friendly fire’ as Kuwait launches investigation into incidentUS-Israel war on Iran – live updatesThree US fighter jets were mistakenly shot down over Kuwait early Monday in an apparent “friendly fire” incident, military officials said. All six crew members ejected safely.According to a statement from US Central Command (Centcom), Kuwait’s air defences fired on the F-15 war planes during a combat mission on the third day of conflict following Saturday’s launch of US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/02/us-fighter-jets-kuwait Author : Richard Luscombe Publish date : 2026-03-02 13:44:00 Copyright for

Foreign secretary confirms strike on Akrotiri base but says it ‘simply not true’ the UK is being dragged into an Iraq-style conflict‘Simply not true’ UK is being dragged into Iraq-style conflict, says foreign secretaryKonstantinos Letymbiotis, a spokesman for the government of Cyprus, posted on X on Monday that two unmanned aerial drones heading toward the RAF Akrotiri base have been shot down.The British base was struck by an unmanned drone overnight that caused no casualties and limited damage. Shortly after the hit, Keir Starmer announced that the UK would allow the US use British military bases to attack Iranian missile

EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, warns against further escalation following US and Israel strikes on IranA so-called “security college” of the European Commission is set to meet today as the European Union is considering its options given the escalating situation in the Middle East.The bloc’s foreign ministers spoke at an online emergency meeting last night, with the EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, warning later about the prospect of further escalation in the region. She also stressed the importance of keeping critical waterways, like the strait of Hormuz, open. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/mar/02/eu-response-middle-east-conflict-evacuate-citizens-europe-live-latest-news Author : Jakub Krupa Publish date

It is Hanson’s second censure within four months, this time over comments questioning whether there were good MuslimsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastPauline Hanson has been censured again by the federal Senate, with two Liberal senators crossing the floor to support a motion calling out the One Nation leader’s “inflammatory and divisive” recent comments about Australian Muslims.Hanson branded the motion – her second censure within four months, following her stunt in wearing a hijab in the parliament last year – as a “joke”, theatrically slapping herself on

Iran-backed Hezbollah says it launched rockets and drones at Israel in retaliation for the killing of Ayatollah Ali KhameneiPodcast: The assassination of Iran’s ayatollah – and fears for a wider conflictFull report: Trump open to talks with Iran as conflict deepens in Middle EastHow have you been affected by events in the Middle East?Bahrain has that one person was killed by shrapnel from an intercepted missile. The death of a foreign worker at Salman Industrial City, working on a boat there, marks the kingdom’s first reported fatality in the war.Bahrain, home to the US navy’s 5th fleet, said it intercepted

Eclipse will feature a deep, coppery-red full moon on 3 March, with scientists predicting the best times to see itFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastNorth America, Australia and New Zealand will be treated to a rare total lunar eclipse on Tuesday known as a “blood moon”.As the full moon dips into the planet’s shadow it will change colour to a “deep and coppery red”, says astrophysicist Dr Rebecca Allen of Swinburne University.Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Hobart – starts 10.04pm, ends 11.02pmBrisbane – starts 9.04pm, ends 10.02pmAdelaide – starts

Trials to form part of three-month consultation on Keir Starmer’s plans to tackle negative effects of smartphone useHundreds of teenagers will be enlisted to trial social media bans in the coming months with overnight digital curfews and daily screen time limits also tested as part of Keir Starmer’s plan to crack down on the negative effects of smartphone use.The trials will be part of a three-month consultation launched this week that could lead to an outright ban on social media for under-16s similar to that introduced in Australia. Ministers have said they are ready to toughen laws just six months

Travel changes likely at short notice, including on routes to Europe. Follow today’s latest new updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast115,000 Australians in the Middle East regionAs Australians are warned not to travel to the Middle East, Penny Wong says there are about 115,000 Australians in the region, and about 11,000 travelling regularly in and out of Australia on Etihad, Emirates and Qatar Airways.It’s very difficult at the moment for government to provide a great deal of assistance in circumstances where flights are being cancelled, disrupted and their space is closed.First we need to see

The US joined an Israeli assault after intel suggested Iran’s top clerics and commanders could be hit at onceFull report: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei killedWhat we know so far: US and Israel wage war on IranWar on Iran: how the US-Israeli bid for regime change unfoldedDonald Trump launched attacks against Iran on Saturday alongside Israel after they developed intelligence that they could simultaneously target the country’s leaders and mullahs at a compound in Tehran, according to two people familiar with deliberations.The Israelis had been tracking the movements of Iran’s top leaders and determined, in conjunction with the United States, that there

Regulator says Prof Jacob George will no longer be involved after gender-criticial social media posts from last yearA health official who reportedly intervened to pause a clinical trial on the use of puberty blockers has been removed from any further involvement due to accusations of bias.Prof Jacob George, who was appointed chief medical and scientific officer at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in January, raised concerns that led to the Pathways trial being put on hold by the government, according to the Sunday Times. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/mar/01/professor-reportedly-paused-uk-puberty-blockers-trial-recused-bias Author : Tobi Thomas Health and inequalities

Authorities seek to reassure visitors after tourists at five-star resorts had to shelter in underground car parksUS-Israel war on Iran – latest updatesThe weekend began as it often does in Dubai. By late morning on Saturday, the beach clubs on Palm Jumeirah were already at capacity. Along the waterfront promenade, running clubs gathered beneath the towers, filming their warm-ups before setting off in neat formation.On Instagram, the city appeared untouched: blue skies, a flat sea and the steady churn of shoppers inside the Dubai Mall. Across the Gulf, however, the largest regional war since the 2003 invasion of Iraq was

The mutual resentments that have fueled tensions between the US and Iran have simmered for nearly half a centuryFor millions of younger Americans, the sudden explosion of Iran onto the national political stage and consciousness may seem like a bolt from the blue.Yet for older generations and those with deeper historical awareness, Donald Trump’s announcement on Saturday of strikes against a distant foe is more like the outcome of a collision long foretold. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/01/trump-us-iran-war-history Author : Robert Tait in Washington Publish date : 2026-03-01 10:00:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

US president says Khamenei’s death is ‘justice for the people of Iran’ as he repeats call for regime change; Iran targets US bases in region Full report: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei killedA visual guide to the US-Israeli strikes on Iran – and Tehran’s responseWar on Iran: how the US-Israeli bid for regime change unfoldedLoud explosions were heard early on Sunday near Erbil airport, which hosts US-led coalition troops in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region, AFP reported. Thick black smoke was rising from the airport area.On Saturday, US-led coalition forces downed several missiles and explosive-laden drones over Erbil. Continue reading... Source link :

Regional authorities withdraw permit after citing risk of organised crime infiltration linked to a subcontractorIt is one of Europe’s most celebrated shorelines, framed by mountains and 19th-century villas and famed for its Caribbean-blue water and white sand.But Mondello beach in Palermo, Sicily, has also been mired in controversy, the subject of complaints stretching back a century from residents and tourists who say its private lidos, cabins and deckchairs have left scant room for public access. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/01/sicily-mondello-beach-mafia Author : Lorenzo Tondo in Palermo Publish date : 2026-03-01 05:00:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked

Confirmation of supreme leader’s killing follows announcement by Donald Trump that ‘one of the most evil people in history, is dead’US-Israel war on Iran – latest reportsWar on Iran: how the US-Israeli bid for regime change unfolded Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei has been killed, Iranian state media confirmed early on Sunday, in the opening salvo of a war aimed at regime change that was launched on Saturday by the US and Israel.Khamenei had not been heard from since the strikes began, and satellite imagery showed that his secure compound was heavily damaged in the initial barrage on Saturday. Continue