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Full House and Senate to be briefed on Iran strikes – US politics live
Rubio, Hegseth and Caine to address lawmakersSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxThe marquee matchup for the open US Senate seat in North Carolina will begin to resolve into focus Tuesday, with a well-known former Democratic governor and a Donald Trump-endorsed but untested Republican appearing to lead the field.In the Democratic primary, former two-term governor Roy Cooper is ahead in recent polling against the slate of other candidates who have never held elected office. Cooper is widely seen among North Carolina’s Democrats as their best chance at flipping a Republican-controlled seat, now held by retiring US senator Thom Tillis, a conservative who has turned hard against the Trump administration on its handling of healthcare, defense and the Epstein file disclosures. Continue reading...
Spring forecast: Reeves to insist she has ‘right economic plan’; Markets plunge as Middle East crisis drives UK gas price to three-year high – live updates
Chances of Bank of England interest rate cut this month have plunged, as Middle East crisis overshadows the UK’s spring forecastRachel 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 it’s a complex picture. Neither company has production in Iran. But BP’s significant production in Iraq and Abu Dhabi risks being bottlenecked through disruption to the Strait of Hormuz. For Shell the same applies to its LNG facilities in Qatar and the Emirates. If a moderate sustainable regime is established in Iran, there is the potential for substantial derisking, and for prices to be rebased downwards. If sanctions are removed, it also opens the door for investment into Iranian oil fields.But uncertainty remains high. This could prove to be highly profitable for both Shell and BP’s trading arms with Shell’s optimisation capabilities in LNG transit likely to be in particularly strong demand. Shell’s balance sheet strength also leaves it better placed to deal with any prolonged volatility and while BP’s buybacks remain on pause, we’re expecting Shell’s generous payouts are likely to continue this year. Continue reading...
Zelenskyy warns that Iran conflict could disrupt weapons flow to Ukraine – Europe live
Ukrainian president says that the US-Israeli war could hinder his country from defending itself against RussiaAhead of von der Leyen’s call with Zelenskyy later today, the European Commission was also asked about Ukraine’s 2027 target for joining the bloc.A spokesperson for the commission said that it was Ukraine’s ambition, but the EU “cannot have it as our reference” as it needs to go through the formal process and get the political agreement of all other member states. Continue reading...
The war in the Middle East in maps, video and photos
How the US-Israeli war against Iran exploded into a regional conflict, as Tehran retaliated with strikes across the Middle EastUS-Israel war on Iran – live updatesA US-Israeli war against Iran that began on Saturday with bombing and missile attacks that killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, has exploded into a regional conflict, with Tehran retaliating by launching strikes across the Middle East.On Tuesday, Israel’s military launched a ground invasion of Lebanon, where it has been carrying out intense strikes after Iran’s ally, Hezbollah, fired rockets across the frontier. Continue reading...
Showdown over datacenter politics at heart of North Carolina primary
Democratic rematch in Durham-area district draws focus to fight over AI datacenters increasingly shaping US electionsA North Carolina congressional primary on Tuesday is an early test of datacenter politics – a fight increasingly shaping elections nationwide.In the Durham-area fourth district, Congresswoman Valerie Foushee is seeking her third term against progressive challenger Nida Allam, a Durham county commissioner she defeated in 2022. Continue reading...
UK considering sending warship to Cyprus to defend RAF airbase – UK politics live
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 airstrikes on Iran by the United States and Israel.You have now confirmed that UK bases will be used by the US for their operations in the area. This is a significant concession to President Donald Trump and one which risks drawing the UK into a dangerous conflict. Continue reading...
Gas and oil prices soar and shares tumble as crucial shipping lane threatened
Iranian official threatens to "set fire" to any ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
OpenAI changes deal with US military after backlash
Chief Executive Sam Altman said the group would prohibit the use of its systems to spy on Americans.
Live Updates: U.S. Closes 2 Gulf Embassies as Iran Steps Up Retaliation
The State Department urged Americans to immediately leave 14 countries, and closed U.S. embassies in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait after they were hit by drones. Israel’s military said it had seized new areas of Lebanon in its conflict with Iran-backed Hezbollah.
When Trump Meets Germany’s Merz, Iran Will Likely Dominate Discussion
Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s visit to Washington, long planned, is now likely to be dominated by discussions of the attack, which Europeans did not take part in.
