UK borrowing rises unexpectedly to £14.3bn in February

20/03/2026 08:02 The Guardian

Data comes amid increasing fears that Iran war could send British government’s plans off courseBusiness live – latest updatesBritain’s public finances showed a higher than expected monthly deficit of £14.3bn last month, official figures revealed, amid growing fears the Iran conflict could blow the government’s plans off course.The figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed public sector net borrowing – the difference between spending and income – had widened £2.2bn year on year in February and was higher than the £8.5bn City economists had forecast. Continue reading...

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Reform UK success in local elections could endanger national climate targets, report says – UK politics live

LSE research found some Reform councillors have denied the reality of climate science, and mention of climate has been removed from strategy documentsRichard Hermer, the attorney general, has challenged Kemi Badenoch to say whether she would object to Jewish prayer in public, after the Conservative...

20/03/2026 10:03 The Guardian

Spain expected to adopt emergency tax cuts to counter impact of US-Israel war on Iran – Europe live

VAT tax on fuels will reportedly drop from 21% to 10%, as Ursula von der Leyen suggests EU may move to help states with rising energy costsA large part of last night’s European Council summit was about Viktor Orbán and his refusal to drop his opposition to a vital €90bn (£78bn) loan for Ukrain...

20/03/2026 09:40 The Guardian

Heatwave scorching US west ‘virtually impossible’ without climate crisis, say scientists

Unseasonably warm and even dangerous temperatures this week were up to 30F above average for the time of yearThe record-breaking heatwave scorching the US west this week would have been “virtually impossible” if not for the climate crisis, a team of scientists has determined.Millions of American...

20/03/2026 07:01 The Guardian

Friday briefing: What the Covid inquiry reveals about the NHS – and why it should worry us

In today’s newsletter: Bereaved families say the latest findings confirm long-standing concerns about capacity, care and political choicesGood morning. Yesterday lunchtime the UK Covid-19 inquiry published its latest findings – this time on how the NHS, its staff and patients were affected durin...

20/03/2026 06:51 The Guardian

Uber to increase fares – as it happened

This blog is now closedGas giants warn against windfall gains tax as Pocock says ‘wartime profits’ should go to struggling AustraliansGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastFar north residents in the path of Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle say they have taken shelter as winds...

20/03/2026 06:22 The Guardian

Gas giants warn against windfall gains tax as Pocock says ‘wartime profits’ should go to struggling Australians

Government faces political fight as industry says mooted 25% levy on exports would hurt Australia’s economy and energy securityGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastGas giants will lobby against any federal government moves to introduce a 25% export levy on windfall profits, a...

20/03/2026 04:18 The Guardian

Reliant on imported fuel, Pacific islands appeal for help as oil prices surge

Samoa and Tonga raise supply concerns with foreign partners as businesses and residents in Papua New Guinea grapple with higher fuel prices amid the Iran warThe leaders of some Pacific countries have appealed for help with oil supplies while others urge against “panic buying” as the import-relia...

20/03/2026 02:52 The Guardian

Israel denies ‘dragging’ US into war – as it happened

This blog is now closed – our coverage of the Middle East crisis continues hereTurning 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.Prim...

20/03/2026 02:26 The Guardian

Tropical Cyclone Narelle hits far north Queensland as 250km/h winds tear off roofs and fell trees

Authorities warn of strong winds, heavy rain, flooding and coastal storm surges as cyclone makes landfall in far north QueenslandLive updates: Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle – latest newsCyclone Narelle path tracking mapHow did global heating fuel Tropical Cyclone Narelle?Get our breaking news em...

20/03/2026 02:09 The Guardian

Japanese prime minister explains to Trump that her country cannot join his Iran war – as it happened

This live blog is now closed.Trump news at a glance: president claims ignorance of Israel’s plan to strike Iranian gasfield, exposing riftSign up for the Breaking US News US emailAnswering a reporter’s question on Iran’s missile capabilities, considering the country has managed to strike numer...

20/03/2026 01:59 The Guardian

Nashville journalist arrested by ICE released after 15 days in detention

Colombia-born Estefany Rodríguez, whose detention had alarmed press freedom advocates, freed on $10,000 bondThe Nashville journalist who was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) earlier this month was released from a Louisiana detention center on Thursday after spending 15 days in...

20/03/2026 01:23 The Guardian

China has been preparing for a global energy crisis for years. It is paying off now

As other Asian economies race to conserve energy, China has huge reserves of oil and gas as well as alternative energy sources like wind and solarMiddle East crisis – live updatesXi Jinping has been preparing for a crisis like this for years. China must secure its energy supply “in its own hands...

20/03/2026 01:14 The Guardian

NSW will continue to green-light coalmine expansions – ignoring a warning from its own climate agency

Minns Labor government criticised over strategy as no new mines have been proposed for several yearsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe New South Wales government will continue to green-light coalmine expansions, effect...

20/03/2026 01:00 The Guardian

Trump mocks Japan about Pearl Harbor in response to question about Iran war

US president was meeting with Japanese PM when he said: ‘Who knows better about surprise than Japan?’Middle East crisis – live updatesSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxIt would be funny if it wasn’t so Trumpy.Hosting the Japanese prime minister, San...

20/03/2026 00:45 The Guardian

Viktor Orbán refuses to agree to €90bn loan for Ukraine as EU leaders accuse him of betrayal

German chancellor Friedrich Merz described Orbán’s U-turn on the loan Hungary had agreed to in December as ‘a gross act of disloyalty’EU leaders fumed after Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orbán, refused to drop his opposition to a vital €90bn (£78bn) loan for Ukraine, accusing him of...

20/03/2026 00:07 The Guardian

Seven-year-old Canadian girl with autism and mother detained by ICE in Texas

Mother and child held in notorious Rio Grande Valley detention centre despite presenting visa, family saysA Canadian mother and her seven-year-old daughter, who has autism, have been detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Texas since Saturday, family members have said.Relatives...

20/03/2026 00:02 The Guardian

Historic March heatwave in US west shatters high-temperature records

Some highs in California, Nevada and Arizona recorded at 25-35F above normal, with widespread alerts and closuresStates across the US south-west recorded blistering temperatures at the tail end of winter, including some of the hottest March temperatures ever recorded in the US, with forecasts indica...

19/03/2026 23:56 The Guardian

Iran says it will show ‘zero restraint’ if energy infrastructure is targeted again

Foreign minister issues warning after Israeli attack on South Pars gasfield and as Qatar reels from retaliatory strike‘Doomsday scenario’: a visual guide to the oil and gas site attacks in the Middle EastMiddle East crisis – live updatesIran said on Thursday it would show “zero restraint”...

19/03/2026 22:02 The Guardian

Nigel Farage condemned over call to ban public prayer for Muslims in the UK

Reform party leader criticised for making comments after event held in London’s Trafalgar Square this weekMuslim leaders have condemned Nigel Farage’s call to ban public prayer by Muslims in the UK as bigoted and warned of a “growing tide of hate” after the Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch...

19/03/2026 19:28 The Guardian

Strike on Iran gasfield exposes US-Israel rift as Trump claims he did not know

US president says he told Netanyahu ‘don’t do that’ as he distances himself from attack that has angered Gulf alliesThe US-Israeli war against Iran has exposed further divisions between the two countries after an Israeli strike on Iran’s largest gasfield angered US allies in the Gulf and pro...

19/03/2026 19:25 The Guardian

‘Damage will be widespread’: Narelle brings 250km/h wind gusts, with tourists evacuated and schools closed

Massive storm tracking a path to Queensland coast, which intensified offshore Thursday morning to category 5, fuelled by warm waters in Coral SeaLive updates: Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle – latest newsCyclone Narelle path tracking mapSevere Tropical Cyclone Narelle is expected to make landfall...

19/03/2026 17:50 The Guardian

Indian film board blocks release of Oscar-nominated Gaza drama The Voice of Hind Rajab

Distributor says authorities warned screening Tunisian film-maker Kaouther Ben Hania’s docudrama could harm India–Israel relationsThe Indian release of The Voice of Hind Rajab, the Oscar-nominated Tunisian film about the death of a five-year-old girl during the Israel-Gaza war, has been blocked...

19/03/2026 17:24 The Guardian

Concerns raised over ex-Putin interpreter’s key role in monitoring Hungary vote

Daria Boyarskaya coordinating OSCE mission overseeing vote in which pro-Moscow Viktor Orbán could lose powerHungarian rights groups have raised concerns over the appointment of Vladimir Putin’s former interpreter to a key role in an international election monitoring mission, amid fears of Russian...

19/03/2026 17:05 The Guardian

PEN America announce 2026 World Voices festival with Judith Butler and Bill McKibben

The 2024 festival was cancelled after multiple authors pulled out over the non-profit’s stance on the Israel-Gaza warThe literary free speech organization PEN America has announced plans for their 2026 World Voices festival. The four day event will take place in New York and Los Angeles from 29 Ap...

19/03/2026 17:00 The Guardian

Bank of England tipped to raise UK interest rates twice this year to fight inflation shock from Middle East crisis, as oil and gas prices rise – as it happened

UK central bank has left rates on hold, and warned that CPI inflation will be higher in the near term as a result of the ‘new shock to the economy’ from Iran warBank of England holds interest rates at 3.75% and signals rise is possible within monthsWhy are mortgage rates going up when the Bank o...

19/03/2026 16:44 The Guardian

No breakthrough on Hungary’s veto of EU’s €90bn loan to Ukraine – as it happened

This live blog is now closed, you can read more on this story hereGermany’s chancellor Friedrich Merz also called for de-escalation in the Middle East, welcoming what he said were signals by US president Donald Trump that combat action in Iran could come to an end, which could allow Europe to cont...

19/03/2026 16:17 The Guardian

Oman claims Israel pushed US into Iran war when deal was possible

Foreign minister claims Israel convinced Donald Trump to make ‘grave miscalculation’ of waging war on IranMiddle East crisis – live updatesOman’s foreign minister has claimed the US has “lost control of its own foreign policy” and accused Israel of persuading Donald Trump’s administrat...

19/03/2026 15:50 The Guardian

No timeframe for ending US war against Iran, says Pete Hegseth

US defense secretary suggests Thursday will be ‘largest strike package yet … death and destruction from above’ Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxThe US defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, said on Thursday there is no “timeframe” for ending the US war...

19/03/2026 15:02 The Guardian

More than 500 reports of possible petrol price-gouging made to ACCC since start of Iran war

Fuel retailers put on notice as watchdog promises to come down hard on those doing the wrong thingFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe competition watchdog has received more than 500 reports of possible price-gouging at...

19/03/2026 14:00 The Guardian

Prolonged high oil prices could ‘crimp’ AI boom, WTO warns

Iran war and its impact on energy and fertiliser costs is the main risk to the global economy, report saysBusiness live – latest updatesAn extended period of high oil prices as a result of war in the Middle East could “crimp” the AI boom, the World Trade Organization’s chief economist has wa...

19/03/2026 14:00 The Guardian

BREAKING NEWS

20/03 10:23 - In pictures: Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr across the world in shadow of Middle East war 20/03 10:18 - One Global Power, One Regional Power, Two Different Goals 20/03 10:14 - French stock up on essentials as war triggers price fears 20/03 10:13 - Outrage among EU leaders as Hungary's Orban U-turns on Ukraine loan 20/03 10:11 - Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr around the world amid shadow of war 20/03 10:11 - Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr around the world amid shadow of war 20/03 10:09 - Netanyahu says Iran 'decimated,' Tehran claims only used ‘fraction’ of firepower 20/03 10:03 - Reform UK success in local elections could endanger national climate targets, report says – UK politics live 20/03 10:00 - Silicon Valley’s Big Bets on War Pay Off, and the Trump Family Business Looks to Transylvania 20/03 09:55 - Typical energy bill forecast to rise by £332 a year in July 20/03 09:55 - Trump's Pearl Harbor remark overshadows Japan PM visit 20/03 09:40 - Spain expected to adopt emergency tax cuts to counter impact of US-Israel war on Iran – Europe live 20/03 09:25 - Eid celebrations dimmed by war and displacement across Middle East 20/03 09:25 - Eid celebrations dimmed by war and displacement across Middle East 20/03 09:17 - Five problems the Iran war could solve for Israel’s Netanyahu 20/03 09:17 - Five problems the Iran war could solve for Israel’s Netanyahu 20/03 09:04 - UK set for temperature rollercoaster as chilly nights follow warm days 20/03 09:03 - A Diary of War From an Unlikely Author: the Son of Iran’s President 20/03 08:18 - Ukraine sends advisers to Gulf as it counterattacks Russian forces in south 20/03 08:18 - Ukraine sends advisers to Gulf as it counterattacks Russian forces in south 20/03 08:10 - 'There's a lot of ways that this could escalate and get worse': Iran war rattles energy markets 20/03 08:04 - Iran hits Kuwaiti oil refinery as Israel renews attacks on Tehran 20/03 08:04 - Iran hits Kuwaiti oil refinery as Israel renews attacks on Tehran 20/03 08:02 - Trump catches Japanese PM off guard with surprise Pearl Harbor remark (VIDEO) 20/03 08:02 - UK borrowing rises unexpectedly to £14.3bn in February 20/03 07:55 - News24 | Netanyahu the ‘key winner’, Trump trapped in Iran war with no clear exit, say analysts 20/03 07:28 - Iran war: What is happening on day 21 of US-Israel attacks? 20/03 07:28 - Iran war: What is happening on day 21 of US-Israel attacks? 20/03 07:10 - Trump Says He Won’t Send Troops to Iran but Leaves Wiggle Room 20/03 07:01 - Heatwave scorching US west ‘virtually impossible’ without climate crisis, say scientists 20/03 06:51 - Friday briefing: What the Covid inquiry reveals about the NHS – and why it should worry us 20/03 06:36 - News24 | Israel hits Iran after Trump ordered no repeat strikes on natural gas infrastructure 20/03 06:22 - Uber to increase fares – as it happened 20/03 05:51 - Iran women’s football team feted in Tehran after asylum battle at Asian Cup 20/03 05:51 - Iran women’s football team feted in Tehran after asylum battle at Asian Cup 20/03 05:25 - News24 | Nigerian president warns of terrorism threat during historic UK state visit 20/03 05:25 - News24 | Iran hits Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar oil zones as war with Israel and US escalates 20/03 04:18 - Gas giants warn against windfall gains tax as Pocock says ‘wartime profits’ should go to struggling Australians 20/03 04:01 - Using Charm and Restraint, Japan’s Leader Mostly Avoids Trump’s Wrath 20/03 04:01 - Iran War Fallout: Southeast Asia Hard Hit by Skyrocketing Fuel Prices 20/03 03:49 - Unpacking Netanyahu’s latest claims about the war on Iran 20/03 03:49 - Unpacking Netanyahu’s latest claims about the war on Iran 20/03 03:48 - Trump must ‘take the steering wheel back from the Israelis’ in Iran war 20/03 03:48 - Trump must ‘take the steering wheel back from the Israelis’ in Iran war 20/03 03:18 - Middle East war live: US-Israeli air strikes kill Iran’s Revolutionary Guard spokesperson 20/03 02:59 - EU loan for Ukraine war effort blocked 20/03 02:54 - Australia PM heckled at Sydney mosque Ramadan event 20/03 02:52 - Reliant on imported fuel, Pacific islands appeal for help as oil prices surge 20/03 02:26 - Israel denies ‘dragging’ US into war – as it happened 20/03 02:09 - Tropical Cyclone Narelle hits far north Queensland as 250km/h winds tear off roofs and fell trees 20/03 01:59 - Japanese prime minister explains to Trump that her country cannot join his Iran war – as it happened 20/03 01:23 - Nashville journalist arrested by ICE released after 15 days in detention 20/03 01:14 - China has been preparing for a global energy crisis for years. It is paying off now 20/03 01:00 - NSW will continue to green-light coalmine expansions – ignoring a warning from its own climate agency 20/03 00:59 - Gas shortage caused by Iran war may push India back to dirtier fuels 20/03 00:45 - Trump mocks Japan about Pearl Harbor in response to question about Iran war 20/03 00:08 - Russia, China and the US – the global winners and losers of the Iran war 20/03 00:07 - Viktor Orbán refuses to agree to €90bn loan for Ukraine as EU leaders accuse him of betrayal 20/03 00:06 - Desperate for food drought-stricken Kenyans turn to the gingerbread tree 20/03 00:04 - Iran war live: IRGC says spokesman killed in US-Israeli missile attack 20/03 00:04 - Iran war live: IRGC says spokesman killed in US-Israeli missile attack 20/03 00:04 - 'You can't smell Nowruz in the air': Iran marks Persian new year under threat of strikes 20/03 00:02 - Seven-year-old Canadian girl with autism and mother detained by ICE in Texas 19/03 23:56 - Historic March heatwave in US west shatters high-temperature records 19/03 23:45 - Is Russian Fuel Headed for Cuba, Testing the U.S. Blockade? 19/03 23:44 - Trump Jokes About Pearl Harbor in Meeting With Japan’s Prime Minister 19/03 23:19 - Are US and Israel aligned on Iran war? Deciphering Trump's post after gas field attacks 19/03 23:07 - US intelligence chief admits US, Israel not aligned on Iran war goals 19/03 23:07 - US intelligence chief admits US, Israel not aligned on Iran war goals 19/03 23:03 - Iran hits Gulf energy sites, escalating war, as U.S. mulls sanctions rollback 19/03 22:30 - US reportedly weighing military reinforcements as Iran war enters possible new phase 19/03 22:05 - Warren Endorses Platner in Maine, Splitting With Schumer 19/03 22:02 - Iran says it will show ‘zero restraint’ if energy infrastructure is targeted again 19/03 22:00 - Israel continues Gaza attacks amid regional war, kills several Palestinians 19/03 22:00 - Israel continues Gaza attacks amid regional war, kills several Palestinians 19/03 21:40 - Invasion incoming? Lebanon braces for an Israeli onslaught 19/03 21:39 - Gas prices soar as energy infrastructure is attacked in the Gulf 19/03 21:14 - What a Key AIPAC Loss in Illinois Signals for Pro-Israel Lobby in Midterms 19/03 21:12 - Israelis protest in Tel Aviv calling for end to Iran war 19/03 21:12 - Israelis protest in Tel Aviv calling for end to Iran war 19/03 21:02 - How will Israel’s decades-long assassination policy continue? 19/03 21:02 - How will Israel’s decades-long assassination policy continue? 19/03 20:58 - Ros Atkins on... Trump's mixed messages on the war 19/03 20:57 - Hegseth says munitions for US, not Ukraine 19/03 20:39 - EU faces energy price ‘tsunami’ – Putin envoy 19/03 20:29 - Attacks on Oil and Natural Gas Facilities Could Lead to Much Higher Prices 19/03 20:09 - News24 | US intelligence contradicts Trump’s Iran war justification, finds no nuclear rebuilding 19/03 19:52 - Hungary's Orbán blocks €90 billion loan, threatening vital EU support for Ukraine 19/03 19:49 - Netanyahu seeks to appease Trump with latest Iran remarks to the press 19/03 19:47 - Netanyahu’s Iran war press briefing targeted at ‘audience of one’: Donald Trump 19/03 19:41 - Replay: Israeli PM Netanyahu addresses press conference 19/03 19:33 - WHO warns of ‘worst-case’ nuclear scenario in Iran 19/03 19:32 - Iranians shop for Persian New Year essentials despite war 19/03 19:32 - Iranians shop for Persian New Year essentials despite war 19/03 19:28 - Nigel Farage condemned over call to ban public prayer for Muslims in the UK 19/03 19:25 - Strike on Iran gasfield exposes US-Israel rift as Trump claims he did not know 19/03 19:24 - This war could take months and trigger an economic doomsday to hurt us all 19/03 19:19 - Trump's grounds for concerns: Will the US risk lives to take Iran’s uranium? 19/03 19:17 - Pentagon Seeks Additional $200 Billion to Fund Iran War 19/03 19:02 - U.S. Lifts Fertilizer Sanctions on Belarus as Iran War Causes Price Surge