Business
Oil price falls after Iraq ‘signs deal’ to resume exports via Turkey – business live
Posted on Wednesday March 18, 2026
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsStocks have opened higher in London, where the FTSE 100 index is up 24 points or 0.23% at 10,427 points.Technical products and services firm Diploma (+17%) are soaring, after lifting its financial guidance for this year due to resilient aerospace demand and continued growth in its North American seals business.The war in the Middle East has led to a sharp rise in international energy prices since the end of February. This is dampening the international economic outlook and is expected to result in higher inflation rates, including in European and Asian trading partner countries.here is a great deal of uncertainty regarding the further development of the conflict in the Middle East and its economic impact. Against this backdrop, the Expert Group is raising its technical assumption for average oil prices in the current and coming year. Continue reading...
Energy bills: UK government urged to launch ‘social tariff’ to help vulnerable households
Posted on Wednesday March 18, 2026
As Iran war drives up cost concerns, thinktank says £3.7bn discount system should be developed before next winterThe UK government is facing calls to spend almost £4bn to launch a “social tariff” providing cheaper energy for poor households amid growing concerns over the Iran conflict.As households brace for an increase in living costs, the Resolution Foundation said ministers should develop a system of discounted domestic energy bills in time for next winter to protect the most vulnerable households. Continue reading...
UK prepares to sue Abramovich over £2.4bn proceeds of Chelsea FC sale
Posted on Tuesday March 17, 2026
Russian billionaire accused of missing ‘last chance’ to release money to help victims of Ukraine warUK officials are preparing for a possible court case against Roman Abramovich after he missed a deadline to release £2.4bn he raised from selling Chelsea FC.The Russian billionaire failed to hand over the money by the deadline of 17 March, amid a dispute over how it will eventually be used. Continue reading...
Opinion
Technology
UK must learn lessons from AI race and retain its quantum computing talent, says minister
Posted on Tuesday March 17, 2026
Liz Kendall announces £1bn funding to help design large-scale quantum computers for scientists, researchers, public sector and businessThe UK will not let quantum computing talent slip through its fingers and must learn lessons from US dominance of the AI race, the technology secretary has said, as the government announced a £1bn quantum funding pledge.Liz Kendall said the government hoped to retain homegrown quantum startups, engineers and researchers rather than lose them to competing countries, with the US stealing a march on its western rivals in AI. Continue reading...
Child abuse material ‘systemic’ on Elon Musk’s X amid Grok scandal, Australian online safety regulator warned
Posted on Monday March 16, 2026
Exclusive: eSafety commission pointed to Musk’s promise that ‘removing child exploitation is priority #1’ in letter obtained by Guardian AustraliaFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Australian online safety regulator warned Elon Musk’s X amid the Grok sexualised image generation scandal that it found child abuse material was “particularly systemic” on X and more accessible than on “any other mainstream service”, correspondence obtained by Guardian Australia reveals.The eSafety commissioner wrote to X in January after its chatbot, Grok, was used to generate sexualised images of women and children online, which the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, described as “abhorrent”. Continue reading...