UK inflation likely to rise because of Middle East war, says Rachel Reeves
Posted on Monday March 09, 2026

Chancellor says she is ready to help households with rising costs but stops short of setting out specific stepsMiddle East crisis – live updatesBritain is likely to be hit by rising inflation because of the US war with Iran, the chancellor has said, as she suggested a “rapid de-escalation” would be the best protection against a jump in energy prices.Rachel Reeves stopped short of setting out any new relief for people who could be hit by rising prices, rebuffing calls to ditch a planned 5p rise in fuel duty in September.The price of Brent crude oil rocketed to as high as $119.50 on Sunday, a jump of 29%.The Bank of England is now expected to keep interest rates on hold through 2026, with a small possibility of a rise in 2027.The prospect of a prolonged conflict and higher inflation also pushed global markets lower.The AA said drivers could “consider cutting out some non-essential journeys and changing their driving style to conserve fuel”. Continue reading...

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Roman Abramovich ready to fight UK government over proceeds from £2.5bn Chelsea sale
Posted on Monday March 09, 2026

Russian oligarch says money is his to allocate despite international sanctions imposed on his assetsThe Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich has stepped up his row with the British government over the £2.5bn proceeds of his sale of Chelsea FC, insisting that the money is his to allocate despite the international sanctions imposed on his assets.The UK and EU imposed sanctions on Abramovich in 2022, freezing his assets in response to Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, citing his ties to Vladimir Putin’s regime. Continue reading...

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AI firm Anthropic sues US defense department over blacklisting
Posted on Monday March 09, 2026

Lawsuits come after Pentagon labeled Anthropic a ‘supply chain risk’, a decision the company says is unlawfulSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxAnthropic filed two lawsuits against the Department of Defense on Monday, alleging that the government’s decision to label the artificial intelligence firm a “supply chain risk” was unlawful and violated its first amendment rights. The two sides have been locked in a monthslong heated feud over the company’s attempt to implement safeguards against the military’s potential use of its AI models for mass domestic surveillance or fully autonomous lethal weapons.The lawsuits, which Anthropic filed in the northern district court of California and the US court of appeals for the Washington DC Circuit, come after the Pentagon formally issued the supply chain risk designation last Thursday, the first time the blacklisting tool has been used against a US company. The AI firm previously vowed to challenge the designation and its demand that any company that does business with the government cut all ties with Anthropic, a serious threat to its business model. Continue reading...

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Revealed: UK’s multibillion AI drive is built on ‘phantom investments’
Posted on Monday March 09, 2026

Exclusive: Rented datacentres and ‘supercomputer’ site that’s still a scaffolding yard raise questions for Starmer’s push to ‘mainline AI into veins of economy’From press release … to scrap metal site: the Essex supercomputer that’s still a scaffolding yardA multibillion-pound drive to “mainline AI into the veins” of the British economy is riddled with “phantom investments” and shaky accounting, a Guardian investigation has found.Since 2024, successive Conservative and Labour governments have proclaimed massive deals to build new datacentres, create thousands of jobs and construct a supercomputer. Continue reading...

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AI firm Anthropic sues US defense department over blacklisting
Posted on Monday March 09, 2026

Lawsuits come after Pentagon labeled Anthropic a ‘supply chain risk’, a decision the company says is unlawfulSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxAnthropic filed two lawsuits against the Department of Defense on Monday, alleging that the government’s decision to label the artificial intelligence firm a “supply chain risk” was unlawful and violated its first amendment rights. The two sides have been locked in a monthslong heated feud over the company’s attempt to implement safeguards against the military’s potential use of its AI models for mass domestic surveillance or fully autonomous lethal weapons.The lawsuits, which Anthropic filed in the northern district court of California and the US court of appeals for the Washington DC Circuit, come after the Pentagon formally issued the supply chain risk designation last Thursday, the first time the blacklisting tool has been used against a US company. The AI firm previously vowed to challenge the designation and its demand that any company that does business with the government cut all ties with Anthropic, a serious threat to its business model. Continue reading...

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West Ham through to last eight but Brentford’s Andrews backs Ouattara after Panenka miss
Posted on Monday March 09, 2026

Given their inability to win a ­knockout tie in normal time, there can be little doubt of the physical impediment that West Ham’s prolonged FA Cup endeavours must make to their efforts of remaining in the Premier League.But, with an eminently winnable home ­quarter-final against Leeds United now upcoming, the chance of a rare trip to Wembley is the type of happy distraction any relegation-­threatened side can embrace. Momentum can provide a dangerous asset. Continue reading...

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Relegation fight is priority for Spurs, not Champions League, says Igor Tudor
Posted on Monday March 09, 2026

Romero, Spence and Dragusin will return to the squadPedro Porro says interim coach is ‘100% on the right path’Tottenham’s interim head coach, Igor Tudor, called tonight’s ­Champions League last-16 first leg at ­Atlético Madrid a “beautiful game”, but admitted it was not the priority as they battle against relegation from the ­Premier League.Spurs finished fourth in the league phase, earning them direct qualification for the last 16 and a return to the stadium where they played in the final less than seven years ago. But a run of 11 matches without a win has left them one point above the Premier League relegation zone and Tudor under pressure just three weeks after taking over. He admitted: “Our first aim is the Premier League, this needs to be said publicly.” Continue reading...

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