UK PM Faces Scrutiny Over Mandelson Appointment

The UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing increasing scrutiny over the decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as the British ambassador to Washington.

The first set of documents concerning the vetting process for his appointment were released on Wednesday.

They revealed Starmer was warned of a "reputational risk" over Mandelson's links to Jeffrey Epstein.

The government is also facing criticism over the reported $100,000 severance payment to Mandelson, who denies any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein. 

Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds admits that due diligence fell short:

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EU's oil group holds meeting as crude prices surge again

The European Commission's oil coordination group is set to meet on Thursday to discuss the impact of the Iran war on oil supplies.

It comes after the International Energy Agency's unprecedented move to release 400 million barrels of oil to try to ease energy price concerns - but the historic decision did not have a major impact on oil markets.

Ross Cullen reports.

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Two ships off the coast of Iraq attacked


Two tankers are on fire off Iraq's coast following an attack by Iran.

Officials in Iraq have now paused all port operations, as Olly Barratt reports from Erbil in northern Iraq.

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Asian shares fall, oil surges above $100 a barrel as Iran attacks Gulf shipping

INTRO Shares in Asia fell as oil prices leapt above $100 a barrel on reports of more ships hit in Gulf waters and the closure of oil terminals.

It comes as dozens of countries, including the US and the UK, announced they would release record amounts of emergency reserves. Laura Westbrook reports from Hong Kong.

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Indian government reduces natural gas supply to industry as supply crunch continues

Intro:

India is reducing the supply of natural gas to industries as the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is disrupting the country's energy imports.

New Delhi is among the world's biggest importers of natural gas. 

Officials say there isn't an energy crisis, but they are prioritizing supply to households, while increasing production and imports from non-Middle Eastern countries. 

Ishan Garg tells us more. 

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US inflation held steady in February but doesn't include Iran war impact

Inflation in the US rose in February at a relatively subdued 2.4 percent annual pace, the same as in January, according to the latest government consumer price index report.

It's still slightly above the Federal Reserve's inflation target of 2 per cent and analysts say the war in Iran threatens to push inflation higher as the conflict causes oil prices to soar.

Kate fisher reports from Washington

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IEA greenlights record release of 400m barrels from emergency reserves

The International Energy Agency has greenlit the release of a record 400m barrels of oil from emergency reserves in a bid to curb rising prices sparked by the war in Iran. Instability around the Strait of Hormuz - a key oil shipping route off Iran's coast- has brought tanker traffic to halt. Toni Waterman has more from Washington.

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Reports: Pentagon probe shows US conducted missile strike on Iranian school

The Pentagon has reportedly concluded that an attack on a girls' school in Iran that killed more than 165 people at the start of the conflict, was the fault of the U.S. military.

The New York Times is reporting that a preliminary investigation says outdated information may have resulted in the Tomahawk missile strike.

Our Washington Correspondent Simon Marks reports.

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EU sanctions Iran officials

Envoys for the European Union have given a green light to sanction 19
Iranian officials and entities.

The EU has called for a negotiated settlement to the war but senior
officials warn that the nation's future can't be built on repression.

William Denselow reports from Brussels.

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Airlines raise fares as Middle East conflict lifts fuel costs, disrupts flights

INTRO: Some Asian airlines are raising fares and adding fuel surcharges as the Middle East conflict is driving up jet fuel costs and disrupting travel.

The war has disrupted a key oil export corridor, driving up airline costs and pushing up ticket prices amid concerns about a broader impact on travel demand. Laura Westbrook reports from Hong Kong.

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UK Gov Bans Al Quds Day March

The UK Government has banned a pro-Palestinian march in London this weekend, the first time a protest march has been banned in the capital for more than 10 years.

The Home Secretary backed the police request to ban the Quds Day march, held annually in support of Palestinian rights, to "prevent serious public disorder".

The decision was made due to concerns about the scale of protest and counter-protest amid tensions over the ongoing US/Israeli war with Iran. 

The organisers insist it is always a peaceful demonstration. A spokesperson for the Islamic Human Rights Commission called the ban a "sad day for freedom of expression".

Cabinet minister Darren Jones explained the decision:

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Emmanuel Macron to chair G7 leaders' meeting to discuss Iran war

The French president will chair a G7 leaders' meeting on Wednesday to discuss the economic impacts of the Iran war.

Emmanuel Macron will be joined by the other heads of state and government for a videocall as the US military says it has "eliminated" 16 Iranian mine-laying ships, Israel presses on with its bombing campaign in Lebanon, and Iran continues strikes across the region.

Ross Cullen reports.

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India's largest energy company invests in Trump's key Texas oil refining project

Intro:

US President Donald Trump announced that the US will build its first refinery in 50 years in parternship with Indian energy conglomerate Reliance Industries.

The move deepens energy ties between Washington and New Delhi, even as a trade deal between the two nations remains in limbo.

Ishan Garg tells us more from New Delhi.

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EU pushes for energy autonomy

G7 energy ministers have not called for a release of strategic oil
reserves and instead asked for an assessment from the International
Energy Agency.

The conflict in the Middle East has sent energy prices soaring
sparking debate over Europe's energy future.

The European Union has pledged to take stronger action to gain more
energy autonomy describing a shift away from nuclear power as a
strategic mistake.

William Denselow reports from Brussels.

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Hegseth: "most intense day" of American strikes in Iran

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says that Tuesday would be the "most intense day" of American strikes against Iran since the start of the war, after President Trump sent mixed messages over when the conflict might end.

He said on Monday that the war could end "very soon" before warning of even more aggressive action if Iranian leaders continue to choke off oil tanker traffic.

Kate fisher reports from Washington

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Oil price surge could wipe out benefits of Trump tax cuts, analysis warns

The rising cost of oil could outweigh the benefits of President Trump's tax cuts from his signature "Big Beautiful Bill", according to new analysis.

The Strait of Hormuz, where a fifth of the world's oil passes through, is effectively closed while the conflict in the Middle East continues.

Mitch McCann reports:

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Trump, Putin discuss Ukraine, Iran during telephone call

US President Donald Trump called Russia's leader Vladimir Putin to discuss the Ukraine war and the situation around Iran. The Russian President expressed gratitude to Washington for its mediation efforts in the Ukrainian settlement, the Kremlin said. The head of the White House described the hour-long conversation as a "very good call". Daria Bondarchuk reports from Moscow.

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RADIO: RUBAYA MINE ACCIDENT

INTRO:

A landslide at a mining site in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo has forced hundreds of people to flee the area. Locals say nine people have died and several houses have been destroyed. The landslide was triggered by heavy rainfall at the Rubaya coltan mines. Chris Ocamringa has more from Kinshasa...

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UK MPs Reject U16 Social Media Ban

MPs in the UK have voted against banning social media for under-16s.

The proposal had been backed by the House of Lords, but did not make it through parliament.

Conservative MP Alicia Kearns was among those backing a ban…

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A ban could still happen in future though.

Education minister Olivia Bailey says a consultation is still taking place to find ways to better protect children online... 

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Pakistan has rolled out a series of austerity measures to tackle its shrinking oil reserves

Intro:

Pakistan has rolled out emergency measures to reduce energy consumption, including closing schools for two weeks and mandating work from home for private and public employees. 

The South Asian country relies heavily on oil imports from the Middle East, and escalating tensions between Iran and the US have disrupted shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz. 

Hira Mustafa has more.

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