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The United States has experienced a notable surge in inflation, with consumer prices rising by nearly 1 percent in March. This significant increase, one of the highest short-term inflation rates in years, is largely attributed to the disruption of energy markets amid the ongoing conflict with Iran. According to a report by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the inflation rate in March was 0.9 percent, up from 0.3 percent in February. This marks the largest increase since May 2022, during the peak of the cost-of-living crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. The March increase was primarily driven by energy prices, with gasoline prices surging by 21.2 percent and fuel oil prices increasing by more than 30 percent. The energy index saw a 10.9 percent increase in March, the largest monthly rise since September 2005. The escalation in prices followed the US and Israel's launch of an all-out war on Iran on February 28, which resulted in the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. In response, Tehran closed the Strait of Hormuz, causing oil and gas prices worldwide to skyrocket. The price of a barrel of oil reached $120, up from about $70 on February 27. In the US, the price of one gallon of gasoline exceeded $4.1, a significant increase from less than $3 before the conflict began. Although a two-week ceasefire was agreed upon between the US and Iran, marine traffic in the Strait of Hormuz remains at a fraction of its pre-war levels. US President Donald Trump has warned Iran against blocking the strait or charging vessels for safe passage. About 20 percent of the world's oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz. While the ceasefire has brought some relief to the global energy market, with oil prices dropping to less than $100, US consumers are still paying $4.15 on average at the petrol pump. Experts suggest that it will take several months for prices to stabilize. The inflation report comes as US politicians focus on the cost of living and affordability, ahead of the November midterm elections. Trump's Democratic rivals have criticized him for launching the war without congressional approval, highlighting the increased economic costs for Americans.

The recent ceasefire between the United States, Israel, and Iran has brought a fragile calm to the region, but experts warn that energy prices may take months to normalize. The conflict had a significant impact on global oil and gas supplies, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway through which 20% of the world's oil and gas exports pass.Iran's response to US-Israeli attacks included choking off the Strait of Hormuz and attacking energy infrastructure in several Gulf countries. This led to soaring prices for energy and byproducts like helium, as well as fertilizers that rely on these inputs, affecting sowing seasons and consumers worldwide, especially in developing countries.Experts stress that a predictable and stable flow of cargo through the strait is needed before markets can stabilize. Currently, only a trickle of vessels are passing through, with five vessels crossing on Wednesday and seven on Thursday, down from 120-140 ships per day before the conflict.Rockford Weitz, a professor at The Fletcher School at Tufts University, described the situation as 'the biggest disruption in the history of global oil markets.' He emphasized that normalization will take time and requires collaboration among global powers and regional players.Additionally, concerns remain about Iran charging toll fees and skyrocketing insurance fees, which could keep oil prices high. However, experts agree that these fees are not the primary cost drivers.The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned of a looming inflation crisis and plans to downgrade its forecast for the world economy. Kristalina Georgieva, IMF managing director, stated that growth will be slower, even if the new peace is durable.For now, oil prices are expected to remain higher than pre-war levels due to the overhang of greater risk premium of supplies out of the Gulf. The situation remains uncertain, with experts closely watching for any side deals, such as a potential agreement between Iraq and Iran, which could impact oil production and prices.

Zohran Mamdani celebrated his 100‑day anniversary as New York City’s mayor amid a backdrop of frigid crowds at City Hall and a historic milestone: the city filled 100,000 potholes in just over three months. The 32‑year‑old Democratic socialist, the first Muslim mayor of the United States’ wealthiest city, framed his early tenure as a test of whether a platform built on affordability could be translated into concrete governance. His administration’s headline achievement is the launch of a universal childcare initiative. Partnering with Governor Kathy Hochul, the mayor secured $1.2 billion from the state’s 2026 budget—funds drawn from existing revenue streams rather than new taxes—to add 2,000 daycare seats in low‑income neighborhoods. Sign‑ups for two‑year‑old slots will open in June, with allocations announced by August. “One in four New Yorkers lives in poverty, and after housing, childcare costs are pushing families out of the city,” Mamdani told Al Jazeera, underscoring the program’s role in curbing a citywide affordability crisis. Parallel to the childcare rollout, the mayor’s pothole‑filling campaign has become a symbolic win. By early April, crews had patched the 100,000th pothole, a move Mamdani described as proof that the city can handle “the smallest tasks in New Yorkers’ lives” before tackling larger challenges. However, the administration faces criticism on several fronts. Snowstorm responses earlier in the year exposed gaps in emergency planning, prompting Mamdani to acknowledge the need for better tools to manage “bus stops, sidewalks, and crosswalks.” A newly released cost‑of‑living index revealed that 62 % of New Yorkers cannot afford basic expenses, with families on average falling nearly $40,000 short of a sustainable budget. The burden is especially acute for communities of colour—77 % of Hispanic and 65 % of Black residents are financially strained. Fiscal conservatives, such as Manhattan Institute adjunct EJ Mahon, argue that New York already imposes the highest tax rates on millionaires in four decades, warning that further “tax‑the‑rich” rhetoric could drive wealth out of the city. Local commentator Aria Singer echoed this concern, suggesting that aggressive tax hikes might prompt billionaires to relocate, undermining job creation. Housing remains a central battleground. Rents have risen roughly 25 % since 2019, and while Mamdani’s proposal to freeze rents would affect only about half of the rental stock, his administration is pushing an aggressive construction agenda to increase supply and stimulate competition. Political dynamics add another layer of complexity. The mayor’s ability to raise taxes or fund ambitious projects hinges on Governor Hochul’s approval, as the city lacks autonomous authority over most tax levers. Moreover, initiatives like free city buses require cooperation with the state‑run Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA). Strategist Adin Lenchner of Carroll Street Campaigns cautioned that sustained grassroots pressure will be essential for Mamdani to translate his agenda into lasting policy, noting that even former President Barack Obama struggled to maintain such momentum. Beyond policy, Mamdani has confronted a surge in xenophobic incidents targeting Jewish and Muslim communities, including a vehicle attack on a Brooklyn Jewish centre and an alleged ISIS‑inspired explosive device outside his Gracie Mansion residence. He condemned the violence, emphasizing that “such acts are antithetical to who we are.” As the 100‑day mark passes, the mayor’s focus has shifted from the symbolic cold of his inauguration to the practical heat of governing a city that demands tangible results. While potholes may seem minor, Mamdani argues they are a litmus test for public trust: “If we can’t fix the pothole you hit every day, how can you trust us with bigger challenges?”

US Vice President JD Vance has departed for Pakistan to engage in crucial talks with Iran, seeking to bring an end to the ongoing US-Israeli war. Vance expressed optimism about the negotiations, stating that he expects 'positive' results from the discussions.Vance's trip comes at a critical juncture, with the conflict showing no signs of abating. The US and Israel launched a war on Iran on February 28, which has resulted in significant damage to Iran's nuclear sites. President Donald Trump has given Vance clear guidelines for the meeting, emphasizing the need for a peaceful resolution.The talks in Pakistan will involve Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. However, it remains unclear if any representative from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) will attend. The format of the negotiations and whether the US and Iranian officials will speak face-to-face or through intermediaries have not been disclosed.Trust issues remain a significant hurdle in the negotiations. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, Majid Takht Ravanchi, expressed wariness about the talks, citing concerns that they could be used as a deception to cover renewed escalation in fighting. Iran seeks an agreement with guarantees that it will not be attacked again.The negotiations in Pakistan are seen as a critical step towards resolving the conflict. Both sides appear to be miles apart, with tremendous amounts of mistrust. However, according to Ali Vaez, the Iran project manager at the International Crisis Group, every option possible has been tried, and both sides have ended up in a lose-lose scenario. Vaez emphasized that it is essential for both sides to be practical and realize that concessions at the negotiating table are necessary to avoid further conflict.

The US Court of International Trade is hearing oral arguments in a case aimed at overturning President Donald Trump's global import tariffs. The tariffs, which were imposed in February, have been met with opposition from several US states and small businesses.The plaintiffs, including 24 mostly Democratic-led states and two small businesses, argue that the 10% global import tax sidesteps a Supreme Court ruling that invalidated most of Trump's previous tariffs. They claim that the tariffs are based on archaic authority meant to protect the US dollar from sudden depreciation in the 1970s, not to address routine trade deficits.Oregon's lawyer, Brian Marshall, told the judges that they should block the tariffs rather than let them expire on the normal 150-day timeline, to prevent Trump from invoking laws to keep them indefinitely. "[If] we have a successive series where there's always tariffs in place, that's a problem," Marshall said.The Trump administration has argued that the global tariffs are a legal and appropriate response to a persistent trade deficit caused by the fact that the US imports more goods than it exports. "President Trump is lawfully using the executive powers granted to him by Congress to address our country's balance of payments crisis," White House spokesperson Kush Desai said.The case is significant as it challenges Trump's use of Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which authorises duties of up to 15% for up to 150 days on imports during "large and serious United States balance-of-payments deficits" or to prevent imminent depreciation of the dollar.

The conflict in the Middle East is having far-reaching effects beyond the region, impacting UK mortgage rates and consumer confidence. In response to surging oil prices and inflation fears, lenders have pulled hundreds of mortgage products, replacing them with more expensive deals.According to Halifax, average UK house prices fell by 0.5% in March, with demand affected by higher mortgage rates. The Guardian wants to hear from individuals who have lost mortgage deals or been affected by rising interest rates.Share your experience by completing a short form or messaging the Guardian on WhatsApp at +447766780300. Responses can be anonymous, and submissions will be kept secure.The Guardian is seeking stories from people who have:Lost recent mortgage dealsBeen affected by rising interest ratesChanged housing plans due to the current economic climateAll submissions will be reviewed and potentially published, with the option to remain anonymous.

Bafta has issued an unreserved apology for the events surrounding John Davidson's Tourette's outburst at this year's ceremony. An independent review found 'weaknesses' in the organization's planning and crisis procedures.Davidson, an executive producer on the Bafta-winning film I Swear, made headlines after involuntarily shouting the N-word during a live broadcast. The incident sparked widespread criticism and concern.The review identified 'structural weaknesses' in Bafta's planning, escalation procedures, and crisis coordination arrangements. Specifically, it noted that the organization did not fully appreciate the risks associated with a live broadcast appearance and lacked a clear operational command structure to respond effectively.Bafta's board accepted the review's conclusions and apologized to the Black community, the disability community, and all members, guests, and viewers. They acknowledged that the incident diminished and overshadowed what was supposed to be a celebratory event.The apology comes after the BBC ruled that its airing of the slur, despite a two-hour tape delay, breached editorial standards. Bafta has committed to addressing the recommended areas of improvement to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Protesters in Ireland and Norway have escalated demonstrations against rising fuel costs, turning major highways into blockades and prompting a convoy of lorries to converge on Oslo’s parliament. The unrest is linked to the broader spike in oil prices triggered by the conflict in the Middle East. In Dublin, hauliers, farmers and other groups have shut down motorways for the fourth consecutive day, causing fuel shortages, traffic chaos and warnings that essential supplies—food, clean water and animal feed—are at risk. The Irish police force, An Garda Síochána, described the blockades as unlawful and warned that continued defiance could lead to arrests. The Irish government has placed the army on standby to clear the obstructions, while the justice minister accused outside actors, including far‑right figures such as Tommy Robinson, of exploiting the protests for political gain. Fuel prices have surged dramatically: Irish diesel has risen from roughly €1.70 per litre to €2.17, and petrol from about €1.74 to €1.97. In Norway, despite a recent fuel‑tax cut on 1 April, diesel prices jumped 23.6 % from February to March, with overall fuel and lubricants up 17.9 %. Statistics Norway noted this as the steepest month‑on‑month increase on record, comparable only to the post‑Ukraine‑invasion spike of spring 2022. Irish Prime Minister Mícheál Martin warned that blockades of the Whitegate refinery and key depots in Galway and Foynes were pushing the country to the brink of turning away oil shipments. He called the situation “unconscionable and “illogical.” In response, Dublin unveiled a €250 million relief package that includes a temporary excise duty cut, an expanded diesel rebate for hauliers and bus operators, and an extended fuel allowance. Nevertheless, industry leaders remain skeptical about the measures’ ability to quell the unrest, and many protesters demand direct talks with ministers. Across the North Sea, Norwegian demonstrators—part of the “Dieselbrølet” (diesel roar) movement—marched a convoy of 70‑80 trucks toward the Storting. Their banners read “nok er nok!” (enough is enough). While only a few vehicles were permitted into Oslo, the show underscored hauliers’ demand for more predictable, lower fuel prices despite Norway’s status as an oil producer. Other nations have taken emergency steps: the Philippines declared a national energy emergency, and France authorized fuel tankers to operate on weekends and holidays until 11 May to stave off shortages. Back in Ireland, the blockade of the sole refinery and depots has left dozens of petrol stations empty, prompting a rush of motorists to fill up before supplies run out. Emergency services report slower response times, and the Irish Medical Organisation warns that delayed care could jeopardise patient health. Courier firm DPD has halted deliveries, and protesters have vowed to remain in Dublin for weeks, with spokesperson John Dallon stating, “If it takes a month, we are prepared to sit here.” The crisis has also forced the Irish Taoiseach to postpone a trade mission to Canada, highlighting the domestic political fallout of the fuel‑price turmoil.

While holiday‑makers flocked to Lancashire’s coast for fresh sea air, residents of the former fishing port of Fleetwood were forced to endure a persistent, noxious odor emanating from the reopened Jameson Road landfill.The stench, identified as hydrogen sulphide – a toxic gas with a characteristic rotten‑egg smell – has been linked to the landfill’s re‑activation by recycling firm Transwaste in late 2023 after a five‑year closure.Local authorities report that the Environment Agency (EA) has received more than 20,000 complaints since the site reopened, including 6,000 complaints in the last six weeks alone. In the two‑year period ending January, the EA recorded 74 compliance breaches at the site, a third of which were classified as “significant”.Health impacts are mounting. Residents describe symptoms ranging from retching and vomiting to nosebleeds, headaches, itchy eyes and aggravated respiratory conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). One resident, retired teacher Donna Davidson, reports that the smell has penetrated her home at night, describing it as “people are getting gassed in their beds”.Children are also affected; Dave McPartlin, headteacher of nearby Flakefleet Primary School, says pupils are refusing to play outside because the odor “lingers” even on sunny days. A family staying in an autism‑friendly caravan described their child’s severe nausea, calling the experience “hell”.Medical professionals are sounding the alarm. Dr. Barbara Kneale, a GP and occupational‑medicine consultant living a mile from the landfill, says the community feels “treated with contempt” by public agencies and is gathering detailed hydrogen sulphide readings to bolster a campaign for permanent closure.Local political pressure is intensifying. MP Lorraine Beavers used parliamentary privilege to label Transwaste “crooks” evading accountability, pledging to fight until the site is shut down. In response, Transwaste denied the allegations, insisting it complies with all regulations and attributing odour issues to the site’s re‑opening process.Wyre Borough Council, the landfill’s landlord, warned that legal action would only proceed if residents provide detailed diaries and allow council officers to witness the odour inside homes.Community activism has grown, with over 100 locals staging a slow march to the landfill, many using walking frames and face masks. Campaigners, including Davidson and Kneale, are also tracking the origins of waste trucks, which have been traced to locations as far as Dover, Dunfermline and Hull.The EA has pledged further enforcement, stating that “the community should not have to tolerate odours that affect their environment” and that it is pressing the operator to install permanent capping to prevent future emissions.As Fleetwood grapples with what residents call an “abomination”, the dispute highlights broader concerns about landfill management, air‑quality standards and the disproportionate impact on deprived communities with already high rates of respiratory illness.