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The conflict in the Middle East is expected to have a significant impact on the UK's economy, with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) warning of rising inflation and downgrading the UK's growth forecast to 0.7% this year.The OECD's analysis suggests that the UK economy will grow by just 0.7% this year, compared to its last forecast of 1.2% for 2026. This downgrade is attributed to a weakening of the UK jobs market and a contraction in business investment towards the end of 2025.The UK's economy is expected to suffer higher inflation than previously expected, with the OECD citing the country's dependence on international trade and imports of fuel as a major factor. In contrast, France, Germany, and Italy are expected to suffer a more modest hit to growth of 0.2 percentage points.The OECD's chief economist noted that the evolving conflict in the Middle East will test the resilience of the global economy, which is expected to grow at an average rate of 2.9% this year. However, the organization warned of a significant downside risk to the outlook, citing persistent disruptions to exports from the Middle East and potential repricing in financial markets.UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves responded to the OECD's warning, stating that the government plans to take steps to build a stronger, more secure economy, including handing more powers to regional mayors, embracing AI and innovation, and establishing a closer relationship with the EU.

US markets witnessed a significant downturn on Thursday, marking their biggest slump since the onset of the US-Israel war with Iran. The Dow closed 450 points down, while the S&P 500 dipped 1.7%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq fell 2.3%, plunging into correction territory, which occurs when an index falls at least 10% below its most recent peak. The conflict has led to a surge in oil prices, reaching levels not seen since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. At the end of the day on Thursday, Brent crude oil, the global benchmark, was about $107 a barrel, while US crude hit $93 a barrel. Average US gas prices at the pump reached $3.98 a gallon, according to AAA. Despite the soaring prices, Donald Trump said that oil prices “have not gone up as much as I thought” during a cabinet meeting on Thursday. He predicted that prices would “come back down to where it was, and probably lower,” and that the impact on the stock market would reverse once the conflict ends. Markets have been growing weary of Trump's mixed signals on the US's stance in negotiations with Iran. Stocks dipped on Thursday morning after Trump posted a warning to Iranian negotiators that they “better get serious, before it’s too late.” However, later in the morning, Trump said that there were “very substantial talks” happening with Iran and that the country allowed 10 oil tankers to pass the blocked strait of Hormuz. The White House announced it will extend a pause on Iranian energy infrastructure strikes by 10 days, until 6 April. A new report estimates US inflation will average 4.2% this year, compared with an average of about 2.6% in 2025, according to the Organization for Economic and Cooperation and Development (OECD). The increase in inflation reverses what was expected to be strong growth for the global economy before the conflict began.

Israel stands as the sole nation where overwhelming public support exists for the conflict with Iran, despite the profound impact on daily life. At least 15 people have been killed and hundreds injured by Iranian missiles since the war began in February, with school closures and missile warnings becoming routine. Polling indicates that more than 90% of Jewish Israelis back the war, a figure that sharply contrasts with international sentiment.The global perspective reveals a dramatically different picture. Nearly a month into the fighting, polling shows that 60% of the US public opposes the war with Iran, and just one in four Americans backed the initial strikes. In the Gulf, Europe and Asia, the conflict is widely unpopular as severe economic consequences begin to manifest.According to Emma Graham-Harrison, The Guardian's chief Middle East correspondent based in Jerusalem, many Jewish Israelis view themselves as under siege in a hostile world since the October 2023 massacre. This perception has led many to conclude that an aggressive security policy is the only way to ensure safety, regardless of international reaction.There's a prevailing sentiment in Israel that short-term suffering will lead to long-term security, despite security experts questioning whether Israel has a clear strategy to convert tactical achievements into lasting security. Life in Jerusalem remains restricted, with many working from home and limitations on businesses from cafes to gyms.The public support for the war has not translated into improved political fortunes for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who currently lags in polls for the upcoming general elections. While there is majority support for Netanyahu's decision to launch the war and his handling of it, even among those who don't want to give him another term, his coalition faces challenges in securing enough seats to return him to power.Some Israeli supporters of the war worry that Netanyahu's push to attack Iran has jeopardized the country's crucial relationship with the United States. Historically, Israel's foreign policy has been based on bipartisan ties, but Netanyahu has effectively abandoned that approach to cultivate an extremely close relationship with Trump.Israel's isolation is becoming increasingly apparent as the conflict continues. Unlike historical precedents where Israel achieved security through negotiated agreements with Jordan and Egypt, the current approach emphasizes military power above diplomatic solutions. This isolation is reflected in the fact that Israel may be the only place in the world with broad support for this war, with populations in Lebanon and Iran experiencing the conflict as horrific.

The UK government has pledged to invest a record £8.4bn in road maintenance in England, as part of a broader £27bn five-year investment plan for major roads and motorways. The plan, known as RIS3, aims to 'fix the foundations' of England's road network, with a focus on resurfacing a quarter of the country's strategic road network.The investment includes £1.65bn of initial public funding for the Lower Thames Crossing, a major road building project aimed at easing congestion in the south-east. The government also confirmed funding for the dualling of the A66 between Cumbria and North Yorkshire, a long-debated project championed by former prime minister Rishi Sunak.Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the investment would 'secure the future of our road network for years to come' and deliver 'smoother and faster journeys for drivers'. However, campaigners from the Transport Action Network criticized the plan, arguing that it prioritizes new road construction over sustainable transport solutions and fails to address outdated traffic forecasts.The Department for Transport said the £8.4bn investment in A-roads and motorways was on top of the £7.3bn pledged in the spending review for local authorities to fix potholes and maintain local roads. The government claims that the 16 funded schemes have been chosen for their value for money and deliverability, and are expected to 'deliver growth for left-behind communities'. However, campaigners argue that the plan's focus on new road construction will only serve to increase congestion and harm the environment.

Poland staged a comeback to defeat Albania 2-1, with Robert Lewandowski scoring his 89th goal for his country. This win sets up a playoff final against Sweden for a spot in the World Cup.Denmark dominated North Macedonia 4-0, with Mikkel Damsgaard, Gustav Isaksen, and Christian Nørgaard scoring in the second half. They will now face the Czech Republic in their playoff final.Kosovo is on the brink of their first major tournament appearance after a thrilling 4-3 win over Slovakia. They will host Turkey in their playoff final.Turkey secured a 1-0 win over Romania, with Ferdi Kadioglu scoring the decisive goal following a superb pass from Arda Guler. This victory brings them closer to ending their long World Cup absence.

The ongoing energy crisis in Britain has exposed the consequences of successive governments' reliance on short-term, vote-winning policies, leaving the country vulnerable to strategic coercion, particularly in the energy sector. Britain has significant potential in tidal stream energy, with about 50% of Europe's tidal resources available within its territorial waters. This energy source is predictable, inexhaustible, and can be operational within three years of consent, independent of global energy prices and weather variability. Despite its potential, government support for tidal stream energy remains a tiny fraction of that provided to offshore wind, well under 1%. With stronger support, its costs could fall to parity with wind within five years. Operational projects in Scotland have already generated more than 70 GWh, while costs are falling by around 17% a year. The constraint on tidal stream energy is not technical, but political short-termism. It is time for the government to act and provide stronger support for this industry. Additionally, the article suggests that rooftop solar and battery storage can be encouraged to provide more renewables without blighting the countryside. An obligation can be put on energy companies to encourage their customers to install solar, and customers can be encouraged to include battery storage with the solar panels. Over time, this can lead to grid-level storage hosted over the whole grid, providing resilience for the energy companies and a way for renewables to provide many of the UK's energy needs.

Guardian cartoonist David Squires offers a unique perspective on Australia's national soccer team, the Socceroos, as they prepare to host the tantalizing new FIFA Series event. Through his distinctive visual storytelling, Squires captures the significance of Australia's role in this prestigious global tournament.The comic series provides an insightful look into how the Socceroos are serving as trailblazers for the FIFA Series, positioning Australia at the forefront of international soccer innovation. The illustrations showcase both the excitement and strategic importance of this new global competition.Published on March 26, 2026, this piece is part of Squires' ongoing series examining Australian sport, highlighting the nation's growing influence on the world stage. The FIFA Series represents another milestone in Australia's evolving relationship with international soccer, following previous successes that have elevated the country's sporting profile globally.

In 2025, England's rivers and seas were hit by 291,492 instances of raw sewage discharge from storm overflows, a 35% reduction from the previous year. The discharges lasted for 1.8 million hours, a significant decrease from almost 4 million hours in 2024. The Environment Agency (EA) reported that some water companies achieved reductions of over 60% and 70% compared to the previous year. However, campaigners argue that the discharges, which are only supposed to occur in extreme weather conditions, are still too frequent and harmful to the environment. Richard Benwell, chief executive of Wildlife and Countryside Link, stated, 'When sewage is pouring out even in a dry year, you really know the system is broken.' He emphasized that rivers, lakes, and seas should not be used as pressure valves for pollution. The water industry acknowledged that dry conditions contributed to the reduction in discharges but also cited record levels of investment in the system. Water UK stated that the industry aims to halve spills over the next five years by building bigger storm tanks and expanding capacity at sewage treatment works. Michelle Walker, technical director for the Rivers Trust, highlighted that many discharges occur on dry days and are therefore illegal. She warned that the impact of these discharges will be more concentrated and damaging in already stressed ecosystems. The government and water companies face criticism for the ongoing pollution. Water minister Emma Hardy said there is still an unacceptable amount of sewage entering waterways and a long way to go in cleaning up rivers, lakes, and seas.

Dash Crofts, the renowned musician from the soft rock duo Seals and Crofts, has died at the age of 85. His passing was announced by the duo's producer, Louie Shelton, on social media. Crofts succumbed to complications following heart surgery, as confirmed by a family member. Crofts and his musical partner, Jim Seals, crafted some of the most iconic hits of the 1970s, including 'Summer Breeze' and 'Diamond Girl'. Their 1972 album 'Summer Breeze' reached the top 10 in the US and featured the hit single 'Hummingbird'. The duo's gentle musical style, characterized by breezy soft rock, became a staple of the decade. The duo faced controversy with their 1974 album 'Unborn Child', which reflected their Bahá’í faith. The title track sparked a backlash and was banned by some radio stations following the landmark Roe v Wade ruling. Despite this, their music continued to resonate with audiences, and they remain celebrated for their contributions to the soft rock genre. After the duo disbanded in 1980, Crofts pursued a quieter life in Nashville, focusing on country music. Yacht rock, the genre they helped define, has seen a recent resurgence in popularity, with a 2024 HBO documentary highlighting its importance. Crofts' legacy continues to inspire new generations of music lovers.