10 h. ago Diddy’s lawyers to offer unusual defense involving Iran in closing statement, report says

Diddy’s attorneys could allegedly argue that Homeland Security should focus on ‘the escalating conflict with Iran’ not ‘what Diddy is doing with baby oil’

Events

28 h. ago American airbase under 'imminent threat' as Iran weighs retaliation for Trump bombing and Qatar closes airspace: Live updates

LIVE UPDATES: Follow live coverage of the conflict in the Middle East as a US air force base in Qatar has been placed under an 'imminent threat' amid fears Iran is set to strike.

Events

28 h. ago The Strait of Hormuz is a vital route for oil. Closing it could backfire on Iran

The war between Israel and Iran has raised concerns that Iran could try to close the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most important oil chokepoint

Events

30 h. ago Trump used Steve Bannon lunch and ‘two weeks’ statement as distractions ahead of Iran bombings: report

Breaking bread with populist firebrand was seen as a move away from military action at the time

Events

30 h. ago Trump pleads with oil companies to keep prices down after Iran blockade threat

Crude oil prices surged following Iran vote to close critical Strait of Hormuz in wake of US bombings

Politics

31 h. ago Goldman Sachs warns Brent crude could hit $100 per barrel if strait of Hormuz is disrupted; Trump demands cheaper oil – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsThe strait of Hormuz: what is it, and why does it matter to global trade?Price of oil could spike after Iran’s parliament votes to close key shipping routeThe eurozone economy has continued to flirt with stagnation this month, with little growth in its key sectors.The latest survey of purchasing managers across the euro area, just released by S&P Global, shows that the eurozone services sector is stalling this month, while factory growth slowed.“The eurozone economy is struggling to gain momentum. For six months now, growth has been minimal, with activity in the service sector stagnating and manufacturing output rising only moderately.In Germany, there are signs of a cautious improvement in the situation, but France continues to drag its feet. The momentum evident in the official growth figure of 0.6 percent for the first quarter is unlikely to have carried over into the second quarter, especially since special factors su...

Events

32 h. ago The strait of Hormuz: how could Iran close it and why does it matter to global trade?

Iran’s parliament approved a measure to close the vital global trade route, through which more than a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes through dailyTrump floats regime change in Iran – follow it livePresident Donald Trump’s unprecedented decision to bomb three Iranian nuclear sites has deepened fears of a widening conflict in the Middle East.Joining Israel in the biggest western military action against the Islamic Republic since its 1979 revolution, the world is now bracing for Iran’s response. Continue reading...

Politics

34 h. ago What is the Strait of Hormuz and why does it matter to global trade?

The UK could be hit hard if Iran closes the Strait of Hormuz in response to American strikes on its nuclear sites

Politics

34 h. ago Goldman Sachs warns Brent crude could rise over $100 per barrel if Strait of Hormuz is disrupted – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsThe strait of Hormuz: what is it, and why does it matter to global trade?Price of oil could spike after Iran’s parliament votes to close key shipping routeThe eurozone economy has continued to flirt with stagnation this month, with little growth in its key sectors.The latest survey of purchasing managers across the euro area, just released by S&P Global, shows that the eurozone services sector is stalling this month, while factory growth slowed.“The eurozone economy is struggling to gain momentum. For six months now, growth has been minimal, with activity in the service sector stagnating and manufacturing output rising only moderately.In Germany, there are signs of a cautious improvement in the situation, but France continues to drag its feet. The momentum evident in the official growth figure of 0.6 percent for the first quarter is unlikely to have carried over into the second quarter, especially since special factors su...

Events

36 h. ago Oil prices soar after US attacks on Iran nuclear sites – why they could go higher

Some analysts fear oil prices could hit 100 US dollars (£74.43) a barrel if Iran closes the Strait of Hormuz shipping route.

Events

36 h. ago IMF chief warns of broader risks from US strikes on Iran, as oil falls back from five

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsPrice of oil could spike after Iran’s parliament votes to close key shipping routeThe eurozone economy has continued to flirt with stagnation this month, with little growth in its key sectors.The latest survey of purchasing managers across the euro area, just released by S&P Global, shows that the eurozone services sector is stalling this month, while factory growth slowed.“The eurozone economy is struggling to gain momentum. For six months now, growth has been minimal, with activity in the service sector stagnating and manufacturing output rising only moderately.In Germany, there are signs of a cautious improvement in the situation, but France continues to drag its feet. The momentum evident in the official growth figure of 0.6 percent for the first quarter is unlikely to have carried over into the second quarter, especially since special factors such as Ireland’s unusual jump in growth inflated this figure. Continue rea...

Events

36 h. ago US asks China to stop Iran from ‘terrible mistake’ of closing Strait of Hormuz

The Iranian parliament approved a measure to close the Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20 per cent of global oil and gas flows

Events

38 h. ago IMF chief warns of broader risks from US strikes on Iran, after oil hits five

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsPrice of oil could spike after Iran’s parliament votes to close key shipping routeThe UK stock market has dropped at the start of trading, as traders weigh up the situation in the Middle East.Airline shares are down, with easyJet (-2.1%) and British Airways parent company IAG (-2.2%) leading the fallers on the FTSE 100 share index. Higher oil prices push up their costs, and the crisis could also force airlines to cancel flights to the region. Continue reading...

Events

38 h. ago Oil prices surge as Iran maintains threat to close global shipping route after Trump bombed its nuclear facilities

Brent crude futures were up $1.52 or 1.97 per cent to $78.53 a barrel as of 6am UK time. US West Texas Intermediate crude advanced $1.51 or 2.04 per cent to $75.35.

Events

41 h. ago If Iran closes Strait of Hormuz regime would be committing 'economic suicide' says US

The US has warned Iran that closing the Strait of Hormuz in response to American strikes on its nuclear sites would be 'economic suicide' as the UK is warned it could be hit hard

Economics

42 h. ago The strait of Hormuz: what is it, and why does it matter to global trade?

Iran’s parliament approved a measure to close the vital global trade route, through which more than a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes through dailyTrump floats regime change in Iran – follow it livePresident Donald Trump’s unprecedented decision to bomb three Iranian nuclear sites has deepened fears of a widening conflict in the Middle East.Joining Israel in the biggest western military action against the Islamic Republic since its 1979 revolution, the world is now bracing for Iran’s response. Continue reading...

Politics

47 h. ago Netanyahu says Israel is close to fulfilling goals of Iran campaign

Comments towards Tehran come after top US officials insisted they were not seeking a different government there

Politics

49 h. ago US bombs Iran latest: Trump claims 'we took the bomb out of Iran's hands' as Tehran threatens to close Strait of Hormuz

The US president authorised the overnight bombings of key nuclear sites, including the heavily fortified Fordow plant

Events

52 h. ago Brits issued urgent petrol price warning as Iran closes Strait of Hormuz

Petrol prices could increase after further instability in the Middle East, with a recent strike on Iran from Israel meaning the Strait of Hormuz - a key oil shipping channel - could be disrupted

Events

3 d. ago Lowry Theatre issues statement after customers report issues booking tickets for Peter Kay shows

It comes following the announcement of two new live special events with comedian Peter Kay and DJ Sara Cox

Culture