UK firms halt investments and hiring as Iran war pushes up costs, bosses warn

17/05/2026 23:01 The Guardian

Survey shows businesses ‘struggling to absorb latest economic shock’, while data says April vacancies down 7.7%The worsening fallout from the Iran war is forcing businesses to halt their UK investment and hiring plans, bosses have warned, as Britain enters a renewed period of political and economic instability.More than two months into the US-Israeli war on Iran, leading surveys of UK employers showed companies were increasingly prioritising cost management over growth as rising costs and global uncertainty weigh on confidence. Continue reading...

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Crime increasingly a ‘serious barrier’ to UK growth, say business leaders

British Chambers of Commerce survey shows firms ‘are dealing with rising levels of theft, fraud and cyber-attacks’UK business leaders have warned that crime is becoming an increasingly “serious barrier” to growing Britain’s economy amid a rise in shoplifting, fraud and cyber-attacks agains...

17/05/2026 21:30 The Guardian

At least four people killed in Russia as Ukraine launches retaliatory strikes

Wave of almost 600 drones launched across 14 regions, after Moscow’s deadly three-day attack on Ukraine last weekOne of Ukraine’s largest ever drone strikes against Russia’s regions, including Moscow, has killed at least four people and wounded a dozen more, the Russian authorities have said.T...

17/05/2026 21:19 The Guardian

UAE blames Iran or its proxies for drone strike fire near nuclear plant

Abu Dhabi denounces ‘dangerous escalation’ as Iran war ceasefire grows more precarious The United Arab Emirates has blamed a fire near its nuclear power plant on a drone launched by Iran or one of its proxies in what the UAE called a “dangerous escalation”.The fire was just outside the Barak...

17/05/2026 19:33 The Guardian

Andy Burnham faces perilous race to win Makerfield byelection, allies say

Reform, which won more than 50% of the local election vote, is likely to focus heavily on immigration and BrexitAndy Burnham faces a perilous race to win the Makerfield seat, his allies have warned, as he gears up to fight a byelection that could decide the long-term future of Labour and the country...

17/05/2026 18:39 The Guardian

Big tobacco is exploiting fears of the illicit market to unwind health gains, Australian experts warn

Cigarettes kill 66 Australians every day, health groups say, criticising MPs who heard evidence from Philip Morris in secretFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastBig tobacco is exploiting fears of the illicit market to unwind...

17/05/2026 15:00 The Guardian

German minister defends ‘perfectly human’ decision to allow attempt to rescue whale Timmy

Humpback stranded on sandbank was unlikely to survive, experts had said, recommending it be left to die in peaceThe German authorities have defended their decision to allow a risky rescue attempt of a stranded whale to go ahead, despite experts warning it was “inadvisable” because the animal was...

17/05/2026 14:56 The Guardian

Top of Labour in row over EU as Nandy challenges Streeting’s remarks

Ex-health secretary’s allies rally to defend him after culture secretary calls his comments about rejoining bloc ‘odd’A row has broken out at the top of the Labour party over whether Britain should try to rejoin the EU after Wes Streeting said the country should eventually seek to regain membe...

17/05/2026 14:10 The Guardian

Experts sound alarm as North America’s bees start swarm season unusually early

After record losses last year, beekeepers report a warm winter has led to bees ‘waking up earlier’ this yearAfter a series of record-breaking US heatwaves, the 2026 bee swarm season in North America has started 17 days earlier than last year, pushing beekeepers to adapt to a rapidly shifting sea...

17/05/2026 12:00 The Guardian

Workers racing to turn reflecting pool blue for Trump may be at risk, union warns

Union representative concerned about safety as workers rush to finish repainting DC pool before 250th celebrationsWorkers renovating one of Washington DC’s most historically symbolic sites in a project ordered by Donald Trump may be risking their safety as they race to finish on time for the US’...

17/05/2026 10:00 The Guardian

Labour leadership talk ‘froth and nonsense’, says senior minister – UK politics live

Lisa Nandy says no candidate has launched a challenge to Keir Starmer, despite ‘feverish speculation’ around Andy Burnham and Wes StreetingAsked about former health secretary Wes Streeting’s call for the UK to re-join the European Union, the culture secretary called the stance “a bit odd”L...

17/05/2026 07:59 The Guardian

Tech founders use AI-generated images to poke fun at Anthony Albanese in protest against tax changes

‘He’s having a great time with his new 47% equity,’ one entrepreneur jokes, warning that some startups may leave Australia behindGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastTech entrepreneurs have mocked the government’s capital gains tax changes by posting AI-generated photos...

17/05/2026 07:38 The Guardian

Yvette Cooper wrote Palestine Action article despite CPS warning it could affect trial

Exclusive: Then-home secretary justified proscription of group in newspaper column despite advice it might unfairly impact trial of six activistsYvette Cooper wrote a newspaper column about Palestine Action despite prosecutors warning it could prejudice criminal proceedings against six activists fro...

17/05/2026 07:00 The Guardian

Aukus nuclear submarine base would ‘place a massive target on our backs’, NSW labour union warns

Outcry follows release of previously secret documents naming Port Kembla as preferred east coast Aukus baseAs Aukus spending and delays blow out, will Australia’s nuclear submarines ever materialise?Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or dail...

17/05/2026 05:46 The Guardian

Arrest of Iraqi terror suspect with alleged links to Iran’s Quds Force is astonishing but not surprising

Iran has a long history of unconventional operations, all designed to divert, distract and destabilise current or potential enemiesThe arrest by US authorities of an alleged Iraqi commander of an Iranian-backed militia group now accused of responsibility for 18 terrorist attacks in the UK, Europe an...

16/05/2026 12:18 The Guardian

Extra 4,000 officers in London as police brace for far-right and pro-Palestine marches – live

Police monitoring both Tommy Robinson’s ‘Unite the Kingdom’ march and also the annual ‘Nakba day’ pro-Palestine marchBritish Palestinians feel unable to speak openly about Israel’s war on Gaza, the director of the British Palestinian Committee has said, amid what campaigners believe is a...

16/05/2026 09:34 The Guardian

British Palestinians feel ‘gaslit’ and unable to speak out, says leading activist

Ahead of Nakba march, Sara Husseini says many feel they are being treated as suspects rather than victims of mass sufferingBritish Palestinians feel unable to speak openly about Israel’s war on Gaza, the director of the British Palestinian Committee has said, amid what campaigners believe is a gro...

16/05/2026 05:00 The Guardian

‘A watchdog without resources is not a watchdog’: Labor accused of letting key accountability body languish

Criticism of budget funding comes amid warnings the Australian National Audit Office will struggle to meet its targets for independent reviewsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastLabor has been accused inadequately funding one of the central institutions safeguarding public adm...

16/05/2026 00:00 The Guardian

Georgia town sues over ICE plan for vast immigration detention center

Officials of Social Circle, population 5,000, file lawsuit over plan to turn warehouse into 10,000-capacity facilityOfficials in the small Georgia town of Social Circle have filed a lawsuit against federal immigration agencies over plans for a huge immigration detention facility, arguing the project...

15/05/2026 19:22 The Guardian

‘Extremely cruel and tragic’: Iranian director Asghar Farhadi speaks out against state violence and the war

The film-maker, who won the Grand Prix for A Hero in 2021, condemned both the killing of protesters and the conflict’s bombing campaigns during a Cannes press conferenceOscar-winning Iranian director Asghar Farhadi has described the deaths of civilians in Iran as “extremely cruel and tragic” d...

15/05/2026 16:39 The Guardian

German leader Merz says he ‘would not advise my children to go’ to US

Chancellor says he no longer views US as land of opportunity amid ‘deeply polarising’ social climateFriedrich Merz, the German chancellor, already embroiled in a row with Donald Trump over the Iran war, has said he would not advise his children to study or work in the US in the current climate.S...

15/05/2026 16:38 The Guardian

Ukraine ‘entirely justified’ to plan strikes against Russian energy and military targets after Kyiv attacks, Zelenskyy says – as it happpened

This blog is now closed, you can read more on this story hereMeanwhile, the Latvian president, Edgars Rinkēvičs, has begun political consultations aimed at finding a parliamentary majority capable of forming a new government after the collapse of prime minister Evika Siliņa’s administration.Rin...

15/05/2026 16:05 The Guardian

Secret documents reveal preferred Australian nuclear submarine base – and warn it could be a military target

Port Kembla residents will likely resist base due to risk of nuclear accident and potential as target for ‘military adversaries’, documents stateGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA proposed nuclear submarine base in Port Kembla “could be a target for Australian militar...

15/05/2026 15:00 The Guardian

Mali’s forces target rebel alliance in junta’s fight to keep power

Army supported by Russian mercenaries launches airstrikes after offensive by coalition of Islamist extremists and Tuareg separatistsMali’s armed forces, supported by Russian mercenaries, have launched airstrikes targeting a rebel alliance of Islamist extremists and Tuareg separatists as the ruling...

15/05/2026 14:57 The Guardian

Trump China visit live: US president says a lot of problems ‘settled’, as he meets with Xi on final day of summit

Trump says ‘a lot of good’ has come from summit and ‘we’ve made some fantastic trade deals for both countries’Xi warns Trump of ‘clashes and even conflicts’ with US over TaiwanAnalysis: For anxious Taiwan, Trump’s silence after Xi talks is best possible outcomeSign up for the Breakin...

15/05/2026 14:50 The Guardian

Trump leaves China without breakthroughs on Iran, Taiwan or AI

US president hails ‘fantastic’ deals, but details remain scarce after pageantry and little progress at much-hyped summit with XiTrump in China – latest updatesDonald Trump left China on Friday after a much-hyped summit of the world’s two major powers that was rich in pageantry and promises o...

15/05/2026 12:48 The Guardian

British Gas faces record £112m settlement over prepayment meter scandal

Redress to customers for force-fitting devices in homes includes £20m penalty and £70m of debt write-offsThousands of British Gas customers who had prepayment meters force-fitted in their homes will between them receive compensation and energy bill debt write-offs worth up to £112m in the biggest...

15/05/2026 12:41 The Guardian

First Thing: China trip winds down but Trump-Xi Iran accord remains elusive | Jem Bartholomew

US president offers no news of any breakthrough on Iran. Plus, how renters’ rights could be key issue in midtermsDon’t already get First Thing in your inbox? Sign up hereGood morning.On his visit to China, Donald Trump has seemed to revel in Chinese hospitality and flattery. Walking in the Zhong...

15/05/2026 12:29 The Guardian

UAE to complete second oil pipeline bypassing strait of Hormuz by 2027

State oil company fast-tracks previously undisclosed project, which is expected to double export capacityBusiness live – latest updatesThe United Arab Emirates has announced it will complete a new oil pipeline bypassing the strait of Hormuz by next year to secure its future crude exports against t...

15/05/2026 11:28 The Guardian

Ukraine attacks Russia with drones after suffering three days of massive strikes

Large-scale attack on Russian regions and huge oil refinery comes after 24 were killed when missile hit flats in KyivUkraine has launched a large-scale long-range drone attack targeting several regions in Russia including the huge Ryazan oil refinery, after three days of massive strikes by Moscow ag...

15/05/2026 10:21 The Guardian

Starmer ally admits prime minister is ‘unpopular’ but warns of ‘chaos’ if leadership contest triggered – UK politics live

Pressure is intensifying on Keir Starmer after Andy Burnham was given a route back to parliamentLabour’s deputy leader, Lucy Powell, has backed Andy Burnham’s efforts to return to parliament, saying there will be no attempt to stop the Greater Manchester mayor from fighting an upcoming byelectio...

15/05/2026 10:17 The Guardian

BREAKING NEWS

17/05 23:01 - UK firms halt investments and hiring as Iran war pushes up costs, bosses warn 17/05 22:38 - Peter G. Neumann, Who Warned of Computer Security Risks, Dies at 93 17/05 21:38 - US Navy aircraft collide during airshow (VIDEO) 17/05 21:30 - Crime increasingly a ‘serious barrier’ to UK growth, say business leaders 17/05 21:19 - At least four people killed in Russia as Ukraine launches retaliatory strikes 17/05 20:46 - Ukrainian drones hit Moscow and surrounding area, killing 3 17/05 20:46 - Drone strike sparks a fire on the edge of UAE nuclear facility 17/05 20:16 - Suspected Ukrainian military drone discovered after crashing in Lithuania 17/05 19:33 - UAE blames Iran or its proxies for drone strike fire near nuclear plant 17/05 19:23 - Trump warns 'clock is ticking' for Iran as peace progress stalls 17/05 18:39 - Andy Burnham faces perilous race to win Makerfield byelection, allies say 17/05 18:38 - The Iran War Is Crippling One of the World’s Wealthiest Nations 17/05 18:29 - London mayor warning over northern Olympic bid 17/05 16:51 - Planned EU move to damage key Ukrainian export – FT 17/05 16:45 - To Critics, Trump Remarks Reveal a Billionaire Out of Touch 17/05 15:41 - US college graduates face harsh job market amid economic uncertainty 17/05 15:41 - US college graduates face harsh job market amid economic uncertainty 17/05 15:13 - Most of the architects of October 7 attacks have been killed, says Netanyahu 17/05 15:00 - Big tobacco is exploiting fears of the illicit market to unwind health gains, Australian experts warn 17/05 14:58 - Ukraine strikes Russia: Zelensky says response to Moscow's agression 'justified' 17/05 14:56 - German minister defends ‘perfectly human’ decision to allow attempt to rescue whale Timmy 17/05 14:25 - Ukrainian drone strikes on Russia kills at least 4 and wound 12 others 17/05 14:22 - Ebola: WHO warns about risk of spread in DR Congo and Uganda 17/05 14:18 - Large-scale Ukrainian drone attack kills three in Moscow region, says Russia 17/05 14:10 - Top of Labour in row over EU as Nandy challenges Streeting’s remarks 17/05 12:05 - Israel comes second at Eurovision amid boycotts and backlash 17/05 12:05 - Israel comes second at Eurovision amid boycotts and backlash 17/05 12:00 - Experts sound alarm as North America’s bees start swarm season unusually early 17/05 11:31 - These 35 People Took GLP-1s And Are Now Revealing What No One Warned Them About, And Anyone Considering The Medication Needs To Read These Stories 17/05 10:13 - The strike that changed the geometry of war 17/05 10:13 - The strike that changed the geometry of war 17/05 10:00 - Workers racing to turn reflecting pool blue for Trump may be at risk, union warns 17/05 09:45 - 🔴 Ukraine launches around 600 drones at Russia, Zelensky claims ‘justified’ attack 17/05 09:14 - Betting on war: Mysterious traders make millions on well-timed bets on Iran 17/05 09:14 - Ukrainian drone attacks on Russia kill at least five 17/05 09:14 - Ukrainian drone attacks on Russia kill at least five 17/05 09:12 - Indian worker among four killed as Ukraine launches largest drone attack on Moscow in over a year 17/05 09:02 - For Trump, Soaring Prices Test Voters’ Finances and Patience 17/05 08:42 - Bulgaria wins Eurovision for first time; Israel comes second amid boycott 17/05 08:42 - Bulgaria wins Eurovision for first time; Israel comes second amid boycott 17/05 07:59 - Labour leadership talk ‘froth and nonsense’, says senior minister – UK politics live 17/05 07:38 - Tech founders use AI-generated images to poke fun at Anthony Albanese in protest against tax changes 17/05 07:19 - Iran war day 79: Tehran to unveil Hormuz toll plan; Israel bombs Lebanon 17/05 07:19 - Iran war day 79: Tehran to unveil Hormuz toll plan; Israel bombs Lebanon 17/05 07:00 - Yvette Cooper wrote Palestine Action article despite CPS warning it could affect trial 17/05 06:34 - 7 Signs Your Sunday Scaries Are More Than Just Normal Work Dread 17/05 05:46 - Aukus nuclear submarine base would ‘place a massive target on our backs’, NSW labour union warns 17/05 05:39 - Middle East war live: Drone strike causes fire outside UAE nuclear power plant 17/05 02:00 - Lights, camera, Bangaranga: Highlights from Eurovision 17/05 00:01 - 'Everyone is doing it': The dark art of GPS jamming in the Iran war 17/05 00:00 - Iran war live: Tehran plans tolls in Hormuz; Trump warns of ‘very bad time’ 17/05 00:00 - Iran war live: Tehran plans tolls in Hormuz; Trump warns of ‘very bad time’ 16/05 23:37 - 28 Things That’ll Help You Build The Wardrobe Of Your Dreams 16/05 20:51 - Make Your Ideal Sandwich And I'll Tell You A Color You Should Wear! 16/05 20:31 - Thousands protest at Eurovision final as five countries boycott over Israel 16/05 20:31 - Thousands protest at Eurovision final as five countries boycott over Israel 16/05 18:35 - DRC health minister warns ‘very high’ Ebola lethality rate as toll hits 80 16/05 18:35 - DRC health minister warns ‘very high’ Ebola lethality rate as toll hits 80 16/05 18:10 - At Supreme Court, Virginia Democrats Pressed Legal Theory Embraced by Trump 16/05 17:21 - The Spoiled Prince of Kiev: Zelensky has deceived and ruined his country with Western help 16/05 17:01 - Taiwan insists it is independent after Trump warning 16/05 16:01 - 33 Fashion Pieces Reviewers Say Are Must-Haves…So You Don’t Want To Miss Out 16/05 15:33 - Iran warns of readiness for war and economic costs as US talks falter 16/05 15:33 - Iran warns of readiness for war and economic costs as US talks falter 16/05 15:02 - No vaccine for new highly lethal Ebola outbreak, DR Congo warns, as death toll hits 80 16/05 13:01 - 40 Products So Dang Good, You’ll Never Travel Without Them Again 16/05 12:48 - Beijing can no longer treat Moscow as a junior partner 16/05 12:18 - Arrest of Iraqi terror suspect with alleged links to Iran’s Quds Force is astonishing but not surprising 16/05 11:46 - Merz warns children against going to US 16/05 11:23 - China Will Host Putin, Days After Trump’s Visit 16/05 10:00 - Trump’s China summit shows toll of a difficult year for the president 16/05 09:34 - Extra 4,000 officers in London as police brace for far-right and pro-Palestine marches – live 16/05 09:33 - Putin to hold taks with Xi in China days after Trump’s trip to Beijing 16/05 09:01 - Which Countries Are Profiting From the Iran War Oil Shock 16/05 08:56 - The EU’s sanctions fever: From Russia to China, a crisis expands 16/05 08:50 - Ukraine vows retribution after Russian strike on housing block kills 24 16/05 08:40 - Spring warmth set to return with 26C forecast next week 16/05 08:38 - Russia’s Putin to visit China following Trump’s trip 16/05 08:38 - Russia’s Putin to visit China following Trump’s trip 16/05 08:02 - Iran war day 78: Trump, Tehran signal talks as Lebanon truce extended 16/05 08:02 - Iran war day 78: Trump, Tehran signal talks as Lebanon truce extended 16/05 07:01 - Putin to visit China – Kremlin 16/05 05:53 - Trump warns Taiwan against declaring independence, hours after summit with China's Xi 16/05 05:38 - Taiwan says it is a ‘sovereign’ nation with US ‘security commitment’ after Trump’s warning 16/05 05:01 - Middle East war live: Israel strikes southern Lebanon hours after ceasefire extension 16/05 05:00 - British Palestinians feel ‘gaslit’ and unable to speak out, says leading activist 16/05 00:00 - ‘A watchdog without resources is not a watchdog’: Labor accused of letting key accountability body languish 16/05 00:00 - Iran war live: Tehran warns more economic woes for US over ‘war of choice’ 16/05 00:00 - Iran war live: Tehran warns more economic woes for US over ‘war of choice’ 15/05 23:21 - Despite Which Era You LIKE The Most, Let's See Which "Star Wars" Generation You Actually Embody 15/05 23:04 - Switzerland to open secret files on Auschwitz 'Angel of Death' Mengele 15/05 20:01 - Trump calls journalist’s Iran reporting ‘treasonous’ 15/05 20:01 - Trump calls journalist’s Iran reporting ‘treasonous’ 15/05 19:37 - News24 | Cracks in the bloc: Iran war splits BRICS as New Delhi summit ends without agreement 15/05 19:22 - Georgia town sues over ICE plan for vast immigration detention center 15/05 18:08 - Zelenskyy vows response after Russian strike kills 24 in Kyiv 15/05 18:08 - Zelenskyy vows response after Russian strike kills 24 in Kyiv 15/05 18:02 - Trump warns Taiwan against declaring independence from China after meeting Xi 15/05 17:32 - Russia pounds Kyiv as its advance in eastern Ukraine slows to a crawl 15/05 17:32 - Russia pounds Kyiv as its advance in eastern Ukraine slows to a crawl