France and Italy open talks with Iran in hope of securing safe Hormuz passage
Europeans look for ways to restart energy shipments as Iran’s new supreme leader vows to keep strait shut
Elon Musk pushes out more xAI founders as AI coding effort falters
Tesla and SpaceX managers sent in to review work as billionaire’s start-up struggles to keep pace with rivals
How Labour should deal with the backbench rebel alliance
Their influence is not inherently problematic — but such visible challenges to key policy proposals are
Iran and the rising perils of AI in warfare
Limits on the use of lethal autonomous weapons systems are urgent
Oaktree plans to buy South Carolina insurer after 777 Partners collapse
Advantage Capital had lent to Josh Wander’s failed Miami-based fund
Iran’s leaders hold nationwide rallies in show of strength
President and high-profile officials among those who participated
Photo shows Mandelson and former prince Andrew together with Epstein
Ex-UK minister and former prince have both tried to downplay their friendships with convicted sex offender
Private credit has half the ingredients of a financial crisis
Worries arise that valuations shown on balance sheets don’t match reality
Hot January PCE inflation will keep Fed on hold
Stagflationary risks already evident in the US even before Iran war factored in
US economy ended 2025 on weaker footing than previously thought
Revised figures show GDP rose at a 0.7% rate in fourth quarter, down from earlier reading of 1.4%
The dangers of doing business while Deutsche
Europe’s favourite high-beta bank stock strikes again
Cuba confirms talks with US to find ‘solutions’ to energy blockade
President of crisis-wracked island affirms discussions while insisting on respect for Havana’s sovereignty
Mandelson mess and Middle East U-turns
The Mandelson appointment scandal deepens; plus Farage and Badenoch’s U-turns on Iran war
Oscars 2026: the nominees, the movies, the ones to watch
Interviews with leading contenders, reviews of all 10 Best Picture hopefuls — and more to come — ahead of the Academy Awards on March 15
The best books of the week
From David Willetts on liberalism to Gisèle Pelicot on audio — plus saving woodland, an Alan Bennett interview, Howard Jacobson’s angry new novel and a tale of Iran’s brave women
Hegseth says Iran leader ‘likely disfigured’ as US vows to intensify strikes
EU hits back at Trump administration’s decision to lift sanctions on Russian oil
Dubai financial district rattled by Iranian drones
Towers in Dubai International Financial Centre suffer damage but most drones and missiles are intercepted
Bored of peace
The idea of making difficult trade-offs is alien to Trump
How Iran’s fightback surprised the US
Tehran has done ‘more with less’ as it hit major targets around the Gulf, but its firing has begun to wane
UK and Ireland pledge joint exercises to protect cables from Russian spy ships
Update to defence and security pact will see countries ‘tackle hostile threats and crack down on the shadow fleet’
China’s BYD takes on Porsche and BMW with 5-minute ‘flash charging’
Carmaker’s technology means EVs can be ready almost as quickly as filling a fuel tank
Editor Margaret Busby: ‘You choose your battles’
Britain’s first Black female publisher on reshaping the literary landscape, why editing is like midwifery — and her roll-call of authors, from Roy Heath to James Ellroy
Gentleman Jack — Northern Ballet’s lesbian love story has a real sexual charge
The company gives a lively, sympathetic take on the life of 19th-century landowner and Casanova Anne Lister