Oil rises as Trump says Iran will be held responsible for any future Houthi attacks

Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have resulted in the deaths of at least five Palestinians, with the Israeli military targeting a Hamas military location in the north. The attacks were renewed after both sides accused each other of violating a ceasefire, leading to increased tensions and casualties. Israel dropped evacuation leaflets in Gaza, warning residents of "dangerous combat zones" and stating that the onslaught was "just the beginning" as the conflict escalated further. Full Article

Labour minister Torsten Bell defended government benefit cuts by accusing left-wing critics of supporting a failed Tory welfare system that contributes to high unemployment rates. Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell refuted Bell's claims, stating that proposed cuts would harm disabled individuals. Labour MPs, including Clive Lewis and Debbie Abrahams, criticized the government for implementing £5bn in cuts by 2030, potentially impacting millions of disabled individuals negatively. Full Article

Questions are arising in Canada and Europe regarding the strategic value of investing in high-end U.S. weaponry like the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter amid uncertainty about U.S. defense commitments under President Trump. NATO members are reconsidering reliance on U.S.-made systems in favor of European jets, such as the Saab Gripen and Eurofighter Typhoon, as a long-term plan to modernize NATO's arsenal gains traction. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has highlighted the need for interoperability within...

Over the weekend, the Trump administration defied a federal judge's order not to deport a group of Venezuelan men, sparking concerns about a constitutional crisis. President Trump called for the impeachment of the judge who issued the order, leading to Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. issuing a statement emphasizing that impeachment is not an appropriate response to judicial decisions. Legal scholars warn that the administration's actions are eroding the separation of powers and transforming...

Steve Nease's cartoon from March 19, 2025, depicts a humorous scene that is not visible due to a video loading error. The video failure prompts viewers to refresh their browsers or access other videos from the team. The summary highlights the content of the cartoon and the technical issue preventing its display. Full Article

Santander is closing 95 branches in the UK, putting 750 jobs at risk due to customers shifting to online banking. The closures will leave the bank with 349 branches, down from 444, with affected areas to be covered by community bankers. Digital transactions have increased by almost two thirds since 2019, leading to the difficult decision to close branches and potentially make 750 staff redundant after consultations with unions. Full Article