News 12/03/26

At least one crew member has been killed after two foreign oil tankers carrying Iraqi fuel were hit by explosive laden Iranian boats, according to Iraqi port security officials.

More than twenty crew members were evacuated from the vessels, which both caught fire and were still burning. The attacks pushed oil prices above one hundred dollars a barrel again as the Middle East war continues to affect global supplies, despite the International Energy Agency proposing the largest release of strategic oil reserves in its history.

Sir Keir Starmer is expected to face fresh questions today about his decision to appoint Lord Mandelson as ambassador to the United States.

Documents released by the government show the prime minister was warned the former minister had a close relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and that there was a general reputational risk. Sir Keir is due to speak to the media during a visit to Belfast, his first appearance since the papers were published.

Technology companies have been told to strengthen protections for young people online after MPs rejected a ban on social media for under sixteens.

The Information Commissioner’s Office and Ofcom have written to several platforms demanding stronger safeguards. Facebook, Instagram, Roblox, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube have until the end of April to explain how they check ages, prevent grooming and deal with harmful algorithms, with regulators calling for an end to product testing on children.

A man has been convicted of dangerous driving after his own dashcam showed he fell asleep for twenty minutes on the M4 in Berkshire.

Maldini Fernandes was travelling at up to one hundred miles an hour before the car stopped between junction nine for Maidenhead and junction eleven for Reading, remaining in a live lane. The thirty one year old admitted the offence at Slough Magistrates’ Court and received a suspended prison term and a three year driving ban.