British manufacturing continues to face low orders and upward price pressure, says CBI

British manufacturing orders remain well below average and price pressure continues to persist, according to a closely watched survey.The CBI industrial trends survey found that manufacturers’ orders for the month were below average in February, while most firms expected to raise their prices and for output to decline over the next three months.The survey compiled by the Confederation of British Industry adds to a mixed picture for the UK economy since the start of the year. Households are feeling “dismal” about their finances, while companies have been cutting staff amid rising cost pressures. However, some business surveys have suggested a rise in optimism among companies since the start of the year after uncertainty over the government’s autumn budget lifted

Oil prices rise amid fears of US strikes on Iran – as it happened

Oil prices are on the rise as traders react to growing concerns that the US could launch military action against Iran.Both the US and Iran embark on military posturing despite trying to de-escalate a standoff over Tehran’s nuclear programme.Brent crude is up 1.55% at $71.44 a barrelWTI is up 1

Digital blackface flourishes under Trump and AI: ‘The state is bending reality’

Late last year, as a US government shutdown cut off the Snap benefits that low-income families rely on for groceries, videos on social media cast the fallout in frantic scenes. “Imma keep it real with you,” a Black woman said in a viral TikTok post, “I get over $2,500 a month in stamps. I sell ’em, $2,000 worth, for about $1,200-$1,500 cash.” Another Black woman ranted about taxpayers’ responsibility to her seven children with seven men, and yet another melted down after her food stamps were rejected at a corn-dog counter.Visible watermarks stamped some videos as AI-generated – apparently, too faintly for the racist commentators and hustlers more than happy to believe the frenzy was real

The rise of AI is making the future of work look bleak – but it could be an opportunity

In 2026, it’s a scary time to work for a living.Gone are the days of quiet quitting, the Great Resignation, and the highly visible union-organizing battles that began the decade and signaled that perhaps worker power was on the rise again in the US. Instead, much of that momentum is being crowded out of our minds by anxieties: a worsening affordability crisis, geopolitical instability, and the specter of artificial intelligence looming over the workplace.For the tech CEOs leading the AI race and enriching themselves as they jostle for dominance, AI isn’t a phantasm at all, but a glimmering unicorn. When they predict AI is just months away from being able to do everything a software engineer does, or that it will one day take over CEOs’ jobs, their excitement for the future is palpable

Winter Olympics 2026: speed skating, curling, ice hockey and more – live

Huge stone for USA, here it comes … and it’s another goodun. They’ve been so clutch today and going into the final end, they lead Switzerland 6-3.A two-point end for GB, who lead Italy 7-3 with just one end to go; they’ve almost done their part. But the intrigue now is with the Switzerland v USA game, and when USA sneak a stone through the remove two of the Swiss ones, they go a long way towards securing their semi-final spot and 5-3 playing the ninth.Back with the women’s hockey, it’s still Sweden 1-1 Switzerland as we near the end of the third; the Swedes take a timeout

Townsend calls for Kinghorn and Van der Merwe to show ‘huge determination’ against Wales

Gregor Townsend expects Blair Kinghorn and Duhan van der Merwe to be fuelled by “huge determination” against Wales after they were restored to Scotland’s starting XV for Saturday’s Six Nations meeting in Cardiff.The British & Irish Lions duo were high-profile omissions from the 23 for the first two championship matches against Italy and England amid question marks about their form. The Toulouse back Kinghorn will start at full-back in place of Tom Jordan, who drops to the bench, while Van der Merwe, Scotland’s record try-scorer, returns at wing to take over from Jamie Dobie, who is out due to injury.“Blair was back playing on Sunday night for Toulouse so it’s good to get an outlet when you’ve not been selected,” said the head coach after naming his squad to face Wales. “He played really well in that game and he’s recovered quickly