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• Russian forces launched a coordinated offensive across multiple sectors of the Ukraine-Russia border on Wednesday, deploying additional mechanized units and intensifying artillery bombardment in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. • Ukrainian military sources report significant casualties on both sides, with Russia concentrating forces near Pokrovsk and attempting to break through defensive lines established by Ukrainian forces. • The escalation comes amid ongoing Western military aid debates and signals Moscow's commitment to maintaining momentum despite previous setbacks and NATO reinforcements in Eastern Europe.

Bank of England survey in March shows chief financial officers foresee 3.7% increase over coming yearBusiness live – latest updatesCompanies in the UK expect to raise their prices more rapidly over the coming months as the war in the Middle East drives up costs, Bank of England research shows.The Bank’s regular survey of more than 2,000 chief financial officers conducted last month, after the Iran conflict began, shows they now expect to raise their prices by 3.7% over the coming year. Continue reading...

• OpenAI secured $122 billion in funding, achieving an $852 billion valuation while advancing toward an AI superapp. • The massive round fuels rapid growth and preparations for a potential IPO in the US market. • This positions OpenAI as a dominant force in AI innovation, attracting top talent and resources.

• U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that 2026 tax filing season refunds are up more than 10% nationwide compared to last year, with working Americans poised for immediate take-home pay increases via withholding changes. • The gains stem from broader economic policies under President Trump, including Trump Accounts to expand benefits from the vibrant economy to more citizens. • This reflects efforts to return money to American workers, families, and businesses, ushering in a new era of growth amid strong IRS performance.

• The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) drew strong attendance figures in Detroit during recent competition, demonstrating robust local fan interest. • Detroit-area fans have publicly expressed enthusiasm for bringing an expansion PWHL franchise to the market, signaling demand for professional women's hockey in the region. • The strong performance metrics reflect growing momentum for women's professional hockey leagues and indicate expansion opportunities in major U.S. markets.

Critics say president is locking into 20th century energy systems even as his ‘bet’ on oil and gas ‘isn’t going so well’By attacking Iran and threatening to seize its oil while taking extraordinary measures to block clean energy back in the US, Donald Trump has inadvertently highlighted the dangerous volatility of the fossil fuel era, critics say.The US and Israel’s bombardment of Iran and southern Lebanon has caused a humanitarian and environmental toll, with threats of further escalation set to add to these casualties as well as add more planet-heating emissions and destroy drinking water supplies. Continue reading...

California governor contender not accused of wrongdoing in decade-old inquiry into suspected Chinese agentThe Trump administration has reportedly been pushing to release records from an FBI investigation related to Eric Swalwell and alleged links to a Chinese agent as the Democratic congressman makes gains in the California governor’s race.The Washington Post reported on Saturday, citing “three people familiar with the effort”, that the FBI director, Kash Patel, is pushing to release the files, even though there is no public evidence of wrongdoing on Swalwell’s part. The records stem from a decade-old investigation into a suspected spy who had developed relationships with US politicians and assisted Swalwell with fundraising. Continue reading...

• Innovation Council Action, a new pro-AI political organization championed by tech investor and White House AI advisor David Sacks, plans to spend over $100 million in the 2026 midterms to shape U.S. tech policy. • The group is closely aligned with President Donald Trump's agenda and will support candidates favoring deregulation while opposing those pushing for stricter AI rules. • The organization has developed a scorecard ranking lawmakers based on their alignment with Trump's AI agenda, which will guide political spending decisions in the coming months.

Ban on junk food adverts has cut advertising spend and prompted a debate over the policy’s impactThe UK will have its first Easter without the traditional barrage of TV ads for chocolate eggs and hot cross buns as the ban on junk food advertising makes the sweetest tradition of the year a sugar-free viewing experience.New regulations, which came into force at the beginning of the year, prohibit products high in fat, sugar and salt from appearing in TV ads before 9pm, as part of efforts to tackle rising childhood obesity. Continue reading...

Anti-authoritarian rallies, taking place in all 50 states plus 16 countries, are expected to be biggest in US historyMillions of Americans are expected to take to the streets on Saturday for the No Kings protests against the Trump administration. More than 3,000 events are planned in all 50 states, plus in 16 countries, according to a coalition of organizers that includes “anti-authoritarian” groups Indivisible and 50501, labor unions and other grassroots organizations.“I would expect March 28 to be the biggest protest in American history,” said Ezra Levin, co-founder of Indivisible. Continue reading...