Photograph: Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP via Getty ImagesThe price of oil and natural gas jumped as escalating attacks in the Middle East threatened long-term damage to big energy facilities as European markets fell sharply. An Iranian missile inflicted “extensive damage” on the Ras Laffan complex in Qatar housing the world’s largest liquefied natural gas plant. The attack on Qatar in particular raises the spectre of higher long-term energy prices resulting from the US and Israel’s war on Iran. The ratcheting up of the war also sent Europe’s natural gas prices surging 25 per cent to their highest levels of the crisis so far. Iran then retaliated ​by firing missiles at gas and oil facilities in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

March 19, 2026 15:51 UTC

Irish proptech makes AI-agent-ready transaction infrastructure available as standard in every client deployment. Every portal and MLS operator using Beagel infrastructure now receives a dedicated white-label MCP endpoint as standard, enabling AI agents to query live, structured listing data and route buyers directly into Beagel’s offer management infrastructure. From discovery to transaction in one call“Most current approaches to AI in property search are built around native applications; custom GPTs, in-app conversational search, portal-owned interfaces,” said CEO Healy Hynes. “The property industry has spent the last eighteen months debating how AI will change property search,” said Mr Hynes. About BeagelBeagel is a white-label, enterprise-grade real estate offer management infrastructure provider connecting buyers, sellers, agents and their teams in transparent, live transactions.

March 19, 2026 15:49 UTC

On March 17, the Anderson County Council voted unanimously to pass the third reading of an ordinance providing tax benefits for Vertiv Corporation, previously codenamed "Project Flyrod." Vertiv is looking to commit $17.8 million to further expand its operations within Anderson County. The first ordinance authorizing the execution and delivery of a fee in lieu of tax agreement by Anderson County. Pending agreements with the SC Department of Commerce, Anderson County officials declined to comment on Vertiv. Documents from Anderson County state that the agreement will be retroactively terminated if the minimum investment is not met during the investment period.

March 19, 2026 15:36 UTC

All that has been overtaken by the war in Iran and soaring energy prices. European governments remember the cost of living crisis caused by the sustained spike in energy prices after Russia invaded Ukraine. Nobody expects this European Council summit of leaders to deliver a rebuke of the US and Israel’s decision to open up a war with Iran. A separate emergency clause can be triggered to allow governments to intervene and restrict the effect of high gas prices on electricity costs. Besides the economic knock from higher energy prices, a further souring of Trump’s view of Europe for failing to “help” the US in Iran may come into play down the line.

March 19, 2026 15:31 UTC

The High Court order was made despite pleas that it would set a harmful precedent. A factor highlighted in the order being issued was that the Garda Commissioner did not object to the order but took a stance described as “neutral”. In April 2021, Cummins went to Trim Garda station, where he complained of harassment and intimidation by Keegan Quarries in retaliation for his environmental work. Keegan and his company then began defamation proceedings against Cummins in the Circuit Court on the basis of his claims. Cummins appealed the order to the High Court, which on Wednesday refused his appeal, although the order of discovery was changed to cover only the statement of complaint itself and not related documents.

March 19, 2026 15:27 UTC





Galatasaray star Noa Lang has candidly admitted 's*** happens' after he successfully underwent surgery on his thumb following a freak accident against Liverpool. Lang caught his thumb between two parts of the advertising hoarding before they slammed shut. It was not clear whether there was anything dangerous about the advertising hoarding itself or if it was simply an unfortunate accident. In the game itself, Liverpool delivered one of their most impressive displays of the season to comfortably overturn the first-leg deficit. 'But we showed tonight we can perform at the levels we were at last season and that gives me confidence.

March 19, 2026 15:23 UTC

A law firm has been criticised for sending pink ice-cream makers to female lawyers and clients to mark International Women's Day. Ian Mann, managing partner of global 'offshore' practice Harneys, proudly announced the company had gifted the domestic appliance for the commemorative day. Mr Mann added he had 'slipped' one of the work-branded ice-cream makers into his bag for a 'daddy-daughter activity' with his 'sassie girl'. Law firm Harneys has been criticised for sending pink ice-cream makers to female lawyers and clients to mark International Women's DayHe added: 'Over one-third of our partners are female and seven out of ten global offices are led by women. A recent LinkedIn post shows him holding an ice-cream cone in which he advises people to 'go be you, be whatever is your own flavour of choice'.

March 19, 2026 15:23 UTC

‌Despite their huge spend, the Premier League's elite were dealt reality checks in the Champions League this week. All six teams made it into the knockouts, but four were dumped out this week, three of those by Spanish teams. La Liga recently released their financial figures, highlighting their increase in revenue, but also estimated figures of homegrown talent. Their analysis suggests they have nearly £400m more of quality than the Premier League. Among those he's calling out after City and Newcastle, with Tebas believing the Premier League's financial controls aren't enforced enough.

March 19, 2026 15:23 UTC

A student receives the Meningitis B vaccine at the University of Kent sports hall. Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty ImagesThe number of cases of meningitis linked to an outbreak in Kent has risen to 27, health officials have said. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said that as of 5pm on Wednesday, 15 cases had been confirmed and a further 12 were under investigation. The 27 cases represent a rise on the 20 reported on Wednesday. Trish Mannes, UKHSA regional deputy director for the south east, said it is important students still come forward for antibiotics.

March 19, 2026 15:22 UTC

European airline chiefs warned on Thursday that a prolonged conflict in the Middle East will lead to higher air fares as flight cancellations drive up costs and aviation fuel prices, with some carriers even flagging risks to jet fuel supplies. "The longer it goes on, the bleaker it will look," Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary told Reuters on the sidelines of an aviation conference. Jet fuel prices have spiked, pushing up operating costs, with European prices doubling and Asian prices up almost 80% since US and Israeli strikes on Iran began in late February. US airlines such as Delta this week warned of higher ticket prices tied to fuel costs since many American carriers have not hedged their fuel costs. Ryanair chief Mr O'Leary said European tourists may travel closer to home to avoid flying long-haul over the Middle East.

March 19, 2026 15:18 UTC

Bloating and an upset stomach can often be dismissed as the after-effects of adventurous or unhealthy eating. This finding challenges the conventional wisdom that treats chronic gastrointestinal issues as isolated problems confined to the digestive system. Instead, it suggests that persistent bloating and stomach upset can serve as early, visible warning signs of underlying cardiometabolic disturbances that silently damage the heart. The goal was to explore this link among a group of people already at higher metabolic risk. The study also couldn't fully account for confounding variables such as precise dietary habits, exercise routines or medication use, all factors that influence both gut and metabolic health.

March 19, 2026 15:17 UTC

Plans for Edinburgh 'mega Aldi' as proposals to expand store submittedThe store would be expanded by over 300 sqm. Aldi on Oxgangs Road North (Image: Google)Aldi is seeing plans for a large revamp of its Edinburgh Oxgangs Road North store, according to documents submitted to Edinburgh Council. It would be composed of seven disabled/accessible spaces including two with EV charging, eight parent and child spaces, and eight spaces with EV charging - four standard and four rapid. ‌An additional 39 spaces inside the car park would be "future proofed" for EV charging with the installation of necessary infrastructure. ‌Reports have found most customers access the Aldi via a junction on Oxgangs Road North.

March 19, 2026 15:14 UTC

The Pentagon has requested $200billion for the war in Iran as President Trump considers deploying thousands of more troops to the region. Multiple sources told The Washington Post that Pentagon has asked the White House to ask for the funding from Congress. The deployments could help provide Trump with additional options as he weighs expanding US operations, with the Iran war well into its third week. But securing the Strait could also mean deploying US troops to Iran's shoreline, said four sources, including two US officials. A senior White House official told Reuters that Trump has various options for acquiring Iran's nuclear material but has not decided how to proceed.

March 19, 2026 15:13 UTC

Woke environmental scientists want Brits to install shower meters to help close England's vast water gap. Now, a group of researchers say that everyone should be doing their bit to cut the deficit by installing water meters in their showers. In one study, installing shower timers reduced the amount of time people spent under the water by 26 per cent. Likewise, research conducted in university student halls of residence found that installing shower timers saved 25 litres of water per shower on average. However, despite acknowledging the 'looming existential crisis' of water shortages, the researchers aren't convinced that shower timers should be mandatory.

March 19, 2026 15:13 UTC

Noa Lang posts update from hospital bed after horror injury in Liverpool clashGalatasaray star Noa Lang was stretchered off with a nasty injury during the Champions League last-16 clash against LiverpoolView 3 Images Noa Lang has confirmed his surgery went well after sustaining a freak injury during Galatasaray's Champions League clash against Liverpool (Image: Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images)Noa Lang has issued an update from hospital after undergoing surgery on a horror injury during the Champions League clash between Galatasaray and Liverpool. ‌The 26-year-old has now posted an update on Instagram from Whiston hospital in Liverpool. ‌View 3 Images Noa Lang issued an update on his injury to Instagram (Image: Noa Lang Instagram)‌Head coach Okan Buruk said after the game. Galatasaray issue statement as Noa Lang remains in Liverpool for surgery after injury READ MORE :A club statement on both players followed that in the early hours of Thursday morning. For Liverpool, it was a night to remember as they sealed qualification to the Champions League quarter-finals with a 4-0 second leg victory at Anfield.

March 19, 2026 15:13 UTC