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the MSU Exponent

UK cuts 2026 growth forecast, flags Iran war risk

UK cuts 2026 growth forecast, flags Iran war risk

The UK government cut its 2026 growth forecast on Tuesday, as Britain's finance minister delivered a fiscal update overshadowed by concerns over the economic fallout from the Iran war. The Spring Statement spending update came as the Labour government struggles to boost sluggish economic growth, now threatened further

'Peaky Blinders' stars hit Brum red carpet for movie premiere

'Peaky Blinders' stars hit Brum red carpet for movie premiere

Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy and other stars have descended on Birmingham for the "Peaky Blinders" movie world premiere, with England's so-called second city in raptures over its signature show getting the Hollywood treatment. Murphy was joined by fellow acting A-listers Tim Roth and Rebecca

Pakistanis at remote border describe scramble to leave Iran

Pakistanis at remote border describe scramble to leave Iran

Pakistani nationals hauled suitcases across the border from neighbouring Iran, describing missiles being launched and travel chaos as they scrambled to leave the country that the United States and Israel hit with strikes over the weekend. AFP journalists saw a steady trickle of people passing through large metal gates at

EU asylum applications down but Iran concerns mount

EU asylum applications down but Iran concerns mount

Asylum applications to the EU dropped by almost 20 percent in 2025, the bloc's asylum agency said Tuesday -- warning however that a crisis in Iran could result in refugee movements of "unprecedented magnitude". Turmoil in the Islamic republic risked upending a downward trend in requests for

Warming El Nino may return later this year: UN

Warming El Nino may return later this year: UN

The warming El Nino weather phenomenon could return later this year as its cooling opposite La Nina fades away, the United Nations said Tuesday. The UN's World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said the recent, weak La Nina was expected to give way to neutral conditions, which could then swing

Beijing votes out three generals from political advisory body

Beijing votes out three generals from political advisory body

China's top political advisory body voted to remove three generals, state media said, a week after nine military officials were ousted from its legislature. Beijing has escalated a sweeping purge of military officials in the days before thousands of delegates from across the country meet for the annual

Trump warns of longer Iran war as Riyadh, Beirut hit

Trump warns of longer Iran war as Riyadh, Beirut hit

US President Donald Trump warned that his attack on Iran could run longer than a month, as Tehran retaliated to ongoing strikes by targeting US allies in the Gulf and drones hit the US embassy in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. Shortly after the United States urged Americans to flee all