🌏 POLITICA UK

  Civilian Casualties: The Human Cost of the Iran War, a Politica UK InfoPod. As the war involving Iran moves deeper into its first week, attention is increasingly turning to the civilian toll across the region. Inside Iran, casualty figures have risen sharply. Iranian officials say more than 1,300 civilians have been killed in airstrikes carried out during the conflict, with thousands more injured. (Reuters) Human-rights organisations and international observers say many of the strikes have targeted military infrastructure, but some attacks have also hit urban areas, hospitals, and residential neighbourhoods, raising concerns about the protection of civilians in densely populated cities. (TIME) But Iran is not the only place where civilians are suffering. In Lebanon, Israeli strikes against Hezbollah positions have also caused significant casualties. Lebanese authorities report more than 200 people killed and hundreds injured during air attacks in Beirut, southern Lebanon, and eas...

  🎙️ War Update InfoPod — How small businesses can protect themselves from rising oil costs Good morning. You’re listening to the War Update InfoPod — a clear look at what has changed overnight, and what it might mean. As conflict in the Middle East pushes energy markets higher, one question being asked by many small business owners is practical rather than geopolitical. How do you protect a small business if oil prices suddenly rise? Oil does not just affect petrol stations. It flows through almost every part of the economy — transport, packaging, food distribution, heating, manufacturing, and logistics. That means a sharp increase in oil prices can quickly raise operating costs for small firms. One immediate step many businesses take is reviewing transport exposure. If deliveries, travel, or supply chains depend heavily on fuel, reducing unnecessary journeys and consolidating deliveries can soften the impact. Another approach is adjusting pricing strategy early rather tha...