Trump administration announces 30-day waiver on Russian oil stranded at sea as concerns over US-Israel war on Iran unsettles markets

• Middle East crisis – live updates

The United States has temporarily waived sanctions on Russian oil stranded at sea as Trump administration officials attempt to reverse a surge in prices that is causing mounting apprehension about global supplies.

Scott Bessent, the US Treasury secretary, announced a “temporary authorization” late on Thursday, allowing countries to buy the stranded Russian oil for 30 days. Trump is “working to keep prices low” , he said, after average US fuel prices rose by 65 cents per gallon in a month.

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Trump administration announces 30-day waiver on Russian oil stranded at sea as concerns over US-Israel war on Iran unsettles markets

• Middle East crisis – live updates

The United States has temporarily waived sanctions on Russian oil stranded at sea as Trump administration officials attempt to reverse a surge in prices that is causing mounting apprehension about global supplies.

Scott Bessent, the US Treasury secretary, announced a “temporary authorization” late on Thursday, allowing countries to buy the stranded Russian oil for 30 days. Trump is “working to keep prices low” , he said, after average US fuel prices rose by 65 cents per gallon in a month.

Continue reading...

Trump administration announces 30-day waiver on Russian oil stranded at sea as concerns over US-Israel war on Iran unsettles markets

• Middle East crisis – live updates

The United States has temporarily waived sanctions on Russian oil stranded at sea as Trump administration officials attempt to reverse a surge in prices that is causing mounting apprehension about global supplies.

Scott Bessent, the US Treasury secretary, announced a “temporary authorization” late on Thursday, allowing countries to buy the stranded Russian oil for 30 days. Trump is “working to keep prices low” , he said, after average US fuel prices rose by 65 cents per gallon in a month.

Continue reading...

Jennifer Saunders and Jeff Goldblum take a seat in the first episode. Plus, a newspaper agony aunt is poisoned in Death in Paradise. Here’s what to watch this evening

10.40pm, BBC One
It’s time for Claudia to take her rightful place as chatshow queen. Expect the same vibe as The Graham Norton Show (they share the same producer) with a bit more fake tan and eyeliner. Her first guests are celebrities who always have a good anecdote up their sleeves: Jeff Goldblum, Vanessa Williams, Jennifer Saunders and Tom Allen. Plus, she’s promised to get the audience at home and in the studio involved, too. Hollie Richardson

Continue reading...

Jennifer Saunders and Jeff Goldblum take a seat in the first episode. Plus, a newspaper agony aunt is poisoned in Death in Paradise. Here’s what to watch this evening

10.40pm, BBC One
It’s time for Claudia to take her rightful place as chatshow queen. Expect the same vibe as The Graham Norton Show (they share the same producer) with a bit more fake tan and eyeliner. Her first guests are celebrities who always have a good anecdote up their sleeves: Jeff Goldblum, Vanessa Williams, Jennifer Saunders and Tom Allen. Plus, she’s promised to get the audience at home and in the studio involved, too. Hollie Richardson

Continue reading...

Jennifer Saunders and Jeff Goldblum take a seat in the first episode. Plus, a newspaper agony aunt is poisoned in Death in Paradise. Here’s what to watch this evening

10.40pm, BBC One
It’s time for Claudia to take her rightful place as chatshow queen. Expect the same vibe as The Graham Norton Show (they share the same producer) with a bit more fake tan and eyeliner. Her first guests are celebrities who always have a good anecdote up their sleeves: Jeff Goldblum, Vanessa Williams, Jennifer Saunders and Tom Allen. Plus, she’s promised to get the audience at home and in the studio involved, too. Hollie Richardson

Continue reading...

The war on Iran has put fossil-fuel prices centre stage, but don’t believe those who tout ‘maximising the North Sea’ as our salvation

These are burning, smoking lies. As oil and gas prices soar, thanks to the US and Israel’s attack on Iran, the UK’s opponents of climate policy become even shriller. Rightwing politicians, Tufton Street junktanks and the billionaire press tell us our energy security will be enhanced and our bills will fall if we abandon net zero policies, ditch renewables and reinvest in North Sea gas. These claims are not just a little bit wrong. They are the exact opposite of the truth.

Two things have indeed happened in recent years. The price of electricity has soared, contributing greatly to the cost of living, and the proportion of the electricity we receive from renewables has simultaneously boomed: from 3% in 2000 to 47% today . So, they claim, one has caused the other: more renewables means higher prices.

George Monbiot is a Guardian columnist

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As energy prices tripled in the 1970s due to Middle Eastern wars, Scandinavia, France and the Netherlands sped up green transition

When Middle Eastern wars sparked an oil crisis in the 1970s, tripling energy prices and throwing economies into chaos, some countries looked beyond short-term solutions. The French made nuclear the pillar of their power system. Scandinavians insulated buildings and funnelled waste heat into homes. The Dutch built bike lanes where others wanted motorways. The Danes developed wind turbines.

Such steps cleaned filthy air and cut imports from autocrats but took a back seat when Russia invaded Ukraine half a century later. Europe raced to buy gas from the US and Middle East. Policies to roll out renewables by cutting red tape helped reduce dependence, but calls to use less energy and reduce waste were muted. Industry lobbying and populist backlash have since sabotaged efforts to phase out petrol cars and fossil boilers.

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Is the secret to a decent night’s kip a good sleep kit? Silky pyjamas, cosy socks and a dressing gown you won’t mind being seen in when putting the bins out will certainly help

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