© AFP via Getty Images
Trump administration announces 30-day waiver on Russian oil stranded at sea as concerns over US-Israel war on Iran unsettles markets
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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© Photograph: Alireza Sotakbar/AP
© Photograph: Alireza Sotakbar/AP
© Photograph: Alireza Sotakbar/AP
Blasts heard while fire sends thick smoke across financial hub; US central command says crash in ‘friendly airspace’ was not due to hostile or friendly fire
Middle East war creating ‘largest supply disruption in history of oil markets’
How have you been affected by the latest Middle East events?
Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry is saying that two drones have been intercepted and destroyed in the eastern region.
More now after reports of explosions in Dubai on Friday morning: thick black smoke rose over the financial hub’s skyline after what authorities described as a fire in an industrial area of the city-state.
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© Photograph: Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters
© Photograph: Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters
© Photograph: Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters
Ukraine continues to ramp up attacks on Russian energy with diplomacy on ice
© Andrew Caballero-Reynolds / AFP via Getty Images
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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© Photograph: Tom Little/Reuters
© Photograph: Tom Little/Reuters
© Photograph: Tom Little/Reuters
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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© Photograph: PR
© Photograph: PR
© Photograph: PR
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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© Illustration: Bill Bragg/The Guardian
© Illustration: Bill Bragg/The Guardian
© Illustration: Bill Bragg/The Guardian
(Signum)
From operatic frenzy in one moment to pianissimo whisper the next, Nolan does exhilarating justice to an extraordinary but little known repertoire
Charles-Valentin Alkan was undoubtedly one of the great composers of his day. Chopin, his friend and one-time nextdoor neighbour, was an enthusiastic admirer, while Liszt cited Alkan as the only person in whose presence he felt nervous performing. Many of his keyboard works are notoriously difficult to play, yet all are immaculately crafted. Nevertheless, his music has stubbornly refused to enter the mainstream.
Joseph Nolan, who has recorded Alkan’s complete organ works, is convinced of his genius, comparing the music to “Widor on steroids”. Listening to this first volume, performed on the breathtaking organ of Église Saint Martin in Dudelange, Luxembourg, that seems an apt description. Not only does Nolan’s playing exhibit a death-defying virtuosity, Signum’s richly spacious recording is guaranteed to put the swankiest of speaker systems through its paces.
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© Photograph: Andrew Mellor
© Photograph: Andrew Mellor
© Photograph: Andrew Mellor
Robert Habeck says world has moved on from weaponising energy to using tariffs, technology and more to inflict harm
The weaponisation of energy when Russia invaded Ukraine has given way to “weaponising everything” since Donald Trump returned to the White House, Germany’s former economy minister has said.
Robert Habeck, the Green politician responsible for keeping the lights on during the last energy crisis, said the belief gas “would never be a political weapon” led successive German governments blindly into Putin’s trap by building the Nord Stream pipelines and selling strategic reserves to Gazprom, which Russia emptied before the invasion.
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© Photograph: Kay Nietfeld/AP
© Photograph: Kay Nietfeld/AP
© Photograph: Kay Nietfeld/AP
Health service’s 2025 staff survey found that one in seven had experienced violence from patients or the public
Hundreds of thousands of NHS staff have been attacked, harassed, bullied, or subject to racism, latest NHS figures show.
The health service’s 2025 staff survey found that one in seven had experienced violence from patients or the public, while more than a quarter reported harassment, bullying and abuse, the highest levels in three years.
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© Photograph: Jeff Moore/PA
© Photograph: Jeff Moore/PA
© Photograph: Jeff Moore/PA
Blonds really do have more fun – a special-occasion sweet treat that’s perfect for Mother’s Day
It’s often my own impatience that forces me to make no-bake cheesecakes over baked ones. They’re not at all as faffy, though it’s pretty hard to beat the lighter, silkier texture you get with a baked version plus the extra effort is worth it on a special occasion such as Mother’s Day. I’ve sweetened the filling for this one with caramelised white chocolate – it brings a beautiful, creamy, dulce de leche-type caramel flavour that even the biggest white chocolate haters should enjoy. If making your own caramelised white chocolate feels a step too far, however, just buy bars of blond chocolate instead. Top with gently poached rhubarb for a pop of colour and to cut through the richness.
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© Photograph: Patricia Niven/The Guardian. Food styling: Katie Smith. Porp styling: Anna Wilkins. Food styling assistant: Allegra D'Agostini.
© Photograph: Patricia Niven/The Guardian. Food styling: Katie Smith. Porp styling: Anna Wilkins. Food styling assistant: Allegra D'Agostini.
© Photograph: Patricia Niven/The Guardian. Food styling: Katie Smith. Porp styling: Anna Wilkins. Food styling assistant: Allegra D'Agostini.
It’s the most nominated film in Oscar history, but that shouldn’t be the end of the ‘Sinners’ story, writes Jacob Stolworthy. Taking home the show’s biggest prize would serve as a striking celebration of bold, original storytelling
© Warner Bros
The Irish actor, along with his new ‘Peaky’ co-stars Rebecca Ferguson and Tim Roth, tell Patrick Smith how the Birmingham gangster series will keep its deathly cool on the big screen
© Netflix
Yoko Ono’s art career has seen her wrap orchestras up in gauze and make paintings with numbered instructions – all before she stumbled into Beatlemania. A new book sidelines her partnership with John Lennon, but Robert McCrum argues that her role as the musician’s muse unleashed one of the great avant-garde performances of her life
© Getty
When Jon Sopel was invited to a wedding in Franschhoek, he groaned at the thought of flying 6,000 miles – but after a few days in the country, he came away with a completely new outlook
© Getty/iStock
Earlier this month, the ‘Hope Street’ actor told his followers that he is in ‘the last stages’ of his life. Now, he speaks to Rachel McGrath about his wishes for his young family’s future, and why young men should not be reluctant to go to the doctor
© PR Supplied
As increasing numbers of exhausted parents are relying on gummies bought online or in the US to help their kids sleep, Helen Coffey asks the experts whether pharmaceuticals are ever the answer and gets advice on natural solutions
© Getty/iStock
US Central Command officials say ‘incident occurred in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury’
Rescue efforts were underway on Friday as the US military sought to find and extract the crew of a US military refuelling aircraft that crashed in western Iraq on Thursday.
It was unclear if the crew of the KC-135 aircraft had been harmed in the incident, which US Central Command said involved another aircraft but was not the result of hostile or friendly fire. At least five crew were reportedly onboard.
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© Photograph: Jack Guez/AFP/Getty Images
© Photograph: Jack Guez/AFP/Getty Images
© Photograph: Jack Guez/AFP/Getty Images
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