Crude oil exports from strait of Hormuz largely return to pre-war levels

Posted on by

Alternative ways being used to move fuel out of Gulf region, but flows of refined products such as diesel still constrained

Exports of crude from the strait of Hormuz have largely returned to levels seen before the outbreak of the Iran war, as oil producers and the shipping industry have found alternative ways of transporting crucial fuel out of the Middle East.

Pipeline exports and ship-to-ship transfers are among the methods being used, according to analysts tracking the situation, while the US military continues to escort some vessels. However, flows of refined products such as diesel remain constrained, pushing prices higher.

Continue reading...

Burnham’s reopening of Brexit debate is ‘biggest boost in my career’, says Farage

Posted on by

Reform UK leader tells supporters PM’s move has ‘opened up a huge flank to us’

Nigel Farage has claimed that Andy Burnham has given him “the biggest boost in my career” by reviving the Brexit debate, which the Reform UK leader said had reopened a “huge flank” to his party.

The prime minister’s pledges to the Labour conference and admission on Wednesday that rejoining the EU was among options the government would look at had put “put me back into the debate”, he said.

Continue reading...

Million-dollar public servants: 11 staff at Australia’s Future Fund paid significantly more than the PM

Posted on by

One executive received a $1.5m package last year, while 10 other staff received remuneration exceeding $1m each

Nearly a dozen federal public servants were paid more than $1m last year, with one receiving a $1.5m package worth more than double Anthony Albanese’s base salary.

The generous remuneration – which includes bonuses and allowances – has been criticised as insulting during a cost-of-living crisis and amid job cuts across the public service.

Continue reading...

Anthropic pushes for opt-out model for Australian content as ABC warns of ‘cannibalisation’ of news

Posted on by

Maker of Claude claims AI could transform economy but ABC and SBS say the technology should be subject to media regulations

AI giant Anthropic has urged the Albanese government to consider giving “conditional approval” for big tech to train its models on Australian copyrighted works under an opt-out model, after conceding it won’t secure a blanket copyright exemption.

But Australia’s public broadcasters, the ABC and SBS, have strongly criticised AI firms, calling on the government to enact strict new rules to compensate media organisations and protect public interest journalism.

Sign up for Guardian Australia’s Politics, really newsletter here

Continue reading...

Global bond sell-off intensifies, as UK long-term borrowing costs pass 6%

Posted on by

Fears that US deficit is unsustainable drive yields on Treasury bills and UK gilts to multi-decade highs

The turmoil in global bond markets has intensified amid fears the US deficit is reaching unsustainable levels, helping drive UK long-term borrowing costs to a 28-year high.

The threat of a renewed round of inflation from the persistently high cost of oil has spooked investors, who believe central banks will be forced to raise interest rates in the coming months to prevent price increases from becoming embedded.

Continue reading...

Finnish PM says suspected break-ins at MPs’ homes could be work of foreign power

Posted on by

Police investigating reports of politicians’ homes being broken into in last year with nothing being stolen

The Finnish prime minister, Petteri Orpo, has said a foreign power could be responsible for a series of suspected break-ins at the homes of several members of parliament.

Police said on Thursday they were investigating multiple reports of MPs’ homes being broken into in the Helsinki area in the last year in which nothing was stolen but subtle signs of breaking and entering were left.

Continue reading...

Tourette syndrome campaigner John Davidson to watch Bafta Scotland awards in separate ‘relaxed’ space

Posted on by

Decision follows independent review into handling of February ceremony, where his involuntary tics caused a BBC crisis

John Davidson, the Tourette syndrome campaigner whose outburst at the British Academy film awards in February led to a crisis for Bafta (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) and the BBC, will attend the Bafta Scotland awards and watch the ceremony from a separate “relaxed” space.

In a letter sent to Bafta members on Thursday, the organisation’s chair Sara Putt and CEO Jane Millichip said that, after an independent review, Bafta had “strengthened and centralised our safeguarding, risk assessment and compliance processes” and had made arrangements in consultation with “safeguarding and inclusion experts” for Davidson’s attendance at the awards ceremony organised by Bafta’s Scottish branch, which is due to take place in November.

Continue reading...

Trump and his allies credit deportations with record low crime. Experts disagree

Posted on by

Administration says increased immigration enforcement led to fewer homicides, but they have been on the decline since Joe Biden’s term

Over the last year and a half, the US has seen a historic drop in homicides. Researchers and reporters are still puzzling through the complex set of reasons why - from the easing of pandemic-era stressors and the Biden administration’s investments in community-based violence prevention to policing and other factors.

But for the Trump administration, there’s one easy explanation: increased immigration enforcement. As the midterm elections approach, the White House has been doubling down on this message, saying its crackdown against immigrants is why US crime rates are now falling.

Continue reading...

British Sikh activist released from Delhi jail after nine-year detention

Posted on by

Indian government issued with warning it would be in contempt of court if it failed to release Jagtar Singh Johal

The British Sikh activist Jagtar Singh Johal has been released from a Delhi prison after the Indian high court warned the government it would be found in contempt of court if it continued to attempt to keep him in jail despite an 18 September court order releasing him on bail. Johal has been incarcerated for nine years without any full trial.

The court order was issued after Johal’s lawyers issued a writ of habeas corpus alleging he was being detained against the express direction of the court.

Continue reading...

Ukraine persists with Russian oil refinery strikes in defiance of Trump

Posted on by

US president blames attacks for driving up fuel prices before midterms, though analysts say his Iran war is main cause

Ukraine is pressing on with strikes on Russian oil refineries, defying Donald Trump, who blames the attacks for exacerbating a global diesel shortage and pushing up fuel prices.

Kyiv struck an oil facility in Russia’s southern Samara region overnight, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Thursday in a statement on social media. The Ukrainian president added that a Russian vessel in the Black Sea was hit, as well as a launch and storage site for attack drones in the Oryol region.

Continue reading...