‘Stopgap measure’ designed to keep oil flowing into global market as Middle East crisis disrupts crude shipments
The US has temporarily allowed India to buy Russian oil currently stuck at sea in an effort to keep global supplies flowing and temper further price increases.
On Thursday the US treasury issued a 30-day waiver allowing India to buy Russian oil, having previously imposed heavy sanctions related to the war in Ukraine.
Continue reading...Justice secretary calls for inquiry into disclosure of cabinet splits at national security council over use of British bases
David Lammy has said it is an “absolute travesty” that details were leaked from a top secret national security meeting on the US-Israel attacks on Iran and has called for an investigation.
Cabinet splits at a national security council meeting, which is protected by the Official Secrets Act, over allowing the US to use British bases for the strikes against Iran were reported over the weekend.
Continue reading...Counter-terrorism police say investigation linked to alleged spying on locations and people linked to Jewish community
Four people have been arrested on suspicion of spying for Iran on locations and individuals linked to the Jewish community in the London area, Scotland Yard has said.
The men – one Iranian and three dual British-Iranian nationals – were arrested on Friday at addresses in Barnet and Watford on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service, namely Iran, the Metropolitan police said.
Continue reading...South-east Asian country limits air conditioning and travel for public officials amid soaring fuel prices
The Philippines is searching for ways to conserve energy in response to surging fuel costs, with public officials ordered to cut back on air conditioning usage and reduce travel.
All national government agencies, state universities and colleges, and local government branches have been told to reduce fuel consumption by at least 10% in response to the crisis in the Middle East.
Government offices have been told to adopt flexible work arrangements, and to set air conditioning units no lower than 24 degrees.
UK house price growth slowed in February as value of typical home rose 0.3% to £301,151
Halifax has warned that the US-Israel war on Iran could slow mortgage rate decreases this year, as it said that house price growth eased dramatically in February.
Halifax, which is part of Lloyds – Britain’s biggest mortgage lender – said the conflict in the Middle East was likely to affect global economies, stoke inflation and reduce the likely rate of interest rate cuts that influence borrowing costs for homebuyers.
Continue reading...Inquest into fatal shooting of Steve Pampalian told statement by assistant commissioner he was ‘known to police’ was incorrect
A man shot dead by a NSW police officer after he ran at him with two knives was not known to police, a coroner says, despite a “very unfortunate” claim to the contrary made by the assistant commissioner of the force immediately after the incident.
Steve Pampalian, 41, was shot three times by a police officer in the driveway of his home on a quiet suburban street in Sydney’s North Willoughby on 25 May 2023 after he had a psychotic episode.
Continue reading...Re-establishing diplomatic relations will support Venezuela’s economy, US state department claims, amid push for minerals access
Venezuela and the US are restoring diplomatic ties, the two countries announced Thursday, in a new sign of thawing relations after Washington ousted former president Nicolás Maduro.
The announcement came as US interior secretary Doug Burgum wrapped up a two-day trip to Venezuela, part of US president Donald Trump’s push for greater access to the country’s mineral wealth.
Continue reading...