A new book claims former Trump Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described Ukrainian President Zelensky as 'the special-needs child for the Europeans' and 'Mr Bean on crack' during a meeting about a minerals deal. Meanwhile, Ukraine warns its ceasefire offer may be withdrawn amid ongoing Russian attacks, which killed three in Kryvyi Rih.
Ukraine's UN envoy warned that Kyiv might reconsider its ceasefire proposal if international efforts to end the war stall. This comes as Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure worsen fuel shortages, impacting Crimea and spreading to Siberia.
Ukraine's UN envoy warned that Kyiv could reconsider its ceasefire proposal if there's no international push to end the war. This comes as Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil facilities and supply routes worsen fuel shortages, reaching Siberia and halting civilian sales in Crimea.
Ukraine's UN envoy, Andrii Melnyk, warned that Kyiv may revise its ceasefire offer to Russia if the UN Security Council doesn't pass a resolution for an unconditional end to hostilities. Melnyk cited Ukraine's recent successful strikes on Russian oil refineries and military targets as growing confidence in their war effort.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that authorities are working to minimize consequences and restore fuel supplies in Crimea, attributing the situation to 'barbaric actions' by the Kiev regime. Fuel sales were suspended for individuals and legal entities on Saturday.
Crimea suspended civilian gasoline sales due to escalating Ukrainian attacks on fuel infrastructure. Governor Sergei Aksyonov stated fuel would only be sold to government agencies after Ukrainian strikes killed four and wounded 28, targeting oil depots and terminals.
Polish PM Donald Tusk cautioned against a political conflict with Ukraine, calling it a strategic mistake. This follows Poland revoking Zelenskyy's top honor after he supported renaming a unit after nationalists who massacred Poles in WWII. Meanwhile, Ukraine's attacks on Russian fuel supplies in Crimea have led to civilian gas sales suspension.
Crimea suspended civilian gasoline sales as Ukraine intensified attacks on fuel supplies. Ukrainian strikes killed four and wounded 28, targeting oil depots and transport facilities. This marks the worst energy crisis since Russia's 2014 annexation.
President Putin admitted Ukrainian strikes are causing damage to Russia's economy and society but insisted they won't succeed in dividing the nation or crippling its economy. He vowed to escalate attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure in response and improve air defenses.
Ukraine's chief of staff stated ending the war by winter is realistic, while Kyiv faced heavy Russian attacks. France detained a Russian oil tanker, and dozens of countries denounced Russia at the UN over a drone incident in Romania.
India's petroleum ministry is monitoring fuel supplies amid panic buying and shortages at petrol pumps in Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh. Officials cite a surge in demand and logistical issues, not a lack of stock, for the dryouts. Fuel prices have been raised for the fourth time in two weeks.
India assures stable fuel supplies despite global disruptions and rising crude prices. However, unchanged domestic rates are causing significant losses for oil marketing companies, leading to a pressing question about potential price hikes. The government faces a fiscal burden from absorbing price shocks through tax cuts.
India's government is urging citizens to cut petrol and diesel use. This comes as the Strait of Hormuz situation tightens and global oil prices climb. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed for reduced consumption. Public transport and electric vehicles are encouraged. Fuel supplies remain stable for consumers. However, state-owned oil companies face significant losses.
India's government is urging citizens to cut petrol and diesel use. This comes as the Strait of Hormuz situation tightens and global oil prices climb. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed for reduced consumption. Public transport and electric vehicles are encouraged. Fuel supplies remain stable for consumers. However, state-owned oil companies face significant losses.
Alexey Likhachev, CEO of Rosatom, noted that Rosatom not only supplies equipment and launches the nuclear island of the power unit, but also provides fuel supplies to China
India has successfully navigated the Middle East crisis, ensuring stable fuel supplies and uninterrupted maritime operations. Despite global price surges, consumers are shielded through excise duty cuts and increased domestic production. State-run oil companies are absorbing significant daily losses to maintain current prices, while Indian seafarers in the Gulf remain safe and maritime operations at Indian ports are normal.
More than $10 billion will be spent bolstering Australia's fuel security as the federal government attempts to shield the nation from the long-term consequences of the war in Iran.
The UK government has announced new plans allowing airlines to cancel flights weeks in advance without losing valuable takeoff and landing slots at busy airports, amid concerns over potential fuel shortages. The proposals, requiring legislation, would let carriers merge flights on routes with multiple daily services to save fuel, prioritising holiday flights over business departures. The move comes as the Strait of Hormuz closure threatens jet fuel supplies, with the International Energy Agency warning Europe could face shortages by June.
The UK government has announced new plans allowing airlines to cancel flights weeks in advance during fuel shortages without losing takeoff and landing slots at major airports. Ministers have asked UK refineries to maximize jet fuel production and are exploring imports from the US. The move comes amid warnings that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz could cause fuel shortages across Europe by June, as the UK imports about 65% of its jet fuel, much from the Middle East.
Australia's foreign minister says the Chinese Government is engaging with Australian businesses on jet fuel supplies as she tours the region.
Cyber-attacks, disinformation and blockading of supplies. This is what living in a war zone can look like nowWe are at war. Four words that sound ludicrously melodramatic on a sunny spring day, when all may not be exactly right with the world – but when you can still shut your eyes to a lot of it just by switching off the news and cracking on with life. No bombs are falling, no bullets flying, no sirens sounding. Though the idea that Britain is already under a form of hybrid attack is commonplace in defence circles, politicians still mostly skirt around it; and it was jolting at first to hear the Labour MP (and former RAF wing commander) Calvin Bailey make the case for conflict being our new reality at a conference hosted by the Good Growth Foundation thinktank last week in London. But then he started to unpack his reasoning for why war is no longer what you think it is.If war can be considered an assault on five fronts – against a country’s political leadership, critical infrastructure, essentials such as food or fuel supplies, civilian population and armed forces – then Britain is arguably now being attacked on the first four without a shot being fired. Think of rampant, Russian-generated political disinformation on social media and attempts to bribe British politicians; of Russian submarine surveillance of the British undersea cables carrying most of our internet traffic, or the four “nationally significant” cyber-attacks recorded every week; of the blockading of food and fuel supplies through the strait of Hormuz. Think, too, of Keir Starmer’s warning in the Sunday Times last week of conflict with Iran coming home to British civilians via “the use of proxies in this country”. He didn’t elaborate, but counter-terrorism police say they are investigating whether a spate of arson attacks on synagogues, Jewish-owned businesses and Iranians living in Britain may have been sponsored by Tehran – a thugs-for-hire tactic familiar from the Russian playbook for sowing division and hate.Gaby Hinsliff is a Guardian columnistGuardian Newsroom: Can Labour come back from the brink? On Thursday 30 April, join Gaby Hinsliff, Zoe Williams, Polly Toynbee and Rafael Behr as they discuss how much of a threat Labour faces from the Green party and Reform UK – and whether Keir Starmer can survive as leader. Book tickets here or at guardian.live Continue reading...
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said negotiations with Iran to end the war remain deadlocked, with Tehran's latest nuclear proposal better than expected but no progress on U.S. demands for Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions. The Strait of Hormuz blockade has disrupted 20% of global oil supplies, triggering international criticism including from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz who accused the U.S. of lacking a strategy. Meanwhile, Iraq agreed on a new prime minister, Ali al-Zaidi, as a compromise candidate after Trump rejected an Iran-backed figure.
Australia would have 60 days' worth of fuel supplies in reserve under an $800 million Coalition proposal it says the government should match.
Higher prices could last for more than eight months after the Iran war ends, the prime minister's right-hand man has said as ministers step up efforts to offset potential impacts to food and fuel supplies.
