Americans must be so proud of their government............

Australia faced the same dilemma as China in 2004 but made the wrong call While the rest of us count the cost in higher fuel costs, higher inflation and a weaker economy,  China — the actual winner of the war — will be enjoying a surge of global interest in its solar panels...

In 2004 Australia decided to let the global fossil fuel market decide our energy future. That same year China decided fossil fuels were costly and risky so went with electrification (noting Strait of Hormuz and Malacca Strait were threats to their National Security).
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04...

‘Incomprehensible’: birds flee and hundreds of turtles left to die after government cuts water to NSW wetlands Frogs and sheep in the Gwydir wetlands near Moree have also been bogged after WaterNSW stopped environmental flows, researchers say

An “incomprehensible” disaster is unfolding at wetlands in New South Wales after the state water agency abruptly stopped environmental flows in the state’s north-west, leading to the deaths of turtles, waterbirds, frogs and sheep.

Today's weekly fuel supply update:

We now have

⛽️ 46 days supply of petrol in Australia (up 8 days on last week) 
⛽️ 31 days of diesel (steady)
✈️ 30 days of jet fuel (up 2 days).

Video shows Israeli police confiscating and destroying footballs that were being played with by children in the courtyards of Al-Aqsa mosque in occupied East Jerusalem, in what mosque authorities described as part of ongoing restrictions on Palestinians inside the holy site.

Is this real photo of Israeli settler, Palestinian woman on Italian magazine cover? Israel's ambassador to Italy accused the magazine, L'Espresso, of publishing a manipulated image.

✅ Yes, a photo on the cover of Italian magazine L’Espresso authentically shows an armed Israeli settler in a military uniform filming a Palestinian woman with his cellphone. www.snopes.com/fact-check/i...

Our Raja Shehadeh episode now open access for everyone:
What Is Life Like For Palestinians Under Occupation?

This conversation with my old friend, the Palestinians walker, human rights lawyer and Orwell Prize-winning author, Raja Shehadeh is now open for all!
linktr.ee/empirepoduk

B-doubling down on electric trucks While the Coalition claims electric trucks are not capable of transporting heavy freight, overseas usage and current trials in Australia show they far outperform diesel on both overall cost and efficiency.

Over the past few months, Windrose and an Australian company, New Energy Transport, have engaged in a series of trials and demonstrations of the capabilities of electric trucks. Mike Seccombe on the very near future of freight: satpa.pe/aD9rtnw

Strait of Hormuz blockade could turn into global agrifood crisis The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations says ships in the Strait of Hormuz need to start moving again to avoid a global agrifood crisis. Here's why.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations says ships in the Strait of Hormuz need to start moving again to avoid a global agrifood crisis. Here's why.

"The attacks on Bowen are increasing now – in number and intensity – because the fossil fuel industry and its political chorus sense an opportunity to exploit the consumer angst over soaring diesel and petrol prices."

🌐 NEW | Analysis: Global fossil power generation fell in March after Hormuz closure due to solar & wind growth

⚠️ Fall in gas-fired generation offset by large increases in solar & wind power, not coal

w/CREA's @laurimyllyvirta.bsky.social

energyandcleanair.org/fossil-power...

Ignore ‘self-serving’ claims from gas giants and implement 100% tax on windfall profits, Ken Henry says Former Treasury secretary says a tax rate was ‘socially optimal’ in submission to a new parliamentary inquiry * Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast The former Treasury secretary Ken Henry says “self-serving” claims from gas giants about the risks of a windfall profits and export taxes should be ignored by the Albanese government as it weighs up the intervention ahead of next month’s federal budget. In a submission to a new parliamentary inquiry examining the gas taxation regime, Henry made the case for a 100% windfall profit tax as he rejected the assertion that any changes would heighten perceptions of Australia as a sovereign risk and freeze investment in new projects. Continue reading...

Ignore ‘self-serving’ claims from gas giants and implement 100% tax on windfall profits, Ken Henry says

Not surprised, they have no understanding of anything outside USA and dont care. They are selfish and insular and obsessed with wealth.

Four frames. Angus Taylor and journo. 1. Angus: “We need to decide who we let into this country...” Journo: “We already do, through our immigration process.” 2. A: “Yes, well we need to make sure they respect our values…” J: “They already have to pass a values test.” 3. A: “Well, we need to ensure they don’t breach these values…” J: “We have laws, and consequences for people who break them.” 4. A: “Something something people from Gaza…” J: “It’s hard coming second to Pauline, isn’t it.”

All he’s got.
My @smh cartoon.

Italy suspends defence agreement with Israel Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government freezes automatic renewal of defence cooperation deal with Israel.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government freezes automatic renewal of defence cooperation deal with Israel.

Going back in time to tell 2015 me that Trump will get elected which brings about a new plague and then he'll get re-elected for a second term after attempting to overthrow the government and his biggest political foe in 2026 is the Pope who is from Chicago

Pope Leo said he will continue to speak out against war despite sharp criticism from US President Donald Trump, telling reporters that the Christian message is being “abused” and that he does not want to enter a direct war of words with the president.

Trump TS post featuring an illustration of himself as a Christian faith healer

I’m not sure it has broken through to the general public that the president is a megalomaniac crazy person. Hopefully posts like this help.

But why has China become a global leader in renewable energy production? Because the fossil fuel industry has used its enormous influence (and funding) to attack any moves towards a transition to renewable energy in the West, using both the libertarian & far right political movements & the media.

BREAKING: China has called for unobstructed navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a day after US President Donald Trump threatened to blockade it. FM spokesman Guo Jiakun said keeping the strait secure and open is in the “common interest of the international community.”

US President Donald Trump has lashed out at Pope Leo XIV, falsely characterising him as supporting a nuclear-armed Iran.

The first US-born head of the Roman Catholic Church has spoken out against nuclear proliferation and the US-Israeli war on Iran.

Cutting fuel to Australia ‘won’t happen’, says Singapore PM, as Albanese secures pledge from our largest petrol source Australia and Singapore will ‘make maximum efforts to meet each other’s energy security needs’ in refined fuels and LNG, according to new agreement * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Australia’s largest petrol source has pledged not to cut supplies, with Singapore’s prime minister telling Anthony Albanese that fuel will keep flowing despite the international crisis. Albanese’s whistle-stop visit with his Singaporean counterpart, Lawrence Wong, culminated in a new agreement that the two countries would keep sending one another fuel and liquefied natural gas, amid the “acute energy crisis” caused by the war in the Middle East. Australia and Singapore will also add a legally binding addendum to their free trade agreement on essential supplies like energy. Continue reading...

Cutting fuel to Australia ‘won’t happen’, says Singapore PM, as Albanese secures pledge from our largest petrol source

Thanks to Michael and the team at Bunnings for meeting with Ged Kearney and me this week.

Really busy end to the week consulting with CEOs and workers in fuel, supermarkets, technology, logistics, mining, banking and building supplies sectors about the fallout from conflict in the Middle East.

Iran says it ‘would be dumb’ for US to let Netanyahu kill diplomacy

Iran says it ‘would be dumb’ for US to let Netanyahu kill diplomacy https://aje.news/vgdafy

US has let in 4,499 refugees since October - all but three were South African Trump has given priority to Afrikaners, a white minority group he says is being persecuted. South Africa has objected to his characterisation.

US has let in 4,499 refugees since October - all but three were South African

Inside the Pro-Iran Meme Machine Trolling Trump With AI Lego Cartoons Since the beginning of the Iran war, the group Explosive Media has released over a dozen viral videos mocking Trump and the US.

Since the beginning of the Iran war, the group Explosive Media has released over a dozen viral videos mocking Trump and the US.

Deutsche Bank Declares China Energy ‘Winner’ in New Era of War As war injects extreme volatility into oil and gas markets, the global race for energy security is making China stronger, according to Jacky Tang, emerging markets chief investment officer at the priv...

"China’s long-term focus on electrification is making it more resilient to energy price shocks, according to Lombard Odier."

🎁🔗
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

So sorry to our Australia’s Lebanese communities who must think all we care about is the price of fuel. 😔

World to continue trying to ‘gentle parent’ Israel into not massacring civilians

"Hey buddy, listen, war crimes are not on. Ok?" chaser.com.au/world/world-...

Just get rid of the ads completely- we all hate them.