A UK Socialist's blog

Shrinking Oil Inventories Raise Fears of Prolonged Energy Crisis

https://oilprice.com/Energy/Crude-Oil/Shrinking-Oil-Inventories-Raise-Fears-of-Prolonged-Energy-Crisis.html

  • Global oil inventories are rapidly approaching “minimum operational levels,” with Asia already facing acute shortages.
  • Analysts warn record inventory drawdowns, collapsing Hormuz exports, and rising summer fuel demand are tightening markets far faster than expected.
  • Energy experts caution that prolonged underinvestment in new oil supply and continued disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz could trigger sustained high prices.

…

Carlyle’s Currie had an even grimmer message for the U.S. government. “Every day that goes by, Iran’s negotiating leverage compounds. Why? Because inventories of oil … continue to drop,” he said, as quoted by CNBC. “The minute you think you won, that’s exactly when you know you probably lost, and their negotiating position at this point has never been stronger in the last 47 years.”

Some analysts are warning that once the full extent of the supply shortage becomes felt, prices will rise and stay high, likely for years. The reason, in addition to the immediate crunch of Middle Eastern supply, is a prolonged period of underinvestment in new supply from other parts of the world—something that OPEC+ has been warning about for at least three years now, to no avail. With estimates that it would take at least a month before Hormuz reopens, even with a peace deal in place, the prospect of an oil shortage in Europe has become all but a certainty, and the U.S. will likely see higher gas prices.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

https://oilprice.com/Energy/Crude-Oil/Shrinking-Oil-Inventories-Raise-Fears-of-Prolonged-Energy-Crisis.html

Continue ReadingShrinking Oil Inventories Raise Fears of Prolonged Energy Crisis

Iranian state TV: US aircraft destroyed near Bushehr

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A view shows an anti-Israel billboard with an hourglass image and Persian and Hebrew text reading “Israel will not see the next 15 years” at Palestine Square in Tehran, Iran, on May 29, 2026. [Fatemeh Bahrami – Anadolu Agency]

Iranian state television, citing a local official, reported that a US aircraft had been destroyed in Iran’s Jam ‌governorate ⁠in Bushehr, although there has been no confirmation from the United States.

Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency reported on Thursday that the Iranian armed forces had launched missiles from southern parts of the country towards specified targets.

The agency said “the Iranian armed forces launched missiles minutes ago from the south of the country towards certain targets”, adding that the exact targets remained unclear, while some sources suggested there may have been clashes in Gulf waters.

It added that reports circulating about explosions being heard in the Gulf coastal provinces of Bushehr and Hormozgan had not yet been confirmed.

Separately, the Iranian Army’s Air Defence Monitoring Centre denied reports of explosions in the city of Bandar Abbas.

The centre said: “So far, no explosions have occurred in Bandar Abbas.”

It added that the sounds came from the sea, explaining that warning shots had been fired at vessels attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz without coordinating with the Iranian navy.

Earlier on Thursday, clashes were reported between Iran and the United States near the Strait of Hormuz.

READ: Israeli spy Pollard says Turkiye and Egypt could be Israel’s next targets as Ankara is cast as ‘new Iran’

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Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it's fun to kill everyone ... unless he gets distracted or falls asleep.
Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it’s fun to kill everyone … unless he gets distracted or falls asleep.
Orcas discuss rotting brain. Front Orca says "Wish someone would lock him up".
Orcas discuss rotting brain. Front Orca says “Wish someone would lock him up”.
Continue ReadingIranian state TV: US aircraft destroyed near Bushehr

Israel launches electronic system for registering Palestinian land in West Bank ahead of annexation push

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Israeli army closes the entrance to Old City area with barricades, restricting the movement of Palestinians on the second day of Eid al-Adha in Hebron, West Bank, Palestine on May 28, 2026 [Wisam Hashlamoun/Anadolu Agency]

Israel on Thursday launched a new electronic system called the “Land Registry and Settlement of Rights” in the occupied Palestinian territories, in a move specialists described as part of a legal and administrative annexation project in the West Bank, particularly Area C.

They said the move marks a shift from what they described as “silent gradual annexation to declared annexation through digital and administrative tools”.

The launch follows a decision by Israel’s security cabinet in May 2025 to begin a comprehensive settlement of land ownership across the West Bank, with the aim of completing land registration under Israeli administration.

According to available information, the project officially began on 15 February 2026 after powers related to land registration were transferred to the Israeli Justice Ministry and the Survey of Israel authority. A budget of 244 million shekels (US$ 79 million) was allocated to the project.

The project aims to register nearly 58 per cent of land in Area C, equivalent to around 35 per cent of the occupied West Bank, excluding occupied East Jerusalem, as part of what Israel describes as a “settlement of property rights” process.

READ: Israel plans to expand control over Gaza in coming months

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it's fun to kill everyone ... unless he gets distracted or falls asleep.
Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it’s fun to kill everyone … unless he gets distracted or falls asleep.
Orcas discuss rotting brain. Front Orca says "Wish someone would lock him up".
Orcas discuss rotting brain. Front Orca says “Wish someone would lock him up”.
Continue ReadingIsrael launches electronic system for registering Palestinian land in West Bank ahead of annexation push

Israel freezes ties with UN chief Guterres after inclusion on conflict-related sexual violence blacklist

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres attends the groundbreaking ceremony for a new 340 million dollar complex at the United Nations headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, on May 11, 2026. [Lucas Mukasa – Anadolu Agency]

Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, announced the suspension of relations with UN Secretary-General António Guterres after Israel was added to a UN blacklist of parties accused of committing sexual violence in conflict zones.

In a post on X on Thursday, Danon described the UN decision as “political decision! Disconnected from the facts and reality!”, and announced a halt to cooperation with Guterres, saying: “Israel has decided to sever all ties with the Secretary-General’s Office.”

He added that Israel would work to “correct this mistake” once a new UN secretary-general is elected in the coming months. “Israel will wait until a new UN Secretary-General is appointed,” he said.

Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom reported that Israel was added to the blacklist despite continued Israeli efforts in recent months to prevent the move.

The UN decision comes amid growing international human rights reports documenting alleged sexual abuse and violations against Palestinian detainees in Israeli detention centres, particularly at the Sde Teiman detention facility and other prisons.

Palestinian and international reports and testimonies have also documented cases of harassment and sexual assault during Israeli raids and arrests in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, affecting both women and men.

READ: Pro-Israel cash goes undercover as US voters turn against Israel

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it's fun to kill everyone ... unless he gets distracted or falls asleep.
Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it’s fun to kill everyone … unless he gets distracted or falls asleep.
Orcas discuss rotting brain. Front Orca says "Wish someone would lock him up".
Orcas discuss rotting brain. Front Orca says “Wish someone would lock him up”.
Continue ReadingIsrael freezes ties with UN chief Guterres after inclusion on conflict-related sexual violence blacklist

Morning Star Editorial: Starmer’s Britain and the betrayal of a generation

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/starmers-britain-and-betrayal-generation

 Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets apprentices during a visit to Acton Works, a training facility in Chiswick, west London, following the publication of the interim Milburn Report into Young People and Work, May 28, 2026

THE crisis of Britain’s “lost generation” of young people — alongside the unending wars of imperialism to which Starmer Labour has tied our country — is the clearest sign that that Britain’s peculiarly degenerate version of finance-dominated state monopoly capitalism offers young people little hope.

We have now several generations of young people even those with both university educations or time-served apprenticeships for whom the system can offer no guarantee of productive labour, a promising career or even the basic necessities of a civilised life.

…

It is impossible to calculate the human cost of leaving a million young people on the scrapheap of a failing economy. But the economic cost has been estimated at £125 billion, which is getting on for 5 per cent of the country’s GDP.

In the past 20 years the number of young people who have never had a job rose from four in 10 to six in 10.

This is not a blip but is a systemic failure and a betrayal now of successive generations.

…

Ask the question — is it conceivable that the British ruling class can be persuaded (or forced) into taking the necessary steps to transform our economy and provide a stable and productive life for everyone?

If this seems an unlikely prospect the labour movement must begin to prepare itself and the working class for the steps that need to be taken to replace this system with one of working class power, liberation and socialism.

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/starmers-britain-and-betrayal-generation

Keir Starmer says that the Labour Party under his leadership is intensely relaxed about assaulting those least able to defend themselves - the very poorest and most vulnerable.
Keir Starmer says that the Labour Party under his leadership is intensely relaxed about assaulting those least able to defend themselves – the very poorest and most vulnerable.
Orcas discuss Donald Trump and the killer apes' concept of democracy. Front Orca warns that Trump is crashing his country's economy and that everything he does he does for the fantastically wealthy.
Orcas discuss Donald Trump and the killer apes’ concept of democracy. Front Orca warns that Trump is crashing his country’s economy and that everything he does he does for the fantastically wealthy.
Keir Starmer warns against following the https://onaquietday.org blog.
Keir Starmer warns against following the https://onaquietday.org blog.
Continue ReadingMorning Star Editorial: Starmer’s Britain and the betrayal of a generation