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The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a temporary waiver allowing the sale of a higher-ethanol fuel blend, known as E15, in an effort to alleviate soaring gas prices that have been exacerbated by the ongoing Iran war.E15, which contains a higher percentage of ethanol than standard gasoline, has been prohibited during warm weather months due to concerns over its potential to worsen smog. However, the EPA's decision, supported by the US agriculture secretary, Brooke Rollins, aims to provide relief to consumers at the pump.“President Trump is unleashing American Energy Dominance, and today’s action will directly lower prices at the pump and gives a clear demand signal to our domestic biofuels producers,” Rollins stated.The summer waiver for E15 has become a recurring measure in recent years, with both Republicans and Democrats advocating for its permanent implementation to reduce fuel costs. Currently, E15 is already permitted in several states, including Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, Missouri, Wisconsin, and most of South Dakota.However, not all experts are convinced that the move will significantly lower gas prices. Kenneth Gillingham, a professor at the Yale School of the Environment, pointed out that E15 is not widely available in all states, and some areas lack the necessary infrastructure or sufficient ethanol supply to support increased use.Gillingham also highlighted potential risks associated with E15, particularly for older vehicles, boats, and all-terrain vehicles, due to its higher corrosive ethanol content. Additionally, increased corn usage for ethanol production could lead to higher costs for animal feed and, subsequently, grocery prices.“I think it’s difficult to see when the ledger’s settled how this is a benefit for US consumers,” said Jason Hill, a professor at the University of Minnesota.The decision has also drawn criticism over its potential environmental impacts, with concerns about increased ozone issues, respiratory problems, and even premature deaths.While the oil industry has generally opposed the expansion of E15, citing costly biofuel blending and potential price increases, the American Petroleum Institute has expressed support for the temporary waiver, emphasizing its role in ensuring affordable and reliable energy for American consumers.

The deadly conflict in Iran has precipitated what the International Energy Agency describes as the worst oil crisis in history, creating a complex situation for global clean energy efforts. While climate advocates are calling for accelerated transition away from fossil fuels, the war simultaneously presents both opportunities and significant challenges for renewable energy development.US-Israeli strikes on Iran have critically disrupted supply routes through the Strait of Hormuz, a maritime channel through which 20% of global oil flows. The conflict has also seen direct attacks on fossil fuel infrastructure by all parties involved, creating additional market shocks and uncertainty.Interestingly, reduced reliance on oil and gas is proving beneficial for some regions navigating the ongoing fuel crisis. As Jan Rosenow, a professor of energy at Oxford University, explains: Electricity generated from wind and solar is largely insulated from fossil fuel price volatility – once built, the fuel is free.Countries with substantial renewable energy investments are demonstrating greater resilience. Spain and Portugal have witnessed electricity prices decline in recent weeks, while Pakistan has experienced a surge in rooftop solar installations over the past five years, helping the nation weather oil and gas market disruptions.The electric vehicle revolution is also providing some economies with protection against gasoline price increases. In China, more than 50% of all new cars sold are electric, while in Nepal, that figure reaches an impressive 70%.However, the war is creating near-term challenges that could impede clean energy growth. The conflict has disrupted transport routes for metals essential in solar panel construction, particularly aluminum. The Middle East accounts for approximately 9% of global aluminum production, and regional producers have begun scaling back operations amid the hostilities.Furthermore, the inflationary pressures stemming from the conflict pose significant hurdles for renewable energy projects, which require substantial upfront investment for construction, equipment, and installation.Paradoxically, the war and resulting energy shocks have provided a short-term boon for fossil fuels, including coal. Many Asian countries heavily reliant on imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) are burning more coal to meet energy demand as LNG supplies through the Strait of Hormuz become constrained.The conflict has also incentivized increased oil and gas drilling and exploration, as countries scramble to replace disrupted LNG supplies and higher prices make previously unviable projects economically viable. US company Venture Global recently announced a new five-year contract to supply LNG, while Canadian energy company TC Energy indicated that Iran war disruptions are increasing the likelihood of expanding a massive LNG export facility.The Trump administration has further incentivized oil expansion, recently announcing plans to pay a French company $1 billion to abandon offshore wind farm projects in favor of fossil fuel initiatives.Experts propose various policy responses to encourage the green transition during this crisis. Rosenow advocates for tax reform to reduce the disproportionate burden on electricity compared to gas. Professor Gregor Semieniuk suggests imposing windfall taxes on oil and gas companies during the war, while Lauren Pagel of Earthworks calls for ending fossil fuel subsidies and making polluters pay for their environmental impact.Despite the current challenges, Kingsmill Bond, a strategist for the energy thinktank Ember, maintains that this crisis could ultimately accelerate the clean energy transition: This is the first oil shock in history where oil faces a superior alternative. Solar, wind and EV are cheaper, local, faster to deploy, and huge.

The creator of the AI actor Tilly Norwood, Eline van der Velden, has revealed that she received death threats following a global backlash against her project. Van der Velden developed Tilly Norwood to spark conversation about the role of AI in the entertainment industry.Van der Velden's AI creation, Tilly Norwood, gained significant attention last year when she announced that talent agents were interested in signing the AI actor. This led to widespread condemnation from prominent actors and acting unions, including Melissa Barrera, Mara Wilson, and Ralph Ineson, as well as Sag-Aftra and Equity.In an interview with the Guardian, Van der Velden expressed her surprise at the intensity of the backlash, stating, “The death threats and the hate … my goodness, loads,” she said. Despite the negative reaction, Van der Velden remains committed to her vision of integrating AI into the entertainment industry.Van der Velden founded Particle6 and its AI arm, Xicoia, and debuted Norwood in a short comedy sketch called AI Commissioner last autumn. Norwood has gained a significant following, with 141,000 followers on Instagram.Van der Velden believes that AI actors like Norwood could be beneficial for some performers, allowing them to maintain anonymity while still engaging in acting. She noted, “I think it’s great for some actors, it might actually be a blessing that they can have a digital twin,” emphasizing that fame can be burdensome.Van der Velden continues to advocate for the use of AI in entertainment, highlighting its potential to offer actors more creative freedom. She has now featured Norwood in a new music video, with lyrics written by an AI chatbot, and controls Norwood’s avatar using motion capture techniques.

New Zealand football players have expressed their willingness to play their FIFA World Cup 2026 match against Iran outside the United States, citing the ongoing geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran. The match, scheduled for June 15 in Los Angeles, has been put into doubt due to Iran's threat to boycott fixtures on US soil.The Iranian Football Federation has raised concerns over the fixture, following the recent escalation of tensions between Iran and the US-Israel alliance. Despite this, New Zealand's players remain committed to the match and are prepared to adapt if necessary.Ryan Thomas, a Netherlands-based midfielder for New Zealand, emphasized that Iran has earned its spot in the World Cup and that the team would be able to manage the extra attention generated by the match. 'They deserve to be there as qualifiers,' he told Reuters. 'If we've got to play them in Mexico or Canada, then yeah, we play them there. It's not really a big deal for me.'New Zealand's team is set to be based in San Diego, California, which is close to the Mexican border. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has indicated that her country would be open to hosting Iran's World Cup fixtures, should a venue switch be necessary.Kosta Barbarouses, an Australia-based winger for New Zealand, echoed Thomas's sentiments, stating that a venue switch would not disrupt the team's preparations. 'I don't think it would derail our preparation at all,' he told Reuters. 'We've got a base before our first game, anyway. So, yeah, I don't see why not.'FIFA has declined to comment on the possibility of switching venues for Iran's games but has stated that it is in contact with the Iranian Football Federation and looks forward to teams competing as per the current match schedule.

The V&A; Museum's lavish spring show, Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art, is a surrealist's dream come true. The exhibition takes visitors on a journey through the life and work of Elsa Schiaparelli, a fashion designer who defied conventions and pushed the boundaries of art and fashion.Schiaparelli's designs are a whimsical and witty blend of art, culture, and fashion. From a shoe that becomes a hat to a telephone dial that transforms into a compact mirror, each piece is a testament to her innovative spirit and creative genius.The exhibition features collaborations with famous artists like Salvador Dalí and Jean Cocteau, showcasing iconic pieces such as the lobster telephone and the skeleton dress. These works demonstrate Schiaparelli's ability to merge fashion and art, creating something truly unique and groundbreaking.Elsa Schiaparelli was a trailblazer in her own right, launching her fashion career in Paris in the 1930s and quickly gaining recognition for her trompe l'oeil sweaters and shocking pink designs. Her legacy continues to inspire designers today, including Daniel Roseberry, who has been spearheading the brand's revival since 2019.The exhibition also features modern pieces that showcase the brand's continued commitment to innovative design and artistic collaboration. From a golden breastplate worn by Bella Hadid at Cannes to a robot baby made from old flip phones and circuit board shards, these works demonstrate the brand's ongoing dialogue with art and culture.Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art is a must-see exhibition for anyone interested in fashion, art, and culture. It challenges visitors to think differently about the relationship between fashion and art, and showcases the enduring legacy of Elsa Schiaparelli's surrealist designs.

Coco Gauff has proven her mental toughness once again by battling through to the semi-finals of the Miami Open, despite facing significant challenges. The American tennis star has been dealing with an unfamiliar arm injury and has been under pressure to revamp her serve, but she has shown remarkable resilience. Gauff's latest victory came against Bencic, where she won 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 in a hard-fought match. This marks her best result at her hometown tournament, and she continues to defy expectations. Her ability to overcome adversity and push through difficult situations is a testament to her fighting spirit. In a candid interview, Gauff discussed her struggles with imposter syndrome, revealing that she sometimes feels like she doesn't belong at the top level of tennis. “I think I have to believe that I belong where I am,” she said. “Sometimes I can get imposter syndrome and even when they’re saying my accomplishments during the warm-up, it doesn’t feel like me.” Gauff's serve has been under intense scrutiny recently, but she managed to deliver a solid performance against Bencic, firing down six aces and committing just five double faults. Her determination to believe in herself and her abilities has been key to her success. Next, Gauff will face Karolína Muchová, the 13th seed, in the semi-finals. Despite Muchová being one of the in-form players on the tour, Gauff leads their head-to-head 5-0, giving her a significant advantage.

A newly launched green thinktank, Verdant, proposes that a 'Doge of the left' could save UK taxpayers up to £30bn annually by rooting out waste, fraud, and tax avoidance. This initiative is part of a broader effort to influence the future manifesto of the Green Party, led by Zack Polanski.The thinktank, co-chaired by James Meadway, a former adviser to Labour shadow chancellor John McDonnell, and civil society campaigner Deborah Doane, argues that a crackdown on waste could free up significant resources. This approach differs from the ideologically driven methods of Elon Musk's former Department of Government Efficiency in the US.Meadway emphasized that the political right has monopolized discussions about savings in government spending, leading to disastrous effects. He stated that a 'Doge of the left' would focus on eliminating tax avoiders, profiteers, and fraudsters, ultimately delivering high-quality public services.The report suggests several measures, including:Appointing a 'chief savings officer' to identify waste and fraud.Granting the National Audit Office the power to halt overspending projects.Opening public procurement to more transparent competition.Establishing an internal consultancy function to reduce reliance on costly private consultants.The proposed £30bn in savings is largely based on independent estimates of annual losses due to fraud, waste, under-collection of tax, and lack of competition in procurement. Additionally, Verdant recommends scrapping £3.6bn in tax reliefs and government support for oil and gas producers.Polanski's economic policy speech last week highlighted sweeping changes, including rent caps and a new wealth tax. He also emphasized the importance of protecting consumers from rising energy prices and expressed skepticism about using GDP as a measure of economic performance.

Australian swimmer Cameron McEvoy has achieved a lifelong dream by breaking the 50m freestyle world record with a time of 20.88 seconds at the China Open. The Queenslander shattered the longstanding record by three hundredths of a second, a mark set during the era of now-banned super-suits.The 31-year-old athlete expressed his surprise and delight at achieving this milestone ahead of schedule. "That was more of a target for the end of this season, so to have hit it at the moment in March is really special," McEvoy stated upon returning to Brisbane.McEvoy's journey to swimming's pinnacle has been unconventional. Having made his Olympic debut in London as a teenager in 2012, he won bronze medals in relays in Rio and Tokyo before securing his first individual Olympic gold in Paris in 2024 at age 30—well past the typical peak age for elite sprinters.His remarkable rise to dominance stems from a radical rethinking of his training methodology. McEvoy abandoned traditional long pool sessions in favor of strength training and short, explosive sets that mimic the specific requirements of the 50m event. This year, he took an even more extreme approach."I had an off-season which was mainly strength development, and I've barely done much swimming since the [August] World Champs last year, up until this comp," McEvoy explained. "And then this comp was meant to be the transition door into going into more of a sprint-focused regime, but because I got the world record and I've made steps, the idea is just to double down on this and not change it, see how far this can actually take me."The previous world record-holder, César Cielo, congratulated the Australian on his "incredible" swim, sharing a profound insight: "You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete."McEvoy's innovative approach has resonated beyond his own achievements. He receives weekly messages from both elite athletes and former swimmers who have returned to the sport inspired by his methods. "The amount of them that are saying that they're doing lifetime best times and they're deep into their 40s, compared to when they were training full-time in their teens, it's pretty incredible," he noted.Looking ahead, the Australian swimmer has set his sights on future Olympic Games. "I've still got my eyes on LA, I definitely have my eyes on the home Games here in Brisbane, and so I'll just keep at it every year and just take it one step at a time," McEvoy stated, emphasizing his commitment to continue pushing boundaries with his unique training philosophy.

Iga Swiatek, the world No 3 tennis player, has spoken candidly about her struggles after a difficult defeat at the Miami Open. The Polish player lost to her compatriot Magda Linette in a messy three-set affair, marking one of her most challenging losses in years. In a post-match media session, Swiatek broke down in tears, highlighting the emotional toll of her recent performances. She described her current situation as 'the worst nightmare a top tennis player can have,' struggling to cope with the pressure and weight of her achievements. Swiatek's issues on the court have been compounded by her mental state. Despite being a six-time grand slam title winner and one of the greatest players of her generation, she has been plagued by chronic overthinking, worrying, and second-guessing her decisions. The problems began in the autumn of 2024 after a positive test for the banned substance trimetazidine, which led to a month-long suspension. Although she proved the substance was in a permitted sleep medication, the incident affected her performance. Swiatek's inactivity in the final months of 2024 meant she couldn't regain her No 1 ranking, which has been held by her rival Aryna Sabalenka. In a bid to address her struggles, Swiatek has parted ways with her coach, Wim Fissette. Her partnership with sports psychologist Daria Abramowicz has been crucial in her career, but Swiatek may need to take more ownership of her decision-making to move forward. Despite her current challenges, Swiatek remains a formidable player, known for her destructive groundstrokes, heavy topspin, and supreme athleticism. Her mental toughness has been a key factor in her success, but it has also become a source of stress in recent months.