Morning Briefing: Saturday 10 October 2026
- Filling up: Donald Trump has lifted sanctions to let Russian diesel reach the world market. The immediate tranche of 300,000 tonnes is about 2.25 million barrels, against American consumption of roughly 3.6 to 3.8 million barrels a day — less than a single day’s use. American diesel is about $6.23 a gallon against a record $6.52 on 22 September.
- Your savings: National Savings and Investments has pushed its bonds above 5% for the first time in nearly three years, with the five-year at 5.17%. Better fixed rates exist elsewhere — 5.12% for one year, 5.37% for five — but NS&I is Treasury-backed above the usual deposit protection limit.
- If you shop at Boots: the Weston family takes over 1,800 stores in the chain’s 178th year. Retail analysts expect investment in smaller branches, more healthcare services, and no early change to the Advantage card, which pays three points per pound at a penny a point.
Trump Lifts Sanctions to Buy Russian Diesel; Kyiv Calls It a Gift
After a call with Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump announced that Russia will supply 300,000 tonnes of diesel immediately, 500,000 more in November and a further million after that, with the Treasury issuing a licence permitting Russian diesel…
A Magnitude 7.7 Earthquake Strikes Panama, and the Canal Keeps Running
The quake struck on Friday afternoon local time at a depth of 12.6 kilometres, about 200 kilometres from Panama City, shaking the capital for the better part of a minute. A second of 6.6 followed two and a half hours later, with 147 afters…
Trump Calls the Nobel an Indelible Stain on Norway
At a rally in Syracuse, the president said he had never heard of the “mystery person” who won the Peace Prize, called the award “an indelible stain on the country of Norway” and added “we will not forget”. The winner, Navi Pillay, is a for…
Delhi Sealed as the Cockroach Party Marches Over Deleted Voters
Thousands of police and paramilitaries are deployed in central Delhi, 57 metro stations closed from Friday night, long-distance trains cancelled and mobile internet suspended within four kilometres of the protest area. The demand is the re…
Taiwan Raises Defence Spending to a Record to Deter War
“Our aim by increasing investment in national defence is not to provoke; rather, it is to deter war,” President Lai Ching-te said outside the Presidential Office on the island’s national day. The 2027 budget is a record NT$1.1 trillion, ab…
Northern Ireland Secretary Bans the Drumcree Parade
Sir Chris Bryant has banned the Portadown procession under section 11 of the Public Processions Act, acting on a request from the Chief Constable and ending a thirteen-day impasse. “I’ve decided that it’s not in the public interest for it…
Labour Insiders Fear the Budget Is Too Timid to Matter
John Healey’s first Budget on 28 October is expected to be deliberately low key: fiscal devolution, help for small businesses and a household support package built around cutting energy bills. One Labour MP is quoted as saying that “as thi…
Head Teachers Move From No Confidence to Strike Ballots
Having passed a motion of no confidence in Ofsted’s leadership on Friday, the Association of School and College Leaders now says it will seek an indicative ballot on industrial action if change is not forthcoming. The National Association…
Boots Under New Ownership: What Actually Changes
The Weston family’s Wittington Investments takes on 1,800 stores in the chain’s 178th year, having bought it for about £6.7bn. Retail analysts expect money spent on smaller branches, an expansion of healthcare services including weight-los…
NS&I Pushes Savings Bonds Above 5% for the First Time in Years
National Savings and Investments has raised its British savings bonds to 4.99% for one year, 5.07% for two, 5.10% for three and 5.17% for five — most above 5% for the first time in nearly three years. The minimum is £500, the maximum £1m a…