DeBriefed 10 April 2026: Worst energy crisis ‘ever’ | India withdraws COP33 bid | Drag artists and climate change

• Oil prices dropped below $96 per barrel after a US-Iran ceasefire but quickly resumed volatility following a Saudi Arabian pipeline attack (Associated Press, Reuters).
• International Energy Agency's Fatih Birol stated the current energy crisis surpasses those of "1973, 1979 and 2022 combined," marking an unprecedented disruption (Reuters, Le Figaro).
• The Guardian reported that the "worst polluters" benefit from higher fossil fuel prices, yet "global trends favour renewables."
• Experts told the Guardian that new UK North Sea oil and gas fields would "imperil" international climate goals, despite government pushback (Sky News).
• India withdrew its bid to host the COP33 climate summit in 2028 due to a review of its commitments (Climate Home News).
• EU energy commissioner Dan Jørgensen warned the bloc is bracing for a "long-lasting" energy shock from the Iran war, with five EU countries calling for a windfall tax on energy companies (Financial Times, Reuters).
• US President Donald Trump's 2027 budget proposed substantial cuts to energy and environment programs, targeting the "green new scam" (Los Angeles Times).
• Afghanistan has seen at least 148 deaths and 216 injuries since March 26 from heavy rains, floods, earthquakes, and landslides (Reuters).
• Emperor penguins have been declared officially in danger of extinction by the IUCN due to "mass drowning" of chicks from melting sea ice (Guardian).
• UK battery electric vehicle sales hit a record 86,120 in March, comprising 22.6% of the total car market (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders).