Russian forces have taken control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, according to Ukrainian authorities.

Oil prices have briefly spiked to their highest level in nearly 14 years, as concerns about disruptions to Russian supplies continue.

US crude jumped as much as 5.4 per cent to US$116.57 ($158.73) a barrel early Thursday — the highest trade since September 22, 2008. A week earlier Lehman Brothers collapsed.

The spike was fleeting. By late morning, crude had turned slightly negative. In recent trading, oil was little changed at US$110.75 ($150.80) a barrel.

LIVE UPDATES: Putin claims invasion 'going to plan'

Despite the pullback from the intraday highs, oil remains up by 20 per cent since just before Russia invaded Ukraine last week.

Brent, the world benchmark, flirted with US$120 ($163.40) a barrel Thursday morning, hitting an intraday high of US$119.84 ($163.18), the highest since May 2012.

Russia was the number two oil producer in the world last year, and the invasion of Ukraine has triggered fears about supply disruptions.

Although Western officials have not directly imposed sanctions on Russia's oil-and-gas supplies, industry analysts say there has been a de facto ban on Russia's oil due to concerns about running afoul of sanctions.

LIVE UPDATES: More storms barrelling towards Queensland

Pelosi adds voice to chorus of calls to ban Russian oil imports into the US

Amid the escalating war in Ukraine, US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday she supports banning Russian oil imports to the country, a hefty nod that could strengthen President Joe Biden's hand as global allies seek to isolate Russian President Vladimir Putin's regime.

Biden has been reluctant to curb Russian oil shipments to the US or slap on energy sanctions in ways that would reduce supply as gas prices at the pump are already climbing for Americans.

But Pelosi's support gives fresh currency for an idea in Congress already backed by wide swathes of Republicans and an increasing number of Democrats.

READ MORE: France warns 'worst yet to come' in Ukraine conflict

The White House has said all tools remain on the table.

"I'm all for that," Pelosi said about ending Russian oil in the US.

"Ban it."

Finding common ground to counter Russian aggression toward Ukraine through energy policy would be a breakthrough for the divided Congress, which has shown remarkable resolve in unifying US support for Ukrainians but has struggled over concrete steps that would help the Western-style democracy battle the Russian invasion.

A Russian oil ban could draw momentary alliance of lawmakers on the left and right — Democrats fighting climate change who want to lessen the US reliance on fossil fuels; Republicans who want to boost US energy production at home; and the great majority of lawmakers of both parties who want to stop Russian President Vladimir Putin's war.

READ MORE: How you can help with the flood crisis in Queensland and NSW

Republicans have been pushing for the Russian oil ban, joined by some Democrats eager to punish Mr Putin.

"What if we crush the oil and gas sector of the Russian economy?" said Republican Senator Lindsey Graham.

"That would be a lethal combination for the Russian economy."

Additional reporting by The Associated Press

Several more people have been charged in a police crackdown on looting, as offenders target vulnerable flood-affected homes.

A 15-year-old boy is one of the latest to be charged with looting offences, after allegedly stealing from cars in a flooded carpark in Brisbane's West End around 6pm yesterday.

Police allege the teen was confronted by a member of the public while attempting to steal from a car.

READ MORE: Tenth Queensland flood death, storms halt clean-up

The East Brisbane teen allegedly threatened a woman with a tool before police came to arrest him.

The woman was uninjured, while the teen was charged with two counts of stealing by looting in a natural disaster and one count of threatening violence.

He will appear in Brisbane's Children's Court.

Hours later, police intercepted a man and a woman, both 26, who had allegedly raided several properties in the suburb of Oxley.

Police video shows vehicle inspections revealing allegedly stolen house decor like potted plants and other assorted items.

Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said seven people had been charged with looting offences since March 1.

She said those caught looting are subject to double the prison time as those sentenced for stealing offences and could face up to 10 years in jail.

"It is considered a lot more serious because those people are in a vulnerable condition because of this disaster," Ms Carroll said.

Acting Superintendent Paul Austin said police had received reports people were also picking through furniture and personal items left to dry on street curbs.

"Officers will take a zero-tolerance approach when it comes to looting and ask members of the public to continue to contact Policelink on 131 444 if they witness suspicious behaviour or believes they may be victim to looting," Superintendent Austin said.

"This is a timely reminder to all members of the public that often these are treasured possessions that flood victims are having to sift through.

"Please show compassion and consider asking permission from owners before assuming items left out in front of houses are rubbish."

READ MORE: France warns 'worst yet to come' in Ukraine conflict

Yesterday, police confirmed looters had raided four schools in the town of Ipswich, west of Brisbane.

Acting Queensland Police State Disaster Coordinator Shane Chelepy said over 100 officers were working around the clock to protect residents.

"They are terrible reports," he said.

"Again overnight, we have had a couple more reports of people out, attempting to loot people's properties that have been absolutely devastated by these events, and we have seen that throughout.

"We are using helicopters, Water Police, general duties police and we are out actively patrolling through those suburbs and we are taking a zero tolerance approach to this disgusting behaviour and we have arrested a number of people."

READ MORE: How you can help with the flood crisis in Queensland and NSW

A fifth person has died in the devastating floods in northern NSW.

The body of a man, believed to be in his 40s, was discovered at Byrril Creek Road near Terragon, south of Murwillumbah, this afternoon.

The man is yet to be formally identified and a report will be prepared for the coroner.

READ MORE: More storms coming for Sydney after respite

More wild weather forecast for weekend

Showers are easing in NSW today but the respite from wild weather will be brief.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) warned more thunderstorms forecast for the weekend.

"Widespread showers and thunderstorms activity developing across eastern NSW, from the Mid North Coast all the way down to the Victorian border and extending inland Sunday and Monday," BoM senior meteorologist Dean Narramore said.

"That is not good news for us here in eastern NSW and for much of the state."

The fresh round of wet weather is expected to lead to further flash flooding as the ground is already saturated.

"Whilst showers and rainfall have eased today and tomorrow, we still have numerous major and moderate flood warnings current," Mr Narramore said.

"The next weather system moving in to bring another round of rain and thunderstorms particularly on Sunday and Monday."

https://twitter.com/BOM_NSW/status/1499541777476632576

NSW SES Commissioner Carlene York said there were 700 calls for assistance yesterday, in addition to 13 flood rescues.

"We're planning for this weather in the next couple of days down on the South Coast as well," Ms York said.

"I call on those community residents to be aware of their flood risk … keep up-to-date with any warnings or information that we put out."

https://twitter.com/NSWRFS/status/1499524493554765833

She said based on the BoM forecast, "we're not past the danger period yet".

Now the rain has eased up in parts of the state, the long clean-up begins.

An "army of yellow" SES volunteers are preparing to help with recovery operations right across the NSW North Coast.

An Auckland redecorator’s decision to withhold a new team member’s wages has proved costly, after the employer was ordered to pay almost $28,000 in compensation and fines.But the employer at the centre of the complaint found out…

South Australia Police has backflipped on a decision to only allow officers to work if they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 after less than four months.

Police who have not received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine will be able to return to work from Monday as long as they wear a face mask and undertake a rapid antigen test at the beginning of their shifts.

The police force has announced that the Police Workers Vaccination Direction, which was issued in November last year to require all police workers be vaccinated against COVID-19, will be revoked from 7am on March 7.

READ MORE: How you can help with the flood crisis in Queensland and NSW

It will be immediately be replaced with a managerial direction which will see all police able to return to work.

However, SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens has said unvaccinated employees will be limited in "their ability to attend some settings such as residential aged care facilities, disability facilities and the forensic science building".

The change is said to have occurred because the vaccine mandate was "to ensure COVID-19 did not significantly impact the ability of South Australia Police to serve the community", according to a police statement.

LIVE UPDATES: Putin claims invasion 'going to plan'

https://twitter.com/SAPoliceNews/status/1499579764712951808

"The Commissioner of Police is now confident that the risks to South Australia Police employees and members of the community can be effectively managed through alternative controls rather than unvaccinated staff being furloughed from the workplace," the statement reads.

More than 98.5 per cent of the South Australia Police workforce is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to police.

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