Fuel

German minister says companies are ‘exploiting situation’ in Middle East, as sky-high prices become major domestic issue for leadersEuropean governments have discussed imposing a bloc-wide windfall tax on energy companies, as near-record fuel and gas prices pile pressure on leaders desperate to contain mounting public discontent and the challenge of the far right.With elections due next year in eight EU countries including France, Italy, Spain and Poland, leaders are scrambling to head off the potential fallout from what analysts have warned could be one of the continent’s biggest energy shocks in decades. Continue reading...

• The global polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) seed coatings market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 6% through 2035. • Growth is driven by the adoption of precision agriculture and the use of PVA as a carrier for biological seed treatments. • This expansion benefits the agricultural market through the development of low-residue, bio-based coatings and controlled-release systems that synchronize with crop needs.

• Agnico Eagle Mines shares rose 2.92% to C$281.43 following the release of strong second-quarter financial results. • The stock's upward momentum is driven by record free cash flow and positive technical indicators in current trading sessions. • This growth suggests a bullish outlook for investors tracking the company's ability to generate liquid capital from its mining operations.

• U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced a temporary relaxation of hours-of-service rules for drivers transporting gasoline and diesel. • The administration is easing these limits to prevent shipment delays caused by rising diesel costs and tighter fuel supplies this summer. • This decision aims to protect broader freight deliveries from being slowed by short-term supply chain disruptions.

• Flooding disrupted operations at Exxon Mobil's Joliet refinery, reducing fuel supplies across the U.S. Midwest. • The incident occurred during a period of tight fuel markets where diesel prices are already climbing. • Reduced refinery output may lead to higher fuel costs and limited availability for transportation and logistics companies in the region.

• Iran-backed groups attacked a major Saudi oil pipeline, forcing the facility to shut down. • Social media platforms have seen a surge of old and repurposed videos falsely presented as current footage from the Houthi-Saudi front lines. • The disruption of the Strait of Hormuz and stalled diplomacy are driving global fuel prices higher due to fears of a supply crunch.

• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that geopolitical divides are currently preventing the UN Security Council from taking action on global crises. • Guterres called for urgent reform of the Security Council to address these divisions and improve its effectiveness. • This inaction leaves nations on the front lines of global threats, including the rapid development of artificial intelligence, without necessary international support.

• European leaders are urging Ursula von der Leyen to ensure the current energy crisis is the continent's last fossil fuel emergency ahead of her State of the EU speech. • Solar power has already saved Europe €32.2 billion by reducing the need for gas imports and increasing domestic electricity production. • Continued reliance on imported fossil fuels leaves the European energy market vulnerable to price volatility and supply disruptions.

String of female murder victims found near Johannesburg’s international airport, including five in the past weekThe discovery of the bodies of seven women around Johannesburg’s international airport, including five in the past week, has prompted an outpouring of fear, grief and anger over a lack of progress in tackling femicide.When Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo did not return after going for a run on 9 September, her eight-year-old daughter alerted relatives, who contacted police. The 38-year-old’s body was found on Saturday and identified by relatives on Monday. The news of her disappearance had gone viral. Continue reading...

Financial markets predict one-in-five chance of quarter-point rise in interest rates when Bank of England decides on ThursdayBusiness live – latest updatesUK inflation has returned above 3% as soaring fuel and transport prices triggered by the Iran war heap renewed pressure on British households.Figures from the Office for National Statistics show inflation as measured by the consumer prices index rose from 2.9% in July to 3.1% in August. The increase, which matched City forecasts, was driven by motor fuel prices rising by almost a quarter. Continue reading...

• Asian stock markets declined recently as rising oil prices increased fears of global inflation and potential interest rate hikes. • Brent futures rose 2.6% to $107.36 a barrel, while Japan's Nikkei index fell 1.7% and South Korea's market dropped 3.3%. • Shipping threats in the strait and the Bab el-Mandeb could keep energy costs high, reducing profit margins for businesses and increasing costs for consumers.

Global oil price at its highest since May while investors dump stocks and bonds after Donald Trump’s $5,000 ‘dividend’ promiseFuel prices are on track to climb a further 20 to 30 cents over coming weeks as the escalating Middle East conflict pushed the global oil price to its highest since mid-May.As investors dumped stocks and bonds in an increasingly febrile environment, Donald Trump’s promise to give every US adult citizen a $US5,000 “dividend” after the November mid-terms added to alarm around the parlous state of the country’s finances. Continue reading...

• The European Central Bank raised interest rates to 2.5% to combat rising inflation fueled by the conflict in Iran. • Oil prices have climbed above $105 a barrel as the bank flags mounting price pressures across the eurozone. • Higher borrowing costs increase the expense of loans for businesses and consumers throughout Europe.

• The European Central Bank raised interest rates by a quarter point on Thursday to combat inflation driven by high oil prices. • The bank based this decision on a stronger-than-expected economy, which suggests businesses can handle higher borrowing costs. • Higher rates increase the cost of loans for businesses and consumers to slow down price increases across the market.

• The European Central Bank raised interest rates to combat inflation driven by rising energy costs. • The bank expects inflation to average 3% while projecting economic growth to rise to 0.9% this year from a previous estimate of 0.8%. • Higher borrowing costs aim to lower price increases, though resilient economic growth may continue to put upward pressure on consumer prices.

• The European Central Bank raised interest rates to combat inflation fears driven by conflict in Iran. • A surge in oil prices has clouded the inflation outlook despite resilient economic growth. • Higher borrowing costs increase the financial burden for businesses and consumers across the Eurozone.

• Mistral AI raised €3 billion in a funding round led by Samsung to expand its artificial intelligence capabilities. • The company will use the capital to build frontier models and sovereign AI infrastructure to compete with rivals in the US and China. • This investment provides the French firm with the resources needed to challenge dominant players like OpenAI and Anthropic.

Reports of Soho Farmhouse visit add to speculation Duke and Duchess of Sussex could be settling in the areaWhen the Duke and Duchess of Sussex landed back in England earlier this summer, six years after they moved to California and quit as working royals, speculation was rife about where they would call home.Now, members of the luxury countryside retreat Soho Farmhouse have said they spotted Meghan arriving for an early morning coffee, sparking speculation that the couple were settling down in the exclusive countryside enclave of north Oxfordshire. Correspondent for the Royalist Tom Sykes said the duchess was seen arriving at the Comfy Farm lounge before 9am, where she was introduced to senior staff members by name. Continue reading...

Intensification of Middle East conflict and ongoing Russian export ban sees diesel prices rise 10% in less than a weekFarmers are facing an “astronomical” jump in the price of fuel needed to operate their vehicles and machinery after a surge in diesel costs in the UK and US.Renewed fighting between the US and Iran has driven up the price of crude oil, while last week Russia extended a ban on diesel exports, further pushing up market prices. Continue reading...

New record for Australia as more than 27,000 EVs sold in August, driven by the rising cost of fuel and new government policyFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastElectric vehicle sales in Australia exceeded petrol cars for the first time last month as a transformation driven by high fuel prices and government policy encouraging clean car uptake accelerated.More than 27,000 EVs were sold in August, a new record for a single month and representing 24.9% of new cars sold. The climate-friendly technology surpassed both petrol vehicles (nearly 26,000 sold) and diesel cars (23,600). Continue reading...

• Public health debates have intensified following two "measles-associated" deaths in Pennsylvania and the FDA's approval of updated COVID-19 vaccines. • Critics are questioning the lack of direct randomized human efficacy trials for the new vaccine formulations and the transparency of the approval process. • These events highlight a growing tension over how government agencies communicate scientific uncertainty and evaluate evidence for vaccine safety and effectiveness.

• Asia's factory activity expanded in August, driven by a global surge in demand for artificial intelligence (AI) hardware. • Private surveys released Tuesday highlight specific growth in Taiwan and Malaysia, brightening economic prospects for the export-reliant region. • This industrial growth persists despite headwinds from the prolonged Middle East war, which has increased operational costs and market uncertainty.

‘Godzilla’ event currently brewing could push 50 million people into acute hunger before the end of next yearA series of strong El Niño climatic patterns in recent decades, such as the “Godzilla” event currently brewing that is set to warp weather around the world, have been supercharged by the broader overheating of the planet caused by the burning of fossil fuels, a major new study has found.El Niño is a naturally occurring phenomenon, taking place every two to seven years, when the waters of the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean heat up, causing a cascade of impacts around the world. The latest developing El Niño, set to peak later this year, is set to be the strongest in living memory and has been informally dubbed a “Godzilla” event. Continue reading...

Airline declines to predict impact of new carry-on luggage charge on Jetstar revenue or ticket sales, saying it is offering customers ‘choice’Qantas has recorded its lowest pre-tax profits in four years, at $2.06bn, after the US war on Iran pushed up its fuel costs by $610m.Australia’s national airline also announced it would phase out its Airbus A380 models as it prepares to add new planes to its fleet, handing down annual results on Thursday. Continue reading...

• The Supreme Court has issued a decision regarding mail-in voting that has sparked widespread questions and confusion. • The ruling remains ambiguous as to whether its mandates will be implemented in time for the upcoming midterm elections. • Political experts suggest it is very unlikely that the decision will be in effect for the midterms, though uncertainty persists.

Local governments working with firms also linked to fossil fuel giants, analysis of federal lobbying disclosures showsCongressional lobbyists working for fossil fuel firms that are exacerbating the climate crisis are simultaneously representing more than 300 local governments raising funding to recover from climate damage, according to a new analysis.The research by F Minus and Make Polluters Pay reviewed congressional lobbying disclosures for the first quarter of 2026, finding that another 568 local governments hired fossil fuel lobbyists to work on non-climate related issues during that time, some of which included climate adjacent issues, like healthcare and home insurance. Continue reading...

Moscow warns of increased tensions with Britain as Burnham visits Kyiv to offer declassified details of missile componentsEurope live – latest updatesThe Kremlin has warned of an escalation in tensions between the UK and Russia as Andy Burnham arrived in Kyiv to present Ukraine with newly declassified blueprints to allow Ukraine to improve its production of long range missiles.In his first trip abroad as the prime minister, Burnham will give Ukraine previously classified information on the British manufactured components for long-range cruise missiles. Continue reading...