oil

Germany has for the first time formally pledged to phase out fossil fuels, setting a target date of 2045. The commitment marks a significant step in the country's energy transition and aligns with its existing goal of climate neutrality by 2045. Observers are weighing how Europe's largest economy will manage the shift away from coal, oil and gas while maintaining industrial competitiveness and energy security.

Russia has started rationing fuel following a large-scale Ukrainian drone strike that hit oil and energy infrastructure. Reports say Ukrainian long-range drone technology has outmatched Russia's jet-powered drones, forcing Moscow to restrict petrol supplies in affected regions. The strikes mark an escalation in the two countries' ongoing drone war targeting each other's energy supplies.

Kyiv Post examines the dilemma facing Vladimir Putin as Ukrainian drone strikes hit Russian oil refineries, forcing a choice between defending critical energy infrastructure at home and sustaining offensive operations against Ukraine. The piece weighs which priority the Kremlin values more as attacks on refining capacity strain Russia's economy and export revenues amid the ongoing war.

An oil shock is adding pressure to the global economy, according to energy sector reporting. Rising crude prices are straining inflation, supply chains and growth outlooks worldwide, with analysts warning of broader knock-on effects if the price spike persists. Readers are weighing the implications for energy costs, central bank policy and the fragile economic recovery.

The Times reports that a suspected bomb attack on RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire was foiled after one of the suspects called 999 himself, alerting police to the plot. The report is drawing wide attention, with questions mounting about how the plan was uncovered and the circumstances that led a suspected attacker to contact emergency services.

California has enacted a new law aimed at preventing the Trump administration from opening the state's coastline to new offshore oil and gas drilling. The measure is designed to create state-level legal barriers to federal drilling plans, and it is drawing attention to the ongoing conflict between California officials and Washington over energy and environmental policy.

The German government has approved a plan to move the country away from oil, coal and gas by 2045 at the latest, reaffirming its climate neutrality target. Environmental organisations criticised the document, saying it offers no new ambition and that its message abroad conflicts with the government's domestic policy.

Scientists say they can now quantify the harm that each new coal, gas or oil project would cause to people and nature, marking a shift from broad estimates to project-by-project measurement of climate and health impacts. The development could sharpen scrutiny of proposed fossil fuel expansions and give regulators, communities and courts a clearer way to weigh the costs of new extraction against climate targets and environmental protection.

An explainer examines what happens to the extra revenue when oil prices surge, tracing who benefits from price spikes along the supply chain. The piece follows the money from consumers paying more at the pump through to producers, intermediaries and governments, addressing a question many readers ask during episodes of volatile energy prices.

Oil prices dropped by as much as 3.5% as Middle East exports recover, easing supply concerns even as geopolitical uncertainty persists and US-Iran negotiations continue. The increase in shipments from the region is helping to offset fears of tighter supply, weighing on crude benchmarks and drawing attention from markets watching the diplomatic talks closely.

US Treasury yields continue to climb even as oil prices fall and a Federal Reserve official delivers dovish remarks, according to the Wall Street Journal. The move is drawing attention because falling energy costs and dovish signals would normally be expected to ease inflation concerns and pull yields down, suggesting markets may be pricing in other pressures such as heavy bond supply or doubts about rate-cut expectations.

Long-term US Treasury yields moved higher even as oil prices declined, a combination that caught the attention of market watchers. Falling oil would ordinarily ease inflation pressures and support bond prices, so rising yields alongside cheaper oil suggest investors are focused on other drivers, such as fiscal or supply concerns. Traders and analysts are weighing what the divergence signals about the outlook for interest rates.

The New Oil has published a blog post arguing that going off-grid is a false promise, examining the idea through the lens of privacy, personal finance and cryptocurrency. The piece questions whether truly disconnecting from mainstream systems is realistic, and it is being shared among privacy-focused readers online.

US equity indexes closed lower on Tuesday as long-term Treasury yields rose alongside a decline in oil prices. Fed Governor Michael Barr maintained his stance on further interest rate increases, signaling continued caution from the central bank. Deteriorating prospects for a US-Iran settlement added to market unease, with investors weighing rate policy against geopolitical risk.

Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is approaching levels seen before the recent conflict involving Iran, according to a report from the Washington Times. The recovery suggests commercial operators are regaining confidence in one of the world's most critical oil chokepoints, even though hostilities have not fully ended and regional tensions continue to simmer.

US markets closed mixed, with the Dow slipping as Treasury yields moved higher despite a decline in oil prices. Falling crude typically eases inflation pressures, so the simultaneous rise in yields caught attention among investors tracking interest-rate expectations and the broader outlook for equities.

Oil prices steadied after a sharp weekly drop, with Middle Eastern supply returning to near pre-war levels. Saudi Arabia has resumed flows through a key pipeline, easing concerns about disruptions to global crude shipments. Markets reacted calmly as traders reassessed the risk premium built into prices during the conflict, with analysts watching whether the recovery in supply flows holds.

A suspected terror plot targeting RAF Fairford in the UK was reportedly foiled after the suspect himself contacted police. Details about the individual, the alleged plan, and the circumstances of the call remain limited, but the case has drawn attention given the base's role hosting US military aircraft. Authorities have not yet confirmed full details publicly.

Middle Eastern oil exports have climbed to their highest level since the war involving Iran began, according to a Financial Times report. The rise suggests regional shipments have so far withstood the conflict, though markets are watching closely for any disruption to flows through key shipping routes.

Crude oil prices moved lower after Saudi Arabia resumed oil exports through the Red Sea. The restart of shipments through the key shipping route eased supply concerns that had supported prices, with markets reacting to signs that tanker traffic through the region is returning to normal.

Qatar has warned that the global economic fallout from a war involving Iran would be 'unbearable,' making the statement as diplomatic talks over the conflict continue. The Gulf state's intervention highlights growing alarm among energy-producing and trading nations about the consequences of escalation for oil markets, shipping and the wider world economy.

The European Union is weighing a delay to its methane emissions law for energy imports, while the International Energy Agency says it stands ready to discuss coordinated releases of oil stocks if market conditions require. The developments signal growing concern in Brussels and among IEA members about energy costs and supply security, with officials balancing climate commitments against pressures on oil and gas markets.

Legumes improve soil fertility, nutrition, cropping diversity and resilience, but experts say their potential in Africa is being held back. Poor seed systems, biotic and abiotic constraints, weak policy support, post-harvest losses and uneven research investment are cited as the main barriers limiting wider legume production across the continent.

An analysis of five years of market data finds oil and Bitcoin do not move together. Between 25 February and 18 March 2026, Brent crude rose 67% while Bitcoin gained only 5%. The only meaningful correlation, a beta of 0.34, occurred between 2020 and 2022 and is attributed to liquidity conditions rather than causation.