August 2026
All columns and Brief analyses.
10 results
State support for gas storage is under review as Michael Shanks flags a shortfall after 2030
Ministers are weighing payments for gas storage after a National Energy System Operator warning, while Worldpanel grocery price growth slowed to 2.1 per cent and Fuel Finder letters followed delayed pump-price cuts.
Stripe pursues OpenRouter as Relay closes and Groq raises 350 million dollars
Stripe is reported to be pursuing an OpenRouter deal above 7 billion dollars; Relay is closing as its founder returns to Google, while Groq raised 350 million dollars for cloud growth.
Tehran faces questions over Erbil as Hormuz and Red Sea risks crowd diplomacy
Iraq demanded Iran's position on the Erbil drone strike, Türkiye and Iran discussed Hormuz and the ceasefire, and new Yemeni civilian deaths sharpened Red Sea security concerns.
Tehran names a three-part price for reopening the Strait of Hormuz
Iran's parliament speaker said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until Washington lifts its naval blockade, releases frozen assets and ends oil sanctions. Meanwhile, a projectile damaged an outbound ship's engine room.
The 30-year US yield hit 5.29 per cent as the dollar fell to a two-month low
Long-bond yield rose to 5.29 per cent Monday; the dollar hit its lowest since early June. Despite 133.5 billion dollars of June net inflows, 94 of 104 economists expect the Fed to wait through year-end.
The Hormuz deal expires, and a ship is hit
As the interim memorandum expired without a deal, Trump demanded Iran's surrender and Tehran threatened an offensive posture. An unknown projectile then damaged an outbound vessel, underscoring the danger to Hormuz traffic.
Ukraine's air war tightens as launchers empty and strikes cross borders
Ukraine's Patriot interceptors are effectively exhausted as reciprocal drone strikes keep killing civilians. Confirmation that British-made drones hit targets in Russia prompted Moscow to threaten consequences for London, widening the conflict's diplomatic reach.
US housing starts fall 12.4 per cent in July while permits rise 5.0 per cent
US housing starts fell 12.4 per cent in July as NAR pending sales dropped 2.3 per cent against forecasts. In Britain, Zoopla says homes sell fastest in Falkirk and slowest in Melton as mortgage costs stay volatile.
Venezuela prices jump 19.9 per cent in a month as annual inflation hits 579.96 per cent
Venezuela prices rose 19.9 per cent in July, taking annual inflation to 579.96 per cent. Braskem Idesa filed a prepackaged Chapter 11 to cut senior debt, and Vale and Accenture asked Brazil's next government to speed permitting.
Wassim al-Assad is sentenced to death in person as digging starts at Deir el-Zour
A Damascus court sentenced Wassim al-Assad to death, the first family member tried in person. Beirut is handing over Major General Adel Issa. Rafael Mariano Grossi said digging has begun at Deir el-Zour.