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Money, lobbyists, inertia: Why fossil fuels are so hard to quit?

When the international community agreed to transition away from fossil fuels at the 2023 COP28 global climate summit, some hailed the moment as the beginning of the end for oil. But little progress has been made since then, even though the vast majority of scientists agree there’s overwhelming evidence of global warming and that it is driven chiefly by the burning of fossil fuels. The Middle East war, meanwhile, has shown that the world is as dependent as ever on “black gold,” with the effective...

India, South Korea plan $50bn trade push with new deals

India and South Korea said on Monday that they would boost their economic ties by expanding cooperation in energy, critical minerals, shipbuilding, semiconductors and steel as they seek to double their trade to $50 billion by 2030. New Delhi and Seoul also agreed to resume and step up negotiations to give new energy to their 2010 trade agreement as India wanted their trade to be more balanced and South Korea wanted greater market access to the world’s fastest-growing major economy. South Korean...

Tariff Refund Portal Kicks Off: Who is Eligible for Reimbursements?

The federal government will begin accepting refund requests from businesses that paid more than $100 billion in tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump before they were ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. NBC’s Brain Cheung reports for TODAY on the new refund website as well as a new projections for oil and gas prices.

आज 71 हजार करोड़ स्‍वाहा... शेयर बाजार में बदला गेम, अब आगे क्‍या?

Personal shopper and stylist, 43, is charged with £277,000 fraud after 'promising clients she would invest their money in Gucci bags'

Personal shopper and stylist, 43, is charged with £277,000 fraud after 'promising clients she would invest their money in Gucci bags'By CAITLIN LENG and TONY PALMER Published: 12:24, 20 April 2026 | Updated: 12:27, 20 April 2026 e-mail

Electric car sales soar 51% in mainland Europe as Iran war drives up fuel prices

Norway leads the way in terms of switching as data shows 224,000 new EVs were registered in MarchBusiness live – latest updatesSales of electric cars soared 51% in continental Europe last month, amid a rise in petrol and diesel costs driven by the Iran war.Data shows that 224,000 new electric vehicles (EVs) were registered in March, and 500,000 across the first three months of the year – a 33.5% increase on a year earlier, according to analysis of national sales data in 15 countries by New AutoM...

Wildfire survivors who lost their homes could face another blow from taxes on settlement payouts

NewsWorldAmericasWildfire survivors who lost their homes could face another blow from taxes on settlement payoutsThousands of survivors of the 2025 Eaton Fire in California are accepting settlements from the utility accused of causing itGabriela Aoun Angueira Monday 20 April 2026 12:17 BSTBookmarkBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popover{"translations":{"comments":"Go to comments","share":"Share","copyLink":"Copy link","bookmark":"Bookmark","removeBookmark":"Remove bookmark"},"showComm...

Crude affair: Why the world is still hooked on oil despite better options

A global promise to shift from fossil fuels faces significant hurdles. Economic ties to oil and powerful industry lobbying impede progress. Political will is also a key factor. Despite these challenges, renewable energy sources are expanding rapidly worldwide, offering a glimpse of future change.

Quarter of a million people could lose job by middle of 2027 as UK ‘flirts with recession’, analysis says

Twin reports from top accounting firms underline scale of economic threat as Iran war shatters business confidenceA quarter of a million people could lose their jobs by the middle of next year as Britain “flirts with recession”, analysis suggests, after business confidence was shattered by the US-Israel war on Iran.As the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, summoned bank chiefs for talks aimed at containing the fallout, twin reports from top accounting firms underlined the scale of the economic threat fa...

Stocks Fall, Oil Rises After US Seizes Iran-Flagged Ship | Bloomberg Brief 4/20/2026

US equity futures fall and oil climbs after the US Navy attacked and boarded an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman. Iran says it has no plans to attend potential negotiations with the US in Pakistan with the ceasefire expiring on Tuesday. Amy Wu Silverman of RBC Capital Markets discusses the market volatility amid renewed uncertainties around the war. (Source: Bloomberg)

Sindh CM orders speeding up wheat procurement to achieve target

PakistanSindh CM orders speeding up wheat procurement to achieve targetBy Web Desk-Apr 20, 2026KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah chaired a meeting that reviewed wheat procurement and directed concerned authorities to speed up the process to achieve set targets within time. Food Minister Makhdoom Mehboob uz Zaman in briefing to the chief minister informed that only 8,958 tons of wheat had so far been procured across Sindh. Murad Ali Shah expressed concern over the pace of procurement a...

Energy Services Set to Benefit Once Iran War Ends, Barclays Says

The European energy services sector faces a brighter future once the Middle East conflict de-escalates as a result of work that oil producers need to undertake to resolve disruption, according to Barclays Plc analysts.

Chow Yun-fat nets 91% gain on Hong Kong flat after 31 years as prices rebound

Chow Yun-fat, the legendary Hong Kong actor, has sold a Mid-Levels flat after more than three decades, securing a roughly 91 per cent gain, as the city’s secondary housing market continues to strengthen. The 541 sq ft, three-bedroom flat in Corona Tower fetched HK$7.5 million (US$960,000), or HK$13,863 per square foot. The sale agreement was signed on February 11 and the transaction was registered on March 11, according to Land Registry records. The deal generated a gain of HK$3.58 million...

ByteDance profit plunges on AI push as TikTok Shop powers overseas growth: reports

ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok and Douyin, saw its net profit plummet by more than 70 per cent in 2025 as it poured money into artificial intelligence, according to Chinese media reports. At the same time, revenue from overseas markets surged by nearly 50 per cent, far outpacing the roughly 20 per cent growth in China, according to reports on Monday by outlets including Securities Times and 36Kr, which cited a person familiar with the matter. For the first time, overseas revenue...

UnitedHealth Isn’t Out of the Woods With $6 Billion Medicare Hit

UnitedHealth Group Inc.’s results Tuesday will reflect the full effect of Medicare payment changes set in motion three years ago that cost the company billions, cratering profits last year and blindsiding investors.

Why cultural fusion could make GCC the next great financial hub

The world’s leading financial centres are not built on capital alone. They are built on the constant exchange of ideas—on people from different systems learning how to think, decide, and operate together. That is where the GCC’s real edge is emerging. Not just in its wealth or infrastructure, but in its cultural fusion.You can see it in how business actually gets done across the Gulf today.Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply click here.In Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ri...

Should investors stay cautious despite stable markets? Expert answers

Should investors stay cautious despite stable markets Expert answers

Aldi to open 8 new UK stores — full list of locations

Aldi to open 8 new UK stores — full list of locationsAs the cost of living spikes, Aldi’s £40million expansion is set to bring "unbeatable value to more families"CommentsNewsKatie Oborn Audience Writer11:53, 20 Apr 2026View 2 ImagesAldi supermarket announces eight new stores that will open in 2026(Image: Citypress / Aldi )Aldi is a well-known discount supermarket chain with branches across the globe, but now the retail giant is bringing even more “within easy reach” for its customers....

‘Record’ choice of cash Isa products as rates expected to be ‘higher for longer’

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Shetland windfarm owner is paid £10million-a-year to turn off turbines during gale force winds - while people living in its shadow fork out for some of Britain's highest energy bills

Shetland windfarm owner is paid £10million-a-year to turn off turbines during gale force winds - while people living in its shadow fork out for some of Britain's highest energy billsBy FREYA BARNES, NEWS REPORTER Published: 11:49, 20 April 2026 | Updated: 11:56, 20 April 2026 e-mail View comments