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A devastating fire has engulfed the largest of Australia's two oil refineries, operated by Viva Energy in Geelong, Victoria. The blaze, which began on Wednesday night, had been brought under control by Thursday noon. The refinery, which processes 120,000 barrels of oil per day, accounts for approximately 10% of Australia's fuel production.The fire was triggered by a gas leak that ignited, sending flames as high as 60m (200 feet) into the air. Fortunately, firefighters managed to contain the blaze without it spreading to other parts of the plant, which produces high-octane petrol, jet fuel, and diesel.The incident comes at a critical time for Australia, which relies on imports for 80% of its fuel needs. The country is racing to replace supply disrupted by the Middle East conflict, which has driven up energy prices worldwide. Fuel security is a growing concern in the Asia Pacific region, with Australia lacking major stockpiles.In response to the crisis, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that Australia had secured an additional supply of 100 million litres of diesel from Brunei and South Korea. The government has urged Australians to avoid panic-buying fuel and to conserve petrol where possible.Australia's fuel reserves stand at approximately 38 days' worth of petrol, falling short of the 90-day minimum recommended by the International Energy Agency. The country is heavily reliant on oil shipped through the Strait of Hormuz, which has seen shipping traffic cease since the US and Israel launched their war against Iran.

Sudan's power grid has collapsed, leaving many towns and cities without electricity. The crisis has been worsened by the ongoing war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, now in its fourth year. The country's reliance on imported fuel has been disrupted, driving up costs and further straining the economy.In Khartoum, residents like Husna Mohamed are struggling to cope with the daily burden of fetching water and managing household chores without electricity. Fuel prices have surged by over 40% in recent weeks, making it difficult for people to afford basic necessities. The Sudanese pound has also lost roughly 20% of its value against the US dollar.The economic impact is being felt across various sectors. Transport costs have risen, and food prices are increasing, with a 10-kilogramme bag of sugar rising from 28,000 to 35,000 Sudanese pounds in just one week. Merchants are hesitant to sell, waiting to see how prices will develop.Economist Mohamed al-Tayeb notes that Sudan's economy is especially vulnerable to energy disruption due to its heavy reliance on land transport and power-dependent production. The crisis is not only economic but also infrastructural, with informal and makeshift power poles causing frequent failures across the grid.Local solutions, such as solar panels and shared generators, are being implemented, but they remain partial and fragile. The crisis has exposed the limited margin for error in Sudanese households, which were already absorbing multiple shocks, including the war, currency collapse, and displacement.

In a series of consecutive attacks, Israeli military operations in Lebanon led to the fatal shooting of four Lebanese paramedics. The incidents, reported on April 16, 2026, have intensified scrutiny over the protection of medical personnel amid ongoing hostilities.Humanitarian groups emphasize that the loss of emergency responders not only deepens the humanitarian crisis but also contravenes international norms that safeguard medical workers in war zones. The deaths underscore the heightened risks faced by first‑responders operating in contested areas.While details about the precise locations and circumstances remain limited, the incident has prompted calls for stricter adherence to the rules of armed conflict and for mechanisms that ensure the safety of those providing critical medical aid.

Renewed diplomatic activity is gathering momentum as Pakistan assumes a central mediating role in the stalled US‑Iran conflict. A senior Pakistani delegation, headed by Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, arrived in Tehran to convey messages from Washington, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif embarked on a regional tour that includes stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkiye. Iran’s foreign ministry confirmed that Tehran and Washington have maintained contact since the Islamabad talks ended on Sunday, and the White House expressed optimism about convening a second round of peace negotiations in the Pakistani capital. Iran’s warning on the Strait of Hormuz added a sharp edge to the diplomatic push. Adviser Mohsen Rezaei cautioned that continued US enforcement of a naval blockade could prompt Tehran to target American vessels in the strategic waterway. The United States has already tightened restrictions on ships linked to Iranian ports, turning several vessels back before they can dock. In parallel, internal divisions in Washington persisted. The Senate rejected a resolution that would have limited US war powers without congressional approval, underscoring the political friction surrounding the conflict. Key diplomatic developments include: Second‑round talks: The White House announced that a follow‑up peace round with Iran is under discussion and that officials are hopeful a deal can be reached. China’s endorsement: Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Iranian counterpart that Beijing supports maintaining the momentum of the ceasefire and ongoing negotiations. Saudi‑Pakistani engagement: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met Prime Minister Sharif in Jeddah to discuss regional stability and the US‑Iran dialogue, with Pakistan’s mediation highlighted as a focal point. US‑Qatar dialogue: President Donald Trump consulted with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on regional developments, emphasizing oil market stability and gas pricing. On the US side, the administration imposed fresh sanctions targeting more than two dozen individuals, companies and vessels tied to Iranian oil magnate Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani. The US Central Command reported that 10 vessels were blocked from leaving Iranian ports within the first 48 hours of the naval blockade, a clear signal of escalating pressure. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that Israel and the United States share “identical” objectives to contain Iran, while also stating that Israeli military operations would continue unabated. He emphasized the priority of dismantling Hezbollah in Lebanon, marking the first direct talks with Lebanese leaders in decades. In Lebanon, the humanitarian toll deepened. The Health Ministry reported that at least 2,167 people have been killed and more than 7,000 injured by Israeli strikes, with approximately 1.2 million residents displaced since March 2. The UN special rapporteur on housing warned that Israel’s tactics mirror those used in Gaza, calling for an immediate halt to the bombing. Economically, the war’s ripple effects are already manifesting worldwide. World Bank chief economist Indermit Gill warned that the conflict could push the number of people facing acute food insecurity up by about 20 %, adding roughly 300 million individuals to the crisis. Meanwhile, optimism over a potential diplomatic breakthrough sent major US stock indices to record highs on Wednesday. Overall, the convergence of high‑level diplomatic outreach, heightened military warnings, and growing economic concerns underscores a pivotal moment in the US‑Iran war, with Pakistan’s mediation and regional engagements shaping the prospects for a ceasefire.

South Korea is seeking to capitalize on the Iran crisis to accelerate its transition to renewable energy, with a focus on expanding its 'solar income village' program. The initiative, which aims to reach 2,500 villages by 2030, has already shown promising results in rural areas like Guyang-ri, where a one-megawatt solar installation generates $6,800 in net profit monthly. The village uses this revenue to fund communal benefits, including free meals for residents and a 'happiness bus' for elderly people. This approach has strengthened community bonds and improved quality of life, demonstrating the potential for renewable energy to drive social and economic development. President Lee Jae Myung has emphasized the need for a faster clean energy transition, citing South Korea's heavy reliance on imported energy, including crude oil from the Strait of Hormuz. The government has increased funding for renewable energy projects, allocating a supplementary budget of about 500bn won to energy transition, which includes grid infrastructure upgrades and support for renewable energy projects. However, challenges persist, including the country's reliance on Chinese supply chains for solar panels and the need to address grid capacity limitations. Environmental groups have expressed concerns that the government's response to energy transition falls short, citing the allocation of 5tn won to absorb fossil fuel price hikes, including direct subsidies to oil refineries. Despite these challenges, experts believe that the window for transformative change is open, and the government's institutional courage will be crucial in defining South Korea's energy future.

LIV Golf, a breakaway tour backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), is facing an uncertain future as the fund is expected to withdraw its support in 2026. This development has significant implications for the careers of several leading golfers who made lucrative switches to LIV. The PIF's expected withdrawal could leave many golfers in career limbo, with some, such as Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm, potentially having a pathway back to the PGA Tour. However, the future for others who joined LIV is far more uncertain. The tour's executives recently attended a summit with the PIF in New York, where the financial impact of the Middle East crisis was discussed. LIV's chief executive, Scott O'Neil, has attempted to reassure staff and players that the tour's season will continue as planned, but the lack of commitment beyond 2026 has fueled speculation and concern. Since its inception in 2021, LIV is understood to have burned through more than $5bn of PIF money. Despite this, the tour has made strides towards becoming more commercially viable, attracting blue-chip sponsors such as Rolex and HSBC. The PGA Tour has smoothed a path for some LIV golfers to return, including Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed. However, the scenario for others is far less obvious, particularly for those who lack the pull to return to the PGA Tour. The DP World Tour, formerly European Tour, may benefit from LIV's potential demise, given its willingness to re-engage with LIV players. The uncertainty surrounding LIV's future also has implications for women's golf in Europe, with the PIF Saudi Ladies International and other events potentially being affected if the kingdom diverts attention away from the sport.

Metro Bank has approved a £2.6 million annual remuneration package for chief executive Dan Frumkin, the highest ever for the lender since its 2010 launch. The figure more than doubles the £1.2 million he earned in 2024. The pay rise comes on the heels of a dramatic restructuring that saw the bank cut over 1,000 jobs in spring 2024 and suspend Sunday trading, measures taken after a £925 million rescue led by Colombian billionaire Jaime Gilinski Bacal, who now owns 53% of the institution. Metro’s turnaround has delivered a record pre‑tax profit of £87 million for 2025, prompting the board to approve a complex bonus scheme. The package includes a £1.2 million annual bonus, a £470,000 deferred bonus from 2023, and a salary of £938,875, plus additional tax, life‑insurance and pension benefits. Under the scheme, Frumkin could earn up to £60 million over five years if Metro’s share price exceeds certain thresholds – it must stay above 120p in 2028 and could reach 437p, a level that would trigger the maximum payout. Metro’s shares currently trade around 141p. The bonus plan was endorsed by 88.6% of voting shareholders, despite objections from proxy advisers ISS and Glass Lewis. The bank did not disclose how many of those votes were cast by Gilinski’s holdings. Founded by US billionaire Vernon Hill, Metro Bank distinguished itself with dog‑friendly branches and seven‑day opening hours. However, a 2019 accounting error forced the resignation of its founder and top executives, and the bank struggled to satisfy regulators, leading to the 2023 capital infusion. In a statement, a Metro Bank spokesperson said the remuneration committee’s approach is “based on the delivery of long‑term growth generation and the continued turnaround of the bank,” emphasizing alignment with shareholder interests. Frumkin, who joined Metro in 2020 after senior roles at RBS and Northern Rock, now stands at the centre of a debate over executive pay in a sector still recovering from the 2007‑08 financial crisis.

Rebuilding opens on a bleak, charred horizon, introducing Dusty (Josh O’Connor), a Colorado rancher whose ancestral land has been reduced to ash by a recent wildfire. A bank official’s blunt refusal to extend a loan underscores the decade‑long bleak outlook for the barren property.Stripped of his home, Dusty relocates to a spartan, government‑funded trailer camp and takes a humbling highway‑maintenance job. The film deepens his personal stakes through interactions with his ex‑wife Ruby (Meghann Fahy), their ten‑year‑old daughter Callie‑Rose (Lily LaTorre), and his ailing mother‑in‑law Bess, portrayed by Oscar‑winner Amy Madigan. A poignant scene shows Dusty ferrying Callie‑Rose to the local library, where they share a shaky Wi‑Fi connection for her schoolwork.Amid the trailer community, Dusty forms a tentative bond with the resilient Mali (Kali Reis), hinting at a potential romance beyond mere friendship. Their collective moments around a campfire evoke the tone of Chloé Zhao’s Nomadland, positioning the film within a growing genre of American stories about displacement and survival.Notably, the narrative avoids direct references to climate change or governmental responsibility, presenting the wildfire as an isolated tragedy rather than a symptom of a broader environmental crisis. This omission mirrors a recurring pattern in U.S. cinema, where the focus remains on personal resilience rather than systemic solutions.O’Connor delivers a nuanced performance, channeling the restrained British sensibility of his earlier work into Dusty’s quiet strength and vulnerability. His portrayal anchors the film’s emotional core, while the supporting cast—particularly Madigan’s compassionate Bess and Reis’s tough‑yet‑tender Mali—adds depth to the community portrait.Rebuilding arrives in UK cinemas on 17 April, offering audiences a contemplative look at loss, renewal, and the fragile ties that bind families and strangers alike.

For the first time, a detailed map identifies the UK’s most severe ammonia pollution hotspots in regions where intensive pig and poultry farms are most concentrated.The analysis, produced by Compassion in World Farming (CiWF) and the environmental group Sustain, shows the highest emission densities in Lincolnshire, Herefordshire and Norfolk. These counties host a large number of confined‑livestock units that drive dangerous levels of ammonia, a nitrogen‑based gas primarily released from animal manure.In the United Kingdom, agriculture accounts for 89% of national ammonia emissions. When released into the atmosphere, ammonia reacts with other pollutants to form fine particulate matter (PM2.5), a leading cause of premature death. The Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP) estimated that PM2.5 exposure caused between 28,861 and 29,000 early deaths in 2010.The timing of the report is notable: the government is currently reviewing planning regulations that would make it easier to approve new intensive livestock facilities, despite growing concerns over air quality, water contamination and local opposition.Health professionals warn that ammonia‑derived PM2.5 fuels heart disease, stroke, asthma and chronic lung conditions. Dr Amir Khan, a GP and CiWF patron, said, “As a GP, I see first‑hand the toll that air pollution takes on people’s health – and ammonia from intensive farming is a major, yet often overlooked, part of that problem.”Beyond human health, excess nitrogen from ammonia deposition acidifies soils and pollutes rivers. Recent activism in Shropshire halted a proposed poultry megafarm of 230,000 chickens after campaigners argued the council failed to assess the full environmental impact.Rising numbers of industrial poultry units—known as IPUs—along the River Wye and River Severn valleys are identified as a key driver of river pollution. Chicken manure is especially rich in phosphates, which deplete oxygen in waterways and threaten aquatic life.Calculations for the map were based on permitted stocking numbers and average ammonia production factors for different livestock categories, including broiler chickens, indoor egg layers and pigs.Local residents are already feeling the impact. Michele Franks, who lives near a Lincolnshire poultry megafarm, described how shed clean‑outs force her to stay indoors, causing “chest tightness, eye irritation and breathing difficulties” that can last for days.CiWF and Sustain are calling for an end to the expansion of factory farming. Anthony Field, head of Compassion in World Farming UK, warned, “Factory farming sits at the heart of the UK’s ammonia crisis. By cramming large numbers of animals into confined spaces and relying heavily on fertilisers, these intensive systems release far more ammonia than the environment or our bodies can cope with.”