Evening Briefing: Wednesday 14 October 2026
- If you drive a diesel or run a fleet: the International Energy Agency says the diesel squeeze will last into the second half of 2027, with retail prices already at records in most major economies and delivered prices into Europe liable to rise again in the coming weeks.
- If you are flying to or through Saudi Arabia: Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport is closed until 17 October after Saturday’s strike that killed thirteen people, airlines have cancelled flights, and the Houthis today told civilians to keep away from Saudi airports.
- If you are a courier, driver or hairdresser paid as self-employed: the government has opened a consultation on bogus self-employment which it says could bring as many as 900,000 people the minimum wage and holiday pay they are currently missing.
Container Ship Sinks in the Strait of Hormuz as Attacks Surge
The Singapore-flagged GFS Pride sank after being struck by an unknown projectile on Tuesday; all 21 crew were evacuated unhurt. A second Singapore-flagged ship was hit today and reached safe anchorage. Singapore’s maritime authority called…
Houthis Vow More Strikes on Saudi Oil and Airports
The Houthis declared Saudi airports and oil facilities legitimate targets, a day after a strike on Aramco’s Dhahran headquarters started a fire that sources say spread across several floors — more than the “limited fire” the energy ministr…
American Inflation Rises to 3.7% on the Eve of the Midterms
Consumer prices rose 3.7% in the year to September, above the 3.6% forecast and up from 3.4%, in the last reading before the 3 November elections. Petrol rose 9.1% in the month and accounted for more than half the increase; core inflation…
Starlink Limits Disrupt Ukrainian Missions as 600,000 Lose Power
Ukrainian terminals moving faster than 160km/h lost connection overnight, wrecking a number of drone missions, according to Serhiy Beskrestnov, a presidential adviser: “It’s clear that this action cannot be a coincidence.” Elon Musk said t…
Energy Agency Warns the Diesel Squeeze Will Last Into 2027
The International Energy Agency’s monthly report says gasoil supply will fall short of demand this quarter and lost stocks are unlikely to be rebuilt before the second half of 2027. Global diesel exports fell 700,000 barrels a day year-on-…
Burnham Tells Zelensky Britain’s Support “Will Not Change”
Volodymyr Zelensky was met in Downing Street by a ceremonial guard — which Number 10 says it can find no record of for a foreign leader there — after an audience with the King. “We are behind you and that will not change,” the prime minist…
Burnham Rules Out Partnership With Greens Over Zionism Motion
The prime minister told the Commons the Green Party’s conference motion defining Zionism as racism “is wrong, it is antisemitic, and this side of the House will have nothing to do with it”, adding that Labour “cannot support a partnership”…
Burnham’s Dinners With Man City Chairman Left Out of Statement
Deleted records show Andy Burnham dined with Khaldoon Al Mubarak at matches in 2017 and 2018 while mayor, hospitality valued at £300 and about £699. Neither was specified in Monday’s official account of his dealings with the club. Asked at…
IMF Singles Out Britain’s Deficit Plan Before the Budget
Kristalina Georgieva said Britain is “one country where action to reduce debt and deficit has been taken decisively”, the third such endorsement from senior IMF officials in a day. The fund lifted its growth forecast for this year to 1.3%.…
Ministers Move Against Bogus Self-Employment Affecting 900,000 Workers
The government has opened a consultation on businesses that label staff as self-employed to avoid paying the minimum wage and holiday pay, citing estimates that up to 900,000 people are affected — among them couriers, delivery drivers and…