Global energy prices have spiked alarmingly again, driven largely in recent days by the escalating conflict between Yemen's Houthis and Saudi Arabia causing chaos for the oil industry. Petrol and diesel costs have risen rapidly in most countries while the wholesale price of natural gas - used for heating homes and generating electricity - has almost doubled in the UK and Europe since July. There are growing concerns of another inflationary shock on the world economy, which could cause interest rates to rise, increase mortgage costs and raise the price of almost everything in the shops including food. So what is behind this latest surge - and what are the implications for the world economy? The global oil price is currently above $108 (£80) per barrel, up from $70 (£52) in June 2026 - a roughly 50% increase.

As fighting intensifies in Yemen, thousands of Yemenis are seeking refuge in Djibouti, deepening the country's humanitarian crisis. Al Jazeera's Mohammed Tawakul reports from a camp where displaced Yemenis are registering for refugee status. JD Vance insists US is'on top of' Houthi advance in Red Sea China rejects AI'threat narratives', urges global cooperation US may be'forced to intervene' in the Red Sea

JD Vance insists US is'on top of' Houthi advance in Red Sea JD Vance insists US is'on top of' Houthi advance in Red Sea US Vice President JD Vance says the Trump administration is "very much on top of" the Houthi advance in Yemen after they seized key islands in the Red Sea. Vance said Washington is in close contact with Saudi Arabia, and has held direct talks with the Houthis. Share JD Vance insists US is'on top of' Houthi advance in Red Sea on social media China rejects AI'threat narratives', urges global cooperation US may be'forced to intervene' in the Red Sea

Brent crude has risen above $100 a barrel as war in Iran disrupts shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, while the Houthis' capture of Mayun Island raises concerns over another major oil route through the Bab al-Mandeb. JD Vance insists US is'on top of' Houthi advance in Red Sea China rejects AI'threat narratives', urges global cooperation US may be'forced to intervene' in the Red Sea

Video has emerged of a French police officer violently throwing a 29-year-old homeless man named as Youssef E to the ground during a music festival. Youssef died 13 days later, and a judicial investigation for "intentional violence" has been opened against the officer. China rejects AI'threat narratives', urges global cooperation US may be'forced to intervene' in the Red Sea

China rejects AI'threat narratives', urges global cooperation China rejects AI'threat narratives', urges global cooperation China called for international cooperation on artificial intelligence, warning that "threat narratives" could disrupt global AI governance. The comments follow Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei's call for AI firms to slow model development over safety and national security concerns. Share China rejects AI'threat narratives', urges global cooperation on social media US may be'forced to intervene' in the Red Sea

China slams US claims of'industrial-scale' AI theft Share China slams US claims of'industrial-scale' AI theft on social media China has issued a forceful reply against claims by the United States that top Chinese artificial intelligence companies have engaged in "industrial scale" theft of their US counterparts' AI models. The response on Wednesday comes after three US federal agencies - the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), National Security Agency (NSA) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) - accused Chinese AI companies of exploiting American AI models to benefit their own systems. Tokens are the smallest units of text that AI models read, or generate. On Wednesday, China's Commerce Ministry dismissed the allegations and accused the US of seeking a "monopoly of the AI industry". "If the U.S. suppresses Chinese AI companies under the pretext of targeting distillation, China will take resolute countermeasures," the ministry said in a statement to the Associated Press.

At least 78 people including a newborn baby were rescued from the Mediterranean Sea after an NGO rescue vessel carried out three separate searches on Tuesday. SOS Mediterrane said those rescued were suffering from heat exhaustion, dehydration and fuel burns. AI researcher quits Anthropic saying AI race'could kill us all' Video: Why are Republicans hosting a midterm convention? Turkish jets perform dramatic flyover above Egypt's pyramids

Footage shows search operations conducted by rescue teams in Indonesia after five journalists were reported missing while covering the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatoa. AI researcher quits Anthropic saying AI race'could kill us all' Video: Why are Republicans hosting a midterm convention? Turkish jets perform dramatic flyover above Egypt's pyramids

AI researcher quits Anthropic saying AI race'could kill us all' AI researcher quits Anthropic saying AI race'could kill us all' An AI researcher has resigned from Anthropic, warning that the industry is racing towards superintelligent AI that could eventually improve itself beyond human control. Share AI researcher quits Anthropic saying AI race'could kill us all' on social media Video: Why are Republicans hosting a midterm convention? Turkish jets perform dramatic flyover above Egypt's pyramids