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Diesel prices remained elevated on Wednesday as tighter refined-product supplies kept pressure on fuel markets in the United States and Europe. U.S. ultra-low sulfur diesel futures jumped 7.4% on Monday to settle at $4.19 a gallon. That marked the contract’s biggest daily gain since July 13. Early Wednesday trading put the contract near $4.28 a gallon, while European diesel refining margins remained at historically high levels after rising nearly 10% on Monday.
Europe’s extreme summer heat and drought could cut EU economic output by about 1% in 2026, according to new analysis from Triodos Bank. The estimated loss equals roughly €180 billion and is close to the European Commission’s current growth forecast for the bloc. In May, the Commission projected EU gross domestic product would rise 1.1% this year. The comparison shows the scale of the weather-related damage estimated in the bank’s analysis.
Denmark’s annual consumer price inflation eased to 1.7% in July from 1.9% in June, official data showed. Statistics Denmark said the consumer price index rose 1.3% from June. Core inflation was 2.3%, unchanged from the previous month. Restaurants and hotels made the largest overall contribution to July inflation. Higher holiday home rental prices were the main driver inside that category.
Gold advanced for a third consecutive session on Tuesday as bullion extended its rebound from last week. Spot gold gained 1% to $4,432.74 an ounce by 0217 GMT, reaching its highest level since June 5. U.S. gold futures climbed 1.7% to $4,492.60. The move pushed prices above the seven-week peak recorded last week and continued a recovery that accelerated after weaker U.S. employment data.
Fresh vegetable prices have surged in South Korea as prolonged extreme heat reduced shipments and damaged farm output nationwide. Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp. data showed spinach at 1,978 won per 100 grams on Aug. 7, up 152.3% from a month earlier. Ten cucumbers cost 8,313 won, an increase of 54.8%. Blue lettuce rose 41.7%, while a zucchini climbed 46.6% to 1,504 won.
Under the terms of the revised agreement, the main satellite constellation will grow from 282 planned orbital units to 348 active spacecraft. The expanded network architecture integrates 330 satellites positioned in higher low Earth orbit alongside 18 spacecraft deployed in medium Earth orbit, with optional orbital elements reserved for specialized mission support. The implementation agreement confirms the definitive timeline for satellite manufacturing, launch procurement, secure ground segment construction, and operational connectivity service delivery. The primary constellation schedule establishes initial satellite launches for 2029, enabling early sovereign connectivity capabilities for participating member states shortly thereafter.
The latest slide followed a sharp Tuesday retreat that exceeded the 4% decline reported earlier in the session. Brent settled 5.3% lower at $79.36 a barrel, its first close below $80 since July 13. WTI settled 5.7% lower at $75.77. Both contracts reached their lowest closing levels in three weeks. The Tuesday losses extended Monday’s drop, when Brent fell 7% and WTI declined 5.1%.
Headline inflation across OECD economies eased to 4.2% in June 2026 from 4.6% in May, ending three straight monthly increases. Energy prices drove much of the monthly easing, with OECD energy inflation falling four percentage points to 11.7% year on year. Food inflation also moderated, falling by 0.2 percentage point to 3.4%. Core inflation, which excludes food and energy, declined by the same margin to 3.6%. Across G7 economies, annual headline inflation dropped to 3.0% in June from 3.5% in May, with a 5.2-point decline in energy inflation accounting for most of the change.
Oil prices surged on July 29, pushing Brent crude above $90 a barrel as renewed Middle East fighting and tighter U.S. inventories lifted global benchmarks. Brent futures settled at $90.74, up $6.65, or 7.9%. West Texas Intermediate gained $5.20, or 6.6%, to $84.46. Both contracts posted their strongest daily advances in several weeks. The contracts had already gained more than 20% during July as regional supply disruptions affected energy markets.
UK solar capacity reached 22.8 gigawatts at the end of June 2026, extending a sharp rise in deployment. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero recorded about 2.076 million installations nationwide. Developers added 27,391 systems during June, contributing 132 megawatts. The latest monthly figures remain provisional and may change as more projects enter the official dataset. The capacity total covers rooftop arrays, commercial systems and large solar farms. It also sets a baseline before new plug-in solar rules take effect.
