emergency

The Trump administration has warned France and Germany to release emergency diesel reserves to help lower global fuel prices or risk facing a potential US ban on diesel exports, according to people familiar with the discussions.

The warning represents a sharp escalation in Washington’s pressure on European allies as President Donald Trump looks for ways to increase fuel supplies and bring down prices ahead of the November midterm elections.

US officials have become increasingly frustrated with France and Germany, which Washington believes have not fully acted on earlier commitments to release emergency oil and petroleum reserves as global fuel markets face mounting disruptions.

“It is in Europe’s best interest to work with the United States as we pursue multiple pathways to boost the supply of refined products and lower costs for consumers,” a US official told Reuters.

A second source familiar with the discussions said the United States had asked the European Union to release 120 million barrels of diesel over the next six months.

The demand highlights the growing importance of Europe’s fuel reserves at a time when disruptions to major energy-producing regions are tightening global supplies.

Washington Raises Pressure on Europe

The US administration’s warning comes as Trump considers restricting US diesel exports as part of a broader effort to increase domestic supplies and reduce fuel prices for American consumers.

The approach creates a difficult balance for Washington. Limiting exports could increase the amount of diesel available inside the United States, potentially putting downward pressure on domestic prices. But it could simultaneously reduce supplies available to international markets, particularly Europe, which has become increasingly dependent on imported refined fuels.

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said on Wednesday that the administration expected European countries to announce additional diesel supplies soon.

“We’ve lost some diesel exports from the Middle East, although we’re restoring those, and we’ve lost diesel exports from China,” Wright told reporters.

The disruptions have exposed the vulnerability of global refined fuel markets to geopolitical conflicts and changes in trade flows.

Germany’s economy ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment, while France’s energy ministry declined to comment.

The White House’s pressure also appears to have become a broader diplomatic issue among Western allies.

An official at the French presidency said Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron did not discuss the issue when they met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York last week.

Macron, however, plans to convene a video conference of G7 leaders to address rising fuel prices and the availability of refined petroleum products.

The discussions are expected to include coordination over the release of emergency reserves in cooperation with the International Energy Agency.

Why Europe Matters to the Fuel Market

Europe’s position in the global fuel market has changed substantially since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

European countries previously relied heavily on Russian crude oil and refined petroleum products. The subsequent sanctions and restrictions on Russian energy imports forced European governments and companies to find alternative suppliers.

The result has been greater dependence on imports from countries including the United States and suppliers in the Middle East and Asia.

That dependence has become more significant as the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran has disrupted energy flows from the Middle East.

The loss or reduction of refined fuel exports from major suppliers can quickly affect diesel markets because refining capacity cannot always be shifted between regions immediately.

Diesel is particularly important because it powers much of Europe’s commercial transport, heavy industry, agriculture and logistics sectors. Sustained shortages can therefore affect the broader economy rather than simply increasing prices at fuel stations.

The US Faces Its Own Fuel Dilemma

For Trump, the issue also has a strong domestic political dimension.

Fuel prices are highly visible to American consumers, making gasoline and diesel costs politically sensitive ahead of the November midterm elections.

The administration is therefore examining multiple ways to increase available supplies and reduce costs.

But a potential US diesel export ban could have consequences beyond America’s borders.

The United States has become an important supplier of refined petroleum products to international markets. Restricting those exports could tighten supplies elsewhere, potentially pushing international prices higher even if American prices fall.

That creates a difficult policy tradeoff for Washington.

The administration wants to protect US consumers from high fuel costs while maintaining sufficient supply in global markets. European governments, meanwhile, face pressure to use their own emergency reserves even as they seek to maintain energy security following the loss of Russian supplies.

Europe Seeks a Coordinated Response

France appears to be pursuing a broader G7 response rather than treating the issue as a bilateral dispute with Washington.

Macron’s planned meeting would allow the world’s major industrial economies to discuss the availability of refined products and potentially coordinate emergency stock releases through the International Energy Agency.

Such coordination could help prevent individual countries from taking measures that unintentionally worsen shortages elsewhere.

But disagreements over how much fuel should be released, when reserves should be used and who should bear the cost could complicate the process.

Emergency reserves are designed primarily to protect countries against severe supply disruptions. Releasing large quantities can provide temporary relief, but it also reduces the buffer available if another disruption occurs.

That makes Europe’s response particularly consequential at a time when energy markets remain exposed to geopolitical shocks.

A New Test for Transatlantic Energy Relations

The dispute illustrates how the global energy system has become increasingly intertwined with broader geopolitical and trade relationships.

Europe needs reliable fuel supplies after cutting its dependence on Russian energy, while the United States is attempting to use its position as a major energy producer and exporter to address domestic price pressures.

Trump’s warning to France and Germany adds another layer to that relationship by linking European reserve policy to continued access to US diesel exports.

Whether Europe ultimately releases the amount of diesel Washington has requested will depend on national assessments of market conditions, domestic energy security and the risks of further supply disruptions.

For now, the dispute signals that the energy consequences of conflicts in the Middle East are reaching far beyond the region itself.

As the United States and its European allies try to contain fuel prices, they face a common problem but increasingly different pressures over how the burden of stabilising global energy markets should be shared.

With information from Reuters.

British holidaymakers heading to one of Europe’s most popular destinations have been issued a warning

Anyone travelling to Italy or the Vatican City this week have been told to check the latest official advice, after an update highlighted a developing issue that could affect some journeys. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) updated its Italy travel advice on Monday, September 28.

The update relates to Mount Etna, the active volcano on Sicily’s eastern coast which is one of the world’s most active volcanoes. According to UNESCO, Etna’s eruptive history stretches back around 500,000 years, with at least 2,700 years of its activity documented by humans.

It is also one of Sicily’s best-known natural landmarks and was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2013 because of its geological importance. UNESCO describes Etna as the highest mountain on a Mediterranean island and says its continuing activity has made it an important site for scientific research.

The latest FCDO advice says Italian authorities have increased the alert level because of volcanic activity at Mount Etna. Travellers are advised to follow instructions from local authorities if an eruption occurs.

It could have consequences for people travelling by air, with the FCDO stating that arrivals and departures at Catania Airport may be cancelled, delayed or rerouted to Palermo or Comiso if volcanic activity affects the airport. Holidaymakers heading to or from Catania have been advised to check with their airline or travel provider and the airport itself.

The FCDO does not advise against travel to Italy as a whole, but its general guidance states that “no travel can be guaranteed safe” and tells travellers to read the full advice before travelling. It also recommends appropriate travel insurance covering an itinerary, planned activities and emergency expenses.

There are also wider safety points for visitors to Italy, with the FCDO warning that demonstrations can occur with little or no warning in cities and advising people to avoid protests, political gatherings and marches. The government also says petty crime, including bag-snatching and pickpocketing, is more common in city centres and at major tourist attractions.

Wildfires remain another risk during Italy’s extended summer months, with the FCDO describing them as dangerous and unpredictable and advising visitors to check local alerts and weather forecasts. The same guidance says people should follow local authorities’ instructions and take care when travelling through woodland areas.

Anyone travelling should therefore check the FCDO advice shortly before departure because circumstances can change. The government’s travel guidance also recommends having appropriate insurance and following instructions from local authorities while abroad.

Jacks’ match in the north east also included an important 46 not out with the bat.

Though he was eventually left stranded, he batted responsibly, hitting only one four in his first 43 deliveries, to make sure England’s innings was extended from 211-7 in the 39th over to 265 in the penultimate.

“I came in and found it really difficult to start off,” he said.

“I just re-evaluated what I thought was a good score and obviously what then happened with wickets falling around me a change of the role, just try and bat out the overs.”

For so long “batting out the overs” has not been the England way, but Jacks is a player growing in maturity.

He is also vice-captain to Harry Brook for these Sri Lanka series in the absence of Jacob Bethell and has become an increasingly vocal member of the group.

It was telling that when England’s T20 World Cup campaign began earlier this year amid the cloud of Brook’s Wellington episode, Jacks was first put up to speak to the media.

“He’s just a good leader,” Brook said, plainly.

Reliable off the field, Jacks is becoming increasingly so on it.

It is 18 months since he moved from the top of the order to the middle as England’s finisher in T20 and 50-over cricket.

After obvious success as England’s player of the tournament at the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, this was another sign of his growing confidence and ability to do what is needed. Finishers rarely arrive in ideal situations, but their impact can often be match-defining.

“I feel very comfortable going out there on the day and any situation can arise which I really enjoy,” Jacks said.

“It is not the same every day which you get opening so it keeps that fresh element to the game.

“At the beginning of my career it felt like you are just fighting to play in the next game, which is not the best place to be.

“It is a luxury to know, say when we go to Headingley [for the second ODI], that I will be in the team. You can’t take that for granted and appreciate the hard work you have done to get there.”

It is also easy to forget Jacks began the year in England’s Test side, as their spinning all-rounder during the Ashes – a role now filled by Dan Lawrence.

Jacks, who met new Test coach Stephen Fleming when the New Zealander joined the white-ball squad at Old Trafford last weekend, has is signed up for a stint with MI Cape Town in the SA20 this winter.

There would no clash there with Fleming’s first tour in charge in South Africa over Christmas, but the later part of the T20 competition overlaps with England’s two Tests in Bangladesh, where English spinners will be needed.

“I don’t know about what would happen or even if they would want me,” he said.

“We will finish the summer before getting into the winter.”

For now, Jacks will focus on white-ball trips to Pakistan, Australia and South Africa as England build towards the 50-over World Cup next autumn.

One downside of a Test recall would be losing more time to rearrange that Edinburgh trip.

“It didn’t go how we planned but we will have to find time to redo it,” Jacks smiled.

CARROT Top has been hospitalised in Las Vegas after an emergency.

His Friday night show at the Luxor was scrapped as a result.

A source told TMZ Carrot Top, 61, had been rushed to hospital after a suicide attempt.

His rep said the comedian was recovering in hospital with “the care and support he needs”.

The performer’s real name is Scott Thompson.

He got his nickname from a high school swimming coach.

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Known for his high-energy shows, Carrot Top had a long-running residency at the Luxor, Las Vegas.

The fast-paced performance has been running since 2005 at the ritzy hotel.

It regularly includes dozens of props and witty one-liners, with the star closing the show with a lip-synced musical montage.

Carrot Top booked his first stand-up comedy gig as a freshman at Florida Atlantic University.

The comedian from Rocklegde, Florida, got his big break in 1991 on Comic Strip live.

From 1995 to 1999, Carrot Top worked as a continuity announcer for Cartoon Network.

In the early 2000s, he landed TV roles in Larry the Cable Guy’s Christmas Spectacular, George Lopez, and Scrubs.

The comedian also snagged roles on the big screen, including in Chairman of the Board, Dennis the Menace Strikes Again and Tugger: The 4×4 Jeep Who Wanted to Fly.

He has appeared on many talk shows, including a 2010 episode of The Jay Leno Show, when he had pies chucked at him by Leno and guest Emma Roberts.

His agent Jami Schlicher said: “Mr. Thompson is recovering in the hospital and is receiving the care and support he needs.

“His family and those closest to him are deeply grateful for the concern, prayers and respectfully ask for privacy.”

The Sun contacted Scott Thompson’s agent for comment.

Lawyers criticised mass arrests under emergency powers that allowed authorities to detain people without charge.

The Caribbean country of Trinidad and Tobago has ended a state of emergency that granted the government extraordinary powers to combat crime, including the ability to imprison people without charge.

The country’s prime minister told parliament on Wednesday that the government would not extend the state of emergency. One was issued in 2024 and another in 2025, with extensions lengthening both. Instead, the government would seek a “permanent legal framework”.

“The proposed legislation will establish a permanent legal framework for targeted operations against violent crime, gangs, illegal weapons and the criminal networks that finance them, while providing safeguards for law-abiding citizens, judicial oversight and parliamentary accountability,” Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said in a social media post.

The government had faced criticism for a campaign of mass arrests that suspended key civil liberties in what it said was in the name of cracking down on crime and those the government deemed threats to security. A prominent businessman and his wife were among those arrested over alleged involvement in a plot to assassinate the prime minister, but were never charged and later released.

The measures were last extended in June, with the prime minister stating that more than 5,800 people have been arrested since a March extension. About 2,250 of those have yet to be charged, and it remains to be seen whether they will be released now that the state of emergency has ended.

Lawyer Criston Williams told The Associated Press news agency that he expects some of those detained without charge to bring lawsuits against the government and called for the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to investigate possible abuses by the government.

“They are transported to us blindfolded, shackled, hands behind their backs, a gray knapsack over their heads,” he said, adding that meetings with lawyers took place in the presence of five armed men from law enforcement, “who refer to themselves as operator one, two, three, four, five. There’s a camera above, so guess what, there’s nothing like attorney-client privilege.”

Police reported a record 624 killings in the country of about 1.4 million people in 2024, a figure that police say dropped to 369 in 2025. Police state that 255 killings have been recorded this year, compared with 268 over the same period in 2025.

WAUSAU, Wis. — U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, the Republican nominee for Wisconsin governor, wiped away tears and laughed while sharing how thankful he was Sunday to survive a harrowing late-night emergency landing into a lake of the small plane he was riding in.

The pilot “said we are going down,” Tiffany told reporters at a downtown Wausau firehouse. “‘Pull your seat belt tight.’ I gave it a yank and pulled it good and tight. It was probably about 10 seconds later … we hit the water.”

Tiffany said he and the pilot, Leonard Boltz, remained on top of the plane in Lake Wausau until it began sinking. They decided on swimming to shore. He said they swam about 100 to 150 feet until they reached water shallow enough to stand in.

“We’re really fortunate that God was looking after us last night,” said Tiffany, 68.

The Marathon County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement that the emergency landing happened just before 9 p.m. Saturday. Boltz called 911 after the pair got out of the plane. They were rescued by emergency responders in a fire department airboat just after 9 p.m.

“The gravity of this is probably just hitting me at this point,” Tiffany said Sunday. “We were making jokes every step of the way last night. Though we knew it was a serious situation, we tried to keep it light through the whole thing.”

David Crowley, the Democratic gubernatorial nominee, wished Tiffany a “quick recovery” in a post on X and lauded the “heroism of the pilot.”

Tiffany said he was returning from the La Crosse County Lincoln Day Dinner when the single-engine, four-seat Beechcraft Bonanza aircraft lost power as it approached Wausau Downtown Airport.

Tiffany said he had a cut above his right eye that required 12 stitches. Boltz, who Tiffany said is a retired Air Force pilot, also suffered cuts and received four stitches.

Tiffany said the incident will not affect his gubernatorial campaign.

A no-wake buoy was placed near the plane, which remained in the lake, and boaters were asked to avoid the area until the aircraft can be removed, the sheriff’s office said.

A Federal Aviation Administration spokesperson said the agency would investigate the incident. A National Transportation Safety Board spokesperson said that agency is waiting for the FAA to assess the plane as to whether the damage was substantial enough for it to get involved.

The ruling says the Energy Department exceeded its authority by extending the plant’s operation.

A federal appeals court has ruled that the United States Energy Department exceeded its authority when it ordered a coal-fired power plant in the US state of Michigan to remain open beyond its planned retirement, dealing a setback to the Trump administration’s effort to keep ageing coal facilities operating.

The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled unanimously on Friday that there was no emergency under federal law that justified keeping the 64-year-old JH Campbell Generating Plant online. Energy Secretary Chris Wright invoked emergency powers last year, arguing that the plant was needed to maintain reliable electricity in the region.

President Donald Trump declared a national energy emergency in an executive order in January last year, citing demand increases from artificial intelligence and data centre growth.

Judge Cornelia Pillard, writing for the three-judge panel, said the emergency provision of the Federal Power Act was intended as a “narrow, last-resort backstop.” She said the authority could be used only when immediate action was required, and states or utilities could not address the problem themselves.

Pillard also described the reversal of the plant’s “long and carefully planned retirement” as “disruptive”.

The plant, operated by Consumers Energy, had been scheduled to close in May 2025, but the company has continued operations under energy department orders. That has cost about $259m, according to financial filings, with opponents warning that the expense could ultimately fall on families and businesses in midwestern US states.

The company told The Associated Press it was reviewing the court ruling.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, a Democrat, whose office joined counterparts in Illinois and Minnesota in challenging the orders, welcomed the ruling. She said the appeals court had “thrown out DOE’s order that had zero basis in reality”.

The Energy Department defended its use of emergency powers, saying the orders helped prevent blackouts and “likely saved hundreds of lives” during periods of peak demand, particularly during severe winter storms in late January and early February.

The department said that during the winter storm peak, coal generation in affected areas increased by 25 percent compared to the previous year.

The Michigan case is one of several legal disputes that have emerged across the country. Secretary Wright issued another emergency order, just hours after the ruling, to a coal plant in Centralia, Washington, to remain in operation. Similar orders have been issued for plants in Indiana, Colorado and Florida, as well as an oil and gas plant in Pennsylvania.

JEDDAH: The 11th Scientific Assembly of the Saudi Society of Emergency Medicine opened in Jeddah on Saturday, bringing together leading experts, specialists and practitioners from Saudi Arabia and abroad.

Held under the patronage of the Ministry of Health until Sept. 14, the event explores the latest practices and innovations, and discusses challenges facing practitioners and the future of the specialty.

This year’s theme, “NextGen EM,” reflects the conference’s focus on supporting the next generation of emergency physicians and practitioners by strengthening their scientific and professional capabilities and connecting them with experienced specialists.

The opening event featured a visual presentation highlighting the importance of emergency medicine, followed by another examining the development and future of the specialty in the Kingdom.

Assistant Minister of Health for Health Services Dr. Mohammed Al-Abdulaali highlighted the rapid development of emergency care and the growing role of technology in the field.

“Emergency departments are among the most rapidly evolving areas of healthcare. Today, one of the first questions being addressed is: What role does artificial intelligence play in emergency medicine?” he said.

“The advances in content, subject matter and technology did not happen by chance. We must advance the science we practice in Saudi Arabia.

“Our role should not be limited to learning, adopting and harnessing knowledge to care for people. We must also play a leading role in contributing to that knowledge, innovating within the field and taking it into new frontiers.”

Addressing emergency department staff, he said: “No one else can truly experience what you do. Words cannot adequately express the importance of your work. You are privileged to care for these lives, and they are fortunate to be in your hands.”

Dr. Roaa Jamjoom, chairperson of the society and a consultant in pediatric emergency medicine, told Arab News that this year’s assembly stood out for its focus on both the present and future of emergency medicine.

“What distinguishes the 11th Scientific Assembly is that we do not only discuss the current state of emergency medicine, but also look ahead to its future,” she said.

“We were keen to bring together the experience of established practitioners and the ambitions of the next generation, while creating opportunities for young professionals to learn, participate and contribute.”

Jamjoom said the gathering also provided a space for exchanging knowledge and strengthening professional connections among practitioners and specialists from different backgrounds.

“NextGen EM reflects our belief that younger professionals are not simply waiting for the future of emergency medicine. They are already helping to shape it,” she added.

Prof. Jameel Abualenain, the society’s president, said: “NextGen EM is not only about the next generation of emergency physicians; it is about the next generation of emergency medicine itself.

“Over the years, the society has grown alongside our specialty. What began as a professional society has become a community that brings together different generations, disciplines and colleagues from across Saudi Arabia and beyond.”

He said the assembly celebrated the society’s journey while looking ahead to the future of emergency medicine. “Every generation inherits something from the one before it: knowledge, experience, standards and, sometimes, challenges.

“Our responsibility is to make sure that the generation after us inherits something better: better emergency care, better education, better science and stronger leadership.”

Addressing younger practitioners, he said: “NextGen EM is not a future you are waiting to enter. You are already part of building it.”

He added that experienced professionals also had a responsibility to open doors, share their knowledge, create opportunities and give the next generation the confidence and space to lead.

“That, to me, is what NextGen EM represents,” he said.

Following the opening ceremony, Al-Abdulaali toured the accompanying exhibition and visited the participating exhibitors’ stands.

Country implements state of emergency in Sarawak’s Serian district after air pollution reaches ‘hazardous’ levels.

Malaysia has declared a state of emergency in a district in Sarawak state after haze caused by wildfires in neighbouring Indonesia increased air pollution to “hazardous” levels.

King Sultan Ibrahim “has consented to the declaration of emergency throughout Serian Division, Sarawak, following haze conditions that have reached air pollution levels hazardous to public health and safety”, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s office said in a statement on Thursday.

The declaration followed a formal request from the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee after the region’s Air Pollutant Index reached levels warranting consideration of a local emergency.

Under the order, 647 schools in Serian will close from Monday until at least the end of next week, alongside government and private offices, plantations, construction sites and quarries, with only essential services continuing to operate.

The state’s disaster management authorities said a three-day cloud-seeding operation launched on Thursday would be extended to at least Monday, citing forecasts of “more conducive cloud formations” during that period.

Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee chairman Douglas Uggah Embas, speaking at a news conference in Kuching, stressed that the emergency applied only to Serian, not the entire state, but urged residents there to take the situation seriously.

“Please minimise outdoor activities and avoid strenuous activities outdoors,” he said.

Sarawak, in the northern part of Borneo island, has been heavily affected by haze for weeks, as have the neighbouring states of Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia.

Other Southeast Asian countries like Brunei have also reported smoggy conditions. Singapore announced it would start providing daily haze advisories from Friday evening, after the 24-hour air quality readings entered the unhealthy range, the first since 2023.

It has also hit the Philippines, where President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the suspension of classes in the capital region, Metro Manila, as well as more than a dozen provinces on Friday.

This year’s transboundary haze, which originates from fires burning across Indonesia, particularly the Kalimantan region and Sumatra island, is part of a wider seasonal wildfire crisis in the archipelago country.

Scientists say temperatures are expected to peak this month, potentially intensifying the fires by bringing hotter and drier conditions across the region.

Sept. 3 (UPI) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday issued an Emergency Use Authorization for two drugs to prevent and treat New World screwworm, or NWS, in dogs and cats.

According to the agency, Capstar tablets and their generic version, nitenpyram, are approved for dogs, puppies, cats and kittens that are at least 4 weeks old and weigh at least 2 pounds.

Nitenpyram tablets were approved for treatment in June.

“Although the FDA has authorized or conditionally approved multiple products for the treatment of New World screwworm in dogs and cats, none were for prevention – until today,” Timothy Schell, director of the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine, said. “The FDA is addressing a previously unmet need and giving pet owners and veterinarians important tools to protect dogs and cats from NWS infestations.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has confirmed 48 domestic cases of NWS in animals as of Thursday.

The FDA said most dogs and cats in the United States are at low risk of exposure to NWS because confirmed cases “are in a limited geographic region.” It said that dogs and cats that live, travel to, or return from areas where NWS have been identified, should be watched closely for signs of infestations.

Signs of infestations include visible maggots, foul odors in sounds or body openings. Veterinary care should be sought immediately for infested dogs and cats, the FDA said.

Capster is produced by Indianapolis-based Elanco Animal Health, while nitenpyram is made by Dublin-headquartered Felix Pharmaceuticals.

Sept. 2 (UPI) — A Coast Guard jet with Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin onboard made an emergency landing Wednesday afternoon near Washington, after the jet suffered a mid-flight engine failure.

“The United States Coast Guard pilots made the single-engine landing feel routine,” Mullin said online, confirming the incident.

“No panic, just straight professionalism. After we landed, the pilots told me that was a first for them! We could not have been in better hands.”

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport confirmed the C-37A with 14 people onboard landed safely at 1:35 p.m. EDT. No other flights were disrupted, it added.

According to audio of communication between the plane’s pilots and air traffic control, the aircraft had lost its right engine, and had requested an emergency landing at the airport, which was granted.

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is located in Arlington County, Va.