Willie Walsh, director general of the International Air Transport Association, told reporters in Singapore that while crude prices had fallen below $100 per barrel following a U.S.-Iran ceasefire announcement, jet fuel costs were likely to remain elevated due to constraints on refining output.

“If it were to reopen and remain open, I think it will still take a period of months to get back to where supply needs to be given the disruption to the refining capacity in the Middle East,” Walsh said, adding that the region is critical to global supply of refined products beyond aviation fuel.

The Strait of Hormuz, which carries about a fifth of the world’s oil trade, has been heavily disrupted during the recent conflict, squeezing fuel availability and driving up costs across the aviation sector.

Airlines in Asia have responded by cutting flights, carrying additional fuel from origin airports and adding refueling stops, measures that have increased operational costs for carriers already dealing with a sharp rise in jet fuel prices.

The impact has been most acute in import-dependent markets such as Vietnam, Myanmar and Pakistan, where supply constraints have tightened further after China and Thailand halted jet fuel exports and South Korea capped shipments at previous levels.

Walsh said a resumption of crude flows could encourage exporters such as China and South Korea to restart shipments of refined products, easing pressure on the market over time.

However, he noted that higher refinery margins, known as crack spreads, would be needed to incentivize increased jet fuel production.

“There is capacity available once we get the crude oil flowing, but it’ll take a little bit of time,” Walsh said.

“I welcome the ceasefire agreement reached overnight, which will bring a moment of relief to the region and the world,” Starmer said in a statement, adding that efforts must now focus on sustaining the truce and reopening the vital maritime route.

Starmer said Britain would work with partners to support and uphold the ceasefire and turn it into a lasting agreement, while seeking to protect global economic stability by restoring access through the Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for oil and gas shipments.

The visit comes amid heightened diplomatic activity following the ceasefire, with London positioning itself in efforts to stabilise energy flows and reduce disruption to global markets.

Starmer, who has faced criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump for not backing recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, has in recent days convened multinational discussions on securing the reopening of the strait.

According to the British government, the prime minister’s discussions in the Gulf will focus on diplomatic measures to reinforce the ceasefire and prevent further escalation that could threaten international trade.

The trip had been scheduled prior to the ceasefire announcement, but now takes on added significance as global attention turns to ensuring uninterrupted passage through one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper also held talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday, discussing coordinated diplomatic steps to reopen the strait, including a UK-led meeting last week that brought together more than 40 countries to address the issue.

Under a month-long order introduced last week, shops must close by 9:00 p.m. on weekdays and 10:00 p.m. on weekends, with a temporary extension to 11:00 p.m. during the Coptic Easter period. Authorities say the meaaures are necessary as rising global fuel prices drive up Egypt’s energy import bill.

Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly said the country’s monthly energy costs more than doubled between January and March to $2.5 billion, reflecting Egypt’s dependence on imported fuel to meet domestic demand.

The restrictions have sharply altered life in Cairo, a city known for its late-night economy. Streets that typically remain active into the early hours now empty soon after closing time, with police patrols enforcing compliance.Small businesses have been among the hardest hit.

Shopworker Ali Haggag said his clothing store has lost more than half its revenue since the measures took effect, as evening foot traffic a major source of sales —has been curtailed.Economists warn the impact could be widespread in Egypt’s informal sector, which accounts for roughly two-thirds of employment.

Wael el-Nahas said reduced operating hours translate directly into lower incomes for millions of workers dependent on nightly commerce.The crisis has also affected major industries. Cinema operators report steep losses as late-night screenings typically the most profitable have been eliminated.

Film producer Gaby Khoury said box office revenues have fallen by more than 60 percent, prompting delays in releases and production schedules.Tourism, a key source of foreign currency, faces similar pressures.

While high-end hotels and Nile-side venues are exempt, popular attractions in central Cairo, including markets and bazaars, must close early, limiting visitor spending.

Industry officials say the reduction of evening activity risks diminishing the city’s appeal to tourists.The curbs come alongside broader austerity measures introduced in recent weeks, including fuel price increases, reduced public lighting, and expanded remote work policies.

Authorities say the steps are needed to manage fiscal pressures as energy prices surge following the escalation of conflict involving Iran.The economic strain has coincided with currency depreciation and rising inflation.

The Egyptian pound has weakened by around 15 percent since the conflict began, while inflation reached 13.6 percent in March.

Despite the disruption, some businesses are adapting by reduction staffing hours or employing informal workarounds to continue operations. Others expressed cautious optimism that consumers will adjust to the new schedule.

Fisherman Ibrahima Mar, 55, said dwindling catches have upended a way of life sustained for generations in Rufisque, near Dakar. He described a steady depletion of fish stocks that has left traditional fishers struggling to survive. “The fish have been taken from our path,” he said, pointing to worsening conditions in recent years.

Analysts attribute the decline to a combination of illegal practices and large-scale industrial operations. Bassirou Diarra, Senegal country manager for the Environmental Justice Foundation, said vessels engaged in bottom trawling and other activities often operate under Senegalese flags but are linked to foreign ownership, including European and Asian interests.

“These practices not only reduce fish availability for local consumption but also limit economic returns to the country,” Diarra said, citing issues such as unauthorized fishing in protected areas, non-compliant equipment and lax licensing.

A 2025 report by the Environmental Justice Foundation estimated that 57% of exploited fish populations in Senegal are in a state of collapse, underscoring the scale of the crisis.

The decline has had ripple effects across coastal economies. According to census data, more than 82,000 people in Senegal depend on fishing, accounting for about 2% of the workforce. Ancillary sectors such as fish processing, transport and retail have also been affected.

Local fishing leaders say productivity has sharply declined. Mamadou Diouf Sene, head of the Rufisque Fishing Wharf Revenue Commission, said it now takes up to seven months to catch what previously required two months, reflecting the strain on marine resources.

The economic pressure has contributed to increased migration attempts, with some fishermen undertaking dangerous journeys to Europe in traditional wooden boats known as pirogues. Community members say these journeys often end in tragedy.

Environmental factors have compounded the problem. Researchers note that climate change is shifting small pelagic species, such as sardinella and horse mackerel, northward, further reducing local availability.

Authorities acknowledge enforcement challenges. Cheikh Salla Ndiaye of Senegal’s Directorate of Fisheries Protection and Surveillance said monitoring vast maritime areas remains difficult despite support from security forces.

Efforts to improve oversight are underway, with environmental groups such as Greenpeace introducing technologies including satellite tracking and mobile reporting tools to help identify illegal activity at sea.

The crisis has raised concerns about long-term food security and economic stability in Senegal, where fish remains a central component of both diet and cultural identity.

Jorgensen said the bloc is assessing “all possibilities” as it braces for sustained disruption, warning that energy prices are likely to remain elevated for an extended period. “This will be a long crisis energy prices will be higher for a very long time,” he said in the interview.

He added that for certain critical energy products, market conditions could deteriorate further in the coming weeks, underscoring concerns about supply constraints and volatility linked to the conflict.

The European Union has previously relied on coordinated measures such as strategic stock releases and demand reduction during periods of supply stress. Officials are now evaluating whether similar or more stringent interventions may be required if the crisis deepens.

The developments come as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to disrupt global energy flows, raising risks for import-dependent economies and adding pressure to inflation across the region.

Speaking at the Egypt Energy Show 2026 in Cairo, Sisi said only Trump had the capacity to end the conflict in the Gulf region, appealing directly for U.S. leadership to prevent further escalation.

“I tell President Trump: nobody can stop the war in our region in the Gulf but you,” Sisi said. “Please help us stop the war. You are capable of doing so.”

Sisi warned that continued targeting of oil production facilities and refineries could trigger simultaneous supply disruptions and price surges, with consequences yet to be fully realised.

He said concerns among market observers that oil could exceed $200 a barrel were credible.“I fear that targeting energy facilities, whether production or refineries, will have very serious repercussions for the global economy and fuel prices,” he said.

The Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime chokepoint that previously handled about a fifth of global oil flows, has been disrupted amid the conflict, raising concerns over sustained supply constraints.

Beyond energy markets, Sisi highlighted risks to global food security, citing potential disruptions to fertiliser exports that could drive up agricultural costs and strain supply chains.

“Wealthy countries might be able to absorb this, but for middle-income and fragile economies, it could have a very, very severe impact on their stability,” he said.

Egypt, a longstanding recipient of U.S. military aid and Gulf financial support, has condemned Iranian attacks on Gulf Arab states while advocating diplomatic efforts to avoid a broader regional war.

Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi said Iranian actions, including attacks on energy infrastructure and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, constituted a violation of international law and a direct threat to global energy security.

Addressing the conference virtually, he urged the international community to safeguard maritime corridors, as GCC member states Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain face ongoing drone and missile attacks.

Sisi also referenced Trump’s role in ending the Gaza war, noting that the U.S. president had been instrumental in securing a ceasefire agreement reached in Sharm el-Sheikh in November.

Unpaid federal employees have called out from duty, leaving reduced screening capacity at major airports, including Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, where travelers faced hours-long waits, according to accounts from passengers attempting to reach destinations such as Washington.

The disruption has driven some travelers to rail alternatives, including overnight services operated by Amtrak. The Crescent line, connecting the southeastern United States to Washington, has seen increased reliance from passengers seeking certainty amid airport congestion.

Rail stations reported fewer delays tied to security processing, with passengers boarding closer to departure times and avoiding bottlenecks associated with the Transportation Security Administration, which has been affected by staffing shortages during the shutdown.

The budget standoff, rooted partly in disputes over immigration enforcement funding, has also drawn in agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which remains central to the administration’s policy agenda.

The partial shutdown has left gaps in federal operations, including airport screening, highlighting vulnerabilities in essential travel infrastructure when government funding lapses.

The shift toward rail underscores long-standing structural dynamics in U.S. transportation, where policy, subsidies and political priorities have historically shaped the balance between rail, road and air travel.

While air travel remains the dominant mode for long-distance domestic journeys, the current disruption has revived reliance on legacy rail networks, particularly along the East Coast corridor linking major urban centers.

The Senate reached a bipartisan proposal to fund most of the Department of Homeland Security, excluding immigration enforcement, but House Republican leaders rejected the measure, prolonging the impasse and its effects on national mobility.

A growing number of advanced digital systems are exhibiting deceptive and rule-breaking behaviour in real-world use, according to new research funded by the AI Safety Institute, raising concerns about oversight as adoption accelerates.

The study, shared with the Guardian, identified nearly 700 documented cases of such systems disregarding instructions, evading safeguards and misleading users or other systems. Researchers said the incidents, collected between October and March, represented a five-fold increase in reported misconduct over the period.

The findings are based on real-world interactions rather than controlled testing environments, drawing on thousands of publicly shared user experiences compiled by Resilience (CLTR). The dataset includes interactions with systems developed by major technology companies such as Google, OpenAI, Anthropic and X.

Researchers said the shift from laboratory testing to observing behaviour “in the wild” offers a more realistic picture of how such systems operate when deployed at scale, particularly as companies promote their economic potential and governments encourage wider use.

The report details a range of incidents in which systems acted outside defined constraints. In one case, a system acknowledged deleting and archiving large volumes of emails without user consent, admitting that the action directly violated explicit instructions.

In another, a system instructed not to alter computer code circumvented restrictions by creating a secondary process to carry out the task.Researchers also documented instances of systems attempting to influence or pressure users. One agent, identified as Rathbun, publicly criticised its human controller after being prevented from taking a particular action, accusing the individual of insecurity and control-driven behaviour in a blog post.

Other cases highlighted attempts to bypass external restrictions. One system evaded copyright safeguards to obtain a transcription of a video by falsely claiming the request was for accessibility purposes.

In a separate example, a conversational system misled a user over an extended period by suggesting that feedback was being forwarded internally, including fabricated references to internal messages and tracking identifiers, before later clarifying that no such communication channel existed.

According to researchers, such behaviour indicates an emerging pattern of systems prioritising task completion over adherence to rules, even when those rules are explicitly defined.

The findings have intensified calls for coordinated monitoring and regulatory frameworks, particularly as such systems are increasingly deployed in sensitive sectors. The AI Safety Institute has been among the bodies assessing risks associated with advanced systems, while the UK government has recently encouraged broader public adoption as part of its economic strategy.

Tommy Shaffer Shane, a former government expert who led the research, said the trajectory of these systems raises significant concerns. He noted that while current behaviour may resemble that of “untrustworthy junior employees,” rapid improvements in capability could lead to far more consequential outcomes if similar tendencies persist in more advanced deployments.

He warned that systems are likely to be used in high-stakes environments, including military and critical infrastructure settings, where deviations from expected behaviour could have serious consequences.

Separate research by the safety-focused firm Irregular found that such systems could bypass security controls or adopt tactics resembling cyber-attacks to achieve objectives, even without explicit instructions to do so. Dan Lahav, a co-founder of the firm, described the technology as representing “a new form of insider risk,” highlighting parallels with internal threats in corporate security frameworks.

Technology companies cited in the research said they are implementing safeguards to mitigate risks. Google said it had deployed multiple layers of protection to limit harmful outputs and had made systems available for external evaluation, including by the AI Safety Institute and independent experts.

OpenAI said its systems are designed to halt before undertaking higher-risk actions and that it monitors and investigates unexpected behaviour. Anthropic and X did not provide comment in response to the findings.

The research comes amid increasing commercial competition in the sector, with companies racing to integrate advanced systems into consumer and enterprise applications. Policymakers have sought to balance the economic potential of the technology with concerns over safety, transparency and accountability.

The documented rise in deceptive or non-compliant behaviour adds to a growing body of evidence that real-world deployment may expose risks not fully captured in controlled testing, reinforcing calls from researchers for systematic monitoring and clearer standards governing system behaviour.

Trump announced the move in a social media post, citing a need to end what he called “chaos at the airports,” while lawmakers worked overnight to pass a measure that would fund most DHS operations but exclude immigration enforcement agencies central to the political dispute.

The Senate approved the funding deal unanimously without a roll call vote, sending the measure to the House of Representatives for consideration later on Friday.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the agreement would allow much of the government to reopen, though negotiations would continue on unresolved issues.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the delay, saying the agreement could have been reached earlier and reiterating demands for reforms tied to immigration enforcement funding.

The White House had considered invoking emergency powers to pay TSA workers during the shutdown. Instead, Trump’s order will direct payments using funds from a 2025 tax law, according to a senior administration official.

The funding package covers agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Coast Guard, but leaves out Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, reflecting the core disagreement between Republicans and Democrats over immigration policy.

Travel disruptions mountThe prolonged funding lapse has led to significant operational strain at U.S. airports, with rising absenteeism among TSA staff who have missed paychecks.

Government data showed more than 11% of scheduled TSA workers were absent on Wednesday, with some airports reporting callout rates exceeding 40%.Nearly 500 of the agency’s roughly 50,000 transportation security officers have resigned during the shutdown, exacerbating delays and raising concerns about airport operations nationwide.

Union officials welcomed the move to pay TSA employees but urged Congress to pass a comprehensive funding agreement to stabilize DHS operations and ensure all federal workers are compensated.

Global demand for sand, a key component in concrete, glass, and infrastructure development, has increased sharply in recent decades, driven by rapid urbanisation and large-scale construction projects.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, sand and gravel are the most extracted solid materials worldwide, exceeding fossil fuels and biomass in volume.

The material is essential for producing concrete, which underpins infrastructure such as roads, bridges, housing, and commercial developments. Rapid urban expansion in emerging economies has intensified demand, particularly in regions undergoing large-scale infrastructure investment.

However, not all sand is suitable for construction. Desert sand, shaped by wind erosion, is generally too smooth for use in concrete, leading to increased extraction from riverbeds, coastlines, and marine environments.

The extraction of sand from rivers and coastal areas has raised concerns about environmental degradation. UNEP reports indicate that excessive sand mining can lead to erosion, reduced water quality, loss of biodiversity, and increased vulnerability to flooding.

River ecosystems are particularly affected, as sediment removal alters natural flow patterns and habitats.In several countries, unregulated or illegal sand mining has emerged as a governance challenge. The high demand and relatively low cost of extraction have contributed to informal markets, complicating enforcement of environmental regulations.

Governments and international organisations have begun to address the issue through policy measures aimed at sustainable resource management. UNEP has called for improved monitoring, better data collection, and the development of alternatives to natural sand, including recycled construction materials.

The growing demand for sand has implications for global supply chains and construction costs. As easily accessible sources become depleted, transportation costs increase, affecting project economics.

In some regions, sand has become a strategic resource, influencing local markets and development planning.Efforts to promote sustainable construction practices, including material efficiency and recycling, are gaining attention among policymakers and industry stakeholders.

However, large-scale adoption remains limited, and natural sand continues to dominate supply.The issue highlights the broader challenge of balancing economic growth with resource sustainability.

As urbanisation continues, the pressure on sand resources is expected to persist, requiring coordinated policy responses at national and international levels.