OIL

May 17 2026BUSINESS

UAE walks away from OPEC to boost oil output

The United Arab Emirates has decided to leave OPEC, the global oil producers' club, but insists money—not politics—drove the move. The country now plans to raise its oil production from about 3 to 3. 5 million barrels per day up to 5 million by next year. Officials say the choice was made after chec

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May 15 2026TECHNOLOGY

A sponge that cleans oil spills by itself

Scientists studied how Mimosa leaves fold up when touched. They copied this trick to build a special sponge. This sponge can soak up oil from water all by itself, then clean up and be ready to use again without extra help. The sponge is made from chitosan, a natural material from shellfish. This ba

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May 14 2026ENVIRONMENT

Oil spills and tensions rise in the Persian Gulf as conflict grows

Near a key shipping route, satellite images show dark patches spreading across the water. These aren’t small leaks—they stretch for miles near Qeshm Island and off the coast of Kuwait. The spills come after strikes on oil facilities, raising serious concerns about the environment and people living n

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May 13 2026POLITICS

UK steps up naval support in key oil route with drones and warships

The UK is boosting its military presence in the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway where one in every five barrels of global oil moves through. London announced it will send advanced mine-hunting drones, Typhoon fighter jets, and the HMS Dragon warship to join an international effort aimed at prote

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May 13 2026BUSINESS

Why Iran’s Strait Shut-Down Is Making Gas Prices Jump

For weeks, ships carrying oil from the biggest producers in the Middle East have been stuck near Iran. The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway that normally moves one in every five barrels of world oil, has been blocked since fighting flared up. Because so much supply is stuck, countries are racing

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May 11 2026POLITICS

Trump Rejects Iran Offer, Oil Prices Rise

Trump quickly shot down Iran’s reply to a U. S. peace plan, saying it was “totally unacceptable. ” The president posted the comment on Truth Social and gave no extra explanation. Iran’s response called for an end to fighting everywhere, especially in Lebanon where Israel battles Hezbollah figh

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May 11 2026ENVIRONMENT

Choosing the Right Green Toilet Paper Isn’t Always Simple

Most people grab toilet paper without thinking twice, but picking the right kind can actually make a difference for the planet. Traditional toilet paper comes from trees, often cut down in places like Canada or Brazil, and its production uses huge amounts of water and energy. Even worse, the bleachi

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May 09 2026SCIENCE

Diversity Boosts Forest Carbon, Especially in Cold and Dry Places

Scientists studied 15 long‑term forest sites around the world, from tropical jungles to Arctic woodlands. They measured how many different tree species were present and how much organic carbon was stored in the soil, a key factor that helps slow climate change. The overall trend showed that forests

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May 09 2026ENVIRONMENT

Tracking War’s Hidden Damage to the Black Sea’s Waters

Since Russia invaded Ukraine, the Black Sea’s northwest coast has faced pollution it wasn’t ready for. Before the war, this area already dealt with natural shifts and years of human impact from farming and industry. Now, the fighting has added sudden bursts of harmful substances while making it hard

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May 08 2026POLITICS

Trump Heads to China as Oil and Tech Tangles

The United States is preparing for President Trump’s visit to China next week, a trip that could reshape both energy and technology ties between the two giants. The backdrop is the ongoing conflict in Iran, which keeps global oil prices high and pressures both nations to find new ways to stabilize m

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