Sri Lanka will allow companies from oil-producing countries to import and sell fuel, the power and energy minister said on Tuesday, ending a duopoly as it tries to overcome a shortage of petrol and diesel that is exacerbating an economic crisis.

Sri Lanka to end fuel duopoly to ease fuel shortages

Here we bring you a quick round-up of all latest news, top headlines and international breakings from all across the globe, stay tuned with Gravitas for more!

Gravitas Global Headlines: Sri Lanka fuel crisis; Russia-Ukraine war and more

<p>Sri Lanka has decided to stop all fuel sales for the next two weeks except for essential services in order to manage their dwindling resources. The country is facing its worst economic crisis since gaining independence in 1948 and the last few months has seen major food and fuel shortages along with record levels of inflation. "From midnight today, no fuel will be sold except for essential services like the health sector, because we want to conserve the little reserves we have," government spokesman Bandula Gunawardana said according to an AFP report. "We regret the inconvenience caused to the people," he said while talking about the present condition in the island nation.</p>

<p>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-missile-strike-on-shopping-mall-kills-at-least-13-people-ukraine-says-492413" hreflang="en">Russian missile strike on shopping mall kills at least 13 people, Ukraine says</a></p>

<p>Last week, the country decided to implement a shutdown with most government schools staying closed and public sector offices operating with minimum staff. However, the fuel shortage continues to affect the country and it has now been extended to July 10.</p>

<p>Gunawardana said that the government is working towards a solution and asked the private sector companies to also adapt a similar policy and implement work from home for most of the employees.</p>

<p>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/toxic-gas-leak-in-jordan-claims-lives-of-ten-people-251-injured-state-media-492390">Toxic gas leak in Jordan claims lives of ten people, 251 injured: State media</a></p>

<p>The Sri Lankan government is currently in talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) about a possible bailout after they defaulted on their $51 billion foreign debt earlier this year. They are also talking to a number of countries for help in order to improve the crisis gripping the country.</p>

<p>The United Nations has already launched an emergency response to Sri Lanka’s economic crisis by providing food to thousands of pregnant women who were affected by the food crisis.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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<p>(With inputs from agencies)</p>


Sri Lanka has decided to stop all fuel sales for the next two weeks except for essential services in order to manage their dwindling resources. The country is facing its worst economic crisis since gaining independence in 1948 and the last few months has seen major food and fuel shortages along with record levels of inflation.

Sri Lanka has decided to stop all fuel sales for the next two weeks except for essential services in order to manage their dwindling resources. The country is facing its worst economic crisis since gaining independence in 1948 and the last few months has seen major food and fuel shortages along with record levels of inflation. "From midnight today, no fuel will be sold except for essential services like the health sector, because we want to conserve the little reserves we have," government spokesman Bandula Gunawardana said according to an AFP report. "We regret the inconvenience caused to the people," he said while talking about the present condition in the island nation. Also read | Russian missile strike on shopping mall kills at least 13 people, Ukraine says Last week, the country decided to implement a shutdown with most government schools staying closed and public sector offices operating with minimum staff. However, the fuel shortage continues to affect the country and it has now been extended to July 10. Gunawardana said that the government is working towards a solution and asked the private sector companies to also adapt a similar policy and implement work from home for most of the employees. Also read | Toxic gas leak in Jordan claims lives of ten people, 251 injured: State media The Sri Lankan government is currently in talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) about a possible bailout after they defaulted on their $51 billion foreign debt earlier this year. They are also talking to a number of countries for help in order to improve the crisis gripping the country. The United Nations has already launched an emergency response to Sri Lanka’s economic crisis by providing food to thousands of pregnant women who were affected by the food crisis. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. (With inputs from agencies)

Sri Lanka runs out of fuel, to operate only essential services till July 10

Will there be a repeat of the Israel-Lebanon war? Hezbollah terror group has built 15 new posts along the border sparking new tensions between Israel and Lebanon.

Sri Lanka hikes fuel prices, third price revision in 2 months

Gravitas Global Headlines: Sri Lanka fuel crisis; Fighting intensifies in Luhansk

Sri Lanka is battling its worst economic crisis since independence. There is a surge in violence in Sri Lanka due to fuel shortages. Now, an IMF team has arrived in Colombo for talks on the bailout package.

Fuel shortage continues to plague Sri Lankans amid the ongoing economic crisis

The island nation of Sri Lanka is battling its worst economic crisis since independence. Amid the crisis, Sri Lankans seek passports for a better life as they try to flee the crisis.

The economic crisis forces Sri Lankans to flee as they seek passport to a better life

Sri Lanka is reeling under a severe economic and fuel crisis. Now, the Sri Lankan govt-issued a new circular ordering to close offices and schools for two weeks.

Sri Lankan govt issues new circular: Govt to close offices, schools for two weeks amid economic crisis

Gravitas Global Headlines: Taliban posters on Hijab Decree; Sri Lanka fuel crisis

Thousands of Sri Lankans are queuing up outside oil stations hoping for just a drop of fuel. The oil crisis has immobilized the island nation, citizens are unable to drive their cars and public transport has also been severely affected.

Sri Lanka's fuel crisis worsens as thousands queue outside gas stations

Sri Lanka Fuel Crisis: Lack of oil, LPG & fuel leaves citizens high and dry

Sri Lanka fuel crisis: People wait overnight outside gas stations

Sri Lanka has been forced to declare a holiday after the country's fuel crisis worsened. The government is now bringing in a quota system for fuel which will likely come into effect from July. Palki Sharma brings you a report.

Gravitas: Sri Lanka fuel crisis worsens

Amid the worsening fuel crisis in Sri Lanka, the Lankan government plans a fuel-rationing scheme. The new plan is likely to be rolled out next month. Meanwhile, there is a special holiday in Lanka today amid a severe economic crisis.

Fuel crisis worsens in Sri Lanka as Lankan government plans fuel-rationing scheme

Food or Fuel? The Sri Lankan govt is in a dilemma on what to purchase first. It's facing an acute shortage of both these essentials. It's relying on loans to stay afloat. India has granted USD 500 million more to help Colombo. Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: 'Hand-To-Mouth situation' in Sri Lanka: Food and Fuel supplies run out

<p>Denying that there is no shortage of fuel in Afghanistan, the Taliban-led government on Tuesday told WION that they have made adequate arrangements to replenish their fuel supplies and stressed that there will be a drop in the prices in the coming days.</p>

<p>Speaking exclusively to WION, spokesperson of Taliban finance ministry, Ahmad Wali Haqmal, said, “There is nothing we are short of. About two to three days ago over 200 trucks filled with fuel entered our soil from Turkmenistan and Iran, and soon it will reach every corner of Afghanistan. In the coming 5 to 10 days, we will also see a decrease in the rate of fuel.”</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-will-not-attend-moscow-talks-on-afghanistan-this-week-ned-price-421914">US will not attend Moscow talks on Afghanistan this week: Ned Price</a></p>

<p>When asked regarding the delay in payment to the employees and dwindling cash reserves, the Taliban spokesman said that the dues have been paid.</p>

<p>“The ministry of Finance is committed to pay salaries of all the staff. 90% of the staff have received salaries and the payment for the rest is under process. So, we will pay all the salaries. And with regards to the availability of cash (reserves), the Afghanistan banks know how much we have,” Haqmal said.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/malala-sends-letter-to-taliban-one-month-after-girls-school-ban-421804">Malala sends letter to Taliban one month after girls school ban</a></p>

<p>Under the Taliban-led government, the residents of Afghanistan have been struggling to make ends meet with the price of basic commodities skyrocketing,&nbsp;Russia’s TASS news agency reported.</p>

<p>According to reports, fuel prices have risen by 20 per cent to 40 per cent since early August.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-are-not-terrorists-us-has-a-wrong-understanding-zabihullah-mujahid-to-wion-421788">&nbsp;Taliban are not terrorists, US has a wrong understanding: Zabihullah Mujahid to WION</a></p>

<p>Food costs have also risen as a result of food imports from Pakistan and Iran and on account of rising fuel prices.</p>

<p>A Kabul resident remarked that flour costs have gone up by 30 per cent, while vegetables and cereals are dearer by 50 per cent. Medicines are also hard to come by.</p>

<p>Restrictions on cash withdrawals from banks and ATMs have further accentuated their problems. Not more than 20,000 Afghanis ($200) can be withdrawn from banks per week, the Taliban government has dictated. The value of the Afghan currency has also fallen.</p>

<p>“The issue of survival is now at the forefront, and the threat of misery is the primary cause of our despair,” a Kabul resident said, as quoted by TASS.</p>


Denying that there is no shortage of fuel in Afghanistan, the Taliban-led government on Tuesday told WION that they have made adequate arrangements to replenish their fuel supplies and stressed that there will be a drop in the prices in the coming days.

Denying that there is no shortage of fuel in Afghanistan, the Taliban-led government on Tuesday told WION that they have made adequate arrangements to replenish their fuel supplies and stressed that there will be a drop in the prices in the coming days. Speaking exclusively to WION, spokesperson of Taliban finance ministry, Ahmad Wali Haqmal, said, “There is nothing we are short of. About two to three days ago over 200 trucks filled with fuel entered our soil from Turkmenistan and Iran, and soon it will reach every corner of Afghanistan. In the coming 5 to 10 days, we will also see a decrease in the rate of fuel.” Also read | US will not attend Moscow talks on Afghanistan this week: Ned Price When asked regarding the delay in payment to the employees and dwindling cash reserves, the Taliban spokesman said that the dues have been paid. “The ministry of Finance is committed to pay salaries of all the staff. 90% of the staff have received salaries and the payment for the rest is under process. So, we will pay all the salaries. And with regards to the availability of cash (reserves), the Afghanistan banks know how much we have,” Haqmal said. Also read | Malala sends letter to Taliban one month after girls school ban Under the Taliban-led government, the residents of Afghanistan have been struggling to make ends meet with the price of basic commodities skyrocketing, Russia’s TASS news agency reported. According to reports, fuel prices have risen by 20 per cent to 40 per cent since early August. Also read | Taliban are not terrorists, US has a wrong understanding: Zabihullah Mujahid to WION Food costs have also risen as a result of food imports from Pakistan and Iran and on account of rising fuel prices. A Kabul resident remarked that flour costs have gone up by 30 per cent, while vegetables and cereals are dearer by 50 per cent. Medicines are also hard to come by. Restrictions on cash withdrawals from banks and ATMs have further accentuated their problems. Not more than 20,000 Afghanis ($200) can be withdrawn from banks per week, the Taliban government has dictated. The value of the Afghan currency has also fallen. “The issue of survival is now at the forefront, and the threat of misery is the primary cause of our despair,” a Kabul resident said, as quoted by TASS.

Amid soaring fuel prices and dwindling cash reserves in Afghanistan, Taliban say ‘all is well’

Amid a severe fuel crisis, Sri Lanka has asked for a 500 million dollar in form of credit line from India to pay for its crude oil purchases.

Sri Lanka seeks 500 million dollar as loan from India

Amid a severe fuel crisis,Sri lanka has asked for a 500 million dollar loan from India to pay for its crude oil purchases. This comes a few days after the Sri Lankan energy minister Udaya Gammanpila warned that the current availability of fuel will last only till january next year. Note that Sri Lanka's state run agency, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation,owes nearly 3.3 billion dollars to two Sri Lankan banks, i.e., the bank of Ceylon and the people's bank.

Sri lanka asks for 500 million dollar loan from India

Europe is currently in the grip of an unfolding energy crisis. Natural gas prices have soared 600% so far this year which is now hitting key economical areas, take a look at this bulletin.

Europe: Natural gas prices soar by 600% in 2021

Britain has deployed its army to ease the Fuel crisis. 200 troops will serve as truck drivers to transport fuel. How many drivers is the UK short of? 100,000. Palki Sharma tells you why the army's intervention may not be enough.

Gravitas: UK deploys military to transport fuel

<p class="MsoNormal">Following the shortage of tanker drivers in the UK, the government has decided to bring in British Army to deliver petrol all over the country now.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">A few days ago, a piece of news spread like wildfire. People started getting to know that tanker drivers are facing restrictions to get entry visas in the UK which might lead to a shortage of drivers, translating into shortage of fuel.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Upon hearing this, the locals started immediately driving to petrol pumps to get their car tankers full. This panic buying has led to shortage of fuel in the country.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/troop-call-british-army-may-soon-be-deployed-to-deliver-fuel-416923">Troop call? British army may soon be deployed to deliver fuel</a></strong></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Now, to ease out that situation in the UK, the British Army will be stepping in from Monday to support the government’s plan and help fill in for the shortage of the HGV drivers.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">"Almost 200 military tanker personnel, 100 of which are drivers, will be deployed from Monday to provide temporary support as part of the government's wider action to further relieve pressure on petrol stations and address the shortage of HGV drivers," the government said in a news release issued Friday.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Car drivers and motorists have been queuing up in the country to get their vehicle tankers full. This has also led to several violent clashes between the locals at petrol pumps in different parts of England.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/uks-fuel-crisis-hits-cristiano-ronaldo-manchester-united-stars-bentley-goes-petrol-hunting-see-pics-417147">UK's fuel crisis hits Cristiano Ronaldo! Manchester United star's Bentley goes petrol-hunting - see pics</a></strong></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">"Thanks to the immense efforts of industry over the past week, we are seeing continued signs that the situation at the pumps is slowly improving," said business minister Kwasi Kwarteng. "It's important to stress there is no national shortage of fuel in the UK, and people should continue to buy fuel as normal. The sooner we return to our normal buying habits, the sooner we can return to normal."<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">The officials also reported that these selected military personnel were put on standby when the situation started getting out of control, and they have been trained in the meantime to handle this situation.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">"The government has taken decisive action to tackle the short term disruption to our supply chains, and in particular the flow of fuel to forecourts," said minister Steven Barclay. "We are now seeing the impact of these interventions with more fuel being delivered to forecourts than sold and, if people continue to revert to their normal buying patterns, we will see smaller queues and prevent petrol stations closing."<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Meanwhile, the meat industry has also raised concern about shortage of lorry drivers resulting in shortage of Christmas food in the supermarkets this year.<o:p></o:p></p>


Following the shortage of tanker drivers in the UK, the government has decided to bring in British Army to deliver petrol all over the country now. A few days ago, a piece of news spread like wildfire.

Following the shortage of tanker drivers in the UK, the government has decided to bring in British Army to deliver petrol all over the country now. A few days ago, a piece of news spread like wildfire. People started getting to know that tanker drivers are facing restrictions to get entry visas in the UK which might lead to a shortage of drivers, translating into shortage of fuel. Upon hearing this, the locals started immediately driving to petrol pumps to get their car tankers full. This panic buying has led to shortage of fuel in the country. Also read | Troop call? British army may soon be deployed to deliver fuel Now, to ease out that situation in the UK, the British Army will be stepping in from Monday to support the government’s plan and help fill in for the shortage of the HGV drivers. "Almost 200 military tanker personnel, 100 of which are drivers, will be deployed from Monday to provide temporary support as part of the government's wider action to further relieve pressure on petrol stations and address the shortage of HGV drivers," the government said in a news release issued Friday. Car drivers and motorists have been queuing up in the country to get their vehicle tankers full. This has also led to several violent clashes between the locals at petrol pumps in different parts of England. Also read | UK's fuel crisis hits Cristiano Ronaldo! Manchester United star's Bentley goes petrol-hunting - see pics "Thanks to the immense efforts of industry over the past week, we are seeing continued signs that the situation at the pumps is slowly improving," said business minister Kwasi Kwarteng. "It's important to stress there is no national shortage of fuel in the UK, and people should continue to buy fuel as normal. The sooner we return to our normal buying habits, the sooner we can return to normal." The officials also reported that these selected military personnel were put on standby when the situation started getting out of control, and they have been trained in the meantime to handle this situation. "The government has taken decisive action to tackle the short term disruption to our supply chains, and in particular the flow of fuel to forecourts," said minister Steven Barclay. "We are now seeing the impact of these interventions with more fuel being delivered to forecourts than sold and, if people continue to revert to their normal buying patterns, we will see smaller queues and prevent petrol stations closing." Meanwhile, the meat industry has also raised concern about shortage of lorry drivers resulting in shortage of Christmas food in the supermarkets this year.

British army set to delivering fuel in UK from Monday: Government

<p>As the United Kingdom battles a fuel shortage and people are stuck in long queues at the gas stations, a British man that goes by the username Gusdolphin on Tik Tok has found a rather unique solution to the country's furl shortage woes.</p>

<p>In a video that is going viral on video-sharing app Tik Tok, a man by the name of Gus Lee-Dolphin took it upon himself to make light of the situation that has worried everyone.</p>

<p>The video that is shot from the point of view of Gus, shows long queues outside a gas station. Trotting his horse,&nbsp;alongside those cars, Gus can be heard singing "Queuing for Petrol, I’m on a horse. I don't need petrol coz he runs on carrots".&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-fuel-industry-denies-government-claims-crisis-is-easing-417216">UK fuel industry denies government claims crisis is easing</a></strong></p>

<p>This video has garnered more than five million views on TikTok and people are lapping up the trolling. On Instagram, people can be seen suggesting other forms of transportation that Gus can use in his next videos. One Instagram user has even suggested Roller skates.</p>

<p>Watch the viral video:</p>

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<p>It turns out that this isn't Gus's first time trolling the motorists waiting in lines for fuel. In an earlier video posted by Gus, he is riding a bicycle through a petrol station. Similar to his horse and petrol song, he can be heard singing, "Queuing for petrol, queuing for petrol, we don't need petrol coz I'm on a bike".</p>

<p>Watch the video:&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Queues continued to build at refuelling stations, especially in London and southern England.</p>

<p>Many British gas stations were still dry on Friday, after a chaotic week that saw panic buying, fights at the pumps and drivers hoarding&nbsp;fuel&nbsp;in water bottles after an acute shortage of truck drivers strained supply chains to breaking point.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/uks-fuel-crisis-hits-cristiano-ronaldo-manchester-united-stars-bentley-goes-petrol-hunting-see-pics-417147">UK's fuel crisis hits Cristiano Ronaldo! Manchester United star's Bentley goes petrol-hunting - see pics</a></strong></p>

<p>Shortages of workers in the wake of Brexit and the COVID pandemic have sown disarray through some sectors of the world's fifth-largest economy, disrupting deliveries of&nbsp;fuel&nbsp;and medicines and even raising fears of a mass cull of livestock.</p>

<p>British ministers have for days insisted the crisis is abating or even over, though retailers said more than 2,000 gas stations were dry and Reuters reporters across London and southern England said dozens of pumps were still closed.</p>

<p>Queues of often irate drivers snaked back from those gas stations that were still open in London.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/fuel-crisis-is-stabilizing-assures-uk-pm-boris-johnson-416817/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>The Petrol Retailers Association (PRA), which represents 65 per cent of Britain's 8,380 forecourts, said members reported on Thursday that 27 per cent&nbsp;of pumps were dry, 21 per cent&nbsp;had just one&nbsp;fuel&nbsp;type in stock and 52 per cent&nbsp;had enough petrol and diesel.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


As the United Kingdom battles a fuel shortage and people are stuck in long queues at the gas stations, a British man that goes by the username Gusdolphin on Tik Tok has found a rather unique solution to the country's furl shortage woes.

As the United Kingdom battles a fuel shortage and people are stuck in long queues at the gas stations, a British man that goes by the username Gusdolphin on Tik Tok has found a rather unique solution to the country's furl shortage woes. In a video that is going viral on video-sharing app Tik Tok, a man by the name of Gus Lee-Dolphin took it upon himself to make light of the situation that has worried everyone. The video that is shot from the point of view of Gus, shows long queues outside a gas station. Trotting his horse, alongside those cars, Gus can be heard singing "Queuing for Petrol, I’m on a horse. I don't need petrol coz he runs on carrots". Also read | UK fuel industry denies government claims crisis is easing This video has garnered more than five million views on TikTok and people are lapping up the trolling. On Instagram, people can be seen suggesting other forms of transportation that Gus can use in his next videos. One Instagram user has even suggested Roller skates. Watch the viral video: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gus Lee-Dolphin (@gusleedolphin) × It turns out that this isn't Gus's first time trolling the motorists waiting in lines for fuel. In an earlier video posted by Gus, he is riding a bicycle through a petrol station. Similar to his horse and petrol song, he can be heard singing, "Queuing for petrol, queuing for petrol, we don't need petrol coz I'm on a bike". Watch the video: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gus Lee-Dolphin (@gusleedolphin) × Queues continued to build at refuelling stations, especially in London and southern England. Many British gas stations were still dry on Friday, after a chaotic week that saw panic buying, fights at the pumps and drivers hoarding fuel in water bottles after an acute shortage of truck drivers strained supply chains to breaking point. Also read | UK's fuel crisis hits Cristiano Ronaldo! Manchester United star's Bentley goes petrol-hunting - see pics Shortages of workers in the wake of Brexit and the COVID pandemic have sown disarray through some sectors of the world's fifth-largest economy, disrupting deliveries of fuel and medicines and even raising fears of a mass cull of livestock. British ministers have for days insisted the crisis is abating or even over, though retailers said more than 2,000 gas stations were dry and Reuters reporters across London and southern England said dozens of pumps were still closed. Queues of often irate drivers snaked back from those gas stations that were still open in London. The Petrol Retailers Association (PRA), which represents 65 per cent of Britain's 8,380 forecourts, said members reported on Thursday that 27 per cent of pumps were dry, 21 per cent had just one fuel type in stock and 52 per cent had enough petrol and diesel. (With inputs from agencies)

Watch: UK Fuel crisis, as people wait in queues, man rides horse into gas station, mocks those waiting to fill up on fuel

Troop call? British army may soon be deployed to deliver fuel

The fuel crisis in the UK is getting worse each day. Long queues persist, filling stations are running dry. The British govt has put the army on standby to deliver fuel. Molly Gambhir has a report.

Gravitas: UK fuel crisis: Army on standby to deliver fuel

Aiming to ease public fear after panic behind fuel crisis, British PM Boris Johnson has once again reassured the country of his administration's efforts to fix the shortage of fuel plaguing the country. He said that UK's supply chain will be fixed before Christmas.

Fuel crisis have started to ease, says UK PM Boris Johnson

Fuel crisis is stabilizing, assures UK PM Boris Johnson

<p>If an emergency plan made by UK government is put to action by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, hundreds of British soldiers could be drafted to deliver fuel to fuel stations across the country. The fuel stations are running dry due to shortage and panic buying.</p>

<p>Johnson is expected to go in a huddle with senior members of the cabinet to decide on activating Operation Escalin. The meeting has been called after British Petroleum (BP) said that a third of its petrol stations had run out of main two grades of fuel. Association of petroleum retailers has said that 50-90 per cent of their members have reported having run out of fuel.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-says-it-has-captured-evidence-of-multiple-ships-breaching-north-korea-sanctions-416235">UK says it has 'captured evidence' of multiple ships breaching North Korea sanctions</a></strong></p>

<p>Operation Escalin was conceived years ago to be prepared for a no-deal Brexit. If the operation is put to action now, it will see hundreds of British soldiers being drafted to drive a reserve fleet of 80 tankers. The operation may take three weeks to be fully implemented.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/uk-to-issue-temporary-visas-to-ease-truck-driver-shortage-until-christmas-eve-416005">UK to issue temporary visas to ease truck driver shortage until Christmas eve</a></strong></p>

<p>UK Business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng, transport secretary Grant Shapps and home secretary Priti Patel held a meeting on Sunday to address the fuel crisis.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/can-macron-lead-the-european-union-after-merkel-retires-415957">Can Macron lead the European Union after Merkel retires?</a></strong></p>

<p>UK ministers reportedly believe that the fuel shortage would have been minimal had there been no panic buying from the public. But media reports about the crisis have led to people standing in long queues to buy fuel.</p>


If an emergency plan made by UK government is put to action by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, hundreds of British soldiers could be drafted to deliver fuel to fuel stations across the country.

If an emergency plan made by UK government is put to action by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, hundreds of British soldiers could be drafted to deliver fuel to fuel stations across the country. The fuel stations are running dry due to shortage and panic buying. Johnson is expected to go in a huddle with senior members of the cabinet to decide on activating Operation Escalin. The meeting has been called after British Petroleum (BP) said that a third of its petrol stations had run out of main two grades of fuel. Association of petroleum retailers has said that 50-90 per cent of their members have reported having run out of fuel. Also Read | UK says it has 'captured evidence' of multiple ships breaching North Korea sanctions Operation Escalin was conceived years ago to be prepared for a no-deal Brexit. If the operation is put to action now, it will see hundreds of British soldiers being drafted to drive a reserve fleet of 80 tankers. The operation may take three weeks to be fully implemented. Also Read | UK to issue temporary visas to ease truck driver shortage until Christmas eve UK Business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng, transport secretary Grant Shapps and home secretary Priti Patel held a meeting on Sunday to address the fuel crisis. Also Read | Can Macron lead the European Union after Merkel retires? UK ministers reportedly believe that the fuel shortage would have been minimal had there been no panic buying from the public. But media reports about the crisis have led to people standing in long queues to buy fuel.

UK PM Boris Johnson may deploy army to address fuel crisis

Fuel crisis has escalated in the UK and opposition leaders have slammed the government over the crisis. However UK's transport minister has denied the fuel shortage.

Opposition leaders slam the government over the rising fuel crisis in UK

After the leader of Lebanon’s Iran-aligned Hezbollah group said more vessels carrying Iranian fuel would sail soon to help ease the country’s energy crisis its foes in the country have warned of dire consequences from the purchase.

Lebanon Fuel Crisis: Hezbollah, govt spar over Iran sending oil tankers

<p>Lebanon's&nbsp;army&nbsp;Saturday raided gas stations and seized&nbsp;petrol&nbsp;to curb hoarding as the central&nbsp;bank&nbsp;chief&nbsp;stood&nbsp;firm&nbsp;on&nbsp;his decision to halt&nbsp;fuel&nbsp;subsidies.</p>

<p>Lebanon&nbsp;is gripped by one of the world's worst economic crises since the 1850s, according to the&nbsp;World Bank, and is struggling with&nbsp;fuel, bread and medicine shortages.</p>

<p>On&nbsp;Wednesday central&nbsp;bank&nbsp;chief&nbsp;Riad Salameh said he would halt state&nbsp;subsidies&nbsp;on&nbsp;fuel&nbsp;imports to ease pressure&nbsp;on&nbsp;the&nbsp;bank's dwindling foreign reserves, sparking panic across the country.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/diapers-and-rags-lebanon-crisis-plunges-women-into-period-poverty-395140">Diapers and rags: Lebanon crisis plunges women into period poverty</a></strong></p>

<p>Saturday Salameh insisted he would not back down from his decision without a parliamentary vote, saying foreign reserves had fallen to $14 billion.</p>

<p>"I will not review the removal of&nbsp;subsidies&nbsp;on&nbsp;fuel&nbsp;unless the use of compulsory reserves is legalised" by a parliamentary vote, he told local radio.</p>

<p>The Lebanese pound has lost more than 90 per cent of its value&nbsp;on&nbsp;the black market, and 78 per cent of the population lives below the poverty line.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Crippling shortages of&nbsp;fuel&nbsp;and power cuts lasting more than 22 hours per day have left many businesses and homes without the&nbsp;diesel&nbsp;needed to power private generators, plunging the country into darkness.&nbsp;</p>

<p>They have also caused giant queues at&nbsp;petrol&nbsp;stations that are rationing gasoline supply, allegedly because of low stock.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Fuel&nbsp;importers blame the crisis&nbsp;on&nbsp;a delay by the central&nbsp;bank&nbsp;in opening credit lines to fund imports.</p>

<p>Salameh denied those charges&nbsp;on&nbsp;Saturday, accusing importers and distributors of holding back&nbsp;fuel&nbsp;to sell it at higher prices in the black market, or across the border in Syria.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The importers are to blame," Salameh said, accusing them of squandering $820 million the lender had fronted for three months of imports.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Army&nbsp;deploys&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>To stem hoarding, the&nbsp;army&nbsp;on&nbsp;Saturday said it was raiding closed gas stations to seize gasoline and distribute it "free of charge" to the people.</p>

<p>It shared pictures and video footage&nbsp;on&nbsp;its social media pages, showing soldiers working&nbsp;pumps&nbsp;at gas stations and filling up car tanks.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/protests-rock-lebanon-ahead-of-fuel-price-hike-394575">Protests rock Lebanon ahead of fuel price hike</a></strong></p>

<p>An AFP correspondent saw soldiers deployed at several gas stations north of Beirut, where hundreds of vehicles had been queueing for long hours to fill up&nbsp;on&nbsp;petrol.</p>

<p>Video footage posted online showed motorists cheering as the&nbsp;army&nbsp;raided gas stations.</p>

<p>But some Lebanese remained bitter.</p>

<p>"The&nbsp;army's decision is too late," said one motorist who had been waiting for hours in the simmering heat.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After the&nbsp;army's deployment, many&nbsp;petrol&nbsp;stations across the country reopened after closing for several days.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The police also announced Saturday they would dispatch patrols to gas stations believed to be hoarding&nbsp;fuel&nbsp;and confiscate it.</p>

<p><strong>Political crisis&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>The central&nbsp;bank's funding of&nbsp;fuel&nbsp;and other basic commodity imports has contributed to foreign reserves falling by more than 50 per cent from their pre-crisis level of more than $30 billion.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Salameh blamed&nbsp;Lebanon's ruling class for the crisis.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Everybody was aware... they were aware in government, parliament and the president's office" that reserves were critically low, Salameh said, accusing them of inaction.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Salameh has headed the central&nbsp;bank&nbsp;since 1993 and is suspected by many Lebanese of helping facilitate large transfers of money abroad by the political elite during mass protests that began in October 2019. &nbsp;</p>

<p>He is under judicial investigation in&nbsp;Lebanon, Switzerland and France over several cases, including the diversion of public funds and illicit enrichment.</p>

<p>At home, many blame him for capital controls in place since 2019 that have trapped dollar savings and denied even the poorest segment of the population free access to their deposits.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/lebanese-govt-central-bank-clash-on-ending-fuel-subsidies-in-lebanon-405169/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>But Salameh has pinned the blame&nbsp;on&nbsp;politicians who have failed to agree&nbsp;on&nbsp;a new government more than one year since caretaker premier Hassan Diab resigned in the wake of a monster explosion at the Beirut port.</p>

<p>International donors who have pledged millions in humanitarian aid to&nbsp;Lebanon&nbsp;have&nbsp;conditioned assistance&nbsp;on&nbsp;the formation of a new government that can spearhead reforms and resume negotiations with the International Monetary Fund.&nbsp;</p>


Lebanon's army Saturday raided gas stations and seized petrol to curb hoarding as the central bank chief stood firm on his decision to halt fuel subsidies. Lebanon is gripped by one of the world's worst economic crises since the 1850s, according to the World Bank, and is struggling with fuel, bread and medicine shortages.

Lebanon's army Saturday raided gas stations and seized petrol to curb hoarding as the central bank chief stood firm on his decision to halt fuel subsidies. Lebanon is gripped by one of the world's worst economic crises since the 1850s, according to the World Bank, and is struggling with fuel, bread and medicine shortages. On Wednesday central bank chief Riad Salameh said he would halt state subsidies on fuel imports to ease pressure on the bank's dwindling foreign reserves, sparking panic across the country. Also read | Diapers and rags: Lebanon crisis plunges women into period poverty Saturday Salameh insisted he would not back down from his decision without a parliamentary vote, saying foreign reserves had fallen to $14 billion. "I will not review the removal of subsidies on fuel unless the use of compulsory reserves is legalised" by a parliamentary vote, he told local radio. The Lebanese pound has lost more than 90 per cent of its value on the black market, and 78 per cent of the population lives below the poverty line. Crippling shortages of fuel and power cuts lasting more than 22 hours per day have left many businesses and homes without the diesel needed to power private generators, plunging the country into darkness. They have also caused giant queues at petrol stations that are rationing gasoline supply, allegedly because of low stock. Fuel importers blame the crisis on a delay by the central bank in opening credit lines to fund imports. Salameh denied those charges on Saturday, accusing importers and distributors of holding back fuel to sell it at higher prices in the black market, or across the border in Syria. "The importers are to blame," Salameh said, accusing them of squandering $820 million the lender had fronted for three months of imports. Army deploys To stem hoarding, the army on Saturday said it was raiding closed gas stations to seize gasoline and distribute it "free of charge" to the people. It shared pictures and video footage on its social media pages, showing soldiers working pumps at gas stations and filling up car tanks. Also read | Protests rock Lebanon ahead of fuel price hike An AFP correspondent saw soldiers deployed at several gas stations north of Beirut, where hundreds of vehicles had been queueing for long hours to fill up on petrol. Video footage posted online showed motorists cheering as the army raided gas stations. But some Lebanese remained bitter. "The army's decision is too late," said one motorist who had been waiting for hours in the simmering heat. After the army's deployment, many petrol stations across the country reopened after closing for several days. The police also announced Saturday they would dispatch patrols to gas stations believed to be hoarding fuel and confiscate it. Political crisis The central bank's funding of fuel and other basic commodity imports has contributed to foreign reserves falling by more than 50 per cent from their pre-crisis level of more than $30 billion. Salameh blamed Lebanon's ruling class for the crisis. "Everybody was aware... they were aware in government, parliament and the president's office" that reserves were critically low, Salameh said, accusing them of inaction. Salameh has headed the central bank since 1993 and is suspected by many Lebanese of helping facilitate large transfers of money abroad by the political elite during mass protests that began in October 2019. He is under judicial investigation in Lebanon, Switzerland and France over several cases, including the diversion of public funds and illicit enrichment. At home, many blame him for capital controls in place since 2019 that have trapped dollar savings and denied even the poorest segment of the population free access to their deposits. But Salameh has pinned the blame on politicians who have failed to agree on a new government more than one year since caretaker premier Hassan Diab resigned in the wake of a monster explosion at the Beirut port. International donors who have pledged millions in humanitarian aid to Lebanon have conditioned assistance on the formation of a new government that can spearhead reforms and resume negotiations with the International Monetary Fund.

Lebanon army deploys at pumps as bank chief firm on lifting fuel subsidies

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