In brief | 15 August '24

Wallstreet Journal: The story of the Nord Stream pipeline sabotage

Private businessmen funded the shoestring operation, which was overseen by a top general; President Zelensky approved the plan, then tried unsuccessfully to call it off, writes WSJ.

FT: Ørsted scraps flagship European green fuels project

Danish company says market for e-fuels is developing more slowly than expected.

DW: Germany: Climate activists block four airports

Letzte Generation or "Last Generation" climate activists had promised demonstrations at several German airports this week.

Bloomberg: Germany faces tough call on drilling in protected marine zone

• One-Dyas has applied to drill for gas at North Sea site
• There are ‘downsides to consider,’ German econ minister Habeck says

Bloomberg: Europe’s rising gas-hedging costs show supply fears persist

• October contracts cost more to insure than those for midwinter
• Ukraine and Middle East wars are underpinning supply jitters

The Guardian: Unprecedented number of heat records broken around world this year

In 2024, 15 national temperature records have been set as weather extremes grow more frequent, climate historian says.