U.S. inflation holds at a 3.4% annual rate in August, with higher gasoline prices lifting overall consumer costs. The latest consumer price index shows energy remains a key pressure point as renewed fighting in the Middle East pushes fuel prices higher, complicating the outlook for households, policymakers and interest-rate expectations.

The International Energy Agency cuts its 2026 forecasts for both global oil demand and supply as the conflict linked to Iran intensifies. The agency now expects worldwide oil consumption in 2026 to run about 2.5 million barrels a day below 2025 levels, pointing to weaker demand alongside tighter market conditions.

The European Union moves the India trade deal into its final approval stage, asking the EU Council to authorize signature and conclusion of the agreement. The pact would cut or remove tariffs on 96% of EU goods exports to India, marking a major step in a long-running effort to deepen commercial ties.

The UK economy grows 0.4% in July, beating expectations after a 0.3% gain in June. The stronger reading suggests the economy carries more momentum into the second half of the year than forecasters expected, offering a positive signal as policymakers weigh the pace of growth and broader business conditions.

India’s foreign exchange reserves climb to a record $785.71 billion as of September 4, driven mainly by a rise in foreign currency assets. The increase more than offsets a small fall in gold reserves, underscoring the strength of the country’s external buffers at a time of global market uncertainty.

Flights at Sydney Airport face cancellations and delays after a shortage of air traffic controllers disrupts operations on Friday morning. The staffing shortfall exposes how labor constraints in critical transport systems can quickly ripple through travel schedules, hitting passengers and airlines at one of Australia’s busiest hubs.

Kroger uses its latest earnings call to outline recent quarterly performance and its outlook for the coming quarters. Management updates investors on how the business is tracking against expectations, focusing on operating results and the company’s near-term financial direction as it navigates consumer spending conditions.

Iondrive is named an ASX Runner of the Week after an economic evaluation of its IONSolv technology assigns a net present value of US$243 million, or about A$338 million, to a single proprietary module. The recognition centers on investor interest in the project’s reported commercial potential.