Japan said on Friday that allowing unrestricted imports of fresh US potatoes would risk introduction of 21 pests and pathogens. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has drafted a list covering 14 insect pests and several fungi and microbes, including the hard-to-eradicate potato cyst nematode first detected in Hokkaido in 2015. Tokyo currently bans fresh potato imports except for potatoes for chip processing; the US has sought full removal of the ban since 2020. The central govern

Handelsblatt reported Volkswagen plans to cap five-year investment at about €135 bln (≈$156 bln), down from last year’s €160 bln-through-2030 target. The cut is aimed at accelerating cost savings amid weak demand and tougher competition and forms part of wider restructuring to remove excess capacity and structural costs, including further job reductions and possible closures of German plants.

HFI Research says it has repeatedly flagged a "golden opportunity" in Colombia and Venezuela since early 2026. At the start of the year the unexpected arrest of former Venezuelan president Maduro surprised markets. More recently, President Trump announced the US has reached an agreement with Venezuela on certain oil production blocks; details have not been released, but recent reports indicate major players are poised to reclaim sizable blocks, with Chevron the likely first candidate. In Colombia the new president, sworn in on Aug. 7, has moved rapidly to restructure state oil company Ecopetrol: the finance ministry has called an extraordinary shareholders meeting for Sept. 15 to amend the articles of association so the president can nominate six additional board members and effectively control the board. The ministry said the government will submit a nine‑person slate mandated to raise output, restore trust and push an energy transition. Delivering those objectives will require external capital to lift mature‑field production, unlock new reserves and improve efficiency, opening an entry point for independent producers. Geopolitically, HFI says Colombia and Venezuela remain among the most undervalued energy opportunities.