Marcus Webb 
Major oil companies reported massive profit surges as the ongoing conflict in Iran disrupted global energy markets, driving fuel prices sharply higher. Six of Europe’s largest oil firms posted combined first-quarter profits of $22 billion—over 40% higher than the previous…
Iran and Oman have made progress toward a landmark agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil and gas shipments, regional officials confirmed on August 4, 2026. The emerging deal would establish separate entry and…
Ram is ditching the hybridized 5.7-liter Hemi V8 in the 2027 Ram 1500 lineup, replacing it with a naturally aspirated version that also loses the automatic stop/start system. The move was confirmed by a Ram spokesperson to Motor1 and aligns…
Saudi Aramco warned on August 4, 2026, that global refineries outside conflict zones are operating at near-maximum capacity, leaving little room to absorb supply shocks as fuel prices remain elevated. The world’s largest oil company said the combination of the…
BP Plc announced on August 4, 2026, that it will sell its U.S. biogas business, Archaea Energy, as part of a broader strategy under new CEO Meg O’Neill to streamline operations, reduce debt, and restore investor confidence. The move follows…
Mercedes-AMG Motorsport’s customer racing division is enjoying a dominant mid-season run in 2026, with its teams and drivers leading multiple GT championships worldwide. Kundensportleiter Stefan Wendl called the program’s progress “incredibly proud” in an interview, highlighting the Mercedes-AMG GT3’s enduring…
Toyota Motor Corp. reported a fiscal first-quarter net profit of 1.48 trillion yen ($9.4 billion) on August 4, 2026, nearly doubling its 841 billion yen profit from the same period a year earlier. The Japanese automaker attributed the surge to…
Caterpillar Inc. reported blockbuster second-quarter 2026 earnings on August 4, blowing past Wall Street expectations as data center expansion fueled record demand for its power and energy equipment. Sales surged to $20.5 billion, up from the $19 billion average estimate…
The U.S. trade deficit narrowed by 5.6% to $73.3 billion in June, driven by a 1.8% drop in imports and a 0.9% decline in exports, according to Commerce Department data released on August 4, 2026. The gap in goods and…
The 2026 Harley-Davidson Deadwood is the latest addition to the Softail lineup, arriving with a price tag of $17,999. Inspired by post-WWII GIs, the Deadwood borrows heavily from the Heritage Classic but strips it down to its raw, minimalist bones.…