The International Policy Network, once the most persuasive and active think tanks campaigning against climate change science, has disbanded in the UK after what appears to be a split between its leading members.

Germany's cartel office has warned big oil companies including Shell and BP over charging drivers too much for petrol. Five oil majors – BP's Aral, Exxon Mobil's Esso, ConocoPhillips' Jet, Royal Dutch Shell and Total – control just over 65 per cent of the German filling station market, the Federal Cartel Office said.

The economist Mrs Huhne has built a glittering career and loyal City fanbase, says Mark Leftly

Reheated bid chatter, plus a recommendation that investors should take advantage of its recent weakness, helped BG Group rise up the top-tier index last night. The gas explorer advanced 41p to 1,373p as vague speculation spread late in the session that it could be in line for an approach.

BP's much-trumpeted Arctic exploration venture collapsed yesterday after the oil major failed to strike a compromise between its existing Russian partners and the state oil giant Rosneft. The company now faces the prospect of being left out as Rosneft looks to other potential partners.

When BP's Deepwater Horizon exploded last April, the world feared the worst. But it has not come to pass, says David Usborne, and what's more, money is proving a more corrosive force than the oil

On 24 March 1989 an Exxon Valdez oil tanker struck reef of the coast of Alaska, spilling around 750,000 barrels of oil.

The discovery of more than 80 dead dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico is raising fresh concerns about the effect on sea life from last year's massive BP oil spill.

The ongoing political uncertainty in Egypt continued to worry investors yesterday, with travel groups the latest to be knocked back.

In downton abbey, a wealthy American heiress rides to the rescue of a British estate's hard-up owners. Now rich viewers in the US are being invited to buy their way on to the credits of the popular ITV series, in an attempt to fill the funding gap for quality British television drama.

Has the online bookmaker Betfair shelled out for an expensive online-marketing strategy from some whacky agency? Its Twitter page is bizarre and appears to begenuine, judging by the expensive display advertising that accompanies its tweets. None of these is related to Betfair's trading activities and almost all are idiosyncratic to say the least. The latest Betfair tweet – "I look to the skies. Another eagle will be here soon" – is a prime example. What on earth is going on?

Fresh speculation linking BP to an opportunistic takeover bid from rival Royal Dutch Shell sparked a surge in shares at the beleaguered firm today.