Evening briefing Friday 2nd October

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0:50This is The Times evening news briefing for Friday 2nd October. G7 leaders have agreed to release strategic reserves of up to 100 million barrels of crude oil and diesel within four months after an emergency meeting this afternoon. In an effort to lower fuel prices before midterm elections next month, the US president had demanded that Europe release stockpiles of diesel or face export bans. The average price of a litre of diesel in the UK surpassed£2 for the first time today. Phil Pluck is the chief executive of the Coal Chain Federation. He told Times Radio why the rising prices were such a problem.

1:27We are not protected as a sector in terms of access to diesel. We have no protection other than we go and buy it along with the average consumer. And that means that the potential here is that there could be a disruption to supply as well as an increase in the cost of supply. One of Britain's most powerful union leaders has called the Labour Party's energy policy crazy and urged ministers to approve new North Sea oil and gas projects. GMB General Secretary Gary Smith has accused the government of relying on sticking plaster politics and said they'll lose out on billions in investment if oil and gas field projects are blocked.

2:09He also warned that high energy costs and rising bills will trigger a fresh wave of strikes. Nearly 2 ,000 people have been arrested across more than 900 student protests in France. The protests started in Paris and were about dilapidated school buildings, overcrowded classes and a lack of teachers, but they've spread across the country. Senator Hélène Conway-Moutet, vice president of the French Senate's Foreign Affairs Committee, spoke to Times Radio. She said the government is unpopular and needs to engage with protesters. So the government should be when it's part to just rely on dialogue, which it hasn't done at all.

2:47I mean, that's the biggest thing that we can say against Emmanuel Macron. I mean, he's been quite good on the international scene, but not so great on the internal one. He'll have to be very careful not to end his last term with another French revolution. Manchester City have confirmed they've lodged an appeal against being found guilty of serious breaches of Premier League financial rules. The club says it's innocent of the accusations, adding a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence exists in support of all of its positions. The Football Association has indicated it will issue its own charges against Manchester City once the Premier League process has been concluded.

3:31In a statement, they said the decision by the independent commission has significant implications for the integrity of the game. More on these stories throughout the day on Times Radio.

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