Bloomberg The European Central Bank (ECB) and the lenders it oversees are running out of time in their push for rules to foster cross-border mergers. European Union regulations need to change so consolidation makes financial sense, the ECB and firms say. But their shared urgency has been stymied by politicians from Germany and smaller states who want to make sure …

Bloomberg World energy ministers representing about two thirds of the global population tussled over how the world can achieve a cleaner energy future. The compromise answer: Natural gas, at least for now. A consensus statement from G20 energy ministers meeting in Argentina cited the potential of natural gas “to expand significantly over the coming decades.” Meanwhile, the group said that …

Bloomberg Australia’s energy retailers face further government intervention in the market if they don’t move to lower power prices for consumers after a drop in wholesale charges, according to Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg. Wholesale charges have fallen by about 30 percent from last year and that should start to flow to customers, Frydenberg said on Sky News. While the companies …