Free Top Stories
Iran faces infrastructure damage as US blockade exhausts crude storage
Iran is transferring millions of barrels of crude onto supertankers as a US naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman restricts its export routes
Central Asia targets skills gap as renewable energy push accelerates
With investments into renewables accelerating, the region faces a widening gap between labour market needs and available skills.
A super El Niño due this year and the world is not ready
The numbers released last week by an international consortium of climate scientists are remarkable in their uniformity. Every single key indicator of the state of the Earth's climate system set a new record in 2025. And not in a good way.
Latin America's unfinished battle with inflation leaves the region exposed to the Iran shock
The Middle East conflict has landed on Latin America at an awkward moment. After two years of gradual progress bringing inflation under control, the region's central banks now face the prospect of that effort being undone by an external conflict.
NGOs urge Western Balkans to avoid ‘gas lock-in’
47 civil society organisations call on Western Balkan governments to abandon plans for new gas infrastructure, warning the region risks becoming locked into costly fossil fuel dependence.
Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed as Iran maintains shipping restrictions
Only four vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz on April 26 according to Kpler data, Tasnim has reported, indicating the world's most important oil chokepoint remains effectively closed at Iran's discretion despite the April 7 ceasefire.
Central Asia in race to close power-generation gap – report
Greater regional coordination seen as key to solving conundrum.
EFG Finance signs Egypt’s first specialised EV charging leasing deal
EFG Finance, a parent of EFG Holding (EGX:HRHD) has signed Egypt’s first specialised financial leasing agreement for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure with Infinity, a renewable energy company and provider of EV charging solutions.
Gulf oil output could recover within months of Hormuz reopening, Goldman Sachs says
Gulf crude oil production could recover to close to pre-war levels within a few months of the Strait of Hormuz safely reopening, according to Goldman Sachs.
Inside the municipal scramble for Seoul’s nuclear future
Regional authorities across South Korea are currently engaged in a high-stakes struggle to secure the nation's debut small modular reactor installation, lured by the promise of vast financial dividends.
Blackouts in the Philippines as power bills soar
The Philippines is grappling with a national energy emergency as soaring fuel prices and extreme heat drive up utility costs and trigger rotational blackouts across the provinces, reported various local officials on April 26.
Fitch turns negative on Taiwan’s CPC
The outlook revision reflects uncertainty over CPC’s ability to restore interest coverage above 4.0x, amid higher oil prices and limited cost pass-through.
Enbridge’s $4bn LNG pipeline gets federal approval
The Canadian government has given the greenlight to infrastructure firm Enbridge to expand an existing natural gas pipeline in British Columbia, national media agency CBC reported on April 24.
Pakistan’s PLL purchases 3 cargoes on spot market
State-run Pakistan LNG Limited has bought three cargoes on the spot market for the first time in over two years.
Bangladesh clears first nuclear unit for operation
Bangladesh has issued an operating licence for the first unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, after completing inspections of primary equipment and confirming the reactor is ready for first criticality.
Egypt studies $5bn green ammonia project in push for clean energy
Egypt is considering a $5bn green ammonia project as part of its strategy to expand clean energy capacity and position itself as a regional hub for hydrogen-based industries
COMMENT: Iran was the prequel, China is the target
A growing chorus of analysts from Moscow, Beijing and Washington think tanks argues that the US campaign against Iran was really aimed at China's oil supply chain, making Tehran the prequel to a longer confrontation
Iran claims bypass to US naval blockade using Jask port
Iran is bypassing the US naval blockade by using the Jask port on the Gulf of Oman, sustaining oil exports to China at 985,000 barrels per day with Vortexa data showing 10.7mn barrels of crude transited through the strait between April 13 and 22.
Central Asian countries commit to stronger action on air pollution at Astana summit
Aging industrial infrastructure remains a major challenge, while car use has increased rapidly as populations become more affluent.
Kazakhstan proposes regional ‘Green Shield’ to combat desertification in Central Asia
Desertification is accelerating across the region, with 9 sqm of land turning into desert every minute.
Central Asia, EU pledge deeper cooperation on water and energy
Central Asia is among the regions most exposed to climate change, with accelerated glacier melt altering river flows and more frequent droughts disrupting hydropower generation.
Follow us online