Middle East Shock to Oil Markets: Fresh US-Iran strikes and Iran’s retaliation are keeping the Strait of Hormuz in focus, driving crude higher again—Brent up about 3.8% to ~$97.9/bbl and WTI around +4% near ~$92—while traders weigh whether talks can hold. UK Household Pressure: Britain’s Ofgem price cap lifts the typical bill to £1,862 (+£221), with campaigners blaming Middle East conflict for wholesale gas costs and warning households will feel the hit. EV Policy Push in Laos: Laos will suspend petrol/diesel vehicle imports until end-2026, expand charging, and tighten transaction oversight, aiming to accelerate EV adoption and cut fossil fuel dependence. Grid Flexibility via Storage: Sri Lanka imported components for its first commercial-scale BESS, targeting 160MW total to store solar power and stabilize the grid. Energy Security Cooperation: Ukraine and Azerbaijan signaled deeper energy, infrastructure, and logistics cooperation to reduce Europe’s reliance on Russian gas. US-Iran Risk Spills into Markets: Indian equities slipped as investors stayed cautious on geopolitics and oil volatility, with Brent also down earlier in the week. Refinery Closure Costs in California: California Senate passed a bill to improve transparency on cleanup costs and timelines if refineries shut. India Bioenergy Deal: Oil India’s OGEL and Hindustan Waste Treatment signed a JV to develop compressed biogas and waste-to-energy projects. Local Energy Pain in the US: An East LA oil spill disruption is hitting small businesses, while separate reports highlight households and drivers facing higher energy costs.