A Russian oil tanker has been targeted by a Ukrainian drone in the Kerch Strait, causing a temporary interruption to traffic on the crucial bridge linking Crimea to Russia, amid growing tensions in the Black Sea. The attack was confirmed by the Ukrainian security services, marking an escalation in hostilities between the two countries, which have been at loggerheads since February 2022.

The US plans to deploy security teams of Marines and US Navy personnel on tankers transiting near the Strait of Hormuz to reinforce the defense of these vulnerable vessels and deter Iran from seizing them. This additional measure comes on top of the recent deployment of a warship and fighter aircraft to the region.

The Baltic States have reached an agreement to disconnect from the Russian power grid and join the EU, thereby boosting their energy security.

Iran, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait clash over a rich offshore gas field, reviving a long-standing dispute. Competing claims threaten cooperation and rekindle tensions in the region.

The capping of Russian oil prices, an unprecedented economic sanctions measure, aims to limit Russia's oil revenues despite market tensions.

Iraq is seeking to solve the problem of unpaid gas bills to Iran by working with the United States, while the exchange rate of its currency is causing concern.

The G20 climate talks, bringing together environment ministers from countries accounting for over 80% of CO2 emissions, stalled at a meeting in India. Disagreements with China, Saudi Arabia and Russia complicated the discussions, prompting denials from China.

China's Vice Premier marks CPEC's 10th anniversary, but results are mixed between China and Pakistan, while security remains a major concern following attacks on economic corridor projects.

Iran reaffirms its determination to defend its rights over the disputed gas field, which also involves Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, in the absence of cooperation from these two countries, while Teheran is still seeking a negotiating route to resolve the conflict over the field.

Western countries are seeking China's help to stem the flow of oil to North Korea despite UN sanctions. The ambassadors are calling for greater international cooperation to counter these maritime practices and ensure compliance with Security Council resolutions.

Chinese President Xi Jinping strengthens ties with Algeria during his Algerian counterpart Abdelmadjid Tebboune's visit to Beijing, supporting Algeria's aspiration to join the BRICS. China is investing in Algeria's energy sector, strengthening cooperation between the two countries in this strategic area.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida strengthens energy relations with Gulf countries, in response to growing rivalry with China. Kishida's tour is aimed at ensuring a stable energy supply for Japan, which relies heavily on gas and oil imports from these hydrocarbon-rich countries.

Trade between France and the United Arab Emirates, as well as with Qatar, has increased, even exceeding pre-Covid-19 levels, thanks to strategic partnerships in the energy sector, particularly in the fields of hydrogen, renewable energies and liquefied natural gas (LNG). Cooperation in the energy transition, including electric cars, green hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuel, is at the heart of this growth in trade.

The Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, expresses his wish to resolve the historic dispute with Turkey over the delimitation of their maritime zones by applying to the International Court of Justice in The Hague. While acknowledging that reaching an agreement with Ankara will not be easy, he is keen to find a solution that will allow the International Court to intervene in this decades-old case, which concerns energy exploration rights in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean.

Russia has summoned the ambassadors of Germany, Denmark and Sweden to express its dissatisfaction with the investigation into the Nord Stream pipeline explosion. Despite eight months of investigations, the responsibility for this underwater attack remains a mystery.

Africa and China come together to shape the continent's sustainable energy future. The African Renewable Energy Manufacturing Initiative brings together companies and experts from nine African countries and fourteen Chinese energy companies at a historic roundtable.

The European Commission is strengthening energy cooperation with Moldova, giving priority to integration into the EU market and security of supply. The EU's financial support and close collaboration aim to ensure a resilient and sustainable energy future for Moldova.

The critical lack of climate finance in Africa jeopardizes the continent's sustainable development and undermines global climate goals. COP28 President-elect Dr. Sultan Al Jaber urges a significant increase in public and private funding to combat climate change in Africa.

Elected officials from the U.S. Congress and the European Parliament are demanding the withdrawal of the nomination of an oil industry boss for the presidency of COP28 in Dubai. Despite his defense, the appointment of the Emirati Minister of Industry is strongly criticized.