Energy Security & Politics: Japan’s protest over Putin’s Kuril Islands visit highlights how hard it is for Tokyo to fully sanction Russia’s Sakhalin-2 LNG, especially after Strait of Hormuz disruptions have made Gulf oil access less reliable. LNG Debate: New Zealand’s LNG vs renewables fight is getting sharper as Labour argues modelling shows LNG isn’t needed for dry-year power risk, pushing more geothermal, wind/solar, storage and thermal backup instead. Power Projects: Saudi Energy signed an agreement to supply electricity for Expo 2030 Riyadh, underscoring continued investment in grid infrastructure for major national events. Grid Reliability & Markets: ERCOT hit a new peak load of 91.1 GW amid Texas heat, while Kuwait’s Action Energy discussed strong onshore drilling fundamentals and GCC rig demand through 2030. Clean Tech Funding: Form Energy secured $750m to expand its iron-air battery factory in West Virginia, aiming for multi-day storage. Renewables Growth: Iran’s renewable capacity reportedly surged past 5,800 MW, even amid sanctions and infrastructure attacks. Policy & Efficiency: Saint Lucia proposed a five-year VAT zero-rate for solar and related equipment to cut costs and boost adoption. Energy Justice: A Kansas SNAP overhaul is driving a sharp enrollment drop, with advocates citing added paperwork burdens and delayed benefits. Heat & Infrastructure: Morocco is testing permeable “sponge” pavement in parts of Marrakech and Agadir to cool streets and manage stormwater.