Critical Raw Materials at the Geopolitical Crosshairs—and Crosswire - Institute of Energy for South-East Europe About UsMission and VisionBackgroundAnnual ReportArticles of AssociationBoard of GovernorsOrganizationExecutive CommitteeScientific CommitteesResearchInternational Advisory GroupCo-operat»»»

By Elena Marchetti | Published March 23, 2026 | 11 min read Photo by Kaboompics on Pexels | Alt: Business professional managing expenses and financial documents at office desk | Tags: expense management, automated tracking, business finance, European market Every week, finance teams across Europe s»»»

Seasonality has long remained one of the key challenges for coastal developments in Poland. Wave Świnoujście Thermal & SPA, developed by Green House Development, is being created in response to this issue, introducing a resort model designed to operate year-round. A central element of this concept »»»

As missiles light up the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating tensions, most shipowners are rerouting fleets and hunkering down. One billionaire magnate defies the chaos — sailing straight into the firestorm. While his critics accuse him of profiteering, George Prokopiou, 79, the unyielding Greek tycoo»»»

President Nicusor Dan announced on Friday that Romania joins the statement of Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan on ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.''We have decided to join the statement of Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands »»»

Italy’s conservative premier, Giorgia Meloni, faces a pivotal political test in a two-day referendum on judicial reform that started on Sunday, a vote that has transformed into a broader judgment on her leadership at home and abroad. If passed, the reform would the "biggest overhaul of the judiciar»»»

Italians began voting Sunday in a two-day referendum on reforms that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says will make the judiciary more independent – but which critics argue will do the opposite. The poll risks turning into a referendum on the far-right leader herself, ahead of parliamentary elec»»»

Italy’s two-day referendum on whether or not to overhaul the country’s justice system has become a key test for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. If the “No” side wins, analysts say it will send a strong political signal and weaken her leadership. Accused by her opponents of threatening the judiciary'»»»

Coal is back. Having become a fuel for most of the last two decades, countries are scrambling to secure supplies of coal in the face of “ The largest supply disruption in the history,” according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). »»»

Iran will allow Japanese oi tanker to transit the Strait of Hormuz, as Tehran develops a selective blockade of the strategic waterway and effectively opens a toll road to the international energy markets. “We have not clos»»»

Coal is back. Having become a fuel for most of the last two decades, countries are scrambling to secure supplies of coal in the face of “ The largest supply disruption in the history,” according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). »»»

Coal is back. Having become a fuel for most of the last two decades, countries are scrambling to secure supplies of coal in the face of “ The largest supply disruption in the history,” according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). »»»

Coal is back. Having become a fuel for most of the last two decades, countries are scrambling to secure supplies of coal in the face of “ The largest supply disruption in the history,” according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). »»»

Coal is back. Having become a fuel for most of the last two decades, countries are scrambling to secure supplies of coal in the face of “ The largest supply disruption in the history,” according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). »»»

An Iranian missile struck the Israeli town of Dimona, home to a nuclear facility, injuring dozens in what Tehran said was retaliation for strikes on its Natanz nuclear site. The attack comes amid escalating regional tensions, including two failed Iranian missile strikes on the US‑UK base Diego Garc»»»

President Donald Trump responds to a question from the media as he walks to board Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC on Friday. Photo by Shawn Thew/UPI | License Photo March 22 (UPI) -- U.S. President Donald Trump is threatening to obliterate Iran's power plants if it»»»

Indian refiners plan to resume buying Iranian oil while refiners elsewhere in Asia are examining such a move after Washington temporarily removed sanctions to alleviate an energy crunch caused by the US-Israeli war on Iran, traders said on Saturday. Three Indian refining sources said they will buy »»»

In her push for a "yes" vote in this weekend's constitutional referendum, Italy's prime minister has been reaching for new audiences. On Thursday, Giorgia Meloni sat at the mic between a popular rapper and a personal trainer-turned-podcaster to urge Italians to vote for a judicial system she promis»»»

The US military declared on Saturday it had taken out an Iranian bunker housing weapons threatening oil and gas shipments in the Strait of Hormuz. The US statement appeared designed to calm the concerns of energy markets and of Washington's skeptical international allies, more than 20 of whom issue»»»

ABU DHABI: Joint statement from the leaders of the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, Canada, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Denmark, Latvia, Slovenia, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Czechia, Romania, Bahrain, Lithuania, and Australia on th»»»

Air Arabia has issued a travel advisory as adverse weather is forecast across the UAE starting today and over the coming days. The airline said operations at Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Khaimah airports may be affected, potentially leading to flight delays or schedule changes. Stay updated: Get »»»

The Trump administration waived sanctions on the purchase of Iranian oil at sea for 30 days on Friday in its latest attempt to ease oil prices that have been driven up by the US-Israeli war on Iran. The waiver will bring some 140 million barrels of oil to global markets and help relieve pressure on»»»

Political parties in Iraq have carried out intense efforts over the past two days to contain the escalation in the country in wake of increased attacks on the US embassy in Baghdad by pro-Iran factions, sources told Asharq Al-Awsat. The efforts aim to also prevent Iraq from sliding into a broader c»»»

European powers and Japan have changed their posture on the ongoing Middle East war, by prioritising energy security and avoiding being dragged by the US into the on-going war with Iran. Recent developments show the allies are preparing to act even without full US leadership. Some countries, such a»»»

Released on March 19, the latest Freedom in the World 2026 report finds that global freedom declined for the 20th consecutive year in 2025, with more countries experiencing a deterioration in political rights and civil liberties than improvements, Statista reports. »»»

Airspace disruptions and rising regional tensions are impacting travel and security across the UAE, with flights delayed and routes altered. Authorities confirmed the situation remains stable after intercepting missiles and drones, while travellers face uncertainty over schedules and rights. Meanwh»»»

Italy is talking to several countries, including the United States, Azerbaijan and Algeria, to secure gas supplies now that Iranian strikes on Qatar appear to have halted its exports for an extended period, Energy Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin said. Iranian attacks have knocked out 17% of Qatar»»»

President Donald Trump arrives for the Commander in Chief Trophy presentation in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Friday. Earlier in the day, he criticized NATO countries for declining to assist the United States in reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Photo by Shawn Thew/UPI | L»»»

US President Donald Trump on Friday branded NATO allies "cowards" for not heeding his demand for military assistance against Iran to control the Strait of Hormuz shipping route. Trump has recently veered between saying that Washington needs no help to secure the vital waterway for oil tankers, and »»»

Five Russian Paralympians have been added to the ‘kill list’ run by Ukraine’s state-backed Mirotvorets website, which publishes the personal details of individuals it labels as ‘enemies’ of the state. The athletes, placed on the list on Thursday, include alpine skier Aleksey Bugaev, and cross-count»»»

A damaged Russian LNG tanker that has been drifting unmanned in the Mediterranean for more than two weeks, risking a major ecological disaster, is four to six days from Libya’s shores, an Italian official said on Friday. The Arctic Metagaz, carrying LNG from the Arctic port of Murmansk, has been un»»»

Oil prices gained on Friday despite leading European nations, Japan and Canada offering to join efforts to secure safe passage for ships through the Strait of Hormuz and the US outlining moves to boost oil supply. "The potential for a quick reversal in energy prices is unlikely because damage has b»»»

Bulgaria's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Radi Naydenov and Italian Ambassador Marcello Apicella conducted a meeting at the Foreign Ministry on Thursday to discuss the bilateral relations, the Ministry reported on Friday. The two discussed the excellent bilateral relations, based on shared Euro»»»

London, March 20 (SANA) Oil prices fell on Friday after major European countries and Japan signaled readiness to help secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, easing concerns over potential supply disruptions. Brent crude futures dropped $1.24, or 1.1 percent, to $107.41 a barrel, while U.S. W»»»

The Strait of Hormuz is not just an oil tanker passage. It’s a key waterway in global trade. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) uses a brutally simple playbook here: squeeze the world economy through this narrow gate — and control the gate. At just 39 km wide at its narrowest, shipping is»»»

Worldwide, prestigious institutions like the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the Tate Modern are incorporating digital art into their exhibitions, recognising its cultural and financial significance. These museums are pioneering new ways to engage visitors through immersive digital experiences. Mea»»»

Six major international powers said Thursday they were ready "to contribute to" ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, though three stressed that any initiative would take place post-ceasefire. Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the Netherlands said Thursday they were ready "to»»»

London: A joint statement issued by the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Japan condemned Iran’s attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf, on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas facilities, and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The statement,»»»

Released on March 19, the latest Freedom in the World 2026 report finds that global freedom declined for the 20th consecutive year in 2025, with more countries experiencing deterioration in political rights and civil liberties than improvements, Statista reports. »»»

Released on March 19, the latest Freedom in the World 2026 report finds that global freedom declined for the 20th consecutive year in 2025, with more countries experiencing deterioration in political rights and civil liberties than improvements, Statista reports. »»»

Released on March 19, the latest Freedom in the World 2026 report finds that global freedom declined for the 20th consecutive year in 2025, with more countries experiencing deterioration in political rights and civil liberties than improvements, Statista reports. »»»

Released on March 19, the latest Freedom in the World 2026 report finds that global freedom declined for the 20th consecutive year in 2025, with more countries experiencing deterioration in political rights and civil liberties than improvements, Statista reports. »»»

Released on March 19, the latest Freedom in the World 2026 report finds that global freedom declined for the 20th consecutive year in 2025, with more countries experiencing deterioration in political rights and civil liberties than improvements, Statista reports. »»»

Iranian attacks ‌have knocked out 17% of Qatar's liquefied natural gas (LNG) export capacity, causing an estimated $20 billion in lost annual revenue and threatening supplies to Europe and Asia, QatarEnergy's CEO and state minister for energy affairs told Reuters on Thursday. Saad al-Kaabi said two»»»

Global energy markets are sending mixed signals as oil prices diverge sharply across regions, highlighting the growing impact of geopolitical tensions on supply flows. Benchmark crudes West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude and Brent crude both declined in the latest trading session, with WTI falling »»»

An Iranian regime's missile manufacturing and assembly facility had been razed to the ground following precision strikes as part of the US military carrying out "Operation Epic Fury". In an X post, the US Central Command stated their air, land, and sea forces continue of neutralise threats from the»»»

Iranian attacks on the world's largest LNG plant in Qatar and refineries in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait sent global oil and gas prices surging Thursday, raising fears of wider economic fallout. US President Donald Trump warned of a forceful response if Iran continued targeting Gulf energy infrastructur»»»

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Iran is being "decimated" and it is unclear who is in charge, even as the Islamic Republic kept up attacks on Gulf oil and gas targets that have jolted global markets. Nearly three weeks into the Middle East war launched by Israel and the»»»

LONDON: The United Kingdom, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Japan have strongly condemned Iran’s attacks on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas facilities in Gulf states, as well as the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the targeting of commercial vessels. In a jo»»»

DOHA: Qatari Minister of State for Energy Affairs, the Managing Director and CEO of QatarEnergy, Eng. Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi has revealed that Iranian attacks disrupted 17 percent of Qatar's liquefied natural gas (LNG) export capacity, causing losses estimated at approximately $20 billion in ann»»»