Critical Raw Materials at the Geopolitical Crosshairs—and Crosswire
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»»»
Europe losing control of automotive industry to Chinese importers
Europe’s automotive parts industry is losing ground to Asian competitors, with structural shifts happening faster than European firms can adapt. Since 2018, EU production has fallen by about 15%, while China’s output has surged nearly 40% to over $380 billion annually, more than double Europe’s lev»»»
Vucic: SNS policy is Serbia's interests - good relations with both East and West
BELGRADE - President of Serbia and Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) Presidency member Aleksandar Vucic said at the weekend Serbia's interests - good relations with both the East and the West - were the SNS policy. "Our policy is a policy of peace, stability and security. Our policy is a policy of a »»»
Honorary Consulate of Montenegro opened in Bishkek - | 24.KG
Two significant Kyrgyzstan — Montenegro events took place in Bishkek: official talks and the opening of an Honorary Consulate. Foreign Minister of Kyrgyzstan Jeenbek Kulubaev met with his Montenegrin counterpart, Ervin Ibrahimović, who arrived in Kyrgyzstan on the first official visit in the histor»»»
Cuba is ready for a US invasion, a senior diplomat said amid Trump’s oil blockade
Cuba is prepared to defend itself against a potential American invasion, Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio has said, following remarks by US President Donald Trump about taking over the island. The comments come as Cuba faces a deepening economic crisis triggered by an oil bl»»»
China limits fuel price hikes as oil costs surge: govt
Beijing: China has limited the amount by which the country's fuel costs can rise, the government announced Monday, to mitigate surging oil prices due to the Middle East conflict. Global oil prices have soared as the war between the United States, Israel and Iran has centred around the Strait of Hor»»»
Moscow Bets on Tehran’s Resilience, Western Rift
The Kremlin’s expectations appeared markedly pessimistic in the fourth week of the Iran war, as confidence grew that Russia’s ability to influence the conflict was waning and that the repercussions for one of its key partners could be severe. With limited leverage, the Kremlin’s main options now se»»»
Russia Sitting Pretty as Iran War Drains US Resources & Fractures NATO
Russia has turned out to be the “biggest winner” of the war that the US and Israel have unleashed against Iran, speculates the publication 19FortyFive. The US has shifted its focus to the Middle East, American weapons stocks are dwindling, and oil revenues are surging as crude prices spike amid Ira»»»
China Limits Fuel Price Hike to Cushion Impact of Rising Oil Prices
China intervened to cushion rising fuel prices on Monday, increasing regulated ceiling prices for retail gasoline and diesel but limiting the hike to about half what would normally be applied under the government's pricing mechanism. However, the adjustments brought on by rising oil prices linked t»»»
Shipping billionaire sails into war: Meet George Prokopiou, how his ships brave the Hormuz
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»»»
China Warns of 'Uncontrollable Situation' in Mideast after Trump Threats
China warned on Monday that further attacks on the Middle East risk creating an "uncontrollable situation" in the war-torn region, after US President Donald Trump threatened to "obliterate" Iran's power plants. Trump gave Tehran a 48-hour deadline on Saturday to end its partial blockade of the Stra»»»
European Gasoline Heads to Asia as Iran War Sparks Supply Fears
European and US gasoline cargoes are heading to the Asia Pacific after Asian prices surged on tightening supply due to the US-Israeli war with Iran, according to trade sources and shipping data. The war has disrupted crude and oil product shipments from the Middle East to Asia, causing Asian refine»»»
Pakistan Vows to 'Eradicate Terrorism' as Afghan Truce Nears End
Pakistan's foreign minister said Monday that the country remains committed to "eradicating the menace of terrorism", as the clock ticked down to the end of a temporary ceasefire with Afghanistan. Both countries last Wednesday announced a halt to weeks of hostilities for the Eid al-Fitr holiday mark»»»
Kyrgyzstan gains access to frozen fruit exports to China - | 24.KG
Kyrgyz companies will be able to export frozen fruit to China after registering in the GACC (CIFER) system. The Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry reported. According to the ministry, the General Administration of Customs of China has confirmed the possibility of regi»»»
What's next for Germany's troubled car giants?
Cars and TransportationGermanyWhat's next for Germany's troubled car giants?Thomas KohlmannGerman automakers are in a crisis due to stagnant sales, falling profits and constant strategy shifts. Can the industry recover? https://p.dw.com/p/5AmYIGerman carmakers are still struggling to embrace the fu»»»
Iran is creating a “safe” oil shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz for select nations
Iran has signaled that it is ready to allow passage through the Strait of Hormuz to vessels from certain countries. Media reports and tracker data also suggest that a handful of pre-vetted tankers have already sailed smoothly through the “safe” corridor, with at least one shipping company allegedly»»»
Will GCC be drawn into war and unite against Iran?
Will the GCC be drawn into the war and unite against Iran? The foreign ministers of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Pakistan met in Riyadh on March 18 to discuss a possible security pact and taking up arms against Iran as it continues to target their oil and gas cash cows. The Turkish foreign »»»
Will GCC be drawn into war and unite against Iran?
Will the GCC be drawn into the war and unite against Iran? The foreign ministers of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Pakistan met in Riyadh on March 18 to discuss a possible security pact and taking up arms against Iran as it continues to target their oil and gas cash cows. The Turkish foreign »»»
LONG READ: Coal is back.
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). »»»
Japan given permission to send takers through Hormuz
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»»»
LONG READ: Coal is back.
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). »»»
LONG READ: Coal is back.
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). »»»
Will GCC be drawn into war and unite against Iran?
Will the GCC be drawn into the war and unite against Iran? The foreign ministers of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Pakistan met in Riyadh on March 18 to discuss a possible security pact and taking up arms against Iran as it continues to target their oil and gas cash cows. The Turkish foreign »»»
Most Gulf and European ships likely blocked from Hormuz despite Iran's 'open to all' claim
Iran's declaration that the Strait of Hormuz is open to all vessels except "enemy" ships would in practice exclude most countries in the Persian Gulf and many in Europe, Former steel CEO and energy Russian analyst Alexander Frolov said on March 22. »»»
Will GCC be drawn into war and unite against Iran?
Will the GCC be drawn into the war and unite against Iran? The foreign ministers of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Pakistan met in Riyadh on March 18 to discuss a possible security pact and taking up arms against Iran as it continues to target their oil and gas cash cows. The Turkish foreign »»»
Most Gulf and European ships likely blocked from Hormuz despite Iran's 'open to all' claim
Iran's declaration that the Strait of Hormuz is open to all vessels except "enemy" ships would in practice exclude most countries in the Persian Gulf and many in Europe, Former steel CEO and energy Russian analyst Alexander Frolov said on March 22. »»»
Will GCC be drawn into war and unite against Iran?
Will the GCC be drawn into the war and unite against Iran? The foreign ministers of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Pakistan met in Riyadh on March 18 to discuss a possible security pact and taking up arms against Iran as it continues to target their oil and gas cash cows. The Turkish foreign »»»
Most Gulf and European ships likely blocked from Hormuz despite Iran's 'open to all' claim
Iran's declaration that the Strait of Hormuz is open to all vessels except "enemy" ships would in practice exclude most countries in the Persian Gulf and many in Europe, Former steel CEO and energy Russian analyst Alexander Frolov said on March 22. »»»
Will GCC be drawn into war and unite against Iran?
Will the GCC be drawn into the war and unite against Iran? The foreign ministers of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Pakistan met in Riyadh on March 18 to discuss a possible security pact and taking up arms against Iran as it continues to target their oil and gas cash cows. The Turkish foreign »»»
Most Gulf and European ships likely blocked from Hormuz despite Iran's 'open to all' claim
Iran's declaration that the Strait of Hormuz is open to all vessels except "enemy" ships would in practice exclude most countries in the Persian Gulf and many in Europe, Former steel CEO and energy Russian analyst Alexander Frolov said on March 22. »»»
Will GCC be drawn into war and unite against Iran?
Will the GCC be drawn into the war and unite against Iran? The foreign ministers of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Pakistan met in Riyadh on March 18 to discuss a possible security pact and taking up arms against Iran as it continues to target their oil and gas cash cows. The Turkish foreign »»»
Will GCC be drawn into war and unite against Iran?
Will the GCC be drawn into the war and unite against Iran? The foreign ministers of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Pakistan met in Riyadh on March 18 to discuss a possible security pact and taking up arms against Iran as it continues to target their oil and gas cash cows. The Turkish foreign »»»
Most Gulf and European ships likely blocked from Hormuz despite Iran's 'open to all' claim
Iran's declaration that the Strait of Hormuz is open to all vessels except "enemy" ships would in practice exclude most countries in the Persian Gulf and many in Europe, Former steel CEO and energy Russian analyst Alexander Frolov said on March 22. »»»
Will GCC be drawn into war and unite against Iran?
Will the GCC be drawn into the war and unite against Iran? The foreign ministers of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Pakistan met in Riyadh on March 18 to discuss a possible security pact and taking up arms against Iran as it continues to target their oil and gas cash cows. The Turkish foreign »»»
Most Gulf and European ships likely blocked from Hormuz despite Iran's 'open to all' claim
Iran's declaration that the Strait of Hormuz is open to all vessels except "enemy" ships would in practice exclude most countries in the Persian Gulf and many in Europe, Former steel CEO and energy Russian analyst Alexander Frolov said on March 22. »»»
Will GCC be drawn into war and unite against Iran?
Will the GCC be drawn into the war and unite against Iran? The foreign ministers of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Pakistan met in Riyadh on March 18 to discuss a possible security pact and taking up arms against Iran as it continues to target their oil and gas cash cows. The Turkish foreign »»»
Most Gulf and European ships likely blocked from Hormuz despite Iran's 'open to all' claim
Iran's declaration that the Strait of Hormuz is open to all vessels except "enemy" ships would in practice exclude most countries in the Persian Gulf and many in Europe, Former steel CEO and energy Russian analyst Alexander Frolov said on March 22. »»»
LONG READ: Coal is back.
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). »»»
US spends more on Iran war in two weeks than four years on Ukraine war
\The US has spent more on just two weeks of Operation Epic Fury than it has done in four years of supporting Ukraine in its war with Russia. As bne IntelliNews reported in the feature, Command of the Reload, the cost of re»»»
US spends more on Iran war in two weeks than four years on Ukraine war
\The US has spent more on just two weeks of Operation Epic Fury than it has done in four years of supporting Ukraine in its war with Russia. As bne IntelliNews reported in the feature, Command of the Reload, the cost of re»»»
LONG READ: Coal is back.
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). »»»
Most Gulf and European ships likely blocked from Hormuz despite Iran's 'open to all' claim
Iran's declaration that the Strait of Hormuz is open to all vessels except "enemy" ships would in practice exclude most countries in the Persian Gulf and many in Europe, Former steel CEO and energy Russian analyst Alexander Frolov said on March 22. »»»
China accounts for largest share of Kyrgyzstan’s foreign trade — EDB - | 24.KG
China holds the largest share in Kyrgyzstan’s foreign trade turnover, a macroeconomic review of the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) says. According to the report, Kyrgyzstan’s total foreign trade turnover reached $15.8 billion in 2025, marking a decline of 10.2 percent. The country’s key trading pa»»»
2026 Hormuz shock: Why crisis isn't saving Big Oil — it's supercharging post-oil era
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has warned that the world faces the "worst energy crisis in decades" as the Middle East war grinds. Moreover, the exchange of dire threats between the Iranian regime and US and its allies over the Strait of Hormuz continues to drive oil price spikes. With no en»»»
Ignore batteries at your own peril
Batteries are rapidly becoming one of the most transformative technologies of the 21st century. They sit at the heart of the global shift toward electrified transport, and more resilient power systems. In a word: a game-changer. At the most basic level, batteries solve a fundamental problem: energy»»»
Treasury's Bessent Says US Has 'Plenty' of Funds for Iran War
The US government has "plenty of money" to fund the war against Iran, but is requesting supplemental funding from Congress to ensure the military is well supplied in the future, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Sunday. Bessent, speaking on NBC News' "Meet the Press" program, also ruled o»»»
China's Sinopec Posts 36.8% Drop in 2025 Net Profit
China Petroleum & Chemical Corp, known as Sinopec, reported a 36.8% decline in 2025 net profit on Sunday, citing rising substitution by new energy sources, and weak petrochemical margins, according to the company's filing. The world's largest oil refiner by capacity posted net income attributable t»»»
Why the Trump administration is easing sanctions on certain Iranian oil stockpiles
Reuters- Cargo ships in the Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz, are seen from northern Ras al-Khaimah, near the border with Oman’s Musandam governance, on March 11, 2026. Stringer/Reuters Trump administration officials are making a desperate push to secure every available barrel of oil amid a worsenin»»»
Expert warns of $200 oil in ‘greatest energy crisis in history’
International energy consultant Mamdouh Salameh warned that the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz—even for a brief period—will trigger a massive surge in oil prices, predicting that Brent crude could exceed $120 per barrel within days. Speaking to Al Qahera News, Salameh explained that a six-»»»