Energy Affordability & Grid Stress (Philippines/SEA): The IEA warns Southeast Asia faces rising energy-cost pressure and security gaps, with Middle East crude supply and Strait of Hormuz disruptions still weighing on bills. Energy Efficiency for Real-World Assets: Museums get a new Min/Max Dashboard to balance collections care with temperature/humidity settings that can cut energy use and carbon. Nuclear Cooperation: The US and Dominican Republic kick off a civil nuclear MoU framework focused on safety, security, and nonproliferation steps. Middle East Energy Risk (Hormuz): Even with US-Iran deal progress, analysts and prediction markets doubt Strait of Hormuz traffic will fully normalize fast—insurance and procedures remain sticking points. Consumer Protection (UK): New rules speed Energy Ombudsman handling and compensation for billing and smart-meter disputes. Africa Industrial Power: At the Africa Energy Forum, leaders stress grid resilience and storage as the next hurdle for industrialization. Clean Fuel Upgrade (US): Aemetis receives key equipment for an MVR system at its California ethanol plant, targeting ~80% lower natural gas use. Data Centers & Costs (US): Lawmakers plan a bipartisan “Ratepayer Protection Act” to stop families and small businesses from paying for grid upgrades tied to AI data centers. LNG Moves (South Africa): Zululand Energy Terminal signs an HoA with ExxonMobil to advance an LNG import project at Richards Bay. Energy Transition Readiness (Global/India): WEF’s index shows global readiness dipped, while India improved on infrastructure and clean-energy scaling. Regional Energy Diplomacy (ASEAN-Russia): Malaysia and Russia push energy cooperation and local-currency trade, while Russia-ASEAN backs deeper ties including energy and food security.