On January 16, French Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu visited Norway, marking a significant step toward closer defense cooperation between the two nations. During the visit, Lecornu and Norwegian Defence Minister Bjørn Arild Gram signed a letter of intent aimed at deepening security and defense ties…

The United Arab Emirates’ state energy firm Masdar has entered into a $15 billion renewable energy agreement with the Philippines to develop solar, wind, and battery energy storage systems. The initiative is projected to supply up to 1 gigawatt (GW) of clean energy by 2030, aligning with the Philippines’ objective of reducing reliance on…

Standard Lithium announced on Thursday that SWA Lithium, its joint venture with energy firm Equinor, has secured a $225 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE). The grant, provided by the DoE’s Office of Manufacturing & Energy Supply Chains, will support the construction of phase one of the South West Arkansas…

China’s coal-powered thermal generation increased by 1.5% in 2024, defying predictions of a peak in coal usage, although this growth rate marked the slowest increase in nine years, excluding the COVID-19 pandemic years. This development underscores the challenges China faces in transitioning away from coal-fired power while sustaining…

Indian Oil Corp (IOC), India’s largest refiner, has significantly increased its crude oil acquisitions from Middle Eastern and African markets in response to U.S. sanctions on Russian producers and transporters, which have disrupted the global oil supply chain. In a notable move, IOC purchased 2 million barrels of Abu Dhabi’s Murban crude…

In 2024, Taiwan’s foreign direct investment (FDI) saw a significant shift, with record investments flowing into the United States and Japan, while investment in China stagnated. Taiwanese companies directed $14.1 billion in FDI to the US, contributing to a record total of $48.6 billion in overseas investments for the year…

China’s aluminum industry, the largest in the world, is approaching a pivotal moment in 2024 as government-imposed limits on production capacity begin to take effect, reshaping the dynamics of both domestic and global supply. The Chinese government capped annual aluminum production at 45 million tons in 2017 to address issues…

The European Union has called on member states to scrutinize investments by their companies in non-EU countries, particularly in sensitive sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and quantum technologies. This initiative is part of the bloc’s broader strategy to bolster economic security and ensure critical technologies…