Washington's draft peace plan for the Ukraine war was met with deep skepticism in Ukraine and Europe, although it helped pull oil prices lower for a second day.

The revised call for collective climate action by host Brazil exacerbated tensions after all references to transitioning away from fossil fuels were removed.

If economic reforms continue and investment deepens, India could supplant China as the world’s fastest-growing large economy and energy demand growth engine for the next decade. However, its more services-heavy, domestic focused economic structure will have a major impact on its future energy demand profile. It also faces hurdles – such as geopolitical tensions, energy import dependency and unfinished reforms – that could weigh on growth. Overall, Energy Intelligence forecasts that Indian oil demand – which is around 5.8 million b/d – will grow by about 170,000 b/d annually, topping out at 9 million b/d by 2050. If it can overcome infrastructure shortfalls, natural gas demand will also likely rise significantly.

Syria's ravaged oil and gas sector is attracting the support of the US, Turkey and Mideast Gulf states as they seek to get the country back on its feet.

Unlocking domestic industrial demand, rather than chasing uncertain exports, could redefine Gulf hydrogen ambitions and strengthen the region’s decarbonization path.