Grid Security in War Zones: The IAEA brokered a temporary local ceasefire near Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia NPP to let repairs begin on the 750-kilovolt Dniprovska power line, after repeated outages forced the plant to rely on emergency diesel. Energy Market Shock & Geopolitics: The Strait of Hormuz closure is reshaping Asia’s fuel flows, with India portrayed as continuing supply to vulnerable neighbors while China tightens exports and adds conditions. Nuclear Expansion Moves: Russia and Uzbekistan launched construction of Uzbekistan’s first nuclear plant, described as a hybrid of small and large units built by Rosatom. Renewables + Storage Scale-Up: CATL expects energy storage to reach half of global battery sales by 2030, while HiTHIUM unveiled an 8-hour long-duration BESS at SNEC 2026. Clean Power Policy & Bills: Philippines’ BIR clarified VAT treatment for lifeline and green energy auction charges to avoid double taxation, and Maryland/Virginia approved plug-in balcony solar rules. Project & Deal Watch: Inox Clean Energy agreed to buy Vena Energy India’s 6 GW renewables portfolio; South Africa’s ACTOM highlighted NECRT transformer delivery for renewable grid integration. Data Centers Get Power Plans: Westmeath approved a €1bn data centre and hybrid energy campus, and EU unveiled an energy digitalisation roadmap tied to AI and data centres. Regional Reliability Investments: Ground broke on Colorado’s Weld Energy Center, a $141m battery storage project for four Northern Colorado communities.