Friday, April 3, 2026

The National News

India faces a second year of deficit in sugar as mills close early

Trade officials said on Thursday that India's sugar production will fall below its consumption for the?second straight year as lower cane yields are forcing mills to close more quickly than usual. Low output combined with increasing exports will likely reduce domestic stocks and support local prices which were under pressure because of surplus supplies.

Fears of a prolonged Middle East conflict has caused most Gulf stocks to retreat.

The major Gulf stock markets dropped in the early hours of trading on Thursday, after Donald Trump said that the U.S. will continue to attack?Iran without indicating a definite end date. In a late-night prime-time speech, Trump stated that the U.S. was planning to launch aggressive attacks on Iran in the coming two to three week period and were close to achieving their main strategic goals?in this conflict.

Oil shock resilience in march - or just smoke and mirrors? Mike Dolan

The energy shock caused by the Iran war is unprecedented. So far, the real economy has been hit hard. The fact that the only immediate information available is market sentiment, pricing or anecdotes makes it difficult to invest in a sudden crisis such as the Middle East conflict. When reliable data about the economic impact of a crisis finally appears, the crisis has often already passed.

Zelenskiy: Ukraine reaching agreement on Middle East diesel supplies

The Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated on Friday that Kyiv is working to reach an agreement with Middle Eastern countries on diesel supplies, the type of fuel most in demand in the country. Zelenskiy spoke to a Ukrainian TV interviewer during a Middle Eastern tour. He had earlier said that Ukraine and Saudi Arabia had…

Oil and gas exploration is back. Energy giants are hunting to replenish reserves

Executives at the CERAWeek Conference in Houston, Texas, this week declared that global energy companies have returned to the basics, focusing their efforts on finding?new oil and gas sources. This marks the end of years of underinvestment. The'shale revolution' in the U.S. in recent years promised a flexible, abundant supply.

South Korea enforces naphtha export ban amid Middle East supply disruptions

The industry ministry announced that South Korea has begun enforcing an export ban on naphtha as it tries to ensure domestic supplies are not disrupted by the conflict in the Middle East. This move will require refiners divert their exports to the local market, and the government can order the production and allocations of naphtha.

Mike Dolan: The US Treasury's seismograph is twitching after the Iran oil shock.

The Iran oil crisis has thrown rate forecasts into disarray and caused turbulence in the U.S. Treasury market - pushing?volatility up to its highest level in almost a year, and forcing sales that are taking a heavy toll on liquidity. The danger is that these tremors will spread. The sheer size of the U.S. Treasury market is one of its main attractions.

Philippines suspends spot electricity sales due to Middle East conflict

The Philippines announced on Thursday that it had suspended the sale of electricity at spot prices until further notice due to fuel supply risks and price volatility caused by Iran's war. The suspension was ordered by a decree declaring a national energy emergency in order to deal with fallout of the war, including disruptions in fuel procurement.

NNPC: Nigerian LNG cargoes are attracting more buyers.

A senior Nigerian National Petroleum Company official said that the West African producer is experiencing a stronger demand for its LNG cargoes due to the energy disruptions caused by the Middle East war. Olalekan Ogunleye, Executive Vice President of NNPC, stated that buyers are looking more to Nigeria because of its proximity and size of its gas reserves.

Groupo Potencial increases investment in Brazil's biofuels citing the war with Iran

A senior executive at Brazil's Grupo potencial said that the company plans to increase its investments in biofuels to 6 billion reais ($1.15billion) by 2030, due to a rise in oil prices as a result of a war with Iran. Potencial plans to build the largest biofuels facility in the world. The investments will be used to increase capacity…

India plans to reduce emissions intensity by 47 percent by 2035 compared to 2005 levels

Ashwini Vashnaw, India's Information Minister, said that the cabinet had?approved an objective to reduce emissions intensity by 47% from 2005 levels by 2035 as part of India's formal climate pledges under?the Paris Agreement. The intensity of emissions is the ratio between greenhouse gas emission and an economy's size. Vaishnaw…

Shell CEO warns that energy shortages could occur in Europe by the end of next month.

Shell CEO Wael Sawan warned on Tuesday that energy shortages in Europe could occur by the end of next month. Sawan added that Shell is working with governments in order to address the energy crisis. This includes storage and purchasing. Sawan said that the Middle East conflict has already impacted jet fuel supplies. Diesel and gasoline will follow as the summer driving season begins in Northern Hemisphere.

European Energy Shortages Could Be Felt By April

© Adobe Stock/Ai_Images

Energy shortages could hit Europe by next month, Shell CEO Wael Sawan said on Tuesday, adding that securing adequate energy supply was critical to national security.Countries cannot have national security without energy security, Sawan said, adding that Shell was trying to work with governments to help them address the energy crisis, including with storage and purchasing.

Gulf Stocks Mixed amid Confusion over US-Iran Talks

Gulf markets closed mixed on Tuesday. Qatar?extended losses, while other bourses stabilized as investors parsed contradictory signals about potential U.S.Iran 'talks. The mood was volatile when U.S. President Donald Trump delayed attacks on Iran's energy infrastructure and spoke of "productive" talks to end the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran. But Tehran dismissed this comment as "fakenews".

Gulf stocks mixed after Iran denies US talks, Qatar continues decline

Gulf stock markets were unable to find direction during early trading Tuesday. Qatar's fall was exacerbated by mixed messages about U.S.Iran talks following President Donald Trump's decision to delay strikes on Iran's energy infrastructure. Trump made his decision on Monday based on what he called productive discussions with Iranian officials.

Investors predict that the war in Iran will increase Chinese demand for renewable energy

Investors rush into Chinese renewable stocks betting that the oil shock caused by the Iran War will increase?global green energy demand, a sector China dominates. This 'portfolio' trend in Asia is a result of growing concerns about energy security in Asia and a growing distrust for Washington. It contrasts with the United States, which has shifted back to oil and gas.

Lee, South Korea's Lee, calls for an energy-saving campaign that includes curbs on automobiles

The South Korean President Lee Jae Myung called on Tuesday for a nationwide energy-saving campaign due to the threat posed by the war in Iran. He said that public institutions would reduce their use of passenger cars. Kim Sung Whan, Energy Minister, told a cabinet meeting that curbs on private vehicles were for the time being voluntary but would be reviewed if energy alert levels increased.

Japan will begin releasing oil from its joint stockpiles at the end of March, says PM

In a Tuesday post on the social media site X, Prime Minister Sanae Takayi announced that Japan will begin releasing 'oil from the joint stockpiles of producing 'nations held in a?country at the end of March. Takaichi, in the X Post, said that the country would tap a month's worth from the state reserves starting Thursday. According to the IEA…

Union calls for return to negotiations after BP locks out Indiana oil refinery

The United Steelworkers stated on Monday that BP engaged in unfair 'labor practices' by locking out nearly 800 workers at a?Whiting oil refinery. They urged BP to resume contract negotiations. Roxanne Brown, USW 'International President, said that BP's decision of locking out these skilled workers was illegal and unacceptable.

China reduces fuel prices to cushion the impact of rising oil costs

China took measures to cushion the impact of fuel price increases on Monday, increasing the retail gas and diesel ceiling prices but keeping the increase to half the amount that would be charged under the government pricing mechanism. The price adjustments prompted by the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran are still the biggest ever.