Middle East Shipping Crisis: Iran says it’s battling a major oil spill in the Strait of Hormuz, with reports of slicks affecting parts of its coastline near Qeshm Island and concerns that the spill may be linked to the wider Iran–US shipping war that has disrupted tanker traffic. Oman Response: Oman’s Environment Authority reports about 12 km of coastline affected in Ras Madrakah near Duqm, while saying Masirah Island shores have seen no significant impact so far and tracking shows the slick moving offshore toward the open sea. Market Pressure: With Hormuz disruptions tightening global flows, US gasoline prices are reported around record levels for mid-August, and analysts warn fuel-importing countries like Kenya could face higher refined-product costs as inventories fall. EU Emissions: Eurostat data shows EU greenhouse-gas emissions rose 0.3% in Q1 2026, with the biggest jump in electricity, gas, steam and air-conditioning supply. North Sea Politics: UK Scotland’s PM is facing renewed calls to block Rosebank and Jackdaw, with campaigners warning of large lifetime carbon impacts. Power Sector Incidents: Bulgaria’s Bobov Dol coal plant shut down after a steam generator rupture, with repairs expected to finish by Monday. Energy Infrastructure Deals: bp and Venezuela signed agreements to advance offshore gas development, including Loran Phase 2 with an estimated 4 Tcf of recoverable gas. Grid Buildout Trend: US data center demand is driving new power planning, while solar and batteries continue to dominate new US utility-scale additions in early 2026.