... a new gas pipeline system under the Caspian Sea to deliver up to 110 billion cubic meters of Russian gas annually to Iran and further to South Asian and Middle Eastern markets. “South Asia and the Middle East are markets with untapped demand. Gas consumption in these regions is often limited by supply constraints,” Gromov notes. “This effectively involves creating a ‘Caspian Stream’ system to replace the Nord Streams. However, this project can only be realized if Azerbaijan or Turkmenistan ...

... external backdrop. In China, signs of economic slowdown are evident: the industrial PMI in July fell below 50 again (to about 49.5), signaling a contraction in manufacturing activity for the second consecutive month. Weak external demand and cautious consumption are hindering industry. In response, Chinese authorities announced an additional stimulus package: tax reductions for small businesses, eased mortgage lending conditions, and accelerated infrastructure projects in the second half of the year....

... improving population access to gas. Electric power and heating: Investments in gas turbine power plants ensure reliable power supply to industrial enterprises and residential buildings. Improvement of centralized heating infrastructure reduces coal consumption and increases energy efficiency. 5. Technological and innovative developments Gazprom relies on advanced technologies that increase the efficiency and environmental safety of its operations. Digitalization and automation: The introduction ...

... cost-effective base layer could enhance the trust of regulators and major players. However, changes do not occur in a vacuum. Key Ethereum 2.0 updates have already been implemented: the transition to Proof-of-Stake (the Merge) contributed to lower energy consumption, and Fusaka and Pectra increase data throughput. Nevertheless, the demand dynamics have shifted: base fees have dropped to minimums not seen since 2025 (~$0.16 per transaction) due to the migration of activities to Layer 2. The decrease in ...

... onset of the current conflict, China—a key trading partner of Iran—significantly reduced its imports of Iranian oil amid rising geopolitical risks. Iran exports about 1.7 million barrels of crude oil per day, constituting less than 2% of global consumption. According to the analytics firm Kpler, over 90% of Iran’s oil exports go to China, with most being purchased by small private refineries ("teapots") located in Shandong province. Interestingly, these refineries account for over ...