Energy markets & geopolitics: Renewed US-Iran strikes and talk of the ceasefire being “over” are pushing oil higher again, with Australian shares sliding as banks and miners weigh while energy stocks catch a bid. Macro pressure: The IMF cut its 2026 global growth forecast, citing lingering Middle East energy shock effects, and flagged higher inflation risks that feed into rate worries. India-Australia clean energy push: PM Narendra Modi and Anthony Albanese used the CEO forum in Melbourne to frame the relationship as “natural and trusted partners”, with clean energy, critical minerals, uranium and AI on the agenda. Renewables investment sentiment: A clean energy investors’ survey says confidence in Australia’s ability to hit the 2030 target is weakening, with transmission buildout delays now the biggest drag. Battery & critical minerals supply chain: Surefire Resources signed a heads of agreement with Australian Flow Batteries to run hydromet testing on vanadium concentrate from its Victory Bore project, aiming to plug into Australia’s vanadium flow battery ecosystem. Vanadium processing economics: Renascor’s HF-free battery-grade graphite cost study points to operating costs around US$459/t, supported by commissioning at its South Australia demonstration plant. Bioenergy project delivery: Kalfresh has partnered with WELTEC BIOPOWER to design and build the first stage of a Queensland anaerobic digestion facility, targeting paddock-to-power circular agriculture. Digital resilience: A Telstra outage story highlights how Australia’s telecom rules lag behind the reality that networks now underpin energy, payments and emergency services.