The US Senate has overwhelmingly passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, clearing the measure by an 86-11 vote. The bill could allow the US administration to impose tariffs of up to 100&#37 on countries buying Russian energy, with India, China, Slovakia, Hungary and Azerbaijan named among the potential targets. The legislation now moves to the US House of Representatives, while President Donald Trump has signalled support for the measure.

A major explosion at Egypt's Damietta Port has triggered fresh geopolitical tensions after two LNG vessels, including the US-owned Energos Winter, caught fire in a dramatic blaze near one of the Mediterranean's most strategically important energy hubs. Egyptian authorities have launched an official investigation into the cause of the explosion, which remains unconfirmed. However, several maritime intelligence assessments have suggested that the incident may have been caused by a suspected drone strike, raising fresh concerns over the security of global shipping routes and critical energy infrastructure. The two vessels involved in the incident have been identified as the US-owned Energos Winter and GasLog Salem. Emergency response teams quickly brought the fires under control, and both ships were moved to safety. Operators confirmed that all crew members were safely evacuated, with no casualties reported. WATCH