Oil & Debt Recovery: Reuters reports Eni has signed a PDVSA deal to develop the Junin 5 heavy-oil project in Venezuela, improving prospects of recovering over $2.3bn in receivables, with investment of about $1.5bn a year and output targeted to rise sharply by 2030. Energy Security & Diplomacy: Italy’s foreign minister Antonio Tajani offered to mediate the Nile waters dispute between Egypt and Ethiopia, citing Rome’s ties with both sides and pointing to the GERD’s hydroelectric role. Gas Exploration in the Med: Cyprus says it is in talks with energy giants to allocate remaining natural gas drilling blocks in its EEZ and push an “alternative energy corridor” for Europe, including progress toward the Vasiliko LNG terminal. Nord Stream Legal Twist: A Croatian court postponed the extradition hearing for a Ukrainian suspect in the Nord Stream sabotage case after Germany updated the warrant with a “war crime” classification. Power Storage Deal: BW ESS bought two standalone battery storage projects in Spain (126 MW/675 MWh) from Navacant, aiming for operations in 2028 while keeping long-term ownership. Italy-U.S. Science: Italy and the U.S. renewed scientific cooperation in Washington, covering CERN-related work, the Electron-Ion Collider, neutrino projects like DUNE and LEGEND at Gran Sasso, and gravitational-wave research. Renewables/Markets Context: A separate report flags renewed global bond-market stress as Middle East fighting lifts oil prices and raises inflation fears—an indirect headwind for energy costs and financing.