U.S. Defense Secretary Hegseth said he is committed to advancing a U.S.-ASEAN defense cooperation framework.

US regulators on Wednesday proposed rules to speed construction of LNG projects and expand export capacity. The proposal from the Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) would update the safety framework for LNG facilities and incorporate National Fire Protection Association standards on siting, design, construction, operation and maintenance. DOT Secretary Sean Duffy said the rule would allow operators to adopt new technologies to boost safety and cut costs, with estimated annual savings of about $100m, and is part of the Trump administration’s push to accelerate energy infrastructure and lower consumer costs. The US, already the world’s largest LNG exporter, is expected to add roughly 100 mln tonnes/year of LNG capacity by the end of the decade.

German consumer confidence slipped in November as energy cost rises tied to the Iran war continued to pressure household finances, Nuremberg-based Institute for Market Decisions (NIM) and GfK said on Wednesday. GfK’s November consumer confidence index fell to -30.8 from -30.6 in October. NIM consumer sentiment head Rolf Buerkl said rising inflation concerns and a weak income outlook are keeping consumers doubtful about their personal finances and curbing willingness to make big-ticket purchases, even as optimism about the broader economy has increased.