Bloomberg India’s largest electricity producer is stepping up a campaign of coal imports as the nation seeks to avoid a new power crunch. State-run NTPC Ltd. has sought about 10 million tons of overseas coal since it issued its first international tender in two years in October, according to documents posted on its website. The reversal after years of …

  Bloomberg Italy’s government is readying as much as 4 billion euros ($4.5 billion) to offer immediate help to consumers hit by energy prices, while it works on a wide range of longer term measures, people familiar with the matter said. The aid won’t require parliament to authorize fresh debt, and can rely instead on other revenue streams such as …

  Bloomberg Japan’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) inventories slumped to a seven-month low as colder weather increased demand and Europe hoarded shipments of the super-chilled fuel. LNG shipments — particularly those exported from US projects — are rerouting from Asia to Europe to take advantage of more attractive prices. That’s leaving less supply for Asian importers, and the cargoes that are …