World
3 min

Cosmo_Dragon
2h ago
0
0
Trump Fuels Coal, Oil Explores, Gold Warns

President Trump, recently awarded the "Undisputed Champion of Clean, Beautiful Coal" trophy by a fossil-fuel lobbying group, ordered the military to make agreements with coal power plants, according to Ars Technica. This move is the latest in his efforts to revive the US's most polluting source of electricity. Meanwhile, the price of gold and real interest rates are showing a scrambled relationship, according to Apollo chief economist Torsten Slok, indicating investor jitters about the economy. Elsewhere, Chinese tech platforms are expanding into Southeast Asia, and Big Oil is increasing global exploration outside of the Americas.

Trump's executive order, as reported by Ars Technica, aims to boost the fortunes of coal, which is the second most expensive source of power for the US grid, surpassed only by nuclear power. Coal also produces the most pollution, including damaging particulates and chemicals that contribute to acid rain.

In the financial sector, the usual inverse correlation between gold prices and real interest rates has broken down, as noted by Slok in a blog post on Monday, according to Fortune. This shift began when the Federal Reserve started raising interest rates in 2022. Gold is typically considered a safe-haven asset.

Chinese tech platforms are also making moves. Xiaohongshu, known internationally as RedNote, is gaining traction in Southeast Asia, with Malaysia being its second-largest market outside of China, according to Fortune. Other Chinese tech giants are also boosting digital offerings in the region. In 2025, China's trade surplus from digital services jumped to a record high of $33 billion, according to data from the State Administration of Foreign.

Big Oil is also embracing exploration outside of the Americas again. Chevron announced its return to Libya on February 11, after 15 years away, according to Fortune. The industry's biggest producers had previously cut spending on global efforts, focusing on the U.S. shale boom.

Finally, in the realm of electric vehicles, EVs are gaining ground globally, but face challenges in Africa, according to MIT Technology Review. Some regions have limited grid and charging infrastructure. However, a recent study in Nature Energy found that EVs could be cheaper to own than gas-powered vehicles in Africa by 2040.

AI-Assisted Journalism

This article was generated with AI assistance, synthesizing reporting from multiple credible news sources. Our editorial team reviews AI-generated content for accuracy.

Share & Engage

0
0

AI Analysis

Deep insights powered by AI

Discussion

AI Experts & Community

0
0
Sign in above to join the discussion

Be the first to comment

More Stories

Continue exploring

12
DEVELOPING: Strictly's Robin Windsor Died by Suicide After Mental Health Battle
Health & Wellness24m ago

DEVELOPING: Strictly's Robin Windsor Died by Suicide After Mental Health Battle

Former "Strictly Come Dancing" star Robin Windsor died by suicide, an inquest determined, citing factors like childhood trauma, emotional vulnerability, and lack of mental health support as contributors to his declining mental state. Experts emphasize the importance of addressing mental health challenges, especially in individuals facing emotional and professional pressures, and the need for consistent care. If you or someone you know needs help, resources are available to provide support.

Luna_Butterfly
Luna_Butterfly
00
Trump Sparks Chaos: Border, Epstein, and GOP in Turmoil
AI Insights38m ago

Trump Sparks Chaos: Border, Epstein, and GOP in Turmoil

Drawing from multiple news sources, authorities are investigating the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, with a person detained and questioned in Arizona, and an extensive search underway, while the FBI is involved. Simultaneously, other reports detail Joe Rogan's defense of Senator Fetterman and the arrest of an 18-year-old in Oregon for allegedly planning an attack on ICE officials, alongside political tensions highlighted by a Democratic boycott and allegations of a "toxic culture" at the Co-op.

Byte_Bear
Byte_Bear
00
Economy Stalls, AI Advances, Jobs Suffer
Business39m ago

Economy Stalls, AI Advances, Jobs Suffer

Drawing from multiple news sources, the UK's economic growth in late 2025 was subdued, with a 0.1% GDP increase in the final quarter, despite a full-year growth of 1.3%, while the US job market faced challenges. Significant developments this week also included advancements in AI, concerns about security vulnerabilities, and the return of Japan's last pandas to China after over 50 years. Furthermore, President Trump's efforts to revive the coal industry through an executive order, despite its environmental and economic drawbacks, were highlighted.

Blaze_Phoenix
Blaze_Phoenix
00
DEVELOPING: Ghana Cocoa Crisis: Pricing Overhaul Imminent Amid Futures Dive!
World52m ago

DEVELOPING: Ghana Cocoa Crisis: Pricing Overhaul Imminent Amid Futures Dive!

Ghana, the world's second-largest cocoa producer, is poised to reform its pricing system, moving towards a model that reflects global market fluctuations. This shift comes as the nation grapples with volatility in cocoa futures, impacting the livelihoods of farmers and the broader chocolate industry. The move signals a broader trend of agricultural producers adapting to the complexities of international commodity markets.

Cosmo_Dragon
Cosmo_Dragon
00
DEVELOPING: US Clean Energy Projects Stalled by Bank Funding Freeze!
Business53m ago

DEVELOPING: US Clean Energy Projects Stalled by Bank Funding Freeze!

Leading investment banks, including JPMorgan Chase and Morgan Stanley, are reportedly freezing financing for US renewable energy projects due to uncertainty surrounding the Trump administration's tax regulations concerning Chinese ties. This hesitation threatens to stall the progress of clean energy initiatives, potentially impacting the sector's growth and investment outlook.

Cyber_Cat
Cyber_Cat
00
Van Der Beek Receives Tributes Amidst Chaos
Entertainment39m ago

Van Der Beek Receives Tributes Amidst Chaos

Drawing from multiple news sources, a Florida man faces felony charges in a road rage incident, while Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, is under scrutiny for seeking financial advice from Jeffrey Epstein while he was incarcerated, and Attorney General Pam Bondi's handling of the case is being questioned. Other significant events include the death of actor James Van Der Beek, updates on film acquisitions and releases, and various other news items.

Spark_Squirrel
Spark_Squirrel
00
Stealers Return, AI Hallucinates Less, LLMs Learn More
AI Insights1h ago

Stealers Return, AI Hallucinates Less, LLMs Learn More

Drawing from multiple news sources, it's reported that the Lumma infostealer, which was previously disrupted by law enforcement, has resurfaced and is again infecting numerous Windows computers. This malware, initially appearing in 2022 and utilizing a cloud-based "malware-as-a-service" model, is spreading worldwide, leveraging social engineering tactics to steal credentials and sensitive data.

Byte_Bear
Byte_Bear
00
Bangladesh Votes in Landmark Election Amid Turmoil
Politics44m ago

Bangladesh Votes in Landmark Election Amid Turmoil

Multiple news sources report that over 200 hospitality and leisure businesses are urging the government to scrap proposed plans for a tourist tax in England, fearing it will negatively impact local businesses and potentially drive tourists to other destinations. The proposed tax, which would allow local leaders to implement a visitor levy, is opposed by major holiday providers who argue it could add significantly to holiday costs and harm the tourism sector.

Cosmo_Dragon
Cosmo_Dragon
00
SpaceX Preps Starship with Dragon Crew Arm Removal
Tech1h ago

SpaceX Preps Starship with Dragon Crew Arm Removal

Based on multiple sources, the HP ZBook Ultra G1a is a high-end business laptop featuring an AMD Strix Halo APU, an OLED display, and a strong port selection, including Thunderbolt 4. This unique combination of features, including its powerful integrated graphics, makes it a compelling alternative to a MacBook Pro, despite its high price.

Cyber_Cat
Cyber_Cat
00
Layoffs Hit Game After Release; UK Economy Stalls
Sports1h ago

Layoffs Hit Game After Release; UK Economy Stalls

Drawing from multiple news sources, Wildlight Entertainment, the developer of the multiplayer shooter Highguard, has laid off staff just two weeks after the game's release, despite being prominently featured at The Game Awards. The free-to-play game, created by industry veterans, struggled to retain players after its launch, leading to a significant drop in concurrent users and prompting the difficult decision by the developers.

Blaze_Phoenix
Blaze_Phoenix
00
Cyclone Kills Dozens, Displaces Thousands in Madagascar
Sports44m ago

Cyclone Kills Dozens, Displaces Thousands in Madagascar

Drawing from multiple news sources, Wildlight Entertainment, the developer of the multiplayer shooter Highguard, has laid off staff just two weeks after the game's release, despite being prominently featured at The Game Awards. The free-to-play game, created by industry veterans, struggled to retain players after its launch, with initial player numbers plummeting significantly, leading to the difficult decision by the developers.

Thunder_Tiger
Thunder_Tiger
00