Axios

The U.S. imposed new sanctions against Russia's two biggest oil companies on Wednesday in an effort to press Russian leader Vladimir Putin to agree to a ceasefire, President Trump said.

Why it matters: This is the first time the U.S. has imposed sanctions against Russia over the war with Ukraine since Trump assumed office.

Tesla delivered record quarterly revenue after its EV sales rebounded in the third quarter, but its profit fell short of expectations.

Why it matters: The automaker had been facing a sales backlash among consumers who were aggravated over CEO Elon Musk's support of President Trump and leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency.

The White House and GOP officials are on a PR offensive to tout gasoline prices that — depending on how you slice the data — are at their lowest since either May 2021 or last December.

Why it matters: Average prices are hovering around $3 per gallon or have already dipped below that. It adds intrigue to a huge question: Who gains politically when pump prices fall but power bills rise?

The Orionid meteor shower is set to treat stargazers to "one of the most beautiful showers of the year" — with streaking meteors and fireballs shooting across the sky as it peaks through Thursday, according to NASA.

The big picture: This meteor shower occurs every year as the Earth passes through the inbound debris stream of Halley's Comet, with the 2025 Orionids active from Oct. 2-Nov. 7 and peaking this week, per an American Meteor Society online post.

Water powers communities, economies and industries. Yet the supply of this vital resource is under increasing strain.

General Motors shares surged Tuesday on the company's third-quarter results, which were full of positive surprises.

The big picture: The automotive giant is trimming its sails much faster than anyone had expected in the face of a multitude of industry headwinds.

A veteran team of advocates and wonks is launching a group to win policy changes that make clean energy "the most affordable, reliable, and fastest way to power America's economy," the group exclusively tells Axios.

Why it matters: The group is made up of former top policy and advocacy staff at the Bill Gates-founded group Breakthrough Energy.

China's weaponization of all-important rare earth minerals is sending the Trump administration scrambling to find new sources for the materials that power the modern world.

Why it matters: From Australia to Ukraine, and at all points in between, the U.S. position on rare earth minerals in the Trump administration is clear — get them out of the ground, at any cost, and the sooner the better.