Amazon is the inaugural buyer of copper cathode that mining giant Rio Tinto is producing with a special process it calls way more climate-friendly than traditional methods.
Why it matters: Data centers need lots of copper, and tech giants are looking to make powerful computing more sustainable as the AI boom complicates their climate goals.
The share of Americans who see business as the country's biggest threat, compared with government and labor, is near a high last reached more than two decades ago, when accounting scandals rocked the corporate world.
Why it matters: Gallup has been polling on this question since the 1960s, and, although big government always ranks as Americans' top perceived threat, distrust of companies has been steadily rising.
The Dodge Charger, Ford Maverick Lobo and Hyundai Palisade are the 2026 North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year winners, jurors revealed this morning at the Detroit auto show.
Why it matters: With new-car prices soaring, judging this year's winners highlighted a growing tension: value is becoming as important as innovation and design.
Environmental groups are signaling potential lawsuits over EPA's decision not to put monetary estimates on the health benefits of curbing critical forms of air pollution.
State of play: EPA revealed its approach in publishing a new rule for power turbines, which shies away from "monetizing benefits" of avoiding fine particulate and ozone pollution.
Oil prices have risen to their highest levels since last fall as traders weigh the prospect of the U.S. striking Iran amid the regime's bloody crackdown on protesters.
Why it matters: Iran is OPEC's fourth-largest producer, pumping well over three million barrels per day and exporting over 1 million barrels per day despite U.S. sanctions, with most flowing to China.
