President Trump said Thursday the U.S. will not attack Iran ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections.
Why it matters:Trump had been considering for several days resuming major combat operations before the midterms. However, his past statements about his intentions in Iran haven't always matched what he ultimately did.
If major combat operations resume, they're expected to include large-scale strikes on Iranian energy facilities, infrastructure and nuclear targets, sources say.
Lawmakers are considering forcing data centers to shoulder new costs and restrictions while speeding up the energy infrastructure needed to power the AI boom.
Why it matters: The bipartisan legislation, unveiled last week, represents the most aggressive response yet from Washington to data centers amid growing backlash over their energy and environmental impacts.
Tropical Storm Isaias is rapidly strengthening in the Gulf and is expected to be nearly a Category 3 hurricane before making landfall this weekend near the Alabama-Florida state line.
Why it matters: Hurricane and tropical storm watches are in effect from Louisiana to Florida.
Federal Reserve officials worried that higher costs tied to energy, AI investment and other shocks could spill over into broader, more persistent inflation, according to the minutes from the central bank's Sept. 15-16 meeting.
Why it matters: That meeting concluded with the Fed's first interest rate increase in three years. The minutes show that "several" officials thought rates were doing little to restrain the economy, raising the stakes for further increases down the line.
The German auto industry — long renowned for its engineering prowess and marketing genius — is reeling from stiffening competition, trade threats and shifting consumer tastes.
Why it matters: Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz and BMW have been a powerful force on the global auto market for decades — but the market has shifted sharply.
Hurricanes have long dominated efforts to make the power system more resilient to extreme weather. But America'senergy buildout is running into growing risks from severe thunderstorms.
Why it matters: New energy infrastructure and data centers are being built in harm's way as severe weather risks shift, leaving more for developers and insurers to lose when storms hit.
