Axios

TotalEnergies is buying Shell's entire European onshore renewables business, the companies said Monday morning.

Why it matters: It signals the differing strategies of the multinational energy giants, as Shell pares back owning renewable assets to focus on its core oil and gas business.

A series of dangerous heat waves this summer — including one that has left 17 states under an emergency federal order — are putting the electric grid under an intense real-world stress test.

Why it matters: Successive summer heat waves are forcing utilities to rethink how they prepare the grid for longer and more frequent periods of extreme stress.

The U.S. economy grew at a 1.5% annualized rate in the second quarter, the government said on Thursday, capturing a three-month stretch shaped by the Middle East conflict and a surge in energy prices.

Why it matters: Consumer spending and business investment fueled by AI spending remained the economy's standout growth engines in the spring.

The Iran war has revealed China's enormous power over global oil prices, thanks to its position as the world's largest buyer.

Why it matters: China's reaction to the oil shock — by substantially withdrawing from buying on world markets — helped prevent the worst of the price spikes that experts thought would follow from the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Rates of high blood pressure during pregnancy have soared across the country, according to new CDC data.

Why it matters: High blood pressure is associated with serious complications for mom and baby.

Thursday's GDP and inflation reports are expected to reinforce the Federal Reserve's dilemma: Economic growth is holding up, while inflation remains too hot for comfort.

Why it matters: Growth that's resilient enough to withstand high borrowing costs, paired with inflation that remains above target, would reinforce the case for keeping monetary policy restrictive.

Everyone agrees the standard for self-driving cars is that they have to perform better than a human driver. Proving that is not so simple, however.

Why it matters: Inconsistent data reporting methods mean there's no common yardstick to compare safety claims, adding to the confusion and distrust surrounding autonomous vehicles.

Venture funding for nuclear energy startups — both fusion and advanced fission — is surging.

By the numbers: Global investment is over $4.5 billion for 81 companies so far this year, according to PitchBook, putting 2026 on pace to smash last year's record haul of $6.2 billion for 93 companies.

Individual investors overwhelmingly oppose the Securities and Exchange Commission's proposal to ease the requirement that companies release quarterly financial reports.

The big picture: More than 99% of the comments opposed the proposal, according to a new tally.

A recent United Nations call to power data centers with renewable energy highlights a central tension in the AI boom: Renewables are rising, but so is reliance on fossil fuels.

Why it matters: Electricity demand for data centers is projected to at least double in the next four years, and where that power comes from will influence investments — and the trajectory of greenhouse gas emissions.