Axios

Nearly 10 weeks into the Iran war, there's new — if still anecdotal — evidence that it could bring tailwinds for global uptake of clean energy tech.

Why it matters: The energy shock highlights many nations' vulnerability to the expensive disruption of oil and gas imports — and the security case for diversifying.

The United Arab Emirates is buying 10 Embraer-made C-390 aircraft and is keeping the door open for another 10 in the future.

Why it matters: It's a big buy, and the first such deal for the Millennium transporter in the Middle East.

• Embraer's other customers include Brazil, Hungary, Lithuania and the Netherlands.

The U.S. has killed more than 180 people in eight months in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean. While the headlines have slowed, the Southern Spear strikes on alleged drug runners have not.

Why it matters: The Trump administration says it's reprioritizing security in "America's neighborhood." Critics say it's carrying out an indefinite campaign of extrajudicial killings.

• Public scrutiny of the operation, meanwhile, has largely faded.

The downfall of Spirit Airlines is casting a spotlight on the future of its budget carrier rival, Frontier Airlines, which is facing many of the same challenges.

Why it matters: The jet fuel price spike was the last straw for Spirit — which ceased operations early Saturday — and it's posing a serious challenge to Frontier, as well.

President Trump's immigration crackdown has not expanded job opportunities for American workers, a new study found — in fact, it's associated with an employment drain for some U.S.-born men.

Why it matters: The narrative of undocumented immigrants "taking" Americans' jobs has long been a propelling force behind the president's ICE enforcement push. But research suggests his mass deportations aren't clearing the way for U.S.-born workers in the job market.

Even with rising inflation, uncertainty around the war in Iran and surging oil prices, advertising-based companies continue to forecast strong growth, thanks to broad optimism in the markets fueled by AI.

Why it matters: For now, forecasters aren't baking macroeconomic chaos — including possible constraints on the supply chain — into their projections, but that could change if the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked.

A high-level Trump administration official informed Iran on Sunday of the impending U.S. operation to "guide" ships through the Strait of Hormuz and warned Tehran not to interfere, according to a U.S. official and a source with knowledge.

Why it matters: The private message suggests the White House wanted to mitigate the risk of potential escalation. But despite the warning, the Iranians launched a string of attacks on U.S. Navy ships, commercial vessels and the United Arab Emirates.

A generational and structural shift is decoupling Black identity from Democratic Party loyalty, transforming a once-reliable voting bloc into a cohort of "political free agents" that the GOP is uniquely positioned to exploit.

Why it matters: Even modest GOP gains — combined with weakening party loyalty — could make a big difference in close elections in a post-Voting Rights Act world.

The gasoline price surge is reigniting political chatter about suspending the federal tax on the fuel to help consumers, thanks to a recent round of populist proposals from high-profile Democrats.

Why it matters: It's one of those go-to ideas that never actually happens, but often surfaces when prices climb.

The U.S. is using force in the Strait of Hormuz and diplomacy in New York in an effort to break Tehran's chokehold on the vital shipping lane.

Why it matters: Iran has already shown it's willing to respond with force, putting the two countries on the verge of a return to full-fledged war.