Axios

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's reelection carries consequences far beyond Brazil's borders.

Why it matters: Lula faces challenges including strained relations with the U.S. over trade and the Bolsonaro family as he pursues an ambitious climate agenda that includes a commitment to ending Amazon deforestation.

Harley-Davidson's electric motorcycle spinoff is at risk of going out of business after years of sputtering sales.

Why it matters: When it spun off in 2022 in a $1.8 billion SPAC deal, LiveWire had visions of pioneering the future of motorcycling, but the company has struggled to gain traction.

Electric vehicle charging is getting tantalizingly close to effortless, as I discovered on a recent road trip through the Pacific Northwest.

• But every time I thought we'd finally arrived at charging nirvana, some little annoyance reminded me that we're not quite there yet.

Why it matters: Public charging has long been one of the biggest obstacles to EV adoption. Now, automakers are finally eliminating some of the hassles that keep many drivers tethered to gasoline.

Former Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm is urging Democrats to pass a sweeping bipartisan permitting bill now, while warning President Trump that his restrictions on wind energy could derail the deal.

Why it matters: The former Michigan governor is an influential Democratic voice on energy policy, and her comments come as the party weighs whether to embrace a major permitting compromise despite opposition from some environmental and tribal groups.

Jeremy Lewin, one of Secretary of State Marco Rubio's key advisers, is exiting the Trump administration ahead of the midterms.

Why it matters: Lewin played crucial roles in shaping the administration's foreign policy, particularly in normalizing relations between the U.S. and Venezuela after the Jan. 3 ouster of Nicolas Maduro.

Electric cars have been touted for years as a secret weapon against the growing crunch on America's electricity grid. So why aren't we using them?

Why it matters: As electricity demand surges from AI data centers and manufacturing, millions of parked EVs could help utilities manage power shortages, lower costs and keep the lights on.

Oil prices are back to the high levels of March as investors price in the growing risk that the Iran war will escalate.

Why it matters: Higher energy prices ripple through the entire economy, pushing up inflation.

• The recent rise in oil has also put stocks under pressure: Both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq declined last week as prices climbed.

Here's a surprising combination of words: Municipal bonds are sexy right now — offering historically attractive returns at a time when states and localities need more and more cash.

Why it matters: That may be good news for investors, but it costs taxpayers who foot the bill when states and localities borrow money by issuing these bonds.

The quickest and most affordable response to historically high diesel prices is also the simplest: Use less of it.

Why it matters: Diesel is so entrenched in farming, trucking and other industries that even soaring prices aren't enough — at least not yet — to prompt a wholesale shift to alternatives from electric semi trucks to manure-powered tractors.

That wince you just made while researching travel options? Get used to it.

Why it matters: Soaring jet fuel prices are accelerating changes across the airline industry, seen in higher fares, premium-heavy cabins and fewer flight options for travelers.