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Japan has long been known for its strong automaking industry. However, in recent years, it has come to dominate the global hybrid vehicle market, demonstrating that it can evolve to be competitive as the demand for electric vehicles (EVs) continues to rise. While several other countries, such as China, are also increasing their hybrid output, many markets continue to opt for Japanese models due to their solid reputation for traditional automaking and the inclusion of innovative technologies in new hybrid models. In India, Japanese hybrid vehicles…
A decade ago, China was widely expected to become a shale powerhouse. By some estimates, it holds more technically recoverable shale gas than the United States, and there was real optimism that it could replicate the U.S. shale revolution. So far, that surge hasn’t materialized. China’s gas production is rising, but in 2025 accounted for only 6% of the world’s production, a far cry from the U.S. share of 25%. There are several reasons for this, including more complex geology and deeper formations, but one factor receives far less…
The world's biggest nuclear fusion experiment just got one huge step closer to completion. The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) in Cadarache, France just received the final shipment of necessary components to assemble the giant magnet at the heart of the reactor. The central solenoid magnet, developed in the United States at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, is a critical component of the massive experimental site, which is cooperatively funded and operated by a coalition of seven major world economies: China, the European…
Before 1 May, the once-mighty Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) had 12 members, but with the departure of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the start of the month, it has 11. These comprise Algeria, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela, together accounting for around 33% of the world’s crude oil output, about 46% of its total petroleum traded internationally, and roughly 73% of its proven oil reserves. Back when it was founded in 1960, these…
US military forces said they destroyed six Iranian small boats and intercepted Iranian missiles and drones as a new American effort to get commercial shipping traffic flowing through the critical Strait of Hormuz got underway. Iran, meanwhile, launched at least four missiles across the Persian Gulf at the United Arab Emirates on May 4, prompting an angry response and a threat of retaliation from the Gulf nation. The US ally said three of the missiles were shot down. With fears that an already shaky US cease-fire was on the verge of outright…
