Arctic sea ice hits lowest winter level on record as warming Earth shatters records across the planet

Vital Arctic sea ice shrank to basically tie its lowest measured level for the winter, the season when ice grows, as a warming Earth shattered records across the continents. Arctic sea ice levels, especially in the summer, are crucial to Earth’s climate because without the ice reflecting sunlight, more heat energy goes into the oceans. … Read more

Planned release of strategic reserve would put U.S. supplies at lowest levels in 44 years

The Trump administration ordered the release of 172 million barrels of oil from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve this week, making it the second-largest release from the reserve in its history after former President Joe Biden’s 2022 withdrawal of 180 million barrels. The move was meant to stem oil prices, which hovered over $100 a … Read more

China sets lowest growth target since 1991 as economy struggles to keep momentum

BEIJING — China announced its lowest growth target in 35 years Thursday as the world’s second-biggest economy struggles with challenges at home and growing uncertainty around the world. This year, China will aim for GDP growth of 4.5% to 5%, “while striving for better in practice,” Premier Li Qiang, China’s No. 2 official, said in … Read more