Power Plant Rules, Oil Rises, & Endangered Tiger Cubs

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Adam Rogers
September 15, 2026

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The EPA repealed federal limits on greenhouse gas emissions from coal- and natural gas-fired power plants Monday, eliminating one of the country's major climate regulations.
The Biden-era rules would have required many fossil-fuel plants to sharply reduce their carbon emissions, including through carbon-capture technology, or eventually shut down. Power plants produce nearly a quarter of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. The EPA says repealing the requirements will save industry more than $300 billion and make it easier to meet rising electricity demand, including from data centers and AI.
The agency also proposed a separate rule that would make it harder for future administrations to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. The move follows a similar rollback of federal emissions standards for cars and trucks earlier this year.

NATO pledged to strengthen its eastern defenses and increase support for Ukraine Monday after Russian drone strikes landed within kilometers of Poland.
The strikes hit a train station and another location near Ukraine's border with Poland. A diplomatic delegation, including former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt, had passed through the station minutes before it was hit. Polish forces separately recovered what they believe was a Russian military drone from the Baltic Sea.
Poland's concern extends beyond strikes near its border. Officials said intelligence, including a CIA briefing last week, indicates Russia may target border crossings and intensify sabotage inside European countries in an effort to weaken support for Ukraine. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Poland will consult NATO allies on a potential joint response.

Oil prices surged Monday after a drone attack forced Saudi Arabia to shut a critical pipeline that has allowed the country to bypass the effectively closed Strait of Hormuz.
The 746-mile East-West pipeline carries crude from Saudi production facilities near the Persian Gulf to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, providing an alternative export route as the U.S.-Iran war disrupts Gulf shipping. Brent crude briefly topped $110 a barrel following the shutdown, roughly 50% above its price before the war began in late February. Saudi officials are assessing the damage, with no firm timetable for reopening the pipeline.
The disruption is already feeding into U.S. fuel costs. Diesel reached a record $6.23 a gallon Monday, while regular gasoline climbed to $4.31 — up 45% since the war began. Economists warn elevated energy costs, particularly for diesel used throughout transportation and industry, could add to inflation in the months ahead.

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Mahmoud Khalil sued Columbia University Monday, alleging it failed to protect pro-Palestinian students from harassment and doxxing that preceded his 2025 ICE detention. (More)

Kennedy Center officials warned the institution is nearing bankruptcy and could close its main building Tuesday. (More)

More than 20 Democratic-led states sued to block a Trump administration rule allowing immigration officials to consider applicants’ use of benefits including Medicaid and food stamps when granting green cards. (More)

Colombian police will be authorized to enter public universities during serious violence or criminal activity under a new protocol aimed at balancing campus autonomy with public order. (More)

Pope Leo XIV celebrated his 71st birthday Monday by reversing Vatican salary cuts introduced in 2021 as a COVID-era cost-saving measure. (More)

The Philippines’ Muslim-majority Bangsamoro region held its first parliamentary election Monday, a milestone in its transition to self-rule after decades of insurgency and violence. (More)

US stock markets closed lower on Monday (S&P -0.48%, Nasdaq -0.56%, Dow -0.29%) as investors weighed upheaval in the AI IPO pipeline, growing concerns over AI safety, and moves in Treasury yields and oil prices. (More)

Amazon suspended operations with the cargo carrier behind Flight 7598 after the aircraft crashed following its landing at Miami International Airport last week. (More)

Novo Nordisk is rebranding as “Novo” and overhauling its corporate culture as the Danish drugmaker looks to regain obesity-drug market share from rival Eli Lilly. (More)

The Clippers and Raptors completed the deal to send Kawhi Leonard back to Toronto after the move was paused during the NBA’s salary-cap investigation. (More)

Legendary fashion and costume designer Bob Mackie, known for his dazzling creations for Cher, Diana Ross, Tina Turner and other stars, died Monday. (More)

Macklemore was removed from Ed Sheeran’s U.S. tour after multiple stadiums refused to host shows with him on the lineup, citing his pro-Palestinian statements and alleged antisemitic rhetoric. (More)

Pennsylvania reported its third measles-associated death this year after a 40-year-old woman died from complications. (More)

More than 70% of U.S. adults experienced fatigue on multiple days over three months, according to a CDC report, with women and younger adults reporting it more frequently. (More)

A new study estimates a million-person Moon city could exhaust its available water within roughly a century, even assuming an optimistic supply and 98% recycling efficiency. (More)

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