The U.S. oil industry is in the doldrums, but there’s not much the next (or current) president can do about it.
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The next president will have little power to slow the growth of renewable energy, sliding oil prices or coal’s decline.
South Sudan is a landlocked country with poor infrastructure. Joining the East African Community will open new avenues for trade.
Reuters/Adriane Ohanesian
Countries like Rwanda have shown that regional integration can enhance growth and reduce poverty. South Sudan should follow its lead in its engagement with the East African Community.
The Australian government seems to think fossil fuels need help, when businesses are deciding otherwise.
Coal image from www.shutterstock.com
Do fossil fuels need saving from efforts to combat climate change? The Australian government seems to think so, but that sort of thinking is out of date.
Libyans marking the fifth anniversary of the 2011 uprising on February 17.
EPA
With everything from Islamic State to disenfranchised black Africans to deal with, the former Gaddafi stronghold has everything to achieve.
On hold?
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Geopolitics – from the US to Syria to Iran – are at the heart of Saudi Arabia and Russia’s decision to freeze oil production at January levels.
Will oil ever bounce back?
Mikael Tigerström / Flickr
What will be the economic and political fallout as oil continues its slide toward $20 a barrel?
A White House proposal to tax crude oil would address the U.S.’s perennially underfunded highway maintenance program.
scottummy/flickr
Obama’s proposal to add $10 tax to crude oil raises the thorny question of whether the U.S. can continue to fund its highway infrastructure with a fuel tax that hasn’t changed since 1993.
Current conditions make for a wild ride for investors.
Scott Ableman/Flickr
Low inflation gives the RBA scope to cut rates in coming months but a lot will turn on whether we continue to see persistently weak GDP growth.
A worker at a Lukoil site in Siberia.
REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin
When you pick apart the strange economics of global energy markets, it becomes clear how the incredible power of Riyadh can take other countries to the brink.
More volatility than exuberance.
Reuters/Brendan McDermid
Sharemarkets may welcome monetary intervention, but indications of growth are needed.
Joining forces.
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While oil prices have halved over the past year, the number of mergers and acquisitions has most definitely not.
Oil’s continuing slide so far isn’t leading to lower U.S. production, but concerns are growing that it’ll drive some out of business.
Reuters
Producers keep pumping more oil, even as prices are falling to fresh 12-year lows every day. What’s driving this?
Oil prices are rattling investors.
Carsten ten Brink
The future does not bode well for global oil. This, however, is for reasons related to climate change, not because of tumbling prices.
‘Heave away boys …’
PHOTOCREO/Michal Bednarek
With the economic dashboard flashing red, here’s the route to safety.
sergioboccardo/shutterstock.com
Plastics are vital. Making them from anything other than oil is good; using waste products is even better.
© Warner Brothers
The tale of the vengeful whale that took out the Essex, a whaling-ship, has now been adapted in true swashbuckling style.
Crude health.
REUTERS/Fahad Shadeed
Oil exporters have had a tough year … but there is hope for economic reform via the Islamic bond market.
USAF
With drones and modern radar technology it’s possible to target Islamic State’s oil tankers – and strike at the heart of their income stream.
Loosening their grip. Will markets exit oil like they edged away from tobacco?
From www.shutterstock.com
Efforts to break our financial addiction to the energy sector might find useful lessons in the slow decline of tobacco.
Muhammadu Buhari has finally put in place a cabinet that can get on with the job of running the country.
EPA/Deji Yake
President Buhari’s cabinet selection brings hope. The major challenge now is to deliver on his promise to fight corruption, restructure Nigeria’s economy and reduce poverty.