The longstanding narrative of natural gas as a “bridge fuel” to a carbon-free energy future is being turned on its head. Once seen as a transitional energy source to help utilities shift from coal to renewables, gas is now increasingly viewed by some power executives as the destination itself — not a stopgap.

This shift reflects two main forces reshaping the U.S. energy sector. First, the surge in electricity demand driven by artificial intelligence and data centers is straining grid capacity and fueling an urgent need for dispatchable power. Second, President Donald Trump’s pro-fossil fuel stance has tilted the policy environment against renewable energy, removing regulatory and financial incentives that once supported the buildout of solar, wind, and battery storage.

The European Union is ramping up its military ambitions with a new blueprint aimed at boosting defense spending, enhancing joint defense projects, and prioritizing European arms manufacturers over foreign suppliers. The proposals, outlined in a White Paper on defense presented by the European Commission, underscore growing concerns over Russia’s military posture and uncertainty regarding continued U.S. protection.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas emphasized the urgency of the situation, pointing to Russia’s significant military investment, with 40% of its federal budget now dedicated to defense. She warned that regardless of ongoing negotiations for peace in Ukraine, Russia’s long-term military strategy remains a major threat to European security. The proposals come at a time when European nations have already increased their defense budgets by more than 30% since 2021, but leaders argue that these efforts must be further intensified.

Shell, TotalEnergies, QatarEnergy, and Petronas have signed production-sharing contracts with Suriname’s state firm Staatsolie for three offshore blocks, marking an expansion of foreign participation in Suriname’s burgeoning oil industry. The move comes after Suriname launched…