South County Mail

Missouri and the World

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Oil companies earning billions from Iran war as fuel prices rise worldwide

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The war involving Iran is generating enormous profits for some of the world’s largest oil and gas companies, even as consumers and businesses face rising fuel and energy costs.

According to an analysis by environmental organization Global Witness using data from energy research firm Rystad Energy, the world’s 100 largest oil and gas companies earned an estimated $23 billion in additional profits during the first month of the conflict alone.

The report estimates that if oil prices remain elevated throughout 2026, those extra profits could rise to as much as $234 billion by the end of the year. [Read more…] about Oil companies earning billions from Iran war as fuel prices rise worldwide

As America turns 250, teachers face a difficult question: How should the nation tell its story?

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As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary next year, teachers across the country are wrestling with a question that has become increasingly complicated in modern America: How should the nation’s history be taught?

For generations, American students often learned a relatively straightforward version of the country’s founding story – one centered on heroic revolutionaries, the Declaration of Independence and the promise of freedom and democracy.

Today, many educators say the challenge is no longer simply teaching historical facts, but helping students understand a more complicated national story that includes both America’s founding ideals and its contradictions. [Read more…] about As America turns 250, teachers face a difficult question: How should the nation tell its story?

Trump’s China diplomacy could weaken Russia’s influence

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The summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese president Xi Jinping last week was closely watched around the world, particularly in Moscow, where Russian president Vladimir Putin may have seen signs that improving relations between Washington and Beijing could gradually reduce Russia’s global influence.

While the meeting focused publicly on trade, technology, Iran and Taiwan, the broader geopolitical significance may lie in the possibility that the United States and China are attempting to stabilize one of the world’s most important relationships after years of growing tension.

For Russia, that could create new challenges. [Read more…] about Trump’s China diplomacy could weaken Russia’s influence

AI companies are racing ahead of laws designed to protect people’s voices

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Artificial intelligence companies are rapidly expanding voice-cloning technology while lawmakers and regulators struggle to keep pace, raising concerns about consent, fraud and the growing misuse of digitally replicated voices.

A report by journalism nonprofit Proof News found that many publicly available AI voice-cloning services require little more than a checkbox confirmation from users before allowing them to copy someone else’s voice.

The investigation examined eight AI voice-cloning platforms, including services from Eleven Labs, PlayHT, Speechify, LOVO, Veed and Descript. In most cases, users could upload short audio clips and generate realistic voice replicas without any meaningful verification that the person being cloned had actually granted permission. [Read more…] about AI companies are racing ahead of laws designed to protect people’s voices

AI’s rapid growth is putting increasing pressure on water supplies

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As artificial intelligence systems continue expanding across the global economy, environmental researchers and analysts are warning that the AI boom may be creating an increasingly serious – and often overlooked – problem: water consumption.

Much of the public discussion surrounding AI infrastructure has focused on electricity demand and carbon emissions. But the giant data centers powering AI systems also require enormous quantities of water to cool servers and generate electricity.

An investigation published by Proof News argues that water usage linked to AI development is rising rapidly as major technology companies race to build larger and more powerful AI systems. [Read more…] about AI’s rapid growth is putting increasing pressure on water supplies

Kansas City’s oldest downtown building set for revival after decades of decay

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In a country where relatively few large urban buildings date back more than 150 years, one of Kansas City’s oldest surviving downtown structures is being given a second life.

According to Axios Kansas City, the former Seiden’s Furs building at 10th and Broadway – originally opened in 1874 – is being restored after years of abandonment, fires and severe water damage.

The two-story brick building, believed to be the oldest structure in Kansas City’s downtown loop, once operated as a drugstore before later becoming part of the city’s historic Garment District during the 20th century. [Read more…] about Kansas City’s oldest downtown building set for revival after decades of decay

Zohran Mamdani’s first 100 days are testing democratic socialist ideas in New York

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Since taking office at the start of 2026, Zohran Mamdani has begun rolling out a series of policies aimed at lowering living costs, expanding public services and increasing taxes on wealthy property owners in New York City.

The democratic socialist mayor, who won office on promises including free childcare, rent reform and stronger labor protections, is now using his first months in office to test whether progressive economic policies can deliver measurable results in one of the world’s most expensive cities.

A report published by The Better News says Mamdani’s administration has already begun implementing several major campaign pledges after roughly 100 days in office. [Read more…] about Zohran Mamdani’s first 100 days are testing democratic socialist ideas in New York

Finland’s reputation for openness is facing growing scrutiny

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Long viewed internationally as one of the world’s most progressive and socially stable countries, Finland is facing growing debate over immigration, racism and national identity as political tensions rise across Europe.

A viewpoint article published by Analyst News argues that Finland’s carefully cultivated international image as a tolerant and egalitarian society is increasingly being challenged by anti-immigration rhetoric, racial tensions and political polarization.

The article, written by British-Bangladeshi journalist Shafi Musaddique, points to several recent controversies involving Finnish politicians and immigration policy. [Read more…] about Finland’s reputation for openness is facing growing scrutiny

Why some climate experts say Indigenous leadership is essential to protecting biodiversity

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As governments around the world continue debating how to tackle climate change, some environmental advocates and researchers argue that Indigenous communities should play a much larger role in shaping global conservation and climate policy.

A viewpoint article published by Analyst News argues that Indigenous knowledge systems and traditional land stewardship practices are being overlooked despite their importance in protecting ecosystems and biodiversity.

The article was written by Nana Kwesi Osei Bonsu, a Ghanaian land custodian and founder of Land Rights Defenders Inc. [Read more…] about Why some climate experts say Indigenous leadership is essential to protecting biodiversity

Iran conflict is exposing tensions between America and its Gulf allies

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The ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran is exposing growing tensions between Washington and some of its longtime Gulf allies, as regional governments face increasing security risks tied to the presence of American military bases.

That argument is at the center of a new interview published by Analyst News featuring Khaled Abou El Fadl, a professor at the UCLA School of Law specializing in human rights and Islamic law.

In the interview, El Fadl argued that Gulf states built their security strategies around reliance on the United States, but are now facing the consequences as Iranian retaliation increasingly targets American military facilities across the region. [Read more…] about Iran conflict is exposing tensions between America and its Gulf allies