"Oil companies are employing an unusual tactic in some of their biggest court battles. They’re alleging that their critics are infringing on their free-speech rights, invoking laws designed to protect people who challenge the powerful."

"After months of negotiations, Senate Republicans are gearing up for a potential vote next week on Trump’s sweeping domestic policy bill. It will be a major test for Republican Leader John Thune and Trump’s own hold on the upper chamber that aides say will be cast as a binary choice for the rank-and-file: you either are with the president or you aren’t."

"Record-smashing daytime temperatures near 100 degrees are expected for millions from the Plains to the East Coast this week, while nighttime temperatures may stay above 80 in some metropolitan areas."

"Iran has warned that it could shut the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical oil transit chokepoints, in retaliation for U.S. involvement in its conflict with Israel."

"A growing body of research attempts to put a number on energy use and AI — even as the companies behind the most popular models keep their carbon emissions a secret."

"Four experts were sued for defamation ahead of a seminar where they planned to talk about research into the potential health risks on playgrounds and sports fields nationwide." "The seminar seemed straightforward enough. Four experts planned to talk about whether artificial grass, which is used on playgrounds and sports fields nationwide, has health risks for children."

"Even before Trump and fellow Republicans began pulling the financial rug out from under the industry, green hydrogen megaprojects were collapsing. Here’s why." 

"The Supreme Court on Wednesday sided with two Republican states on a venue question that could hamper future EPA efforts to combat dangerous air pollution that crosses state lines."

"A federal judge this week barred the Trump administration from axing grants that were part of a $600 million program that aimed to tackle pollution in underserved communities."

"Planting trees has plenty of benefits, but this popular carbon-removal method alone can’t possibly counteract the planet-warming emissions caused by the world’s largest fossil-fuel companies. To do that, trees would have to cover the entire land mass of North and Central America, according to a study out Thursday."