Scientists May Improve Perovskite Solar Cell Efficiency By Up To 250%

A University of Rochester research team has proposed a novel, physics-based approach, using a substrate of either a layer of metal or alternating layers of metal and dielectric material for perovskite-based solar cells. Researchers typically synthesize perovskites in a wet lab, and then apply the material as a film on a glass substrate and explore various applications. Their reported findings have been published in Nature Photonics. The competition, silicon, the standard semiconducting material used in a host of applications…

Read more at: https://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Solar-Energy/Scientists-May-Improve-Perovskite-Solar-Cell-Efficiency-By-Up-To-250.html

Russia May Be Expanding Oil Output Cuts

Russia will slash crude exports from western ports by one-quarter in March and April, expanding the 500,000 barrel-per-day cuts it announced for next month in apparent retaliation for Western sanctions, Reuters reports.  Citing three sources in the Russian oil market, Reuters says that the plan to cut exports by up to one-quarter from Western ports goes beyond the 500,000 bpd production cut planned for March. There is no confirmation of the reported 25% cut in exports from Western ports from Russian authorities, nor has Russia’s pipeline…

Read more at: https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Russia-May-Be-Expanding-Oil-Output-Cuts.html

Infrastructure Incentives Could Push Steel Prices Higher

Via AG Metal Miner  The Construction MMI (Monthly MetalMiner Index) traded sideways, rising by just 1.97%. The index was pulled in multiple directions month-over-month, resulting in a lack of major movements. For instance, bar fuel surcharges dropped, while steel rebar, h-beam steel, and sheet aluminum all went up. This recent rise in steel prices has left the index facing bullish pressure. Most metal components of the construction index rose in price last month. Steel rebar, in particular, felt the impact of a slower-than-anticipated…

Read more at: https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Infrastructure-Incentives-Could-Push-Steel-Prices-Higher.html

Conservative MPs: UK Needs To Incentivize Green Energy Growth

MPs are piling pressure on the government to compete with rival markets for green investment, amid growing concerns the UK could lose out to the US and EU unless it offered a more attractive climate for renewable energy projects. Shropshire Conservative MP Philip Dunne urged ministers to “act now” to ensure the UK’s global net zero standing was not “eroded” by companies heading overseas. This follows the passing of the US Inflation Act last summer, including Biden’s $391bn clean energy package –…

Read more at: https://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Renewable-Energy/Conservative-MPs-UK-Needs-To-Incentivize-Green-Energy-Growth.html

WTI Loses Over 3% As Fed Minutes Fail To Calm Markets

Official minutes of the Feb 1st Federal Open Market Committee has been released, showing that a majority of Federal Reserve officials had agreed to slow the pace of interest rate hikes, though high inflation risks remained a serious consideration. Released at 2 p.m. EST Wednesday, the official meeting minutes have been weighing on oil prices, as market anxiety rises over fears that the Fed might maintain higher interest rates than expected. “Almost all participants agreed that it was appropriate to raise the target range of the federal funds rate…

Read more at: https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/WTI-Loses-Over-3-As-Fed-Minutes-Fail-To-Calm-Markets.html

Obama’s Economic Advisor: 2% Inflation Target Would Crush The Economy

Recall back in September, when we wrote “The “Scariest Paper Of 2022″ Reveals The Terrifying Fate Of Biden’s Economy: Millions Are About To Lose Their Job” we reminded readers of what we wrote last June, when we said that “at some point, Fed will concede it has no control over supply. That’s when we will start getting leaks of raising the inflation target”… … and just a few months later that’s precisely what happened because according to a growing number of economists, such as Obama’s own top economic adviser from 2013-2017 and currently…

Read more at: https://oilprice.com/Finance/the-Economy/Obamas-Economic-Advisor-2-Inflation-Target-Would-Crush-The-Economy.html

Tensions Rise Between Iran And Azerbaijan Amid Dispute Over Embassy Attack

Azerbaijan’s president has directly blamed the Iranian government for the attack on the Azerbaijani embassy in Tehran on January 27. Ilham Aliyev was responding to a question posed by India’s WION TV while speaking to reporters following a trilateral meeting with the Armenian prime minister and U.S. secretary of state in Munich on February 17. “The fact that, right after this act of terror, the terrorist was interviewed by Iranian media demonstrates that he was one of those who was sent by some of the branches of Iranian establishment.…

Read more at: https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Tensions-Rise-Between-Iran-And-Azerbaijan-Amid-Dispute-Over-Embassy-Attack.html

Costs Continue To Rise For Hinkley Point Nuclear Megaproject

For close to a decade, Great Britain’s Hinkley Point C nuclear power project has served as the go-to punching bag for anti-nuclear activists. Sure enough, the gift that keeps giving has furnished still another reason to be chary of big nuclear projects. Background for those not in the know. The current Hinkley Point nuclear project was the brainchild of British energy planners in the early 2000s. Their goal was to build another big nuclear plant at an existing site. Several actually. French state-controlled EDF took on the task with big British…

Read more at: https://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Nuclear-Power/Costs-Continue-To-Rise-For-Hinkley-Point-Nuclear-Megaproject.html

Oil Flows From Huge Kazakh Oilfield Halted As CPC Suspends Intake

The Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) on Wednesday suspended the intake of crude oil into the CPC system from the large Tengiz field in Kazakhstan due to excess stock at the terminal at Novorossiysk, which suspended oil lifting this weekend due to adverse weather conditions.  The CPC runs from the Caspian coast in northwest Kazakhstan to the Novorossiysk port on Russia’s Black Sea coast and carries 80% of Kazakh crude exports. U.S. supermajor Chevron holds a 50% interest in Tengizchevroil (TCO), the operator of the…

Read more at: https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Oil-Flows-From-Huge-Kazakh-Oilfield-Halted-As-CPC-Suspends-Intake.html

UK Energy Consumers Brace For Hefty Hike Despite Falling Gas Prices

Households face a hefty hike to their energy bills in April, predicts Cornwall Insight, after it warned that the price cap would not fall below the reduced subsidy rate in time for Ofgem’s next update later. Cornwall Insight expects the price cap to fall from its current record rate of £4,279 per year to £3,294 for the three-month window. This would be a steep drop off from current levels, but would still be historically very high – with the price cap moving between £1,000-£1,200 per year prior to the industry…

Read more at: https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/UK-Energy-Consumers-Brace-For-Hefty-Hike-Despite-Falling-Gas-Prices.html

Drilling Giant Chesapeake Cuts Rigs Amid Plunge In U.S Gas Prices

Chesapeake Energy will be slowing drilling for 2023 amid a sustained plunge in natural gas prices, with other operators following suit in the American shale patch. On Wednesday, Chesapeake said it would be pulling out three rigs this year, including two in the Haynesville shale and one in the Marcellus shale. Reuters cited Chesapeake CEO Nick Dell’Ossa as saying that it is “prudent” at this time to “pull back capital”, and warning that others appear to be of the same mind in Louisiana and east Texas. “We’re making…

Read more at: https://oilprice.com/Energy/Natural-Gas/Drilling-Giant-Chesapeake-Cuts-Rigs-Amid-Plunge-In-US-Gas-Prices.html

China Concerned That War In Ukraine Could “Spiral Out Of Control”

China’s foreign ministry has issued a statement within hours after Beijing’s top diplomat Wang Yi touched down in Moscow for an official visit:  China’s foreign minister said on Tuesday that Beijing is “deeply worried” that the war in Ukraine could continue to escalate and “spiral out of control,” as the conflict continues to rage on nearly one year later. Foreign Minister Qin Gang appeared to call out the U.S. for its extensive support of Ukraine, urging “the countries concerned to immediately stop adding fuel…

Read more at: https://oilprice.com/Geopolitics/International/China-Concerned-That-War-In-Ukraine-Could-Spiral-Out-Of-Control.html

Freeport LNG Gets Regulatory Approval For Commercial Operations

Freeport LNG has received regulatory approval to resume commercial operations of its natural gas liquefaction and export facility, the operator of the second-largest U.S. LNG export facility said on Tuesday. The Freeport LNG export facility in Texas has been shut down since June last year when a fire broke out and damaged the plant. The authorization received on Tuesday provides for the immediate full return to service of one liquefaction train that has already restarted and the incremental restart and full return to service of a second train,…

Read more at: https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Freeport-LNG-Gets-Regulatory-Approval-For-Commercial-Operations.html

Morgan Stanley Boosts Global Oil Demand Forecast

Morgan Stanley has raised its forecast for global oil demand for this year by 36%, citing China’s economic reboot and higher demand for air travel. The investment bank now expects oil demand this year to rise by 1.9 million bpd, up from an earlier forecast of demand growth amounting to 1.4 million bpd, Reuters reported, citing a note by Morgan Stanley analysts. “Mobility indicators for China, such as congestion, have been rising steadily,” the note said, adding that “flight schedules have firmed-up the outlook for jet fuel demand.” This may not…

Read more at: https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/Morgan-Stanley-Boosts-Global-Oil-Demand-Forecast.html

U.S. Natural Gas Prices Have Plunged By Nearly 80% Since August

The U.S. benchmark natural gas price plunged on Tuesday by as much as 10% to the lowest level since September 2020 due to milder weather and consequently lower demand. After Tuesday’s slump, the gas price at the Henry Hub fell to around $2.043 per million British thermal units (MMBtu) early on Wednesday, down by 1.59%.   The plunge in prices has been significant in recent weeks due to a mild start to January, consistently high supply, and the outage at the Freeport LNG export facility. Mild weather and high production continue to…

Read more at: https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/US-Natural-Gas-Prices-Have-Plunged-By-Nearly-80-Since-August.html

Fed minutes show members resolved to keep fighting inflation with rate hikes

While the meeting ended with a smaller rate hike than most of those implemented since early 2022, officials stressed that their concern over inflation is high.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/02/22/fed-minutes-february-2023-minutes-show-fed-members-resolved-to-keep-fighting-inflation.html

Why a U.S. national electric grid would be great for the climate — and is nearly impossible

A macro grid would decrease the cost of reducing emissions and improve the reliability of the electric grid. But it’s an almost impossible task for the U.S.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/02/22/why-we-need-nationwide-electric-grid-in-the-us-but-dont-have-one.html

Elon Musk meets with California Gov. Newsom at Tesla’s new engineering headquarters to discuss expansion

Tesla CEO Elon Musk meets with Gov. Gavin Newsom to discuss business expansion in California.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/02/22/elon-musk-meets-with-california-gov-newsom-at-teslas-engineering-hq.html

Lidar maker Luminar announces ‘multibillion dollar’ expansion of its deal with Mercedes-Benz

The lidar units will be part of a significantly upgraded hands-free driving system that Mercedes-Benz plans to roll out across its lineup.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/02/22/luminar-mercedes-benz-lidar-partnership.html

This under-the-radar stock has 20% upside and could get a boost during tax season, Wells Fargo says

Tax season is rolling along and that means it’s Intuit’s time to shine, the firm said.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/02/22/this-stock-has-20percent-upside-and-could-get-a-boost-in-tax-season-wells-fargo-says.html

Supreme Court rules 9-0 that bankruptcy filers can’t avoid debt incurred by another’s fraud

The Supreme Court ruled Kate Bartenwerfer’s lack of knowledge of her partner’s fraud in a home sale did not protect her from owing a legal judgment.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/02/22/supreme-court-rules-bankruptcy-no-shield-to-fraud-debt.html

Bitcoin drops 3.5%, Polygon Labs cuts jobs, and Coinbase usage continues to fall: CNBC Crypto World

CNBC Crypto World features the latest news and daily trading updates from the digital currency markets and provides viewers with a look at what’s ahead with high-profile interviews, explainers, and unique stories from the ever-changing crypto industry. On today’s show, Mike Belshe. the co-founder and CEO of BitGo, reacts to the SEC’s crackdown on the crypto industry.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/video/2023/02/22/bitcoin-drops-polygon-labs-jobs-coinbase-usage-continues-fall-cnbc-crypto-world.html

Dick’s Sporting Goods to buy e-commerce outdoor retailer Moosejaw from Walmart

Dick’s Sporting Goods is looking to grow its share in the multibillion-dollar outdoor market by acquiring e-commerce retailer Moosejaw from Walmart.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/02/22/dicks-sporting-goods-buys-moosejaw-walmart.html

Supreme Court rules Helix Energy oil rig worker who makes $200,000 is entitled to overtime

Helix Energy Solutions Group argued to the Supreme Court that oil rig worker Michael Hewitt was not owed overtime despite working more than 80 hours per week.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/02/22/supreme-court-rules-helix-energy-oil-rig-worker-entitled-to-overtime-pay.html

Ukraine war live updates: Biden calls nuclear treaty suspension a ‘big mistake’; Putin courts Beijing ahead of Xi trip

The war in Ukraine continues to dominate global geopolitics this week, with the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion fast approaching.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/02/22/live-updates-latest-news-on-russia-and-the-war-in-ukraine.html

More colleges set to close even as top schools experience application boom

Even as college applications surge, a number of institutions are in financial jeopardy.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/02/22/more-colleges-to-close-even-as-top-schools-experience-application-boom.html

More than 1,000 flights canceled as major winter storm threatens to produce historic snowfall

The National Weather Service has issued winter storm, blizzard and high-wind advisories for swaths of the western and northcentral United States.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/02/22/more-than-1000-flights-canceled-as-major-winter-storm-threatens-to-produce-historic-snowfall.html

CDC advisors recommend mpox vaccine for at-risk adults in future outbreaks

Once limited to Africa, mpox has spread widely around the world and has caused more than 30,000 cases and 32 deaths in the U.S. since May.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/02/22/mpox-cdc-advisors-recommend-vaccine-for-at-risk-adults-in-future-outbreaks.html

Ron Paul: The Inflation & Tax Assault On The American People

Authored by Ron Paul via The Ron Paul Institute,

According to the January report of the Consumer Price Index, price inflation increased by 0.5 percent last month. This follows a 0.1 percent increase in December. The total increase over the last 12 months is 6.4 percent. The official government statistics, which are manipulated to understate the true rate of price inflation, show even greater increases in some costs. Over the last 12 months, food prices increased by 10.1 percent, energy prices increased by 8.7 percent, and shelter costs rose by 7.9 percent.

The government’s figures also record a 0.2 percent decline in real wages in January and a 1.8 percent decline from a year earlier.

Keep in mind that actual real wages losses have been larger because the government’s real wage numbers are calculated using the government’s understated price inflation …

Read more at: https://www.zerohedge.com/personal-finance/ron-paul-inflation-tax-assault-american-people

President Trump Vows To “Clean House Of Deep State”, Warns World War III Has “Never Been Closer”

In a video posted to Truth Social this week, former President Donald Trump has warned that World War III has “never been closer”.

Just hours after President Biden made his visit to Ukraine, Trump took to video to offer the warning:

“World War Three has never been closer than it is right now.”

“We need to clean house of all of the warmongers and ‘America Last’ globalists, and the deep state, the Pentagon, the State Department and the national-security industrial complex,” he continued.

He said of current administration, Pentagon and deep state officials:

“These people have been seeking confrontation for a long time. Now we’re teetering on the brink of World War III and a lot of people don’t see it.”

Trump specifically called out US Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland, and claimed that many others like her “are obsessed with pushing Ukraine into NATO”.

TRUMP: “World War III has never been closer than it is right now. […] We could end the Ukraine conflict within 24 hours with the right leadership.”pic.twitter.com/Dp3hg9foW8

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) February 21, 2023

He co …

Read more at: https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/president-trump-says-world-war-iii-has-never-been-closer-latest-video-published-truth

Oversight Committee Demands Account Of All Economic, Military Aid To Ukraine

Authored by Philip Wegmann via RealClearPolitics.com,

As President Biden boarded a European train destined for Kyiv, back in Washington, Rep. James Comer and his team drafted a long-expected letter.

Standing next to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Biden pledged Monday that the lifeline of economic and military aid to that nation, support already well in excess of $100 billion, would not slack, and that the United States would stand with Ukraine “as long as it takes.”

Comer, the new chair of the House Oversight Committee, delivered a different message to the Biden administration …

Read more at: https://www.zerohedge.com/political/oversight-committee-demands-account-all-economic-military-aid-ukraine

FOMC Minutes Suggest Fed Fears Financial Conditions Decoupling, Warns About High Equity Valuations

Fed Minutes appear to argue against what Powell said during the presser on the decoupling of financial conditions from monetary policy:

Powell declined to try to talk down financial markets, pointedly noting that it wasn’t up to him to persuade people, saying:

“We’re just going to have to see.”

By contrast, it seems like there were others on the panel that were concerned.

“Participants noted that it was important that overall financial conditions be consistent with the degree of policy restraint that the Committee is putting into place in order to bring inflation back to the 2 percent goal.”

Additionally:

“several participants observed that some measures of financial conditions had eased over the past few months.”

While Powell said at the meeting

“Financial conditions didn’t really change much from the December meeting to now.”

And there’s a long way to go to catch up…

Read more at: https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/fomc-minutes-3

Tesco and Aldi limit sales of tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers

The grocers join Asda and Morrisons in limiting sales due to shortages of certain produce.

Read more at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-64729317?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA

Why is there a shortage of tomatoes and other fruit and vegetables in the UK?

Supply issues have led the grocers Asda, Aldi, and Morrisons to limit sales of fresh produce.

Read more at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-64718826?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA

Lloyds Banking Group hits back at criticism over savings rates

The boss of the bank says it is focused on making ends meet for those customers with less money.

Read more at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-64729549?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA

Kotak fund invests Rs 1070 crore in Biocon

Eshwar Karra, CEO – Kotak Special Situations Fund at Kotak Investment Advisors said, We are delighted to partner with Biocon and this acquisition financing supports Biocon’s journey of becoming a world leading, fully integrated biosimilars enterprise.

Read more at: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/news/kotak-special-situations-fund-invests-rs-1070-crore-in-biocon/articleshow/98159529.cms

Tech View: Nifty support shifts to Budget day low. What should traders do on Thursday expiry

Chart readers have observed the formation of overlapping candles during the ongoing weakness and the absence of a sharp decline from the swing highs of February 16, indicating possibility of an upside bounce to emerge from the lows

Read more at: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/news/tech-view-nifty-support-shifts-to-budget-day-low-what-should-traders-do-on-thursday-expiry/articleshow/98155152.cms

Hot Stocks: Brokerage view on ONGC, Oil India, Delhivery, Indigo, and Prestige Estate

Multiply the lease income by 7x in the next 5 years. Latter will entail $2 billion in capex and debt could treble in the interim. Success in the unfolding cycle could deliver strong returns, said the note.

Read more at: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/news/hot-stocks-brokerage-view-on-ongc-oil-india-delhivery-indigo-and-prestige-estate/articleshow/98142443.cms

The Margin: The ultimate Lent sacrifice? Many are taking a break from Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok.

Savannah Guthrie of the ‘Today’ show is among those giving up social media for the 40-day period.

Read more at: http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story.asp?guid=%7B20C06575-04D4-B545-71A0-005AC4C4B771%7D&siteid=rss&rss=1

Economic Report: Home values fell the most in these 3 housing markets since last year, says Zillow

The monthly market report from Zillow said that typical U.S. home values fell in December by 0.1%.

Read more at: http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story.asp?guid=%7B20C06575-04D4-B545-719E-EB0798E8F291%7D&siteid=rss&rss=1

Realtor.com: Nepo Baby Real Estate: The Most Famous Children of Celebrities Call These Cribs Home

The concept of celebrity kids getting a leg up is nothing new.

Read more at: http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story.asp?guid=%7B20C06575-04D4-B545-71A0-3FC5A24BB6D3%7D&siteid=rss&rss=1