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Brazil's CADE sets a date for a key vote on the soy moratorium Appeal
The Brazilian antitrust agency CADE will start reviewing an appeal by oilseeds lobby Abiove, and grain traders including Cargill, Bunge and Bunge against a measure that ordered the companies to suspend the enforcement of the soy-moratorium program. A notice published on Tuesday in the official journal stated that the six members of the CADE tribunal would begin voting on the appeals on September 30. As government agencies fight over the legality of the moratorium - a corporate pact that has been in place for 20 years - the fate of this corporate pact, which is credited with slowing the deforestation caused by soy in the Amazon rainforest is in doubt. This increases the risks to global grain traders, as Brazil, the world's largest soybean exporter and producer, faces a crisis. The voluntary program that bars 30 companies from purchasing soybeans from Amazon farmers after July 2008 also could be a violation of Brazilian competition laws. CADE's General Superintendent Alexandre Barreto de Souza issued an order last month to grain traders ordering them to suspend the moratorium, or pay hefty fines. De Souza launched a full investigation, after concluding an initial probe into the signatories to the program. He cited evidence that the companies shared commercially sensitive data. Aprosoja Mato Grosso and other farm groups welcomed the suspension, claiming that the corporate agreement was unfair and kept some farmers from the market. However, the decision of the general superintendent was criticised by environmental groups such as Greenpeace, and Brazil's Environment Ministry. Abiove obtained a favorable decision from a federal court one week after CADE suspended the moratorium. A court granted an injunction against the suspension of the moratorium until CADE's tribunal renders a final decision on the appeal. (Reporting and Editing by Marguerita Chy)
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UN chief says countries must move 'further and faster' to meet new climate targets
On Wednesday, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres called on all parties to the Paris Climate Agreement to develop new climate plans that would achieve greater and faster reductions in emissions than what they have already committed to. Guterres hosts a climate leaders' summit Wednesday on the sidelines the U.N. General Assembly. He has asked the countries to announce new climate targets in order to generate momentum for the global COP30 Climate Negotiations in November in Brazil. The summit takes place a day after U.S. president Donald Trump used the UNGA address to call climate change a "con-job" and to criticize countries such as EU member states and China who embrace renewable energy technologies. The United States, which is the world's largest historical emitter of greenhouse gases and the second-largest emitter after China, has withdrawn from the Paris Agreement, a 10-year old climate pact aimed at preventing global temperatures from increasing beyond 1.5 degrees Celsius by means of national climate plans. Guterres stated in prepared remarks that the Paris Agreement had made a significant difference. He added that, since its adoption in 2015, global temperatures have dropped from 4 degrees C to 2,6 degrees C if national climate plans were fully implemented. He said, "We need to create new plans that will go further and faster in 2035." A document from the EU's negotiating team, seen by, showed that despite the deadline for Wednesday's climate summit, there was no agreement reached on a new U.N. mandated target. Instead, plans were drafted to present a temporary goal which may change in future. Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air reports that all eyes are on China. The country has pledged to reach net-zero emissions by 2060. This would require roughly 30% reductions in emissions below the peak levels of 2024, by 2035. (Reporting and editing by Alistair Bell; Valerie Volcovici)
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Denmark's Prime Minister apologizes personally to Greenland woman over forced contraception
The Danish Prime Minister apologized in person to women on Wednesday who had been victims of decades-long, involuntary contraception campaigns. These campaigns have left the islanders with deep wounds and damaged their relationship with their former colonial powers. Between 1966 and 1991 - the year Greenland gained control over its healthcare system - thousands of women and girls, some as young as 12, were fitted with intrauterine device without their consent or knowledge. Mette Frederiksen said, "I do not believe that we can achieve the equal and proper relationship many of us want unless we open even the darkest pages," at a Nuuk, Greenland, capital ceremony. The ceremony is another step in Denmark’s efforts to improve ties with Greenland, since U.S. president Donald Trump began to vow this year to seize control of the vast island rich in resources and located in the Arctic for security purposes. "The apology I offer today does not just concern the past. This apology is not only about the past, but also our present and future. Frederiksen spoke to victims who were wiping away tears. PHYSICAL and PSYCHOLOGICAL SCARES A recent investigation revealed that 4 070 women were fitted with intrauterine device by the end 1970, or roughly every other Greenlandic woman of childbearing years. Many women have reported severe abdominal pain, and some have been unable to have children after the device has been removed. This is often due to severe infection. Receiving an apology doesn't mean we accept what happened. "We are here because we don't accept what happened," said Greenland Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen. He wore black. It is up to us all to take the next step. Naja Lyberth thanked Frederiksen's apology for creating a space for Greenlanders who shared the same trauma to process it. Lyberth, a 14-year-old girl who got her IUD at the age of 14, said that "the state has now stressed that we are equal spirits within the Danish realm." Reporting by Louise Rasmussen, Editing by Gareth Jones
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Congo sticks to export quotas but wants to boost cobalt processing
The mining minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo said that the country will adhere to the recently announced cobalt export quotas. Any revisions in the future would only be possible if the government deems it necessary. In an interview conducted on the sidelines a New York seminar, the mining minister of Zambia, Louis Watum Kabamba said that his country was more interested in investing in cobalt processing locally to increase its export value. "We can't let others decide for us. It is not important whether there will be or won't be a cobalt stockpile. "The most important thing is to get a fair price," Watum stated after participating in the seminar hosted by the Cobalt Institute. Congo, which supplied 70% of the global cobalt demand in 2024 will replace a February export ban with a quota-based system starting October 16, to manage supply and influence prices. The Congo will allow miners to export up to 18,125 tonnes of cobalt in the remainder of 2025. This is followed by annual caps of 96.600 tons for 2026 and 2027. Glencore, the second largest producer in the world, is in favor of an export quota, while CMOC, China's top producer of key battery materials, is against it. The total quota does not match CMOC's capacity to produce. "We won't be controlled by China or anyone else but ourselves." Watum stated that a country that supplies 70% the cobalt in the world has a right to decide on price. He said that future revisions of the quota system are possible, but no date has been set. Watum said that the government would continue to take concessions away from companies who fail to develop assets.
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Aurubis begins production in US copper recycling facility
Aurubis AG, Europe’s largest copper manufacturer, announced on Wednesday that it had begun production at its newly constructed U.S. Metal Recycling Plant at Richmond, Georgia. Aurubis stated that the plant would reduce the need for U.S. imports of metals. Production is expected to reach its full capacity by the first half 2026. The plant, which will invest about $800,000,000, will be able to process 180,000 tons of complex recycling waste material each year, including printed circuit board, copper cable, and other metal bearing products. The production will include 70,000 tonnes of high-grade blister-copper with a purity of 98-99%, as well as nickel, tin and precious metals. Aurubis' spokesperson stated that the company intended to sell copper to U.S.-based customers. This will allow us to meet the increasing demand for strategic metals like copper in the U.S. Copper demand in the U.S. is currently around 1.8 millions tons per year. Around half of this amount is imported. Aurubis stated that the Richmond plant would be an effective way to reduce copper imports. Aurubis Richmond's blister copper can be further processed in Europe into high purity copper and copper products by Aurubis international smelting networks. Aurubis CEO Toralf Haag stated that the company could consider additional projects in the United States. Haag stated, "With its high recycling materials and favorable local conditions, Aurubis offers attractive prospects on the American market that we will continue considering closely in the future." Michael Hogan is the reporter. Mark Potter (Editing)
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Europe stocks fall; commodity and defence rallies offset luxury losses
Investors analyzed the latest signals from Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell as European stocks fell on Wednesday. The pan-European STOXX 600 ended 0.2% lower while regional bourses mixed. The French benchmark was the worst performer, falling 0.6%. Basic resource sector rose 1.8%, as copper prices reached a 15-month-high, and crude prices reached a three week-high, driving the energy sector to rise 1.5%. Anglo American surged by 4.7% following Endiama Bid for a Minority De Beers, the diamond mining unit of De Beers. Defense stocks rose between 3% to 8%, including Rheinmetall Hensoldt, and SAAB after U.S. president Donald Trump stated that he believes Ukraine can retake its occupied land by Russia, and that Kyiv must act immediately. STOXX600 gains were held back by losses in luxury stocks like LVMH Hermes Richemont EssilorLuxottica. The subindex of luxury stocks fell 1.5%. Healthcare stocks fell 0.6% with AstraZeneca, Roche and other heavyweights down by 2% and 0.4 respectively. Bloomberg News reported on August 1 that Washington has formalized the lower auto tariffs. Wall Street stocks fell as investors digested Powell's remarks which provided little clarity about the Fed's future interest rate policy. According to the CME FedWatch Tool, traders are betting that there will be at least one rate cut in this year. The odds of a move in October topping 94%. Last week, the Fed announced its first rate cut since 2025. This sparked a global rally that lifted European and U.S. stocks. But after a strong start to the year -- fueled by gains in defense stocks -- European shares have lost momentum, trailing their U.S. peers amid a relentless artificial-intelligence-driven rally that has pushed American benchmarks to record highs. The Fed could become more dovish at the December meeting, because restrictive monetary policies can worsen employment and inflation upside risks are not materializing. Elias Haddad is a senior market strategist with Brown Brothers Harriman. The STOXX 600 is about 2% below its peak in March, and has gained about 9.2% so far this year. The S&P 500 is up close to 13%. Lanxess' stock fell 6.6% when Deutsche Bank lowered its rating from "buy" to "hold". The German business mood showed a surprising decline in September, as the economy remained weak.
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Gold falls from record high; markets watch US economic data
The gold price eased Wednesday, as the U.S. Dollar firmed. This was a retreat from the record high reached in the previous session. Investors remained glued to their screens, awaiting economic data that will be released later this week. These figures should provide further clues about the Federal Reserve’s policy direction. As of 11:53 am, spot gold was down 0.5% at $3,744.19 an ounce. After hitting a record-high of $3,790.82 in the early hours of ET (1553 GMT), gold prices fell 0.5% to $3,744.19 per ounce. U.S. Gold Futures for December Delivery declined 1% to $3.776.50. Dollar-priced gold is now more expensive to holders of other currencies due to the 0.6% increase in the U.S. Dollar index. The 10-year Treasury yields have also moved higher. Gold is still digesting the comments made yesterday by the Federal Reserve and the geopolitical tensions in Russia... "We're a little cautious before some economic data is released," said Phillip Streible. Chief market strategist at Blue Line Futures. Jerome Powell, Fed chair on Tuesday, did not offer any new clues about the future direction of interest rates. He stressed that the central banks must carefully balance risks of stubborn inflation with a slowing of the job market. According to CME FedWatch, the markets are pricing in an additional two 25-basis point rate cuts in this year. One is expected in October and has a 94% chance of happening. The other will happen in December. The focus is now on the weekly U.S. unemployment claims data due out Thursday and the U.S. employment report scheduled for Friday. The Fed's preferred inflation indicator is the Personal Consumption Expenditures Index. Ukraine's military announced on Wednesday that it had struck two oil pumps overnight in Russia's Volgograd Region. Gold becomes more appealing during times of geopolitical or economic uncertainty. Gold is also a non-yielding investment, so it tends to do well in low interest rate environments. Spot silver dropped 0.3% per ounce to $43.89 Palladium fell by 0.2% and platinum dropped 0.5%. (Reporting from Noel John, Bengaluru. Additional reporting by Kavya Baliaraman. Editing by Shilpa Majumdar and Shalpa Kuber.
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California Attorney General Bonta: More Trump and plastics lawsuits are coming, says Bonta
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced on Wednesday that his state will continue to sue Trump's administration for its aggressive deregulatory measures on environmental regulations. He also said he was looking into more lawsuits related to deception surrounding plastics recycling. Bonta said, "Every time they break the law, it hurts my state and my people. We will sue, we'll take them to court." "So far, that's been more than one per week." He said that "we definitely have more suits planned". California's strategy is to counteract the administration's rapid rollbacks in environmental policies and its push to expand fossil-fuels. In his speech at the United Nations General Assembly, Donald Trump, the U.S. president, dismissed climate change on Tuesday as "the biggest con job in the history of mankind". He reaffirmed his doubts about mainstream climate science, and his opposition to the use of renewable energy. Bonta said in an interview that he was looking at "the many actions" that were being taken in order to adopt this pro fossil fuel 'head in the sand' approach when it comes climate change and climate sciences, a position which results in a number of rollbacks to positions that the Biden Administration held that he believed to be sound. This includes focusing on potential violations by federal agencies of the Administrative Procedures Act. Bonta led a coalition earlier this week of 23 attorneys general, seven counties, and cities to sign a letter in opposition to the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal that it revoke its 2009 findings on greenhouse gas emissions. This finding was the foundation of federal regulations regarding greenhouse gases. The public comment period ended on Monday, and the EPA may issue a final regulation later this year. This could open the agency to lawsuits. Bonta responded that his office would weigh the risks. When asked if California would sue over the rescission knowing the case could be heard by the Supreme Court which, in recent years, has favored the Trump Administration on environmental cases of major importance, Bonta replied that they will consider the risk. If the Supreme Court affirms the rescission it may make it more difficult for future administrations to adopt a new finding of endangerment. "We want stop illegal actions that we believe we have a good chance to stop, based on facts and law." He said that sometimes that means going to federal courts, and that there is a possibility of us proceeding to the intermediate appellate court or US Supreme Court. EXXON JUDGEMENT DATE Bonta said that the state would continue to focus its attention on major fossil-fuel companies and will bring more lawsuits relating to plastic recycling. Bonta, a U.S.-based oil company, sued ExxonMobil in September 2024 for what he claimed was a decade-long campaign of deception to mislead consumers about the recycling of plastic products. He also claimed that the reality is that only a small amount of plastic waste produced in the U.S. is recycled. Exxon sued Bonta in January for defaming the company and its advanced plastic recycling programs. They also claimed that he was connected to a competitor. Bonta believes that Exxon is trying to delay the "judgement date" of the legal process. He said, "We have a lot behind us in terms of investigative material." "We believe it is very strong, and we are confident that we will prevail." Bonta refused to comment on whether settlement talks were underway in either case. Exxon did not respond to a request for comment. PROCESSED FOODS Bonta's office also cited ultra-processed food, which has been under fire recently over allegations that many popular packaged foods have been engineered for addiction, as a "issue of great importance" but declined to make any comments on any ongoing investigations. Researchers consider many packaged snacks, sweets, and soft drinks that contain substances synthesized or extracted from whole food sources to be ultra-processed. Robert F. Kennedy Jr, the Health Secretary, has targeted these products as contributing to childhood obesity and health problems. Bonta stated that "Ultra processed foods are a serious problem." Bonta said, "But there's really good science behind this. That's where we begin, with facts and science, and then go from there."
How to build schools for extreme heat without air conditioning
Heat can threaten children's education
Air conditioning fuels global warming
Passive cooling is the new trend among architects
Emma Batha
Kere, who had studied abroad for many years, returned to his village after completing his studies to build an airy and light school that would allow children to learn comfortably in temperatures as high as 45 degrees Celsius.
The architect from Berlin did not use the air conditioner. He incorporated cooling features in Gando Primary School, which he has applied to other projects throughout Africa.
Kere is one of many architects who are pioneering sustainable designs for schools in a world that's warming.
From Brazil to Vietnam, studies show that heat has a significant impact on learning. The World Bank warned in a report published last year that climate change is a threat to educational attainment and creating an "economic bomb".
Experts recommend that classrooms not exceed 26 C.
Kere's decision to build the Gando school out of clay was initially shocking. However, the material acts as a natural thermometer, absorbing the heat during the day, and releasing it in the evening.
Kere says that while concrete and plate-glass look modern, they can make a building hot. This means air conditioners are needed.
It's a vicious cycle. Air conditioners that use a lot of energy and expel warm air outside contribute to global warming. This in turn fuels the demand for air conditioning.
Instead, Kere uses passive cooling techniques.
The classrooms of Gando have openings on both ends. This allows for cross-ventilation. The overhanging roof is elevated above the perforated lower roofing, which improves air circulation.
Kere, a Kenyan architect, was inspired to design a campus for a university by the termite mounds that regulate temperatures with natural ventilation. The low openings of the buildings allow fresh air to enter while the terracotta towers allow hot air to escape.
SOCIAL CHANGE
In the Thar Desert in north-west India, temperatures this year reached 48 C. The vegetation is sparse and sandstorms occur frequently.
Diana Kellogg, an architect from New York, designed the Rajkumari Ratnavati Girls School. It is a large oval sandstone building rising out of the Rajasthan desert.
The orientation and shape of the building allows the prevailing wind to blow around the school. Lime plaster applied on the walls inside has a cooling effect.
Venturi effect is a phenomenon that accelerates airflow through lattice screens. They are inspired by the traditional Indian jali screen. The school uses solar power to run and collects rainwater.
Kellogg says that temperatures inside can be up to 10 C lower than the outside temperature, which contributes to higher attendance.
She believes, like Kere that good architecture can inspire social change.
Rajasthan has India's lowest female literacy rates, but Kellogg says the massive scale of the school sends a powerful message about girls.
She said, "It's improved their status in the community." The girls are proud to attend and call the College 'The College.' "When I visit the boys, they say, Build one for us.'"
Greening Schools
Even countries with temperate climates are looking for ways to cool down schools, as the climate change will bring more heatwaves.
Britain said that new school buildings must be future-proofed to withstand a temperature increase of 4 C.
The Victorian-era schools, with their large windows and high ceilings, are better equipped to handle heatwaves than the newer schools that have been designed to keep heat inside.
But education does not just happen indoors. Many cities are making their playgrounds greener to help children develop.
Planting trees can reduce temperatures by up to 6 C in urban areas. This is due to the shade and water vapour released.
Paris aims at converting all asphalted schoolsyards into green oasis by 2050.
Cool paint is another solution. Scientists are working on high-tech paints that may outperform air conditioners.
BUILDING WITH CLAY
Engineers are creating sophisticated products and systems to regulate temperature, from geothermal cooling to smart glass.
Sustainable architecture, according to German architect Anna Heringer, means using local materials.
Heringer is known for his use of mud, "a low-tech but high-tech material".
Heringer added that clay balanced humidity, which can cause physical discomfort during extreme heat or cold.
"Architects are often too technical but the solution is right in front of them."
In Tanzania, she was told that villagers built concrete houses for status but slept in mud huts at night.
Heringer explained that, contrary to popular belief, clay walls don't dissolve in rain. Heringer said that there are easy techniques to stop erosion and that a natural crystallization will strengthen the walls with time.
Heringer added that the schools she built in the past 20 years have needed little maintenance.
There is no air conditioning in some classrooms, but solar-powered fans are used in others. She said that not only is it a waste of energy, but switching constantly between heat and cool can be harmful to children's health.
Kere, whose international commissions includes Benin's parliament building and the Las Vegas Museum of Art, said that his studio receives many inquiries about passive cooling and building with clay.
(source: Reuters)