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Combs, Berkshire's Combs, is the new face of JPMorgan in its national security bet
Todd Combs, Berkshire Hathaway's seniorest external hire, will?turbocharge JPMorgan Chase’s $1.5 trillion push towards national security. Combs is a longtime deputy of legendary investor Warren Buffett. He joined the nation's biggest bank this week to head a team which will invest over $10 billion in JPMorgan money into companies that are deemed "strategic" for the United States. He will be reporting directly to CEO Jamie Dimon. Sean Dunlop is a Morningstar banking analyst. He said, "It's hoped that the group of investors can help JPMorgan identify opportunities, and identify and overcome policy obstacles." Combs’ group will target smaller and midsized businesses rather than large-scale acquisitions. JPMorgan's investment in Perpetua Resources Corp., which raised $255 in equity investments recently, triggered the initiative in late October. DIMON'S BUS TOUR Dimon's annual bus tour, which took place this summer, was the catalyst for the bank's initiative on national security. He visited the L3Harris Technologies plant in Alabama which produces?critical propulsion system, solid rocket motors, and engines for major defence and space programs. Source: An executive told Dimon that their supply chain and vendors can be challenged by 'uncertainty about future orders volumes. Dimon asked bankers to explain how they could assist vendors of large defence companies facing similar challenges. L3Harris has declined to comment. JPMorgan has a 10-year, $1.5 trillion plan to finance, facilitate and invest in industries that are critical to the national economy. The bank will invest direct equity or venture capital of at least $10 billion to select companies in the United States as part of its new initiative. Sources said that Combs' new team at JPMorgan will include both external hires and employees who are being redeployed to the asset and wealth management and corporate and investment banking departments. Combs was previously on the board of JPMorgan. He led Geico, an insurer backed by Berkshire. Dimon chose him as his first choice, according to the source. Dimon stated in a Monday statement that Todd Combs was one of the most successful investors and leaders he had ever known. Combs, who ran a hedge-fund before joining Buffett's conglomerate, joined the company in 2010. "He really enjoys working here, and he knows the senior staff. He loves this company." Dimon said in a Financial Times report that Combs was a "natural fit" for the company. "I find it incredibly interesting that he uses his skills in so many different ways." Combs is "a very impressive long-term investor track record", according to Meyer Shields at Keefe Bruyette & Woods. Imagine (Combs), metaphorically, sitting at (Buffett)'s (Buffett) knee to understand how Warren Buffett views the world. It's likely that his background is a good one for the strategic role he will be undertaking at JPMorgan." Buffett's focus on executives running businesses, such as Combs when he was at Geico, helps them have a deeper understanding than other investors. Dimon has always linked economic strength and national security. He writes in his annual letters to investors, that America must invest in critical technologies and rebuild its industrial capacity to maintain leadership in the world. Dimon said that the U.S. is too dependent on China to provide essential resources such as semiconductors, pharmaceutical ingredients and rare earths. Dimon said that the U.S. is too dependent on China for essential resources like rare earths, semiconductors and pharmaceutical ingredients. Dunlop says it is still unclear how much of JPMorgan's $1.5 trillion commitment will be split between direct investment and loans, and what percentage will see JPMorgan acting as an intermediary. JPMorgan was both a lender and an advisor to MP Materials, in October. They arranged $1 billion in committed financing for the government-backed deal that aims to increase output of rare earth magnetic materials. (Reporting and editing by Lananh Nguyen, Nick Zieminski and Saeed Azhar)
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Congo rebels enter strategic city as peace deal falls apart
Sources told AFP that M23 rebels backed by Rwanda have invaded the town of Uvira in eastern Congo, near the Burundian border. This is the largest escalation of the war in recent months, they said. Uvira is located on the shores Lake Tanganyika and has been the headquarters for the Kinshasa appointed government in South Kivu Province as well as its regional military bases since the??provincial capitol, Bukavu fell to the M23 in Februrary. The rebels could advance further if they control Uvira. M23's latest advance in the mineral-rich area comes less than one week after Congolese president Felix Tshisekedi met with U.S. President Donald Trump and confirmed their commitment to an American-brokered deal. Congo and Rwanda accuse each other of having violated the agreement. Congo's Foreign Minister has called on Washington to increase targeted sanctions against Rwanda in order to "restore credibility" to its mediation efforts. Rwanda, which denies supporting?M23 and blames Congolese forces, as well as Burundi, for the renewed fighting. Human Rights Watch's Central Africa Director, Lewis Mudge, said that the violence in Uvira proves that signing agreements in Washington "is not enough" to guarantee the safety of civilians living in eastern Congo. CONTROL OF UVIRA IS DISPUTED According to the United Nations, 200,000 people fled their homes over the past few days. Scores of civilians were also killed. On Wednesday, it was unclear whether M23 controlled Uvira in its entirety. One resident, who asked to remain anonymous for safety concerns, said that "there's still firing". The resident claimed that M23 told residents to stay at home while its forces cleared any resistance. A source in the government of Congo said that the military wouldn't react to protect civilians. Lawrence Kanyuka said, "The city is liberated," on X. Edouard Bizimana is the Burundi foreign minister. He said that Uvira has not yet fallen. Fear of Regional Violence M23 made a rapid advance in eastern Congo, capturing more territory than any other time in the past, including Goma, one of the two largest cities in this region. Since then, the rebels have tightened their grip in areas they control. However, they had held back from major advances while taking part in Doha peace talks. On Monday, it was reported that M23 had taken Luvungi - a town which had been on the frontline since February - and that there were fierce battles taking place near Sange, Kiliba and other villages along the road to Uvira in the north. The?U.S. The United States and nine other members from the International Contact Group for the Great Lakes expressed "profound concerns" about the renewed violence in South Kivu. They warned that the violence would destabilise the region. Therese Kayikwamba said in an interview late on Tuesday that Washington should increase sanctions against Rwanda. She suggested targeting "individuals within the chain of command", and institutions like the Rwandan army to limit its ability to purchase weapons. Wagner stated that Washington must restore its credibility by being accountable. "It's not enough to condemn." "It is not enough just to be preoccupied, or to be worried." RWANDA DEFENDS ITS POSITION Rwanda claims its troops are in eastern Congo as "defensive actions," but Washington and the United Nations say that evidence of Rwandan backing for the rebels has been made clear. The Rwandan Foreign Ministry Olivier Nduhungirehe stated on Wednesday that additional sanctions will not stop the fighting. He blamed Kinshasa for failing to implement peace agreements or honour an agreement reached in Washington last week regarding an airstrike ban. He said that Congolese forces had been attacking local communities and rebel positions in South Kivu Province for "weeks and even months" prior to the recent escalation. The Rwandan foreign ministry stated that the international community had not called for an end to the attacks, which were planned by the DRC over months and launched in the last week. Burundi also said it was helping Congolese troops bomb towns near its border. The Burundian army is close to 20,000 strong in South Kivu, in service to the government of DRC. Burundi has not responded to Rwanda's announcement. Reporting by Ange A. Kasongo and Sonia Rolley, Congo Newsroom. Additional reporting by Robbie Corey Boulet, Clement Manirabarusha, and Robbie Corey Boulet. Writing by Silvia Aloisi and Robbie Corey Boulet. Editing by Frances Kerry and Ros Russell. Toby Chopra.
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Investors prepare for Fed, and stocks rise while the dollar falls
On Wednesday, the major stock indexes mainly edged up while the dollar fell as a divided Federal Reserve board faced crunch time. Oracle's earnings were eagerly awaited after the Wall Street closing bell. This and other results may test artificial intelligence valuations that are sky high. When the Fed announces its decision at 2 pm, it is expected that interest rates will be cut. Investors are worried about the outlook for rates next year. How many Fed members predict that there will be one, two, or no cuts in the next year? Analysts suspect that at least two out of 12 voters may be against a easing. This would put Chair Jerome Powell into a tough position. The policymakers are weighing the signs of a cooling labour market against inflation risks. Investors have recently reduced their expectations for rate cuts in the year 2026. The government shutdown will further complicate matters by delaying the important November payrolls report until December 16 while the inflation figures are due two weeks later. Eugene Epstein is the head of Trading and Structured Products at Moneycorp, New Jersey. He said that the Fed was "semi-blind" at the meeting as they didn't yet have a complete picture on the economy. According to CME's FedWatch Tool?, the markets are pricing in an approximately 90% chance of a cut of 25 basis points. Many market participants anticipate a "hawkish" cut in which they expect the Fed to indicate that it intends?to slow or stop?the rate reduction path. Oracle shares fell 0.8% on Wall Street while the S&P500 edged up. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 215 points or 0.45% to 47,776.05, while the S&P 500 gained 2.69 points or 0.04% to 6,843.20, and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 66.29 or 0.28% to 23,510.20. Santa Rally is the term used to describe the last two weeks of December, when the S&P 500 tends to perform better than the rest of the year. Investors are settling their accounts for the year. MSCI's global stock index rose 0.12% or 1.18 points to 1,007.62. The STOXX 600 Index rose by 0.07%. Spot silver prices rose 0.6%, to $61/oz. They had hit a high of $61.61 in the previous session. Silver prices have more than doubled in the past year due to a?dwindling of inventories and a bullish market that has attracted momentum funds. In a recent report, the Silver Institute, an industry association, said that there is a growing demand in sectors such as solar energy, electric cars and their infrastructure and data centers?and AI. Treasury yields in the U.S. fell ahead of Fed's announcement. The yield on the benchmark U.S. 10 year notes dropped 2.5 basis points from?4.186% at late Tuesday to 4.161%. In recent weeks, yields have risen around the world as central banks signalled that they are nearing the end of easing cycles. The Bank of Japan, meanwhile, is expected to raise rates next week at its policy meeting. Investors reduced their positions in anticipation for a Fed rate reduction, erasing two days of dollar gains. The dollar index, which measures greenbacks against a basket including the yen, euro and a few other currencies, dropped 0.25% at 98.97. Meanwhile, the euro rose 0.23% to $1.1652. The dollar fell 0.37% against the Japanese yen to 156.28. Caroline Valetkevitch reported from New York, and Amanda Cooper from London. Gertrude Chavez Dreyfuss and Wayne Cole contributed additional reporting in New York, Sydney, and Sydney. Alex Richardson edited the story. Alexander Smith, Mark Potter and Mark Potter).
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Silver drifts close to record high as gold slips before Fed rate decision
As investors booked profits in anticipation of the upcoming?U.S. Silver is hovering below record levels as investors await the Federal Reserve's rate decision and Jerome Powell’s remarks. At 11:40 am, spot gold was down by 0.2% to $4,201.45 an ounce. ET (16:40 GMT). U.S. gold for delivery in February fell by 0.1%, to $4,230.50 an ounce. Spot silver increased 0.3% to 60.82/oz after reaching an all-time high earlier in the day of $61.61. "All you want to note right now is some light profit taking ahead of the Fed Meeting- a highly anticipated event this afternoon," David?Meger said, director of metals trade at High Ridge Futures. The Federal Open Market Committee will announce their rate decision at 2 p.m. ET (1900 GMT), Powell is scheduled to speak at 2:45 p.m. ET (1930 GMT). According to CME's FedWatch Tool traders are pricing in an 89.6% probability of a 25-basis-point rate cut this week, and they expect more easing in the year 2026. Meger said: "We may be on a course of rate cuts and pause... but we still think we're in an uptrend sideways to higher, with a slight pause." The meeting will be one of the most controversial in recent years as policymakers balance the need to lower?borrowing rates' to support the labor markets against the danger of reigniting the inflation. The lack of new economic data after the 43-day shutdown and the uncertainty about who will be the Fed's leader next year adds to the problem. White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett is a leading candidate for the position. Hassett has been a supporter of rate reductions. Silver has risen by 110.5% this year so far, mainly due to the rising industrial demand and falling inventories. It was also designated as a "critical mineral" by the U.S. Meger stated that "we believe the gold/silver ratio is returning to some historical norm now." Now, it takes 69 ounces to purchase an ounce gold The number of ounces has dropped from 82 in October. Palladium dropped by 3.8%, to $1449.25, and platinum fell 3.5%, to $1631.77. (Reporting by Sarah Qureshi and Anushree Mukherjee in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber)
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Silver drifts close to record high as gold slips before Fed rate decision
Gold prices declined on Wednesday, as investors booked profits in anticipation of the U.S. Silver hovered just below records highs as investors booked profits ahead of the?Federal Reserve interest rate decision today and Chairman Jerome Powell's remarks. At 0948 am, spot gold was down by 0.3% to $4,198.28 an ounce. ET (14:48 GMT). U.S. gold for delivery in February fell 0.2% to $4,227.40 an ounce. Silver spot fell by 0.2%, to $60.56/oz. After hitting a session high of $61.61 an ounce earlier. "All you want to note right now is some light profit taking ahead of the Fed Meeting- a highly anticipated event this afternoon," David?Meger said, director of metals trade at High Ridge Futures. The Federal Open Market Committee will announce their rate decision at 2 p.m. ET (1900 GMT), Powell is scheduled to speak at 2:45 p.m. ET (1930 GMT). According to CME's FedWatch Tool traders are pricing in an 89.6% probability of a 25-basis-point rate cut this week, and they expect more easing in the year 2026. Meger said: "We may be on a course of rate cuts and pause... but we still think we're in an uptrend sideways to higher, with a slight pause." The meeting will be one of the most controversial in recent years as policymakers balance the need to lower?borrowing rates' to support the labor markets against the danger of reigniting the inflation. The lack of new economic data after the 43-day shutdown and the uncertainty about who will be the Fed's leader next year adds to the problem. White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett is considered the frontrunner. Hassett has been a supporter of rate reductions. Silver has risen 110% this year so far, mainly due to the rising industrial demand and falling inventories. It was also designated as a "critical mineral" by the U.S. Meger stated that "we believe the gold/silver ratio is returning to a historical norm, at this time." Now, it takes 69 ounces to purchase an ounce gold The number of ounces has dropped from 82 in October. Palladium dropped 2.7%, to $1466.21, while platinum fell 2.8%, to $1642.30. (Reporting by Sarah Qureshi and Anushree Mukherjee in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber)
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USA Rare Earth accelerates Texas project with a 2028 start date
USA Rare Earth announced on Wednesday that it would bring the?commercial production? at its rare-earths project?in Texas forward to late 2028 from 2030. It cited faster-than expected progress at its processing facility and increasing U.S. demands for critical minerals. Round Top in Texas is the largest known U.S. source for heavy rare earth elements, gallium, and beryllium. The Round Top deposit is owned by USA Rare Earth and?is being developed. The revised timeline is coming as the?U.S. Under the Trump Administration, companies are increasing their efforts to reduce reliance on China as a source of rare metals. The company has developed a comprehensive mine to magnet supply chain that spans Texas, Colorado, and Oklahoma. It is positioning itself as one of the few U.S. manufacturers of heavy rare Earths, such as terbium and dysprosium. These elements are essential for high-performance permanent?magnets, which power electric vehicles, defense systems and industrial machines. This decision was made after a successful pilot of solvent extraction at the processing lab in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. The site will be home to a hydrometallurgical plant that is expected to begin operations in early 2026. (Reporting by Dharna Bafna in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim Zahid)
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Silver extends its rally above $60; gold dips ahead Fed rate decision
Investors awaited hints on the future policy of?the U.S. Federal Reserve, and a possible interest rate cut. Meanwhile, gold prices were lowered on Wednesday. Silver continued its rally to new heights. At 1243 GMT, spot gold had fallen 0.3% to $4197.91 an ounce. U.S. Gold Futures for February Delivery fell 0.2% to $4,226.40 an ounce. Spot silver, meanwhile, rose 0.6%, to $61/oz, after reaching an all-time record of $61.61 in the previous session. This was due to rising industrial demand, falling inventories, as well as its designation by the United States as a "critical mineral". The white metal is up 112% this year. Silver broke through the $60 mark per ounce, luring in more trend-followers and short-term traders. Carsten Menke, an analyst at Julius Baer, said that this also reflects a narrative of physical tightness in the silver market. Fed Chair Jerome Powell will speak at 1930 GMT. The Federal Open Market Committee is expected to announce their rate decision at 1900 GMT. The markets are assigning an 88% chance of a 25 basis-point reduction. Nitesh Sha, commodities strategist at WisdomTree said that gold was currently trading in a range until the FOMC announced its decision. "What will move gold? Not necessarily the cut itself, but rather the guidance for future," he added. Benchmark yields on 10-year U.S. Treasury bonds have reached their highest level in more than three months. "In the last few weeks, gold demand from investors as measured by holdings in physical-backed products has been less than silver." Menke stated that this is the primary factor holding gold back. Carolane de Palmas, an analyst at ActivTrades, said that "gold's performance is one of the main drivers?of the silver price -- any correction in gold can lead to increased volatility in silver." Kevin Hassett, White House economist and the leading candidate to succeed Powell as Fed chair, stated on Tuesday that there is "plenty" of room to reduce interest rates, although rising inflation may change this calculation. Gold and other non-yielding assets tend to be favored by lower rates. RBC Capital Markets increased its long-term forecasts for gold prices to an average $4,600 per one ounce by 2026, and $5,100 in 2027. They cited geopolitical risk, a softer monetary policies, and persistent deficits. Palladium dropped 1.3%, to $1,487.11, while platinum fell 1.7%, to $1661.70. Reporting by Pablo Sinha from Bengaluru. Alexandra Hudson (Editor), Mark Potter, Varun H. K.
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Indigenous Guards in the Amazon region unite to protect their territories
Around 200 Indigenous members from Ecuador, Colombia and Peru met in the?Amazonian village of Sinangoe located along the border of Colombia to strategize together how to defend their ancestral land. To mark the occasion, they cleansed their energy with tobacco and nettle leaf and drank sap of the ancestral yoco tree. Indigenous communities of the Amazon rainforest train men and women for years to recognize threats to their mineral rich and verdant lands, and to prevent outsiders from entering their communities. Members of the Indigenous Guard say that in recent years, threats to their ancestral Indigenous territories have increased the need for self-defense groups known as the Indigenous?Guard. They are facing illegal mining, logging, drug trafficking and armed groups as well as forced gang recruitment, extortion and forced recruitment. Since 2017, the Indigenous Guard of the A'i Cofan Community in?Sinangoe has been battling large-scale mining to protect the Aguarico River – the main source of food for families who live on the riverbanks. Holger Quenama is the coordinator of A'i Cofan's Indigenous Guard. The group's pacifist focus is on monitoring, patrolling and avoiding conflict. They may also request assistance from armed forces in situations that they are unable to handle themselves. Quenama stated that their work had paid off, but they still need to put in daily effort. Quenama stated that "the Sinangoe guard is always carrying?our staff which is our strength." "We work with the whole community, but there are Indigenous groups who are more vigilant in patrolling all of the territory," Quenama said. Kelly Valera Silva said that the Regional Organizaion of Indigenous guards of Shipibo Konibo in Peru has had success in combating illegal fishing and territorial invasions. She said that although indigenous peoples were not opposed to?concession deals, they must acknowledge their territory. About 300 indigenous guards are spread out across 24 Amazonian Shipibo Konibo communities in Peru. Reporting by Karen Toro, Sinangoe. Writing by Alexandra Valencia. Editing by Lincoln Feast.
Denmark compensates Greenlandic women who have undergone involuntary contraception
The Danish government announced on Wednesday that it had reached a deal in parliament for compensation to be paid to Greenlandic women who suffered from a decades-long, involuntary campaign of birth control. This is just one of many cases that have emerged in recent years regarding allegations of Danish authorities' misconduct against Greenland residents, now a Danish semi-autonomous territory.
In 2022, records revealed that thousands of women as young as 13 years old were fitted with intrauterine device without their consent or knowledge between 1966 and 1991 when Greenland gained control over its healthcare system.
Aaja Chemnitz said, "Now women get the compensation we've been fighting for since many years," in an Instagram post.
In a press release, the Health Ministry said that under the agreement, eligible women would receive 300.000 Danish crowns (46,750 dollars) through a reconciliation account.
Women who are eligible must have attended school or lived in Greenland during that period. They will also have to provide proof of their claims.
"We cannot change the past. We have been 'blind to injustices committed against them for too long. Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister of Denmark, said in an official statement that we could 'take responsibility. Frederiksen apologized in person, to some women who had been victims. The move was part of Denmark's increased?efforts? to repair its ties with Greenland after U.S. president Donald Trump announced his intention to seize control of the vast and resource-rich Arctic Island for security purposes.
The ministry stated that applications will open in April of 2026. Approximately 4,500 women are eligible to apply. First payments should be expected in the fall of 2026.
(source: Reuters)