Latest News
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Shenghe, a Chinese rare earths processor, sees a minimal impact of the US feedstock ban
Shenghe Resources, a Chinese company, said that the suspension of shipments from its U.S. partners of rare earth raw concentrator will not have a significant impact on production because of the company's diverse supply chain. MP Materials, the owner of the U.S.'s only rare earths mine said that it has stopped shipping these vital minerals to China due to the 125% tariffs Beijing imposed on U.S. imports as a retaliation against U.S. tariffs imposed on Chinese goods by President Donald Trump. Rare earths is a grouping of 17 metals which are used in the production of magnets for electric cars, mobile phones and other electronic devices. China, the dominant producer in the world, halted this month exports of rare earths that were added to an export control list as a form of retaliation. MP Materials, which is a major player in the rare earths industry, imports large quantities of concentrate from other countries to feed its processing plants. Shenghe stated in a press release that "we have created a diversified channel of supply for rare earth raw materials. We use monazite as an alternative to Sichuan, and we also supply other countries." "The supply agreement with MP remains valid." Shenghe did not provide details. In January 2024, the company and MP Materials renewed a offtake agreement through Shenghe’s subsidiary in Singapore. The agreement will remain in place for two years but can be extended by another year. Customs data show that China's imports from the U.S. of rare earth raw material have declined for the past two years. They fell by 13.7% last year and 16.9% in 2023.
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VEB, a Russian copper mining company, will invest $13.4 billion in the country's Far East
The Russian government announced on Saturday that the state-owned development bank VEB would invest over 1.1 trillion Russian roubles (about $13.40 billion) in order to develop a mine of copper in Chukotka, in the extreme east of the nation. A government press release stated that the development of Baimskaya, which was discovered in 1972, will create 6,000 jobs, and generate tax revenues in excess of three trillion roubles. Chukotka, the easternmost federal subject in Russia, is a mountainous area. Around half of the region is above the Arctic Circle. Once operational, the deposit will increase Russia's gold production by 4% and copper production by 25%. "We continue to build not just a mining and processing plant, but a powerful and technologically-advanced industrial complex that will strengthen Russia's position in the global market and become a new point of growth in the Arctic," said Georgy Fotin, general director of the Baimskaya Management Company LLC. Vladimir Putin named the Arctic region as one of Russia’s most important economic interests. He has also increased commerce through the Northern Sea Route, as Moscow has shifted trade away from Europe and towards Asia due to Western sanctions. The government announced on Saturday that the development of the Baimskaya deposit would increase the annual cargo traffic along NSR by two million metric tonnes. $1 = 82.1000 Russian Roubles (Reporting and editing by Kirby Donovan; Lucy Papachristou)
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At least 17 people killed in Nigeria by suspected herders
Police said that at least 17 people died when suspected cattle-herders attacked Benue State in central Nigeria on Thursday. This was amid an increase of violent clashes between farmers, herders and others. Food supplies in north-central Nigeria have been disrupted by years of conflict. This is a major agricultural area. Two days earlier, 11 people had been killed in Otukpo in Benue. A week before that, gunmen killed over 50 people when they attacked villages in Plateau State. According to SBM Intelligence, since 2019, more than 500 people have died in the region as a result of the clashes. 2.2 million others were forced to flee their homes. Police said that a separate group of suspected cattle herders killed five farmers early Friday morning in the Ukum Local Government Area of Benue, near Gbagir. Police spokesperson Sewuese Aene stated that the attackers fired as police moved in to confront them. Police said that while officers were engaged in the attack at Ukum another 12 people died in an attack 70 km away in Logo local council. (Reporting and writing by Camillus Eboh, Ben Ezeamalu and Andrew Heavens; editing by Andrew Heavens).
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Toronto FC wins rare road game at Real Salt Lake
Toronto FC hasn't beaten Real Salt Lake in Utah for nearly 18 years. Real Salt Lake is 10-0-2 against Toronto FC at home since their first ever meeting. They will look to add to that record when they meet in Sandy, Utah on Saturday. Toronto defeated Real Salt Lake 2-1 on July 4, 2007, in a match held on the University of Utah's campus in Salt Lake City. RSL has dominated home matches since then with an unbeaten streak, which includes a win in the 2010 CONCACAF Champions League. Toronto's first-year coach Robin Fraser stated, "It is a difficult place to play." They have played well there in the past. Toronto's results there haven’t been great over the years because it’s a difficult place. Toronto FC hasn't had a good season so far (0-4-4, four points). Toronto was 0-4-1 in its first five games before it played three consecutive draws. The club was held scoreless at Minnesota United last week. Deandre Kerr, a Toronto player, will miss his third consecutive game due to an injury to his ankle. Federico Bernardeschi and Deandre Kerr are tied with two goals each for the team's lead. Fraser believes Kerr will be out for at least another month. Real Salt Lake (3-5-0, 9 points), has lost three of its last four matches. The result last week was a painful one. Nashville's Sam Surridge scored in the first minute after the second half's stoppage time the decisive goal that sent visiting Salt Lake down 2-1. Diego Luna, who scored three of the team's best goals, sees a team in progress that is yet to find its full stride. "We're playing well," Luna said. The team is improving, we are growing, and the chemistry is developing, but there are still little things to fix to bring it all together. RSL coach Pablo Mastroeni said: "We made some good progress in the past couple of weeks and played good stuff in our last game." We want to dial in some moments where we were a little naive. Salt Lake's Javain Brown has retired from the league after having surgery on Wednesday to repair an ACL tear and meniscus damage to his left knee. Brown injured his knee during a training session. Field Level Media
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Indonesian woman uses mangroves to fight rising tides
Pasijah is a 55-year old housewife from Indonesia's Central Java Province. She wakes every morning with the sound of waves. It's not as idyllic as it sounds. It is the last remaining house in this area of Rejosari Senik. This small village, located on Java's north coast, was once dry land and is now under water. Pasijah and her family are not planning to leave. She said in February that she had "every intention" to remain at the house and her feelings towards it remained. Pasijah, who has lived in her house for 35 years, is soaked by water when she steps out. The floor inside has been raised above the water level by using a power pole and bamboo arranged in haphazardly. Demak is 19 km away. The closest land is 2 km (1.24 miles). Only by boat can you get to the island. Indonesia is an archipelago made up of thousands of islands with a coastline of 81,000 km. This makes it vulnerable to erosion and rising sea levels. Kadarsah, an official with Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency, said that sea levels along the coasts of the country rose by 4.25 millimetres per year on average between 1992 and 2024. However, the rate increased in recent years. He said that rising sea levels were a sign of climate change, and added that small islands had vanished. Kadarsah pointed out that increased pumping has also exacerbated the land subsidence along Java’s northern coast. Jakarta, Indonesia's largest city, is especially affected by the problem. It is home to 10 million people. Indonesian authorities are turning to mega-projects for a solution. One of these is a 700-kilometre sea wall along the northern coastline between Banten province and East Java. Pasijah, her family and friends have also turned to the natural world. Over the last two decades, she has planted around 15,000 mangroves trees per year. She paddles in a boat that is made of a blue barrel every day to plant saplings and tend to bushes. Pasijah explained that the flood waters came in waves and not at once. "I realized that I had to plant mangroves after the water began rising. They would spread and protect my house from the wind and waves. Her family and she survive by selling fish that her sons have caught in the market closest to them. They said they would stay until the tide was held back. Pasijah explained, "I don't care about my feelings about being isolated here anymore since I've decided to stay. We'll just take one obstacle at a time." (Reporting and writing by Ajeng dinar Ulfiana; Budi Purwanto and Johan Purnomo. Additional reporting and writing by Stanley Widianto. Editing and editing by Gibran peshimam and Kate Mayberry.
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Sources say that KKR is among the asset managers competing for Abu Dhabi district cooling business.
Three sources confirmed that KKR, I Squared Capital and other global asset managers are bidding to buy a district cooling company owned by Abu Dhabi’s Multiply Group. The business is part of a $1.5 billion empire run by one of UAE's most powerful sheikhs. As an environmentally-friendly and more cost-effective alternative to air conditioning, district cooling plants deliver chilled water through insulated pipes in order to cool buildings such as offices, factories, and residences. Three people familiar with the situation, who declined to be identified because the details were not public, said that Investcorp is one of the possible suitors. According to the sources, CVC, which is backed by Engie, and National Central Cooling Co (also known as Tabreed) are in a race for a deal worth up to $1 billion. The Abu Dhabi energy and utility firm TAQA also has its eye on the deal. It is nearing its second round, with potential buyers expected next month to submit binding bids. Multiply Capital, I Squared Capital and Tabreed did not respond to requests for comment. Last month, it was reported that Tabreed worked with Citi to develop a possible bid. PCH's interest shows how local investment opportunities are being sought by buyout groups in the Gulf, as governments implement ambitious programs to diversify economies away from oil. Previously, equity firms raised money in the Gulf to invest elsewhere. Last week, KKR was the latest asset manager who announced plans to create a team to pursue Gulf deals in the region. Multiply is owned by IHC. Its chairman, Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the UAE's National Security Advisor and brother of its president. He controls an expansive business empire, including two sovereign funds. S&P Global Market Intelligence reported in January that private equity funds raised $680 billion worldwide in 2024. This is a decrease of 30% from the $966 billion raised by 2023.
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Trump will expedite the permitting process for 10 mining projects in the US
The White House announced on Friday that it would expedite the permitting process for 10 mining projects in the United States, as part of President Donald Trump’s efforts to increase critical minerals production. These projects, which will supply copper, antimony, and other minerals, have been given FAST-41 status. This is a federal initiative that was launched in 2015 for streamlined approvals of critical infrastructure. The White House announced that it would add more projects. The first 10 are listed publicly on a U.S. Federal website, where the progress of their permits can be tracked. This is part of a Trump administration push for greater transparency. The White House issued a statement saying that "this transparency leads to greater responsibility, ensuring an efficient process." This move will boost a number of projects, including a proposed Idaho gold and antimony mine by Perpetua Resources; a proposed Arizona mine from Rio Tinto; a proposed Montana silver and copper mine by Hecla Mining; an expansion of Albemarle’s Nevada lithium project, a direct lithium extraction project in Arkansas from Standard Lithium and a metallurgical coking coal project in Alabama from Warrior Met Coal. Steel is made from metallurgical coal. Former President Joe Biden has accelerated the Hermosa zinc and manganese project of South32 in Arizona, making it the first mine that received the FAST 41 treatment. Trump ordered earlier this week a probe of potential new tariffs for all U.S. imports of critical minerals, a major escalate in his dispute against global trading partners and an effort to pressure the industry leader China. (Reporting and editing by Lisa Shumaker; Ernest Scheyder)
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Sources confirm that Petrobras has approved the tender for restarting fertilizer plants in Brazil’s northeast.
According to four sources with knowledge of the matter, the board of Brazilian state oil company Petrobras approved plans on Thursday to select a new partner to restart its fertilizer factories in northeastern Brazil. Sources who asked to remain anonymous because the decision had not been made public said that the move hinged on the resolution of ongoing disputes with the current leaseholder, Unigel. The chemical company Unigel demanded compensation from Petrobras, according to previous reports. This impasse marked a setback in President Luiz-Inacio Lula's plan to reduce Brazil's dependence on imported fertilizer. Brazil, a major agricultural powerhouse in the world, is one of the top importers of fertilizers. It purchases more than 80%. Petrobras has leased to Unigel the two nitrogen fertiliser plants located in Bahia State and Sergipe State in 2019. The agreement is for 10 years. Both facilities were shut down in 2023. Unigel cited unfeasible conditions of operation due to the high price of natural gas in Brazil. Sources claim that Unigel has not yet responded to Petrobras after the board's decision. Petrobras refused to comment upon being contacted by. Unigel didn't immediately respond to our request for comment. Both companies are involved in arbitration related to their lease agreement, which includes disagreements about the shutdown of the operations, Unigel’s investments and gas supply terms. Sources said that a formal tender could only be advanced if an agreement was reached. The arbitration must be completed before the process can proceed. We can't go forward without it," a company source stressed. Second source: If the dispute is fully resolved, Unigel could participate in the next bidding process for the plant to resume operation. (Reporting and writing by Rodrigo Viga Gaier in Rio de Janeiro, Marcela Ayres in London; Editing by Matthew Lewis).
Trump's executive orders on immigration, DEI and abortion
Since he took office on January 20, Donald Trump, the U.S. president, has taken a number of executive orders as well as other actions that have a rapid impact on Americans.
The White House reported that the executive orders totaled over 300. They aim to fulfill the Republican campaign promises regarding illegal immigration, federal employment size, energy, environment, gender, diversity, and abortion policies.
Orders
The law has the force of law
But it can be revoked or blocked by future presidents.
Here are some early Trump policy moves.
IMMIGRATION
Trump declared a state of national emergency at the U.S. Mexico border, and issued a ban on asylum to migrants who "engaged in invasion across the southern borders."
He told the Defense Department that it was a top priority to seal the borders and support the construction of border walls, detention spaces and transportation for migrants. He gave the Defense Secretary the authority to send troops along the border. The White House also announced the deployment of 1,500 more troops.
Trump has ordered the suspension for refugee admissions to the U.S. This includes the nearly 1,660 Afghans who were cleared to settle in America.
He reinstated his "Remain in Mexico policy", which forces non-Mexicans seeking asylum to wait in Mexico until their U.S. cases are resolved.
He ordered the Attorney General to pursue capital punishment for immigrants who are not legally recognized and commit crimes like murder, which could be punishable by death.
He signed an order ending birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S., if either their mother or father are not U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents. According to the U.S. Constitution, people born in America are entitled to citizenship. Democratic state attorneys and advocates filed lawsuits on the issue, and Ronald Reagan's Republican president appointed a judge to block the order. He called it "blatantly illegal."
Trump has also started a process of designating criminal cartels to be foreign terrorist groups and to use a 1798 law called the Alien Enemies Act to target foreign gangs.
ABORTION
Restored U.S. Participation
In two international antiabortion agreements, including one which cuts off U.S. funds to foreign organizations that provide or promote abortions. He reinstated Mexico City Policy which his opponents refer to as the "global gag rule" for the way it has silenced abortion advocates. It was established by Reagan in 1984 and has been repealed or rescinded each Democratic President since then.
TRANSGENDER TROOPS AND COVID IN THE MILITARY
Trump signed executive orders that were aimed at
The military
The reintroduction of thousands of troops expelled for refusing COVID-19 vaccinations during the pandemic; the removal diversity, equity, and inclusion requirements; and the targeting of transgender members.
In one order, it was stated that expressing a transgender identity would violate military standards. However, the order did not specify whether or not current transgender military personnel would be allowed stay in service.
Trump has rescinded a former Democratic president Joe Biden's order that allowed transgender individuals to serve in military.
GRANTS and LOANS
The White House of Donald Trump ordered the a
All federal grants and loans will be halted
This could affect education and healthcare, housing assistance and disaster relief, as well as a number of other initiatives that rely on billions of dollars from the federal government.
The money will be held while the Trump Administration reviews the programs and ensures they align with the Republican President's priorities.
Slashing the size of the federal workforce
Trump has ordered federal employees to return to work full-time in the office and that agencies take action to stop remote working arrangements.
He announced a hiring freeze for federal jobs, with the exception of military, immigration enforcement and national security, as well as public safety.
He reinstated the Schedule F executive orders he issued during his first term. These would have stripped tens or thousands of federal workers of their employment protections, and made them more easily fired.
GOVERNMENT DIVERSITY AND GENDER ISSUES
Trump signed an executive order calling for the elimination government diversity programs. This includes all federal jobs and offices related to diversity and equity.
All federal DEI offices were facing closure, so the Trump administration paid all staff in their offices a leave of absence.
The order instructs the administration review which federal contractors provided DEI materials to government agencies, and revokes Equal Employment Opportunity order that was signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965.
He signed an official order that "recognizes two sexes - male and female" in documents. The order said that "these sexes cannot be changed and are based on fundamental and undisputed reality."
Trump ordered agencies to stop using pronouns based on gender identity or preferred pronouns.
STEPS TOWARDS A TRAVEL BANN?
Trump signed an executive order setting a 60-day period for State, Justice and Homeland Security officials to identify countries with screening and vetting processes "so inadequate as to warrant partial or complete suspension of admissions to nationals from these countries."
U.S. civil right groups
You can also read about the warnings below.
The order lays down the foundation for a reinstatement of the ban on travel from countries with a majority of Muslims or Arabs.
EXPANDING Energy Production
Trump declared an energy emergency in order to increase energy production, eliminate regulations and to end rules that were aimed at accelerating the transition to electric cars.
He signed an order promoting oil and natural gas development in Alaska. This reversed Biden's attempts to protect Arctic lands, U.S. coast waters, and offshore wind lease sales. It also lifted a ban on the export of liquid natural gas.
PARIS CLIMATE PACT
Trump ordered that the U.S. withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement, putting the U.S. outside of the global pact intended to push nations to combat climate change. Trump had taken the same step in his first term. Biden then reversed that decision.
Withdrawal from the World Health Organization
Trump has ordered his administration begin the withdrawal process from the World Health Organization. He said the global health agency mishandled COVID-19 and other international health emergencies.
JAN. 6 PARDONS
Trump pardoned around 1,500 of his followers who attacked the U.S. Capitol in 2004. The vast majority of those convicted were involved in the riot. The pardoned individuals included the leaders of far-right groups Oath Keepers, and Proud Boys.
TIKTOK AND DOG
Trump signed an executive directive to delay for 75 days the implementation of a ban on popular short-video application TikTok, which was scheduled to close down on January 19.
The Department of Government Efficiency was created by him to make drastic cuts in the U.S. Government. This group immediately drew lawsuits against its operation. (Reporting and editing by Tim Reid in Washington and Jeff Mason; Deepa Babington, Ross Colvin and Colleen Jenkins)
(source: Reuters)