Latest News
-
Iran and UN nuclear watchdog come to an agreement on cooperation
Iran and UN nuclear watchdog IAEA reached an agreement about the resumed cooperation, Iranian Foreign Ministry Abbas Araqchi stated in a Tuesday statement. He warned that the implementation of UN sanctions against Iran would mean the termination of the "practical measures" detailed in the deal. Since the United States and Israel bombarded Iran's nuclear facilities in June, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been denied access to its key nuclear installations. Iran adopted a law following the attacks that suspended cooperation with IAEA, and said any inspections would have to be approved by the Supreme National Security Council. "I conducted the final round to reach an agreement on how to implement Iran’s safeguards obligations, in light of illegal actions taken against Iran’s nuclear facilities. We were successful in achieving this." In a statement released by the state media, Araqchi stated: In a Tuesday post on X, U.N. Nuclear Watchdog Chief Rafael Grossi called the agreement "an important step towards the right direction". Grossi wrote in his blog: "In Cairo, we agreed with Iran's foreign minister... on practical modalities for resuming inspection activities in Iran". The Iranian Foreign Minister said that the agreement signed on Tuesday in Cairo fully complies to the law passed by Iran’s parliament following the US and Israeli attack. Araqchi stated that the agreement creates a practical method of cooperation which reflects Iran's "exceptional circumstances in security" as well as the technical requirements of the agency. The talks take place in the context of Europe's three top powers initiating a 30-day process to reimpose sanctions against Iran on August 28. The restrictions were lifted as part of a 2015 deal between Iran, major powers and the United States. However, it unraveled after President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from that agreement in 2018. The E3 (France, Britain, and Germany) have stated that they will reimpose sanctions in the "snapback process" unless the IAEA resumes full inspections of Iran and Tehran accounts for the large stock of near weapons-grade uranium, and resumes talks with the United States. "I want to emphasize that if Iran is attacked, and the UN Security Council Resolutions are reinstated, Iran will regard these steps as complete. ", Araqchi said. (Reporting and editing by Elwely Elwelly, Francois Murphy and Chris Reese; Alistair Bell and Chris Reese)
-
MAHA Report on US Children's Health Targets Food and Drug Marketing
In its second report, released on Tuesday, the Commission "Make America Health Again" said that it will tackle what is perceived as an epidemic among American children. It has called for changes, such as full-fat dairy in cafeterias, and to limit marketing of drugs and food. The commission was established by Donald Trump via an executive order, and is led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. a longtime anti-vaccine activist. It builds on the findings of a commission report from May. This report linked the rising rates of childhood diabetes, obesity, autism and ADHD to processed foods, overprescriptions of medications, and vaccinations. The report also alarms food industry groups by pointing out pesticides such as glyphosate - a key ingredient in weedkillers that has been the subject of thousands lawsuits - as a possible health risk. Sources first received drafts of the latest strategy document in early August. It calls for changes to school meals, including full-fat dairy products, and suggests investigating vaccines and prescription drug safety. The report does not recommend any changes to the U.S. approval or regulatory process for agrochemicals, which is a major demand from some MAHA activists. The report states that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will instead work to increase public confidence in their pesticide review processes and reform their agrochemical approval processes to ensure "timely availability" of these chemicals to farmers. Last month, health advocates and other experts stated that the draft recommendations lack scientific basis and do not address the true causes of poor child health. The report calls on increased federal oversight and enforcement for direct-to consumer prescription drug advertising. It places a particular focus on violations that involve children, social media and telehealth. In order to combat misleading marketing, the report proposes to explore new guidelines that limit direct advertising to children of unhealthy food. The Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Agriculture should work together with restaurants to raise awareness and educate children about healthy foods that are age-appropriate. Peter Lurie of the Center for Science in the Public Interest told the media ahead of the publication of the report that "the topics (Kennedy), wishes to focus on are not the main causes of chronic diseases and many are missing (tobacco reduction, alcohol reduction, sodium reduction, sugar reduction)." The contents of the previous report had also been criticized by industry groups. After the release of the MAHA Commission's first report, more than 250 groups representing farmers and ranchers as well as agrochemical firms called for greater participation in the activities of the Commission. In response, the White House held meetings with farm and food groups during the summer. Kennedy stated during a Senate Hearing last week that HHS met with 140 agricultural interests in the last three months. He said, "We consult every stakeholder within the farming community on everything we do." Focus on Nutrition, Not Regulation The report suggests that some meat-processing plants and farms should loosen their water discharge standards and other pollution standards. The report includes a number of policy recommendations, including the creation of a National Institutes of Health Chronic Disease Task Force and a government-defined definition of "ultraprocessed foods." It also proposes restrictions on artificial food dyes that, according to a May report, were potentially associated with autism. However, this was not backed up by any evidence. Kennedy has in the past promoted debunked claims that vaccines cause autism. This area is a controversial one. The report recommended that the EPA work with Agriculture Department in order to promote precision pesticide applications with the goal of reducing the overall use of pesticides. However, it did not recommend any regulatory action. In the report, it was recommended that the EPA, USDA and NIH collaborate to develop a framework for studying cumulative chemical exposures. This includes pesticides. The report recommends using advanced methods that use human-relevant models in research. Pesticides have exposed a growing divide between MAHA activists, and Republican politicians who are closely linked to the agriculture industry. In August, hundreds sent a protest letter to the White House against a proposal by Congress that would shield manufacturers of pesticides and "forever chemicals" from lawsuits. Reporting by Ahmed Aboulenein in Washington and Leah Douglas, Renee Hickman and Waylon Cunningham from Chicago and New York. Editing by Caroline Humer & Bill Berkrot.
-
Bolsonaro is called the leader of a coup attempt by Brazilian Supreme Court Justice
Brazilian As he cast his first vote in the last phase of Jair Bolsonaro's trial, Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes labelled the former president as the leader of a group of criminals that attempted to overturn 2022 elections. Bolsonaro will be sentenced within a few days for orchestrating a coup attempt to stay in power following his defeat by Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva, formerly the leftist president, after he lost the 2022 presidential election. The charges are the result of a massive investigation which has revealed alleged plots. These include plans to assassinate Moraes who presided over the 2022 elections, and is now in charge of the coup trials. Bolsonaro is accused of being a member of an armed criminal group, trying to violently eliminate democracy, organizing a military coup, damaging government property, and protecting cultural assets. His lawyers maintain his innocence in all cases. Bolsonaro is accused of inciting riots when he allegedly incited thousands of his supporters to storm and destroy the Congress, the presidential palace and the Supreme Court of Brasilia in the capital of the country in January 2023. Moraes, the first of five members in a panel of justices to start public deliberations Monday, was the member who began it. He said that the crimes alleged had been acknowledged by the high courts in previous rulings, and the task now is to find the perpetrators. Moraes stated that "there is no doubt" that an attempt was made to eliminate the democratic rule-of-law, that a coup was attempted, and there was a criminal group that damaged public property. Moraes' role in the case made him a targeted by Bolsonaro allies. This included U.S. president Donald Trump and his government, who imposed sanctions against the judge and imposed 50% tariffs on Brazilian imports into the U.S. After Moraes is expected to vote Justice Flavio Dino. He was Lula's former Justice Minister. Luiz Fux will follow him, followed by Carmen Lucia and Cristiano Zánin, an ex-attorney for Lula, who preside over the panel. The panel does not include two Supreme Court Justices who were appointed by Bolsonaro. The verdict is expected to be announced by the end this week. Bolsonaro could face a sentence of over 40 years if convicted. However, the maximum prison term in Brazil is 40 years. Bolsonaro may be able to avoid the full sentence even if convicted. His supporters, who are already barred from him running for office before 2030, hope that a future president will grant a pardon. Sao Paulo Governor Tarcisio de Freitas The former Bolsonaro cabinet member, who pushed Congress to grant amnesty to the ex-president last week, was seen by many as positioning the Governor as the heir apparent to Bolsonaro’s coalition for next year’s elections. (Reporting and writing by Ricardo Brito, Brendan O'Boyle and Isabel Teles; editing by Sharon Singleton Brad Haynes and Paul Simao).
-
EIA: US natgas production and demand will reach record highs by 2025, before declining in 2026
The U.S. Energy Information Administration released its Short-Term Energy Outlook Tuesday, predicting that the U.S. Natural Gas Production and Demand will both reach record highs by 2025 before declining in 2026. EIA predicted that dry gas production would rise from 103.2 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) in 2024 to a record 106.6 bcfd by 2025, before slipping to 106.0 bcfd by 2026. This compares to a record of 103.6 bcfd for 2023. The agency also predicted that domestic gas consumption will rise from 90.5 bcfd, a record in 2024, to 91.5bcfd by 2025. It then eases to 91.4bcfd by 2026. The EIA forecasts for August 2025 for production and demand were lower than the September projections. EIA expects falling oil prices and rising gas prices in 2026. This should result in crude oil's lowest premium over gas since 2005. The agency expects that drilling activities in the U.S. will be centered more in regions with high gas production in 2026. The agency predicted that average U.S. LNG exports will rise to 16.3 bcfd by 2026, from 11.9 bcfd at the record level in 2024. The EIA predicted that U.S. coal output would increase from 512.1 million short tonnes in 2024 (the lowest since 1964) to 521.9 millions tons in 2020, before dropping to 492.5 millions tons in 2030, the lowest level since 1963. EIA predicted that carbon dioxide (CO2) emission from fossil fuels will rise from a low of 4,777 billion metric tonnes in 2024, to 4.849 in 2025, as oil, gas and coal use increase, before decreasing to 4.826 in 2026, as oil and coal usage decline. (Reporting and editing by Mark Porter, David Gregorio and Scott DiSavino)
-
EU split over climate target, deal next week in doubt, draft shows
The latest compromise proposal from the European Union showed that there is a split among member states over how ambitious they want to be with their new climate target. This puts into question plans to reach a deal by next week. EU countries are currently negotiating a legally-binding 2040 climate change goal, which their ministers were planning to approve on a September 18 summit. This move is intended to reaffirm EU commitment to fighting climate change in advance of this year's U.N. global climate negotiations at the COP30. France, Poland, and the Czech Republic, for example, want to postpone the agreement and escalate the discussions to the government leaders. Climate change has caused Europe to become the fastest-warming continental in the world, unleashing deadly fires and heat. But the target has stoked tensions between governments over how much they should invest on global warming while also trying to increase defense spending and support struggling industry. The latest compromise proposal from the member countries shows that governments are divided on how much of the emission target can be achieved by purchasing foreign carbon credits, which would reduce the effort required by European industries. The document, which was dated 9 September and seen by, stated that "the level, timing, and conditions of international carbon credit contributions to the 2040 goal, require political discussions." The ambassadors of EU countries will discuss this on Friday. Overall, the goal would be to reduce net EU greenhouse gas emission by 90% from 1990 levels by 2040. A portion of this could be covered by purchasing foreign carbon credits. In 2036, the Commission proposed that countries purchase credits to cover 3% each of their 2040 emission target. In the compromise proposal these numbers are now surrounded by brackets, which indicates that countries have not agreed on them. Document was written by Denmark which currently holds the rotating EU presidency. A spokesperson for Denmark’s EU presidency stated that it had spoken with each EU member state before writing the compromise. They are still trying to reach an agreement next week. If the EU fails to reach a deal by next week, it could miss the mid-September deadline for submitting new climate plans to U.N. in time for the global COP Climate Summit in November. The draft also showed that other changes to the proposal will give countries more assurances about the EU's future green policies and their impact on industry when they are designed.
-
Gold rallies to a new record high on U.S. interest rate cuts and Fed tension
Gold reached a record-high above $3,600 per ounce on February 2, fueled by investors' and central bankers' demand and expectations of U.S. interest rate cuts. Gold spot was trading at around $3,637.39 per troy ounce by 1524 GMT, a rise of over 38% this year. Analysts predict that gold will trade between $3,600 and $3900 in the short to medium term. They also expect it to reach $4,000 in 2019 if geopolitical and economic uncertainties continue. In a survey published in July, analysts predicted that gold prices would average $3,220 an ounce this year, compared to $3,065 per ounce in April and $2,756 per ounce in January. Ricardo Evangelista is a senior analyst at ActivTrades. He said that the dollar's bearish outlook, based on expectations of Fed cutbacks, investors' distancing themselves from U.S. investments, and tariff-related uncertainty, supports gold. Since President Donald Trump returned in January, the dollar has dropped by nearly 11%. The expectation of more rate cuts in the U.S. will further weaken the U.S. dollar, which makes gold denominated in dollars cheaper for holders of foreign currencies. According to CME Group's FedWatch, traders see a 92% probability of a rate cut of 25 basis points in September at the Fed meeting. Trump's criticisms of Powell, and his attempts to remove Lisa Cook as Governor have raised concerns about the Fed's autonomy and led to further gold purchases. Carsten Menke, Julius Baer's analyst, said: "The most bullish factor is...potential interference with the U.S. Federal Reserve as well as concerns over the dollar's position as a safe haven." Security concerns from the Middle East, as well as between Russia and Ukraine, are also factors that have boosted gold's appeal. Gold purchases by central banks, such as China's, have also boosted gold prices. The World Gold Council reports that central banks are planning to increase the gold portion in their reserves, while decreasing dollar reserves, over the next five-year period. Exchange traded gold funds that are backed by physical gold have also seen significant increases in assets. The SPDR Gold Trust is the largest physical gold exchange traded fund in the world. Its holdings rose to 990.56 tonnes on September 2, a 12% rise so far this season and the highest since August 2022.
-
Trump EPA wants to accelerate AI infrastructure permits
The Environmental Protection Agency proposed on Tuesday new measures to speed up the construction of infrastructure required for rapid building of data centers in artificial intelligence. This would allow companies to begin building before obtaining an air permit. The proposal comes just six months after the EPA launched an initiative called Powering the Great American Comeback, which emphasized the agency's priority on quickly building power generation in order to meet the soaring demands from data centers. Lee Zeldin, EPA Administrator, said: "Clean Air Act permits have been a barrier to innovation and growth for years." "We will continue to fix this broken process." The EPA proposal redefines the pre-construction requirements of power plants, manufacturing and other infrastructure. This will allow companies to begin some construction without regard to air emission before obtaining Clean Air Act permits. The Trump administration is focused on winning the race for rapid development and scaling-up of AI throughout the nation. It has already launched an executive action package aimed at increasing energy supply in order to fuel its expansion. The United States and China, two of the world's most powerful economic rivals, are engaged in a technology arms race for an economic and a military advantage. AI's massive data processing requires an increase in energy supplies, which is straining many utilities and grids. New Source Review Program of the Clean Air Act will not permit construction of major installations before they have obtained air permits. The EPA, under the Trump administration has taken what it describes as the biggest deregulatory action in its decades-long history. This includes a move that would repeal the scientific and law foundations for regulating greenhouse gases, which most scientists and ecologists agree are driving climate change. (Reporting and Editing by Bill Berkrot.)
-
Reactions to Israel's attack against Hamas leaders Qatar
Israel attacked the Hamas leadership in Qatar, where this Palestinian Islamist group had long been based. Here are some comments from state and national leaders in response. ISRAELI PREMIER MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU "Today's operation against top terrorist leaders of Hamas is a completely independent Israeli operation. Israel is fully responsible for the event, as it was Israel who initiated, conducted and conducted it. "Qatar condemns the cowardly Israeli assault that targeted the residential buildings in Doha, the Qatari capital where several members of Hamas' Political Bureau resided." This criminal attack is a flagrant violation of international law and norms and poses a grave threat to the safety and security of Qataris. Majed al Ansari, spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry, said on X that "While Qatar condemns the attack, it confirms it will not accept this reckless Israeli behavior and the disruption of regional stability, nor any acts that target its security or sovereignty." UNITED NATIONS SECRETAIRE-GENERAL ANTONIO GUTERRES Israel's strikes violate Qatar's sovereignty and territorial integrity in a flagrant manner. Guterres said that all parties should work to achieve a ceasefire permanent, and not destroy it. POPE LEO Israel's recent attack on Hamas leaders in Qatar is a very serious matter. Leo told ANSA that the situation was very serious outside of Castel Gandolfo - the papal summer residence. SAUDI ARABIA Saudi Arabia denounces the Israeli aggression in the strongest possible terms and condemns the flagrant violation to the sovereignty of Qatar, a sisterly state. The Foreign Ministry warned of "the dire consequences that will result from Israel's persistent criminal violations of international law, and its flagrant violation of all international norms and principles." LEBANESE PRESIDENT, JOSEPH AOUUN It is part of a series of Israeli aggressions that demonstrate Israel's determination to attack all efforts to achieve security and stability in the region. IRAN'S FOREIGN MINISTRY Iranian media reported that the spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry said Israel's attacks on Hamas officials were 'dangerous,' and violated international law. UAE FOREIGN MODERATION The United Arab Emirates condemn the "blatantly cowardly" Israeli attacks on Qatar. This is a dangerous escalation which violates international law as well as the sovereignty of another Gulf state. In a recent statement, UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan stated that the UAE is fully in solidarity with Qatar. The UAE also supports all efforts to ensure its security. Turkey The Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying that Israel's targeting of Hamas's negotiating team while ceasefire negotiations continue is a sign that it does not want peace but instead wants to continue the war. This situation is a clear indication that Israel's expansionist policies in the Middle East and its terrorism policy are a part of their state policy.
Australia, NZ more cautious on China as Premier Li gos to
Regional security concerns will eclipse profitable trade ties when China's. Premier Li Qiang gos to New Zealand and Australia today,. with the mood considerably various from the last Chinese premier's. check out 7 years back.
Li arrives in New Zealand on Thursday, before taking a trip to. Australia at the weekend, China's foreign ministry stated.
Australia is the top supplier of iron ore to China, its. biggest trading partner, however there is competition for. Australia's rare earths required for electrical vehicles and defence. from Western security allies.
New Zealand was the very first Western nation to strike a free. trade arrangement with China in 2008, and China remains its. biggest export market for milk and agriculture items, with. two-way trade of nearly NZ$ 38 billion ($ 23 billion).
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon stated Li's see. was an opportunity for businesses to strike deals, and there was. enormous areas of cooperation with China, especially in the. locations of trade, energy, environment modification.
Differences would also be talked about, he added.
When a moderate voice on China, New Zealand has actually toughened. its stance, this year calling out Beijing for hacking the. country's parliament and keeping in mind the growing threat China postures. to security in the Pacific.
Since 2017, the relationship has moved from one which was. mainly concentrated on opportunity to one that is also concerned. about durability and over-dependency, stated Jason Young,. director of the New Zealand Contemporary China Research Study. Centre at Victoria University.
China's ambassador, Wang Xiaolong, last month told a China. Organization Summit in Auckand that Beijing was not a hazard,. warning versus groundless allegations, which would deteriorate. the valuable trust we have actually developed.
PANDA DIPLOMACY
In Australia, Li initially checks out the city of Adelaide, where a. panda set are because of go back to China however locals are. anticipating their stay to be extended or replacements to be. sent out.
The panda diplomacy, and lunch with wine exporters up until. recently locked out of the Chinese market, will smooth over a. political conflict that saw A$ 20 billion ($ 13 billion) in. Australian farming and mineral exports suspended by Beijing. between 2020 and last year.
A poll launched on Wednesday by the Australia China. Relations Institute in Sydney showed the fallout of the trade. blocks was deep public skepticism: 74% stated Australia was too. economically reliant on China, and 71% saw Beijing as a security. risk.
Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has stated Li's. go to reveals ties had actually stabilised, even as the 2 countries complete. for impact in the Pacific, and defence force encounters are. tense.
Australia and China will sit down in Canberra with a more. sensible attitude of what they have in common, stated Richard. McGregor, Lowy Institute senior fellow for East Asia.
China still sees worth in Australia as a dependable supplier. of products and they are especially eager to head off any. efforts to restrict their access to vital minerals, from unusual. earths to lithium, he said.
While China was Australia's biggest client and an early. financier in its mining sector, the U.S., Japan and Europe are. catching up and now desire Canberra to limit Chinese. financial investment, he stated.
But how do you cut off your most significant customer? And will. Australia's good friends offset the lost income and investment?
In Western Australia, Li is expected to explore Chinese business. Tianqi Lithium's processing plant, and Australian. mining and energy business Fortescue.
In an opinion post published in The Australian on. Wednesday, Albanese highlighted both the importance of trade. with China and his federal government's ambition to deal with global. demand for critical minerals with a made in Australia policy.
As more nations draw a specific link in between their. financial security and their nationwide security, we will guarantee. Australia's foreign financial investment framework is more effective and. transparent and more reliable at managing danger, he composed.
Business Person Warwick Smith, who will attend a company. leaders roundtable with Li and Albanese in Western Australia,. said China was likely to raise Australia's screening of foreign. financial investment, especially uncommon earths, as a problem where it. desired collaboration.
Australia China Business Council president David Olsson stated. the council expects China's staying trade restriction, on seafood, to. be raised, and also hoped for an easing of visas.
There is a real need for Australian businesspeople to. reconnect and refresh their relationships in China, he said.
(source: Reuters)