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Gold prices rise as US tariffs and shutdown uncertainty boost demand
Gold prices rose on Thursday due to a weaker US dollar, a renewed demand for safe-haven assets and concerns about a long U.S. shutdown as well as uncertainty regarding tariffs. By 1:40 pm, spot gold had risen 0.2% to $3,989.91 an ounce. ET (1840 GMT). U.S. Gold Futures for December Delivery settled at $3.991 with little change. Dollar fell by 0.5%, after reaching a four-month peak in the previous session. This made gold more affordable for foreign buyers. Peter Grant, senior metals analyst at Zaner Metals and vice president, said that the U.S. shutdown of government and the doubts of U.S. Supreme Court Justices about the legality President Donald Trump's sweeping Tariffs are causing a "revival of the haven bid". "Gold is on track to have a decent end to the year. I would say that a target of $4,300-$4,400/oz seems reasonable." Markets expect another rate cut in December, after the U.S. Federal Reserve lowered interest rates last week for the second consecutive time this year. Beth Hammack, President of the Fed Bank of Cleveland, said that on Thursday high inflation rates continue to be a concern. The following are some examples of the use of The U.S. Central Bank has cut interest rates once again. Gold is a good hedge in times of uncertainty. Gold is a non-yielding investment that also performs well in environments with low interest rates. Traders are cautious and watching out for the fallout of U.S. president Donald Trump's policies on trade as well as risks associated with a prolonged U.S. shutdown. SP Angel wrote in a report that it would be surprising if gold remained rangebound at $4,000/oz, as speculative money exits the market. Central bank purchases will remain the main positive tailwind for gold going forward. Other than that, silver spot rose 0.3%, to $48.22 an ounce. Platinum was down 1.8%, at $1,533.93, while palladium dropped 2.7%, to $1,381.18. (Reporting from Noel John in Bengaluru and Pablo Sinha, with additional reporting by Kavya Baliaraman. Editing by Sahal Muhammad and Tasimzahid.
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Norway invests about $3 billion into forest conservation fund
The Norwegian government announced on Thursday that it would contribute around $3 billion to the Tropical Forests Forever Facility. This multilateral fund is intended to support the global conservation of endangered forest. The largest donation announced to date for the new fund proposed in Brazil by the summit's host is this first-reported gift. In a statement, the Norwegian government confirmed that it will contribute up to 30 billion crowns (2.99 billion dollars) to the fund by 2035. The fund aims to use contributions from government to raise more private funding. Brazil and Indonesia each contributed $1 billion to the fund. Fernando Haddad, the Brazilian Finance Minister, said that he believes $10 billion in public money is an ambitious but achievable target for the first year of the fund. The TFFF is envisioned by policymakers as a $125 billion fund that combines contributions from the private and sovereign sectors. It would be administered like an endowment. Countries would receive annual stipends based upon how much of their rainforests remain standing.
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What are the world leaders saying in Brazil at the climate summit?
Brazil will host world leaders at a summit in Belem, a rainforest city, on Thursday before the COP30 Climate Conference. What the leaders have to say U.N. SECRETAIRE-GENERAL ANTONIO GUTERRES We can either choose to lead or we can be led into ruin. "Too many companies are making record profits by destroying the climate, while spending billions on lobbying and deceiving public opinion and obstructing advancement. And too many leaders continue to be captives of these entrenched interest." BRAZILIAN PRESIDENT LUIZ INACIO LULA DA SILVA We need a road map to plan an equitable way to undo the deforestation and overcome fossil fuels, as well as mobilize resources to achieve these goals. "Extremists invent lies to gain electoral advantage and imprison the future generation in an old model that perpetuates economic and social disparities, and environmental degradation." CHINA VICE-PRESIDENT DING XUEXIANG VIA TRANSLATOR "It's imperative that all parties uphold true multilateralism and strengthen coordination and solidarity in order to make sustainable progress on global climate governance. We need to improve international collaboration in green technology and the industry. Remove trade barriers, and allow the free flow quality green products. BRITAIN'S PRINCE WILLIAM "We are gathered here, in the Amazon, at a pivotal time in human history. A moment that requires courage, cooperation, and an unwavering commitment for the future of our planet, one that does not belong to us but to our grandchildren and children. We all know that we are dangerously close to Earth's tipping points. Beyond these thresholds, the natural systems on which we depend may start to unravel. TRANSLATOR: CHILE'S President GABRIEL BORIC "These are the times when voices are rising to deny or ignore the scientific evidence about the climate crisis. "The President said that the climate crisis does not exist at the U.N. "The President of the United States at the last U.N. ESWATINI PRIME MINISTER DLAMINI RUSSELL Collaboration is vital. We must actually go beyond just collaboration and increase our ambition, aligning ourselves with scientifically-determined emission reduction targets. "For Africa, this struggle isn't about environmental policy. It's about justice and survival. Africa is responsible for less than 4% global greenhouse gas emissions. "Yet we suffer the most severe consequences." IRISH PRIME MINISTER MICHEAL MARTIN Belem has fewer people. "At a moment when leadership in politics is more important than ever, we are fewer. Fewer leaders willing to say it like it is. Climate change is irrefutable. Science is unquestionable. The clock is ticking, temperatures are rising. We are failing our citizens and the planet in a profound way if we don't tell them the truth. (Reporting and editing by Nia Williams; William James)
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Sudan's RSF accepts US proposal for humanitarian cessation of fire
The Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces have agreed to the United States' and Arab countries' proposal for a humanitarian truce and are open to discussions on a cessation in hostilities. Both the RSF and the Sudanese army have agreed to various ceasefire proposals during their two-and-a-half-year-old war, though none have succeeded. The administration of U.S. president Donald Trump has stated that it is working to end fighting in Sudan. The Sudanese Army did not respond immediately to the announcement. It comes less than two week after the RSF had taken over the famine-stricken town of al-Fashir and consolidated its control of the vast western region of Darfur. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) also look forward to implementing this agreement and starting discussions immediately on arrangements for the cessation and the basic principles that guide the political process in Sudan." An RSF statement stated. The army-led Security and Defense Council held a meeting earlier this week but failed to give a definitive response to the proposal. However, influential leaders and allies in the army expressed their disapproval. A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department said on Thursday that the United States continue to work directly with all parties to facilitate an humanitarian truce. The spokesperson stated that "we urge both sides to respond to the U.S. led effort to conclude an humanitarian truce given the urgency to de-escalate the violence and end the suffering of Sudanese citizens." In September, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as well as Egypt, called for a three month humanitarian truce to be followed up by a permanent ceasefire in Sudan. Witnesses claim that the RSF abducted and killed civilians both during and after their capture of al-Fashir. This includes summary executions. The leader of the group called for all fighters to protect civilians, and warned that any violations will be prosecuted. In April 2023, the war between the Sudanese Army and the RSF broke out when the forces clashed about plans to integrate forces. The conflict in Sudan has caused a devastation that has killed tens and thousands of people. Hunger has spread throughout the country, and millions have been displaced. Reporting by Khalid Abdelaziz, Nafisa eltahir and Daphne Psaledakis; Additional reporting in Washington by Enas alashray; Editing and writing by Alex Richardson; Aidan Lewis; and Diane Craft
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Report: Power supply issues slow EMEA data center rollout
A Savills report found that data centre capacity growth in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa has slowed since 2025 compared to last year's same period, despite a surge in demand. This is due to a lack available power, which delays project timelines. Since ChatGPT's release in late 2022 the global data centre demand has risen and projects are being planned. Investors and governments have bet that generative artificial intelligent will revolutionise how we all work and live. The demand for electricity to power these centres has increased. Savills, a global provider of real estate services, reported that since January, new data centres have added 850 megawatts of power, which is 11% less than the same period in 2024. Megawatts are the main metric for sizing a data centre. This is the maximum power that a data center can provide to its servers, cooling systems and other infrastructure. Savills reported that overall data centre capacity has increased by 12% to 11,400 MW, from 10,140MW a year ago. The report stated that the decline in power delivered year-to date is largely due to persistent energy supply constraints which have delayed projects, and not because of a decrease in demand for data centers. Savills stated that the demand for these centres continues to surge, resulting in an imbalance and a restricted supply of power. The actual amount of new capacity that was occupied fell to just 845 megawatts. This is only half the power capacity leased by 2024. The figures include also pre-lets, which are leases for future data centers. The total contracted power capacity, which includes both the live and future contracted capacity, grew by 12% on an annual basis to 14,500MW. This shows a strong under-demand. In the third quarter 2025, 91% all data center capacity was leased. This is up from 87% during the same quarter in 2022. This also reflects a strong demand. (Reporting and editing by Amanda Cooper, Emelia Sithole Matarise and Lucy Raitano)
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Sterling rises as BoE rates remain unchanged, but stocks drop due to tech shares
The major stock indexes dropped sharply Thursday. Consumer discretionary and technology shares led the losses in the S&P 500. Meanwhile, the British pound strengthened after the Bank of England decided against a rate cut. The shares of U.S.-based chipmaker Qualcomm fell more than 4% following Warning Samsung's future gadgets may not have as many chips as they used to. Shares Legrand's stock dropped after the French data center equipment company reported sales growth in the first nine month of the year of 11.9%, which was slightly below expectations and hit by U.S. Tariffs. The last change in the sterling was 0.37%, at $1.3097. The BoE Monetary Policy Committee, in anticipation of possible tax increases in UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves budget due later this month (later this month), voted by 5 to 4 to maintain the Bank Rate benchmark at 4.0%. The vote was close, but expectations of a reduction before the end of the year were not affected. Investors on Wall Street continue to focus their attention on the U.S. shutdown, the trade tariff rulings and the slew corporate earnings. This earnings season will not be defined by the past. "The market is looking for guidance, and with tariffs, shutdown, and possible peak AI (artificial Intelligence), the future may be bleak," stated Jake Dollarhide. He is the chief executive officer at Longbow Asset Management, located in Tulsa. Some U.S. Bank Chief Executives spoke out against the proposed tax on financial services. You can also read about the warnings below. What to expect from a possible market decline. Investors digested a Challenger, Gray & Christmas report that revealed employers in the United States cut more than 150.000 jobs in October, marking this month's largest reduction in over 20 years. Investors have been attracted to private economic data in the absence of official statistics during the longest government shutdown ever experienced by the United States. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 373.08 or 0.79% to 46,937.92. The S&P 500 fell 63.56 or 0.94% to 6,732.73, and the Nasdaq Composite declined 363.84 or 1.56% to 23,135.95. The MSCI index of global stocks fell by 4.87 points or 0.49% to 903.02. The STOXX 600 Index fell by 0.73%. Overnight, Japan's Nikkei rebounded 1.4% after sliding 2.5% on Wednesday. Shanghai's benchmark index, which is a psychologically significant level of 4,000, regained the level after optimism about tech self-sufficiency drove its semiconductor and AI related shares. The dollar dropped after weak U.S. employment data raised market expectations that the Federal Reserve would cut rates again this year. The dollar index (which measures the greenback in relation to a basket of currencies, including the yen, the euro and others) fell by 0.28%, while the euro rose 0.36%, reaching $1.1532. The dollar fell 0.64% against the yen to 153.12. After the BoE's decision, yields on euro zone benchmark Bunds fell from their previous four-week high. Germany's 10-year bond yields are down by 2 basis points at 2.65%, after reaching 2.676% in the early session. This is the highest level seen since October 10. Investors are concerned about the U.S. labor market, and the uncertainty caused by the government shutdown. The yield on the benchmark 10-year U.S. note fell by 6.4 basis points, to 4.093% from 4.157% at late Wednesday. U.S. crude fell 0.69% to $59.18 per barrel while Brent dropped to $63.19 a barrel, down by 0.52% for the day.
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ArcelorMittal CFO: ArcelorMittal is ready to capture EU Market Share from Lower Steel Imports
ArcelorMittal can capture a part of the market void caused by lower imports, once the EU steel quotas are implemented. This was the Chief Financial Officer GenuinoChristino's statement on Thursday. Christino told analysts that he did not see any problem in capturing that portion of the market. In October, the European Commission proposed a reduction of almost half in tariff-free import quotas for steel and a 50% tax on excess shipments. This was done to maintain viable steelmaking within the European Union. However, it is not yet clear when these new measures will be implemented. Christino stated that the current measures will expire on June 20, 2026. ArcelorMittal, however, expects that the European Parliament and Council recognize the "urgency of the issue" and assist in implementing it as quickly as possible. The second-largest steelmaker in the world reported an improved third-quarter profit on Thursday, helped by a solid performance in Europe. It also gave a positive outlook to 2026.
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What are the world leaders saying in Brazil at the climate summit?
Brazil will host world leaders at a summit in Belem, a rainforest city, on Thursday before the COP30 Climate Conference. What the leaders have to say U.N. SECRETAIRE-GENERAL ANTONIO GUTERRES We can either choose to lead or we can be led into ruin. "Too many companies are making record profits by destroying the climate, while spending billions on lobbying and deceiving public opinion and obstructing advancement. And too many leaders continue to be captive to these entrenched interest." BRAZILIAN PRESIDENT LUIZ INACIO LULA DA SILVA We need a road map to plan an equitable way to undo the deforestation and overcome fossil fuels, as well as mobilize resources to achieve these goals. "Extremists invent lies to gain electoral advantage and imprison the future generation in a model that is outdated and perpetuates social and economical disparities, environmental degradation and other forms of injustice." CHINA VICE-PRESIDENT DING XUEXIANG VIA TRANSLATOR "It's imperative that all parties uphold true multilateralism and strengthen coordination and solidarity in order to make sustainable progress on global climate governance. We need to improve international collaboration in green technology and the industry. Remove trade barriers, and allow the free flow quality green products. BRITAIN'S PRINCE WILLIAM "We are gathered here, in the Amazon, at a pivotal time in human history. A moment that requires courage, cooperation, and an unwavering commitment for the future of our planet, one that does not belong to us but to our grandchildren and children. We all know that we are dangerously close to Earth's tipping points. Beyond these thresholds, the natural systems on which we depend may start to unravel. TRANSLATOR: CHILE'S President GABRIEL BORIC "Now is the time when voices are raising that decide to ignore or deny scientific evidence about the climate crisis. "The President said that the climate crisis does not exist at the U.N. "The President of the United States at the last U.N.
Business invest in EV battery factories in Europe
Europe is looking for to draw in electric lorry (EV) battery makers to build factories in the area home to carmakers such as Volkswagen and Stellantis as it tries to cut reliance on Asia and win a green aids race with the United States.
Below is an introduction, including by nation listing those operating and those prepared:
PREPARED FACTORIES IN EUROPE
* Automotive Cells Company (ACC) - a JV of Stellantis, Mercedes Benz and TotalEnergies - protected
funding
worth 4.4 billion euros ($ 4.76 billion) in February as it
plans
to spend over 7 billion euros on 3 gigafactories in Europe with a capacity of 40 GWh each by 2030.
* Stellantis intends to build a
plant
to produce lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries in Europe as part of a planned joint venture with Chinese EV battery giant CATL. CEO Carlos Tavares said in January the group was in talks with the Spanish federal government to secure subsidies to build a gigafactory in the nation.
BY COUNTRY
BELGIUM
PLANNED
* SENEFFE-MANAGE: Avesta Battery and Energy Engineering anticipates its 40-million-euro plant to be fully functional before 2030, with capacity of 3 GWh.
BRITAIN
PLANNED
* COVENTRY: The West Midlands Gigafactory JV stated in October it was in innovative talks with a number of Asian battery makers about financial investment at the website, following Coventry's approval for a. potential plant. The pitch includes 60 GWh output with. production start in 2025.
* SOMERSET: India's Tata Group will construct a. 4-billion-pound ($ 5 billion) gigafactory to provide its Jaguar. Land Rover factories. The plant will have preliminary output of 40. GWh, with production starting in 2026.
* SUNDERLAND: China's Envision is developing a factory near. Nissan's plant, with production to start in 2025 and. capability of 12 GWh.
* N/A: Nanotech Energy is investigating seven websites in the. UK as a last location for a prepared 1-billion-pound factory.
CZECHIA
OPERATING
* HORNÌ SUCHÀ: MES targets output of 15 GWh at a plant worth. 1.4 billion Czech crowns ($ 63 million), opened in September 2020. with preliminary capacity of 200 MWh.
FINLAND
PLANNED
* KOTKA: Finnish Minerals Group has actually signed a MoU with a. potential partner for a cell production plant. Environmental. effect assessment for the center, based upon options with 27 GWh. and 40 GWh output, will be completed by summertime 2024.
* N/A: China's Svolt short-listed Finland among other. countries as the prospective area for a battery cell factory. with capability of about 50 GWh.
FRANCE
OPERATING
* DOUVRIN: The ACC Douvrin plant was inaugurated on May 30,. 2023, with operations starting in the 2nd half of the year.
* QUIMPER: Blue Solutions' factory in Ergue-Gaberic was. inaugurated in 2013. The business states on its website its two. factories in France and Canada have combined capacity of 1.5. GWh. It was not clear just how much of this remained in France.
PLANNED
* HAUTS-DE-FRANCE: Stellantis-backed Tiamat Energy plans to. raise 150 million euros to develop a 5 GWh gigafactory for. sodium-ion battery cells by 2029.
* DOUAI: Envision is investing up to 2 billion euros in an. AESC gigafactory near the Renault ElectriCity EV center. The. plant will have capacity of 9 GWh in 2024 and targets 24 GWh by. 2030.
* DUNKIRK: Taiwan's ProLogium is working to protect. federal government subsidies for a 5.2-billion-euro factory. Production. is slated to begin in 2026, with intended capability of 48 GWh.
* DUNKIRK: French start-up Verkor is developing a factory in. Dunkirk with targeted capability of 12 GWh. Renault will. be its most significant client.
GERMANY
OPERATING
* GRUENHEIDE: Tesla is looking for approval from the. German government to double the capacity of its 5-billion-euro. battery plant near Berlin from its present 50 GWh.
* DOBELN: Introduced by Swiss Blackstone Resources at. completion of 2021, the plant targets as much as 5 GWh capacity by 2024.
* ERFURT: China's CATL is ramping up capability of its plant. from 8 GWh to 14 GWh.
* LUDWIGSFELDE: Microvast's plant has capacity of. 1.5 GWh and targets approximately 6 GWh.
PLANNED
* HEIDE: Northvolt on March 25 began building of its. plant after 902 million euros in German government subsidies. were authorized by the European Commission in January. It prepares to. invest 3-5 billion euros in the plant.
* KAISERSLAUTERN: One of ACC's three gigafactories is. expected to begin operations in 2025.
* LAUCHHAMMER, UBERHERRN: Svolt will invest up to 2 billion. euros in 2 plants. The first one in Uberherrn starts. production at the end of 2023, with intended capability of 24 GWh. The second one in Lauchhammer will be functional in 2025, with. target capacity of 16 GWh.
* SALZGITTER: Volkswagen prepares to construct six. plants in Europe amounting to 240 GWh by 2030. Production at the. first plant will start in 2025 with aimed capability of 40 GWh.
* TUBINGEN: Cellforce plans to launch a 100 MWh plant in. 2024.
HUNGARY
OPERATING
* GOED: Samsung's 1.2-billion-euro factory with 30 GWh. capacity started production in 2018.
PLANNED
* DEBRECEN: CATL is constructing a 7.3-billion-euro plant. targeting capability of 100 GWh. It began construction in 2022. and aims to start production in 2-3 years.
* DEBRECEN: China's EVE Power will invest 1 billion euros to. build a 28 GWh plant, Hungary's foreign minister stated in May.
ITALY
PLANNED
* SCARMAGNO, ROMANO CANAVESE: Italvolt expects the. 3.5-billion-euro plant to be operational by 2024, with intended. capability of 45 GWh.
* TEREVOLA: FAAM anticipates its 570-million-euro plant to be. functional by 2024, with targeted capacity of 8 GWh.
* TERMOLI: ACC will spend over 2 billion euros to build a. gigafactory, set to open in 2026 and to reach full capability in. 2030.
LATVIA
PLANNED
* RIGA: Anodox had stated its 50-million-euro plant ought to be. operational by 2022. was unable to verify its status.
NORWAY
PLANNED
* MO I RANA: FREYR anticipates its $1.7-billion plant to be. completely operational by 2028, with aimed capacity of 83 GWh.
* ARENDAL: Morrow anticipates the very first growth of its. 470-million-euro plant to be operational by the first half of. 2024, with intended capacity of 32 GWh.
* HAUGALAND: Beyonder's plant will be completely operational by. 2024, with intended capacity of 10 GWh.
* TRONDHEIM: Elinor invested 10 billion Norwegian crowns. ($ 935 million) in a plant set to begin operations by 2026 and. with capability of about 40 GWh by 2030.
POLAND
RUNNING
* WROCLAW: LG Energy Option's plant started. production in 2017 with capability of 100,000 batteries and a. target of 115 GWh by 2025.
PORTUGAL
PLANNED
* SINES: China's CALB anticipates its factory to begin operating. by end-2025 at 15 GWh and rising to 45 GWh in 2028.
SERBIA
RUNNING
* SUBOTICA: ElevenES opened its LFP battery cell. facility in April aiming for output of 48 GWh by 2027. The. planned financial investment is 1 billion euros.
PLANNED
* CUPRIJA: InoBat prepares to construct a gigafactory with. government funding of 419 million euros. It will be operational. by 2025, with an initial capacity of 4 GWh and a target of 32. GWh.
SLOVAKIA
PLANNED
* SURANY: Slovak start-up Inobat and China's Gotion High Tech. will develop an EV battery factory in Europe by 2026. with preliminary output of 20 GWh.
SPAIN
PLANNED
* BASQUE NATION: BASQUEVOLT prepares to invest over 700. million euros for a plant targeting capability of 10 GWh by 2027.
* NAVALMORAL DE LA MATA: Spain signed a deal with Envision. to construct a 2.5-billion-euro plant with capability of 30 GWh.
* SAGUNTO: Volkswagen and partners said in 2022 they would. invest 10 billion euros in a 40 GWh plant, with production start. by 2026.
* VALLADOLID: InoBat signed a statement of intent with the. Spanish government to establish a 32 GWh factory worth 3 billion. euros.
SWEDEN
OPERATING
* SKELLEFTEA: Northvolt's factory started production in 2021. and targets 40 GWh by 2025.
PLANNED
* BORLANGE: Northvolt's plant is arranged to begin. production in 2025 and be completely functional by 2030, targeting. 150 GWh.
* GOTHENBURG: Northvolt invested 30 billion Swedish crowns ($ 3. billion) in a plant set to begin production by 2025, with intended. capability of 50 GWh.
SWITZERLAND
PLANNED
* FRAUENFELD: SCB anticipates the plant worth 775 million Swiss. francs ($ 880 million) to be totally operational before 2030, with. target of 7.6 GWh.
(source: Reuters)