Latest News
-
IAEA: Military activity affects water supply at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant and nearby town
The U.N. nuclear watchdog reported on Thursday that military activity had affected water supplies in parts of the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station and nearby areas of southeast Ukraine. In the first few weeks of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russian forces captured the largest nuclear power station in Europe, with six reactors. Since then, both sides have accused each other of actions that compromise nuclear safety. Rafael Grossi said that there is no shortage of water to keep the fuel cool in reactors. The attacks on and around Enerhodar - where many plant staff live - "targeted local electrical infrastructure and led to a loss of water supply in the ZNPP and the city." Grossi added that IAEA monitoring staff stationed in the plant had only limited access to water since 18 July. Grossi has visited the plant a number of times since the Russians took over the operation. He made no mention of either Russia or Ukraine in relation to the military activity. The IAEA?on-site?team has not been able?to?visit an emergency operations center nearby since December due to security concerns. Last week, Rosatom, the state-owned nuclear corporation of Russia said that a Ukrainian drone killed the plant's chief engineering. Grossi reiterated in his latest statement that the nuclear power plant employees "must always be protected."
-
Newmont's profit beats expectations on higher gold prices
Newmont beat analysts' estimates for the second quarter profit on Thursday as higher gold prices helped to offset lower production. Gold prices have been rising on the back of a steady demand for safe-haven assets and hopes that U.S. rates will be cut. However, a stronger dollar as well as inflation fears fuelled by oil price volatility during the Iran War has?limited gains. Gold prices that are higher usually boost revenue and margins for miners. Prices for 'the yellow metal' averaged $4,606.41 per ounce during the second quarter 2026. This is up 37% from one year ago. Newmont's average quarterly realized price of gold was $4,414 per ounce. This compares to $3,320 an ounce one year ago. The quarterly gold production was 1.29 million, down from 1.48 million the year before. In extended trading, its shares dropped 1%. According to data compiled and analyzed by LSEG, on an 'adjusted' basis, the company earned a profit of $2.10 for the quarter - ended June 30 compared to the analysts' average estimate of $1.99.
-
Chile investigates Antofagasta’s Los Pelambres Mine after rainwater discharge
Antofagasta Minerals, a Chilean copper mining company, said on Thursday that its flagship mine Los 'Pelambres is safe following an investigation by Chile's environmental regulator into a water discharge incident caused by extreme weather. On Wednesday, the regulator said that Antofagasta released water into the Pupio Waterway from a drainage pool after heavy rains caused an?avalanche near the site. Antofagasta has said that the controlled release of water from two pools downstream the tailings?dam?wall was part of its water management system. Water from the tailings dam was channeled to the Pupio stream whose flow had already increased significantly because of rain. The company reported that the tailings pond was "stable and in accordance with its design parameters and safety parameters with no risk to people or surrounding?environment." * The regulator stated that it will continue to evaluate whether any further action is needed. Chile has been hit by heavy rains?from the north-central region to the south causing flooding, road closures, and home damage. * Copper mines are usually prepared for winter with contingency plans. However, the intensity of the storm has forced some to reduce their activities. *?Los Pelambres is the largest copper mine in Antofagasta, located in Chile's Coquimbo region.
-
Officials say five Palestinians were killed in an Israeli strike and violence in the West Bank.
According to Palestinian officials and the Israeli military, an Israeli airstrike on Thursday killed two Palestinians, including two children, in northern Gaza. Three other Palestinians were also shot dead in the West Bank. Israel's military claimed it had targeted "militants" in Gaza. A senior Israeli military official confirmed that a civilian killed two Palestinians after they had stabbed an Israeli and injured him during a dispute. After a separate stabbing attack in which an Israeli soldier was injured, the Israeli military confirmed that its forces had shot a third Palestinian. Israel has launched nearly daily attacks on Gaza in what it claims are attacks against Hamas militants. This is more than nine month after the U.S.-backed "ceasefire" in the enclave. According to Palestinian and Israeli statistics, more than 1,160 Palestinians as well as four Israeli soldiers were reported dead since the fragile truce began in October. Palestinian medics claim that the majority of those killed are civilians. The Palestinian Authority's official media agency WAFA reported that Israeli soldiers and settlers attacked Palestinians in the West Bank as they attempted to extinguish a nearby fire. Two Palestinians stabbed a soldier, according to an Israeli military official. "Friction" broke between Israeli settlers and Palestinians while trying to put out the fire. Official, who did not want to be named, claimed that an Israeli "civilian", which is an apparent reference of a settler killed the two Palestinians. The West Bank has been a hotbed of tensions due to the escalating violence between Israelis and settler groups, as well as Israeli plans to expand settlements in territory Palestinians consider a "key" part of their future state. Around 700,000 Israelis live with 2.7 millions Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Most foreign governments claim that Israel's settlement activities in the West Bank, where the Palestinian Authority has limited autonomy, are illegal under international law. Israel disagrees with this view. Reporting by Ali Sawafta and Steven Scheer; Writing by Pesha Magd; Editing Andrew Heavens
-
Blackstone CEO addresses AI concerns raised by the community
Stephen Schwarzman, Blackstone's CEO, said that the company is addressing the social and environmental implications of artificial intelligence, as opposition to the construction of data centers in the United States grows. Blackstone and private capital firms pour tens or hundreds of millions of dollars in infrastructure and businesses that are aiming to increase computing capacity and run models that consume a lot of power. A June /Ipsos poll found that the deeply divided American electorate was united by their opposition to the construction of data centers. Only 14% said they would "support" a facility being built for technology companies in their locality. Schwarzman, on a recent conference call, said that Blackstone works closely with its portfolio companies, including the data-center business, "to address workforce, environmental, and community implications through the creation union jobs, training for the workforce, water-free cooling systems, increased power generation, as well as significant local economic investments." Schwarzman stated that while AI's impact could be similar to the Industrial Revolution, which ultimately raised living standards, it also causes anxiety because of the uncertainty about how technology will evolve. Blackstone, the private equity firm that bought QTS for $10 billion dollars in 2021, announced earlier this month it had halted a Virginia project after years of planning. The project was halted after years of planning due to a'strong local opposition, litigation and disagreements. The U.S. administration of President Donald Trump sees AI development as a race with China but also works to protect households from the rise in energy prices that will follow. Schwarzman, who has been a Trump donor for many years, said he personally spent "a lot of time" with leaders in the AI industry and policymakers to think about ways to deal with these issues while maintaining America's AI lead. (Reporting and editing by Nia William; Isla Binnie)
-
Michigan reports 7,644 cases of cyclosporiasis in ongoing outbreak
Michigan health officials announced?on Thursday, 7,644 cases of cyclosporiasis (an intestinal infection) linked to a recent outbreak. This is an increase of 473 since the last state update, a day earlier. According to the Michigan Department of Health, this outbreak has resulted in 160 hospitalizations. There have been no reported deaths. Cyclosporiasis is caused by the Cyclospora worm and can cause diarrhea, nausea, and other gastrointestinal problems. This parasite can be spread by eating raw fruit and vegetables or drinking water that has been contaminated with feces. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cyclosporiasis cases have steadily increased in the U.S. over the past few months. The agency reported earlier this week that 4,173 people in 41 states had contracted the parasite and 308 were hospitalized. On?Wednesday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that it was investigating an outbreak of cyclosporiasis. 72 cases were linked to a source which has not yet been identified. The FDA's outbreak tracker lists six active Cyclospora outbreaks, including four ongoing investigations and two that are no longer under investigation but still remain under investigation. A spokesperson from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said that the "Trump administration mounted a robust reaction to this outbreak by working closely with health departments?in all 50 states and leading public health response, promptly identifying the known sources and giving Americans the information they needed?to protect themselves." HHS stated that as the FDA investigation continues, it is possible to identify additional brands, restaurants or retailers. The CDC is currently investigating over 7,400 additional infections reported that have not yet been laboratory confirmed. Many of these are in Michigan and Ohio. The agency had linked the outbreak with shredded iceberg salad served at Taco Bell in certain states. Mexico Health Minister David Kershenobich said on Tuesday that there is no evidence to date that lettuce from Mexico has caused the outbreak. U.S. officials are still investigating a lettuce outbreak that has been linked to five states. (Reporting and editing by Tasimzahid, Shilpa Majumdar and Siddhi Mahtole from Bengaluru)
-
US imports the first fuel oil cargoes via Syria as Iraq uses a new export route
According to two sources and shipping data, the United States is now importing fuel oil from Iraq via Syria. This comes as Iraq continues to expand its?Mediterranean trade route, which was established following disruptions in Gulf trade routes earlier this summer. This alternative route shows that'shippers are looking for ways to circumnavigate Strait of Hormuz which has been 'effectively closed since several months and hindering Gulf oil imports due to the Iran War. According to Kpler Shipping Data, three Aframax tanks loaded fuel oil in Syria's Mediterranean Port of Baniyas from June to July, for delivery to U.S. Gulf Coast. Sources with direct knowledge about the operations at the Syrian Terminal said that the fuel was Iraqi. On Passion, the first tanker to leave Baniyas with 716,600 fuel oil barrels, left on June 17. Kpler reports that 487,600 of the barrels will be discharged at?the Bahamas by mid-July. The remainder is expected to arrive in Texas in late July. The Nissos Cristina loaded around 288,500 barrels in Baniyas and departed on July 8 to discharge in the U.S. Gulf Coast early in August. Meanwhile, the Green Warrior had loaded approximately 414,400 of fuel oil between mid-to-late July to arrive in the United States during the third week in August. Sources said that the cargoes were loaded with Iraqi oil, which was transported across the border to Syria by truck and then loaded at Baniyas. According to Kpler, these are the first fuel shipments ever from Syria destined for the United States. According to an?engineer working at the Baniyas Terminal, Syria has not exported petroleum products or crude oil for many years. The only exception was a shipment made in September 2025. The engineer stated that all current Baniyas shipments are restricted to Iraqi fuel oils. The Syrian Petroleum Company, Syria's state owned company, did not respond immediately to a comment request. SPC reported in June that Baniyas had been loading one tanker with Iraqi fuel oil each seven to ten days since the new reexportation route began in early May. Around 900 tanker trucks were unloading at the terminal every day. LSEG shipping information shows that Iraqi fuel oil exports through Baniyas have also?been shipped to customers in different countries across the Mediterranean including Spain and Egypt. Last month, it was reported that Iraq intended to expand its arrangement to export crude oil and naphtha via Syria. This came after disruptions in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz led Baghdad's government to look for alternative export routes. Iraqi and Syrian officials stated that Iraq planned to continue to use the Syrian corridor, even after traffic through Hormuz returned to normal. This was part of a diversification strategy and a reduction in reliance on one route. Sources said that although Syria has equipped Baniyas with facilities for crude oil and naphtha handling, exports have not yet begun. Kpler reports that the United States has not imported Iraqi fuel since March. The data shows that U.S. imports of fuel oil are typically from Mexico, Algeria, and Iraq. The data showed that Baniyas, which has increased fuel oil exports, is also a major supplier to the U.S. Gulf, and the U.S. Gulf has had to fill the gap created by the Mideast Gulf's?flows. The shipments show how regional trade has continued to develop following the disruption of Gulf shipping caused by the Iran War. Iraq is increasingly relying upon Syria's Mediterranean Port to reach customers across Europe, Africa, and now North America. Reporting by Georgina Mccartney in Houston, and Feras Dalatey in Dubai. Editing by Liz Hampton & Andrea Ricci.
-
Irish PM: No definitive evidence that Irish alumina is used in Russian arms
Micheal Martin, the Prime Minister of Ireland, said that an Irish investigation into a major alumina factory?has not found any "concrete" or "definitive" evidence to suggest its exports are used in Russia to produce aluminium for weapons. Ireland faces increasing pressure regarding the Aughinish Alumina Plant, Europe's biggest refinery for the aluminum feedstock alumina. The facility continues to export alumina to Russia. Dublin ordered the 'investigation', while defending a European Union decision that the Rusal-owned?plant would not be included in Russian sanctions packages. The government claims that 'the refinery located in southwest Ireland plays a strategic role for EU supply chains. "The investigation hasn't?found concrete evidence or definitive proof linking the alumina with a?"weapons producer in Russia," Martin said at a press conference held jointly with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, during a trip to Kyiv. The report also states that "neither has it found conclusive evidence that alumina is not going to weapon manufacturers." Martin stated that the investigation was almost completed?and will be shared with European Commission when it is finalised. Martin said that Rusal was adamant that the material would not be 'going to weapons manufacturers. Martin stated that "we will work with?the Commission to?see what we can do to deal with this matter, as we don't want material from Aughinish?to go to Russia." He added that other methods could be used to achieve the same goal. Zelenskiy visited 'Dublin' earlier this month to urge a rapid completion of the investigation. He reiterated that Kyiv supports sanctions against EU alumina exported to Russia.
Chilean copper miner Codelco and contractors fined following deadly mine collapse
According to public records requests, Codelco, a state-owned copper miner in Chile, was fined after a deadly mine collapse last year at El Teniente. Three contractors, whose employees were killed or hurt, were also sanctioned more severely.
Six contract workers were killed and others injured in the aftermath of the underground earthquake that occurred on July 31, triggering a rockburst at El Teniente - the world's biggest underground copper mine.
The files were obtained from the Chilean labor ministry by means of open-records request. In Chile, fines of this nature are communicated directly to the employers. They can be challenged administratively or reduced, but they are rarely made public.
At the time, the then-Labor minister Giorgio Boccardo announced that his office, along with the mining regulator Sernageomin would investigate whether there had been any violations of labor safety rules.
A quake measuring about 4.3 on the Richter scale halted all underground operations in the vast mine complex, causing rescue efforts and safety checks.
Codelco incurred a large production cost as a result of the collapse. The company said that the slow restart of underground operations and the shutting down of underground operations in El Teniente reduced copper production by tens thousands of tons. This disrupted shipments during a period of tight global supplies.
The accident also highlighted the?geotechnical risk facing Chile's old underground mines.
Contractors fined more than CODELCO
The records reveal that the three contractors received fines totaling about $87,000, while Codelco only paid out $20,000, reflecting Chile's system of split liability for subcontracted works.
Under Chile's labor law, while the principal company, Codelco, can be penalized for a wide range of safety violations, contractors are directly responsible for reporting accidents, risk assessments, assigning workers, and other compliance obligations.
Labor inspectors found that Codelco did not have a written procedure describing how seismic warnings are used to determine whether or not work should be halted or restricted.
According to a separate record of sanctions, after the accident, regulators found that Codelco had violated labor laws when workers were seen entering or preparing for entry into underground areas, while the mine suspension was still in effect.
According to Chilean labor laws, serious or fatal accidents can result in fines of up to 150 UTM, a Chilean tax unit linked to inflation, or approximately $11,000 today. In a 2007 case, the regulator imposed a penalty of 340 UTM, or roughly $26,000 today, on a construction company following a fatal accident.
Workers' safety specialists and labor advocates have questioned if such small penalties are enough to deter major employers.
In 2011, after a mining accident, a Chilean House of Representatives investigation commission reported that it was essential to increase the fines to deter mining companies from violating safety regulations.
Since then, proposals to increase fines for workplace accidents that are serious or deadly have failed.
CODELCO DETAILS CHANGES
Codelco said that since the collapse it has tightened safety procedures to restart work at El Teniente. This includes adding safety briefings before shifts begin, improving communication underground, increasing checks on worker's locations, and reviewing protective gear.
Later, it was revealed that an independent panel headed by a former Anglo American chief executive officer was investigating what caused the accident. They were also looking at whether management problems or workplace issues played a part.
Codelco stated in a press release that the seismic alert system was activated on the day of accident and that the Labor Ministry fine had been appealed.
The company said that a "legal proceeding is ongoing related to the supervision of worker entry during work stoppage", and it was waiting for a ruling from the authorities.
Codelco announced in August that Andres Musik, the El Teniente mine's manager, would be leaving his position. In February the company announced the departures of three senior executives after an internal audit revealed inconsistencies or concealment in the aftermath of a rock explosion at the mine a few years ago.
SUBCONTRACTORS WILL GET LARGER FINES
Zublin, a Strabag subsidiary, was among the three contracting companies fined. It was for "failing to report an employee's death in 24 hours." Inspectors discovered that the company was aware of the death within two hours but did not notify the labor authorities until evening the next day.
The report stated that it is important to immediately notify the authorities to ensure safety for remaining workers.
The Austrian company didn't immediately respond to our request for comment.
SalfaCorp, a Chilean construction company, was sanctioned for a death in the Andesita mine sector. Inspectors found that the company did not immediately notify authorities of the fatal accident, among other violations.
SalfaCorp stated in a press release that "internal protocol have been reviewed and strengthened to further strengthen safety standards and compliance in all of its operations."
The company said that the sanctions related to the reporting process and the labor requirements, and had nothing to do with the cause of the accident.
Chile's labor regulator fined Constructora Gardilcic as well, the unlisted contractor who was responsible for the deaths and injuries of workers in the Recursos North area of the mine.
Inspectors found that the company failed to report the accident on time, filed injury reports late and had a poor safety plan.
The authorities also found that Gardilcic failed to adequately account for the risks of violent rock explosions outside designated danger areas and placed some workers into jobs they weren't cleared to perform.
Gardilcic didn't immediately respond to an inquiry for comment.
LONG ROAD Ahead
Codelco said that the areas most affected by the accident would remain under strict restrictions as criminal, regulatory and technological investigations continue.
The company has promised a gradual restart that will be approved by the regulator, but it is unclear when normal operations can resume at the mine. (Reporting and editing by Christian Plumb, Aurora Ellis and Kylie Madry)
(source: Reuters)