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Brazil's Lula claims that'multilateralism wins' despite Trump's opposition
Brazil's president Luiz inacio Lula da Silva said that the G20 climate summit in South Africa, and the COP30 summit in Brazil, show that multilateralism remains alive despite attempts by U.S. Donald Trump to dismantle. "Trump is trying to preach against multilateralism and to reinforce unilateralism. "I think multilateralism is going to win," he said to reporters at the Group of 20 summit in Johannesburg. Lula said that Trump's absence from the summit "didn't really matter" to him. "The G20 is still strong." "We need to put the decisions we made into action," he said. He added that he was hopeful the U.S. could host a successful G20 Summit in Miami, next year. The world leaders met in Johannesburg on Saturday and adopted a statement that addressed the climate crisis, as well as other global challenges. This was done without the United States' input. Separately Lula stated that he is very concerned about the U.S. Military buildup in Caribbean and intends to speak with Trump on it. The military apparatus the United States placed in the Caribbean Sea... makes me very worried. I am worried and would prefer that nothing happen militarily in South America.
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Source: BHP renewed its bid for Anglo American
BHP Group, the mining company, has renewed its takeover bid for rival Anglo American, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. This comes just months after BHP and Teck Resources, the Canadian miner, agreed to merge to form a global heavyweight in the copper industry. Anglo American refused to comment. BHP didn't immediately respond to an outside normal business hours request for a comment. Bloomberg News, citing sources familiar with the situation, reported that BHP made overtures to Anglo American recently. The report added that discussions are still ongoing and a deal is not certain. Anglo American has a market capitalisation of around $41,80 billion while BHP is at about $132.18, according to LSEG data. Anglo American and Teck agreed to merge in September. This was the second largest merger ever for the mining sector. The deal was announced just over a month after BHP canceled a $49 Billion bid for Anglo. This deal would have increased the Australian miner’s copper holdings, which are seen as crucial for the transition towards greener energy. If the BHP/Anglo merger had been approved, the combined company would have become the largest copper producer in the world, with an annual production total of approximately 1.9 million tons. Anglo Teck is expected to be second in the world to BHP for combined annual production of copper.
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South Africa: G20 Summit outcome renews commitment towards multilateralism
Cyril Ramaphosa, the South African president, said that Sunday's Leaders' Declaration of this weekend's Group of 20 Summit reflected "a renewed commitment to multilateral co-operation". Ramaphosa was the host of the Johannesburg Summit and pushed the declaration through despite the objections of the United States which boycotted this event. Ramaphosa, who addressed the summit's final ceremony, said that the declaration demonstrated the world leaders' "shared objectives outweighed our differences". Donald Trump, the U.S. president, boycotted the summit on November 22-23 because of the allegations that have been widely discredited - the government in the country with a Black majority persecutes the white minority. SUMMIT COMME AFTER TENSIONS OVER UKRAINE AND CLIMATE Trump also rejected South Africa’s agenda, which promoted solidarity and helped developing nations adapt to weather disasters that are worsening, switch to clean energy and reduce their excessive debt costs. Ramaphosa, however, was able to secure consensus among the leaders at the summit - the first ever on the African continent - for a declaration that used the language the U.S. government has long opposed. The document of the summit stressed the importance of climate change, and the need for better adaptation. It praised ambitious targets to increase renewable energy, and noted the punishing debt service fees suffered by poor nations. The summit took place at a time when tensions were high between world powers due to the war in Ukraine by Russia and the fraught climate talks at COP30. After the Johannesburg summit, the U.S. will take over the rotating G20 Presidency. However, South Africa has rejected the U.S. offer to send a representative of the embassy in Trump's stead for the handover, citing it as a breach in protocol. The White House accused Ramaphosa for refusing to ensure a smooth transfer of the G20 presidency. (Reporting and writing by Sfundo parakozov, Alexander Winning, Olivia Kumwenda Mtambo and David Holmes).
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Erdogan praises a'meaningful deal' with Australia regarding hosting the COP31 Summit
The Turkish president Tayyip Erdoan praised the deal that was reached on Saturday with Australia to host the U.N. Climate Summit next year, calling it a significant achievement for multilateralism. After a long standoff, both countries have agreed that Turkey will be the host of the COP31 Summit in 2026 and Australia will lead the negotiations. Ankara, Canberra and both had bid to host the conference in 2022 and refused to back down since. Erdogan said at an event on Saturday night in Johannesburg, "Considering that multilateralism in recent years has lost ground, I consider this agreement we reached with Australia as meaningful." Anthony Albanese, the Australian Prime Minister, said on Sunday that Australia would be the "exclusive authority" in the negotiations and decision-making during the summit. Albanese, in a press release, said that the Pacific region will host a pre-COP special meeting to "draw attention to the existential threats climate change poses for the region". Australia was supported by a group of 18 Pacific Island countries, including many that are at risk due to rising sea levels. "Hundreds of bilateral meeting, climate-related visits to tens countries, days diplomatic negotiations." "And finally Turkey is COP31 president and host!," Turkey's Minister of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change, Murat Kurum posted late Saturday on X. "As Turkey we guarantee to organize a fair, balanced conference of parties, focusing on not only our region, but also fragile regions like the Pacific and Africa connecting the north and south," he said later in a statement made at the COP30 in Brazil. The annual COP Conference is the primary global forum to drive action on climate changes.
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Britain announces a critical minerals strategy in order to reduce reliance on external supply
The government announced that Britain has launched a new critical minerals strategy to reduce its dependence on foreign suppliers. By 2035, it aims to supply 10% of the domestic demand with UK-produced materials and 20% through recycling. The strategy, which is backed by new funding of up to 50 millions pounds, aims to ensure that no more than 60 percent of UK supply of any critical mineral will come from one country by 2035. In a statement, British Prime Minister Keir starmer stated that critical minerals are "the backbone of modern living and our national safety." He argued that increasing domestic production and recycling could help protect the economy and assist efforts to reduce living costs. The UK government stated that the country currently produces only 6% of their critical mineral requirements domestically. The plan aims to increase domestic extraction and processing with a focus on lithium and nickel. It wants to produce 50,000 tonnes or more of lithium in the UK before 2035. The UK faces an urgent demand for a long-term, secure supply of minerals such as copper, nickel and lithium, which are vital for electric vehicles, smartphones, and data centers, and are increasingly important for artificial intelligence. The British government has said that the demand for materials essential to Britain is increasing rapidly. By 2035, copper consumption will nearly double, and lithium demand will increase by 1,100%. China's strategy highlights its grip on vital mineral supplies. This leaves the sector vulnerable to price fluctuations, geopolitical tensions and sudden interruptions. Britain pointed out that China controls about 70% of rare-earth mining and 90% refining. This dominance puts countries like the UK at risk. In the early part of this year, Britain signed a deal to cooperate on minerals with Saudi Arabia. The aim was to improve supply chains, open doors for British companies, and attract new investment. (Reporting and editing by Chris Reese in Bengaluru, Mrinmay dey from Bengaluru)
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Australia PM announces formal agreement reached with Turkey for COP31 Climate Summit
Anthony Albanese, Australian Prime Minister, said that a formal agreement was reached on Sunday for Turkey to be the host of the COP31 Climate Summit in 2026. This confirms a document published at the COP30 climate summit in Brazil. In a statement released by Germany at the COP30 Summit this week, following a meeting of Western European and Others Group tasked to select the host for 2026, it was stated that Australia would lead the negotiations, while Turkey will take on the role. This announcement followed an earlier one that said a compromise was expected. The agreement ended a long-running dispute over the hosting of U.N. negotiations. Albanese stated in a press release that "a formal agreement was reached for COP31 in Antalya to be hosted and the Pacific's interest would be advanced by Australia taking on the role of the President of Negotiations leading up to the meeting as well as at the event." According to the statement, Australia would be the "exclusive authority" in guiding the decision-making at the summit. The statement also said that the Pacific region will host a pre-COP special meeting to "bring attention to the existential threats climate change poses for the region." The Pacific Islands Forum is a regional diplomatic bloc consisting of 18 countries that had supported Australia's bid. The rising seas threaten several Pacific island nations. Over the years, the annual COP has evolved from a diplomatic gathering into a massive trade show where the host country can promote their economic prospects. Sam McKeith, Sydney; Chris Reese, editing.
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Tunisians intensify protests against Saied and demand return to democracy
On Saturday, thousands of Tunisians marched through the capital in protest of "injustice" and "repression". They accused President Kais Said of consolidating his one-man regime by using the judiciary. This protest is part of a wave which has been sweeping Tunisia, affecting journalists, doctors and banks, as well as public transport systems. The closure of an environmental-friendly chemical plant was also demanded by thousands. They wore black to show their anger and sorrow over the transformation of Tunisia into "an open-air prison". The protesters held banners that read "Enough of repression", and "No terror, no fear, the streets are the people's". The rally united activists, NGOs, and fragmented political parties across the spectrum to show a rare unity against Saied. This shows the serious political and economic problems in Tunisia and is a challenge for Saied who took power by decree in 2021. The protesters shouted slogans like "We're suffocating!" The protesters chanted slogans such as "Enough with the tyranny! The people want to see the regime fall! ". Ezzedine hazgui, the father of Jawhar Ben Mbark (a politician who is currently in jail), said: "Saied turned the country into 'an open prison. We will never give up." Saied is accused by opposition parties, civil societies and journalists of using the police and judiciary to suppress criticism. Three prominent civil rights organizations announced last month that authorities had suspended their operations due to alleged foreign funding. Amnesty International said that the crackdown against rights groups had reached a critical level with 14 NGOs being targeted for arbitrary arrests and detentions as well as asset freezing, banking restrictions, and suspensions. Saied is accused by his opponents of destroying the independence and integrity of the judiciary. In 2022, he disbanded the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) and fired dozens of judges - a move that rights groups and opposition groups condemned as a coup. The majority of opposition leaders, as well as dozens critics, are currently in prison. Saied says he has not become a dictator and is not using the judiciary to punish opponents. He claims he is purging Tunisia of all "traitors". (Reporting and editing by Kevin Liffey; Tarek Amara)
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Nine people are killed in Gaza by Israeli airstrikes, doctors say
Local health officials said that Israeli airstrikes on Gaza have killed nine people, and injured several others. This is a test of the fragile ceasefire agreement between Hamas, a militant Palestinian group, and Israel. The first attack, according to witnesses and medics, was on a car that was set alight in the densely-populated Rimal neighborhood. It wasn't immediately clear if the five victims were all passengers in the car, or if they included bystanders. Dozens rushed in to put out the fire and save the victims. Israeli air strikes on two houses near Deir Al-Balah and Nuseirat camps in central Gaza Strip occurred shortly after the attack on a car. At least four people were killed and several more injured. Israeli military claimed that a gunman crossed into Israeli territory in Gaza, exploiting "the humanitarian route in the area where humanitarian aid enters south Gaza", describing it as a "blatant breach of the ceasefire accord". In response, the military announced that it had struck targets in Gaza. Hamas officials in Gaza have rejected Israeli military allegations that the group is committed to the ceasefire. They said the claims were baseless, and an "excuse for killing". Israel and Hamas accuse each other repeatedly of violating a truce that was concluded over six weeks ago. Hamas stated in a press release earlier that day that Israel’s “escalating violations” put the responsibility on mediators, and the U.S., to confront Israel and maintain the ceasefire. The ceasefire of October 10, which ended the two-year Gaza War, has helped to ease the conflict and allowed hundreds of thousands to return to Gaza. Israel has withdrawn troops from city positions and increased aid flow. Violence has not stopped completely. Hamas is trying to assert itself, and many are worried about the de facto division of the territory where conditions are terrible. Palestinian health officials say Israeli forces killed 316 civilians in Gaza in attacks since the ceasefire. Israel claims that three soldiers were killed since the ceasefire was declared and that it has also attacked a number of fighters. Hamas militants attacked southern Israel in October 2023, killing 1,200 people - most of whom were civilians - and taking 251 hostages. Gaza's health officials say that Israel's retaliatory attack has killed over 69,700 Palestinians. Most of them are civilians. Hamas agreed to release all 20 hostages still alive in Gaza, in exchange for Israel's nearly 2,000 Palestinian wartime prisoners and detainees. Hamas has also agreed to exchange the bodies of 360 Palestinian militants who were killed during the war for the remains of 28 hostages. So far, the remains of 25 hostages has been handed over. According to the health ministry of the territory, Israel has returned 330 Palestinian bodies. (Reporting Nidal al-Mughrabi. Emily Rose contributed additional reporting from Jerusalem. Editing was done by Emelia Sithole Matarise and Topra Chopra.
New North Korea-Russia pact requires instant military aid if attacked
North Korea and Russia have consented to supply instant military help if either faces armed aggressiveness, according to the full text of a landmark pact released on Thursday by Pyongyang after a visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
South Korea responded by assembling an emergency situation conference of its nationwide security council and stated it would now think about sending arms to Ukraine, which it had actually formerly dismissed.
Hours after Putin left for Vietnam, North Korea's state media released the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which in result revives a defunct shared defence agreement from the 1960s.
The arrangement, which Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed on Wednesday and likewise consisted of cooperation on nuclear energy, area expedition, food and energy security, is one of the highest-profile moves in Asia by Moscow in years. Putin gone to China last month, not long after his inauguration for a. fifth term as president.
In case any among the two sides is put in a state of war. by an armed intrusion from a specific state or several states,. the other side shall offer military and other assistance with. all methods in its ownership without hold-up in accordance with. Article 51 of the UN Charter and the laws of the DPRK and the. Russian Federation, Post 4 of the agreement states, utilizing the. initials of North Korea's official name.
Article 51 of the U.N. Charter offers the right of a. member country to take private or cumulative self-defence. actions.
Kim echoed Putin's declaration clearly linking their. deepening ties to eliminating the hegemonic and imperialist. policies of the West and the United State in particular,. including its support for Ukraine.
Washington and Seoul have actually been significantly alarmed by. deepening military cooperation between Russia and the North, and. have actually implicated them of breaking worldwide laws by trading in. arms for Russia to use against Ukraine. Ukrainian authorities have. said they have discovered North Korean rocket particles inside their. nation. Russia and North Korea deny any arms trade.
Following a conference of its nationwide security council, South. Korea said it would even more strengthen security cooperation with. the U.S. and Japan. Seoul would include 243 new products to a list of. goods banned from export to Russia bringing the total to 1,402,. and would likewise evaluate its position on arming Ukraine, the. nationwide security advisor, Chang Ho-jin, told a press conference.
Artyom Lukin, of Russia's Far Eastern Federal University,. stated the pact with North Korea would be Moscow's first defense. alliance outside the post-Soviet space.
It stays to be seen how far and how deep Russia and North. Korea will go in their alliance relationship this time, Lukin. said. Will North Korean soldiers appear in Ukraine? Will Russia. offer military assistance to the North in possible North-South. clashes over the contested border in the Yellow Sea? Absolutely nothing is. off the table now.
Cho Han-bum, of the Korea Institute for National Marriage. in Seoul, said the arrangement was a big win for Russia, laying a. legal structure for North Korea's assistance in the Ukraine war.
The phrasing leaves room for Moscow to avoid helping North. Korea in border clashes or other future skirmishes if it. selects, he said.
PUTIN THANKS KIM FOR ASSISTANCE
On his first visit to Pyongyang because 2000, Putin thanked. Kim for the assistance for Russian policy. Kim declared. unconditional and unwavering assistance for all of Russia's. policies including Putin's war with Ukraine.
Russia and North Korea face increasing global. seclusion, and the U.S. and its Asian allies are progressively. worried about just how much Russia will support North Korea, the. just nation to have actually tested a nuclear weapon this century.
The arrangement said neither side would sign any treaty with a. 3rd nation that infringes on the interests of the other and. would not let its area be used by any nation to harm the. other's security and sovereignty, KCNA said.
The two countries will take joint actions targeted at. strengthening defence capabilities to prevent war and guarantee. local and global peace and security, it stated.
South Korea was sorry for the agreement included a promise of. military innovation cooperation which it stated would violate. U.N. Security Council resolutions on North Korea's weapons. programs.
Russia, which has veto power at the Security Council,. supported sanctions versus North Korea enacted after Pyongyang. evaluated a nuclear weapon in 2006, however has lately stated sanctions. should be altered. It vetoed the yearly extension of inspectors. imposing the sanctions this year.
The White Home did not immediately talk about the. arrangement's reported content.
Japan expressed grave concerns about Putin's vow not to. dismiss cooperation with Pyongyang on military innovation.
The reaction from China, the North's primary political and. financial benefactor, has been silenced. A spokesperson for China's. foreign ministry declined comment, calling it a bilateral matter. in between Russia and North Korea.
Ukrainian governmental aide Mykhailo Podolyak stated Russia, a. U.N. Security Council long-term member, had actually permitted one of the most. brazen nullification of all sanctions imposed on North Korea to. stop its weapons advancement.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the pact showed. authoritarian powers were lining up.
(source: Reuters)