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Trump's envoy is quoted by state media as saying that the US has lifted sanctions on Belarusian Potash
After two days of discussions in Minsk with?President Alexander Lukashenko, John Coale, the envoy for President Donald Trump was quoted by Belarusian media as saying that the United States will lift sanctions on Belarusian Potash. Belarus did not specify what it would do as a response. Belarus is one of the largest producers of potash - a vital component in fertiliser. Coale was appointed by Trump as his special envoy for Belarus last month. The president has tasked Coale with negotiating the?release of more than 1,000 political prisoner in the former Soviet state, which is close to Russia. Belta, the state news agency, quoted Coale saying that he discussed a range of issues with Lukashenko. He said, "We talked about the war between Ukraine & Russia and about Venezuela." "We had an excellent conversation." We discussed the future. We talked about the future. It's our aim." Coale noted also the close relationship between Lukashenko, and Russian President Vladimir Putin in the context the war in Ukraine. "Your president is well acquainted with President Putin, and can advise him." This is a very valuable asset?in the current situation. Coale stated that they are close friends who have the relationship to discuss these issues. "President Putin will accept or reject some of the advice. This is one way to help the process." Reporting by Felix Light, Mark Trevelyan and Peter Graff.
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Odesa, Ukraine suffers major blackouts following Russian attack
Odesa, Ukraine's southernmost port city, and the surrounding area suffered major blackouts on Saturday following a massive overnight?Russian assault?on power grid which left more than one million households without electricity. Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the president of Ukraine, said that Russia attacked Ukraine using more than 450 drones as well as 30 missiles. Zelenskiy, a Telegram user, wrote that the attack had a major impact on our energy system in the south, and particularly on Odesa. He added that thousands of families across Ukraine were without electricity. Yulia Svyrydenko, the Prime Minister of Ukraine, said that it was a major attack on Odesa where water and electricity supplies were cut off. She added that non-drinking drinking water was being delivered to certain areas in the city. Ihor Klymenko, Ukraine's Interior Minister said that more than one million Ukrainian households were left without electricity and five people were injured as a result. Ukraine's power grid operator said a "significant number" of households ?were without power in the southern regions of Odesa and Mykolaiv, and that the ?Ukrainian-controlled part of the frontline Kherson region ?was totally without power. Since its invasion in 2022, Moscow has been regularly bombarding Ukraine's power system. This has caused blackouts across the country for hours each day. The Russian defence ministry announced on Saturday that it had carried out strikes against Ukrainian energy and military industrial facilities. Max Hunder, Peter Graff, Alexander Smith and Max Hunder (Reporting)
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Charley Hull and Lexi Thompson help their teams score 55s at Grant Thornton
Two teams of LPGA stars, Lexi Thompson and Wyndham, and Englishwoman Charley Hull, and Michael Brennan, posted a 17-under par 55 on Friday at the Grant Thornton Invitational in Naples, Fla. The three-day event at Tiburon golf club?begins in a scramble style, and not only the leading duos?took full advantage. Lauren Coughlin is only two strokes behind Andrew Novak after their 15-under 57. Three other pairs shot 14-under-58: Nelly Corda and Denny McCarthy; Jennifer Kupcho & Chris Gotterup, and Rose Zhang & Michael Kim. Hull and Brennan both eagled the par-5 6th and 14th holes. Thompson and Clark eagled the No. They also eagled No. 6 when Clark hit his tee-shot just off the green, and Thompson holed their putt. Clark admitted that she felt like they played similar games. "She hits the ball really far off the TEE, and if we are in play, then we're a lot?past the competition," Clark said. She is a fantastic putter. "Yeah, I thought our games complemented each other perfectly. I also didn't see any flaws with her game." Thompson added, "Grant Thornton is a great asset to this event." "Bringing the PGA Tour together with the?LPGA is what we wanted to end our year, a nicer, more relaxed event." Hull had been working on her swing before she came to the tournament, where she would be playing with Brennan, a newcomer to the PGA Tour. Hull said, "It is funny, because I changed my swing last Tuesday, but when I came on Tuesday, I couldn't even keep the ball in the air." "I was pretty nervous today." "Actually, everything went well." Coughlin & Novak have made nine birdies straight at Nos. It's not bad at all for a pair that has only met this week for the first. Novak said, "I like team golf." Novak and Ben Griffin won the Zurich Classic of New Orleans together in April. "It's a different way of playing golf, I think. This year I was lucky enough to have two great partners, and it has been a good vibe during the tournament. We're having fun and making birdies, but not taking ourselves too seriously. Just doing our jobs. Kupcho, Gotterup and McCarthy birdied their first 10 holes. Korda and McCarthy also posted eagles on the par-5 1st and 17th holes. The format will not be the same the rest of the time. On Saturday, the teams will play alternate shot foursomes and on Sunday a modified fourball. The event is in its third year. The defending champions Jake Knapp of Australia and Thailand's Patty Tavatanakit, both at 13-under-59, are tied for seventh. Jason Day from Australia and Lydia Ko from New Zealand tied for eighth place, one shot behind. Field Level Media
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Stocks fall as AI fears linger; US yields rise
The major stock indexes dropped on Friday as investors remained cautious about artificial intelligence bets. Meanwhile, the dollar edged up and U.S. Treasury Yields increased. Investors weighed comments from Federal Reserve officials, who had voted against a rate cut by the U.S. central bank this week. They said that they were concerned about inflation and feared lower borrowing costs. Stocks were also weighed down by rising yields. As tech-related concerns lingered, technology fell the most among the major S&P sectors. Oracle, a cloud computing company, warned earlier this week of massive spending and poor forecasts. Broadcom's warning on margins late Thursday added to concerns. Broadcom's shares closed 11.4% lower. Oracle shares fell by 4.5%, adding to the almost 11% drop on Thursday. Nvidia, which is a leader in AI technology was down by 3.3%. Bruce Zaro, managing Director at Granite Wealth Management, Plymouth, Massachusetts, stated that "continued frustration and uncertainty regarding the AI trade and technological trade" pushed the market. He said: "I thought that this choppiness had ended by now." He added, "We are in a really great?seasonal time. Santa Claus rally is usually held from mid-December to the end of the trading year. Investors are optimistic about future U.S. rate cuts after the Fed reduced interest rates on Wednesday by 25 basis points, in a decision that was 9-3. Policymakers have indicated they will pause further reductions for now. The Fed has expressed concern about the cooling of the labor market and a high inflation rate. U.S. unemployment claims data on Thursday showed that the number of Americans claiming unemployment benefits increased to the highest level in almost 4-1/2 years. Next Thursday, the Bank of England will likely cut interest rates. The European Central Bank will likely keep rates?steady', but traders now speculate that it may hike rates in the year 2026. After Governor Kazuo ueda's strong signals, the Bank of Japan will likely raise rates. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 245.96 points or 0.51% to 48,458.05, while the S&P 500 slid 73.59 or 1.07% to 6,827.41, and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 398.69 or 1.69% to 23,195.17. The MSCI index of global stocks fell 6.39 points or 0.63% to 1,008.88. The pan-European STOXX 600 ended 0.53% down. The yields on the 10-year Treasury note in the United States rose after two consecutive sessions of declines. The yield of the benchmark U.S. Treasury 10-year note increased 5.1 basis point to 4.192%, and was up over 5 basis points for the week. This is the second consecutive weekly increase. Investors have already begun to price in rate increases for the euro zone. The divergence is due to traders' expectations that U.S. interest rates will fall over the long-term, despite the recent jump in yields. Germany's 30-year bond yield, which is more sensitive to fiscal concerns over the long term, has risen to a new 14-year-high of 3.498%. This represents a 3.5-basis-point increase. DOLLAR GAINS; POUND FALLS SLIIGHTLY ON UK-DATA The U.S. Dollar drifted higher in relation to major currencies after also falling recently, but it was still on track for its third consecutive weekly drop amid the prospects of interest rate reductions by the Fed next. The pound eased following data showing that the UK economy shrank unexpectedly in the three-month period ending October. The pound fell 0.2% against the dollar, to $1.3375. This is not far off from its seven-week high reached on Thursday. The dollar gained 0.2% against the yen to reach 155.93yen in advance of the BoJ meeting next week, when a rate increase is expected. The BoJ is expected to maintain its pledge to raise interest rates next week, but the rate of increase will depend on the economy's reaction to each hike. The euro was unchanged at $1.1735, after reaching a two-month high Thursday. Meanwhile, the dollar index, which compares the U.S. dollar to six other currencies, increased 0.1% to reach 98.44. COAL DROPS FROM RECORD HIGH Copper fell more than 3% after reaching a record high earlier in session. Fears of the AI bubble burst prompted a sell-off of riskier assets. The benchmark three-month copper price on the London Metal Exchange dropped as much as 3.5 % to $11,451.50, and was trading at $11,537.50 down by 2.8% as of 1700 GMT. The oil prices fell and recorded a weekly drop of 4% as fears over the U.S. seizure and subsequent impact on the Venezuelan oil tanker outweighed the supply glut. U.S. crude dropped 16 cents and settled at $57.44 per barrel, while Brent also fell 16 cents.
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Spain asks EU to not weaken the 2035 combustion engines ban, as shown in a letter
A letter obtained by revealed that Spain's Pedro Sanchez had urged the European Commission to not weaken the bloc’s ban on 2035 for?new CO2-emitting vehicles, while?Brussels is preparing proposals to possibly rollback the policy. According to a leading?German? EU lawmaker, the Commission is planning to take action next week to reduce the policy. This would ban all combustion engine cars after 2035 and require that cars sold thereafter have zero CO2 emission. Germany and Italy have urged the EU to weaken its 2035 ban. They argue that this will protect automakers who are struggling with the tough competition coming from China. In a letter dated Thursday to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen Sanchez stated that weakening this policy would put jobs at risk and lead to factory closures, by undermining Europe’s efforts to transform its car industry into a manufacturing powerhouse for electric vehicles. The letter stated that "any additional relaxation" (of the policy) could lead to a significant delay in modernization investment, due to a temporary drop in demand for electric vehicles. It said: "We reject the idea that combustion vehicles and other technologies, which have not been proven to work, could be sold beyond 2035." Sanchez called for an "eco-steel label" that would reward automakers for using low carbon?materials and for a minimum percentage of EU-made content in automobiles. The Commission will announce its policy Tuesday. Manfred Weber, President of the EPP (the largest group of legislators in the European Parliament), suggested that the Commission might propose lowering the CO2 emission targets for the automakers fleets to 90% by 2035. The EU has a strategy that includes a ban on electric cars. Mercedes-Benz, BMW and other automakers have asked the EU to relax the policy due to slower than expected sales of electric cars. Volvo Cars, among others, say that they have invested heavily in the electric transition and that any reversal of the ban will be a betrayal. (Reporting and editing by Rod Nickel.)
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Stocks fall as AI fears linger; US yields rise
The major stock indexes fell sharply on Friday as investors remained cautious about artificial intelligence bets. Meanwhile, the dollar and U.S. Treasury Yields increased after recent losses. Oracle, a cloud computing company, warned earlier this week of massive spending and poor forecasts. Broadcom, a?chipmaker?, warned late Thursday about margins. The technology sector was down the most of all major S&P sectors, at 2.6%. Broadcom shares fell 12% while Oracle dropped 4.6%, and AI leader Nvidia dropped 2.4%. Investors are optimistic about future U.S. rate cuts after the U.S. Federal Reserve reduced interest rates by 25 basis point on Wednesday. The decision was made 9-3, but policymakers have indicated that they will put any further reductions of interest rates on hold for now. The Federal Reserve has expressed concern about the cooling of the labor market and a high level of inflation. Tony Welch is the chief investment officer of SignatureFD, a financial firm in Atlanta. The U.S. data on jobless claims showed that the number of Americans who filed new applications for unemployment benefit increased last week by the highest amount in almost 4-1/2 years. On Thursday next week, the Bank of England will likely cut interest rates. The European Central Bank will likely keep rates steady. However, traders now speculate that it may hike rates in the year 2026. After strong signals by Governor Kazuo ueda, the Bank of Japan will likely increase rates. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 211.75, or 0.4%, to 48.492.26, while the S&P500?fell 72.72, or 1.5%, to 6.828.25, and?the Nasdaq Composite?fell 378.01, or 1.50%, to 23215.84. MSCI's global index of stocks fell 6.18 points or 0.61% to 1,009.09. The pan-European STOXX 600 fell by 0.53%. Investors weighed the comments of a number of Fed speakers, and an optimistic outlook for the economy. Fed officials who voted to oppose the U.S. Central Bank's rate cut last week expressed concern on Friday that inflation is still too high for lower borrowing costs. The yield of the benchmark 10-year Treasury bill The rate rose by 4.5 basis point to 4.186%, and nearly 5 basis points in a week. It is now on track for its second consecutive weekly increase. German government bond rates rose this week after reaching their highest level since early March. This highlights how investors are pricing in rate hikes in the euro zone, a stark contrast to United States where rates seem set to decline. Germany's 30-year bond yield, which is more sensitive to fiscal concerns over the long term, has risen to a new?14-year-high of 3.498%. This represents a 3.5-basis-point increase. DOLLAR GAINS AND POUND FALLS Slightly On UK Data After falling against major currencies in recent sessions, the U.S. Dollar has risen again, but is still on track for its third consecutive weekly drop amid the prospect that the Fed will cut interest rates next year. Sterling fell after data revealed that the UK economy unexpectedly contracted in the three-month period ending October. The sterling fell 0.28%, to $1.3348. The dollar index (which measures the greenback in relation to a basket of currencies, including the yen, the euro and others) rose by 0.15% at 98.48. COAL LOWERS FROM RECORD HIGH Copper fell more than 3% after reaching a new record earlier in the day, as fears about the AI bubble burst prompted a sell-off of riskier assets. As of 1700 GMT, the benchmark three-month copper price on London Metal Exchange was down as much as 3.5% at $11,451.50. It was also trading lower by 2.8% to $11,537.50. U.S. crude oil fell 16 cents, settling at $57.44 per barrel. Brent crude dropped 16 cents and settled at $61.12. (Reporting and editing by Andrew Heavens, Matthew Lewis and Caroline Valetkevitch. Additional reporting by Elizabeth Howcroft and Chuck Mikolajczak from New York and Paris.
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Oil reports weekly loss due to oversupply
The oil prices fell 4% on Friday as the'supply glut' and a possible Russia-Ukraine deal overshadowed any concerns about an impact of the U.S. seizing a tanker near Venezuela. Brent crude futures closed 16 cents lower at $61.12 per barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate oil was also down 16 cents, at $57.44. Both benchmarks have fallen by more than 4% in the last week. The market is still weighed down by the supply of crude oil... On the other hand, oil markets ignore the tensions between the U.S. On Wednesday, Donald Trump announced that the U.S. had seized an oil tanker sanctioned by the U.S. government off Venezuela's coast. Six sources said that the U.S. was preparing to intercept more ships carrying Venezuelan oil after a tanker was seized this week. Analysts and traders have largely dismissed concerns about the impact of the seizure. They point to the ample supply on the market. International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts released on Thursday showed that the global oil supply would exceed demand next year by 3.84 million barrels a day - an amount equal to nearly 4% of worldwide demand. OPEC data, released on Thursday, showed that 'world oil supply' will closely match demand in 2026. This is contrary to the IEA view. Janiv Shar, an analyst with?Rystad, says that some price-supporting?factors still exist, such as the escalation of tensions between Venezuela and the U.S., and Ukrainian drone attacks on a Russian oil rig in Caspian sea. The Russian seaborne oil exports fell just 0.8% in November compared to October. Data from industry sources, and calculations, showed that the completion of refinery maintenance helped offset the slump in fuel exports via southern routes, such as the Black Sea or Azov Sea. Reporting by Seher DAREEN in London, Yuka OBAYASHI in Tokyo, and Siyi Liu from Singapore. Alex Lawler and Nia Williams edited by Daniel Wallis.
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Colombia launches copper exploration and production round with eight qualified companies
Carlos Ortega, Vice President of?Promotion and Development at the National Mining Agency ANM, said on Friday that eight companies have qualified to participate in Colombia's copper-gold and polymetallic exploration round, which will begin next week. Lina Franco, ANM president, said on Friday that Colombia offers 14 areas for copper exploration and production. Franco said during a Bogota event that the blocks in this round are located in Antioquia and La Guajira. Ortega stated that the Canadian company?Aris Mining has already been qualified. Rio Tinto, on the other hand, is currently securing their qualification. "Several important companies already qualified." Ortega told an audience at an agency event that some companies had provided feedback and we made changes to make the round run smoothly. He said that more than one company can bid in an auction when they express interest in the same parcel. Aris Mining confirmed that it had already qualified. Rio Tinto didn't immediately respond to our request for comment. "This is the selection mechanism where we spent over a year evaluating areas with high potential. He said that companies?are virtually guaranteed to take part, and we've made progress on community issues for them to enter more easily. According to the ANM, only 2.5% of Colombian territory has mining rights, which is equivalent to 2.9 millions hectares. Of this, 98% are small- and medium-scale mines. According to data from the agency, Colombia has 354 copper-potential titles, which cover 0.43% of its national territory. However, only six are currently in operation.
What Trump 2.0 would mean for trade, migrants, climate modification and electric cars and trucks
A Donald Trump governmental election success would have substantial implications for U.S. trade policy, climate change, the war in Ukraine, electric lorries, Americans' taxes and prohibited migration.
While a few of his proposals would need congressional approval, here is a summary of the policies he has actually stated he would pursue in his 2nd four-year term in workplace:
MORE TARIFFS
Trump has drifted the concept of a 10% or more tariff on all items imported into the U.S., a move he says would get rid of the trade deficit. However critics say it would lead to higher prices for American customers and global economic instability.
He has also said he needs to have the authority to set higher tariffs on countries that have put tariffs on U.S. imports. He has actually threatened to enforce a 200% tariff on some imported vehicles, saying he is identified in particular to keep cars and trucks from Mexico from entering the nation.
But he has likewise recommended that allies such as the European Union might see higher tasks on their items.
Trump has targeted China in particular. He proposes phasing out Chinese imports of items such as electronic devices, steel and pharmaceuticals over four years. He looks for to restrict Chinese business from owning U.S. realty and facilities in the energy and tech sectors.
Trump has actually said tariff is his preferred word and views them as revenue generators that would assist fill government coffers.
MASS DEPORTATIONS
Trump has sworn to restore his first-term policies targeting prohibited border crossings and to forge ahead with sweeping brand-new restrictions.
He has promised to restrict access to asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border and to embark on the biggest deportation effort in American history, which would likely set off legal challenges and opposition from Democrats in Congress.
He has actually said he will utilize the National Guard, and, if required, federal troops, to accomplish his goal, and he has not ruled out establishing internment camps to process people for deportation.
Trump has said he would seek to end automatic citizenship for kids born to immigrants, a move that would run against the long-running interpretation of the U.S. Constitution's 14th Amendment.
He has actually likewise recommended he would withdraw protected legal status for some populations such as Haitians or Venezuelans.
Trump says he will reinstitute the so-called travel ban that restricts entry into the United States of people from a. list of mainly Muslim-dominant countries, which stimulated. multiple legal battles throughout his very first term.
DRILLING AWAY
Trump has actually vowed to increase U.S. production of nonrenewable fuel sources. by relieving the allowing procedure for drilling on federal land. and would encourage new gas pipelines. He has actually stated he. would reauthorize oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife. Sanctuary in Alaska.
Whether the oil market follows through and raises. production at a time when oil and gas costs are relatively low. remains to be seen.
He has stated he will once again pull the United States out of the. Paris Environment Accords, a framework for lowering global. greenhouse gas emissions, and would support increased nuclear. energy production. He would also roll back Democratic President Joe Biden's. electric-vehicle mandates and other policies targeted at decreasing. car emissions.
He has argued that the U.S. requires to be able to boost energy. production to be competitive in developing artificial. intelligence systems, which take in big amounts of power.
TAX RELIEF
In addition to his trade and energy agendas, Trump has assured. to slash federal regulations that he states limit task production. He. has actually vowed to keep in place a broad 2017 tax cut that he signed. while in office, and his economic team has actually gone over an even more. round of individual and business tax cuts beyond those enacted. in his very first term.
Trump has actually pledged to decrease the business tax rate from 21%. to 15% for companies that make their items in the U.S.
. He has actually said he would seek legislation to end the tax. of suggestions and overtime earnings to aid waiters and other service. employees. He has pledged not to tax or cut Social Security. benefits.
Trump likewise has stated that as president he would press the. Federal Reserve to decrease rate of interest - however would stop short. of requiring it.
Many, if not all, of his tax propositions would require. congressional action. Spending plan experts have cautioned that the bevy. of tax cuts would swell the federal financial obligation.
ELIMINATING VARIETY PROGRAMS
Trump has promised to need U.S. institution of higher learnings. to defend American custom and Western civilization and to. purge them of variety programs. He said he would direct the. Justice Department to pursue civil rights cases against schools. that take part in racial discrimination.
At K-12 schools, Trump would support programs enabling. parents to use public funds for private or religious. direction.
Trump likewise wishes to abolish the federal Department of. Education, and leave states in control of education.
NO FEDERAL ABORTION BAN
Trump appointed 3 justices to the U.S. Supreme Court who. became part of the majority that eliminated Roe v. Wade's. constitutional protection for abortion. He likely would continue. to appoint federal judges who would maintain abortion limitations.
At the exact same time, he has stated a federal abortion restriction is. unneeded and that the issue ought to be fixed at the state. level. He has actually argued that a six-week restriction favored by some. Republicans is overly harsh and that any legislation should. consist of exceptions for rape, incest and the health of the. mom.
Trump has actually suggested he would not seek to restrict access to the. abortion drug mifepristone after the U.S. Supreme Court turned down. a challenge to the government's approach to managing it.
He supports policies that advance in vitro. fertilization (IVF), contraception and prenatal care.
A PUSH TO END WARS. Trump has actually been vital of U.S. support for Ukraine in its war. with Russia, and has actually said he might end the war in 24 hr if. chosen - although he has not stated how he would attain this. He. has recommended Ukraine might need to yield a few of its area if. a peace deal is to be struck, a concept Ukraine has regularly. turned down.
Trump has likewise said that under his presidency the U.S. would. essentially rethink NATO's purpose and NATO's objective.. He has backed Israel in its fight against Hamas in Gaza however has. prompted it to conclude its offensive. Trump can be expected to. continue the Biden administration's policy of arming Israel. At. the same time, he is most likely to promote historic normalization. of relations in between Israel and Saudi Arabia, an effort he made. throughout his 2017-2021 presidency and which Biden has also. pursued.
Trump has said if he becomes president, he will stop the. suffering and damage in Lebanon, however has not said how he. will attain that.
He has actually suggested constructing an iron dome - a massive. missile-defense shield comparable to Israel's - over the entire. continental United States.
Trump has actually also drifted sending militaries into Mexico to. battle drug cartels and utilizing the U.S. Navy to form a blockade. of that nation to stop the smuggling of fentanyl and its. precursors.
EXAMINING OPPONENTS, ASSISTING ALLIES
Trump has actually pledged sometimes to use federal police. agencies to examine his political enemies, including election. officials, attorneys and party donors.
Along that line, Trump has said he will think about designating. a special prosecutor to probe Biden, though he has not defined. the grounds for such an examination.
And he has actually said he would consider shooting a U.S. attorney. who did not follow his instructions - which would make up a. break with the longstanding U.S. policy of an independent. federal law enforcement device.
Trump has actually said he will consider pardoning all of those who. have been convicted of crimes in connection with the Jan. 6,. 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
In addition to criminal investigations, he has actually suggested. using the government's regulative powers to punish those he. views as critics, such as tv networks.
PURGING THE FEDERAL BUREAUCRACY
Trump would seek to decimate what he terms the deep state. -- profession federal workers he says are clandestinely pursuing. their own agendas-- through an executive order that would. reclassify countless workers to enable them to be fired. That. would likely be challenged in court.
He would establish an independent federal government performance panel. headed by billionaire advocate Elon Musk to root out waste in. the federal government. He has actually not detailed how the body would. function. The government currently has guard dogs such as the. Workplace of Management and Spending plan, and private investigators basic at. federal agencies.
Trump would punish federal whistleblowers, who are. typically shielded by law, and would set up an independent. body to monitor U.S. intelligence agencies.
(source: Reuters)