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☆ Slowing China still leads the race for commodities
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Yawen Chen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

"When it comes to copper, the thinking usually goes that copper equals property, property equals China," said one commodities trader. "And because China property is down, copper must be down too." That’s why China's copper demand will still rise by 4 million tonnes from the 2020 level to around 18 million tonnes per year in 2030, according to estimates by commodity trading group Trafigura. And China's copper demand has grown by 8% this year, faster than the 5% Xi is targeting for overall GDP growth. China's annual aluminium demand rose by 18 million tonnes from 2010 to 2020 and is forecast to grow by another 13 million tonnes to over 50 million tonnes a year in 2030, per Trafigura.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Communist Party’s, Wood Mackenzie, Francesco Guerrera, Katrina Hamlin, Thomas Shum Organizations: Reuters, HK, Communist, Shanghai Futures Exchange, London Metal Exchange, ING, International Monetary Fund, IMF, World Bank, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Oxford, HSBC, Democratic, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, China, Washington, Moscow, Taiwan, Shanghai, Republic, United States, Australia, Beijing, Chile, Indonesia, Democratic Republic of Congo

☆ Donating to Doctors Without Borders can offer tax advantages and help provide life-saving medical care. Here's how.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Sponsor Post | Created Doctors Without Borders | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

With the end of the year fast approaching, we want to spotlight a few alternative ways to support Doctors Without Borders' work that may align with your financial and philanthropic goals. Many alternative gift types offer tax advantages or other financial benefits, and they can serve as long-term investments in Doctors Without Borders' work. Charitable gift annuities: If you're 65 or older and prepared to give $10,000 or more, a charitable gift annuity can provide income for one or two people via fixed payments for their lifetimes. At the end of the contract, any funds leftover will be used to continue Doctors Without Borders' life-saving work. You can learn more about creating a legacy with Doctors Without Borders and request our legacy giving brochure by completing our form.

Persons: Donor, you've Organizations: Democratic, Fund, DAF, Insider Studios Locations: Central America, Haiti, Yemen, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan

☆ Somalia joins east Africa trade bloc as it eyes new opportunities
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Abdi Sheikh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MOGADISHU, Nov 24 (Reuters) - The East African Community trade bloc admitted Somalia as its eighth member on Friday, a move Somali authorities and businesses hope will boost the country's war-ravaged economy. "Somalia officially joins the East African Community, reinforcing ties and opening new doors for progress and partnership," Daud Aweis, Somalia's minister for information, culture and tourism said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. In turn the bloc's large population and existing customs union and common market are a draw for investors that Somalia can now tap into. Somali businesses said the country's vibrant private sector, which has overcome long odds to stay afloat, would bring a fresh injection of risk-tolerant entrepreneurs into the trade bloc and boost exchanges across the large Somali Diaspora. "It will be simpler for the large Somali Diaspora living across East Africa to access financial services and products," said Shuayb Haji Nur Mohamed, managing director of Salaam Somali Bank, one of Somalia's major banks.

Persons: Daud Aweis, al, Shuayb Haji Nur Mohamed, Hereward Holland, Elias Biryabarema, William Maclean Organizations: East African Community, EAC, Democratic, East African, Salaam Somali Bank, Thomson Locations: MOGADISHU, Somalia, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Al Qaeda, Shabaab, Mogadishu, al Shabaab, Somali, East Africa

☆ Congo's Katumbi promises security in restive east
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Reuters Editorial | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

PoliticsCongo's Katumbi promises security in restive eastPostedWith less than a month until Democratic Republic of Congo's election, presidential candidate Moise Katumbi has told residents in Goma that he will make security a priority if he wins. David Doyle has more.

Persons: Congo's, Moise Katumbi, David Doyle Organizations: Democratic Locations: restive, Democratic Republic, Goma

☆ Factbox-The Big Topics That Will Define Congo's Election
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +5 min

But despite its wealth of copper, cobalt and other resources, little is passed down to ordinary Congolese. Tshisekedi has sought to rein in China's 70% share of Congo's mining sector by re-negotiating that and other contracts. Risk-averse companies that had previously avoided Congo's mining sector due to instability are taking a second look as new opportunities to tap into its minerals emerge. Nearly 7 million people are displaced in Congo as of June, the International Organization for Migration said, up 17% from October 2022. Opposition parties said registrations were skewed by the national election commission to favour Tshisekedi's ruling coalition.

Persons: Edward McAllister DAKAR, Felix Tshisekedi's, Tshisekedi, Joseph Kabila, Zaynab Hoosen, Tshisekedi's, China's CMOC, Maja Bovcon, Kabila, Gecamines, Bovcon, Martin Fayulu, Moise Katumbi, Denis Mukwege, Edward McAllister, Ange Kasongo, Sonia Rolley, Bate Felix, Christina Fincher Organizations: Democratic, International Monetary Fund, Notre, Congolese, United Nations, International Organization for Migration, Oxford Economics, Islamic State, Allied Democratic Forces, Cooperative for, Senior, Catholic Church Locations: Democratic Republic of Congo, Saharan Africa, Kinshasa, Oxford Economics Africa, Congo, China, North Kivu, DR Congo

"The Compact with Africa conference aims to send this signal: You can count on Germany as a partner". The 4 billion euros would be channelled into the common EU-Africa Initiative for Green Energy. The European Union had already announced it would deliver it 3.4 billion euros in grants. German trade with Africa was 60 billion euros ($65.4 billion) last year, which is a fraction of its trade with Asia but up 21.7% on 2021. Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara said the number of German companies had tripled in five years while Morocco's Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch said German investment had increased sixfold since 2015.

Persons: Olaf Scholz, Emmanuel Macron, Ursula von der Leyen, Liesa, Scholz, Christian Lindner, Alassane Ouattara, Aziz Akhannouch, Andreas Rinke, Sarah Marsh, Riham Alkousaa, David Gregorio Our Organizations: French, REUTERS, Rights, Africa, Africa Initiative for Green Energy, European Union, " Finance, Ivory, Morocco's, Democratic, Thomson Locations: Africa, Berlin, Germany, Europe, China, West, Russia, Asia, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Senegal, Guinea, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia

☆ Factbox-The Main Contenders in Congo's December Election
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

President Felix TshisekediTshisekedi, 60, son of Congo's late opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi, came to power in a disputed 2018 election buoyed by a power-sharing alliance with former president Joseph Kabila. In 2018, he was prevented from entering the country in time to submit his candidacy for the presidential election. Old rival Martin FayuluFayulu, 66, a former Exxon Mobil executive, came second in the 2018 election that he claims he won. Before the 2018 election, Fayulu was chosen as the joint opposition candidate in a deal with Tshisekedi. Fayulu sent representatives to a meeting in South Africa where the main opposition candidates discussed joining forces behind one candidate.

Persons: Ange Kasongo, Felix Tshisekedi, Martin Fayulu, Denis Mukwege, Felix Tshisekedi Tshisekedi, Congo's, Etienne Tshisekedi, Joseph Kabila, unravelled, Vital Kamerhe, Jean, Pierre Bemba, Tshisekedi, Businessman Moise Katumbi Katumbi, Kabila, Katumbi, Martin Fayulu Fayulu, Fayulu, Mukwege, Marie José Ifoku, Bate Felix, William Maclean Organizations: Democratic, Peace, Exxon Mobil, Tshisekedi Locations: Ange Kasongo KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo, Katanga, Congo, Congolese, Rhodes Island, Congo's Katanga, South Africa

Scholz, who has visited Africa several times since taking office in late 2021, will hold bilateral talks with several African countries on Sunday, before hosting a German-African investment summit at Berlin's Marriott Hotel on Monday morning. African countries have long complained that while Europe talks about investment, China actually provides financing without any moral lecturing. Still, Chinese lending in Africa is in decline, while European interest is rising as it seeks to diversify supply chains. Nearly two thirds of German companies want to expand their business in Africa, according to a study by KPMG and the German-African Business Association. The member countries of the G20 Compact are Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Senegal, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia.

Persons: jostling, Scholz, Macron, Ursula von der Leyen, Emmanuel Macron, Mark Rutte, Olaf Scholz, Sarah Marsh, Andreas Rinke, Mike Harrison Organizations: Africa, Dutch, African Union, KPMG, African Business Association, Democratic, Thomson Locations: Berlin, Africa, Macron BERLIN, Germany, Berlin's, Europe, United States, Russia, China, Asia, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Senegal, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia

☆ Islamist Militants Tie Up, Kill Congo Villagers - Local Official
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

BENI, Democratic Republic of Congo (Reuters) - Islamist militants tied up at least 19 villagers and killed them with machetes and other weapons in a raid in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo late on Sunday, a civil society leader said. Other villagers fled but may have drowned as they tried to cross the Lamia river into Uganda, Maurice Mabele Musaidi told Reuters. Congo's army said it killed at least six of the militants that night, without going into detail on the operation. Army spokesperson Antony Mualushayi put the civilian death toll at 11, though he said that figure was provisional. (Reporting by Yassin Kombi; Writing by Anait Miridzhanian; Editing by Andrew Heavens; Editing by Gareth Jones and Andrew Heavens)

Persons: Maurice Mabele Musaidi, Musaidi, Antony Mualushayi, Yassin Kombi, Anait Miridzhanian, Andrew Heavens, Gareth Jones Organizations: Reuters, Allied Democratic Forces, Islamic, ADF Locations: BENI, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Beni, Congo, Islamic State

☆ Presidential portraits: Kehinde Wiley’s secret, decade-long project painting African leaders
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Thomas Page | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Perhaps not, supposes Kehinde Wiley in his latest collection, “A Maze of Power,” which, in the artist’s own indelible style, casts plenty of light of its own. We’re now learning that before and after that commission, he had been on a secret, decade-long odyssey across the African continent, painting its current and former heads of state. This series narrows the gap further, with subjects commanding a similar power to some of Wiley’s artistic reference points. Tanguy Beurdeley/© Courtesy Kehinde Wiley and Galerie TemplonHery Rajaonarimampianina, the former president of Madagascar, sits astride a horse in one painting. Some might wrinkle their nose at seeing certain heads or former heads of state depicted in such triumphant fashion.

Persons: Kehinde Wiley, Wiley, Barack Obama, We’re, Jacques Chirac, Obama, Sarah Ligner, Black, Old, Olusegun Obasanjo, Paul Kagame, Tanguy, Hery Rajaonarimampianina, Alpha Condé, –, ”, Rajaonarimampianina –, “, “ it’s, Andy Warhol’s, Mao Organizations: CNN, Old Masters, Democratic, Wiley Locations: Africa, Zimbabwe, Rhodesia, Los Angeles, Senegal, Nigeria, New York, Paris, France, Rwanda, Madagascar, Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Guinea, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Togo, Democratic Republic of Congo

☆ Exclusive: Canadian winner of gas rights on Congo's 'killer' Lake Kivu failed criteria
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Sonia Rolley | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +9 min

[1/5] Aerial view shows Lake Kivu and the skyline of the city of Goma, North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of the Congo October, 21, 2023. First to be auctioned were three methane blocks in Lake Kivu, sometimes dubbed a "killer lake" because of a risk of deadly eruption. The documents do not show why Alfajiri was included in the auction, who requested that the report be edited, or why. Lake Kivu is one of three lakes in Africa scientists say are at risk of limnic eruption. The report's second version - also dated Dec. 8 and seen by Reuters - raised Alfajiri's score to 55.75, putting it ahead of Winds.

Persons: Arlette, Felix Tshisekedi, Alfajiri, Didier Budimbu, Christian Hamuli, Hamuli, Joseph Nzau, Budimbu, Alfajiri's Hamuli, vulcanologist Dario Tedesco, Alfajiri's, Frank Ihekwoaba, Alessandra Prentice, Bate Felix, Joe Bavier, Frank Jack Daniel Our Organizations: Democratic, REUTERS, Reuters, Alfajiri Energy Corporation, Investigative Journalism, Exploration, Ray Group, Ray, Thomson Locations: Lake Kivu, Goma, North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Canada, Calgary, Rwanda, Kivu, Africa, Congolese, U.S

REUTERS/Claro Cortes/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Oct 30 (Reuters) - China's imports of tin concentrates collapsed in September, reflecting the suspension of mining activity in the semi-autonomous Wa state in neighbouring Myanmar. China's imports of tin concentrates from Myanmar and other sourcesIMPORT SLUMPChina imported 7,300 metric tons of tin concentrates in September, which was the lowest monthly count since February 2019. Imports from Myanmar slumped to just 1,421 metric tons after a mini surge over July and August ahead of the mining ban. The Myanmar ban has to date had little impact on either China's production of refined tin or the tin price. The boom in tin usage for home electronics during lockdown in 2020-2021 has given way to a prolonged downturn.

Persons: Claro, that's, Jan Harvey Organizations: REUTERS, United Wa State Army, Democratic, London Metal Exchange, International Tin Association, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Shanghai, Claro Cortes, Wa, Myanmar, China, Tanintharyi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Bolivia, Brazil, Russia

☆ Conflict uproots record 6.9 million people in Congo -IOM
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

REUTERS/Paul... Acquire Licensing Rights Read moreJOHANNESBURG, Oct 30 (Reuters) - Conflict and escalating violence have uprooted a record 6.9 million people in the Democratic Republic of Congo, mostly in the east of the country, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Monday. Years of rebel conflict and recurrent natural disasters have helped fuel one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world. Most of those forced to flee their homes live in the eastern provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri and Tanganyika, according to the data collected by the United Nations. In North Kivu alone, up to one million people have been displaced due the ongoing conflict with a Tutsi-led rebel group M23, IOM said. The most recent escalation of the conflict has uprooted more people in less time like rarely seen before," said Fabien Sambussy, IOM's head of mission in Congo.

Persons: Paul, Fabien Sambussy, Anait, Tomasz Janowski Organizations: United Nations Organization Stabilization, Democratic, REUTERS, International Organization for Migration, United Nations, IOM, Thomson Locations: Democratic Republic of, Congo, Djugu's, Ituri's province, Democratic Republic of Congo, JOHANNESBURG, North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri, Tanganyika, Congolese

☆ Congo boat accident deaths rise to 52
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Reuters —The bodies of at least 52 people have been recovered from the Congo River after their boat capsized late last week, a provincial minister said on Monday, warning that the death toll could rise further with many still missing. The boat was carrying over 300 people when it overturned near the town of Mbandaka in northwestern Democratic Republic of Congo during the night on Friday. Didier Mbula, provincial health minister for Equateur Province, told Reuters the number of dead had since risen. Deadly boat accidents are frequent on Congo’s rivers and lakes, where vessels are frequently loaded well beyond their capacity. In a statement, he promised to implement rules to improve the safety of river transport and “minimize the recurring tragedies.”

Persons: Didier Mbula, ”, Marc Ekila Organizations: Reuters Locations: Congo, Mbandaka, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equateur Province

☆ Congo Election Chief Promises 'Rebrand' Amid Concerns Over December Vote
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

CENI is undergoing "rebranding" to show people it has changed since past elections that were marred by irregularities and violence, CENI president Denis Kadima told Reuters in an interview in Washington on Friday. The 2011 elections, followed by the 2018 elections, have left many people so disappointed with the institution," said Kadima. He cited, as an example, that some of the 24 presidential candidates were in exile or barred from participating in 2018. Kadima, who was appointed in 2021, said observers from groups including the U.S.-funded Carter Center and the European Union were expected to monitor the elections. Washington remains concerned about "possible violence, threats to the press freedom and freedom of peaceful assembly, and attempts by certain parties to manipulate the vote," the spokesperson said.

Persons: Simon Lewis WASHINGTON, Denis Kadima, CENI, Kadima, Critics, Felix Tshisekedi, Simon Lewis, Sonia Rolley, Grant McCool Organizations: Democratic, Electoral, Reuters, Carter Center, European Union, Kadima, State Department Locations: Democratic Republic, United States, Africa's, Washington, U.S, Congolese

☆ Uganda police say suspected rebels kill three in national park
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Elias Biryabarema | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Stringer Acquire Licensing RightsKAMPALA, Oct 17 (Reuters) - A Ugandan national and two foreign tourists have been killed in an attack by suspected Islamist rebels from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in a national park, the police said on Tuesday. The ADF began as an uprising in Uganda but has been based in the Democratic Republic of Congo since the late 1990s. "We have registered a cowardly terrorist attack on two foreign tourists and a Ugandan in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The national park's western boundary is the shore of Lake Edward, which separates Uganda from Congo. Last week, ADF fighters killed at least one man and injured another when it ambushed a truck in western Uganda.

Persons: Stringer, Fred Enanga, Enanga, Lake Edward, Bashir Hangi, Yoweri Museveni, Meddie Nkalubo, Museveni, Elias Biryabarema, George Obulutsa, Estelle Shirbon, Bill Berkrot Organizations: Secondary, Allied Democratic Forces, REUTERS, Rights, Ugandan, ADF, Democratic, Islamic State, Park, Uganda Wildlife Authority, Rebels, Thomson Locations: Mpondwe, Uganda, Rights KAMPALA, Democratic Republic of Congo, Queen Elizabeth, Lake, Congo, Kampala

☆ Cloudline: The blimp is back – and this time it’s tiny
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Tom Page | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —You’d be forgiven for thinking the resurgence of airships and blimps was a load of hot air. South African startup Cloudline has received millions of dollars in investment for its mini blimps. Cloudline first received venture capital backing in 2019, and after years of research and development and prototyping, the company is preparing to launch commercial operations. “The ability of companies like Cloudline to expand is highly subject to the complexity of regulations experienced across the continent,” Chokossa adds. However it looks to fill its airships, Cloudline is hoping it can break through in this revived transport sector.

Persons: CNN — You’d, Cloudline, Spencer Horne, ”, Horne, Christele Chokossa, “, Chokossa, ” Horne Organizations: CNN, Helicopters, Harvard University, Gross, Euromonitor International, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic, UNICEF Locations: firma, South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique, Kenya, East Africa, Africa, Cameroon, Cote, Democratic Republic of Congo

☆ Where This Summer Was Relentlessly Hot
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( Zach Levitt | Elena Shao | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +5 min

Where This Summer Was Relentlessly Hot The planet just experienced its hottest months on record, and by a large margin, scientists said. Some areas, including northern Canada and some of Greenland, show temperatures more than 6 degrees Fahrenheit (3.3 degrees Celsius) above average. Phoenix, which is known for its extreme heat, shows temperatures more than 2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.1 degrees Celsius) above average. The global map spins to South America, where average daily temperatures were higher than normal for much of the continent. Areas of Sudan and Ethiopia show temperatures greater than 6 degrees Fahrenheit (3.3 degrees Celsius) higher than normal.

Organizations: Phoenix, El, Democratic Locations: North America, Canada, Mexico, Greenland, United States, El Paso, Texas, Louisiana, Baton Rouge, La, Chilean, America, Paraguay, Europe, Croatia, Switzerland, Marseille, France, Spain, Romania, Africa, Sudan, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, East, Ethiopia, China, Turpan, Mongolia

☆ Congo Colonel Found Guilty of Murder for Role in Goma Massacre in Aug
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Arlette BashiziGOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo (Reuters) - A Congolese colonel has been found guilty of murder and other crimes related to the August killing of 56 people during an army crackdown on anti-U.N. demonstrations in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a local court said on Monday. Colonel Mike Mikombe, who was head of the Republican Guard unit in the city of Goma, where the incident took place, was one of six soldiers on trial. He was sentenced to death, but the death penalty is no longer applied in Congo, and is generally commuted to life imprisonment. The U.N. peacekeeping mission in eastern Congo, known as MONUSCO, has faced protests since last year, spurred partly by complaints that it has failed to protect civilians against decades of militia violence. An anti-MONUSCO protest in July 2022 resulted in more than 15 deaths, including three peacekeepers in Goma and the city of Butembo.

Persons: Arlette Bashizi, Mike Mikombe, Serge Lukanga, Sonia Rolley, Edward McAllister, Christian Schmollinger Organizations: Democratic, Republican Guard Locations: Arlette Bashizi GOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo, Congolese, Goma, Congo, Butembo

☆ Congo Ruling Coalition Backs Tshisekedi for December Vote
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-01 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Ange KasongoKINSHASA (Reuters) - Democratic Republic of Congo's President Felix Antoine Tshisekedi was officially nominated on Sunday as candidate for the Dec. 20 presidential election by his ruling political coalition the Sacred Union. Tshisekedi is seeking a second term in the vast nation, which is the world's top cobalt supplier and No. 3 copper producer, after winning a disputed first term in a 2018 vote. On Sunday, a congress of the Sacred Union coalition that includes political heavyweights such as Defence Minister Jean Pierre Bemba and Economy Minister Vital Kamerhe, picked Tshisekedi unanimously. Tshisekedi, the son of Congo's beloved long-term opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi, promised to root out corruption and authoritarianism and has rejected accusations by rights groups and critics that he has fallen short on his promises.

Persons: Ange Kasongo, Felix Antoine Tshisekedi, Tshisekedi, Jean Pierre Bemba, Vital Kamerhe, Felix Tshisekedi, Andre Mbata, Congo's, Etienne Tshisekedi, Martin Fayulu, Bate Felix, Andrew Cawthorne Organizations: Democratic, Sacred Union, Sacred Union coalition, Defence, Economy, Union, Tshisekedi Locations: Ange Kasongo KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of, Rwanda, Republic, Kinshasa, Tshisekedi

REUTERS/Florence Lo/Illustration/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Sept 27 (Reuters) - China's appetite for base metal imports appears to be growing. FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVEChina's imports of primary aluminium surged to a near two-year high of 153,000 metric tons in August, bringing the year-to-date count to 755,000 metric tons. SLOW COPPER BOAT TO SHANGHAIRefined copper imports were 340,000 metric tons in August, the highest monthly tally this year. The country's refined zinc trade has reverted to net imports this year but volumes remain modest by historical standards. SHIFTING THE NICKEL MIXThere has been no pick-up in China's imports of refined nickel.

Persons: Florence Lo, they've, They've, China's, David Holmes Organizations: REUTERS, Shanghai Futures Exchange, London Metal Exchange, LOVE, Malaysian, New, Democratic, China's CMOC, Reuters, Thomson Locations: China, contango, Shanghai, RUSSIA, U.S, New Zealand, SHANGHAI, Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC, Indonesia

☆ Prices tumble for cobalt used for electric vehicle batteries
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Pratima Desai | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Vincent West Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Sept 25 (Reuters) - Prices of the cobalt hydroxide used to make chemicals for electric vehicle batteries have plummeted due to an upsurge of supplies from top producer Democratic Republic of Congo. Cobalt hydroxide is produced in Congo, where it is a byproduct of copper. According to Benchmark Mineral Intelligence (BMI), payables in August dropped to 46% of the cobalt metal price compared with around 90% in late 2021 and early 2022 when cobalt metal traded around $60,000 a metric ton. "These developments pose long-term challenges to cobalt demand," analysts at Morgan Stanley said in a note. "We see cobalt prices remaining under pressure as supply growth and CMOC destocking come through."

Persons: Vincent West, Roman Aubry, Tenke, Morgan Stanley, destocking, Pratima Desai, Bernadette Baum Organizations: REUTERS, Democratic, Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, BMI, China's CMOC, Thomson Locations: Bilbao, Spain, Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo, payables, Indonesia, DRC

☆ Western rival to Belt and Road has much to prove
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Hugo Dixon | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

LONDON, Sept 25 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Western countries have a window of opportunity to come up with a credible infrastructure plan for the developing world. U.S. President Joe Biden has been talking up the West’s so-called Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII). To be fair, the G7 is stepping up efforts to involve the private sector. These initiatives are running in parallel with efforts to get the World Bank to cooperate more with the private sector. For developing countries, it is good to have two rival infrastructure initiatives competing for their attention.

Persons: Joe Biden, PGII, marshall, It’s, Hung Tran, Janet Yellen, Antony Blinken, Jordan, Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, Peter Thal Larsen, Katrina Hamlin Organizations: Reuters, Initiative, Group, Democratic, Global Infrastructure, Investment, Atlantic Council, coy, Treasury, European, Bank, United Arab, China, Thomson Locations: Italy, Republic, India, Europe, Zambia, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Indonesia, Vietnam, South Africa, Senegal, United States, China, East, New Delhi, Indonesian, New York, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Beijing

☆ Uganda leader says air strike killed fighters of IS-allied rebel group in Congo
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni attends a session of the Russia-Africa summit in Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 28, 2023. The strike was carried out in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo on Sept.16 and intelligence gathered after the strike had confirmed members of group, Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), had been killed, he said. In December 2021 Uganda launched an operation in eastern Congo against ADF but the group still carries out attacks both against civilians and military targets in Congo and Uganda. In June this year 42 people, mostly students, were massacred at a school in Kasese in western Uganda -- another attack Uganda blamed on ADF. The rebel group is widely believed to seek to establish an Islamic rule in the east African country.

Persons: Yoweri Museveni, Mikhail Tereshchenko, Nkalubo, Museveni, Elias Biryabarema, Clelia Organizations: Agency, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Islamic, Allied Democratic Forces, ADF, Thomson Locations: Russia, Africa, Saint Petersburg, Rights KAMPALA, Islamic State, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kampala, Uganda, Congo, Kasese, Uganda's

☆ Congo president asks UN peacekeepers to start packing up this year
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Ange Adihe Kasongo | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo addresses the 78th Session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York City, U.S., September 20, 2023. But its presence has become increasingly unpopular in recent years for what critics say is a failure to protect civilians against militia groups, sparking deadly protests. "It is to be deplored that peacekeeping missions deployed for 25 years... have failed to cope with the rebellions and armed conflicts," Tshisekedi told the assembly in a speech. More than 40 people were killed and dozens wounded in an army crackdown on violent anti-U.N. demonstrations in the eastern city of Goma last month. Another protest in July 2022 resulted in more than 15 deaths, including three peacekeepers in Goma and the city of Butembo.

Persons: Felix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, Eduardo Munoz, Felix Tshisekedi, Tshisekedi, Ange Kasongo, Edward McAllister, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Democratic, General Assembly, REUTERS, Rights, United Nations, General, Central, of, Thomson Locations: Democratic Republic of Congo, New York City, U.S, Rights KINSHASA, Republic, Goma, Butembo

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