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☆ Ukraine alleges that Russian forces accidentally bombed their own occupied territory when an air strike went wrong and hit an apartment complex
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Natalie Musumeci | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Russian forces wound up bombing their own occupied territory in Ukraine in a botched attack Friday, Ukrainian officials alleged. The Russians reportedly meant to drop the explosives at the Ukrainian-held right bank of the Dnipro River, a military spokesperson said. Russian state media said 15 people were hurt — and blamed the strike on Ukrainian forces. But Russian state-run news outlet RIA Novosti blamed Ukraine military for the explosion, saying it was Kyiv's forces that struck the residential area in Nova Kakhovka, leaving 15 people injured. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently admitted Kyiv started the counteroffensive too late, giving Moscow ample time to plant countless land mines on Ukrainian soil.

Persons: —, Natalia Humeniuk, Humeniuk, Oleksandr Prokudin, it's, Volodymyr Zelenskyy Organizations: Service, Nova Kakhovka, Kyiv Independent, Kakhovka, Independent Locations: Ukraine, Dnipro, Russian, Ukrainian, Wall, Silicon, Nova, Novosti, Nova Kakhovka, Kherson, Moscow

BEIJING (AP) — China and Zambia upgraded their relationship to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership on Friday, the latest move by America's chief global rival to forge deeper ties with the Global South. Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Zambian counterpart announced the agreement shortly after Xi had exchanged cordial words with another visitor, the new prime minister of Cambodia. China has in turn won access to natural resources and diplomatic support from many Global South countries on contentious votes at the U.N. and from Cambodia in China’s territorial disputes with other Southeast Asian nations in the South China Sea. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet made China his first official foreign visit after succeeding his father, Hun Sen, who ruled Cambodia for 40 years and cultivated his country's close relationship with China. Xi told Hun Manet that his father had made historic contributions to bilateral ties.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Xi, ” Xi, Hakainde Hichilema, Hichilema, Nicolás Maduro, ”, Edward Chan, South Africa —, Hun Manet, Hun Sen, Hun, Alfred Wu, National University of Singapore's Lee, “, Wanqing Chen Organizations: BEIJING, Global, Zambian, Australian National University, “, United Arab, Initiative, Cambodian, U.S, Ream Naval Base, National University of Singapore's, National University of Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew, of Public, Associated Press Locations: China, Zambia, Cambodia, Africa, Southeast Asia, Latin America, U.S, Zambian, Brazil, Russia, India, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Iran, United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, South China, Cambodian, Beijing, ASEAN

☆ Ukraine may be cracking Russia's frontlines, but now it has to get Russian troops to crack as well
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Michael Peck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

But Russian troops have been fighting fiercely trenches behind extensive obstacles and minefields. Ukrainian troops have managed to penetrate the first of three Russian fortified belts in southern Ukraine, but for now, the Russian military hasn't cracked. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu exits a trench as he inspects troops in Ukraine in a photo released in December 2022. Russian troops are dug into elaborate trench systems shielded by millions of mines and supported by artillery and attack helicopters. Ukrainian troops work on a US-made Bradley armored vehicle at a secret workshop in the Zaporizhzhia region in July.

Persons: Sergei Shoigu, George Patton —, Bradley, Ed Ram, France —, Alexey Malgavko, Michael Peck Organizations: Service, Kyiv, Russian, Russian Defense Ministry Press Service, Royal United Services Institute, Washington, Getty, Sedan, REUTERS, Defense, Foreign Policy, Twitter, LinkedIn Locations: Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, Russian, Nazi Germany, British, France, economize, Zaporizhzhia, American, Russia, Omsk, Forbes

Yes to life" take part in a anti-lithium protest in Covas do Barroso, Portugal, August 15, 2023. With 60,000 tonnes of known reserves, Portugal is already Europe's biggest producer of lithium, traditionally mined for ceramics. Referring to the Barroso project and another in France, he said it would be "a disaster if either ... doesn't succeed". But with only 15 of 916 submissions in a public consultation supporting the project, Savannah faces a struggle to win over locals who have said they will fight it and the APA in court. "Politicians listen to those who shout loudest and have most money - and that's the mining industry," she said.

Persons: Catarina Demony, Maria Loureiro, Loureiro, Barroso, Martin Jackson, , Savannah's, Michael Schmidt, doesn't, Schmidt, Nelson Gomes, Greta Thunberg, Karin Kvarfordt Niia, LKAB's, Anders Lindberg, UDCB's Catarina Alves Scarrott, Aida Fernandes, Barroso's, Dale Ferguson, Ferguson, Emanuel Proenca, Teresa Camille, Gunilla Hogberg Bjorck, Miguel Pereira, Covas do Barroso, Pietro Lombardi, Simon Johnson, Aislinn Laing, Catherine Evans Organizations: REUTERS, Savannah Resources, DO BARROSO, EU, Agriculture Organization, CRU, APA, State, Barroso, Reuters, UDCB, Thomson Locations: Covas do Barroso, Portugal, Barroso, China, London, Savannah, Europe, France, Kiruna, Sweden's, Montalegre, Scarrott, Portuguese, EUROPE, Chile, Covas, Karr, Covas do, Madrid, Stockholm

☆ Elon Musk's control of Starlink gives him unchecked power over elected governments
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( Charles R. Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Elon Musk's control over Starlink is in the spotlight after he thwarted a Ukrainian attack. "If the Ukrainian attacks had succeeded in sinking the Russian fleet, it would have been like a mini Pearl Harbor and led to a major escalation," Musk told Isaacson. (Musk later reassured a Russian ambassador that Ukraine would not be able to use Starlink for offensive operations, according to Isaacson). AdvertisementAdvertisementAs Ukrainian officials see it, sinking Russia's fleet, if that was indeed a possibility, would have prevented hundreds of missiles from raining down on the country's infrastructure, and spared civilian lives. Even if it wanted to change Musk's mind, it is not clear that it can actually compel him to do anything when it comes to Ukrainian attacks on territory controlled by Russia.

Persons: Elon, Musk, —, Walter Isaacson, Isaacson, Starlink, Biden, Pettyjohn, it's, Paul Hennessy, David Frum, George W, Bush, Nicholas Grossman, Grossman, Joe Biden, Josh Marshall, cdavis@insider.com Organizations: Service, SpaceX, Fleet, Russian, Pentagon, Ukraine, Center, New, New American Security, Defense Department, Falcon, Getty, University of Illinois, Daily, Washington, Twitter Locations: Wall, Silicon, Sevastopol, Crimea, Ukraine, Crimean, Russian, Sevastopol —, United States, New American, Washington, Ukrainian, Russia

The report highlights the numerous human rights violations that have occurred as a result of mining activity. The mine is operated by Compagnie Minière de Musonoie Global SAS, or COMMUS, a joint venture between Chinese company Zijin Mining and the state-owned Gecamines mining company. Often there was no grievance mechanism, accountability, or access to justice.”Amnesty International says companies are not doing enough to address human rights concerns and are disregarding international human rights laws and standards, as well as national legislation and U.N. Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Decarbonizing the global economy must not lead to further human rights violations,” it said.

Persons: “ Ernest Miji, Chemaf, COMMUS, Donat Kambola Organizations: Amnesty International, U.S . House, Good, Human, Resources, Residents, Coalition, Rights, Amnesty, Compagnie Minière de, Global SAS, Mining, AP Locations: ABUJA, Nigeria, Congo, U.S, Kolwezi, Lualaba Province, Lualaba, Dubai, Cité

REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies Ecopetrol SA FollowBOGOTA, Sept 11 (Reuters) - Colombia's government is considering revising rules to make majority state-run energy company Ecopetrol (ECO.CN) an obligatory partner in every offshore wind project, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters. If approved, the revision would make it "mandatory for Ecopetrol to take part in each offshore project," another source told Reuters. Having Ecopetrol partner up with other companies on offshore wind farms would "minimize the risks of new projects" one of the sources said, adding that the size of any given Ecopetrol stake would be "very, very small," without hinting at possible percentages. Ecopetrol's involvement in offshore wind projects would help shore up energy self sufficiency, another of the sources said. Plans to hold the bidding round to assign maritime blocks for offshore wind farms are running behind.

Persons: Luisa Gonzalez, Gustavo Petro, Colombia's, Energy Irene Velez, Andres Camacho, Oliver Griffin, Timothy Gardner Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, The, of Mines, Energy, Thomson Locations: Bogota, Colombia, BOGOTA, Colombia's

☆ Zelenskyy admitted that Ukraine 'waited too long' to begin its counteroffensive, giving Russia plenty of time to riddle the land with mines
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( Natalie Musumeci | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy admitted that Ukraine began its counteroffensive too late. The late start gave Russia ample time to plant land mines on Ukrainian soil, Zelenskyy told CNN. "Look, we waited too long, it's true," Zelenskyy told CNN's Fareed Zakaria of Ukraine's counteroffensive in a new interview that aired on Sunday. Zelenskyy told CNN the counteroffensive was delayed as the Eastern European country waited for more deliveries of Western weaponry. "But we have to understand, cause we waited too long, they put mines," Zelenskyy said, referring to Russian forces.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Zelenskyy, CNN's Fareed Zakaria, it's, Joe Biden, Antony Blinken, Blinken Organizations: CNN, Service, Kyiv, Russian, European Union, Washington Post, NBC Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Wall, Silicon, Moscow, Bakhmut, United States, Russian, Florida, Ukrainian

☆ Zimbabwe's Mnangagwa appoints son as deputy finance minister in new cabinet
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( Nyasha Chingono | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa speaks during his inauguration at the National Sports Stadium in Harare, Zimbabwe September 4, 2023. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsHARARE, Sept 11 (Reuters) - Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Monday appointed his son as the deputy finance minister and retained Mthuli Ncube as the finance minister as he battles to rescue the country's ailing economy. Mnangagwa appointed his son David Mnangagwa to be Ncube's deputy as part of the parliament's youth quota, while also announcing Soda Zhemu to head the mining ministry. Mining generates more than half of Zimbabwe's foreign export earnings and Mnangagwa has said the sector, which is attracting investors in lithium mining, will anchor future economic growth. The ruling ZANU-PF party's national chairperson Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri was re-appointed as the Defence Minister.

Persons: Emmerson Mnangagwa, Mthuli Ncube, Mnangagwa, Ncube, David Mnangagwa, Zhemu, Winston Chitando, Oppah Muchinguri, Kashiri, Nyasha Chingono, Bhargav Acharya, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Zimbabwe, National Sports, REUTERS, Philimon, Rights, Mines Minister, of Energy, Power Development, Mining, ZANU, PF party's, Defence, Thomson Locations: Harare, Zimbabwe, Philimon Bulawayo, Rights HARARE

Kyiv CNN —The United States’ top general has warned Ukraine has just six weeks left before changing weather hampers its counteroffensive, even as Kyiv is signaling it could fight on into the winter. Meanwhile, an online update from the southern ‘Tavria’ command said: “we continue to make small advances in the area of Robotyne. One of Zelensky’s senior security officials, speaking at the same event the following day, indicated Ukraine’s forces might be set to keep attacking well into the coming winter. Kyrylo Budanov, head of military intelligence, acknowledged the counteroffensive was moving more slowly than he would like. Ukraine’s counteroffensive in the south then ran for a further six weeks, only ending around November 10 with the liberation of Kherson.

Persons: Mark Milley, Milley, “, aren’t, haven’t, It’s, ”, Volodymyr Zelensky, Budanov, David Petraeus, Kyiv’s Organizations: CNN, United, United States ’, Joint Chiefs, Staff, BBC, Biden, Russian Locations: United States, Ukraine, Robotyne, Zaporizhzhia, Tokmak, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Lyman, Kherson, Russia

☆ Ukraine appears to be repurposing powerful Russian anti-tank mines and using drones to drop them on Putin's invasion army
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( Nathan Rennolds | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Ukraine appears to be repurposing and using Russian mines against Putin's forces. Video footage appears to show Ukraine dropping TM-62 anti-tank mines on Russian positions. Russian mines have been a significant obstacle to Ukraine's counteroffensive. download the app Email address By clicking ‘Sign up’, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider as well as other partner offers and accept our Terms of Service and Privacy PolicyAdvertisementAdvertisementUkraine appears to be repurposing Russian anti-tank mines and using drones to drop them on Russian forces. Video footage shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, claims to show a Ukrainian drone dropping a powerful grenade-fused TM-62 anti-tank blast mine on an enemy position.

Persons: Greg Crowther, GLOBSEC, Oleksii Reznikov Organizations: Ukraine, Service, CAT, Atlas Internazionale, TNT, Washington Post, Mines Advisory, United Nations, Guardian Locations: Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, Russian, Ukrainian, Atlas, Uruguay, Florida, Slovakia

Major General Kyrylo Budanov, chief of the Military Intelligence of Ukraine, speaks during an interview with Reuters, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine July 6, 2023. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko Acquire Licensing RightsKYIV, Sept 9 (Reuters) - Ukraine's counteroffensive against Russian forces will continue through the onset of cold and wet weather later this year, even though it would become harder to fight, Kyiv's intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said on Saturday. The counteroffensive will continue," Budanov said. Vadym Skibytskyi, an official from Ukraine's military spy agency, said earlier on Saturday that Russia currently had 420,000 servicemen inside Ukraine. Russia, which launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has said that the Ukrainian counteroffensive has failed.

Persons: Kyrylo Budanov, Valentyn, Budanov, Victor Pinchuk, Tom Balmforth, Mike Harrison Organizations: Military Intelligence, Reuters, REUTERS, Rights, Russian, Victor, Victor Pinchuk Foundation, Kyiv, Ukraine, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Russia, Zaporizhzhia, Robotyne

☆ Mangosuthu Buthelezi, Zulu prince who roiled South African politics, dead at 95
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

South Africa's leader of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) Mangosuthu Buthelezi speaks to supporters ahead of the national elections, in Richards Bay, north of Durban, in South Africa, April 19, 2009. REUTERS/Rogan Ward Acquire Licensing RightsSept 9 (Reuters) - Mangosuthu Buthelezi, a veteran South African politician, Zulu prince and controversial figure during the apartheid liberation struggle, has died, the presidency said on Saturday. South Africa's main opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) party described Buthelezi as a "great leader". "Prince Buthelezi was a giant on South Africa's political landscape," DA leader John Steenhuisen said. Critics dubbed Buthelezi a war lord but to his legion of followers in the rural Zulu heartland, he was a visionary.

Persons: Mangosuthu Buthelezi, Rogan Ward, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, Prince, KwaPhindangene, Cyril Ramaphosa, Buthelezi, Nelson Mandela, Prince Buthelezi, John Steenhuisen, ANC Buthelezi, Critics, Inkatha, Thabo Mbeki, King Cetshwayo, Henry Kissinger, Peter Carrington, Ashpenaz Nathan Mangosuthu Gatsha Buthelezi, Matoli Buthelezi, Princess Constance Magago Dinuzulu, Irene Mzila, Bhargav Acharya, Nelson, Angus MacSwan, Frances Kerry Organizations: Freedom Party, IFP, REUTERS, South, Home Affairs, African National Congress, Zulu Monarch, ANC, Nelson, Nelson Mandela Foundation, Mandela's, Democratic Alliance, Reuters, British, Black University of Fort, ANC Youth League, U.S, Thomson Locations: Richards Bay, Durban, South Africa, KwaZulu, Natal, Zulu, Johannesburg, Black University of Fort Hare, Lesotho, Mahlabathini

☆ Mangosuthu Buthelezi, Zulu Prince Who Roiled South African Politics, Dead at 95
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( Sept. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +6 min

(Reuters) -Mangosuthu Buthelezi, a veteran South African politician, Zulu prince and controversial figure during the apartheid liberation struggle, has died, the presidency said on Saturday. Critics dubbed Buthelezi a war lord but to his legion of followers in the rural Zulu heartland, he was a visionary. A Zulu chief, Buthelezi became KwaZulu's chief minister in the 1970s, where he tried a delicate balancing act: refusing outright independence and criticising Pretoria's racial policies while still playing a role in the homeland farce. Ashpenaz Nathan Mangosuthu Gatsha Buthelezi was born on Aug. 27, 1928, in Mahlabathini, the son and heir of Chief Matoli Buthelezi and Princess Constance Magago Dinuzulu. In 1953 he was installed as acting chief of the prominent Buthelezi clan and four years later was confirmed as chief.

Persons: Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, Prince, KwaPhindangene, Cyril Ramaphosa, Buthelezi, Nelson Mandela, Critics, Inkatha, Thabo Mbeki, King Cetshwayo, Henry Kissinger, Peter Carrington, Ashpenaz Nathan Mangosuthu Gatsha Buthelezi, Matoli Buthelezi, Princess Constance Magago Dinuzulu, Irene Mzila, Bhargav Acharya, Nelson BanyaEditing, Angus MacSwan, Frances Kerry Organizations: Reuters, South, Freedom Party, Home Affairs, African National Congress, Zulu Monarch, IFP, ANC, British, Black University of Fort, ANC Youth League, U.S Locations: KwaZulu, Natal, South Africa, Zulu, Johannesburg, Black University of Fort Hare, Lesotho, Mahlabathini

☆ A shortage of land mines forced Russian troops to put down irregular minefields, creating new problems for Ukraine: report
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Ryan Pickrell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Russia began laying minefields deeper than normal to make them harder for Ukraine to cross. The inconsistent and often improvised approach that followed, however, still created headaches for advancing Ukrainian forces. The result was that Russian minefields became irregular, which isn't necessarily out of the ordinary to begin with given terrain and time considerations. Citing conversations with Ukrainian forces, he also revealed that Russia sometimes built fake trench traps rigged with explosives. AdvertisementAdvertisementAnd the inconsistency and irregularity of the Russian minefields has only further complicated matters.

Persons: Jack Watling, Nick Reynolds, Watling, Reynolds, Michael Kofman Organizations: Service, Royal United Service Institute, Russian, 35th Marine Brigade, Anadolu Agency, Getty, Ukraine Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, Russian, Donetsk

☆ PHOTOS: Step inside one of the US-made Bradley fighting vehicles keeping Ukrainian troops alive through mines and enemy fire
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

US-provided Bradley infantry fighting vehicles have proven to be valuable assets for the Ukrainians. Advertisement Advertisement Watch:Recent photos offer a look inside a Bradley operated by Ukraine's 47th Mechanized Brigade in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region. Designed and manufactured by BAE Systems as a response to Soviet infantry fighting vehicles, the Bradley entered service in the 1980s. Photo by Ukrinform/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesGunner 'Molfar' is pictured inside the Bradley. Photo by Ukrinform/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesGunner 'Molfar' is seen inside the Bradley.

Persons: Bradleys, Bradley, Gunner, Molfar, Dmytro Smolienko, Pat Ryder, Biden, Stryker Organizations: Bradley, Service, Washington, Ukraine's 47th Mechanized Brigade, Magura Mechanized Brigade, Publishing, Getty, BAE Systems, Pentagon Press, Air Force, Russia Locations: Wall, Silicon, Ukraine, Soviet, Bradleys, Zaporizhzhia, Robotyne, Iraq, Orikhiv, Azov

☆ I'm the former VP of HR at Microsoft. I've met a few outstanding leaders in my 40-year career — and they almost all had these 4 traits.
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Chris Williams | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

It's worth noting the difference in phrasing I'm using here: bad managers vs. great leaders. They may have the title, but all the best work gets done when everyone works together — themselves included. The best leaders make everything all about the objective — not about titles and rank, not about you or me, but about the shared goal. Great leaders work hard to make the whole greater than the sum of the parts. Here, too, great leaders recognize the power of their positions.

Persons: Chris Williams, Williams, I've, —, who's, isn't, Patience, they've, Candor, they're Organizations: Microsoft, Service, Navy, Team, asker Locations: Wall, Silicon

☆ In U.S.-China AI contest, the race is on to deploy killer robots
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +26 min

In this high-tech contest, seizing the upper hand across fields including AI and autonomous weapons, like Ghost Shark, could determine who comes out on top. This could become critical if the United States intervened against an assault by Beijing on Taiwan. Cheap and expendableThe AI military sector is dominated by software, an industry where change comes fast. Still, the available disclosures of spending on AI military research do show that outlays on AI and machine learning grew sharply in the decade from 2010. The Costa-Mesa, California-based company now employs more than 1,800 staff in the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.

Persons: America’s, Shane Arnott, Anduril, ” Arnott, Arnott, ”, “, Mick Ryan, Eric Schmidt, hasn’t, Lloyd Austin, –, Stuart Russell, Russell, Kathleen Hicks, “ We’ll, Palmer Luckey, Luckey, ” Arnott didn’t, Biden, Tsai Ing, Frank Kendall, Datenna, Martijn Rasser, Feng Yanghe, Feng, Palmer, ” Anduril, Arnott wouldn’t, David Lague, Edgar Su, Catherine Tai, Peter Hirschberg Organizations: Australian Navy, Ghost Sharks, Sharks, Reuters, Defense, Australian, Chinese Communist Party, Beijing, People’s Liberation Army, PLA, Department of Defense, Pentagon, Australia’s Department of Defence, Australian Defence Force, Technologists, University of California, U.S ., U.S, Teledyne FLIR, Facebook, VR, Military, . Air Force, FH, U.S . Central Intelligence Agency, Department, Statistics, Harvard University, Biden Administration, Special, Command, Ministry of Defense, Veteran Locations: China, Australia, United States, Sydney, Britain, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Europe, Asia, Ukraine, ”, America, U.S, Taiwan, East Asia, Beijing, Russian, Berkeley, Fort Campbell , Tennessee, Kenya, “, Russia, Colorado, Zhuhai, Netherlands, Costa, Mesa , California, United Kingdom, Virginia, Canberra, Washington

☆ Chinese rare earth prices hit 20-month high on Myanmar supply worry
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

BEIJING/HANOI (Reuters) -Chinese rare earth prices jumped to their highest in 20 months, as mining suspension in major producer Myanmar sparked stockpiling ahead of the peak consumption season, analysts said on Thursday. A mining machine is seen at the Bayan Obo mine containing rare earth minerals, in Inner Mongolia, China July 16, 2011. Rare earth is a prized group of 17 minerals used in consumer electronics and military equipment. Myanmar accounted for 38% of rare earth imports into China in January-July, Chinese trade data showed, while the Southeast Asian country was the fourth biggest source of rare earth mining in 2022, data by the U.S. Geological Survey showed. ($1 = 7.3275 Chinese yuan renminbi)

Persons: Stringer, Eikon, SMM, “, ”, Yang Jiawen, David Merriman, Merriman, ” Merriman, SMM’s Yang Organizations: REUTERS, Shanghai Metals, Mines, U.S . Geological Survey, Reuters Locations: BEIJING, HANOI, Myanmar, Bayan, Inner Mongolia, China, Myanmar’s Pangwa, Kachin State, Chipwi, Pangwa, Kachin, Southern China, Laos, Jiangxi province

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon announced a new $600 million package of long-term aid to Ukraine on Thursday, providing funding for an array of weapons and other equipment just a day after Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited the country and pledged $1 billion in new military and humanitarian aid. The Defense Department said the latest package will come through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which provides money for long-term contracts for weapons systems that need to be built or modified by defense companies. Political Cartoons View All 1148 ImagesIn addition, he announced the U.S. will send nearly $805 million in non-arms-related aid to Ukraine, including $300 million for law enforcement, $206 million in humanitarian aid, $203 million to combat corruption and $90.5 million for removing mines, the State Department said. That package also included a previously announced $5.4 million transfer to Ukraine of frozen assets from Russian oligarchs. The aid announced this week comes from money previously approved by Congress.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Biden, Joe Biden Organizations: WASHINGTON, Pentagon, The Defense Department, Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, Wednesday, State Department, Congress Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, U.S

YAHIDNE, Ukraine — Ukraine's military is making "very tangible progress" in its counteroffensive against Russian forces, Secretary of State Antony Blinken told NBC News on Thursday. He also placed the blame for a lack of peace talks at the door of the Kremlin. Ukrainians "knew this was going to be a hard fight but especially over the last couple of weeks, we are seeing very tangible progress," Blinken said in an interview. He said that he had heard a very detailed report from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who recently visited the front lines, and his military advisers. "I think we are seeing real forward movement," Blinken added.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Ukraine —, Ukraine's, Blinken, Volodymyr Zelenskyy Organizations: State Border Guard, Security and, Russian, NBC, Kyiv, Kremlin Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv Oblast, YAHIDNE, Ukraine's, Yahidne, Russian

☆ Ukraine is gaining ground in its counter offensive, NATO chief says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"The Ukrainians are gradually gaining ground...They have been able to breach the defensive lines of the Russian forces, and they are moving forward," Stoltenberg told lawmakers in remarks at the European Parliament. Since launching its offensive, Kyiv has struggled to break through entrenched Russian lines and has faced growing criticism in Western media of concentrating forces in the wrong places. "Hardly any time in history we have seen more mines on the battlefield than we are seeing in Ukraine today. Not perhaps as much as we hoped for but they are gaining ground gradually," said the NATO chief. "Some hundred meters per day, meaning that when the Ukrainians are gaining ground, the Russians are losing ground."

Persons: Jens Stoltenberg, Stoltenberg, Sabine Siebold, Marine Strauss, Benoit Van Overstraeten Organizations: NATO, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS, Ukraine, Russia, Russian, Moscow

☆ Thailand Gets Ready to Sparkle
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( David Belcher | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Thailand’s history is rich with gemstones, beginning in the 1400s when its mines first produced the sapphires and rubies that adorned the crowns, swords and even the footwear of the country’s royalty. And as recently as May, jewelry fans took note of the glittering sapphire and diamond necklace and earring set that Queen Suthida of Thailand wore at King Charles III’s coronation in London. But since the 1970s, Thailand has mostly been known as a global hub for cutting, polishing, heating and trading stones, doing business with its gem-rich neighbors Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, along with countries far beyond. The event offers “a lot of opportunities for local businesses to be exposed to overseas buyers,” said Sumed Prasongpongchai, chief executive of the Gem & Jewelry Institute of Thailand (G.I.T. “We promote the fair heavily in the Middle East, Europe and America.”

Persons: Suthida, King Charles III’s, ”, Sumed Prasongpongchai Organizations: & Jewelry Institute of Thailand, Ministry of Commerce Locations: Thailand, London, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Bangkok, East, Europe, America

☆ Decarbonisation in mining still a long way off
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Engineering student Mark Peirce from the School of Mines poses for a portrait in the college's experimental mine in Idaho Springs, Colorado, U.S., December 9, 2021. As metals are used across many different industries that serve customers across various geographies, it is difficult for mining companies to account for the whole supply chain. The International Council on Mining and Metals , whose members include around 25 mining companies, on Thursday published guidance for all mining companies on how to account and report their Scope 3 - or indirect - emissions "to try and answer the problem of patchy data to make companies report consistently," its CEO Rohitesh Dhawan said at the conference. Scope 1 refers to a company's direct emissions, Scope 2 to indirect emissions from purchased energy while Scope 3 refers to all other indirect emissions, for example from a company's third-party suppliers. Mining companies have set targets to decarbonise and mostly aim to reach net zero by 2040 and 2050, but some are struggling to keep up.

Persons: Mark Peirce, Kevin Mohatt, Virginia Dundas, Dundas, Rohitesh Dhawan, Rio, Adam Matthews, Clara Denina, Elaine Hardcastle Organizations: School of Mines, REUTERS, Reuters IMPACT, Council, Mining, Metals, Rio Tinto, Church of, Pensions, Thomson Locations: Idaho Springs , Colorado, U.S, Virginia, London

☆ Vladimir Putin must really be desperate for help since he's planning to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and talk about weapons, top US diplomat says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Natalie Musumeci | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is planning to meet with Vladimir Putin to discuss a possible arms deal. The move just shows the Kremlin's "desperation," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told NBC News. Kim is reportedly planning to travel to Russia this month to discuss supplying weapons to Russia for use in Ukraine. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told NBC News on Thursday that Kim's planned upcoming trip to Russia for arms deal talks shows the Kremlin's "desperation." AdvertisementAdvertisementThe counteroffensive has been slow-moving, but Blinken told NBC News on Thursday that Ukrainian troops were making "very tangible progress" over the last couple of weeks.

Persons: Kim Jong Un, Vladimir Putin, Antony Blinken, Kim, Kim's, Mark Hertling, Putin, Mr, Hertling, Blinken Organizations: NBC News, Service, United, North, NBC, New York Times, CNN, US Army Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, United States, Moscow, North Korea, US Army Europe

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