The Pentagon Has Less Than 8 Months to Break China’s Rare Earth Grip

China moved this week to take tighter control of its rare earths producers amid an escalating tit-for-tat battle with Washington over everything from tariffs and semiconductor warfare to pressure over Iran and Hormuz. At the same time, an ominous Pentagon deadline looms large, with the entire American defense system to be banned from using any Chinese-origin rare earths materials beginning in January …

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Gold prices steadies as inflation revives higher-rate bets

Gold held near record levels as renewed US inflation pressures reinforced expectations the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates elevated for longer. Bullion traded near $4,700 an ounce after falling 0.6% Wednesday when data showed US wholesale inflation accelerated in April at the fastest pace since 2022, while benchmark 10-year Treasury yields climbed toward their highest level since July. Higher …

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Aluminium recycling sector flags EU ETS risks, surge in copper prices too

European aluminium producers are facing mounting pressure as the European Union pushes forward with reforms to its Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), a move expected to increase operating costs across the region’s recycling and refining industries. While the reforms are intended to support long-term decarbonisation goals and cleaner industrial production, analysts and industry groups fear they could weaken the competitiveness …

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