Beijing: China&#39;s commerce ministry announced new controls on the export of rare-earth technologies and items on Thursday, adding to regulations on a critical industry that has been a key source of tension between Beijing and Washington. China is the world&#39;s leading producer of the minerals used to make magnets crucial to the auto, electronics and defence industries. It has required licences for certain exports of the materials since April, hitting global manufacturing sectors. Rare earths have been a major sticking point in recent trade negotiations between China and the United States, with Washington accusing Beijing of slow-walking export licence approvals. The new controls -- which kick in immediately -- mean exporters must obtain permission for technologies used for rare-earth mining and smelting, among other processing steps, a Chinese commerce ministry statement said. They will also apply to technologies used in the &quot;assembly, adjusting, maintenance, repair and upgrading of production lines&quot;, it said. The commerce ministry said separately that restrictions would be placed on foreign entities that export related items outside China. The controls will require such exporters to obtain a permit before making certain shipments, the statement said, adding that applications to overseas military users would not be approved. &quot;For some time, some overseas organisations and individuals have directly or after processing transferred or provided controlled rare-earth items originating in China... for direct or indirect use in sensitive areas such as military operations,&quot; a ministry spokesperson said in a statement. The practice has caused &quot;significant damage or potential threats to China&#39;s national security and interests (and) adversely impacted international peace and stability&quot;. The European Commission said on Thursday it was &quot;concerned&quot; by China&#39;s announcement of the new controls. &quot;The&nbsp;commission expects China to act as a reliable partner and to ensure stable,&nbsp;predictable&nbsp;access&nbsp;to&nbsp;critical&nbsp;raw materials,&quot; EU trade spokesman Olof Gill told reporters. Global disruption&nbsp;The restrictions imposed by Beijing this year have caused significant disruption in worldwide industries, with some companies facing halts to production as supply of the key minerals dwindles. European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen said after a tense summit in Beijing in July that leaders had agreed to an improved mechanism for Chinese exports of rare earths to the bloc. However, a business lobby warned last month that European firms still faced challenges in securing access to the materials. The European Union and the United States are both trying to boost their own production of rare earths and better recycle what they use to reduce dependence on Beijing. The United States Geological Survey estimated In a 2024 assessment that there were 110 million tonnes of deposits worldwide, including 44 million in China. A further 22 million tonnes are estimated in Brazil and 21 million in Vietnam, while Russia has 10 million and India seven million tonnes. Beijing has&nbsp;for decades made the most of its reserves by investing massively in refining operations, often without the strict environmental oversight required in Western countries. China has also filed a huge number of patents on rare earth production, an obstacle to companies elsewhere hoping to launch large-scale processing. As a result, many firms find it cheaper to ship their ore to China for refining, further reinforcing the world&#39;s reliance.&nbsp;&nbsp;

China

China imposed new export controls on rare-earth technologies, intensifying tensions with Washington. The European Commission voiced concern over the move, urging Beijing to act as a reliable and responsible trade partner

China bolsters export controls on rare-earth industry

LOS ANGELES: Thirty paintings created by the bushy-haired, soft-spoken Bob Ross will soon be up for auction to help cover programming costs for public television stations facing cuts in federal funding. Ross, a public television stalwart in the 1980s and 1990s, &ldquo;dedicated his life to making art accessible to everyone,&rdquo; said Joan Kowalski, president of Bob Ross Inc. &ldquo;This auction ensures his legacy continues to support the very medium that brought his joy and creativity into American homes for decades.&rdquo; Bonhams in Los Angeles will auction three of Ross&rsquo; paintings on Nov. 11, with additional auctions to follow in London, New York, Boston and online. All profits are pledged to stations that use content from distributor American Public Television. The initiative aims to help stations struggling to pay licensing fees for popular programs, including &ldquo;The Best of Joy of Painting,&rdquo; based on Ross&rsquo; show, &ldquo;America&rsquo;s Test Kitchen,&rdquo; &ldquo;Julia Child&rsquo;s French Chef Classics&rdquo; and &ldquo;This Old House.&rdquo; Smaller and rural stations are particularly challenged. As directed by President Donald Trump, Congress has eliminated $1.1 billion allocated to public broadcasting, forcing about 330 PBS and 246 NPR stations to seek alternative funding sources. Many have launched emergency fund drives, while others have laid off staff or cut programming. Ross, who died in 1995 from complications of cancer after 11 years producing &ldquo;The Joy of Painting,&rdquo; became a beloved figure for his calm demeanor and encouraging words. His how-to program aired across the United States and worldwide, enjoying a resurgence during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. Ross often spoke on air about painting happy little clouds and trees, and making no mistakes&mdash;only &ldquo;happy accidents.&rdquo; The 30 paintings to be auctioned span Ross&rsquo; career and include landscapes depicting serene mountain vistas and lake scenes, his signature aesthetic. He created most of them on air, each in under 30 minutes, the length of a single episode. Bonhams, an international auction house, sold two of Ross&rsquo; early 1990s mountain-and-lake scenes in August for $114,800 and $95,750. The upcoming auctions are expected to bring in between $850,000 and $1.4 million, according to Bonhams.

Business

Thirty paintings created by Bob Ross will soon be up for auction to help cover programming costs for public television stations facing cuts in federal funding.

Federal cuts: Bob Ross paintings to pay for public TV funding 

Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: In a development that underscores a renewed strategic alignment, the US has approved the sale of state-of-the-art air-to-air missiles to Pakistan, marking a notable revival in defense cooperation between the two nations after years of fluctuating relations. According to official documents released by Washington, Pakistan is expected to receive the AIM-120D-3 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs), the newest and most capable variant in the AMRAAM family, by 2030. The deal forms part of a larger contract awarded to Raytheon Company, covering missile production for several allied nations, including Pakistan, T&uuml;rkiye, the United Kingdom, and Japan, and is valued at approximately $2.5 billion. The AIM-120D-3 represents a significant leap in aerial combat technology, boasting an extended range, enhanced target discrimination, and superior electronic countermeasures. The missile enables beyond-visual-range (BVR) engagements, allowing air forces to intercept enemy aircraft and incoming missiles with unprecedented precision. The capability is expected to significantly bolster Pakistan&rsquo;s deterrence and operational reach. The US Department of War, formerly the Department of Defense, confirmed the agreement in its September 30, 2025, contracts release, stating that the project will be completed at Raytheon&rsquo;s Tucson, Arizona, facility by May 2030. The deal comes amid a noticeable warming of ties between Islamabad and Washington.&nbsp; Pakistan&rsquo;s Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir has held multiple meetings with US President Donald Trump and senior defense officials over the past year, focusing on counterterrorism cooperation and regional stability.&nbsp; Speaking to Bloomberg, Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), emphasized that Pakistan&rsquo;s defense modernization aims to achieve &ldquo;technological efficiency and operational effectiveness&rdquo; rather than rivalry. &ldquo;Our strategy has always been to combine effective foreign platforms with indigenous innovation,&rdquo; he said, adding that Pakistan remains open to &ldquo;technology partnerships with both Eastern and Western nations.&rdquo; Defense observers suggest that the missile acquisition could reshape South Asia&rsquo;s aerial balance, giving Pakistan a critical edge in long-range engagements. However, it may also invite scrutiny from regional rivals, particularly India, which has pursued its own modernization efforts with US and French defense suppliers. With delivery slated by 2030, the missile program marks not only a significant technological upgrade for the Pakistan Air Force but also a symbolic reboot of a complex, yet enduring, military partnership.

Security

The United States has approved a $2.5 billion deal to supply Pakistan with advanced AIM-120D-3 air-to-air missiles by 2030, signaling renewed military cooperation and strengthening Pakistan’s aerial capabilities amid shifting regional dynamics.

US to deliver advanced missiles to Pakistan, signaling strategic reset

BRASILIA: Brazilian President Luiz In&aacute;cio Lula da Silva asked US President Donald Trump during a phone conversation Monday to lift the 40% tariff imposed by the US government on Brazilian imports.&nbsp;The leaders spoke for 30 minutes, exchanged phone numbers, and Lula reiterated his invitation for Trump to attend the upcoming climate summit in Belem, according to a statement from Lula&rsquo;s office.&nbsp;Later, Trump posted on Truth Social that he had had a good conversation with Lula. &ldquo;We discussed many things, but it was mostly focused on the Economy, and Trade, between our two Countries,&rdquo; Trump wrote, adding that the leaders &quot;will be having further discussions, and will get together in the not too distant future, both in Brazil and the United States.&quot;&nbsp;The Trump administration had imposed a 40% tariff on Brazilian products in July on top of a 10% tariff imposed earlier. Lula reminded Trump that Brazil was one of three G20 countries with which the US maintains a trade surplus.&nbsp;The Trump administration justified the tariffs saying that Brazil&#39;s policies and criminal prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro constitute an economic emergency. Earlier this month Bolsonaro was convicted of attempting a coup after losing his bid for reelection in 2022 and a panel of the Supreme Court sentenced him to 27 years and three months in prison.&nbsp;Lula also offered to travel to Washington to meet with Trump, to continue the conversation they started when they met at the United Nations General Assembly earlier this month.

Americas

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva asked US President Donald Trump during a phone conversation Monday to lift the 40% tariff imposed by the US government

Lula asks Trump to lift 40% tariff on Brazilian imports

TOKYO: Japan&rsquo;s chief trade negotiator defended a tariffs deal with the US, expressing respect for President Donald Trump and calling him a &ldquo;tough negotiator.&rdquo; Trade envoy Ryosei Akazawa said the pact, which set tariffs on most Japanese exports to the US at 15%, was comparable to a deal between Washington and the European Union. Unlike the EU, Japan did not have to lower its tariffs on US goods, he noted. Japan also committed to investing $550 billion in US projects. Trump had initially set Japan&rsquo;s tariff rate to increase by 25%. Critics in Japan ridiculed Akazawa&rsquo;s repeated trips to the US to work toward a deal as a waste of taxpayer money, saying he should pitch a tent on the White House lawn. Akazawa said talks with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Trump and others in his administration were tense at first. By his eighth trip, a rapport had been established, enabling the two sides to reach an agreement by July. &ldquo;President Trump was a tough negotiator, but I kept insisting, and he would listen graciously. I have all the respect for him,&rdquo; he told reporters at the Foreign Correspondents&rsquo; Club of Japan. &ldquo;It was a good round of negotiations.&rdquo; &ldquo;It goes without saying that with any government negotiations, there will always be someone who says Japan lost out, no matter what,&rdquo; Akazawa said. The double-digit tariffs Trump imposed on imports from various nations were a blow to Japan, a key US ally in Asia. Tokyo especially objected to 25% tariffs Trump ordered on imports of steel, aluminum and automobiles. Japan&rsquo;s economy depends heavily on exports. Shipments to the US fell nearly 14% in August compared to a year earlier, the fifth straight month of declines, as auto exports were hit by the tariffs. US tariffs on Japanese automobiles and auto parts are now set at 15%, far higher than the original 2.5%. Japanese automakers also produce many of the vehicles they sell in the US in North America. The friction with the US over tariffs has been an added burden for Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba&rsquo;s administration. He is due to be replaced as leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party later this week. The Liberal Democrats have ruled Japan almost continuously since the 1950s, but they lost their majority in the lower house, which chooses the prime minister, and will need coalition partners. Akazawa brushed off concerns that the US understanding of the deal may differ from Japan&rsquo;s. He said whoever becomes the next prime minister, Japan has an established tradition of respecting agreements, especially those forged with foreign countries.

Japan’s top negotiator on President Donald Trump’s tariffs, Economic and Fiscal Policy Minister Ryosei Akazawa speaks to reporters at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan

Japan’s chief trade negotiator defended a tariffs deal with the US, expressing respect for President Donald Trump and calling him a “tough negotiator.”

Japan's lead trade negotiator defends tariffs deal with the US

Caracas: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has declared a state of emergency over the threat of US &quot;aggression&quot; following a spate of deadly US strikes on suspected Venezuelan drug boats, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said on Monday. Rodriguez told foreign diplomats that Maduro had signed a decree giving himself &quot;special powers&quot; as head of state to act in matters of defense and security faced with the &quot;external shock.&quot;

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has declared a state of emergency over the threat of US "aggression"

Venezuela's Maduro declares state of emergency over feared US 'aggression': vice-president

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met with US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel in Washington on Saturday, with discussions focusing on counterterrorism, illegal immigration, and officer exchange programs.&nbsp;Naqvi is visiting the US as part of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif&rsquo;s official delegation, which, a day earlier, saw Sharif meet US President Donald Trump at the White House to discuss trade and investment opportunities.&nbsp;Taking to X (Twitter), Naqvi described his meeting with Patel as &ldquo;excellent,&rdquo; praising the FBI chief&rsquo;s &ldquo;professionalism and vision&rdquo; and calling him a valuable partner.&nbsp;The talks reaffirmed Pakistan&rsquo;s commitment to fighting terrorism, echoing Sharif&rsquo;s recent address at the UN General Assembly, where he highlighted Pakistan&rsquo;s sacrifices in the war on terror and pledged to eliminate all terrorist groups.&nbsp;The engagement reflects deepening cooperation between Washington and Islamabad in tackling global security challenges, curbing illegal migration, and enhancing counterterrorism coordination.&nbsp;Last month, the two countries also held a round of the US-Pakistan Counterterrorism Dialogue in Islamabad, reaffirming their resolve to combat terrorism &ldquo;in all its forms and manifestations,&rdquo; according to the State Department.

Foreign Affairs

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met FBI Director Kash Patel in Washington to discuss counter-terrorism, illegal immigration, and officer exchanges, reaffirming security cooperation a day after PM Shehbaz Sharif’s meeting with US President Donald Trump.

Pakistan, US vow to cooperate on security and illegal immigration

ISLAMABAD: The United States on Thursday announced the approval of a $1.23 billion sale of up to 400 advanced air-to-air missiles and related equipment to NATO ally Germany, AFP reported. &ldquo;The proposed sale will improve Germany&#39;s capability to meet current and future threats by providing increased air-to-air capability for the German F-35 program and supporting German and shared NATO planning, training, and operational requirements,&quot; the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a statement. The US State Department has approved the potential sale of AIM-120D-3 advanced medium range air-to-air missiles to Germany for an estimated $1.23 billion, the Pentagon said in a statement on Thursday, according to Reuters. The principal contractor for the sale is RTX Corp, the Pentagon said. Security of a NATO ally&nbsp;It will also &quot;support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a NATO ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe,&quot; DSCA said, according to AFP. The State Department approved the possible sale of the missiles to Germany and DSCA provided the required notification to the US Congress, which still needs to sign off on the transaction. The US announcement came after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz vowed to take &quot;all necessary measures to ensure effective deterrence against... violations of airspace and other attacks by the Russian military.&quot; Airspace violations&nbsp;Recent weeks have seen Russia send fighter jets and drones into the airspace of NATO members Poland and Romania, followed by suspicious drone flights near airports in Denmark and Norway. Merz&#39;s government has also blamed Moscow for multiple drone sightings over German military and industrial sites.

Europe

The US approved a $1.23 billion sale of 400 advanced air-to-air missiles to Germany, enhancing its F-35 program and NATO defense. The deal supports US foreign policy amid rising Russian threats.

US approves $1.2 billion missile sale to Germany

NEW YORK: The US Secret Service has found and is quietly dismantling a massive network of &quot;SIM farms&quot; across the New York area just as world leaders gather for meetings at the United Nations. Matt McCool, the special agent in charge of the Secret Service&#39;s New York field office, said agents found multiple sites filled with servers and stacked SIM cards, of which more than 100,000 cards were already active. Though the investigation is ongoing and no arrests have been made, he described it as a well-funded, highly organized enterprise and possibly run by nation-state actors &mdash; perpetrators from particular countries. Officials also warned of the havoc the network could have caused if left intact. McCool compared the potential impact to the cellular blackouts that followed the Sept. 11 attacks and the Boston Marathon bombing, when networks collapsed under strain. So what are these SIM farms and what are they capable of? What the tech doesSIM farms are hardware devices that can hold numerous SIM cards from different mobile operators. These devices then exploit voice over internet protocol (VoIP) technology to send and receive bulk messages or calls. While initially developed for legitimate purposes, such as low cost international calling, the technology has become a cornerstone of organized fraud targeting mass audiences &mdash; phishing texts and scam calls. &quot;Scams have become so sophisticated now. Phishing emails, texts, spoofing caller ID, all of this technology gives scammers that edge,&quot; said Eva Velasquez, president and CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center. In this case, the devices were concentrated within 35 miles of the U.N. building. The investigation is ongoing, but McCool said forensic analysis currently believe the system could have been used to send encrypted messages to organized crime groups, cartels and terrorist organizations. How these farms pose a threat to telecom networksAnthony J. Ferrante, the global head of the cybersecurity practice at FTI, an international consulting firm, said the photos show a very sophisticated and established SIM farm that could be used for any number of nefarious activities, including the potential to overwhelm cellular networks with millions of calls in just a few minutes. &quot;So if you can imagine that type of magnitude on cellular networks, it would just overwhelm them and cause them to shut down,&quot; Ferrante said in an interview. He also notes that it&#39;s possible the system could be used for surveillance operations, given its proximity to the United Nations, &quot;potentially that equipment could be used to either intercept communications, eavesdrop on communications, or actually, clone devices, as well.&quot; Ferrante, who previously served in key security positions at the White House and the FBI, says he&#39;s awaiting the results of the investigation before drawing any conclusions about the nature of the setup, but he emphasizes that the scale of the operation shows how simple tools can pose real risks to critical infrastructure. &quot;The masterminds could have set this up a long time ago and be operating from thousands of miles away,&quot; he said. &quot;It&#39;s a stark reminder of how deeply interconnected our world has become, where local vulnerabilities can be exploited globally.&quot;

US Secret Service has found and is quietly dismantling a massive network of "SIM farms" across the New York area just as world leaders gather for meetings at the United Nations

How SIM farm found near UN threatens telecom networks

Reuters

International Criminal Court in The Hague

The United States is considering sweeping sanctions on the International Criminal Court over its investigation into alleged Israeli war crimes, a move that could disrupt the court’s operations and deepen tensions with member states.

Articles tagged with "US"