Africa’s Minerals Are Being Bartered for Security: Why It’s a Bad Idea
A minerals-for-security deal among the DRC, Rwanda and the US is as bad as the Ukraine “raw earths” security commitments.
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‘Farming in the Dark’: Brooke Rollins’ Leadership, DOGE’s Grip and the Cost to American Agriculture
In her first six months, Donald Trump’s second agriculture secretary has altered the course of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. She says prosperity is ‘just around the corner.’ But staffing cuts and restricted research could have long-lasting impacts.
Read more...US Shale Can’t Scale If No One’s Left to Work It
A form of class warfare hits shale players Too few young workers like the industry and its long-term career prospects.
Read more...China’s Rare Earths Weapon Could Kill Europe’s Auto Industry
More on US and European car-makers’ vulnerability to China’s new rare earths licensing regime.
Read more...“The US Trade Deal Is a Bad Deal, and It Has the Potential to Get Worse”
The first US trade “deal”, with the UK, looks as ugly as one might have expected.
Read more...Underage Workers, Millions of Dollars and Trucks Full of Dead Chickens — Inside the Business of Killing in Response to Bird Flu
The federal government has a single contractor to assist with killing infected flocks, leading to delays and the use of controversial culling methods.
Read more...Several Hundred Workers Who Keep Invasive Pests Out of the US Accept Trump’s Buyouts
As many as 700 USDA workers on the frontlines of pest detection and crop protection have accepted deferred resignation offers. Their departure could slow inspections, delay outbreak response and leave the nation’s crops exposed to invasive species — which could harm the agricultural economy.
Read more...Trade War Just Crashed Crude. Demand Might Be Next
Are the tariffs more likely to change patterns in the global oil market than really kill oil demand?
Read more...USDA Cuts Hit Small Farms as Trump Showers Billions on Big Farms
The dollars helped schools and food banks buy from small farmers, boosting the local food system.
Read more...Europe Scrambles To Revive Metals Industry
The dire state of Europe’s metals industry is another example of the damage done by the loss of cheap Russian energy.
Read more...Ukraine Rare Earths Deal Is Nonsense To Mining Experts
Professionals try to put a stake in the heart of the Trump rare earths deal palaver.
Read more...Mass Terminations Have Cut USDA ‘Off at the Knees,’ Ex-employees Say
The US is now a net importer of food. “America First” policies threaten to make situation worse, but who could benefit?
Read more...Trump Will End His Option of Walking Away from Project Ukraine with His Minerals Deal
The Trump-Ukraine minerals deal is on track, and with it, US commitment to continue to support Ukraine.
Read more...Climate Crisis Is Causing a Chocolate Market Meltdown: Study
Between July of 2022 and February of last year, cocoa prices jumped by 136 percent, partially due to climate extremes in West Africa’s Cocoa Belt.
Read more...Is Trump Poisoning the Prospects of Negotiation With Russia Over Ukraine with His Minerals Deal?
The US looks to be throwing a spanner into the possibility of Ukraine peace talks by getting Ukraine to sign over mineral rights to the US.
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