Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Iran–U.S. Nuclear Talks in Oman Face Major Hurdles Amid Rising Regional Tensions 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Tencent Shares Slide After WeChat Restricts YuanBao AI Promotional Links 
Nighttime Shelling Causes Serious Damage in Russia’s Belgorod Region Near Ukraine Border 
New York Legalizes Medical Aid in Dying for Terminally Ill Patients 
U.S. Announces Additional $6 Million in Humanitarian Aid to Cuba Amid Oil Sanctions and Fuel Shortages 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Burkina Faso and Mali’s fabulous flora: new plant life record released 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
TrumpRx Website Launches to Offer Discounted Prescription Drugs for Cash-Paying Americans 
As the Black Summer megafires neared, people rallied to save wildlife and domestic animals. But it came at a real cost 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Rio Tinto Shares Hit Record High After Ending Glencore Merger Talks 
The UK is surprisingly short of water – but more reservoirs aren’t the answer 
Trump Says “Very Good Talks” Underway on Russia-Ukraine War as Peace Efforts Continue 
Weight-Loss Drug Ads Take Over the Super Bowl as Pharma Embraces Direct-to-Consumer Marketing 
The United States and Japan have agreed on a trade deal to strengthen their battery supply chains and reduce their dependence on China on electric vehicle battery minerals.
The agreement will also give Japanese automakers easier access to the $7,500 US EV tax credit.
It also prohibits the two countries from enacting bilateral export restrictions on the minerals, including lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite, and manganese, which are most critical for EV batteries.
US and Japan are collaborating to combat “non-market policies and practices” of other countries in the sector and on conducting investment reviews of foreign investments in their critical minerals supply chains.
Minerals-focused trade deals are one way the US will open access for trusted allies to the $7,500 per vehicle EV tax credits in last year’s climate-focused Inflation Reduction Act.
The two countries agreed to review the minerals agreement every two years, including whether it is appropriate to terminate or amend it.
