US Launches Critical Minerals Trade Zone Amidst Domestic Probes and International Concerns
The United States is taking steps to counter China's dominance in the critical minerals industry by launching an effort to form a trade zone, while also facing domestic scrutiny over alleged discrimination at Nike and dealing with the fallout from a raid on X's French offices and a UK investigation into its AI tool, Grok.
On Wednesday, the State Department hosted the Critical Minerals Ministerial event, attended by countries and organizations including the UK, European Union, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to BBC Technology. Delegates discussed the availability of and access to minerals crucial to the manufacture of items like computer chips. The US is aiming to break China's hold on the industry, as these minerals are key to making everything from smartphones to weapons.
Meanwhile, Nike is under investigation by the US government over claims of discrimination against white workers, according to BBC Business. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced on Wednesday that it has demanded company records going back to 2018, including the use of race and ethnicity data, and whether such information influenced executive pay. Court documents show the EEOC is examining claims that Nike engaged "in a pattern or practice of disparate treatment against white employees, applicants, and training program participants." Nike stated it was "committed to fair and lawful employment practices," calling the inquiry "a surprising and unusual step."
In France, the offices of Elon Musk's X were raided by the Paris prosecutor's cyber-crime unit, as part of an investigation into suspected offenses including unlawful data extraction and complicity in the possession of child pornography, BBC Technology reported. The prosecutor's office also said that both Musk and former X chief executive Linda Yaccarino had been summoned to appear at hearings in April. Musk responded on X, calling the raid a "political attack."
Adding to Musk's challenges, the UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) announced a probe into Musk's AI tool, Grok, over its "potential to produce harmful sexualised image and video content," according to BBC Technology.
These developments come as Netflix and Warner Bros Discovery face scrutiny over their proposed merger. Netflix struggled to reassure skeptical lawmakers that its proposed $82 billion takeover of Warner Bros Discovery would benefit consumers, workers, and the broader entertainment industry, BBC Technology reported. On Tuesday, members of the US Senate antitrust subcommittee raised concerns about reduced competition, potential price rises, and the future of cinemas if the merger goes ahead. The deal is currently under review by the Department of Justice (DoJ).
In other news from Nigeria, dozens of people were killed in a shooting attack on two villages in Kwara state, according to BBC World. The attackers also set fire to shops and homes, along with the residence of the traditional leader, forcing the residents of Nuku and Woro to flee, local lawmaker Saidu Baba Ahmed told BBC Hausa. Officials have blamed extremist groups for the attack and deployed an army battalion to Kwara's Kaiama constituency. The attack comes as the country's defense minister.
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