6 months after toxic mine spill in northern Zambia, US Embassy orders personnel out of the area
The embassy said in an alert on social media that new information revealed that 'hazardous and carcinogenic substances' including arsenic, cyanide, uranium and other heavy metals had polluted a major river system flowing through the town of Chambishi and the nearby city of Kitwe, and had possibly become airborne, following an accident at the mine in February.
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Newsweek
20 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Satellite Photo Shows Israel Military Buildup Near Gaza
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. New satellite imagery reveals a significant buildup of Israeli troops and military equipment near the Gaza border, signaling preparations for a major ground offensive in the Palestinian enclave. The deployment comes after Israel's security cabinet approved a plan to seize control of Gaza City, raising the stakes in an already volatile conflict and intensifying fears of a broader and more destructive escalation. Newsweek has reached out to the U.S. State Department and Israel's Foreign Ministry. Why It Matters The buildup highlights an intensifying Israeli military posture amid a fragile and volatile situation in Gaza. Israel's plan to take over Gaza City likely will require a large-scale ground offensive that has alarmed stakeholders in the region. The trajectory of the yearslong conflict now points to a potentially broader and more destructive phase, which could escalate humanitarian suffering and complicate diplomatic relations with Israel's allies including the United States. Imagery dated August 7, 2025, and released by the Chinese satellite firm MizarVision shows the buildup of Israeli military forces at the Karni crossing near northeastern Gaza. Imagery dated August 7, 2025, and released by the Chinese satellite firm MizarVision shows the buildup of Israeli military forces at the Karni crossing near northeastern Gaza. MizarVision What To Know Imagery released this week by a Chinese satellite firm MizarVision showed a growing concentration of Israeli military hardware at the Karni crossing into northeastern Gaza on August 7. The photo appeared to show movements and formations that were consistent with preparations for a significant ground assault. Israeli forces have been conducting ground operations in Gaza since late October 2023, after Hamas militants inflicted the deadliest attack on Israel in its history. There have been occasional pauses for ceasefires, but the new buildup shows Israel is gearing up to seize territory and target Hamas strongholds. A Palestinian boy pushes a cart loaded with jerrycans of water after collecting it at a camp for displaced people in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Saturday, July 19, 2025. A Palestinian boy pushes a cart loaded with jerrycans of water after collecting it at a camp for displaced people in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Saturday, July 19, 2025. Abdel Kareem Hana/AP Photo Israel's Plan Israel's security cabinet approved a plan to take control of Gaza City early Friday, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office. While the plan does not extend to full occupation of the Gaza Strip, it marks a strategic escalation aimed at weakening Hamas's hold over the area. Israel closed the Karni crossing in 2011 and completed the final phase of demolition work in 2022. It had been a terminal for goods and humanitarian aid into Gaza but now forms part of the Iron Wall, further tightening the blockade around the small Palestinian territory. Netanyahu has outlined a vision to dismantle Hamas and establish a security perimeter around Gaza rather than govern the enclave directly. Speaking on Fox News, Netanyahu said, "We intend to, in order to assure our security, remove Hamas there, enable the population to be free of Gaza and to pass it to civilian governance that is not Hamas and not anyone advocating the destruction of Israel." Discord Between U.S. and Israel The military buildup comes amid disagreements between the Israel and the its strongest international backer the United States. NBC News reported a recent private phone call between Netanyahu and Donald Trump, in which the U.S. president shouted at his Israeli counterpart over the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, the U.S.- and Israeli-supported relief initiative. Officials familiar with the call described the tensions as emblematic of strained relations between the two governments at a critical moment in the conflict. Trump has publicly contradicted Netanyahu's assurances about Gaza's humanitarian conditions. While Netanyahu has said there is no starvation in Gaza, Trump has stated otherwise. What People Are Saying Displaced Palestinians travel on carts and vehicles through a makeshift camp along the beach in Gaza City, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/) Displaced Palestinians travel on carts and vehicles through a makeshift camp along the beach in Gaza City, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/) Jehad Alshrafi/AP Photo Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: "We intend to, in order to assure our security, remove Hamas there, enable the population to be free of Gaza and to pass it to civilian governance that is not Hamas and not anyone advocating the destruction of Israel. That's what we want to do." U.S. President Donald Trump: "I have seen images of children in Gaza who look very hungry. There is real starvation there and you can't fake that." What Happens Next With Israel's security cabinet approval and the confirmed troop buildup, the likelihood of a significant ground offensive in Gaza is increasing. The coming weeks could see intensified fighting, efforts to free hostages and mounting humanitarian challenges. At the same time, the diplomatic strains between the U.S. and Israel may influence both military and relief operations.
Epoch Times
20 minutes ago
- Epoch Times
Beijing Is Desperate for Foreign Money
After years of making heavy demands on foreign investors and business interests, Beijing has awakened to its need for them and so is changing its tune. People walk on The Bund promenade along the Huangpu River during the passage of Typhoon Co-May in Shanghai, China, on July 30, 2025. People walk on The Bund promenade along the Huangpu River during the passage of Typhoon Co-May in Shanghai, China, on July 30, 2025. Hector Retamal/ AFP via Getty Images Commentary Beijing has learned one thing during the past couple of years, even before President Donald Trump's election: China's economy urgently needs foreign investment money and foreign business interests. For years, it seemed, Beijing acted as if it had all the advantages. Assuming, not incorrectly, that the foreign interests would tolerate a great deal to gain access to Chinese consumers, businesses, and Chinese markets generally, Beijing made stiff demands, among foreigners, imposing layers of red tape on U.S., European, and Japanese companies, refusing to actively enforce patent and copyright infringements, and demanding that every foreign company operating in China have a Chinese partner to which it had to disclose its technological and trade secrets. Story continues below advertisement Trump's primary complaints against China in 2018–19 highlighted such practices. The Chinese regime did not change then, but as foreign money has begun to look elsewhere, the authorities in Beijing have changed their tune. In June, it added tax incentives of up to 10 percent for foreign operations that reinvest their profits in China. This change has become all too evident in the past few weeks. During this rather compressed period, Beijing has announced steps to protect foreign copyrights and patents. Then just last month, seven key agencies in Beijing—including the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Finance, and the People's Bank of China—jointly issued what they called a ' Notice on Implementing Several Measures to Encourage Reinvestment by Foreign-Invested Enterprises.' Each of the 'several measures' sounds extremely friendly to foreign investment and overseas-based businesses. The new rules now require local governments throughout China to track and support foreign investment and expand the definition of what qualifies for such considerations. These new rules try to reduce the cost of foreign developments by granting easier access to industrial land, leasing, lease-to-own arrangements, and adjustable-term land transfers. Story continues below advertisement Regulators have been ordered to simplify and expedite approvals for projects as well as those that qualify for the previously announced tax breaks and do so for a wide range of earnings, including gains from foreign exchange transactions. Beijing's new friendliness surely comes in response to the shortfall of foreign investment over the past couple of years. In part because of the Chinese regime's past abusive behavior, but also official hostility to China trade in Washington, the European Union, and Japan, foreign businesses have begun to look away from China. In 2023, China suffered a net outflow of foreign capital . In the first half of 2025, foreign investment was 15.2 percent below 2024's reduced level. Strong investment upticks have occurred in e-commerce services, pharmaceuticals, aerospace equipment, and the manufacture of medical devices, but not enough to offset the general decline. The economic drag from these shortfalls has been undeniable, not only in China's export volumes but also more generally. Beijing has estimated that over the long haul, foreign investment enterprises, as they are called, have contributed between 20 and 30 percent of China's gross domestic product, or GDP. Doubtless, recent major concessions will draw some positive response from business in the United States, Europe, Japan, and elsewhere. It is unlikely, however, that foreign business or investment in China will return to what it was when the country was the primary destination for foreign investors. Story continues below advertisement For one, businesspeople the world over have memories of past abuses and are aware that Beijing's friendly approach today could easily change back should circumstances allow. They are also aware that a robust response to today's inducements will raise their exposure to China and make them that much more vulnerable should Beijing change its mind. Business managers have also become aware in recent years that there are opportunities elsewhere in Asia and Latin America that are, by comparison, more secure than in China. They will no doubt respond with caution. Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
NBC News
an hour ago
- NBC News
What Trump's Nvidia and AMD China deal means for the world
Nvidia and AMD have agreed to share 15% of their revenue from sales to China with the U.S. government, the White House confirmed Monday, sparking debate about whether the move could impact the chip giants' business and whether Washington might seek out similar deals. In exchange for the revenue cut, the two semiconductor companies will receive export licenses to sell Nvidia's H20 and AMD's MI308 chips in China, according to the Financial Times. 'We follow rules the U.S. government sets for our participation in worldwide markets. While we haven't shipped H20 to China for months, we hope export control rules will let America compete in China and worldwide,' Nvidia said in a statement to NBC News. 'America cannot repeat 5G and lose telecommunication leadership. America's AI tech stack can be the world's standard if we race.' AMD said in a statement that its initial license applications to export MI308 chips to China have been approved. The arrangement crafted by U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is 'unusual', analysts told CNBC, but underscores the transactional nature of the current White House leader. Meanwhile, investors see the move as broadly positive for both Nvidia and AMD, which once more secure access to the Chinese market. What it means for Nvidia and AMD Nvidia's H20 is a chip that has been specifically created to meet export requirements to China. It was previously banned under export curbs but the company last month said it expected to receive licenses to send the product to China. Also in July, AMD said it would resume exports of its MI308 chips. At the time, there was no suggestion that the resumption of sales to China would come with conditions or any kind of revenue forfeiture, and the step was celebrated by markets because of the billions of dollars worth of potential sales to China that were back on the table. On Monday, Nvidia shares rose modestly, while AMD's stock was up more than 2%, highlighting how investors believe the latest development is not a major negative for the companies. 'From an investor perspective, it's still a net positive, 85% of the revenue is better than zero,' Ben Barringer, global technology analyst at Quilter Cheviot, told CNBC. 'The question will be whether Nvidia and AMD adjust their prices by 15% to account for the levy, but ultimately it's better that they can sell into the market rather than hand the market over entirely to Huawei.' Huawei is Nvidia and AMD's closest Chinese rival. Uncertainty nevertheless still looms for both U.S. companies over the longer term. 'In the short term, the deal gives both companies some certainties for their exports to China. For the long term, we don't know if the U.S. government may want to take a bigger cut from their China business especially if their sales to China keep growing,' George Chen, partner and co-chair of the digital practice at The Asia Group, told CNBC. Trump unlikely to strike similar deals Multiple analysts told CNBC that the deal is 'unusual,' but almost par for the course for Trump. 'It's a good development, albeit a strange one, and feels like the sort of arrangement you might expect from President Trump, who is a deal-maker at heart. He's willing to yield, but only if he gets something in return, and this certainly sets an unusual precedent,' Barringer said. Neil Shah, partner at Counterpoint Research, said the revenue cut is equivalent to an 'indirect tariff at source.' Daniel Newman, CEO of The Futurum Group, also posted Sunday on X that the move is a 'sort of 'tax' for doing business in China.' But such deals are unlikely to be cut for other companies. 'I don't anticipate it extending to other sectors that are just as important to the U.S. economy like software and services,' Nick Patience, practice lead for AI at The Futurum Group, told CNBC. The U.S. sees semiconductors as a strategic technology, given they underpin so many other tools like artificial intelligence, consumer electronics and even military applications. Washington has therefore put chips under an export control regime unlike that of any other product. 'Semiconductor is a very unique business and the pay-to-play tactic may work for Nvidia and AMD because it's very much about getting export approval from the U.S. gov,' The Asia Group's Chen said. 'Other business like Apple and Meta can be more complicated when it comes to their business models and services for China.' How China could react Semiconductors have become a highly sensitive geopolitical topic. Over the last two weeks, China has raised concerns about the security of Nvidia's chips. Late last month, Chinese regulators asked Nvidia to 'clarify' reports about potential security vulnerabilities and 'backdoors.' Nvidia rejected the possibility that its chips have any 'backdoors' that would allow anyone to access or control them. On Sunday, Nvidia again denied that its H20 semiconductors have backdoors after accusations from a social media account affiliated with Chinese state media. China's state-run newspaper Global Times slammed Washington's tactics, citing an expert. 'This approach means that the US government has repudiated its original security justification to pressure US chip makers to secure export licenses to China through economic leverage,' the Global Times article said. The Chinese government is yet to comment on the reported revenue agreement. Trump's deal with Nvidia and AMD will likely stir mixed feelings in China. On the one hand, China will be unhappy with the arrangement. On the other hand, Chinese firms will likely want to get their hands on these chips in order to continue to advance their own AI capabilities. 'For China, it is a conundrum as they need those chips to advance their AI ambitions but also the fee to the US government could make it costlier and there is a doubt of US 'backdoors' considering US has agreed for chipmakers to supply,' Counterpoint Research's Shah said. — CNBC's Erin Doherty contributed to this report. Arjun Kharpal, CNBC
