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Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Trump team hears pitches on access to Myanmar's rare earths
FILE PHOTO: A soldier from the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) puts on his shoes as he and his comrade cross a stream towards the front line in Laiza, Kachin state, January 29, 2013. REUTERS/David Johnson/File Photo WASHINGTON/BANGKOK - The Trump administration has heard competing proposals that would significantly alter longstanding U.S. policy toward Myanmar, with the aim of diverting its vast supplies of rare earth minerals away from strategic rival China, four people with direct knowledge of the discussions said. Nothing has been decided and experts say there are huge logistical obstacles, but if the ideas are ever acted upon, Washington may need to strike a deal with the ethnic rebels controlling most of Myanmar's rich deposits of heavy rare earths. Among the proposals are one advocating talks with Myanmar's ruling junta to get a peace deal with the Kachin Independence Army rebels and another calling for the U.S. to instead work directly with the KIA without engaging the junta. Washington has avoided direct talks with the country's military leaders following their overthrow of the country's democratically elected government in 2021. The ideas have been proposed to administration officials by a U.S. business lobbyist, a former adviser to Aung San Suu Kyi, in indirect talks with the KIA and some outside experts, the sources said. The conversations have not previously been reported. Rare earths are a group of 17 metals used to make magnets that turn power into motion. So-called heavy rare earths are used to build fighter jets and other high-performance weaponry. The U.S. produces very small amounts of heavy rare earths and is reliant on imports. Securing supplies of the minerals is a major focus of the Trump administration in its strategic competition with China, which is responsible for nearly 90% of global processing capacity, according to the International Energy Agency. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. World Trump says many are starving in Gaza, vows to set up food centres Asia Cambodia, Thailand agree to 'immediate and unconditional ceasefire' to de-escalate border row World US, China hold new talks on tariff truce, easing path for Trump-Xi meeting Asia Giant algal bloom off South Australia devastates marine life, threatens seafood exports Singapore Tanjong Katong sinkhole: Road recovery works progressing steadily, tests under way Singapore ST Explains: What we know about the Tanjong Katong sinkhole so far Sport Gan Ching Hwee breaks 2 national records, qualifies for World Aquatics C'ships 1,500m final Asia Gunman kills 5 near Bangkok's Chatuchak market before taking own life Engaging the junta would be a sharp departure for the United States, given U.S. sanctions on the military leaders and the violence committed against the Rohingya minority that Washington calls genocide and crimes against humanity. Last week, the Trump administration lifted sanctions designations on several junta allies, but U.S. officials said this does not indicate any broader shift in U.S. policy toward Myanmar. The ideas pitched to the U.S. administration also include easing U.S. President Donald Trump's threatened 40% tariffs on the country, pulling back sanctions against the junta and its allies, working with India to process some heavy rare earths exported from Myanmar, and appointing a special envoy to execute these tasks, people familiar with the matter said. Some of these suggestions were discussed in a July 17 meeting in Vice President JD Vance's offices that included Adam Castillo, a former head of the American Chamber of Commerce in Myanmar who runs a security firm in the country, a person close to Vance's office said. Among those present were advisers to Vance on Asian affairs and trade. Vance himself did not attend, the source said. Castillo told Reuters he suggested to U.S. officials that the United States could play a peace-broker role in Myanmar and urged Washington to take a page out of China's playbook by first brokering a bilateral self-governance deal between the Myanmar military and the KIA. Myanmar's ruling junta and the KIA did not respond to a request for comment. While Vance's office declined to comment on Castillo's visit to the White House, one person familiar with the situation said the Trump administration has been reviewing policy on Myanmar, also known as Burma, since Trump's January inauguration and had weighed direct discussions with the junta over trade and tariffs. The White House declined to comment. REVIEWING MYANMAR POLICY The White House discussions were described as exploratory and in early stages by people familiar with them, who added the talks may result in no shift in strategy at all by Trump, given the administration's wariness about intervening in foreign conflicts and in Myanmar's complex crisis. "The officials took this meeting as a courtesy to the American business community and to support President Trump's efforts to balance the U.S. $579 (million) trade deficit with Burma," a senior administration official said when asked about the July 17 meeting. Castillo, who describes Myanmar's rare earth deposits as China's "golden goose," said he told U.S. officials that key ethnic armed groups - particularly the KIA - were tired of being exploited by China and wanted to work with the United States. Mines in Myanmar's Kachin region are major producers of heavy rare earths that are exported to China for processing. He said he had repeatedly urged officials in Washington to pursue a deal with the KIA that includes cooperation with U.S. partners in the Quad grouping - specifically India - for resource processing and eventual heavy rare earths supply to the United States. The so-called Quad grouping brings together the United States with India, as well as Australia and Japan. India's Ministry of Mines did not respond to an email seeking comment. An Indian government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said he was unaware of whether the Trump administration had communicated any such plan to India but stressed that such a move would take several years to materialize because it would require infrastructure to be built for processing rare earths. Another pitch to the White House was more in line with the Myanmar policy Trump inherited from former President Joe Biden. Sean Turnell, an Australian economist and former adviser to Suu Kyi, whose government the junta toppled in 2021, said his rare earths proposal was to encourage the Trump administration to continue supporting Myanmar's democratic forces. In a visit to Washington earlier this year, Turnell said he met with officials from the State Department, the White House National Security Council and Congress, and urged continued support for the country's opposition. "One of the pitches was that the U.S. could access rare earths via KIA etc," he said, adding that the group wants to diversify away from China. There have also been multiple discussions between U.S. officials and the Kachin rebel group on rare earths through interlocutors in recent months, said a person with knowledge of the talks, which have not previously been reported. OBSTACLES In the years since the coup, Myanmar has been ravaged by civil war and the junta and its allies have been pushed out of much of the country's borderlands, including the rare earths mining belt currently under control of the KIA. A rare earths industry source said that U.S. officials had reached out around three months ago, following the Kachin takeover of the Chipwe-Pangwa mining belt, to ask for an overview of the Kachin rare earths mining industry. The person added that any new, major rare earths supply chain, which would require moving the minerals out of remote and mountainous Kachin State into India and onward, may not be feasible. Swedish author Bertil Lintner, a leading expert on Kachin State, said the idea of the United States obtaining rare earths from Myanmar from under the nose of China seemed "totally crazy" given the unforgiving mountainous terrain and primitive logistics. "If they want to transport the rare earths from these mines, which are all on the Chinese border, to India, there's only one road," Lintner said. "And the Chinese would certainly step in and stop it." For its part, the junta appears eager to engage with Washington after years of isolation. When Trump threatened new tariffs on Myanmar's U.S.-bound exports this month as part of his global trade offensive, he did so in a signed letter addressed personally to the junta's chief, Min Aung Hlaing. Min Aung Hlaing responded by lavishing praise on Trump for his "strong leadership" while asking for lower rates and the lifting of sanctions. He said he was ready to send a negotiating team to Washington, if needed. Senior Trump administration officials said the decision to lift some sanctions was unrelated to the general's letter. REUTERS
CBS News
18-07-2025
- CBS News
Alderwoman wants to require Chicago boaters to wear life vests after woman drowned in Playpen
A tragedy on Lake Michigan claimed the life of a Chicago hairstylist last month. Zahrie Walls was not wearing a life jacket when she fell off a boat at the Playpen and died. Now a proposed city ordinance is seeking change. Ald. Stephanie Coleman (16th) has proposed an ordinance that would require all boaters on the lake or other waterways in Chicago to wear a personal flotation device, or face fines of $100 to $500. Boat owner David Johnson prepared to take his friends out on his 24-foot-long jet boat for the afternoon on Friday, and said what's always part of his plan before leaving the dock at 31st Street Harbor is making sure everyone onboard has their life jacket on. "I know when I take people out on the boat with me, a lot of times from the moment we pull out to the moment we come back, I'm making sure they got life vests on. I'm identifying who knows how to swim, who doesn't," he said. For passenger AdeOla Fadumiye, a life jacket is a priority. "If I fall over, I would float and not drown. I can swim, but open water scares me," Fadumiye said. Coleman introduced the life vest ordinance to the City Council on Wednesday. It has been assigned to the Transportation Committee, but no hearings have yet been scheduled. Coleman said the goal is to get it approved by the City Council in September. The ordinance would make it mandatory for anyone on any "watercraft, sailboat, recreational boat, personal watercraft or specialty prop-craft" to wear a personal flotation device, unless they sign a release certifying they are able to swim and release the boat's operator of any liability for the risks of failing to wear a life jacket. Coleman said she introduced the ordinance after Wells died on June 21, after falling from a boat in the area of Lake Michigan known as the Playpen, near Navy Pier. Walls didn't know how to swim and wasn't wearing a lifejacket. "I have witnessed the pain of her family and losing a life, and then her family will forever be traumatized because of the loss of such young, motivating, inspiring young lady," Coleman said. Anyone on a boat in Chicago not wearing a life jacket could face fines of between $100 and $500. Boat operators who fail to make sure all their passengers are wearing life vests could face fines of $100 to $1.500 and between 10 days and 6 months in jail. Coleman said her goal is to name the ordinance in memory of Walls.
CNET
15-07-2025
- Health
- CNET
You Need Sunlight More Than You Think. 5 Surprising Ways the Sun Can Boost Your Health
Summer is in full swing, which means many of us are spending plenty of time soaking in the sun. The best activities -- like getting gelato or hanging out in the park -- are generally reserved for the warm weather. But that's not the only reason you should ensure you're getting outside this summer. There are tangible health benefits that go along with sun exposure. But remember: It's important to be mindful of UV rays and heat exposure. Read on to learn how the sun benefits your health and what precautions you should take to ensure you're enjoying the summer safely. How much sunlight do you need? The amount of sunlight a person needs varies based on several factors, including skin pigmentation, location and age. Even with the differences, Dr. David Johnson, a board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of RedliteX, said, "You just need 10 to 30 minutes of sun a couple of times a week. You don't need to spend hours out there." That's not to say you can't spend more time outside. If you do, wearing sunscreen to protect your skin is essential. Your skin is the body's biggest organ, so don't forget to take care of it. Read more: We Found the Best Facial Sunscreens After Testing 87 Products 5 unexpected ways sunlight can help your health Helps you hit your vitamin D needs Vitamin D is essential for several bodily functions like regulating blood pressure, the immune system and blood sugar. It also contributes to your bone and muscle health. Sun exposure can help your body boost vitamin D production through biochemical reactions. "UVB rays from the sun convert a compound in the skin to vitamin D3, which is then processed in the liver and kidneys to become active vitamin D (calcitriol)," said Dr. Ryan Sultan, a psychiatrist at Integrative Psych. While the sun is a great option for passive vitamin D, it's worth noting that most people get their vitamin D from foods or supplements. I recommend the Nature Made Vitamin D3 dietary supplement if you're looking for a cheap and dependable supplement; it's what I take for low vitamin D. FreshSplash/Getty Images It helps regulate sleep Our biological clock, also called the circadian rhythm, is regulated by sunlight. How that clock works all comes down to melatonin, the sleep hormone. When the sun is up, the melatonin in our brains is suppressed, so we are alert and awake. As the sun goes down, the brain releases melatonin, and we start to feel tired. "Without this clock, nearly every physiological and psychological process in our body becomes dysregulated," said Sultan. As Sultan points out, an aligned biological clock regulates mood and supports learning and memory. Misalignment can contribute to mental health disorders like depression and anxiety. Our biological clocks can easily get thrown off because we no longer live solely by the sun. Electricity and blue lights from electronics can push off the release of melatonin, making it difficult to fall asleep. Johnson recommends people get 10 to 15 minutes outside in the morning to get their biological clocks back on track. Boosts your mood Another reason you should prioritize sunlight is that it can support your mental health by regulating your mood. Sunlight can increase the levels of serotonin production in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that acts as a hormone, often called the "feel-good" chemical. We feel emotionally stable and happy when serotonin levels are where they should be. When they're low, your risk of experiencing depression or depressive symptoms increases. Sultan tells his patients to get outside for a morning walk. "It's motivating to start your day knowing you're doing something good for your mental and physical health. Sunlight is nature's antidepressant." It may help skin disorder symptoms Sunlight can also help reduce symptoms of skin conditions, like eczema. This happens partly because it helps make vitamin D, which is essential for reducing inflammation. Eczema is a chronic condition marked by dry or scaly skin, itchiness and redness. Flare-ups happen because your immune system overreacts to stimuli or allergens, which results in inflammation in the body that manifests as irritated patches of skin. Sunlight can help other skin conditions, too. "Small, secure amounts of sun can also calm the immune system. In people with skin diseases like psoriasis or vitiligo, this can mean fewer flares," said Johnson. Getting sunlight may help your symptoms. However, it's not a replacement for regular treatment methods, and you should still be careful about how long you're outside. Sun exposure can be beneficial, but only briefly and only if you protect your skin while getting it. Read more: 8 Best Products for Eczema with the National Eczema Association's Seal of Acceptance Connect Images/Kills bacteria Sunlight can also help protect you from bacteria and viruses lurking in your home. UV rays kill bacteria and viruses by damaging the DNA of the virus or bacteria, which stops it from being able to replicate and spread. This helps minimize the spread of illness and improve air quality. One study found that rooms exposed to sunlight had about half the bacteria that dark rooms did. So, if you or someone in your household has been sick lately, open the blinds and let one of nature's most potent cleaning agents inside. You can also add air purifiers to your home to further reduce the amount of airborne particles like dust and pet dander. I like the Levoit air purifier as a budget choice that can make a difference. How to enjoy the sun safely Sunlight can benefit your health in several ways, like boosting your vitamin D production, easing skin condition flare-ups and boosting your moods. However, there is a thing as getting too much sunlight, especially during the summer when temperatures are high. According to the FDA, the sun's UV rays are the most powerful, which means you're most vulnerable to sunburn between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. You'll want to avoid sunburns as much as possible because they increase your lifetime risk of developing skin cancer. Keep these sun safety tips in mind:
Irish Examiner
09-07-2025
- Irish Examiner
Judge expresses worry for Cork man jailed for having scissors hidden in his pants in supermarket
A judge expressed concern about a man who was causing a disturbance at a supermarket having a scissors concealed in his underpants. Judge John King imposed a four-month prison sentence on David Johnson of no fixed address at Cork District Court for having the scissors, contrary to the Offensive Weapons Act. While the young man pleaded guilty to the offence, his solicitor Eddie Burke said there was no question of the accusing brandishing it anyway during the disturbance and he only had it for opening packets of food and so forth. The same defendant pleaded guilty to stealing €220 worth of clothing from Lifestyle Sports in Cork city centre on February 20. The incident at the supermarket occurred three days earlier at Lidl on Bishopstown Road, Cork. Sergeant Gearóid Davis said that following the arrest of David Johnson at Lidl he was searched later and found to have the scissors concealed in his underwear. The judge made the sentence consecutive to a period of 11 months imposed on him recently for other offences. For the shoplifting, Judge King imposed a sentence of five months suspended from when he comes out of prison. Mr Burke, solicitor, said the accused had certain challenges: 'He does understand the difference between right and wrong but there is a lot he does not understand. When he comes into town it is as if he wants to feel wanted by these people (who exercise an influence over him). He is certainly a very vulnerable person. 'He has an Asperger's diagnosis. It is quite sad but he was elated in prison to get three meals a day and somewhere to stay and have some structure in his day rather than sleeping in shopfronts.' Judge King said: 'I accept he is in a very difficult personal position at the moment. But the only one who can sort that out is himself. It is up to him to become motivated to change.' The judge directed that on his release he is to come under the direction of the probation service. 'He has to become a working member of society if he wants to get through this,' Judge King said.
Straits Times
08-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Why China's ultimatum to Myanmar rebels threatens global supply of heavy rare earths
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: A soldier from the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) puts on his shoes as he and his comrade cross a stream towards the front line in Laiza, Kachin state, January 29, 2013. REUTERS/David Johnson/File photo The global supply of heavy rare earths hinges in part on the outcome of a months-long battle between a rebel army and the Chinese-backed military junta in the hills of northern Myanmar. The Kachin Independence Army since December has been battling the junta over the town of Bhamo, less than 100 km (62 miles) from the Chinese border, as part of the civil war that erupted after the military's 2021 coup. Nearly half the world's supply of heavy rare earths is extracted from mines in Kachin state, including those north of Bhamo, a strategically-vital garrison town. They are then shipped to China for processing into magnets that power electronic vehicles and wind turbines. China, which has a near-monopoly over the processing of heavy rare earths, has threatened to halt buying the minerals mined in KIA-controlled territory unless the militia stops trying to seize full control of Bhamo, according to three people familiar with the matter. The ultimatum issued by Chinese officials to the KIA in a meeting earlier this year, which is reported by Reuters for the first time, underscores how Beijing is wielding its control of the minerals to further its geopolitical aims. One of the people, a KIA official, said the Chinese demand was made in May, without detailing where the discussions took place. Another person, a KIA commander, said Beijing was represented by foreign ministry officials at the talks. Reuters could not determine whether China had carried out its threat. Fighting in the region has restricted mining operations and rare-earth exports from Myanmar have plunged this year. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore NDP celebrations to be held at 5 heartland sites, including Bishan and Punggol, on Aug 10 Singapore Keep citizens at the centre of public service, Chan Chun Sing tells civil servants Singapore SIA flight from Brisbane to Singapore diverted to Perth due to technical issue Singapore New Draft Master Plan could reignite developers' interest to buy land Asia Seoul scorches at 37.8 deg C, highest early-July temperature ever recorded Business Great Eastern could resume trading after delisting vote fails to pass; OCBC's exit offer lapses Asia China warns Trump on tariffs, threatens retaliation on supply chain deals Multimedia 'I suspect he's cheating': She finds proof when spouses stray China spooked global supply chains this spring when it restricted exports of the minerals in retaliation against U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs. It is now using its dominance to shore up Myanmar's beleaguered junta, which China sees as a guarantor of its economic interests in its backyard. China's foreign ministry said in response to Reuters' questions that it was not aware of the specifics of deliberations with the KIA. "An early ceasefire and peace talks between the Myanmar military and the Kachin Independence Army are in the common interests of China and Myanmar as well as their people," a ministry spokesperson said. A senior KIA general did not respond to a request for comment. The KIA official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters, said Beijing also offered a carrot: greater cross-border trade with KIA-controlled territories if the militia abandoned efforts to seize Bhamo, a logistics hub for the junta that's home to some 166,000 people. "And if we did not accept, they would block exports from Kachin State, including rare-earth minerals," said the official, who did not elaborate on the consequences of an economic blockade. Beijing is not seeking to resolve the wider civil war but it wants fighting to subside in order to advance its economic interests, said David Mathieson, an independent Myanmar-focused analyst. "China's pressure is a more general approach to calming down the conflict." DEFYING CHINA The battle for Bhamo began soon after the KIA wrested control of the main rare-earths belt in Kachin last October. After its takeover, the KIA raised taxes on miners and throttled production of dysprosium and terbium, sending prices of the latter skyrocketing. Supply has been squeezed, with Beijing importing 12,944 metric tons of rare-earth oxides and metals from Myanmar in the first five months of 2025, according to Chinese customs data. That is down half from the same period last year, though exports rose more than 20% between April and May. The KIA, which analysts estimate has over 15,000 personnel, was founded in 1961 to fight for the autonomy of Myanmar's Kachin minority. Battle-hardened through decades of combat and funded by a combination of local taxation and natural resources, it is among the strongest of Myanmar's rebel groups. The militia is confident of its ability to seize Bhamo and believes Beijing won't ultimately carry out its threat to stop exports due to its thirst for the minerals, two of the people said. Myanmar has been in crisis since the military overthrew a democratically-elected government in 2021, violently quashing protests and sparking a nationwide armed rebellion. Swathes of territory were subsequently seized by anti-junta forces, but the rebels have come under Chinese pressure to make concessions to the military. Beijing has also sent jets and drones to the junta, which is increasingly reliant on airpower, according to the U.S.-based Stimson Centre think-tank. China, which has major investments in Myanmar, last year brokered a ceasefire for the junta to return to Lashio, a northeastern town housing a regional military command. More than 200 km to the north, some 5,000 KIA and allied personnel have been involved in the offensive for Bhamo, according to a KIA commander with direct knowledge of the fighting. Losing Bhamo would cut off the military's land and river access to parts of Kachin and neighbouring region, isolating its troops housed at military bases there and weakening its control over northern trade routes, according to Maj. Naung Yoe, who defected from the junta after the coup. The junta spokesperson's office told Reuters that China may have held talks with the KIA, but it did not respond to a question about whether it had asked Beijing to threaten a blockade. "China may have been exerted pressure and offered incentives to the KIA," it said in a statement. Beijing first advised the rebels to pull back from Bhamo during negotiations in early December, according to the KIA official. Instead of withdrawing from Bhamo after those talks, the KIA doubled down, according to the commander and the official. The International Institute for Strategic Studies think-tank said in a May briefing that the battle for Bhamo had cost the KIA significant resources and hundreds of casualties. Beijing became more confrontational during further discussions that took place in spring, when its representatives threatened to stop rare-earth purchases, the official said. A disruption in the movement of heavy rare earths from Kachin could lead to a deficit in the global market by the end of the year, said Neha Mukherjee of U.K.-based consultancy Benchmark Mineral Intelligence. Supplies of the critical minerals outside China were already constrained, she said: "In the short term, during the brief disruption period, prices outside of China could shoot up higher." BATTLE FOR BHAMO The KIA has pushed junta troops into a handful of isolated pockets, according to the commander. But the junta retains air superiority and has devastated large parts of Bhamo with relentless airstrikes, according to the KIA official, the commander and a former resident of the town. The junta spokesperson's office said it was permitted to strike such sites because the KIA had been using them for military purposes, though it did not provide evidence. Nathan Ruser, an analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute think-tank who has reviewed satellite imagery of Bhamo, said much of the damage across the town appeared to be from airstrikes. Airstrikes have killed civilians including children and destroyed schools and places of worship, according to Khon Ja, a Kachin activist from Bhamo who said her home had been bombed. "I don't know for how long that the revolutionary groups will be able to resist Chinese pressure," she said, adding that existing border restrictions had led to shortages of petrol and medicine in Kachin. Despite the obstacles, KIA leaders believe capturing Bhamo would shift momentum in their favour and strengthen public support. If the ethnic army were to take control of the entire state, then Beijing would have no option but to negotiate and sideline the junta, the commander and the official said. "China, which needs rare earths, can only tolerate this for a limited time," the commander said. REUTERS
