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THE PROJECT HERALD
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Projects, Capital, Companies and Policy

Briefings

Fed Holds Interest Rates Steady, Hawkish Split Emerges

Global Briefings /

The US Federal Reserve has left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 3.5%–3.75%, maintaining its current policy stance for a second consecutive meeting. The decision, however, revealed growing divisions within the Federal Open Market Committee, with three regional presidents voting in favour of another rate increase. Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh described the outcome as […]

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Copper Prices Reach Record High as Tariff Decision Looms

Global Briefings /

Global copper prices climbed to fresh record highs this week as tightening physical supplies continued to support the market while investors awaited a United States decision on potential tariffs covering refined copper imports. Copper futures on Comex traded near US$6.90 per pound, extending gains of approximately 50% over the past year. Market analysts attribute the

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DRC Reimposes Copper and Cobalt Concentrate Export Ban

Global Briefings /

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has reinstated a nationwide ban on copper and cobalt concentrate exports, tightening restrictions on the shipment of unprocessed minerals as part of its strategy to expand domestic mineral processing. The renewed policy, signed by the country’s Ministers of Mines, Foreign Trade and Economy, closes previous exemptions that allowed

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Asia Is Trying to Navigate Between the US and China

Global Briefings /

Singapore / Bangkok | 21 July 2026 Across Asia, governments, investors and businesses are increasingly preparing for a world in which rivalry between the United States and China is no longer a temporary disruption but a permanent feature of the global economy. Rather than choosing sides, many countries are pursuing a more flexible strategy, working

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Japan’s $550 Billion US Investment Pledge Faces a Financing Test

Global Briefings /

Tokyo, Japan | 21 July 2026 Japan has pledged $550 billion in investment in the United States, but turning that commitment into actual projects is proving more complicated than announcing it. According to Reuters, JPMorgan and other US banks are close to helping finance part of the investment plan. The challenge is that Japanese banks

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Microsoft and Mistral’s New AI Deal Shows Europe’s Fight for Digital Independence

Global Briefings /

Paris, France / Redmond, United States | 21 July 2026 Microsoft has agreed to invest billions of dollars in the computing infrastructure of French artificial intelligence company Mistral, strengthening a partnership that could expand Europe’s access to advanced AI technology. The deal will give European customers greater access to Mistral’s AI systems and computing infrastructure

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South Korea’s AI Chip Ambition Has a Problem: The Infrastructure It Needs to Succeed

Global Briefings /

Seoul, South Korea | 21 July 2026 South Korea is pushing to expand its semiconductor industry and strengthen its position in the global artificial intelligence race. But its ambitions face a practical challenge: the infrastructure required to support advanced chip manufacturing. The country is looking to develop major semiconductor capacity beyond the Seoul metropolitan area,

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