04/24/25
US open to minerals partnerships with Democratic Republic of Congo
The United States is open to exploring critical minerals partnerships with Congo, the State Department said in a statement to Reuters on Sunday, after a Congolese senator contacted U.S. officials to pitch a minerals-for-security deal. | Democratic Republic of Congo, which is rich in cobalt, lithium and uranium among other minerals, has been fighting Rwanda-backed M23 rebels who have seized swathes of its territory this year. Talk of a deal with the U.S. - which is also in discussions with Ukraine over a minerals pact - has circulated in Kinshasa for weeks.
■ Blackwater founder and Trump ally strikes mineral security deal with Congo (Mining.com)
India Orders ALL Pakistan Citizens to "Leave the country within 48 Hours"
After a Pakistani Muslim terrorist attack in Kashmir, India has ordered EVERY Pakistani to leave the country within 48 hours. | The decision comes following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, in which 26 Indian tourists were killed — an incident for which India blames Pakistan. In a stunning series of moves over the past 12 hours, India also took the following actions:
● Indus Waters Treaty suspended: The treaty, signed in 1960 and brokered by the World Bank, is no longer in effect, according to Indian officials.
● Wagah border closure: After shutting down the Attari checkpoint, India is preparing to close the Wagah Border, halting people-to-people contact.
● Reduction in diplomatic staff: Pakistan's diplomatic staff in New Delhi will be reduced from 55 to 30. India too will recall its own military experts — Defense, Navy, Air — from Islamabad.
● No more visas: India will not issue any visas to Pakistani nationals. Even regional SAARC visas have been revoked.
● 48-hour deadline for Pakistanis: All Pakistani nationals currently in India have been ordered to leave the country within 48 hours.