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  China controls the rare earths the world buys - can Trump's new deals change that? US President Donald Trump has signed a flurry of deals on his Asia visit to secure the supply of rare earths, a critical sector that China has long dominated. The deals with Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia differ in size and substance and it's too early to assess their tangible impact. But they all include efforts to diversify access to the minerals that have become essential for advanced manufacturing, from electric vehicles to smartphones. The agreements, which aim to lock partners into trading with the US, are a clear bid to reduce dependence on China, ahead of a key meeting with its leader Xi Jinping. They could eventually challenge Beijing's stranglehold over rare earths, but experts say it will be a costly process that will take years. "Building new mines, refining facilities, and processing plants in regions such as Australia, the United States, and Europe comes ...
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 Venezuela frees six US men after Trump envoy meets Maduro


Venezuela has freed six US detainees after talks in Caracas between President Nicolás Maduro and a senior Trump administration official.

The release of the men was announced on social media by Donald Trump and his special envoy, Richard Grenell.

Grenell - who published online a photo of the six on board his plane - said they had spoken by phone to President Trump to thank him.

Earlier, the White House had called on Venezuela to release "US hostages" - as well as agreeing to receive Venezuelan criminals deported by the US - or face consequences.

  • Venezuela's Maduro sworn in for third term after contested elections
  • US announces $25m reward for arrest of Venezuela's Maduro
  • 'I thought I was going to die': Jailed Venezuelan activist

Grenell did not name the six men, who were seen dressed in light blue outfits used by the Venezuelan prison system.

"We are wheels up and headed home with these 6 American citizens," Grenell posted on X. "They just spoke to @realDonaldTrump and they couldn't stop thanking him."

Trump hailed the move in a separate post, saying Grenell was bringing "six hostages home from Venezuela".

Venezuelan state media said the discussions with President Trump's envoy had been respectful.

In January, Caracas announced the capture of a group of "mercenaries" who included US citizens.

Maduro was sworn in last month for a third term as Venezuelan president, six months after disputed elections which the opposition and international community say he lost.

The official results of the July 2024 election have been widely rejected by the international community, including the US.

Grenell's visit did not mean US recognition of Maduro as Venezuela's legitimate leader, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said earlier on Friday.

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