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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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Scarlett Johansson hitting Cannes both on-screen and behind the camera


Oscar-winning actress and Avengers star Scarlett Johansson is featuring twice at this year's Cannes Film Festival, both in front of and behind the camera.

She will appear in Wes Anderson's new project, The Phoenician Scheme, alongside Benicio Del Toro and Tom Hanks and off-screen in her first directorial project.

Her new film, Eleanor the Great, has also been revealed as part of the line-up and follows an elderly woman as she copes with the death of her best friend.

Johansson's starring role comes as organisers of the film festival have said that they are committed to showcasing more work from female filmmakers.

Speaking at a press conference, Cannes president Iris Knobloch said she was "honoured to amplify" the voices of women.

Johansson, 40, who is best known for starring as Black Widow in the Avengers films, has entered her film into the second prize category.

Competing for the main Palme d'Or prize this year are 20 films, of which six come from female directors.

This includes Kelly Reichardt, whose drama The Mastermind, starring Josh O'Connor and John Magaro, will be showing at the festival.

Those looking to replace Oscar-winning Sean Baker, who won the top prize at Cannes for Anora last year, also include Iranian director Jafar Panahi and his film A Simple Accident, plus horror newcomer Ari Aster with Eddington, which stars Joaquin Phoenix and Emma Stone.

Robert De Niro will also make an appearance at the festival to receive an honorary Palme d'Or, while Tom Cruise's final instalment of Mission: Impossible will also be shown.

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