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Iran diplomacy and Australia’s critical minerals push

On Iran diplomacy

Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the U.S. is prepared for serious talks on Iran’s nuclear program, but that key details still have to be negotiated. He also signaled the Trump administration could live with an interim deal, one that would not immediately strip Iran of the ability to make nuclear weapons.

That comes as President Trump tells negotiators not to rush, and after the U.S. blamed the collapse of a U.N. nuclear nonproliferation conference on countries that, in Washington’s view, are still not taking Iran’s threat seriously. The world’s favorite recurring crisis, now in another meeting room.

In Australia’s critical minerals push

Australia has ordered six investors linked to China to sell their stakes in Northern Minerals, which is developing the Browns Range rare-earths project in Western Australia. Canberra is taking a harder line on foreign ownership of critical minerals as it tries to build a supply chain less dependent on Beijing and more aligned with the U.S.

At the same time, Arafura Rare Earths says its planned Northern Territory mine will go ahead after the federal government agreed to buy 500 tonnes of rare earths for the national strategic reserve. The policy shift is meant to strengthen national security, though financing and running these projects without Chinese capital is still the part nobody seems eager to autograph.

In the Philippines

Rescue crews are searching for survivors after a building collapse left three people dead and 17 missing. Thermal scans have detected signs of breathing and heartbeats under the debris, raising hopes that some people may still be alive.

In Wilmington

The Mother African Union Church held its first in-person service a week after a catastrophic fire badly damaged its 213-year-old historic building. The congregation met at the Congo Legacy Center while leaders wait for the cause of the blaze and plan temporary worship and office space as they think about rebuilding.

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