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United Airlines' new upsell: Keeping other travelers out of the middle seat

United Airlines will allow customers to pay more to keep the middle seat open on its Airbus A321XLRs

Can Nebius' Four-Pronged Strategy Create the Next AI Hyperscaler?

NBIS, MSFT, CRWV

NBIS is scaling its AI-native hyperscaler with bigger infrastructure, platform expansion, record demand and fresh capital fueling long-term growth.

Howard Klein: Winning the Critical Minerals Race Requires More Than New Mines

Speaking with the Investing News Network at the Fastmarkets Global Lithium, Battery & Critical Materials conference in Las Vegas, RK Equity founder Howard Klein argued that western governments have made significant progress in recognizing the strategic importance of critical minerals, yet continue to underestimate the importance of building domestic processing, refining and cathode manufacturing capacity.Klein said public-private partnerships, allied collaboration and greater investment in midstream infrastructure will be essential to creating competitive supply chains outside China.He also highlighted the growing role of batteries in artificial intelligence (AI), data centers and defense, arguing that these sectors are expanding lithium demand well beyond electric vehicles.The conversation explores strategic reserves, robotics, recycling, energy storage systems and the policy changes Klein believes are needed to strengthen North America's critical minerals ecosystem.Listen to the full interview for Klein's outlook on lithium, battery materials, AI-driven electricity demand and the next phase of western critical minerals policy.Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time updates!Securities Disclosure: I, Georgia Williams, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.Editorial Disclosure: The Investing News Network does not guarantee the accuracy or thoroughness of the information reported in the interviews it conducts. The opinions expressed in these interviews do not reflect the opinions of the Investing News Network and do not constitute investment advice. All readers are encouraged to perform their own due diligence.

China Debuts Sovereign Mining Unit to Secure Key Minerals

MP, USAR

China announced the establishment of a state-backed mining investment firm to consolidate the country’s grip on overseas strategic minerals. The new entity, Guangyan International Investment, will operate under the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), China’s top economic planning agency, Bloomberg reported.The firm aims to standardize international metals deals by providing direct equity investment and helping Chinese miners hedge against risks in an increasingly volatile geopolitical landscape exacerbated by demanding producer nations.It also follows the creation of the China Mineral Resources Group, a similar state-backed entity designed to centralize iron ore purchasing and strengthen the bargaining power of the domestic steel sector.Strategically, China is furthering its reaction to the growing escalation of the global battle for critical minerals. The US has actively sought partnerships with the Congo to grant American investors preferential access to copper, cobalt, and lithium deposits. Europe, meanwhile, is executing a parallel strategy; the European Union (EU) recently shortlisted tungsten, rare earth elements, and gallium to seed its first joint strategic stockpile, attempting to warehouse critical defense materials ahead of anticipated supply shocks.Beijing has simultaneously weaponized its industrial leverage to counter these Western stockpiling and investment initiatives. On June 22, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce banned 46 American defense contractors from domestic government procurement and imposed targeted export controls on MP Materials (NYSE:MP) and USA Rare Earth (NASDAQ:USAR)—two anchors of the US rare earths supply chain. Tighter resource regulation among producer nations​ Chinese companies have aggressively built their global mineral footprint over the past two decades, spending more than US$100 billion in strategic outbound mergers and acquisitions since the early 2000s.These investments heavily targeted copper, iron ore, and gold assets in jurisdictions often ignored by Western mining giants.However, executing these deals has become increasingly fraught. Recognizing their leverage, producer nations have begun demanding more from natural resources companies to secure higher-value jobs and tax revenue. Last year, the Congolese government initiated export controls on cobalt and, despite lifting the ban, recently mandated the return of unused export quotas from miners. Guinea, the world’s leading bauxite producer, has floated plans to limit shipments of the alumina precursor and demands that developers of the massive Simandou iron ore project build domestic processing facilities. Earlier this year, Zimbabwe imposed an immediate ban on exports of all raw minerals and lithium concentrates. Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time news updates!Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

Investors Heavily Search Toll Brothers Inc. (TOL): Here is What You Need to Know

TOL

Toll Brothers (TOL) has been one of the stocks most watched by Zacks.com users lately. So, it is worth exploring what lies ahead for the stock.

NIO Inc. (NIO) Is a Trending Stock: Facts to Know Before Betting on It

NIO

NIO (NIO) has been one of the stocks most watched by Zacks.com users lately. So, it is worth exploring what lies ahead for the stock.

Is Trending Stock AT&T Inc. (T) a Buy Now?

Zacks.com users have recently been watching AT&T (T) quite a bit. Thus, it is worth knowing the facts that could determine the stock's prospects.

Here is What to Know Beyond Why ExxonMobil Holdings Corporation (XOM) is a Trending Stock

XOM

Exxon (XOM) has received quite a bit of attention from Zacks.com users lately. Therefore, it is wise to be aware of the facts that can impact the stock's prospects.

Here is What to Know Beyond Why KB Home (KBH) is a Trending Stock

KBH

KB Home (KBH) has received quite a bit of attention from Zacks.com users lately. Therefore, it is wise to be aware of the facts that can impact the stock's prospects.

Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN) Is a Trending Stock: Facts to Know Before Betting on It

AMZN

Zacks.com users have recently been watching Amazon (AMZN) quite a bit. Thus, it is worth knowing the facts that could determine the stock's prospects.