UN Rapporteur Francesca Albanese Condemns “Toxic” Attacks Amid Calls for Resignation 
PBOC Scraps FX Risk Reserves to Curb Rapid Yuan Appreciation 
Gold Prices Steady in Asia, Set for Strong February Gains on Safe-Haven Demand 
Japan Nominates Reflationist Economists to BOJ Board, Signaling Policy Shift 
U.S.-Canada Trade Talks Resume as Trump Administration Reviews USMCA 
Denver Mayor Orders Police to Protect Protesters, Restricts ICE Access to City Property 
FBI Subpoenaed Kash Patel and Susie Wiles Phone Records During Trump Investigations, Patel Says 
USITC to Review Impact of Revoking China’s PNTR Status, Potentially Raising Tariffs on Chinese Imports 
ICE Hiring Surge Raises Vetting Concerns Amid Rapid Expansion 
Gold Prices Rally in February as Geopolitical Risks and Economic Uncertainty Boost Safe-Haven Demand 
Tommy Robinson Visits U.S. State Department Amid Free Speech Debate 
Stock Market Movers: Dell, Block, Duolingo, Zscaler, CoreWeave, Autodesk, Rocket, MARA 
Keir Starmer Faces Crucial By-Election Test in Manchester Amid Tight Three-Way Race 
Venezuela Oil Exports to Reach $2 Billion Under U.S.-Led Supply Agreement 
Asian Markets Slide as Nvidia Earnings, U.S.-Iran Tensions and AI Valuations Weigh on Investor Sentiment 
Asian Markets Rally as AI Stocks Surge; Yen and BOJ Rate Outlook in Focus 
The Dominican Republic has announced the discovery of significant rare earth deposits that could position the Caribbean nation as a key future supplier of critical minerals for high-tech industries. President Luis Abinader revealed that preliminary geological studies estimate gross deposits exceeding 150 million tons of rare earth elements, a group of 17 essential metals widely used in semiconductors, aerospace technology, renewable energy systems, and military equipment.
Speaking during his annual State of the Nation address to Congress, Abinader outlined plans to complete a comprehensive assessment of the mineral reserves by the end of this year. The government aims to certify commercially viable reserves by early next year, a crucial step before launching large-scale extraction and refining operations. While the total estimated deposits are substantial, authorities have not yet confirmed how much of the 150 million tons can be economically developed.
The rare earth deposits are located in the border province of Pedernales, an area expected to play a strategic role in the country’s long-term economic transformation. The president linked the project to a broader national strategy focused on energy transition, sustainable mining, and the responsible use of natural resources. According to Abinader, developing these critical minerals will strengthen national sovereignty, reduce external dependence, lower carbon emissions, and enhance global competitiveness.
The United States has expressed strong interest in supporting the Dominican Republic’s rare earth sector. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio previously emphasized the global importance of securing access to rare earth minerals for next-generation technologies. He noted that the resources belong to the Dominican people and offered U.S. partnership in their responsible development.
As global demand for rare earth elements continues to rise, the Dominican Republic’s emerging role in the critical minerals market could significantly reshape the Caribbean nation’s economic future.
