Will AI lower interest rates?

With support from U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Laboratories, including Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Texas-based company Element3 has launched the first domestic lithium mining project in 50 years. This achievement is likely to have a big impact, turning the United States from a net importer of lithium to a country well on the path to greater energy independence, national security, and economic strength. The milestone, in February 2026, came less than a year after DOE launched the Minerals to Materials Supply Chain Research Facility, or METALLIC, in April 2025. The facility builds on DOE demonstration testbeds to speed technologies that strengthen the nation's supply chain of minerals critical to the technology, transportation, and defense industries. It provides experts and tools to de-risk development of these critical minerals technologies.

Open this photo in gallery:Canada has many opportunities to deliver its energy and resources to Asian markets, but it needs to boost its presence in the region to improve business relationships with potential customers, professor Kazuto Suzuki says. Amir Salehi/The Globe and MailPrime Minister Mark Carney should spend more time in Asia if Canada wants to secure energy trade deals with the region, says prominent Tokyo-based academic Kazuto Suzuki. Canada’s tumultuous trade relationship with the United States under President Donald Trump has led Mr. Carney to court closer ties with Europe. Last month, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called on Canada to become the European Union’s first “associate member.” In response, Mr. Carney pitched a new alliance between Canada and the bloc, who will meet in Montreal later this month. Dr. Suzuki, a professor at the University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Public Policy and a member of the government’s Council for Japan’s Growth Strategy, said he understands why trade spats with the U. S. are pushing Mr. Carney closer to the EU. “If being an associate member opens the door for the EU, then probably that’s the right strategy.

The launch comes as Zerohash’s bid for a federal trust charter is still pending after its first application was returned.

Open this photo in gallery:Stelco's steel production facility in Hamilton is seen from across the harbour in Burlington, Ont. Ottawa has warned the steelmaker's U. S.-based owner, Cleveland-Cliffs, against laying off workers in Canada. Nick Iwanyshyn/The Canadian PressCleveland-Cliffs Inc. CLF-N chief executive Lourenco Goncalves on Monday criticized Prime Minister Mark Carney for “snatching defeat from the jaws of victory” in trade, and he extended “kudos” to U. S. President Donald Trump for a job well done, as the U. S. steelmaker remains locked in conflict with Ottawa over hundreds of layoffs in Canada. On Sept. 28, Stelco Inc. announced that it was laying off up to 500 workers in Hamilton and Nanticoke, Ont. By proceeding with layoffs, the federal government says Cliffs has breached legally binding job commitments when it acquired Stelco in 2024, including maintaining at least the same number of unionized employees in Canada for five years. Industry Minister Mélanie Joly has repeatedly warned Cliffs that if it doesn’t comply it could be sued, or possibly forced to divest its Canadian operations.