News & Events

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that Islamabad will host high-stakes US-Iran delegations on Friday, 10 April 2026, following a temporary Mideast ceasefire, with streets emptied under a two-day security lockdown. The capital is buzzing with diplomatic activity as Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner lead the US side in the first direct Washington-Tehran talks to end a war that has killed thousands.

Pakistan, leveraging its evolved ties with President Trump’s administration and regional alliances, hopes the “Islamabad Talks” will secure lasting peace.

Read the original article here: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/pakistan-host-us-iran-ceasefire-051230041.html

Namibia Critical Minerals Inc. has amended its agreement with the Japan Organisation for Metals and Energy Security to secure additional funding for the Lofdal heavy rare earths project.

Under the revised deal, Jogmec will contribute an extra N$37 million to help finance a definitive feasibility study, the final stage before a mining company decides whether to proceed with development. Namibia Critical Minerals president Darrin Campbell said the added support would help position Lofdal for project financing and future development decisions.

The Lofdal project, which holds a 25-year mining licence, is expected to produce heavy rare earth metals used in high-performance magnets for renewable energy technologies. Toyota Tsusho Corporation, part of the Toyota Group, said it will join the project as part of Jogmec’s ownership.

Read the original article here: https://www.msn.com/en-xl/africa/top-stories/namibias-lofdal-heavy-rare-earths-project-gets-additional-japanese-funding/ar-AA1ZYRwD?ocid=BingNewsVerp

Afreximbank underwrites $2.5 billion of $4 billion syndicated loan for Dangote Refinery, one of Africa’s largest industrial financing deals.

The African Export-Import Bank and Access Bank Plc led the five-year facility to refinance debt and support the 650,000 barrels-per-day refinery’s operational phase. The complex aims to cut Nigeria’s heavy fuel import reliance and boost domestic supply.

Afreximbank President George Elombi called it the bank’s largest commitment to Dangote Group, where it has invested $15 billion since 2015 to drive African industrialisation. Aliko Dangote said the deal strengthens the refinery’s financial position for future growth.

The transaction drew strong participation from African and international lenders, reflecting confidence in the refinery as a game-changer for the continent’s energy security despite Nigeria’s chronic refining capacity shortages.

Read the original article here: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/afreximbank-underwrites-2-5bn-of-4bn-loan-to-nigeria-s-dangote-oil-refinery/ar-AA1ZPgH9?ocid=BingNewsVerp