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Apple has plans to make a folding iPhone starting next year, reliable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said on Wednesday.

Kuo said Apple’s folding phone could have a display made by Samsung Display, which is planning to produce as many as eight million foldable panels for the device next year. However, other components haven’t been finalized, including the device’s hinge, Kuo wrote. He expects it to have “premium pricing.”

Kuo is an analyst for TF International Securities, and focuses on the Asian electronics supply chain and often discusses Apple products before they’re launched.

He wrote in a post on social media site X that Apple’s plans for the foldable iPhone aren’t locked in yet and are subject to change. Apple did not respond to CNBC’s request for comment.

Apple’s iPhone makes up over half of Apple’s business and remains an incredibly profitable product, accounting for $201 billion in sales in the company’s fiscal 2024. But iPhone revenue peaked in 2022, and Apple is constantly looking for ways to attract new customers and convince its current customers to upgrade to more expensive devices.

Several of Apple’s rivals, including Huawei and Samsung, have been releasing folding smartphones since 2019.

The devices promise the screen size of a tablet in a format that can be stored in pants pockets. But folding phones still have hardware issues, including creases in the display where it is folded.

Folding phones also have yet to prove they drive significant demand after the novelty wears off.

Research firm TrendForce said last year that only 1.5% of all smartphones sold can fold. Counterpoint, another research firm tracking smartphone sales, said earlier this year that the folding market only grew about 3% in 2024 and is expected to shrink in 2025.

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS

Crude oil futures rose more than 1% on Thursday, after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered Israel’s military to intensify attacks against Iran.

U.S. crude oil was last up $1.36, or 1.81%, to $76.50 per barrel by 9:38 a.m. ET, while global benchmark Brent added $1.10, or 1.43%, to $77.80 per barrel. Prices have gained more than 11% over the seven days since Israel began pounding Iran’s nuclear and missile programs.

Follow along for live coverage

Netanyahu ordered Israel’s military to intensify attacks on “strategic targets” in Iran and “government targets” in the country’s capital, Tehran, Israel Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a social media post. The goal of the strikes is to “undermine the ayatollah’s regime,” Katz said.

Israel’s decision to escalate its military operation against the Islamic Republic comes after an Iranian missile reportedly struck a major hospital in the southern city of Beersheba. Katz threatened Iran’s leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the wake of the hospital strike.

Katz said Israel’s military “has been instructed and knows that in order to achieve all of its goals, this man absolutely should not continue to exist,” referring to Khamenei.

President Donald Trump is still considering whether to order a U.S. strike on Iran’s nuclear program. “I may do it, I may not do it, I mean nobody knows what I’m going to do,” Trump told reporters Wednesday.

JPMorgan warned on Wednesday that regime change in a major oil producing country like Iran could have a profound impact on global oil prices. Iran is one of the top producers in OPEC.

“If history serves as a guide, further destabilization of Iran could lead to significantly higher oil prices sustained over extended periods,” Natasha Kaneva, head of global commodities research at JPMorgan, told clients in a note.

Supply losses in the wake of a regime change “are challenging to recover quickly, further supporting elevated prices,” Kaneva said.

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS

Tesla has inked its first deal to build a grid-scale battery power plant in China amid a strained trading relationship between Beijing and Washington.

The U.S. company posted on the Chinese social media service Weibo that the project would be the largest of its kind in China when completed.

Utility-scale battery energy storage systems help electricity grids keep supply and demand in balance. They are increasingly needed to bridge the supply-demand mismatch caused by intermittent energy sources such as solar and wind.

Chinese media outlet Yicai first reported that the deal, worth 4 billion yuan ($556 million), had been signed by Tesla, the local government of Shanghai and financing firm China Kangfu International Leasing, according to the Reuters news agency.

Tesla said its battery factory in Shanghai had produced more than 100 Megapacks — the battery designed for utility-scale deployment — in the first quarter of this year. One Megapack can provide up to 1 megawatt of power for four hours.

“The grid-side energy storage power station is a ‘smart regulator’ for urban electricity, which can flexibly adjust grid resources,” Tesla said on Weibo, according to a Google translation.

This would “effectively solve the pressure of urban power supply and ensure the safe, stable and efficient electricity demand of the city,” it added. “After completion, this project is expected to become the largest grid-side energy storage project in China.”

According to the company’s website, each Megapack retails for just under $1 million in the U.S. Pricing for China was unavailable.

The deal is significant for Tesla, as China’s CATL and carmaker BYD compete with similar products. The two Chinese companies have made significant inroads in battery development and manufacturing, with the former holding about 40% of the global market share.

CATL was also expected to supply battery cells and packs that are used in Tesla’s Megapacks, according to a Reuters news source.

Tesla’s deal with a Chinese local authority is also significant as it comes after U.S. President Donald Trump slapped tariffs on imports from China, straining the geopolitical relationship between the world’s two largest economies.

Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk was also a close ally of President Trump during the initial stages of the trade war, further complicating the business outlook for U.S. automakers in China.

The demand for grid-scale battery installation, however, is significant in China. In May last year, Beijing set a new target to add nearly 5 gigawatts of battery-powered electricity supply by the end of 2025, bringing the total capacity to 40 gigawatts.

Tesla has also been exporting its Megapacks to Europe and Asia from its Shanghai plant to meet global demand.

Capacity for global battery energy storage systems rose 42 gigawatts in 2023, nearly doubling the total increase in capacity observed in the previous year, according to the International Energy Agency.

— CNBC’s Arjun Kharpal contributed reporting.

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS

Critical Metals (NASDAQ:CRML) got a boost on Monday (June 16), landing a letter of interest (LOI) for a non-dilutive US$120 million funding package from the Export-Import Bank of the US (EXIM).

The funds would be used to advance its Tanbreez rare earths project in Southern Greenland.

Touted as one of the world’s largest rare earths deposits, Tanbreez is expected to produce up to 85,000 metric tons of rare earth material annually, with more than 27 percent classified as heavy rare earth elements.

“This is a tremendous milestone for Critical Metals Corp which highlights to the rare earths supply chain, Western Governments and investors that Tanbreez is a world-class asset that will provide mission-critical rare earth metals to counter China’s continued dominance,” said Critical Metals CEO and Chairman Tony Sage.

The funding would support pre-production, technical studies and early mining activities. EXIM’s financing falls under its new Supply Chain Resiliency Initiative and comes with a 15 year repayment term.

Critical Metals acquired a controlling stake in Tanbreez in June 2024 in a transaction valued at up to US$211 million. It expects the asset to require US$290 million in capital expenditure to advance to initial commercial production.

The US$120 million from EXIM would support key early stage work at Tanbreez, including technical and economic studies, pre-production activities and the start of mining operations.

The company is aiming to complete a definitive feasibility study by late 2025.

Critical Metals also plans to invest an additional US$10 million in exploration this year, giving it the option to increase its ownership in the project to 92.5 percent through the acquisition of a further 50.5 percent stake.

“We are now razor focused to put Tanbreez into production as soon as possible,’ said Sage.

Securities Disclosure: I, Gabrielle de la Cruz, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

A court in Bamako has ordered the temporary transfer of operational control of Barrick Mining’s (TSX:ABX,NYSE:B) Loulo-Gounkoto gold-mining complex to a state-appointed administrator for six months.

The ruling, handed down on Tuesday (June 17) by the Tribunal de Commerce, empowers former health minister and certified accountant Soumana Makadji to run one of Barrick’s most lucrative global assets.

The company has described the move as “unjustified” and “unprecedented.”

According to Judge Issa Aguibou Diallo, the ruling was made under Article 160-1 of the OHADA corporate law framework, which allows a court to appoint a provisional administrator when the regular functioning of a company becomes impossible. The administrator, Makadji, is tasked with reopening the mine site, participating in negotiations with Barrick and reporting to the court on a quarterly basis — though not to the government.

Makadji is seen in Bamako as a technocrat with strong ethical credentials. His appointment is intended to stabilize operations at Loulo-Gounkoto, which Barrick suspended in January 2024 after the Malian government physically removed unsold gold from the mine and froze the company’s ability to export.

Despite the administrative change, Barrick maintains that its subsidiaries remain the legal owners of the mine.

In a statement released on Monday (June 16), the company emphasized that its “ongoing efforts to reach a constructive and sustainable resolution” have been met with escalatory actions by the state.

“While the company has made a number of good-faith concessions in the spirit of partnership, it cannot accept terms that would compromise the legal integrity or long-term viability of the operations,” Barrick said.

Arbitration and legal fallout

Barrick has already launched international arbitration proceedings at the World Bank’s International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes, as per a May 29 Reuters article.

The company has asked the tribunal to declare that its Malian subsidiaries are protected under longstanding mining conventions, which it argues are not subject to retroactive legislative changes. Mali, however, contends that the convention covering Loulo expired in April 2023, subjecting it to the updated mining code.

The arbitration tribunal has now been formally constituted, and Barrick has filed a request for provisional measures to prevent Mali from further intervening until the dispute is resolved.

A disputed settlement

In February 2024, a tentative settlement appeared close. According to Jeune Afrique, Barrick had agreed in principle to pay 225 billion West African CFA francs (roughly US$396 million) in instalments, recognize the new 2023 mining code and convert Mali’s 20 percent equity stake in Loulo-Gounkoto into “priority shares.”

The government would in turn release the seized gold and free the detained executives.

But the deal collapsed. A Malian negotiator later claimed Barrick had signed the “wrong” agreement and warned the government had “the right to take control of the mines” if the company failed to resume operations.

The ruling junta, led by Colonel Assimi Goïta, has made resource nationalism a hallmark of its post-coup economic strategy. Since coming to power in 2020, the military-led regime has shown a willingness to pressure foreign firms to comply with state priorities, especially in strategic sectors like mining.

The Loulo-Gounkoto dispute is now emblematic of the wider uncertainty surrounding foreign investment in Mali, a country where gold accounts for over 70 percent of export earnings.

Future implications

Loulo-Gounkoto is a cornerstone of Barrick’s global portfolio.

In 2023, the complex produced 723,000 ounces of gold, second only to Barrick’s Carlin mine in Nevada. It boasts remaining reserves of 7.3 million ounces, making it one of the largest high-grade gold systems in the world.

The financial implications of the shutdown are significant. Analysts warned in December that continued disruptions at the site could cut 11 percent from Barrick’s projected 2025 EBITDA.

Morningstar had earlier projected that Loulo-Gounkoto would contribute 250,000 ounces to Barrick’s output this year — an estimate now scrapped from the company’s 2025 guidance.

Further complicating matters, the permit for the Loulo section of the complex is set to expire in February 2025, just weeks after the six month provisional administration period ends. Barrick said it applied for a renewal four months ago, but has received no response from the government. The Gounkoto permit remains valid for another 17 years.

Barrick has said it remains committed to reaching a “mutually acceptable solution” and has appealed the court’s decision. But with no public comment from the Malian government and the provisional administrator now in place, a quick resolution appears unlikely.

Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

Galan Lithium Limited (ASX:GLN) ( Galan or the Company ) is pleased to announce it has secured a binding commitment for a A$20 million placement ( Placement ) at A$0.11 per share, a 21% premium to the last closing price of A$0.091 as at 19 June 2025 from an existing shareholder, The Clean Elements Fund ( Clean Elements ). Additionally, Clean Elements will receive one unlisted option for every two shares issued under the Placement, with an exercise price of A$0.15 per option and an expiry date that is three years from the date of issue.

The Placement is subject to Clean Elements’ satisfactory completion of due diligence over a period not longer than 77 days. Full completion of the Placement will require shareholder approval which will be sought at a Galan general meeting, expected to be held in early September 2025 .

The Placement provides the final construction funding solution for Phase 1 (at 4ktpa LCE), of the Company’s world class Hombre Muerto West project ( HMW ) in Argentina , which will see production of lithium chloride concentrate in H1 2026.

Managing Director, Juan Pablo (JP) Vargas de la Vega, commented:

We are extremely pleased to receive further support from Clean Elements. HMW is a world-class lithium project, offering exceptional scale and grade. This commitment from Clean Elements, priced at a significant premium to our last closing share price, reflects the value proposition provided by Galan.

To have executed this funding agreement whilst facing strong macro headwinds for the lithium industry is a huge achievement for Galan and further validates the unique attributes of HMW. With a clear pathway to first concentrate production, this support positions Galan to focus on execution. The next 12 months promise to be a transformational period for Galan and the team remains fully focussed on the creation of significant value for all shareholders.’

Clean Element’s Chairman, Ofer Amir, stated:

‘We are incredibly excited to partner with Galan Lithium on what we believe is one of the most compelling lithium opportunities in Argentina today. After extensive evaluation of the Argentinian lithium landscape, HMW stands out as an exceptional world-class asset with the rare combination of scale, grade, and execution capability that positions it to be a major force in the global lithium market. This investment represents Clean Elements’ confidence in Galan’s transformative potential and our shared vision of powering the clean energy revolution.

Our investment in Galan reflects our disciplined approach to identifying high-quality lithium assets with strong fundamentals and experienced management teams. Galan’s impressive resource base of 9.5 Mt LCE, combined with its low-cost position in the first quartile globally and proven operational track record in the Hombre Muerto Salar, aligns perfectly with our investment criteria. We were particularly impressed by Galan’s strategic partnership with Authium, which enhances project economics through innovative processing technology while securing offtake agreements that de-risk the path to production. We look forward to supporting Galan beyond Phase 1 as they execute their long term production growth plan towards 60 ktpa LCE.’

Details of the Placement

The Company has received binding commitments for a total of 181,818,182 shares at an issue price of A$0.11 per share. 90,909,091 options (exercisable at A$0.15 with a 3 year expiry from issue date) will also be issued.

The Placement is expected to settle in two tranches:

  • Tranche Two – A$10 million , 90,909,091 shares and 45,454,545 options (exercisable at A$0.15 with a 3 year expiry from issue date), subject to shareholder approval and completion of due diligence. Expected settlement on or around 28 November 2025 .

The proceeds of the Placement will be utilised to complete Phase 1 construction activities in H2 2025 required to realise first lithium chloride production in H1 2026. The Company notes that a US$ 6 million prepayment facility will be available to the Company under the terms of the offtake and prepayment agreement with Authium Limited ( Authium ) (see announcement https://shorturl.at/GaU0r) .

In light of the current market conditions, the Company decided to pursue the Placement, which was structured at a 21% premium to Galan’s last closing price. Despite efforts to secure debt funding, the prevailing economic environment has resulted in unfavourable terms and higher costs associated with debt. By opting for equity raising Galan will strengthen its balance sheet and minimise financing risk, whilst carrying no debt, as the Company brings HMW into production.

About Hombre Muerto West

HMW is a multi-decade, lithium brine project in Argentina with compelling economics. Phase 1 provides for a 4ktpa LCE operation, producing a 6% LiCl concentrate product over a projected 40-year life. Finalisation of Phase 1 and commencement of production is the key focus Galan. Beyond Phase 1, the Company will undertake a phased scaling approach, eventually ramping up to 60ktpa at the conclusion of Phase 4. This approach mitigates funding and execution risk and will allow for continuous process improvement.

With a world class resource and a cost profile within the first quartile globally, HMW is a clear demonstration of the benefits of a high-quality lithium brine asset. These benefits are allowing Galan to progress through development and into production with a lower capital intensity and lower risk profile when compared to hard rock lithium (spodumene) projects.

As importantly, lithium chloride is a key component for lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which have become the dominant battery product globally. With the ability to be cost effectively converted into a lithium dihydrogen phosphate or lithium carbonate, lithium chloride, as will be produced at HMW, is an ideal source for LFP batteries.

Please refer to Mineral Resource Statement for Galan’s Total Resources of 9.5Mt LCE.

The Galan Board has authorised this release.

For further information contact:

COMPANY

MEDIA

Juan Pablo (‘JP’) Vargas

de la Vega

Matt Worner

Managing Director

VECTOR Advisors

jp@galanlithium.com.au

mworner@vectoradvisors.au

+ 61 8 9214 2150

+61 429 522 924

About Galan

Galan Lithium Limited (ASX:GLN) is an ASX-listed lithium exploration and development business. Galan’s flagship assets comprise two world-class lithium brine projects, HMW and Candelas, located on the Hombre Muerto Salar in Argentina , within South America’s ‘lithium triangle’. Hombre Muerto is proven to host lithium brine deposition of the highest grade and lowest impurity levels within Argentina . It is home to the established El Fenix lithium operation, Sal de Vida (both projects are operated by Arcadium Lithium) and Sal de Oro (POSCO) lithium projects. Rio Tinto is now in the process of acquiring Arcadium Lithium plc. Galan also has exploration licences at Greenbushes South in Western Australia , just south of the Tier 1 Greenbushes Lithium Mine.

About Clean Elements

Clean Elements is a private holding company specifically founded to pursue the development of high performing lithium assets in Argentina and globally. Clean Elements has a successful track record in investing in lithium brine assets, notably completing a financing transaction with NOA Lithium in 2024. Clean Elements is partnered with Swiss financial expert firm ISP Securities Ltd., part of the ISP Group, who is a leading Swiss financial service provider specializing in wealth management, asset management, securitisation and trading services. ISP Group has companies in Switzerland ( Zurich and Geneva ), Dubai , Hong Kong , and Israel .

Contact:

Ofer Amir
ofer@thecleanelements.com
+97254492777

View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/galan-lithium-limited-a20-million-placement-to-strategic-partner-302486923.html

SOURCE Galan Lithium Limited

News Provided by PR Newswire via QuoteMedia

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

The Golden State Valkyries pulled away in the fourth quarter to beat Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever 88-77 at home on Thursday.

The Valkyries have won four of their last five games and improved to 6-6 overall, after becoming the fastest franchise to win five games in its inaugural season earlier this month.

The Fever finished each of the first three quarters with the lead and put the Valkyries in a deficit as large as 13 points, but it wasn’t enough to deny Golden State.

Kayla Thornton led Golden State with 16 points and six rebounds in 20 minutes of play. Tiffany Hayes, playing her first home game since her return from injury, produced 14 points and five assists in 32 minutes off the bench.

Aliyah Boston finished with a game-high 17 points and 12 rebounds for the Fever in the loss. Clark had 11 points, nine assists and seven rebounds. She shot just 3-for-14 from the field and didn’t hit a 3-pointer (0-for-7).

Clark was coming off a game where she was in the middle of a scuffle that led to an ejection, flagrant fouls and subsequent fines. It inspired Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White to blast the league’s refs and reignited the national debate about how the WNBA’s biggest star is treated and viewed by opposing players.

White missed Thursday’s game for personal reasons. Austin Kelly served as the acting coach for Indiana.

Fever vs. Valkyries highlights

Caitlin Clark stats tonight vs. Valkyries

  • Points: 11
  • FG: 3-for-14
  • 3PTs: 0-for-7
  • FT: 5-for-5
  • Rebounds: 7
  • Assists: 9
  • Blocks: 0
  • Steals: 1
  • Turnovers: 6
  • Fouls: 3
  • Minutes played: 34

Final: Valkyries 88, Fever 77

The Valkyries overcame a double-digit deficit to regain the lead in the fourth quarter.

Aliyah Boston was forced to sit in the middle of the quarter after picking up her fifth personal foul.

3Q: Fever 59, Valkyries 55

The Fever went on a 10-3 run to start the quarter and built up one of its biggest leads of the game against the Valkyries. The Valkyires went on a 10-2 scoring run of their own to end the third quarter. Kate Martin scored back-to-back baskets, scoring five of her nine points in the final minute of the period. Kayla Thornton has 10 points and five rebounds through three quarters for Golden State.

Aliyah Boston has produced a double-double for the Fever with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Caitlin Clark scored five of her seven points in the third quarter for Indiana to go along with her seven assists and six rebounds.

Indiana has led by as many as 13 points. Golden State’s largest lead has been five.

Halftime: Fever 44, Valkyries 38

Aliyah Boston and Natasha Howard led the way for the Fever in the first half against the Valkyries. Boston has produced 15 points, seven rebounds and three blocks for Indiana. Howard has chipped in with eight points, three rebounds and two assists.

Caitlin Clark was limited to just two points in the first half but contributed with six assists and four defensive rebounds.

Carla Leite and Chloe Bibby led Golden State with eight points each in the first half. Kayla Thornton had seven points and five rebounds.

1Q: Fever 21, Valkyries 12

Monique Billings scored four of the Valkyries’ first seven points in the quarter against the Fever. Kayla Thornton and the Valkyries led Caitlin Clark and the Fever 7-2 with 7:43 left in the opening quarter. Thornton has scored three points.

Natasha Howard would help rally the Fever with four points as part of an 11-0 scoring run to take a 13-7 lead with 3:08 left in the quarter. The scoring run was built up to 14-0 before Golden State’s Chloe Bibby made a layup off an assist from Laeticia Amihere.

Clark went scoreless in the first quarter.

Fever’s starting lineup vs. Valkyries

  • Guard Caitlin Clark
  • Guard Kelsey Mitchell
  • Guard Lexie Hull
  • Forward Natasha Howard
  • Forward Aliyah Boston

Valkyries’ starting lineup vs. Fever

  • Guard Carla Leite
  • Guard Veronica Burton
  • Forward Kayla Thornton
  • Forward Stephanie Talbot
  • Center Monique Billings

What time is Fever vs. Valkyries?

The WNBA regular-season game between the Indiana Fever and Golden State Valkyries is scheduled to tip at 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. local time).

How to watch Fever vs. Valkyries WNBA game: TV, stream for Caitlin Clark

The WNBA regular-season game between the Indiana Fever and Golden State Warriors will be streamed nationally exclusively via Amazon Prime, with only local affiliates in the Bay Area and Indianapolis able to televise the game.

  • Time: 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT
  • Location: Chase Center in San Francisco, California
  • TV: KPIX 5 (Bay Area), KOVR 13 (Sacramento), WTHR Channel 13 (Indianapolis)
  • Stream: Amazon Prime

Watch Fever vs. Valkyries with Amazon Prime

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

Cleveland Browns traded up on the final day of the 2025 NFL Draft to select high-profile quarterback Shedeur Sanders. His fall to the fifth round was the story of the draft this year.

Less than two months later, there’s a new story attached to Sanders as minicamps wrap up in Cleveland.

Sanders was cited for driving 101 mph in a 60 mph speed limit zone around 12:30 a.m. on June 17. According to municipal court records from Medina, Ohio, this is Sanders’ second speeding citation of the month.

The first citation stemmed from a June 5 incident in Brunswick, Ohio and Ohio State Highway Patrol told WKBN-TV that Sanders was cited for going 91 mph in a 65 mph speed limit zone.

Sanders failed to appear for his arraignment, which was scheduled for June 16, on the first speeding ticket. He is facing $269 in fines and court costs for that citation.

‘He is taking care of the tickets,’ team spokesman Peter John-Baptiste told Cleveland.com.

Sanders is competing for the starting quarterback role in Cleveland alongside veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett as well as fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel.

Will the NFL suspend Shedeur Sanders?

No, the league won’t suspend Sanders for these speeding tickets. The NFL has not yet provided a statement on the citations.

At time of publishing, Sanders has not released a statement on the speeding citations.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY