BEIJING At least three major Chinese cities last week removed restrictions on home buying, as the Asian giant

A huge phosphate rock deposit discovered in Norway contains enough minerals to meet the global demand for batteries and solar panels for the next 100 years, according to the mining company that controls it. Norge Mining said up to 70 billion tonnes of the non-renewable resource may have been uncovered in south-western Norway, alongside deposits of other strategic minerals like titanium and vanadium. Phosphate rock contains high concentrates of phosphorus, which is a key component for building green technologies but currently faces significant supply issues. Phosphorus was first discovered in 1669 by German scientist Hennig Brandt, who was searching for the philosopher’s stone. While it proved ineffective in turning ordinary metals into gold, it has become an essential component in lithium-iron phosphate batteries in electric cars, as well as for solar panels and computer chips. Russia previously controlled the world’s largest ultra-pure phosphate rock deposits, with the European Union warning that these “critical raw materials” have a high supply risk. The EU is currently almost entirely dependent on imports of phosphate rock from the rest of the world, according to a report from The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies, with China, Iraq and Syria also home to large deposits. The report, which was published before the discovery of the massive Norwegian deposit, warned that the EU should be “concerned about phosphate rock shortages”. An article in the scientific journal Nature last year warned of imminent supply disruptions of phosphorus, citing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent economic sanctions as a potential cause of market volatility. The global economy consumes an estimated 50 million tonnes of phosphorus each year, with scientists warning earlier this year that the planet could face a “phosphogeddon” if supply trends continue. “The buyers’ market is becoming increasingly crowded by limited trade – due to political instability in several source countries, as well as international sanctions imposed on others,” Norge Mining noted in a June blog post. “This is forcing importers to fear an impending crisis.” Norway’s minister of trade and industry, Jan Christian Vestre, said last month that the government was considering fast-tracking a giant mine in Helleland once analysis is completed on 47 miles of drill cores. If approval is given, the first major mine could begin operation by 2028. The politician said Norway’s “obligation” was to develop “the world’s most sustainable mineral industry” following the discovery of the minerals. The mining plans already have the support of the European Raw Materials Alliance, according to local reports, while local consultations continue. A spokesperson for the European Commission described the discovery as “great news” for meeting the objectives of the Commission’s raw material objectives, with Norge Mining telling Euractiv that the projected 4,500-metre-deep ore body would theoretically be capable of meeting global demand for the next century. Read More Solar trees offer unique solution to charging electric cars Mineral discovery could meet global battery and solar panel demand for next 100 years ‘Miracle material’ solar panels to finally enter production AI rise will be ‘most profound’ shift seen in our lifetimes, Google UK boss says

The Pittsburgh Steelers kick returner, Gunner Olszewski, made one of the worst mental errors of the season. He just has to be a New England Patriots spy.

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While Billie Kay is extremely famous, she prefers to keep her husband and family out of public eye

A monument has been unveiled in Detroit that commemorates a white mother slain while doing civil rights work in Alabama in 1965 and the Black friend who helped raise her children after her death

UBS is considering delaying its quarterly results at least until the end of August, as the Swiss banking

Australia’s cricketers have created a “fighting fund” to help the country’s netball players amid a bitter pay dispute with Netball Australia

Scott Swift has met Matty Healy and likes him as a person but he has some serious reservations about his past and his intentions with Taylor Swift

Authorities in Iceland have declared a state of emergency and asked thousands of people to evacuate after hundreds of earthquakes rocked the country's southwestern Reykjanes peninsula. The UK have ramped up its advice to British travellers, saying it is “increasingly possible” that a volcanic eruption could occur. However, they advise: “Keflavik International Airport is operating as normal. While there is no current eruption, it is increasingly possible that one could occur. You should monitor local media for updates and follow the authorities advice on travel to the area.” The advice stops well short of advising against travel to Iceland, meaning airlines and holiday companies are operating as normal – with no automatic right to cancel. Iceland’s National Police Commissioner declared a state of emergency for civil defence after 1,485 earthquakes hit the country in the last 48 hours. Thousands of people living in the southwestern town of Grindavik have been asked to leave as a precaution. According to information from the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO), seismic activity in the area has increased significantly since 3pm on Friday.

Washington hopes to use a delay in Israel's incursion into Gaza to shore up protection for its interests.

U.S. stock index futures rose on Friday as Amazon's better-than-expected earnings trumped Apple's tepid sales forecast, while investors