Wednesday☕️

Earth Intelligence

12 Mar 2025 — 6 min read

Economics & Markets:

Yesterday’s U.S. stock market:

Yesterday’s commodity market:

Yesterday’s crypto market:

Geopolitics & Military Activity:

Yesterday, March 11, 2025, Russian Tu-160 bombers launched Kh-101 Kodiak subsonic missiles toward Ukrainian airspace as multiple Iskander ballistic missiles struck the port of Odesa. Among the reported targets was a Barbados-flagged cargo ship carrying 12 crew members. Four crew members—three Syrians and one Ukrainian—were killed in the attack.

Shortly after the strikes, the United States and Ukraine announced an agreement aimed at de-escalating hostilities. Ukraine agreed to a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire, contingent upon Russia’s acceptance, in an effort to create conditions for peace negotiations. As part of the deal, the U.S. lifted previous holds on military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, reinforcing its defense capabilities.
Additionally, both countries committed to strengthening economic ties, including developing Ukraine’s critical mineral resources to bolster its economy. The announcement of this agreement came amid heightened tensions, underscoring the urgency of diplomatic efforts to secure stability in the region.

Environment & Weather:

As of Yesterday, March 11, 2025, the Abai region of Kazakhstan is experiencing extreme snowfall, with some areas reporting accumulations of several feet. Temperatures are currently colder than average, with daytime highs ranging from -7°C to 1°C and nighttime lows between -20°C and -2°C. Heavy snowfall has disrupted transportation, causing vehicles to become stranded on roads, prompting emergency response efforts. Meteorological forecasts indicate that these winter conditions will persist in the coming days, with additional snowfall expected in some parts of the region.

Historically, the Abai region experiences harsh winters with significant snowfall, particularly in its mountainous and steppe areas. Snow accumulation varies yearly, but it is not uncommon for heavy snow to impact transportation and infrastructure, especially during late winter and early spring. Previous severe snowstorms in the region have caused road closures, power outages, and disruptions to daily life. While snowfall is a regular part of the local climate, extreme events such as this year’s accumulation highlight the challenges of winter weather in the region.

Space:

Yesterday, March 11, 2025, China launched a Long March 8 rocket from Commercial Launch Complex 1 at the Wenchang Space Launch Site. The mission, conducted by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), carried 18 Low Earth Orbit (LEO) communication satellites. These satellites, equipped with Ku, Q, and V band payloads, are part of the G60 constellation operated by Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology (SSST). The constellation aims to deploy 1,296 satellites by 2027, with plans for potential future expansion. The Long March 8 is a medium-lift rocket, standing 50 meters tall with a liftoff mass of approximately 356 tonnes. It is capable of carrying up to 7,600 kg to LEO and 2,500 kg to Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO).

On March 11, 2025, SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket from Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The mission carried two primary payloads: SPHEREx and PUNCH, both NASA-led projects aimed at expanding scientific understanding of space. SPHEREx is an all-sky survey mission designed to observe the universe in optical and near-infrared spectra, helping researchers study the origins of galaxies and the distribution of water and organic molecules in the Milky Way. PUNCH consists of a small satellite constellation focused on studying the Sun’s outer corona and solar wind to better understand space weather and its effects on the solar system. The Falcon 9 Block 5, SpaceX’s latest reusable rocket version, successfully launched and landed its first-stage booster at Landing Zone 4 at Vandenberg Space Force Base (SFB).

Statistic:

Largest public telecommunication companies by market capitalization:

🇺🇸 T-Mobile US: $293.05B
🇨🇳 China Mobile: $232.39B
🇺🇸 AT&T: $186.70B
🇺🇸 Verizon: $182.82B
🇩🇪 Deutsche Telekom: $178.86B
🇺🇸 Comcast: $135.92B
🇮🇳 Bharti Airtel: $114.02B
🇺🇸 American Tower: $98.06B
🇨🇳 China Telecom: $95.63B
🇯🇵 NTT (Nippon Telegraph & Telephone): $82.65B
🇯🇵 SoftBank: $76.47B
🇯🇵 KDDI: $64.77B
🇸🇦 Saudi Telecom Company: $58.82B
🇺🇸 Charter Communications: $50.51B
🇲🇽 America Movil: $44.24B
🇺🇸 Crown Castle: $42.42B
🇸🇬 Singtel: $40.95B
🇦🇪 Emirates Telecom (Etisalat Group): $38.74B
🇭🇰 China Unicom: $37.01B
🇫🇷 Orange: $34.17B
🇨🇭 Swisscom: $31.18B
🇹🇼 Chunghwa Telecom: $30.06B
🇦🇺 Telstra: $29.79B
🇨🇳 China Tower: $26.45B
🇪🇸 Telefónica: $26.20B

History:

Rare earth minerals were first discovered in 1787 in a Swedish quarry by Carl Axel Arrhenius, who found a black mineral later named ytterbite (now gadolinite). Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, chemists isolated and identified individual rare earth elements (REEs), but their industrial significance remained limited. It wasn’t until the mid-20th century, with advancements in nuclear technology and electronics, that nations began to recognize their strategic importance. The Cold War further emphasized their value as REEs became critical for missile guidance systems, radar, and early computing.
Elements like neodymium (Nd) and samarium (Sm) were integrated into powerful magnets for military applications, while europium (Eu) became essential for phosphors in color televisions and radar screens. By the late 20th century, China emerged as the dominant global supplier, leveraging its vast reserves and low-cost extraction methods. This control led to growing geopolitical tensions, particularly after China restricted exports in 2010, prompting other nations to seek alternative sources and invest in domestic production.
Today, rare earth minerals are indispensable to modern technology and defense industries. Dysprosium (Dy) and terbium (Tb) are critical for high-performance magnets in electric vehicle motors and wind turbines, while gadolinium (Gd) is used in MRI contrast agents and nuclear reactor shielding. Lanthanum (La) plays a key role in camera lenses and hybrid vehicle batteries, and cerium (Ce) is widely used in catalytic converters and self-cleaning ovens. The telecommunications industry relies on yttrium (Y) and erbium (Er) for fiber optic networks and laser applications, while holmium (Ho) is used in specialized magnets and nuclear control rods.
Nations are now racing to secure stable REE supplies, with the U.S., European Union, and Japan investing in new mining operations, recycling initiatives, and alternative materials to reduce dependence on China. Meanwhile, advanced separation technologies, such as solvent extraction and ion-exchange processes, are improving efficiency, while AI-driven exploration tools are helping locate new deposits. The global push for clean energy and electrification has only intensified demand, making rare earths a key geopolitical and economic battleground in the 21st century.

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