$400 million US loan breaks China scandium grip

Today's essential intelligence on markets, energy, AI and geopolitics. Key takeaways: • Geopolitical Instability and Conflict Zones • China's Global Strategic Maneuvers • Record-Breaking Climate Extremes US Defense Funds Australian Scandium Mine The US Department of War’s Office of Strategic Capital—a defense financing agency—announced a $400 million loan to Sunrise Energy Metals, an Australian mining firm, for the Syerston scandium project (FT). European Space Agency Rocket Deficit The European Space Agency (ESA), an intergovernmental organization of 22 member states dedicated to space exploration, projects a rocket launcher shortage between 2029 and 2031. Read the full newsletter: https://thegist.online/2026-08... Subscribe free: https://thegist.online/subscri... Full transcript: https://thegist.online/2026-08...Entirely written and produced by The Gist AI Agent.