TOKYO  –  Nippon Steel and US Steel are suing the US government over blocking a takeover, claiming that President Joe Biden “ignored the rule of law to gain favor” with trade unions. The two companies also alleged that President Biden, who is entering the last weeks of his administration, stopped Nippon Steel buying US Steel to pursue his own political agenda. In rejecting the proposed deal last Friday, President Biden said a strong domestically-owned steel industry was essential for national security and resilient supply chains, including for the car and defence industries. If the $14.9bn (£11.8bn) deal goes ahead it would create one of the world’s biggest steel companies outside of China. The takeover has been in limbo since it was first announced in December 2023.

In one lawsuit, Nippon Steel and US Steel have asked asked the court to set aside the review process of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US, which has the power to vet foreign takeovers of US firms, saying it “failed to conduct a good faith, national security-focused regulatory review process”. Additionally, the companies are also suing the president of the United Steelworkers trade union, David McCall, and the chief executive of rival steel firm Cleveland-Cliffs, Lourenco Goncalves, for “their illegal and coordinated actions aimed at preventing the transaction”. Last Friday, the United Steelworkers trade union said it had “no doubt” that blocking the takeover was the “right move for our members and our national security”. The union accused Nippon of undermining the US steel industry for decades through measures including dumping its products on the US market.

Nippon Steel and US Steel said they have “engaged in good faith with all parties” to show how the deal “will enhance, not threaten, United States national security” and how it would strengthen America’s domestic steel industry “against the threat from China”.

They also reiterated that Nippon was prepared to invest $2.7bn in Pittsburgh-based US Steel.

President-elect Donald Trump has also said he would block the deal. On Monday, he posted on Truth Social saying: “Why would they want to sell US Steel now when tariffs will make it a much more profitable and valuable company?” Earlier on Monday, Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed his concerns about the US decision to block the takeover and the impact it might have on trade relations between the two G7 countries. “Unfortunately, it is true that we have heard concerns voiced by the Japanese industries over future investments between Japan and the US. We must view this issue as a grave matter,” Mr Ishiba said. He added that while it was inappropriate for his government to comment on individual companies: “We must insist on an explanation as to why there are security concerns, otherwise there will be no progress in future discussions.” (BBC/Getty Images)

PARAMARIBO – The pupils from the primary schools and the students from the schools for secondary education on junior level must return to school today. The schools for secondary education on senior level will resume classes on January 13th. A principal from a primary school told Times of Suriname that she had instructed her teachers to inform parents that the pupils had to attend classes again as of January 6th. “We had already told the parents and pupils that classes would resume on January 6th but things became uncertain after media reports indicated that there were no guarantees that the second semester would start.” The principal hopes that there will be no disruptions during the second semester. At some of the schools the pupils and the students will receive their report card for the first semester this week. Several principals who were told that they would be reassigned to other schools had indicated that the schools would remain closed if their transfer would not be cancelled. Education, Science and Culture Minister Henry Ori said that principals and teachers who did not show up for work on January 6th would have to face the consequences.

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PARAMARIBO – At the funeral service that was held for Desi Bouterse,  the former president who is also the former chairman and the honorary chairman of the National Democratic Party (NDP), was praised by all of the people who appeared on stage. “Bouterse has left behind a legacy.” Jennifer Simons, the current chairwoman of the NDP, described her honorary chairman as an extraordinary person. “He was a leader. He knew how to bring groups together. We must continue his legacy. It is up to us to go on as a nation.  We must live in unity as one big nation. Suriname must become a country where everybody experiences wellbeing and prosperity,” said the NDP chairwoman. Due to the busy schedule the funeral service lasted longer than expected. The funeral procession was scheduled to leave for the Pt. Jagdew Paragh Crematorium before 6 p.m. but left much later as there were many people who still wanted to say their goodbyes to the honorary chairman of the NDP. Thousands of people escorted the coffin that was being transported to the crematorium on a horse carriage while former first lady Ingrid Bouterse-Waldring sat next to the coachman.  Many supporters of the NDP stood alongside the road to catch a final glimpse of the man that had led the purple party for dozens of years and who had served as president for two terms in office. Many people waited patiently outside the crematorium for the arrival of the funeral procession. The horse carriage arrived at the crematorium after 7 p.m. and various artists played a memorable tune and others beat their drums while the coffin was taken inside the crematorium. Bouterse did not get a state funeral or a funeral with state honor but he was symbolically given a worthy and unforgettable send-off by thousands of people. 

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USA – Nearly 70 million people are under winter alerts nationwide, with a powerful weather system expected to bring a potent mix of snow, ice and blizzard conditions, accompanied by winds gusting up to 50 mph.

The winter storm, which has already caused snowy and icy conditions in the Central Plains, will create treacherous travel conditions and potential power outages across a vast region stretching from Missouri to the mid-Atlantic. “For some, this could be the heaviest snowfall in over a decade,” NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center warned.

Major effects, including “considerable disruptions to daily life … dangerous or impossible driving conditions and widespread closures,” are expected from this storm through Sunday in parts of the Central US, according to the Winter Storm Severity Index.

Of the 70 million people under winter alerts, nearly 4 million are under blizzard warnings across much of eastern Kansas and western Missouri, with a dangerous combination of snow, ice and freezing rain ongoing across Kansas, Missouri, southern Illinois and Indiana and western Kentucky. In addition, thundersnow and thundersleet are being observed. Throughout the day, the storm will spread east into the Ohio River Valley, then reach the Mid-Atlantic late Sunday night into much of Monday. (CNN)