As of October 21, today’s news sees Italy’s growing industrial presence in Brazil - featuring major players such as Prysmian - and the outcome of Germany’s investigation into recent power market volatility. A new survey by the Italian Embassy in Brasília counts 1,104 Italian companies in Brazil, mostly based in the south and southeast. Presented in Milan during the Italy–Brazil Week, the “2025 Business Guide to Brazil” highlights opportunities in key sectors such as energy, infrastructure and manufacturing, with major players like Prysmian, Eni, Enel, Pirelli, Stellantis and Leonardo driving Italian investment in the country. Meanwhile, German authorities said today that an investigation into sharp power price spikes during periods of low renewable output in late 2024 found no evidence of market manipulation by major electricity producers. The probe followed allegations that some utilities may have withheld supply during so-called Dunkelflaute events — stretches of dark, windless weather — in early November and mid-December, when both solar and wind generation dropped sharply. Turning to market updates, global automakers are racing against time to secure critical rare earth materials in light of heightened Chinese export controls that are anticipating parts shortages and potential factory closures. Rare earth magnets are essential components in various automotive applications, especially within electric vehicles (EVs). China currently plays a dominant role in the rare earth supply chain, controlling around 70% of global mining and up to 90% of magnet production, which raises concerns about future supply stability. In the metals market, copper prices are feeling the strain from a stronger dollar and waning demand from China, the world’s largest consumer of metals. The benchmark copper futures fell by 0.4% amidst anticipation of U.S.-China trade discussions. Analysts are closely watching these developments given China's recent economic slowdown, which has added pressure to global metal markets. In technology developments, the rising demand for AI chips is creating an unintended ripple effect, tightening the supply of standard semiconductors. This trend has led to panic buying among customers and has spurred price increases, prompting some analysts to suggest the onset of a "super cycle" in the memory chip industry. On the corporate front, French utility EDF is exploring strategic options for its Italian subsidiary Edison, including a potential public offering or stake sale, as part of its efforts to raise capital to fund new nuclear investments. Lastly, from a global perspective, a proposed summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin has been complicated by Russia's firm stance against a ceasefire in Ukraine, delaying any potential diplomatic breakthroughs.