Berkshire denies media report on accord to extract lithium

A unit of Berkshire Hathaway Inc denied a report on Sunday that it reached an agreement to allow extraction of lithium from its geothermal wells in California, a project that could offer U.S. carmakers and battery producers a secure supply of the metal. “There is no agreement in place with anybody to allow extraction of lithium or any other minerals from the geothermal wells in California,” Jessi Strawn, a spokeswoman for Berkshire Hathaway Energy Co, which is majority-owned by Warren Buffett’s conglomerate, said in an emailed response to a Reuters query.

The Financial Times earlier had reported, citing people familiar with the discussions, that the venture has been in talks to supply Tesla Inc with lithium, a component for batteries to power electric cars. Berkshire Hathaway’s geothermal wells could produce up to 90,000 tonnes of lithium a year worth $1.5 billion at current prices, the report said, citing a fundraising document. Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside normal business hours.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-berkshire-lithium/berkshire-denies-media-report-on-accord-to-extract-lithium-idUSKCN1PE0SX?il=0

Prosecutor's death penalty stance offends Vatican official

CINCINNATI (AP) — A Vatican official has encouraged an Ohio prosecutor to go to confession after defying the Catholic Church's new policy that the death penalty is never acceptable. Paul Mueller, a vice director at the Vatican Observatory, wrote a letter weeks ago to Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters (DEE'-turs) saying he was scandalized that Deters would use his office to "oppose and confuse the teachings of the Church." Deters, a Catholic, has been pursuing the death penalty in the resentencing case of a convicted serial killer. Earlier this month, Pope Francis changed the Catholic Church's teaching on the death penalty. The policy previously said the Catholic Church would consider capital punishment if it was the only way to defend human lives. A message seeking comment was left Tuesday with Deters' office.

https://www.ksl.com/article/46379099/prosecutors-death-penalty-stance-offends-vatican-official?print=1

Prestigious Vatican’s choir gets new leader after fund scandal

The world’s oldest singing ensemble has a new leader after Pope Francis tapped a close aide to take over the Sistine Chapel Choir amid a scandal over mishandled funds. The Vatican announced that Monsignor Guido Marini — who assists the pontiff during church ceremonies — will now head the all-male group, which performed in New York for celebs and VIPs at the Metropolitan Museum of Art last May. But the choir, founded in 1471 and made up of men and young boys, has been embroiled in a probe into allegations that it directors diverted the organization’s money. Its much-heralded 2018 summer tour of the US was canceled without official explanation in July. The pope, who named another monsignor, Guido Pozzo, to handle the choir’s finances, noted in a letter that the choir must perform with “sincere piety.”

https://nypost.com/2019/01/19/prestigious-vaticans-choir-gets-new-leader-after-fund-scandal/amp/

>>4841522

I was unaware of them, I'll have to check it out. Thanks anon.