Northern Star Resources has unanimously rejected a multibillion-dollar cash-and-share takeover bid from Gold Fields, setting the stage for a major corporate battle.

The European Union has implemented a ban on the import of Sudanese gold and the export of mercury and cyanide to weaken the financial resources of warring factions. Experts note that the effectiveness of these sanctions relies on the cooperation of regional transit countries and international trading hubs.

The Kospi index rose on Monday as investors shifted focus toward semiconductor manufacturers, bolstered by positive sentiment surrounding chipmaker sales.