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Reliance Infra, an Indian company, will recover $3.25 billion from New Delhi's consumers in unpaid electricity dues
Reliance Infrastructure, an Indian company, said that its New Delhi electricity distribution units would recover 284.83 billion rupees (3.25 billion dollars) in unpaid debts following a Supreme Court ruling this week. Dues are due because of historical tariff shortfalls where the electricity prices approved by regulators didn't fully cover costs. The amount will be recovered by consumers in four years, starting April 2024. This is likely to happen through increased electricity rates. The Supreme Court of India ordered on Wednesday that all electricity regulators in India clear any deferred payments and unpaid bills owed by power distribution companies. The court also ordered state regulators conduct audits and to submit recovery plans. Reliance Infra belongs to the Anil Ambani Reliance Group. He is the younger sibling of Mukesh Ambani, a billionaire. According to a court document, in New Delhi, three distribution companies, including a Tata Power unit, had accrued 272 billion rupees of unpaid dues by the end of fiscal year 2021. These had to be settled within four years, starting April 2024. The Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) will supervise the recovery process. This is expected to lead to higher electricity bills in the capital. Reporting by Sethuraman NR, New Delhi. Editing by Sonia Cheema.
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Chinese villages hit by the worst floods for generations claim they did not have warning
Over the years, Pingtou's residents, who live in a sub-tropical village of China, have experienced many typhoons, rainstorms, and other natural disasters. Nothing prepared them for the flooding that hit Pingtou this week, which was the worst in decades. On Friday, Guangdong residents were still dragging furniture and appliances from their homes that had been damaged by the recent downpour. At least four of these items collapsed. One villager in his fifties, who requested to be identified only by his surname Zhong, said that the older people here have never seen such flooding in their 100 years of living here. The floodwaters had never entered his house before, but they did so this time, destroying many of his possessions. The water marks on nearby walls were over a metre high. It wasn't immediately clear whether anyone had died in the village. Guangzhou's capital, Guangzhou province, experienced a record rainfall of 622.6mm (24.5 inches), almost three times the average monthly rainfall in August. State media reported that at least seven people died due to flooding in the city. China has experienced record rainfalls in the north and south, as well as heatwaves that lasted for a long time in its interior. The government announced 430 million Yuan ($59.9million) of new funding on Thursday for disaster relief. This brings the total amount allocated since April up to at least 5,8 billion Yuan. In Pingtou however, the villagers complained that they did not receive enough help from the local authorities in order to cope with the aftermath. Zhong claimed that he was informed by officials that no aid was available to help with the flooding. He said, "Not even a single bottle of mineral-water was provided." 'NO ALERTS' Residents of Pingtou said there were no flood alerts in their area, leaving them unprepared. The night of Tuesday's heaviest rain in Pingtou 73-year old Zhang was woken by her daughter-in law in the middle night. She rushed to the relative safety and security of her son’s two-storey house. The roof of Zhang’s house was a total collapse when the family awoke the following morning. Zhang said, "I have lived in this house for over 50 years." She stared at the household items covered in debris left behind by receding water. Hu Songlin, a fish and duck farmer just outside Pingtou said that the flood had washed away all the fish from his ponds. He estimated the immediate loss at around 120,000 yuan. Hua, his wife, said: "Now we will not be able earn a cent." Climate change is believed to be the cause of China's unpredictable weather, including droughts and floods. "We say global warming can cause heavier rain, but there is only so much available water," said Johnny Chan a professor from the City University of Hong Kong School of Energy and Environment. If one area gets more rain, then another will get less. What we are seeing is that some places will get a lot drier and others will become a lot wetter. $1 = 7.1827 Chinese Yuan Renminbi (Reporting and editing by Helen Popper; Additional reporting in Hong Kong by Florence Lo, Joyce Zhou and Ryan Woo)
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Xi orders a 'all out' rescue after floods in northwest China kill 10.
The President Xi Jinping ordered a "full-scale" rescue effort in China's arid, mountainous Northwest on Friday after flash floods triggered by unusually heavy rains killed 10 people and left another 33 people missing. China Central Television reported that torrential downpours started around 6 pm on Thursday, unleashing flash floods and stranding 4,000 people in Yuzhong province. Since early Thursday evening, rainfall in one mountainous region has reached 195mm (7.7 inch). Yuzhong County normally receives 300-400mm in rainfall throughout the year. Yuzhong lies among wind-blown silt hills and gullies on one of the largest loess plates. This makes it susceptible to landslides and flash floods due to the loose structure of soil. In a CCTV video, mud water up to ankle-high was seen rushing down a hilly route flanked by trees that had been uprooted. CCTV reported Xi saying that the top priority is to find and rescue missing persons, to relocate and resettle those under threat, to minimise casualties and to restore communications and transport as quickly as possible. CCTV reported that he warned local governments to avoid "complacency" and "carelessness" due to recent extreme weather events. Meteorologists have described extreme weather events that are linked to climate changes as causing record rainfall in China's north-south region. Heavy rains have caused flooding and heavy rainfall. killed At least 60 people have been killed in northern China, including Beijing, since late July. The National Development and Reform Commission announced on Friday that it had allocated 100 million Yuan ($13.92 millions) to help rescue efforts in Gansu after the disaster. China has pledged at least 6 billion Yuan in funding to disaster relief since April.
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Poland will continue to pursue former Orlen executive after UAE rejects extradition
Donald Tusk, the Polish prime minister, said that Poland would continue to try and have a former oil industry executive, who was a senior executive, returned from the United Arab Emirates after it rejected Warsaw’s first request for extradition. According to Polish privacy laws the former chief executive officer of Orlen's Swiss unit, known only as Samer, was charged with entering into contracts which resulted in losses of $378 million for the company. It's hard to convince people in countries such as UAE, and you have to be patient. Tusk said to reporters during a press briefing that "we will not stop here". "This man has been entrusted enormous funds that are now gone. I have no doubt whatsoever that Poland is correct in pursuing him." In January, the executive was arrested in the United Arab Emirates. Warsaw then filed a motion for his extradition to face charges that he acted to the detriment to the company. Przemyslaw Nextak, spokesperson for the Polish Prosecutor's Office, told the newswire PAP on Friday that Warsaw had been informed by UAE officials that the motion was rejected because it "didn't meet the requirements". (Reporting and editing by David Holmes; Reporting by Marek Stzelecki)
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The rupee has suffered its worst six-month losing streak on US tariffs. RBI limits the damage.
The Indian rupee has dropped for the fifth consecutive week. This is its largest weekly decline in six months. Trade tensions between India, and the United States have escalated after President Donald Trump called for new tariffs to be placed on Indian products. The rupee was slightly higher on Friday, closing at 87.6550 versus the U.S. Dollar. It closed at 87.7025 last Thursday. The dollar opened at 87.5600, and reached a high intraday of 87.5350 due to the unwinding long dollar positions on the NDF. After initial lows the USD/INR rose after dollar bids from oil importers pushed it higher, traders reported. The rupee depreciated by nearly 3% in the last five weeks, after a drop of 1.2% the previous week. India was one of the countries that were hardest hit by Trump's trade war, which included a new tariff of 25% on Indian goods. This move puts India in the same category as Brazil for the highest import duties. Markets are concerned about the impact of the new tariffs on investor sentiment and capital flows towards Indian assets. The Reserve Bank of India intervened almost daily to prevent a further slide due to fears of a currency record low, traders reported. Four bankers said that the RBI has resumed its intervention on the NDF market in order to control rupee volatility. Market participants are expecting another drop in foreign currency reserves. The week ended August 1 saw a decline in foreign exchange reserve of over $9 billion, indicating an intervention on the spot market. Some people are still hopeful that there will be a solution in the near future. Nishit Masters, portfolio manager at Axis Securities PMS, believes that, based on recent history, it is highly likely that the U.S. will lower tariffs within the next few weeks or months. This could result in a relief rally for Indian markets.
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US gold futures record high on news of US tariffs on imported bars
U.S. Gold Futures soared to a new record on Friday, after reports that Washington had imposed tariffs for imports of one kilogram bullion bars. This increased the spread between New York spot and futures prices. Gold futures for December in the United States jumped by 1%, to $3,489.40 after reaching a record high of $3,534.10. As of 0935 GMT, spot gold was unchanged at $3399.22 an ounce. Bullion has been on course for a second consecutive weekly gain. It is up about 1% this week. The spread between the futures and spot prices grew to over $100 after Financial Times reported the United States had placed tariffs on imports for 1 kg bars of gold, citing an official letter from Customs and Border Protection dated July 31. The letter stated that 1 kg and 100 ounce gold bars would be classified under a special customs code, which could result in higher duties. This move, according to the newspaper, could have a heavy impact on Switzerland, as it is the largest refinery hub in the world. In 2020, disruptions in the transatlantic bullion chain caused a similar dislocation. The tariff will disrupt gold trade, and Switzerland will be the worst affected. Zain Vawda is an analyst at MarketPulse, and he said that premiums on gold could increase. This would lead to higher prices. The move could also lead to supply bottlenecks, which could drive up the price of gold spot. The U.S. President Donald Trump increased tariffs on imports of dozens countries on Thursday. This left major trading partners like Switzerland, Brazil, and India scrambling to find a better deal. "I believe you will see increased safe-haven demands and heightened uncertainties on US gold supplies." Bob Haberkorn is a senior market strategist with RJO Futures. He said that he expects gold prices to stay high until the Trump administration provides more information on the 39% tariffs related to gold kilo bar. The Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates in the next month, which will support gold, a safe-haven investment. FedWatch Tool from CME Group, prompted by weaker U.S. payroll figures last week, priced in a 89% chance that September's 25-basis point cut will occur. Other than that, silver spot rose by 0.1%, to $38.34 an ounce. Platinum fell by 0.7%, at $1.324.89, and palladium dropped 1%, at $1.139.40. (Reporting from Sherin Elizabeth Varighese, Bengaluru. Editing by Kate Mayberry.)
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MP Materials gains after smaller loss. Pentagon and Apple deals boost outlook
MP Materials shares jumped more than 10% in premarket trading on Friday, after the U.S. rare earths miner posted higher output, a smaller-than-expected quarterly loss and forecast further production gains. The Las Vegas company, which operates the sole U.S. rare-earths mine, has seen its stock quadruple in value this year due to Washington's efforts to reduce dependence on China and secure domestic supplies. The production of rare earths neodymium, praseodymium, and other elements (NdPr) jumped by nearly 120% to 597 metric tonnes in the second quarter. Michael Rosenthal, the Chief Operating Officer and Founder of NdPr, said that he expects NdPr production to increase 10% to 20% in the current quarter. Analysts at TD Cowen stated that strong upstream volumes, and magnetics output, drove a 40% EBITDA beating. Commercial magnet production is on track to be completed by year's end. The company is now expected to reach a run rate of 60,000 tonnes of rare earth oxide a year earlier than originally planned. The results are coming weeks after MP signed an multi-billion dollar deal with the U.S. Department of Defense, which guarantees a price floor of $110 per kilogram for NdPr. This is nearly twice the Chinese market level and could make Pentagon its largest shareholder. Apple's prepayments for the expansion of MP's Independence Mine in Texas will cover a large part of the $500 million contract. DA Davidson, a brokerage, said that Stage III Magnetics is already EBITDA positive and with government and Apple funding the company has a strong capital base to accelerate its growth. Analysts estimated a loss of 19 cents. (Reporting by Arunima Kumar in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar)
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Thungela South Africa flags profit drop on weak thermal coal Prices
The coal miner Thungela Resources in South Africa expects to see its half-year profits fall by up to 85% due to the lower prices of thermal coal as global economic uncertainty affects energy demand. Thungela expects its headline earnings per share to range between 0.0789 and $0.0118 rand in the six-month period ending June 30 compared to 9.52 rand during the same time last year. Thungela, South Africa's largest thermal coal exporter, has been forced along with its peers to limit output in order to match the limited freight rail and ports provided by South Africa’s struggling state-owned logistic firm Transnet. After increases in coal production in South Africa, thermal coal demand in China and India has also decreased. The average coal price through Richards Bay (South Africa's main coal-export terminal) was 14% lower than last year during the same period, due to tariff-induced instabilities in global trade that impact major economies and energy demands. It said that the average export price to Australia, where Thungela's Ensham mine is located, was 11% less than the same period in the previous year. Thungela also said that it incurred 285 millions rand of restructuring costs in relation to its Goedehoop, and Isibonelo businesses which are reaching the end of life this year. The company will announce its half-year results August 18.
Sources say that Putin wants to stop NATO expansion in exchange for peace in Ukraine.
According to three Russian sources familiar with the negotiations, President Vladimir Putin has set conditions to end the war in Ukraine. These include that Western leaders commit in writing to stop expanding NATO eastwards as well as lifting a portion of sanctions against Russia. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, has said repeatedly that he wants the European conflict to be over. He has also shown growing frustration towards Putin in recent weeks. On Tuesday he warned the Russian leader that if a ceasefire was not agreed upon with Kyiv his forces would make gains. Putin told Trump that after a two-hour conversation last week he agreed to work on a document with Ukraine that would outline the terms of a peace agreement, including when a ceasefire will be implemented. Russia is drafting their version of the document and has no idea how long it will take.
Kyiv, as well as European governments, have accused Moscow for stalling its troops' advance in the east Ukraine.
One senior Russian source, speaking on condition of anonymity and with intimate knowledge of the Kremlin's thinking, said that Putin is willing to make peace at any cost.
Three Russian sources have said that Putin wants an "written" commitment from major Western powers to not expand the U.S. led NATO alliance eastwards. This is a shorthand way of formally excluding Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova and other former Soviet Republics. The three sources also said that Russia wants Ukraine to remain neutral, certain Western sanctions to be lifted, the issue of Russian sovereign assets frozen in the West resolved, and protection of Russian speakers in Ukraine.
First source: If Putin is unable, on his terms, to achieve a peaceful settlement, he'll try to demonstrate to the Ukrainians and Europeans, through military victories, that "peace tomorrow would be even more painful".
The Kremlin has not responded to a request for a comment about'reporting. Putin and Russian officials repeatedly stated that any peace agreement must address the "root cause" of the conflict. This is Russian shorthand for NATO expansion and Western support for Ukraine. Kyiv repeatedly stated that Russia shouldn't be given a veto over its ambitions to join NATO. Ukraine wants the West to provide a solid security guarantee that is backed up by teeth in order to deter future Russian attacks. The administration of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy did not reply to a comment request. NATO has said in the past that it would not change its policy of "open doors" just because Moscow demanded it. The 32-member alliance's spokesperson did not answer any questions.
Putin sent tens-of-thousands of troops to Ukraine in February 2022, after eight years fighting between separatists backed by Russia and Ukrainian troops in the east of Ukraine.
Russia controls less than one fifth of Ukraine. The Russian advance has accelerated in the last year. However, both Russia and Ukraine are paying a heavy price for the war.
In January, it was reported that Putin was becoming increasingly concerned about the economic distortions of Russia's wartime economies. This is due to labour shortages as well as high interest rates set up to combat inflation. Oil, which is the foundation of Russia's economic system, has been steadily declining in price this year. Trump, who boasts of his friendly relationship with Putin, and believes that the Russian leader is seeking peace, warned Washington it could impose additional sanctions if Moscow delayed efforts to reach a settlement. Trump suggested on social media that Putin was "absolutely CRAZY", for unleashing an aerial attack against Ukraine last week.
First, the source stated that Putin would move further into Ukraine in the event he saw an opportunity to do so on the battlefield. The Kremlin also believed that Russia could continue fighting for many years despite the economic and political pressures imposed by Western countries. Second source: Putin is less willing to compromise with regards to territory, and will continue to stick to his public position that he wants to claim the entire four regions of eastern Ukraine.
The second source stated that Putin has reaffirmed his position on the issue of territory.
NATO Enlargement As Trump and Putin battled in public about the prospects for peace in Ukraine could not tell if the intensification of war and the hardening of positions signaled a determination to reach an agreement or the failure of talks.
In June of last year, Putin laid out his first terms for an end to the conflict immediately: Ukraine must abandon its NATO ambitions, and remove all its troops from four Ukrainian regions that are claimed by Russia and largely controlled by them.
Russia controls more than 70% Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions, as well as almost all of Luhansk. Russia also controls a small part of Kharkiv, Sumy and Kherson regions and threatens Dnipropetrovsk.
The former U.S. president Joe Biden and Western European leaders, as well as Ukraine, have all characterized the invasion in terms of an imperialistic land grab. They have also repeatedly promised to defeat Russian forces.
Putin sees the war in the context of the watershed moment for Moscow's relationship with the West, which he claims humiliated Russia in 1991 after the Soviet Union collapsed by expanding NATO and encroaching upon what he believes to be Moscow's sphere.
In 2008, NATO leaders in Bucharest agreed that Ukraine and Georgia will one day be members. In 2019, Ukraine amended its constitution to commit to full membership in NATO and the European Union. Trump said that the U.S.'s previous support for Ukraine’s NATO membership bid caused the war and indicated that Ukraine would not be granted membership. The U.S. State Department has not responded to a comment request on this story.
Putin, who became the Kremlin's top official in 1999, has returned to NATO enlargement several times, including his most detailed remarks on a possible peaceful future in 2024. Just two months prior to the Russian invasion in 2021, Moscow presented a draft of an agreement with NATO that, under Article 6 would bind NATO "to refrain from any further expansion of NATO, which includes the accession of Ukraine and other States." At the time, U.S. diplomats and NATO officials said that Russia had no veto over the expansion of the alliance. Russia wants to see a written commitment from NATO because Putin believes that the United States misled Moscow after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 when U.S. Secretary James Baker told Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, in 1990, that NATO wouldn't expand eastward.
William J. Burns, the former director of Central Intelligence Agency, said that there was a verbal agreement, but it never became formalized. It was also made before the fall of the Soviet Union. NATO, which was founded in 1949 as a means of providing security against the Soviet Union says that it does not pose a threat to Russia, even though the 2022 assessment on peace and security within the Euro-Atlantic region identified Russia as the "most significant and direct danger".
Finland joined NATO in 2023 after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in that same year. Sweden followed in 2024. Western European leaders have said repeatedly that if Russia won the Ukraine war it could attack NATO one day - which would trigger a global war. Russia has dismissed such claims as scaremongering but also warned that the conflict in Ukraine could escalate. (Reporting in Moscow; Editing by Daniel Flynn).
(source: Reuters)