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Nigeria's Dangote Refinery Plans to Expand to 1.4 Million Bpp
Aliko Dangote, the owner of Nigeria's Dangote Petroleum Refinery, said that it plans to double its current production capacity, which is 650,000 barrels per day, to 1.4million barrels per daily over the next three-year period. The 20 billion dollar refinery outside of Lagos began operations in January of 2024, and is aimed at ending imports of refined petroleum by Africa's largest crude oil producer. The new plant capacity of 1.4 million barrels per day would be enough to process all of Nigeria's crude oil production, which is currently around 1.5 million barrels per day. Dangote said to journalists that the funding for expansion would be derived from cash flow and proceeds from an upcoming listing on the local market, as well as "one or two strategic investor that we are carrying". He said, "This expansion... is about confidence in people and leadership in our country." Dangote said that the planned listing of refinery shares on the Nigerian Stock Exchange would take place in the coming year. The demand for shares will determine the amount of shares listed. MacDonald Dzirutwe, Isaac Anyaogu and Andrew Heavens contributed to the reporting.
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Wall St Week ahead-Megacap earnings and Fed meeting to headline busy US market week
The U.S. Stock Rally faces a potentially significant week in order to maintain its momentum going into the year-end. This includes a flood corporate results, headlined by Megacap Companies and a possible interest rate reduction by the Federal Reserve following its two-day meeting. Investors may be concerned about the escalation of U.S.-China tensions in the next few days. Meanwhile, the U.S. shutdown continues to cause uncertainty. The S&P 500 posted a record-breaking closing high on the Friday after a 36% rise since the low of the year, in April. The benchmark index has risen over 15% in the past year. Chris Fasciano is the chief market strategist of Commonwealth Financial Network. He said that given the fact that the market has been on a rally for several months, without any significant declines, the equities market could continue to be choppy. Fasciano stated that "what we need to hear is corporate America talk positively about the economy and continue beating earnings." "When people get nervous, they do so when consumer confidence or business confidence is on the decline." The third-quarter earnings season has started well, despite the disappointments of companies like Texas Instruments and streaming service Netflix. According to LSEG IBES, the S&P 500 profit is estimated to be 10.4% higher than a year earlier, based on results reported by 143 companies. 87% of companies surpassed analysts' revenue and earnings expectations so far. The next week will be the busiest for the season with more than 170 companies reporting. Microsoft, Apple Alphabet Amazon Meta Platforms are five of the seven "Magnificent Seven" companies. These firms have huge market capitalizations, dominate equity indexes, and posted massive profit growth in the last couple of years. The Magnificent Seven's advantage over the rest index has narrowed, but they are still expected post better results in this period. According to data released this week by Tajinder Dhillon senior research analyst at LSEG, earnings for the group will rise 16.6% compared to an 8.1% increase for the rest index. Several of the largest companies in the world are also major players in the artificial-intelligence industry. This has driven the stock market's performance. Anthony Saglimbene is the chief market strategist of Ameriprise Financial. He said that these large tech reports will have the biggest impact between now and the year's end. The hurdle rate for these companies is high as they prepare to report earnings next week. Next week, other companies will report their results including oil giants Exxon & Chevron, payment firms Visa & Mastercard and drugmaker Eli Lilly. Fed policymakers are widely expected to reduce the current benchmark rate, which is 4%-4.25%, by another quarter of a percentage point on Wednesday. This view was reinforced by Friday's inflation data that were lower than anticipated. The markets will be more responsive to the Fed's Jerome Powell as they have already factored in that rate change into their asset prices. They are also expecting further cuts to rates at their next meeting, which is expected to take place in December. The Fed's rate-cutting strategy would have the biggest impact if it showed any signs of a deviation, said Dominic Pappalardo. Chief multi-assets strategist at Morningstar Wealth. The Fed may be hindered in its decision-making due to the lack of information provided by the federal government since the shutdown began on 1 October, including the delays in the release of employment data at a moment when there are growing concerns about the state of the labor markets. Art Hogan is the chief market strategist for B Riley Wealth. He said that an increasingly prolonged shutdown, which has already lasted more than average in previous shutdowns, also poses a greater risk to economic growth. Hogan stated that the longer the situation continues, the harder it will be for the market to ignore. Investors had also largely shrugged off trade-related risks over the past few months. However, renewed U.S. China rifts has brought tensions back to the forefront between the two world's largest economies. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, threatened to impose significantly higher tariffs against China on November 1 after Beijing implemented export controls for rare earths. Investors are watching the developments surrounding the upcoming meeting between Trump, and Chinese leader Xi Jinping to see if tensions can be eased between the two nations. "If tariffs increase to the levels President Trump has threatened on China, you'd see a volatile and likely a negative reaction in the markets, especially if investors anticipate that this is going to last," Saglimbene stated.
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Cameroon arrests opposition figures before presidential elections
His campaign reported that authorities in Cameroon have detained 30 people linked to Issa tchiroma's presidential campaign. This has heightened tensions before Monday's results announcement. Anicet Ekane is the leader of the MANIDEM Party and Djeukam tchameni is a prominent member of the Union for Change. Both had supported Tchiroma’s candidacy. In the nation that produces cocoa and oil, there have been increasing clashes between security and Tchiroma supporters. Tchiroma called for more nationwide protests to take place on Sunday at 1400 GMT. Paul Atanga Nji confirmed at a Saturday press conference that arrests were made in connection with an "insurrectional" movement, but he refused to reveal the names or number of those detained. Nji stated that "Calls to protest by certain politicians who are obsessed with power create conditions for a crisis in security and contribute to the implementation scheme of insurrection." Tchiroma, in a Sunday post on the Facebook page of his campaign, rejected accusations of rebellion and claimed that government officials tried to negotiate with those arrested prior to their arrest. You arrested them because they refused to accept your proposal. When you tried to negotiate with them were they not terrorists? Tchiroma wrote. Tchiroma is a former minister who was once an ally to President Paul Biya. He has declared victory and said he won't accept any other outcome. In the last week, protests have erupted in several cities after local media reported partial results of the election that showed Biya on track to be declared winner. Biya could be in power for seven more years, if he is declared the winner by the Constitutional Council on Monday. (Reporting and editing by Aidan Lewis; Bate Felix)
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Fico, Prime Minister of Slovakia, says that Slovakia will not participate in EU scheme to meet Ukraine's military requirements
Robert Fico, the Prime Minister of Slovakia, said that Slovakia would not participate in any European Union program aimed at funding military assistance for Ukraine to fight Russia's invasion. Slovakia has allowed commercial sales but stopped all state aid to Ukraine in 2023 when Fico came to power. Fico disagrees with European Union countries on the war and says that a solution cannot be found on the battlefield. The EU leaders decided on Thursday that they would meet Ukraine's urgent financial needs for the next two-years, but did not endorse a plan to fund a loan of 140 billion euros to Kyiv using frozen Russian assets. The Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that the money could immediately be used to improve Ukraine's air defense, its air fleet and its front-line positions. Fico said in a televised press conference that he would not allow Slovakia to participate in any financial scheme to help Ukraine manage its war and military expenditures. Risks of Sanctions Fico also criticized EU sanctions against Russia because of its war in Ukraine. He said that they hurt Europe even more. Both Slovakia and Hungary are buyers of Russian energy and now have to navigate U.S. Sanctions on Russian oil companies Rosneft & Lukoil, which will come into effect in the next month. Fico, when asked about these risks on Sunday by a journalist, said that Slovnaft is a part of Hungary's MOL oil and gas group and not a buyer of oil. Fico's first comment since the United States announced sanctions last week was, "At the moment we do not evaluate it in that way." Viktor Orban, the Hungarian prime minister, said on Friday that Hungary is working to find a way around U.S. Sanctions.
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Reports: Kremlin wrong to speak about cancelling Putin-Trump Summit
State television Vesti, on its Telegram channel, reported that the Kremlin stated on Sunday that it was incorrect to speak about canceling a meeting between Russian president Vladimir Putin and U.S. president Donald Trump. However, it added that preparations were needed. They are clear about this: "Presidents can't just meet to waste time. They cannot meet just for the sake meeting. They have instructed the (U.S. secretary of state Marco) Rubio and the (Russian foreign minister Sergei) Lavrov to prepare for this meeting. "The process is complex," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said to state TV Kremlin reporter Pavel Zarubin. Peskov commented on the sanctions that the U.S. imposed on the Russian oil giants Lukoil & Rosneft. He called them "unfriendly steps", but stated that Russia aims to establish friendly relations with every country, including the U.S. "Despite the different nuances expressed by the President of the United States we must remain oriented towards our own interests." Peskov said that building good relations with other countries, including the United States, was in our interests. "Ofcourse, the actions taken this week were unfriendly. In fact, they have damaged our chances of reviving our relations. This does not mean we should abandon our aspirations. Peskov stated that we should always do what's best for us. He said that Russia will prosecute anyone who is found to have been involved in the possible seizure of Russian assets. Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Mark Heinrich and Guy Faulconbridge
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Sudan's RSF claims to have captured al-Fashir Army headquarters
Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces announced on Sunday that they had taken over the army's headquarters in al-Fashir. This was the last stronghold of the Sudanese Army in Darfur, in the western part of the country. The army has not yet made a public statement about its current situation. RSF has been fighting the army, former rebels, and local fighters for 18 months. The RSF has been targeting civilians with frequent artillery and drone strikes. Meanwhile, the siege is spreading starvation in the city of 250,000 residents. Al-Fashir is a major political victory for RSF. It could also hasten the physical separation of the country, by allowing the paramilitary to consolidate their control over the vast Darfur Region. This region has been identified as the basis for a parallel Government established this summer. As seen following the capture of the Zamzam camp South. RSF soldiers have been accused of committing robberies and sexual assaults on roadside by those who left al-Fashir. U.N. mandated mission Last month, the RSF was accused of multiple crimes against humanity during the siege at al-Fashir. Atrocities have also been committed by the army. (Reporting and editing by Kate Mayberry; Khalid Abdelaziz Nafisa, Menna, Alaa, Eltahir)
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Exxon sues California over climate disclosure laws
Exxon Mobil filed a lawsuit against California on Friday challenging two state laws requiring large companies to disclose their greenhouse gas emission and climate-related risks. Exxon filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of California arguing that Senate Bills 261 and 253 violated its First Amendment rights because they force Exxon "to serve as a mouthpiece" for ideas it does not agree with. The company asked the court to stop the state of California enforcing these laws. Exxon claims that the Californian frameworks for reporting climate change are misleading and counterproductive. The oil giant claims it reports climate risks and emissions voluntarily and is opposed to California's frameworks. California, a state ruled by Democrats, has had some of strictest environmental regulations in the past in areas such as vehicle fuel efficiency standards and policy planning. This is after it passed a climate law in 2006. California passed two laws that will require companies to report publicly their greenhouse gas emission and climate-related risks in 2023. Apple, Ikea, and Microsoft supported the California laws, while other major companies such as the American Farm Bureau Federation, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and others called them "onerous". SB 253 mandates that public and private companies active in the State and generating revenue greater than $1 billion per year publish an extensive account regarding their carbon emissions beginning in 2026. The law requires that companies disclose their own emissions as well as indirect emissions from suppliers and customers. SB 261 mandates that companies operating in the state and with revenues exceeding $500 million disclose financial risks related to climate change, as well as strategies to mitigate those risks. Exxon also claimed that SB 261 is in conflict with federal securities laws which regulate what publicly-traded companies are required to disclose about financial and environmental risk. Exxon Mobil said that the First Amendment prohibits California from pursuing its policy of stigmatization, which would force it to describe the activities of its non-California businesses using the state's preferred framing. California Department of Justice or California Air Resources Board didn't immediately respond to our request for comment. Reporting by Chandni in Bengaluru, and Mike Scarcella from Washington. Editing by Deepa and Matthew Lewis.
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Exxon sues California over climate disclosure laws
Exxon Mobil filed a lawsuit against California on Friday challenging two state laws requiring large companies to disclose their greenhouse gas emission and climate-related risks. Exxon filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of California arguing that Senate Bills 261 and 253 violated its First Amendment rights because they force Exxon "to serve as a mouthpiece" for ideas it does not agree with. The company asked the court to stop the state of California enforcing these laws. Exxon claims that the Californian frameworks for reporting climate change are misleading and counterproductive. The oil giant claims it reports climate risks and emissions voluntarily and is opposed to California's frameworks. After passing a climate law in 2006, the Democrat-ruled California had long been known for its strict environmental regulations in areas such as vehicle fuel efficiency standards. California has passed two laws that will require companies to report publicly their greenhouse gas emissions as well as climate-related financial risk. Apple, Ikea, and Microsoft all supported the California laws, while other major companies, such as American Farm Bureau Federation, Chamber of Commerce and American Farm Bureau Federation, opposed them, calling them "onerous." SB 253 mandates that public and private companies active in the State and generating revenue greater than $1 billion per year publish a detailed account of their carbon emission starting in 2026. The law requires that companies disclose their own emissions as well as indirect emissions from suppliers and customers. SB 261 mandates that companies operating in the state and with revenues exceeding $500 million disclose financial risks related to climate change, as well as strategies to mitigate those risks. Exxon argued SB 261 is in conflict with federal securities laws that regulate what publicly-traded companies are required to disclose about financial and environmental risk. California Department of Justice or California Air Resources Board didn't immediately respond to our request for comment. (Reporting from Chandni in Bengaluru, and Mike Scarcella at Washington; editing by Deepa Babyington)
What are the health dangers from wildfire smoke?
Multiple enormous wildfires are raging in Los Angeles, blanketing the surrounding regions under a. pungent haze triggered by smoke bring noxious gases and. particulate matter that present serious health threats.
Here is what you need to understand about the dangers of the smoke. that is likely to stick around not only in southern California however in. other regions around the world where wildfires are burning:
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN WILDFIRE SMOKE?
More poisonous than normal air pollution, wildfire smoke can. linger in the air for weeks and take a trip numerous miles.
Wildfires can burn not only vegetative materials and trees. however also cities, destroying vehicles and structures and their. contents. In addition to particles of soil and biological materials,. wildfire smoke often contains traces of chemicals, metals,. plastics and other artificial materials.
WHAT ARE THE KNOWN HEALTH EFFECTS?
In lab experiments, a given amount of wildfire smoke. causes more inflammation and tissue damage than the exact same amount. of air pollution, according to Kent Pinkerton, co-director of. the Center for Health and the Environment at the University of. California, Davis. Studies have linked wildfire smoke with higher rates of heart. attacks, strokes, and cardiac arrests, increases in emergency. space gos to for respiratory conditions, and damaged immune. defenses. A research study in Maryland determined a spike in heart and. lung illnesses in 2023 that was connected with wildfire smoke. coming from up to 2,100 miles (3,380 km) away in Canada.
Wildfires likewise have actually been linked with eye irritation and skin. problems. The effects of exposure can persist for many years. After Australia's. 2014 Hazelwood Coal Mine fire, rates of cardiovascular disease remained. elevated for two and a half years and breathing health problems for. 5 years, scientists have actually reported. Wildfire direct exposure in pregnancy has actually been associated with. pregnancy loss, low birth weight, and preterm delivery. A research study. from California discovered a link in between wildfire direct exposure and. cellular damage in very first- and second-trimester placentas. Canadian scientists have reported that people who lived outside. of major cities and within 50 kilometers (31 miles) of a. wildfire in the past years had a 4.9% greater threat of lung. cancer and a 10% greater threat of brain growths. Direct exposure to the 2018 Camp Fire in California was connected to. changes in cognition and brain activity six to 12 months later,. possibly related to stress and trauma, according to California. scientists.
Information from California also show an increase in fungal. infections in the months following wildfire smoke exposure,. likely due to fungal spores in the smoke.
Higher direct exposure to wildfire smoke is likewise associated with. higher odds of developing dementia, according to a study of. southern California elders without dementia at standard. Even. a few truly extreme wildfire smoke days, with the Air Quality. Index over 200, could equate into increased threat, stated Joan. Casey of the University of Washington in Seattle, who led the. research study.
WHAT IS UNKNOWN?
More frequent wildfires likely linked to climate modification mean. people will be exposed regularly and the health results of. wildfire smoke direct exposure over numerous seasons are not yet clear.
Repeated direct exposure is most likely to cause diseases, but it. is hard to make forecasts due to the fact that it is hard to say how many. fires people will be exposed to, how long the fires will burn,. or what the smoke will consist of, said Keith Bein of the Center. for Health and Environment at UC Davis.
Scientists are also looking into the long-term effects of. smoke particles in water supplies, on crops or ingested by. livestock; the long-term effects of city wildfire smoke; the. results of wildfire direct exposure in utero on kids's neurological. advancement and breathing results; and whether wildfire smoke. amplifies the unfavorable effects of very heat. Nutrients brought in wildfire smoke may contribute to downwind. algal blooms, which has ramifications for drinking water. reservoirs and lake ecology, scientists warn.
WHAT CAN ASSISTANCE ALLEVIATE THE RISKS?
Specialists say it is best to limit outside activities,. especially strenuous sports, and to wear N95 masks when wildfire. smoke is present. An online course with directions for decreasing outdoor and. indoor exposure to wildfire smoke is offered from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
DO WE REALLY REQUIREMENT TO CONCERN?
Doug Brugge, who chairs the Department of Public Health. Sciences at UConn School of Medication, stated wildfire smoke can be. lethal. Individuals ought to ... reduce their direct exposure, specifically if. they are in a vulnerable population, such as the senior, young. kids or individuals with breathing illness..
(source: Reuters)