Latest News
-
Draft shows EU countries want to reduce red tape in energy laws
According to draft conclusions of a summit on EU energy ministers to be held next month, the EU wants to include energy policies as part of its efforts to reduce red tape and help struggling industries. The European Commission is launching a campaign to eliminate layers of bureaucracy, which European businesses claim puts them at a competitive disadvantage with China and the United States where the Trump Administration is aggressively rollingback regulation. The Commission has now assessed which other EU laws can be simplified to reduce red tape. According to the draft conclusions of the Ministers' Meeting on June 16, EU countries will show their support to add energy policies to this initiative. The draft conclusions supported the plans to simplify EU laws and stated that this "is expected have a profound effect on lowering regulatory burdens for companies in energy sector and energy-intensive industries while maintaining alignment to the original policy goals." Diplomats in the EU are still working on the final conclusions. They could be changed before they are approved by ministers. So far, the EU's efforts to simplify have been met with mixed reactions. The EU's simplification efforts have met with mixed reactions so far. EU diplomats have told countries that they want to simplify the EU's methane emission rules and energy savings obligations. Diplomats say that the final conclusions will likely not reveal much about Brussels' plans to propose legislation in June to ban all Russian imports of gas by 2027. This is because EU member states must unanimously approve conclusions, which means that one government could block them. Hungary and Slovakia both rejected the plan to stop using Russian energy. (Reporting and editing by Kate Abnett, Andrew Cawthorne).
-
Gold drops as Trump signals possible trade deal with Britain
Gold prices dropped on Thursday as U.S. president Donald Trump hinted that he might sign a trade agreement with Britain. This lowered trade tensions, and reduced the appeal of gold as a safe haven investment. As of 0858 GMT, spot gold dropped 0.7% to $3339.32 per ounce. Bullion had risen by more than 1% in the early part of the session. U.S. Gold Futures fell 1.4% to $3345. Nitesh Sha, commodities strategist at WisdomTree, said: "As confirmation comes that there's some sort of deal on the horizon that could help firm up the dollar and take a little steam off gold." On Thursday, the U.S. will announce an agreement to lower tariffs for some goods. Trump announced on Truth Social that, later in the afternoon, he would hold a presser regarding a major trade deal. Meanwhile the British Prime Minister Keir starmer will also provide an update about the U.S. and UK trade talks. Investors are also on edge as the U.S.-China trade talks in Switzerland this week keep them on their toes. Trump stated that China was the initiator of these talks, and reiterated his refusal to lower import tariffs for Chinese goods as part of a negotiation strategy. As its policymakers deal with the impact Trump's tariffs, the Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged on Wednesday. However, it warned of an increased risk of inflation and unemployment. In a low interest rate environment, gold, a non yielding asset, which serves as a hedge to political and financial uncertainty, thrives. Two people with first-hand knowledge of the situation said that China's central banks has allowed commercial banks to purchase foreign currency in order to pay for imports of gold under newly increased quotas. The Pakistani military confirmed that 12 Indian drones violated Pakistani airspace and were shot down by Pakistan. This comes a day following Indian attacks on several targets across the country. Ole Hansen is the head of commodity strategy for Saxo Bank. He said that rising tensions between India, Pakistan and other countries will continue to draw attention. This could lead to an unquantifiable amount of demand for safe havens. Silver spot fell by 0.4%, to $32.34 per ounce. Platinum rose 0.1% to $975.08 while palladium dropped by 1.5% to $957.50. (Reporting and editing by Ed Osmond in Bengaluru. Anmol Choubey is based in Bengaluru.
-
COP30 Brazilian presidency calls for new global climate governance
According to a letter released by the Brazilian presidency on Thursday, COP30, which is this year's global climate summit, has called for new global governance mechanisms in order to help countries implement their commitments and curb global warming. The summit in the Amazonian town of Belem, in November, will mark the 10th anniversary since the Paris Accord when signatories agreed that warming should be kept well below 2 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels. Many nations are still struggling to bring their plans to life and reduce carbon emissions to the level necessary to prevent the planet from reaching catastrophic levels of warming. In a letter from the COP30 Presidency, it is stated that "the international community must investigate ways in which climate cooperation can be improved to accelerate" the implementation. Luiz inacio Lula da So, the Brazilian president, first made this proposal during the G20 summit held in Rio de Janeiro last November. Lula suggested at the time creating a “United Nations Climate Change Council” to help countries implement the commitments they made in 2015 to combat climate change. Lula stated that "negotiating new commitments is pointless if we do not have an effective way to accelerate the implementation" of the Paris Agreement. "We need stronger climate governance." Andre Correa do Lago will be the Brazilian ambassador at COP30. Correa do lago said that the UNFCCC Climate Convention has been the subject of decades-long debates. However, it lacks the implementation capability. Lago, a journalist on Wednesday, said: "The UNFCCC or the Paris Agreement do not have the power or the mandate to move this forward. We propose to reconsider how institutionally we can strengthen implementation." The COP Presidency Letter suggests that this discussion should take place at the United Nations General Assembly and not COP30. The letter says that "debates at U.N. General Assembly can explore innovative governance approaches for endowing international cooperation with the capabilities of rapid sharing data, knowledge, and intelligence as well as leveraging networks, aggregate efforts, and articulating processes, mechanisms, and actors both within and outside the U.N." According to sources in the Brazilian Government, the creation of an U.N. Lula has discussed the creation of a Climate Council in his diplomatic talks with world leaders. However, there are no immediate results expected in the near future. One source stated that "it's still a first convincing effort." (Reporting by Lisandra paraguassu; editing by Manuela andreoni, Lincoln Feast)
-
US and Britain to announce tariff agreement on Thursday
Thursday is expected to see the United States and Britain announce an agreement to lower tariffs for some goods. This will be the first such deal since U.S. president Donald Trump began imposing levies to countries all over the world. Trump announced on Truth Social on Thursday that he will hold a news conference in the Oval Office at 10:00 a.m. ET (1400 GMT), to discuss a "major deal" with representatives of an important and highly respected country. A spokesperson for the British government said that Prime Minister Keir starmer will give an update about U.S.-UK trading talks later on Thursday. Two British sources familiar with the situation have said that the outline of an accord will be announced. A spokesperson for Downing Street said that the United States was an essential ally to our national and economic security. The Prime Minister will provide an update on the progress of negotiations between our two countries. On Tuesday, a British official said that both sides were trying to reach an agreement on lower tariff quotas (a portion of exports that are subject to lower duty) on steel and automobiles. These two sectors were affected by 25% U.S. duties. In exchange, Britain will likely agree to lower their own tariffs on U.S. automobiles and reduce a digital tax that impacts U.S. technology groups. It refused to lower food standards to allow U.S. producers to have greater access to the market. It was not clear what the status of Trump's 10% "baseline tariff" on Britain and most other countries would be. It will have political significance for both countries, despite the potential narrowness of any agreement. Investors are watching to see if Trump can deescalate the trade war he started after the global tariffs threatened to reignite inflation and slow economic growth. The British government tries to minimize the worst effects of Trump's tariffs, without compromising its efforts to reset the trade relationship with the European Union. The UK also signed a new deal with India this week. Trump's trade conflict has shaken financial markets, and fears of recession have been raised. Central bankers and executives are grappling with sometimes chaotic policymaking which is affecting world supply chains as well as a wide range of industries. Last month, the International Monetary Fund slashed their growth forecasts for China, the United States and the majority of countries. They cited the impact U.S. Tariffs, and warned that increasing trade tensions could further slow down growth. U.S. officials and Chinese officials will also be holding talks in Switzerland this Saturday. This could be the first step to resolving the potentially damaging trade conflict between the two largest economies in the world. Trump's top officials are in a frenzy of meetings with trading partner since the president imposed the 10% tariff on April 2, along with higher "reciprocal tariff rates" for many trading partners. These rates were suspended later for 90 days. The United States has not imposed additional tariffs on Britain because the country imports more than it exports. Reporting by Alistair Smout, writing by Kate Holton, editing by Topra Chopra
-
Outokumpu Finland meets profit forecasts amid muted demand and tariff uncertainty
Outokumpu, a Finnish stainless steel manufacturer, expects that global uncertainties due to U.S. Tariffs will impact its operating environment during the second quarter after its core earnings exceeded market expectations in the previous one. The European steel industry, which is already facing challenges from a weak demand, high costs, and the competition of cheaper Chinese imports are now faced with the added challenge of recent tariff increases on their exports to America. In a recent press release, Outokumpu said that "geopolitics, as well as other important uncertainties related to tariffs," could impact the global economic environment and, consequently, the operating environment of the company, its deliveries, metal prices and foreign exchange rates. Analysts had predicted an average of 48.9 millions euros for the adjusted profit before taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA). In a statement, CEO Kati Ter Horst stated that "Stainless steel demand was muted throughout the quarter and tariffs created further uncertainty." Outokumpu’s stainless steel deliveries increased 11.4% quarter-onquarter despite being affected by a strike. It is expected that they will be either level or increase by as much as 10% in the second half of this year. The group confirmed its previous estimate that the one-week strike had a negative impact on EBITDA of around 15 million euros. Outokumpu's core earnings in Americas, where it generated almost a third its sales in 2014, increased by 22% compared to the previous quarter. In Europe, they grew from a loss of 6 million euro in 2024 to a profit in 2016 of 6 millions euros. Outokumpu stated that despite a rise in orders at the start of the year in Europe, the company's key market was still in a "wait and watch" mode. Outokumpu, the second largest stainless-steel producer in the United States, said that the economic outlook was uncertain, with a low consumer confidence level and rising inflation expectations. Outokumpu expects adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter to be "at a level similar or higher" than that of the first. The group said that it had also saved 11 million euros out of the 50 million euro target for the year. $1 = 0.8845 Euros (Reporting from Jagoda Drlak, Gdansk. Editing by Milla NissiPrussak).
-
China lowers gold import quotas to arrest yuan rallies
Two people with first-hand knowledge of the situation said that China's central banks has allowed some commercial banks in China to purchase foreign currency for the payment of gold imports within recently increased quotas. Gold import quotas set by the People's Bank of China (PBOC) for China's largest banks determine the amount of bullion that enters the world's biggest consumer of precious metal. In the past, it has adjusted these quotas in order to calibrate dollar demand. Sources said that the PBOC had raised these quotas on gold imports in the last month, and now has allowed banks to purchase dollars to finance gold imports. This move follows a series of stimulative measures announced by Chinese officials on Wednesday. These included interest rate reductions and a large injection of liquidity as Beijing intensifies its efforts to mitigate the economic damage brought on by the US-China trade war. One source said that it could help the lenders to meet the increased demand for gold, while also slowing down the rate of appreciation of the yuan. The new quotas are being implemented at a moment when the price of gold is surging against a backdrop of volatility in the market caused by President Donald Trump's tariff war. This has also led to a rise in the yuan, as well as other Asian currencies. Investors are unwinding carry trades and moving money from U.S. assets back to Asia. Sources spoke under condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak about the issue. The PBOC has not responded to a comment request. Gold imports may prevent a sudden rise in the yuan. This would be a double blow to exporters who are already feeling the pressure of the increasing trade tensions between Washington DC and Beijing. As evidenced by the drop in new export orders for April, damage from high tariffs on Chinese products under U.S. president Donald Trump is starting to affect economic activity. Last month, gold, which is traditionally seen as an investment to protect against political and economic uncertainties, reached a record high of $3.500 per ounce, thanks to fears about tariff wars and a strong demand for investments in China and other countries. Official data released on Wednesday showed that despite high gold prices in April, China's Central Bank increased its gold reserves for a sixth consecutive month. (Reporting and editing by Beijing and Shanghai Newsroom, Vidya Rangeanathan and Saad Saeed)
-
China lowers gold import quotas to arrest yuan rallies
Two people with first-hand knowledge of the situation said that China's central banks has allowed some commercial banks in China to purchase foreign currency for gold imports as part of recently increased quotas. Gold import quotas set by the People's Bank of China (PBOC) for China's largest banks determine the amount of bullion that enters the world's biggest consumer of precious metal. In the past, it has adjusted these quotas in order to calibrate dollar demand. Sources said that the PBOC had raised these quotas on gold imports in the last month, and now has allowed banks to purchase dollars to finance gold imports. One source said that the move could be used to help meet the demand for gold, while also slowing down the rate of appreciation of the yuan. The new quotas are being implemented at a moment when the price of gold is surging against a backdrop of volatility in the market caused by President Donald Trump's tariff war. This has also pushed the yuan, and other Asian currencies, higher as investors unwind carrying trades or move their money back from U.S. assets to Asia. Sources spoke under condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak about the issue. The PBOC has not responded to a comment request.
-
China's steel exports will be slashed by a trade war, causing a surplus at home
Analysts and traders say that China's steel imports will plummet in the second quarter. This could exacerbate an existing supply glut in China, while the trade war, and the wave of protectionism it has spawned, are crimping export markets. Eight analysts and traders predict that second-quarter shipments by the world's biggest steel producer and exporter will fall up to a fivefold from the first quarter. They also expect the export situation to worsen later in the year. This would also mean that second quarter 2024 shipments will be lower than they were in 2024. The steel exports are being hit twice by Washington's tariffs, which have choked off the transshipment business, in which third countries resell Chinese Steel to the U.S. Top customers such as South Korea and Vietnam also impose their own duty to prevent steel from then being rerouted to their markets and dumping. A Chinese steel trader, who spoke under condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak with the media, said: "It is certain that total exports in Q2 will decline." "One could look to the Middle East, Africa, and South America for alternative outlets. But the problem is that no country has such a large capacity." China's increasing steel exports helped offset the weak demand in the property sector. Any decline would redirect steel home, lowering prices, eroding profitability, and reducing steelmakers' appetite for inputs such as iron ore. The first-quarter exports reached their highest level since 2016, as mills raced to ship steel out of the United States before the rumoured tariffs became official. The trade war between Washington, D.C. and Beijing has unleashed a wave of protectionist sentiment that has shocked many. Last month, the Chairman of China’s largest listed steelmaker Baosteel said that exports in this sector were under "unprecedented pressure" and more steel being left at home will intensify oversupply. According to a survey conducted by Mysteel in April, overseas orders for one of China's largest exporters fell between 20 and 30 percent last month as compared to the previous month. Ge Xin said that there are concerns about the impact of the trade war on products that heavily rely on steel like electric vehicles and home appliances. This could weaken the demand for steel outside the real estate sector. It takes time for this impact to filter through the steel industry upstream. This is likely reflected by the data from the second quarter, when the home demand was seasonally lower, thereby aggravating the glut of supply.
Kenyan court fines 4 men for trafficking thousands queen ants
Kenyan courts fined four men each $7,700 for attempting to traffic thousands of valuable ants to the country's eco-system. Experts say that this case shows a shift from biopiracy towards lesser known species, such as elephant ivory.
On April 5, authorities arrested two Belgian teens, a Vietnamese and a Kenyan man in separate cases for allegedly trying to smuggle about 5,440 giant African harvester ants.
Magistrate Njeri Thuku stated that the ants could fetch more than 800,000 Euros or $900,000. This is in Europe, Asia and some parts of North America where antkeepers maintain colonies in large, transparent vessels called formicariums in order to observe their cooperative behavior.
The illegal trade of queen ants can threaten colonies that are vital to Kenya's ecosystem.
Thuku found the traffickers guilty of dealing with live wildlife species and ordered that they pay the fine, or risk 12 months in prison. All had pleaded guilty.
These cases raised the question of whether or not there was a wider network involved in the alleged trafficking.
Thuku stated that Duh Heng Nguyen from Vietnam was sent to Nairobi in order to collect ants and meet Dennis Nganga. This elaborate scheme had "all of the hallmarks and possible biopiracy" associated with illegal wildlife trade.
Thuku described Nguyen's role as one of a "mule" or courier, which is a drug trafficking term. He said that his role had the telltale signs associated with organised crime.
According to the judge, Nguyen & Nganga claimed they didn't know that their actions were illegal.
'ANT GANG'
Thuku stated that the two Belgians identified as Lornoy Dave and Seppe Lodewijckx in court documents are both ant lovers who claim in court they acted in naivety.
Thuku's ruling stated that Lornoy Dave's phone showed that he belonged to a group called "Ant Gang" and that initially he bought 2,500 queens at $200.
Thuku stated that there was no reason to be found with so many queen ants.
Thuku stated, "This is more than a hobby." If it were a larger species, with 5,000 individuals of one gender being removed, it would be genocidal in proportions.
The way ants work together is admired by many enthusiasts. They perform tasks such as building a nest or collecting seeds, and they make collective decisions without any leader.
Dino Martins is one of Kenya's top ant experts.
Kenya Wildlife Service stated that the messor cephalotes were a crucial species for maintaining soil health and eco-system balance. They were intercepted at Jomo Kenyatta Airport (JKIA), in the capital.
In a press release, it said that the ants were "destined for the European exotic pet trade and the Asian exotic pet market where colonies of rare species and eco-unique species can command up to 1,200 euro each."
The ruling today sends a clear message that Kenya will not tolerate the plundering of its biodiversity. Erustus Kanga said that whether it is an elephant or an ant, we will pursue the traffickers with vigor.
Experts say that Kenyans can export ants with a licence, but the regulations are confusing. Hereward Holland, Monicah Mwangi, Humphrey Malalo and Hereward Holland, with editing by Aidan Lewis and Ammu Kanampilly, and Emelia Sithole Matarise, wrote the article.
(source: Reuters)