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Two people killed in New Jersey floods by severe storms near New York City
As severe storms ravaged the New York City region on Monday and Tuesday night, flooding cars and subway stations submerged in New Jersey. Intense rainfall has caused travel disruptions across airports, highways, and railways in the region. According to Mayor Eric Adams, more than 2 inches (5cm) of rain fell in Manhattan's Central Park in just one hour, making it the second-most rainfall in 60 minutes in history. On Monday night, videos showed flooding at several subway stations. One station in Manhattan's West Side had a geyser-like water stream. The subway system, according to officials, was overwhelmed by the rain in a very short time. Rohit Aggarwala said that the antiquated sewer network can only handle about 1.75 inches (4.44cm) of rainfall per hour. This is compared to a rate exceeding 4 inches per hour during the storm. Adams stated, "I don't think I can remember seeing such a level of rainfall before." New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has declared a state-of-emergency and announced that two people have died in Plainfield after their vehicle was washed away by floodwaters. Murphy, a reporter, said that the victims were discovered in a car submerged. Murphy stated that some locations had experienced flooding for the very first time. The governor blamed climate changes for the increased frequency and intensity extreme weather events. He said, "That's a new reality." Authorities in Westchester County north of the city conducted numerous water rescues, as cars submerged under floodwaters and highways were closed due to flooding. According to the National Weather Service, Nanuet, a suburb in Rockland County near New York City, recorded over 5 inches (12.7cm) of rainfall. (Reporting by Joseph Ax; Editing by Sandra Maler)
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Blackstone and US utility PPL will build gas power stations in a JV partnership
The companies announced on Tuesday that they have formed a joint-venture to build natural gas power stations for data centers, under long-term agreements to provide energy services. Vincent Sorgi, President and CEO of PPL, said in a press release that he was excited to use the expertise PPL and Blackstone Infrastructure have to bring new dispatchable generation to Pennsylvania in order to meet new data center loads. The announcement was made at the Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit, held in Pittsburgh. Government, technology and energy officials announced investments of approximately $90 billion to advance data centers and other aspects in the artificial intelligence boom. The U.S. president Donald Trump was expected in attendance. According to the companies, PPL and Blackstone Infrastructure, which own 51% of the joint venture, will sign long-term agreements for energy services with large data centers companies. There has not yet been any agreement of this nature. The joint venture has engaged in active engagement with landowners and natural gas pipeline companies, as well as turbine manufacturers and secured multiple land parcels for this new generation buildout, according to the announcement.
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Trump's AI and tech summit announces major US investments
On Tuesday, American companies announced a series big-ticket AI investments and energy pledges as part of President Donald Trump's push to maintain the nation's advantage in the booming tech sector. Here are the most important announcements made around the Energy and Innovation Summit, held at Carnegie Mellon University. The summit is expected to bring $90 billion of investments into and around Pennsylvania. Google, owned by Alphabet, has signed a deal worth $3 billion with Brookfield Asset Management to purchase electricity produced from two hydropower plants in Pennsylvania. Google will invest $25 billion over the next two-years in data centers throughout Pennsylvania and its neighboring states, according to a report by Semafor. Jon Gray, the president and chief operating office of Blackstone Asset Management, said at a panel discussion that it plans to invest $25 billion in data centers and energy infrastructures in Pennsylvania. Blackstone also announced a joint venture for power generation with PPL Corp. First Energy is investing $15 billion in expanding power distribution and strengthening grid infrastructure. They will also operate an enhanced grid for 56 Pennsylvania counties. This was announced by the Pennsylvania office of Senator Dave McCormick. Mark Zuckerberg, the chief executive of Meta Platforms, said on Monday that his company will spend hundreds of millions of dollars building several AI data centers. One of these is a data center with a capacity of more than one gigawatt, dubbed Prometheus. It's planned to be built in Ohio. CoreWeave, a cloud infrastructure technology company, plans to invest up to $6 billion in building a new artificial-intelligence data center in Pennsylvania. The company announced this on Tuesday. Senator McCormick’s office announced that Constellation Energy would invest $2.4 billion in upgrading the Limerick Nuclear Power Plant. Energy Capital Partners has announced a plan of $5 billion to build a datacenter at the York II Energy Center. PitchBook's report on Tuesday revealed that AI-related startups have seen a rise in investment, which is a sign of the continued growth of this field, even though venture capital firms struggle to raise funds. Reporting by Raphael Satter, Editing by Chizu nomiyama and Leslie Adler
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Pentagon will continue to work with US rare-earths projects, US Defense official says
A defense official said on Tuesday that the U.S. Department of Defense will continue to work with rare earths firms to ensure a diverse American supply of these critical minerals, which are used throughout the economy. Pentagon signed multi-billion dollar deal last week to become largest shareholder of rare earths producer MP Materials. It also agreed on several financial backstop measures. Defense official stated that the move was made to "share risk" in a vital minerals project. The U.S. Mining sector questioned whether similar investments could be made by the U.S. Military. Official: The Pentagon is "looking forward to continuing to work with companies throughout the (rare earths supply chain) to ensure that DoD, and the nation, have the secure and robust supply chains necessary to protect national and economic security in the future." The official said that the MP deal structure is a "unique" approach by the government in order to "account [for] the difficulties of establishing and maintaining production of rare earth magnets within a market where China controls a large part of the supply chain." Officials said that the Pentagon's investment in MP came through a Cold War law called the Defense Production Act and its Office of Strategic Capital. (Reporting and editing by Chris Reese, Sandra Maler, and Ernest Scheyder)
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Trump expects to meet Starmer during his visit to Scotland
Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that he will meet with British Premier Keir starmer in Aberdeen, Scotland later this month, to finalize a U.S. - British trade agreement. An official at the White House said that Trump will visit his golf properties on Scotland's west coast in late August, recreating his 2016 trip to Scotland during his first presidential run. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that Trump planned to visit his Turnberry and Aberdeen properties during a trip scheduled to last between July 25-29. When asked by reporters about his trip, Trump replied that he was going to meet Starmer. He and Starmer Deal announced On June 16, on the sidelines the G7 Summit, in Canada, that reaffirmed the quotas for British automobiles. They also eliminated tariffs against the U.K. Aerospace sector. The issue of aluminum and steel remains unresolved. "We will have a meeting, most likely in Aberdeen." Trump said that they would do many different things and refine the deal we have made. Trump visited both courses in 2016 during his successful first term, using the occasion to praise Britain's vote for "Brexit", to leave the European Union. When he visited Turnberry, bagpipers dressed in kilts accompanied him. Turnberry, on the west coast in Scotland, has hosted the Open Championships four times. The last time was in 2009. Trump purchased it in 2014. The Republican President will be a guest of King Charles in Windsor Castle from September 17-19. In June 2019, during Trump's first term, the late Queen Elizabeth welcomed him to Buckingham Palace. He had a private dinner with her and tea with Charles. (Reporting by Steve Holland; editing by Chizu Nomiyama & Leslie Adler).
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Britain abandons its 'taxonomy plan' for green investments
The UK has canceled plans to create a "taxonomy", which would guide companies and investors in determining what constitutes a green investment. This is the latest indication that governments are delaying reporting sustainability requirements for businesses. Taxonomies define criteria for a sustainable activity to assist economies in achieving net zero targets. The taxonomies were created to encourage more investment in green projects, but critics claim they are difficult to follow and not very useful. After determining that the taxonomy was "not the most effective tool for delivering the green transition, and should not be included in our sustainable financial framework," the finance ministry stated it would instead focus on other green policy to drive investments. The decision is made as Europe overhauls its own sustainability reporting regulations for companies to reduce red tape and boost competitiveness. The government stated that its consultation revealed the taxonomy wouldn't deliver "in a reasonable way" its goals of channeling capital, and reducing greenwashing. The UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association called it "disappointing", that the government concluded that a taxonomy of green investments had no place within the UK's sustainable financial framework. Oscar Warwick Thompson, UKSIF's head of policy and regulation affairs, said: "We want to see rapid delivery of commitments regarding transition plans and sustainability reporting standards." The British government first proposed a taxonomy for the UK in 2020. However, the work was stopped in December 2022 because it was considered a complex task that involved multiple sectors in the economy. Gemma Woodward is the head of responsible investments at Quilter Cheviot. She welcomed the decision and said that the industry already had to deal with other regulations. Virginia Furness, Tommy Reggiori Wilkes and Alexandra Hudson edited the story.
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NOPA US soybean crush in June exceeds expectations with 185.709 millions bushels
According to data released by the National Oilseed Processors Association on Tuesday, the U.S. soy crush exceeded the average trade expectations for June, and reached its highest level ever. Soyoil stock levels dropped to their lowest point in five months. NOPA members, who account for at least 95 percent of soybeans crushed by the United States, crushed 185.709 millions bushels last month. This is down 3.7% compared to the 192.829million bushels crushed in may, but up 5.8% compared to the 175.599million bushels crushed back in June 2024. That was the previous monthly record. According to an average estimate of eight analysts, the crush was predicted to drop to 185.195 millions bushels. Estimates ranged between 182.000 million and 188.000 millions bushels with a median estimate of 185.175million bushels. The June crush exceeded expectations despite the second consecutive monthly decline in daily processing pace which dropped to 6,190 million bushels. According to NOPA, this was a decrease from the 6.220 bushels per day of May. It is also the lowest daily crush rate recorded since September. U.S. crushing capacity has reached record levels due to recent processing plant expansions, new plant openings, and a soaring demand of soyoil. Analysts said that this capacity was underutilized in some cases as the glut of soymeal prevented plants from operating at full speed. As of June 30, soyoil stock levels among NOPA member companies fell to 1.366 bn pounds. This is a decrease of 0.5% compared with the stocks at the end May, which were 1.373 bn pounds. It also represents a 15.8% drop from the stocks in place a year ago of 1.622 bn pounds. Six analysts estimated that stocks would rise by a modest amount to 1.374 trillion pounds. The estimates ranged between 1.275 billion and 1.525 billion pounds with a median estimate of 1.342 million pounds.
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The US Court of Appeals temporarily suspends Argentina's 51% stake in YPF
The U.S. Court of Appeals on Tuesday temporarily suspended an order by a judge that Argentina hand over its 51% share in the oil and gas company YPF as partial satisfaction for a $16.1-billion judgment. The 2nd U.S. The 2nd U.S. The appeals court stated that Argentina had until July 22nd to respond. The dispute arose from Argentina's 2012 acquisition of the YPF stake by Repsol, a Spanish company, without making a bid to Petersen or Eton Park. Both were minority shareholders. Burford Capital is representing these shareholders. Burford Capital has stated that it expects to receive between 35% and 73% respectively of Petersen and Eton Park’s damages. Argentina warned that its economy would be unstable if it sold its majority stake in YPF - the largest energy company in the country. The country was given a deadline of July 14 for the turn-over, but U.S. district judge Loretta Preska agreed to defer enforcement until Argentina could appeal the decision.
Trump escalates trade war by threatening to impose tariffs on European wines and spirits
Donald Trump, the U.S. president, threatened on Thursday to impose a tariff of 200% on wine, cognac, and other alcohol imported from Europe. This opened a new front in an ongoing global trade war which has caused financial markets to be roiled and sparked recession fears.
Investors were worried about Trump's threat to impose more trade barriers in the world's biggest consumer market.
Trump's threats came in response to an EU plan to impose tariffs next month on American whiskey and products -- which is itself a response by Trump to his 25% tariffs for steel and aluminum imports, which went into effect on Wednesday. The European Commission did not immediately comment on Trump's tweet.
Canada, an ally and neighbor of the United States and the largest aluminum supplier, announced its own countermeasures to Trump's metals duties and took the dispute to World Trade Organization.
Trump has repeatedly threatened to impose a variety of trade sanctions since returning to the White House last January, but he has delayed action on most of them. In an Oval Office discussion with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump said that he will not back down from the reciprocal tariffs which he had promised to impose against all trading partners by April 2.
He said, "We have been ripped of for years and we will not be ripped-off again."
Alcohol is proving to be one of the key friction points in the trade war that's brewing.
As relations between the United States and Canada have deteriorated, some Canadian retailers have removed American Bourbon from their shelves. Trump has also threatened to annex this country.
U.S. Commerce secretary Howard Lutnick said Fox News that he will meet with Canadian Finance minister Dominic LeBlanc on Thursday and Ontario Premier Doug Ford to discuss tariffs. However, he added that the U.S. would be seeking concessions from Canada.
He said, "You must remember that Canada is here, relying on our economic strength." "Why do we do all of this business with Canada if the people are not grateful, respectful and don't want it?"
The EU has proposed many countermeasures worth 28.31 billion euros (26 billion euro) that would be applied to products with little more than a symbolic value such as bathrobes and dental floss.
The proposed duty of 50% on U.S. Bourbon would be a major blow to the industry. Exports have been steadily growing since the United States lifted the tariffs Trump imposed in his first term from 2017 to 2021.
According to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (a trade group), the EU exported roughly 40% of spirits in 2023.
Eurostat reports that the United States is responsible for 31% (or more) of EU wine and spirit exports.
Trump's proposed tax of 200% on European alcohol will create additional headwinds for producers such as Pernod Ricard. The company has already reduced its sales forecast due to Chinese duties that were imposed in 2013.
The industry calls for more toasts and fewer tariffs
Both sides of the Atlantic have urged their leaders on de-escalation.
This cycle of retaliation based on tit-for - tat must stop now! SpiritsEurope, a trade association for the industry, said:
Trump has filled his administration with people who share these views.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that he is not concerned about recent Wall Street volatility, as the Trump administration has its sights set on a long-term transformation of U.S. economics.
He said that the EU would be more affected by a trade conflict, since it is more dependent on exports to America.
He said, "I would advise these government leaders to realize that they are losing this argument from an economic standpoint," on CNBC.
Investors, businesses, and consumers have been frightened by Trump's threats. Jets, coffees, clothing, automobiles, and packaged food producers are among many businesses that have scrambled to evaluate their operations in light of Trump's actions.
Tesla, the company owned by Trump advisor Elon Musk argued to U.S. Trade officials in a letter that the trade conflict could make the U.S. a target of retaliatory duties.
Tesla, a U.S. exporter and manufacturer, encouraged USTR to take into account the downstream effects of certain proposed measures taken to address unfair trading practices in a March 11 letter.
Some economists claim that the uncertainty is a threat to the U.S. economic health and increases the risk of a recession. A poll conducted by /Ipsos on Wednesday revealed that 70% of Americans believe Trump's tariffs will make purchases more costly.
Trump claimed that his tariffs on alcohol would benefit domestic producers. Importers and distributors in the United States said that it would result in lost sales, job losses and closed businesses.
Eric Faber is the president of Cutting Edge Selections in Cincinnati. He said that U.S. Wineries wouldn't be able fill the gap, if Trumps tariffs make European wines unaffordable. He said that the higher prices would hurt distributors and restaurants who help U.S. wines reach their customers.
He said that it would be "absolutely catastrophic". Reporting by Doina Schiacu, Andy Sullivan, Andrea Shalal and Philip Blenkinsop, in Washington, and by Susan Heavey in Brussels. Additional reporting by David Lawder and Steve Holland; Madeline Chambers; Dominique Patton; Emma Rumney; Tasiilo Humel; Andy Sullivan's writing; Editing and proofreading by Louise Heavens; Bernadette Baum; Mark Porter; Deepa Babington.
(source: Reuters)