Latest News
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Nevada sues Trump administration to block Colorado River plan
Nevada filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on Monday, claiming that its plans to cut water supplies from the drought stricken Colorado River would devastate Nevada and violate laws governing the Colorado River. The Department of the Interior finalized on Friday its plan, which included a reduction of 21% in the water flowing from the river into California, Nevada and Arizona over a two-year period starting in 2027. Arizona and Nevada say that the cuts to the three states in the lower basin could double after 2028. Colorado, Utah New Mexico and Wyoming are the four states that make up the so-called upper Basin and do not face any mandatory?cuts in the new 10-year management plan for the river, which provides water and power to 6 million people and is managed by the federal government. After more than three years, the states could not agree on how to divide the water after a plan expiring this year. The upper basin states have refused to make mandatory cuts in their water supply, claiming that they are already facing steep reductions because of the drought that has lasted for decades in western United States. Three lower basin states claim that all seven states who share the river are required to reduce their water consumption. This is the first time that the plan has been challenged. The lawsuit was filed in federal court, Las Vegas, and named the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, as well as its Commissioner, Aubrey Bettencourt, as defendants. The Interior Department refused to comment, and the Bureau of Reclamation didn't immediately respond to a comment request. The lawsuit claimed that the administration violated administrative laws, environmental laws, and the group of agreements, treaties and court rulings known collectively as the Law of the River. The lawsuit alleged that the administration failed to comply with the requirements to take into consideration reasonable alternatives and foreseeable economic effects, fully respond to comments or adequately analyze mitigation measures. The lawsuit stated that "decisionmakers and stakeholders have to guess how federal defendants will interpret and apply the Law of the River which they all agree governs the proposed actions."
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Netanyahu claims Iran attempted to kill one his sons
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister, said that Iran had allegedly tried to kill his son, but did not provide any details as to when it took place, who was the target, or how close he came to executing this plot. Netanyahu's claim highlights the increased tensions that have been present since the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran began in early February. During this conflict, the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ayatollah Khamenei as well as other senior Iranian officials were killed. Netanyahu's coalition, which is in the rear of opinion polls just two months out from a general election on October 27, made this claim in a phone interview with Israel’s Channel 14. He was responding to reports that one of Israel's Security Agencies had refused to protect a political opponent ahead of the nationwide election. "As to my sons. Yes, this is quite incredible. Iran targeted one of my sons. Iran attempted to kill or murder one of my sons," Netanyahu said to the conservative channel known for its positive coverage of the government. "Iran attempted to murder one my sons and therefore, this security protection isn't a luxury," said he, without giving any more details about the alleged plan or how close it was to being executed. It wasn't immediately clear to whom he was referring. Netanyahu's older son, Yair lives in Miami. The Iranian mission to the United Nations at 'New York' did not respond immediately to a question about?the accusations. Netanyahu said he also told Shin Bet chief David Zini he wanted to ensure that 'any candidate for prime ministerial office' would be adequately protected. Israeli media reported that Zini refused to provide security to Gadi Eisenkot, and told the country’s election authority that there was no conspiracy to harm him. Eisenkot's Party is expected to?win the most seats? in the election. However, Israeli governments are formed by coalitions between multiple parties and not by one party gaining a majority. Reporting by Andreea P. Popescu and Alexander Cornwell, Editing by Howard Goller
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Thirty people are killed in a gang attack near Haiti's capital.
Jean Massillon, the mayor of Kenscoff, told reporters on Monday that at least 30 people had been killed in a gang attack near Port-au-Prince. Kenscoff, a hillside town that overlooks Port-au-Prince, has been the scene of frequent gang violence in recent years. Human rights groups reported rapes and homicides in mass numbers, as well as arson, kidnappings and arson. This forced thousands of people to flee. RNDDH, a Haitian rights group, estimated that 30 to 40 people were killed in the overnight raid which began at 10:30 pm local time (0230 GMT) but cautioned it was still difficult to determine a total number. Haiti's Prime Minister's Office on Monday afternoon condemned the "heinous attacks", noting that all security forces are on high alert, and that reinforcements have been deployed. In a press release, it stated that "Kenscoff?will not be abandonned." "The authority of the government will be restored without delay and without any weakness in Kenscoff." Haiti's National Police did not respond immediately to a comment request. The community is strategically located to?overlook routes leading into Petion-Ville, home to several embassies and upscale hotels as well as the temporary seat for government. Local?media reported that?several homes were set ablaze, including the residence of Jean William Pape - a leading 'public health expert' in Haiti. The attack took place as the U.N. Gang Suppression Force - mandated to assist police in fighting gangs, and replace a 'underfunded and ill-equipped predecessor - plans?to achieve a full?capacity?of over 5,500 troops this fall. The report was written by Daina Beth Solor and Sarah Morland. Inigo Alexander, Natalia Siniawski, and Harold Isaac edited the article.
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France and Saudi Arabia agree to EUR6 billion Dragon Ball Z Theme Park Project near Paris
The Elysee Palace announced on Monday that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had visited Paris and agreed to build a manga-themed amusement?park near Paris?. The Elysee said that the project, which is based on the popular Japanese manga and anime series Dragon Ball Z, would be built in Cergy-Pontoise to the northwest of Paris, and was expected to create 22,000 jobs. Macron advisers claim that the idea came about after French President Emmanuel Macron discovered a common interest in Dragon Ball Z with Saudi Crown Prince during Macron's trip to Saudi Arabia 2025. The project will be funded by the Saudi entertainment and investment group, 'Qiddiya. It is part of the Kingdom's efforts to diversify their economy and expand globally in the leisure sector. Construction of what would be Europe's largest themed park is expected to take many years. Bin Salman - who owns a Chateau near Paris - is making a rare official trip to the United States and appeared with Macron on Sunday at the closing ceremony for the Esports World Cup in Paris. The Dragon Ball Z project is a sign that France continues to attract foreign investment. However, the key details of the sprawling development which would include three theme parks have yet to be determined.
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What options does Iran have to escalate the situation in response to US economic threats?
LONDON, August 24 - U.S. threat to impose 'the toughest sanctions ever in history' to force Iran to submit to its demands following nearly six months of war has raised the prospect of another round of escalation?in?the Gulf. How can Iran respond to economic pressure? Can Iran stop more oil from leaving the Middle East? Mohsen Rezaei is the former chief of the 'Revolutionary Guards' and secretary of Iran’s Supreme 'National 'Security council. He has already threatened to stop oil exports, which has been one of Tehran's major strategic moves since the war started on February 28. He said that if the economic war continued, "not a single drop of crude oil would be exported through the Strait of Hormuz or from anywhere else in the Persian Gulf." Iranian threats and attacks on shipping have already halted most traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. This waterway carried around a quarter of the world's energy prior to the conflict. Despite some oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz in recent weeks the volume remained very low. On Sunday, Iran blacklisted 45 tanks for failing to adhere to the rules they want to impose to Hormuz shipping. In the first six months of this conflict, missiles, speedboats or drones have been used to attack oil tankers leaving the Gulf. This has caused the price of oil to rise. Tehran's Houthi ally has restricted Red Sea shipping by threatening to block all Saudi Arabian shipping that carries crude oil to Asia via the Bab 'el-Mandeb Strait, past the group’s Yemeni stronghold. Initially, only a few vessels were stopped, but by mid-August more than half of the vessels had made it through. This is causing a problem for shippers, as Chinese shipping companies are now rerouting their ships away from Bab el-Mandeb. Sources in the industry say that further attacks such as Monday's attack on a vessel near the main Saudi Red Sea terminal at Yanbu or an early August drone strike near Suez Canal could increase oil market anxiety and crude oil price. GULF STATES - STILL at Risk of IRANIAN Attack? Iran has warned that it will retaliate if any of its neighbours join the U.S. in their efforts to choke off the economy of Iran with "earthquake force". It has repeatedly targeted the Gulf States and Jordan during the war. The main focus was on U.S. military bases, but it also hit energy infrastructures and other targets. Attacks on upstream oil and gas facilities, if intensified, could cause energy prices to rise even more. This could result in political damage for the Trump administration. It could also be harder to reverse compared with attacks on shipping. The targeting of power and desalination facilities in this hot, parched area would pose a serious risk to the U.S.-aligned Gulf kingdoms that are important financial hubs. Can IRAN attack western countries directly? The Revolutionary Guards have historically found ways to attack the West, even though they are out of range for Iran's primary munitions. Britain reported on Monday that hackers with ties to Iran had shut down a small power station, while U.S. officials said Tehran is likely responsible for cyber attacks against water plants in Minnesota. Iran hasn't commented on these allegations. Western security services also accuse Iran of recruiting locals to stage attacks or assassinate in the west. Iran denies that. (By Angus McDowall, Editing by Aiden Lewis)
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Trump threatens to impose 50% tariffs on cars and trucks imported from Canada amid a trade dispute
After trade talks broke down over the weekend, President Donald 'Trump' sought to increase pressure on Canada. He warned that U.S. Tariffs on all?trucks? and automotive parts coming from Canada would increase to 50% on January 1. The deal would have reduced the top line tariff rate for Canadian cars and light duty trucks from 25% down to 15%, and the tariffs of aluminum and steel would have been cut from 50% down to 25%. However, the deal fell apart on Friday due to disagreements over whether or not the U.S. relief on tariffs would apply to medium and heavy-duty truck. "Build in America and there are ZERO TARIFFS." Canada will no longer be treated as a state! Trump wrote. They are the worst Nations to deal with on trade and other issues. They are entitled and "yet we don't need Canada, they need us!" Trump said. Canada is consistently one of the two top U.S. trade partners. Last year, U.S. goods-and-services trade with Canada totaled $872.3 Billion, a 4.6% decrease. Canada exports over 75% of its products to the U.S., and imports almost 50% of the goods it buys from the U.S. U.S. Auto production is heavily integrated with Canada and Mexico. Tariffs could have a drastic impact on American production depending on their specifics. Flavio volpe, president of Canada's Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association said that "a threatened US tariff on Canadian car parts will be paid for by the US auto assembly." Auto assembly in the U.S. could stop if those parts were not available. The White House didn't immediately respond to an inquiry for more information on the tariffs. The Canadian government did not respond immediately to a request for comment. Canada will begin imposing tariffs on certain U.S. products on September 8, in response to Trump's 50% levy on $20 billion of Canadian goods. When you are attacked, it's war. Mark Carney, Canadian Prime Minister, said that Canada had been attacked on Saturday. Many automakers have announced or are considering plans to reduce Canadian auto production. The trade dispute has also led to a reduction of 22% in Canadian imports. Major automakers have not commented on Trump's announcement. Auto executives who spoke on condition of anonymity expressed skepticism over Trump's threats, pointing out that the president has announced tariffs of this size before, but they never came into effect, and that any such tariff would most likely trigger a massive Canadian response. Also, they noted that it was still months after the midterm elections in November and that Trump's threats?could have been aimed at restarting negotiations. Trump stated in January that the U.S. Bombardier Global Express jets would be decertified and import tariffs of 50% on all aircraft manufactured in Canada threatened until Canada's regulator approved a number planes made by U.S. competitor Gulfstream. The two things did not happen, but Canada's regulator certified several Gulfstream aircraft the next month. Reporting by Katharine J. Jackson, Daphne Psaledakis, and David Shepardson, Editing by Susan Heavey and Chizu Nomiyama, and Mark Porter
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Braskem, a Brazilian company, has approved a $10.9 billion restructuring out of court
In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Braskem said that its 'board of directors has approved filing for an out-of-court restructuring in order to negotiate $10.9 billion of unsecured debt. Braskem is Latin America's biggest petrochemical company. It has been struggling with a prolonged slump in the industry and a disaster at its salt mines?in northeastern Brazil. Both of these have severely weakened Braskem's cash position. Three sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the out-of court?restructuring proposal may include a subsequent share offering. This could pave the way for an external capital increase. Sources said that the restructuring proposal will be developed within 90 days. The company is in advanced discussions to file an out-of court restructuring in Brazil by the end of August. A 60-day emergency protection period was due to expire. Braskem, a joint venture between Grupo Idesa of Mexico and the Brazilian firm, Braskem, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. last week. Braskem stated that the out-of court proceeding would be limited to the restructuring of its financial obligations and not affect any obligations towards customers, suppliers or other stakeholders. The company said it will file for an out-of court restructuring once the documentation is complete. Braskem's control is split between IG4 Capital (which acquired a stake from Novonor) and Petrobras, a state-run oil firm. (Reporting and editing by Gabriel Araujo, Paul Simao, and Isabel Teles)
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All the M&A transactions in Italy since 2025
Monte dei Paschi di Siena has made simultaneous offers to acquire Banco BPM, Banca Generali and Banco BPM. This is the latest of a series aimed at transforming Italy's formerly dormant banking sector. The MPS offers were made last week in an effort to repel the hostile takeover attempt by Italy's largest bank, Intesa Sanpaolo. This would result in the third largest banking group of Italy. This is a list of all other completed and attempted M&A deals in the Italian banking sector since 2025. 1. MONTE DEI PASCHI?DI??SIENA (MPS), BANCO BPM, BANCA GENERALI MPS announced on August 21, separate bids for Banco BPM, a rival bank, and Banca Generali, a wealth manager controlled by Generali. The combined total of the two bids is approximately EUR34 billion (40 billion dollars). CEO Luigi Lovaglio stated that MPS is the "natural partner" for an aggregation friendly and has promised a combined annual synergies pre-tax of approximately EUR2.6 billion. In order to approve the takeover plan, at least two-thirds of MPS's shareholders must vote in favor, according to Italian takeover regulations, on October 29. Banco BPM invited MPS for "a merger on equal terms" but stopped the talks last month when France's Credit Agricole expressed its disapproval. 2. INTESA SANPAOLO – MONTE DEI PASCHI DI SIENA (MPS) – UNIPOL – BPER Intesa’s EUR30.6 billion cash and share?bid would create the second largest lender in the Euro zone, placing Italy’s top bank behind Spain’s Banco Santander on market value. Intesa will sell Unipol about half of the MPS network that it will receive as a result of the takeover. The network will be combined with Unipol's BPER Banca, a lender backed by Unipol to create a new bank operating under the Monte dei Paschi name. 3. ?UNICREDIT – COMMERZBANK UniCredit, who stayed away from Italian M&A after a failed bid for Banco BPM in 2006, announced in July that it had increased its share in?Commerzbank, to 47.6%. It pursued a takeover bid in spite of?German opposition. UniCredit holds a 49.7% stake in the German lender, excluding Treasury shares that have no voting rights. It could increase its stake further by amending swap agreements. UniCredit approached Commerzbank in September 2024 about merger talks after buying a 9% stake in its German counterpart and signaling that it was willing to take more. 4. CF+ BANCA SISTEMA Banca CF+, a speciality lender backed by Elliott, completed a EUR145 million offer in March for Banca Sistema. 5. MPS – MEDIOBANCA MPS acquired Mediobanca in September of last year for EUR16 billion, becoming a major investor in Generali, an asset highly prized in Italian finance. This deal from a bank that was bailed out in 2017 by the government and reprivatised between 2023-2024 turned MPS into an important M&A player. 6. BANCA IFIS – ILLIMITY Venetian IFIS has completed an offer of EUR298 million in cash and shares for Illimity. This digital bank was founded by Corrado Passera, a veteran banker who served as former minister of industry. It was delisted later from the Milan bourse. 7. BPER BANCA - BANCA 'POPOLARE D SONDRIO In July 2025, Italy's fourth largest bank completed a EUR5.4-billion cash-and-shares offer for the smaller counterpart based in northern city Sondrio. It called it a defensive measure dictated by the rapid consolidation. The main shareholder of both banks, Insurer Unipol played a key role. 8. UNICREDIT BANCO BPM In July 2025, Italy's second largest bank canceled its EUR15 billion all-share offer to Banco?BPM. It blamed the conditions set by the government in order to complete the deal. UniCredit's bid was made in November 2024. 9. BANCO BPM – ANIMA HOLDING Banco BPM bid?to purchase fund manager Anima Holding for EUR1.8 billion. It completed the acquisition in April 2025. 10. MEDIOBANCA – BANCA GENERALI Mediobanca made a EUR6.3 billion all-shares offer to wealth manager Banca Generali in April 2025, but failed. The shareholders did not approve it. 11. BANCA GENERALI – INTERMONTE Banca Generali acquired Intermonte in January 2025 for EUR98.2 Million Euros. This acquisition was made to enhance its investment banking capabilities and provide corporate finance advisory services. ($1 = 0.8574 euro) (Written by Giulio Pivacari and Andrea Mandala Edited by Alvise Armenlini)
Aggreko, a power supply company, files for an IPO in the US amid the data center boom
Aggreko filed for an?U.S. The power supply company announced on Monday that it had filed for an initial public offering.
The company plans to list its ordinary share on the New York Stock Exchange with the ticker "AGKO". However, it did not reveal the number of shares or price range.
Aggreko filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission at a time when investor interest has soared in the sector, partly because of an AI-driven datacenter boom.
This year, nuclear companies X-Energy (formerly Standard Nuclear) and X-Energy went public via traditional IPOs.
Goldman Sachs, ?J.P. Morgan and BofA Securities will serve as joint bookrunning?managers of Aggreko’s offering. Barclays and Morgan Stanley, on the other hand, will be bookrunning managers.
The Glasgow-headquartered company's revenue grew 28% to about $1.92 billion for the six months ended July 4, helped by strong demand from data centers and other power-intensive industries.
The company recorded a profit of $80m from its continuing operations, compared to a loss $196m in the previous period.
According to the filing, data center revenues nearly doubled in the year ending January 3 to $391 millions.
Aggreko reported that it has $6 billion in?net revenues secured as of July 2026. This gives the company a clear view of its future performance.
The company was acquired by TDR Capital in 2021, and I Squared Capital. It provides temporary power generation, cooling, and energy solutions for customers across industries including utilities, mining and manufacturing.
The company employs a little over 8,000 people and operates in 80 countries. It also serves more than 14,000 customers worldwide. The company has a total of more than 17 gigawatts available in its fleet.
(source: Reuters)