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Thailand's PTTEP purchases full control of offshore gas block from Chevron at $450 million
PTT Exploration and Production, a Thai oil and natural gas company, has purchased full ownership of Block A-18 within the Malaysia-Thailand Joint Development Area. The transaction was worth $450 million and involved Chevron unit. PTTEP announced in a late Friday statement that it had signed the deal with Hess Asia Holdings and Hess (Bahamas), both of which are now owned by Chevron after a recent merger between Hess Corp. PTTEP announced that the acquisition gave it 100% of Hess International Oil Corp's outstanding shares, which hold a 50% participation interest in Block A-18. Chevron is reorganizing its global operations to reduce costs and streamline operations. This could result in the company laying off as much as 20% of their workforce by next year. Chevron, as reported in June, is also looking for buyers for its 50 percent stake in the Singapore refinery. PTTEP stated that natural gas from Block A-18 was fundamental for the generation of electricity in southern Thailand. The block produces approximately 600 million standard cubic foot of gas per day which is distributed equally to Thailand and Malaysia. In a statement, Montri Rawanchaikul, Chief Executive Officer of PTTEP said: "PTTEP looks forward to expanding our operations in MTJDA. This area is known for its oil potential and strategic importance to Thailand's security in energy." According to a statement, the MTJDA is a 7,250 sq km (2.800 sq mile) area in the southern Gulf of Thailand. It is regarded as a major source of condensate and natural gas for Thailand and Malaysia. (Reporting and editing by Tom Hogue; Yantoultra ngi)
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Scottish Floating Wind Farm Gets Construction and Operation Go-Ahead
The Scottish Government has granted joint venture partnership between Ørsted, Simply Blue Group and Subsea7, the developers of Salamander floating offshore wind farm, a go-ahead to build and operate the 100 MW floating wind array.Salamander offshore wind farm has been awarded Section 36 Consent and associated Marine Licences, securing all approvals for the construction and operation of the project, sited approximately 35 km off the coast of Peterhead in Scotland.The 100 MW project is expected to play a crucial role in unlocking the full potential of Scotland’s deepwater wind resources and setting the stage for future ScotWind developments by demonstrating cutting-edge floating wind technology at a commercial scale.Salamander is the first of the innovation (IN) projects from the INTOG leasing round to reach this stage. Combined with the recent award of onshore Planning Permission in Principle for the project’s onshore works in March 2025, the latest consent ensures that the project remains on track for deployment before the end of 2030.Focus will now shift to working with Crown Estate Scotland to secure the Option Agreement and then preparing to secure a Contract for Difference for the project.“Coming hot on the heels of the onshore consent, this is yet another major achievement by the project team. While we worked proactively with MD-LOT in an attempt to achieve offshore consent - including compensation plans - within the 12-month target window, award within 15 months reflects our team’s expertise, passion, commitment and seamless teamwork,” said Hugh Yendole, project director for Salamander.
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US Looks Into Allowing Limited Oil Operations in Venezuela
The United States is preparing to grant new authorizations to key partners of Venezuela's state-run PDVSA, starting with Chevron, to allow them to operate with limitations in the sanctioned OPEC nation and swap oil, five sources close to the matter said on Thursday.If granted, the authorizations to the U.S. oil major, and possibly also to PDVSA's European partners, would mark a policy shift from a pressure strategy Washington adopted this year on Venezuela's energy industry, under U.S. sanctions since 2019.President Donald Trump's administration might now allow the energy companies to pay oilfield contractors and make necessary imports to secure operational continuity.Some imports could be swapped for Venezuelan oil, as authorized in previous licenses, three of the sources said.A senior State Department official said in a statement they could not speak about any specific licenses to PDVSA's partners, but added the United States would not allow President Nicolas Maduro's government to profit from the sale of oil.A source in touch with U.S. and Venezuelan officials said it was difficult to understand how Maduro's government would not benefit from cargoes Chevron can sell to the U.S., and later on Thursday Maduro hailed work done to keep Chevron in the country."There are already working groups so that Chevron can re-incorporate its functions," Maduro told an interview with Telesur, adding that Chevron's top leadership had already been informed of licenses so it can keep operating in Venezuela.Chevron shares touched $155.93 on Thursday, their highest level since April 3, according to LSEG data."Chevron conducts its business globally in compliance with laws and regulations applicable to its business, as well as the sanctions frameworks provided for by the U.S. government, including in Venezuela," a company spokesperson said.The move to ease some restrictions on Venezuela’s oil sector follows a prisoner swap this month in which Maduro released 10 American detainees while accepting the return of more than 200 Venezuelans who had been deported from the U.S. and held in an El Salvador prison.Relations between the two countries have been tense for years, and the Trump administration has publicly supported opposition leaders who say their candidate won last year's election, not Maduro.Trump in February announced the cancellation of a handful of energy licenses in Venezuela, including Chevron's, and gave until late May to wind down all transactions.The move left all operations in oil and gas joint ventures with Chevron and other partners in PDVSA's hands, but the companies were authorized to preserve their stakes and output remained almost unchanged.The U.S. State Department, which in May blocked a move by special presidential envoy Richard Grenell to extend the licenses, is this time imposing conditions on any authorization modifications, so that no cash reaches Maduro's coffers, the three sources said.In the past, U.S. officials have promised no money would reach Maduro from oil proceeds despite licenses. But it did because PDVSA demands tax and royalties to be paid before granting exports permits. Even if parties agree to oil swaps, those arrangements save PDVSA, and ultimately Maduro's government, millions of dollars per year in imports.Secretary of State Marco Rubio is not expected this time to ban the authorizations, but is negotiating their scope, they added.It was not immediately clear if the terms of the license that could be granted to Chevron would be reproduced for other foreign companies in Venezuela, including Italy's Eni ENI.MI and Spain's Repsol REP.MC, which have been asking the U.S. to allow them to swap fuel supplies for Venezuelan oilThe authorizations might remain private, one of the sources said.The U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control and PDVSA did not immediately respond to requests for comment.Where Will the Oil Go?Following the cancellation of Chevron's license earlier this year, Trump announced the imposition of secondary tariffs on buyers of Venezuelan oil.But the measure, expected to severely hit Venezuela's main crude buyer China, has not been enforced, allowing the South American country to divert to Asia crude grades that were previously sold to U.S. and European refiners through PDVSA's joint-venture partners.The reshuffle, which has maintained Venezuela's oil output and exports close to the levels they were at before the license cancellations, has been criticized by politicians in Washington and was discussed as part of talks for the new authorizations, the sources said.During former U.S. President Joe Biden's administration, targeted licenses to PDVSA's partners allowed Western refiners to regain access to Venezuelan supplies, but they also granted a stable source of cash to Maduro's administration as the companies were required by Venezuela to pay royalties and taxes.(Reuters - Reporting by Marianna Parraga in Houston and Timothy Gardner and Matt Spetalnick in Washington and Deisy Buitrago in Caracas; additional reporting by Sheila Dang, Rodrigo Campos and Andrea Shalal; Editing by Marguerita Choy)
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Zelenskiy: Ukraine faces fierce fighting in the eastern city of Pokrovsk
Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the president of Ukraine, said that on Friday the Ukrainian forces were fighting fiercely around Pokrovsk. This is a logistical hub in the east where Russia has announced the capture of villages almost every day. Zelenskiy said in his video nightly address that Ukraine's top general, Oleksandr Syrskyi, had told a senior official meeting the situation in Pokrovsk is the main focus of the war. The war began in February 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine. Pokrovsk was given special attention. Zelenskiy stated that it receives the greatest attention. He said that Ukrainian forces were "continuing to operate" in border zones in the northern Sumy Region, where Russian troops had gained a foothold over recent weeks. In a separate Telegram report, Syrskyi described Pokrovsk as one of the most difficult theaters along the 1,000 km (620 miles) front. Syrskyi wrote that "The Russian Federation pays the maximum price for trying to launch a summer offensive." Since months, Russian forces have been closing in on Pokrovsk. This road and rail hub's pre-war population has been almost completely evacuated. Syrskyi reported in May that Kyiv had stabilized the situation in the area, which is also home to the only coal mine in Ukraine that produces coking coal used in the steel industry. The Russian Defence Ministry announced on Thursday that two villages to either side of Pokrovsk - Zvirove in the west and Novoekonomichne in the east - had been captured. Moscow declared Novotoretske, a third village in proximity to the city, "liberated" on Wednesday. The Ukrainian government has not acknowledged that villages have changed hands. In an evening report, the General Staff of Ukraine’s military stated that two of these villages -- Zvirove et Novoekonomichne -- were in areas where Russian soldiers were trying to penetrate Ukrainian defenses. The popular Ukrainian military blog DeepState reported that Kyiv forces had recaptured a village in Sumy, where Russian troops were trying to establish a "buffer area" as Kremlin Leader Vladimir Putin has called it. DeepState, a website that relies on reports from open sources to track the presence and movements of Russian troops, reported that Ukrainian troops had regained control of the village of Kindrativka. No official comments were made by either side. (Reporting and editing by Rosalba o'Brien, Oleksandr kozhukhar)
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Investors eye possible US-Europe trade deal as deadline looms
Investors hope that a possible trade agreement between the U.S., and European Union will bring more certainty to the markets before next Friday's deadline for tariffs. Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, was scheduled to meet Donald Trump in Scotland on Sunday after EU officials and diplomatics had said that they were expecting to reach a framework agreement this weekend. Trump said on Friday that there was only a 50-50 or less chance of the U.S. and EU reaching a trade deal. The trade tensions between Europe and the U.S. may have given some investors a reason to be cautious. This is according to Sameer Samana. He is the head of global equity and real assets for the Wells Fargo Investment Institute. It's our largest trading relationship... If that last piece falls in place, you will probably have at least a few more people who need to return to the markets," Samana explained. It's a source that will disappear. The officials and diplomats stated that a deal would include a baseline 15% tariff on all EU products entering the U.S., and likely a 50% duty on European steel and aluminium. The optimism about easing trade tensions in general has pushed U.S. stock prices to record highs. Stocks fell in the immediate wake of Trump's "Liberation Day," April 2, announcement that sweeping tariffs would be applied to all countries. This was due to fears about recession, which have since subsided. Investors have braced themselves for an increase in volatility as the U.S. sets August 1 as a deadline to raise levies against a wide range of trading partners. Trump said that he will increase the tariffs to 30% by August 1 on all EU goods. The EU faces U.S. duties on more than 70 percent of its exports. These include 50% on steel, aluminum and cars, and 25% on car parts. After Trump's trade deal with Japan, hopes for a deal in Europe increased. Capital Economics analysts said that the deal with Japan, and likely the one with the EU soon afterward, are of particular importance because both countries are important U.S. trade partners. They account for about a quarter each of the country's goods imports. The agreement with Japan will reduce the existing tariffs on the auto sector of the United States, which account for more than 25% of the exports. Previously, these levies were as high as 27.5%. Capital Economics stated that an agreement lowering EU auto tariffs by 15% would be a "big deal" not only for the region, but also because about 10% of the region's shipments to the U.S. fall into the same category. Over the weekend, investors were also keeping an eye on developments in the trade between the U.S.A. and China. Next week, officials from both countries will meet in Stockholm to discuss the extension of an August 12 deadline to negotiate a deal. (Reporting and editing by Alden Bentley, Edward Tobin and Lewis Krauskopf)
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Trump tariffs on Brazil's chemical exporters lead to order cancellations
Brazilian chemical companies, who exported $2.4 billion in products to the U.S. during the past year, are facing a wave of contract cancellations, as President Donald Trump threatened a new tariff of 50% on Brazil's exports starting August 1. Andre Cordeiro of Brazilian chemical lobby Abiquim said that since Trump's announcement export orders for certain resins, compounds and other materials used in the production of fertilizers have been cancelled. Brazil supplies these products to the U.S. agricultural sector. Cordeiro explained that "fundamentally these decisions are made because it is bet on whether he will apply the tariff." Cordeiro added that some other companies have also had contracts cancelled. In some cases, sellers have secured export finance for an order that was later revoked. He refused to identify the exporters. He said that the losses associated with tariffs extend beyond direct exports. Almost every industry, from steel to oil, machinery to agricultural products, uses chemicals to manufacture their products. No one can produce coffee or grains without using some type of chemical product. Cordeiro said that the chemical industry is losing both export business as well as local sales from clients who export goods to the U.S. He said that Brazilian plywood exporters use chemicals to bond and have themselves faced cancellations of orders from the United States. Chemical preservatives are also used by orange juice producers, who sent 42% their exports to America last year. Brazilian companies such as Braskem could be affected by the U.S. Dow Chemical, with its 10 plants in Brazil, and large exports of silicon for processing to the U.S. is also in danger. Braskem and Dow have not yet commented. Exxon Mobil operates in Brazil, but declined to comment. It serves clients from various industries. Abiquim said that tariffs were unjustified due to Brazil's chemical industry running a trade deficit of $7.9 billion with the U.S. (Reporting and editing by David Gregorio.)
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MSF reports that at least 652 Nigerian children have died of malnutrition during the last six months.
Medecins Sans Frontieres reported on Friday that at least 652 children in Nigeria's state of Katsina died of malnutrition during the first half of 2025. The organization attributed this to the funding cuts made by international donors. Insecurity is a problem in Katsina in the north. MSF (also known as Doctors Without Borders) said that the massive budget cuts in the United States, United Kingdom and European Union are having a real impact on malnourished children. The United Nations Food Agency announced on Wednesday that it would be forced to stop food and nutrition assistance for 1.3 millions people in the northeast of Nigeria, which is ravaged by insurgency. Stocks have run low. The United States withdrew funding from the health sector, and Nigeria budgeted 200 billion Naira ($130million) to cover the shortfall. MSF reported that the number of Katsina children with severe malnutrition increased by 208% in comparison to the same period in the previous year. "Unfortunately, 652 children have died in our facilities as of the start of 2025." Insecurity in Katsina has forced many to abandon their farms due to banditry. In an effort to curb the activities of criminals, both the government and local vigilante groups have worked together.
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Arpege, a Parisian restaurant with three Michelin stars, switches to plant-based meals
Alain Passard is a French chef who has mastered the art of roasting. He decided to remove almost all animal products in his Arpege restaurant. Arpege had already eliminated red meat in its dishes back in the early 2000s. Passard's new menu will exclude meat, dairy and fish. However, honey from the restaurant's beehives is an exception. Passard said that his passion for the natural world motivated him. He added that seasonal vegetables could also help reduce the environmental impact of a restaurant. Passard's 68-year-old fame was largely due to his roast dishes such as "poulet à foin", or chicken cooked with hay. But he has become a leading figure in the growing vegetable dining scene in Paris. Passard said, "Everything I did with the animal is a memory that will last a lifetime." Today, I'm more inclined to a cuisine of emotions, a culinary style that I would describe as artistic. It's more like painting and sewing... today I'm a new chef. Arpege, the first three-star restaurant in France, has made the switch to plant-based foods. It joins Eleven Madison Park, a New York restaurant that did the same under the chef Daniel Humm. The menu includes a "mosaic", a tomato dish, aubergine flambée with melon confit and a carrot, onion and shallot dish. The most expensive set menu is 420 euros (about $493) and the lunch cost 260 euros. In recent years, meat consumption has declined in some countries. Organisers of the Paris Olympics in 2012 set out to reduce the amount meat served to spectators and athletes. ($1 = 0.8526 euro) (Reporting and writing by Noemie Olivier and Lauren Bacquie; Editing and proofreading by Gabriel Stargardter, Louise Heavens and Lauren Bacquie)
It's time to get rid of capital gains tax on your house.
The original version of this article was published in On The Money, a newsletter that shares personal finance insights and tips from the United States every two weeks. Subscribe here to get it free.
It's time to get rid of capital gains tax on your house.
My humble opinion: The most important personal finance story! This week, President Donald Trump has announced that he is considering eliminating capital gains taxes from home sales.
Trump told reporters at the Oval Office that if the Fed lowered the rates, then we wouldn't have to do anything. "But we're thinking of no tax on capital gain on houses."
According to current law, homeowners may exclude up $250,000 (single filers), or $500,000 for joint filers (increased gains) from the sale of their primary residence. These thresholds are unchanged since 1997.
According to a study by the National Association of Realtors, 34% of homeowners (30 million) have equity in their home that exceeds the $250,000 threshold. More than 10% (8 millions) have equity enough to go beyond the $500,000 limit.
Recently, Congress passed legislation to make permanent the tax cuts that were passed during Trump's first term in office. The bill also fulfills Trump's election promises by including new tax breaks for seniors, auto loans, tips, overtime pay and seniors.
Who could benefit from the end of capital gains tax on home sales?
Would you be more likely to sell your home if capital gains tax were eliminated? Would you be more inclined to sell your house? Let me know what you think by writing to me.
It's a Gas
Recently, have you noticed lower gas prices?
U.S. gas prices may fall below $3 per gallon for the first summer in four years, as bad weather has dampened fuel demand. Imports have also risen to fill up inventories.
Gasoline is at a low price, which is great news for Americans who are traveling this summer. After Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, consumers faced record-high prices at the pump.
The summer is usually the U.S.'s peak gasoline season, but this year the demand has been lower. The U.S. gasoline demand is expected to drop permanently from its 2018 peak due to the increased use of fuel-efficient cars and changes in driving habits following the pandemic.
What will be the impact of lower gas prices on your driving habits and how?
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Are you holding too much technology?
Are you bursting at the seams with technology stocks in your portfolio?
Due to the recent strong performance of technology stocks, equity investors may be overweighting them. The Magnificent 7 stocks have risen by almost 25% over the last year, compared to 17% growth for the Nasdaq Composite Index.
The performance of the Magnificent 7 (which includes Google, Tesla and others) has been mixed in recent years. They have all recovered since April after a fallout following Donald Trump’s "Liberation Day", which announced sweeping tariffs around the world.
According to LSEG Datastream, the group accounted for one-third the weight of S&P 500 on Friday due to its massive market cap. This is their biggest combined presence since the beginning of the year.
My retirement portfolio is made up of target-date funds that are rebalanced regularly. The tech sector is at 24% which is slightly lower than the average.
Have you rebalanced your portfolio recently? Tell me what you think about the Magnificent 7 or the tech sector in general! (by Lauren Young)
(source: Reuters)