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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.
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Watchdog asks EU to explain the speed at which it proposes to reduce green rules
In response to complaints from campaigners who accused Brussels of weakening sustainability laws without consulting the public, the EU Ombudsman demanded that the European Commission explain on Tuesday why it had fast-tracked its proposals to curb them. In February, the Commission introduced legal changes to exempt thousands smaller European businesses from European Union reporting rules on sustainability. This was done to simplify regulations for industries that are struggling to compete against rivals in China or the U.S. where President Donald Trump has been rolling back regulations. The EU Ombudsman demanded that the Commission explain why they did not perform a full impact analysis on these proposals, consult with the public about the changes or assess if the proposals are in line with Europe’s commitments to climate change. The Commission will usually perform an impact analysis when proposing new EU legislation to determine their effects. This can be skipped when the law is an emergency response to a crises and the proposals for simplifying the green reporting rules did not include an assessment. In a letter published Tuesday, Ombudsman Teresa Anjinho stated that "based on the materials made available so far, it does not appear the Commission has adequately justified derogating its rules in this instance." She said, "The Commission has not indicated any sudden or unanticipated event that would warrant the urgency." Anjinho noted that, instead of the usual 10-day consultation, the Commission gave its departments only 24 hours, beginning on Friday evening, to evaluate the plans. A spokesperson for the Commission said that it would answer the questions and make rapid changes, since some companies have already been required to report their information this year. The spokesperson said that "businesses and members states urgently need legal certainty in order to comply with sustainability framework," during a regular briefing. The European Ombudsman is responsible for investigating cases of mismanagement in EU institutions. The Commission must respond by September 15. (Reporting and editing by Barbara Lewis; Kate Abnett)
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Investors assess inflation data in the US and Canada
Investors weighed in on key inflation figures from the U.S. and Canada, which weighed down Canada's benchmark index. Toronto's S&P/TSX Composite Index fell 0.4% to 27160.74 points after briefly reaching a new intraday record earlier in the session. Analysts had predicted that the annual inflation rate in Canada would rise to 1.9% by June, and automobiles, apparel, and footwear contributed to this increase. The CPI data in the U.S. showed that prices rose in June, as expected. Federal Reserve is likely to maintain rates at the same level in July, while watching inflation pressures. Heavyweight mining shares on the TSX fell by 0.9%, following a decline in gold prices. Lundin Gold, a gold miner, fell by 2.4%. Alamos Gold Mines and Agnico Eagle Mines both dropped about 1%. Energy stocks dropped 0.5%, while financials fell by 0.4%. Consumer staples also declined by 0.9%. Utility stocks rose by 0.1%. Brookfield Renewable Partners LP, the parent company of Brookfield Asset Management, saw a 3.3% increase after signing a $3 billion hydropower deal with Google. Markets are focused on a breakthrough in negotiations with U.S. trading partners despite President Donald Trump's renewed threats of tariffs. After Trump's Monday announcement that he was willing to speak with the European Union, and other trading partners, there are new hopes. "A lot of the issues keep coming back to trading and trade negotiations." Allan Small, Senior Financial Advisor at Allan Small Financial Group, said: "The president has set a deadline of August 1st to make deals. He said that he would be firm about that. So it's all trade." Riot Platforms, a U.S. bitcoin miner, announced Monday that it owned a beneficial interest of 10,29% in Bitfarms. Bitfarms shares fell by 3.4%. Reporting by Twesha dikshit in Bengaluru and Sukriti gupta; editing by Sahal muhammed
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Source: Israeli strikes in Lebanon kill 12, including 5 Hezbollah Fighters
A security source in Lebanon reported that heavy Israeli airstrikes in eastern Lebanon killed 12 people on Tuesday, including five Hezbollah members. Israel claimed the strikes were an attempt to warn Iran-backed Hezbollah against reestablishing itself. The Israeli military claimed that the airstrikes were directed at Hezbollah training camps and weapons warehouses in eastern Lebanon's Bekaa Valley. These airstrikes are the most deadly in the area since the ceasefire brokered by the United States between Israel and Lebanon last November. Bachir Khodr said that seven of the dead are Syrian citizens. Israel's last conflict dealt Hezbollah a heavy blow, killing Hassan Nasrallah and other leaders as well as destroying a large part of their arsenal. Israel Katz, the Israeli Minister of Defence, said that Tuesday's strikes were a "clear signal" to Hezbollah. He accused it of planning to re-establish the ability to raid Israel via the elite Radwan forces. Israel will "respond with maximum force" to any attempts at reconstruction, he said. He said that the strikes were also meant to send a message the Lebanese Government, who he said was responsible for maintaining the ceasefire. Hezbollah and the Lebanese Government did not respond immediately to the recent Israeli attacks. The United States submitted a proposal for the Lebanese Government to secure Hezbollah’s disarmament in four months as a trade-off for Israel ceasing its air strikes and removing troops from their positions in south Lebanon. According to the terms of a ceasefire brokered between the U.S., France and Lebanon, the armed forces of Lebanon were required to seize "all unauthorized weapons", starting in the area to the south of the Litani River -- the closest zone to Israel. Reporting by Steven Scheer from Jerusalem, and Maya Gebeily, Laila Basam and Tom Perry in Beirut. Writing by Ahmed Elimam and Nayera Abdallah; Editing and production by Alison Williams and Gareth Jones.
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Ghana's cocoa regulator warns production will drop due to heavy rains
Ghana's cocoa regulator stated on Tuesday that prolonged rain and lack of sunlight can lead to an increase in disease incidence, which could cause a moderate decline in production. This comes after farmers asked for government intervention to reduce the impact of bad weather. The West African nation, the second largest cocoa producer in the world, saw its output drop in previous seasons because of diseases, bad weather and illegal gold mining. These factors destroyed cocoa plantations, reducing yields. Last week, an association of Ghanaian farmer warned that the cooler temperatures and excessive rain combined with the lack of sunlight were reducing yields. In a press release, the statement said that this could cause damage to farmers and their incomes over time. Nana Oboadie Bonsu is the president of the Farmers' Association. She said: "We visited 72 cocoa-growing districts, and we saw fungi growing on various cocoa trees because of the climate conditions." COCOBOD, Ghana's regulator, said that it has intensified its mass spraying programmes and disease control programs in response to concerns raised by the association. The regulator said that while it was too early to give definitive numbers for the current year, preliminary assessments suggested a modest decline in production compared to previous projections. COCOBOD said that it also aims to finish the distribution of fungicides planned before the peak harvest season to minimise yield loss. COCOBOD data revealed in May that Ghana would likely miss its 650,000 metric ton output target for 2024/2025. (Reporting and editing by Emmanuel Bruce, Anait Miridzhanian Rob Corey-Boulet Tomaszjanowski)
In Japan, energy security fears put nuclear back in favour for 2040 plan
Japan is set to push for more nuclear power in an energy policy upgrade due next year, looking for steady electrical energy supply in face of growing need and increasing geopolitical dangers, however is most likely to have a hard time to fulfill its targets, market professionals state.
The country slashed reliance on nuclear power after the Fukushima catastrophe in 2011 and increased usage of fossil fuels to generate 70% of its electrical energy, even as it set out to cut carbon emissions to net zero by 2050.
But having actually faced coal and gas rate spikes and supply interruptions in 2022 due to Russia's war on Ukraine, the federal government wants to secure higher usage of atomic energy, along with wind and solar power, to secure stable energy supply.
The focus has actually moved far from carbon emissions to energy security. Energy security has actually always been necessary for Japan, however a lot more so now because there were a lot of difficulties with the lack of melted gas, expensive LNG, absence of supply, stated Alex Whitworth, vice president at experts Wood Mackenzie.
Any shift to enhance nuclear power by the world's. second-biggest importer of LNG and a significant buyer of thermal coal. will hit exporters of those fossil fuels, consisting of Australia,. Qatar, the U.S. and Indonesia.
Conversations on Japan's energy policy, which is modified every. 3 years, began last month. This is the very first revision given that. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida moved the country's stance to. favour nuclear power in 2022.
The overwhelming majority of the members of the panel that. debates the policy are pro-nuclear, and the new policy may. include building new reactors, said Takeo Kikkawa, president of. International University of Japan.
It is unclear how the 2030 energy mix target of 20% -22%. nuclear will change for the next target year, likely 2040. But energy business and industry are progressively calling for. greater use of nuclear power as geopolitical stress raise the. threat of energy supply disturbances and power cost walkings.
We look for information in the next energy plan on increasing. nuclear power use for energy security and decarbonisation, and. on the requirement to replace and develop new reactors to fulfill increasing. electrical energy need, stated Kansai Electric Power,. Japan's biggest operator of nuclear energy.
The government has said the nation may need to broaden power. output by up to 50% by 2050 as demand increases from semiconductor. producing plants and data centres.
HARD TASK
Meeting growing electrical power need with nuclear power will. be challenging, due to regulative hurdles, public opposition,. high costs, extreme earthquakes and long development timeframes,. academics and energy experts stated.
The country is likely to fall short of its 2030 target for. nuclear power, reaching just 15% due to resistance from local. homeowners and sluggish approvals by regulators for restarting. existing reactors, Kikkawa stated.
Adding brand-new nuclear capability could be difficult even by 2050,. he stated, given that in the past it has taken years to build. nuclear plants.
Thermal power would likely need to fill the supply space, he. and WoodMac's Whitworth said, contrary to the federal government's aim. to cut coal- and LNG-fired generation to a combined 39% of the. mix by 2030.
The nuclear power target is the most impractical because. it's really outside of the federal government's control to be able to. reach that target due to the requirement for getting local approval for. restarts ... So there's a big upside for coal and gas,. Whitworth stated.
While modifying energy policy, Japan prepares to set a. greenhouse gas emissions decrease target for 2035 or later on and. formulate a decarbonisation method for 2040 by early next. year.
Speeding up renewables growth and reducing fossil fuel. generation will assist attain those objectives and lower costs.
The Japanese economy has been hit hard by nonrenewable fuel source. prices over the previous two years, stated Yukari Takamura, teacher. at the University of Tokyo's Institute for Future Initiatives.
Takamura, a member of the federal government's energy policy panel,. states Japan ought to set out a roadmap on how to phase out unabated. coal-fired power plants.
It's in the nationwide interest to promote domestic. production of energy with renewable resource, she stated, including it. would improve the competitiveness of Japanese companies that are. being measured on decarbonisation elements.
(source: Reuters)