Wednesday, August 31, 2016

SE Asia Stocks-Fall ahead of key U.S. jobs data

Sept 1 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stocks fell on

Thursday, in line with Asian peers, as investors shrugged off an

official survey showing Chinese factory activity unexpectedly

expanded in August, to focus on a U.S. jobs report that could

determine the timing of a rate increase by the Federal Reserve.

U.S. nonfarm payrolls data due on Friday remains this week's

key market focus after Federal Reserve Vice Chair Stanley

Fischer said last week the data would be a factor as to when the

cent

Read more

China's top planning agency vows to streamline investment approvals

BEIJING, Sept 1 (Reuters) - China's top planning agency said

on Thursday it would continue to cut red tape, including

steamlining approvals on investment projects, in the latest bid

to bolster the economy.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Saudi minister says OPEC moving to common position on oil output changes

* Foreign minister says producers moving to "common

position"

Read more

Japan woos Russia with deeper economic ties in face of rising China

TOKYO, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Japan is hoping the lure of deeper

economic ties with Russia will strengthen strategic relations in

the face of a rising China, but sceptics question whether the

approach will generate a breakthrough in a decades-old

territorial dispute.

Read more

Oil prices rebound on weaker dollar despite bigger-than-expected US stock build

SINGAPORE, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Oil prices rose in early Asian

trade on Thursday, rebounding on a weaker U.S. dollar after

falling around 3 percent or more in the previous session

following a surprisingly large build in U.S. crude and

distillate stocks last week.

Read more

UK gov't needs stronger response to VW emissions scandal-committee

LONDON, Sept 1 (Reuters) - The British government should

take a tougher stance against Volkswagen after its emissions

fraud, as well as increase the use of electric cars and reduce

air pollution from transport, a parliamentary environment

committee said on Thursday.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Paralympics-Brazil's Petrobras to pay $3.25 mln to aid troubled Games

RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Brazilian oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA said on Wednesday it will spend 10.5 million reais ($3.25 million) to buy marketing rights to the financially troubled Rio de Janeiro Paralympic Games.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Obama highlights climate progress at home before journey overseas

LAKE TAHOE, Nev., Aug 31 (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack

Obama said on Wednesday that preserving natural places would

help the world adapt to warming temperatures as he began a

10-day trip to stress the urgency of curbing climate change and

attend a G20 meeting in China.

Read more

UPDATE 5-Brazil's Rousseff ousted by Senate, Temer sworn in

BRASILIA, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Brazil's Senate ousted

President Dilma Rousseff on Wednesday, ending an impeachment

process that polarized Latin America's biggest country amid a

massive corruption scandal and brutal economic crisis.

Read more

UPDATE 3-Tropical Storm Hermine nears Florida, Hawaii on hurricane watch

TAMPA, Fla., Aug 31 (Reuters) - A tropical storm developing

in the Gulf of Mexico could produce near hurricane-force winds

by the time it makes landfall in Florida, the National Hurricane

Center said on Wednesday.

Read more

CANADA STOCKS-TSX falls on commodity retreat, ekes out August gain

TORONTO, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index fell

on Wednesday as lower oil and gold prices weighed on energy

companies and miners, while financial and other interest

rate-sensitive stocks slipped as investors considered the likely

path of U.S. interest rates.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Polymetal pushes housebuilder Berkeley out of UK's FTSE 100

* Pendragon, Circassia drop out of FTSE 250

(Adds detail, background)

Read more

UPDATE 1-Areva rejects GE offer for Adwen JV offshore wind assets - sources

MADRID/FRANKFURT/PARIS, Aug 31 (Reuters) - French nuclear

power engineering group Areva has rejected a

non-binding offer from General Electric for assets

belonging to the Adwen offshore wind power joint venture between

Gamesa and Areva, sources close to the talks have told

Reuters.

Read more

U.S. oil output seen rising as stock sales fund acreage buys

Aug 31 (Reuters) - Large U.S. shale oil companies, flush

with cash raised through stock offerings, are gobbling up

properties in the Permian Basin straddling Texas and New Mexico,

a trend that could boost U.S. oil output in the second half of

2017.

Read more

Britain's FTSE posts third straight month of gains

* Restaurant Group falls on downgrade

(ADVISORY- Follow European and UK stock markets in real time on

the Reuters Live Markets blog on Eikon, see cpurl://apps.cp./cms/?pageId=livemarkets)

Read more

OPEC oil output hits record as Gulf gains counter African losses

LONDON, Aug 31 (Reuters) - OPEC's oil output is likely in

August to reach its highest in recent history, a Reuters survey

found on Wednesday, as extra barrels from Saudi Arabia and other

Gulf members make up for losses in Nigeria and Libya.

Read more

CANADA STOCKS-TSX falls as energy and mining stocks lose ground

TORONTO, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index fell

on Wednesday as lower oil and gold prices weighed on energy and

mining stocks.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Canada economy takes biggest quarterly drop in 7 years, grows in June

OTTAWA, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Canada's economy shrank in the

second quarter in its worst showing in seven years, hurt by a

drop in exports and a disruption to oil production caused by

wildfires in Alberta, but growth was still seen as likely to

rebound later this year.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Faced with crunch, Tesla plans to raise additional cash this year

Aug 31 (Reuters) - Facing a severe cash crunch, Tesla Motors

Inc plans to raise additional money this year to help

fund development and production of its new Model 3 sedan and

build out a giant battery factory, the company said on

Wednesday.

Read more

Fly economy class: even wealthy Qataris taste austerity

DOHA, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Fly economy class, share an office,

cancel journal subscriptions: these are some of the requests

being put to government employees in Qatar, as low energy prices

force austerity even among the world's wealthiest citizens.

Read more

UPDATE 1-U.S. to urge G20 to boost economies, heed citizen anger

WASHINGTON, Aug 31 (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama

will urge leaders of the world's major economies to use fiscal

policy and other tools to boost growth while paying more

attention to angry citizens who feel left behind, Treasury

Secretary Jack Lew said on Wednesday.

Read more

U.S. to urge G20 to boost economies, pay attention to angry citizens

WASHINGTON, Aug 31 (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama

will call on leaders from the Group of 20 to use fiscal policy

and other tools to boost economic growth while reducing excess

capacity at steel factories, Treasury Secretary Jack Lew said on

Wednesday.

Read more

China may open share markets to Saudi Aramco - S.Arabia's Falih

KHOBAR, Saudi Arabia, Aug 31 (Reuters) - China has shown

interest in opening its stock markets to Saudi Aramco when the

national oil giant conducts an initial public offer of its

equity, the kingdom's energy minister Khalid al-Falih said on

Wednesday.

Read more

Asia's July Iran oil imports rise 61 pct from a year ago

* Asian July imports at 1.64 mln bpd

* Imports by India, Japan, South Korea rise; China imports fall

* India, South Korea imports more than double in July

By Osamu Tsukimori

TOKYO, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Imports of Iranian oil by four major buyers in

Asia in July jumped 61.1 percent from a year earlier, marking the biggest

percentage gain since April 2014, reflecting Tehran's aggressive moves to recoup

market share, lost under international sanctions.

Iran is regaining market sh

Read more

Britain's FTSE set for third straight month of gains

LONDON, Aug 31 (Reuters) - UK shares steadied on Wednesday

as weakness in mining shares outweighed gains by banks, though

the FTSE 100 remained on track to post its third monthly

gain in a row.

Read more

From big oil to big data: inside Indian tycoon Ambani's $20 bln start-up

* Jio may not earn Reliance money for at least 5 years -

analyst

Read more

Russian oil privatisation saga points to limits of Putin's power

MOSCOW/UFA, Russia, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Russia's decision to

postpone the privatisation of a mid-sized oil company has sent a

message to investors: for all his power, President Vladimir

Putin has failed to stop political infighting getting in the way

of business.

Read more

Cyprus signs deal with Egypt for gas transfers via pipeline

NICOSIA, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Cyprus signed a deal on

Wednesday for the transfer of natural gas via pipeline to Egypt,

once extraction starts of discoveries made off the Mediterranean

island.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Cyprus signs deal with Egypt for gas transfers via pipeline

NICOSIA, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Cyprus signed a deal on

Wednesday for the transfer of natural gas via pipeline to Egypt,

once extraction starts of discoveries made off the Mediterranean

island.

Read more

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

UPDATE 1-JX values takeover of rival oil refiner TonenGeneral at $3.4 bln

TOKYO, Aug 31 (Reuters) - JX Holdings Inc, Japan's

biggest oil refiner by sales, has agreed to pay about 352

billion yen ($3.4 billion) in stock for TonenGeneral Sekiyu KK

, the country's third-largest refiner by sales.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Oil dips on stronger dollar; rise in U.S. crude stocks data

* Analysts see tighter oil market towards the end of the

year

(Adds Barclays price forecasts, updates prices)

Read more

CORRECTED-Rebound in Asian refining margins may be short-lived

* Recent market rebalancing will unravel if margins turn

lower

Read more

Oil prices dip on stronger dollar; rise in U.S. crude stocks data

SINGAPORE, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Crude oil futures fell in

early trade on Wednesday as the U.S. dollar held around

three-week highs and industry stocks data indicated a build in

U.S. crude inventories.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Motiva says Shell, Saudi Aramco to split assets on April 1, 2017

HOUSTON, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Motiva Enterprises LLC

said on Tuesday the division of its U.S. refining

assets between Royal Dutch Shell Plc and Saudi Aramco

would take place on April 1, 2017, months later

than originally expected.

Read more

UN defends aid work in Syria after accusations of being too close to government

The United Nations defended its aid funding in Syria on

Tuesday after an investigation revealed lucrative contracts were

awarded to people close to the nation's President Bashar

al-Assad.

Read more

RPT--COLUMN-For how long will Glencore hold its zinc capacity cuts?: Andy Home

LONDON, Aug 30 (Reuters) - It's been nearly a year since

Glencore announced it was mothballing half a million

tonnes of mined zinc capacity.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Canada regulator suspends TransCanada pipeline approval hearing

CALGARY/OTTAWA, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Canada's National Energy

Board on Tuesday suspended Montreal hearings on TransCanada

Corp's proposed Energy East pipeline after protests

disrupted the first day of the process on Monday.

Read more

Canada regulator suspends TransCanada pipeline approval hearing

Aug 30 (Reuters) - Canada's National Energy Board on Tuesday

suspended Montreal hearings on TransCanada Corp's

proposed Energy East pipeline for the rest of the week after

protests disrupted the first day on Monday.

Read more

UPDATE 5-Potash Corp, Agrium talk merger; competition scrutiny expected

WINNIPEG, Manitoba/WASHINGTON, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Canada's

Agrium Inc and Potash Corp of Saskatchewan Inc

said on Tuesday they are in talks to merge, a deal that would

create a fertilizer and farm retailing giant worth more than $25

billion but also trigger U.S. regulatory scrutiny.

Read more

EU's Sefcovic hopes for three-way gas talks with Russia, Ukraine

BRUSSELS, Aug 30 (Reuters) - European Commission Vice

President Maros Sefcovic said he will visit Kiev on Friday to

discuss energy reforms and lay the groundwork for trilateral

talks with Ukraine and Russia that he hopes will help ensure

uninterrupted gas supplies in the winter.

Read more

Germany outlines deal with EU on green levy for co-generation plants

BERLIN, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Germany said it has resolved a

dispute with the European Union so that German firms that

generate power for their own consumption can remain exempt from

a green energy surcharge, Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel said

on Tuesday.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Iraq to support oil output freeze at OPEC meeting - PM

BAGHDAD, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Iraq would support a decision by

OPEC to freeze oil output to prop up prices, Iraqi Prime

Minister Haider al-Abadi told a news conference in Baghdad on

Tuesday.

Read more

UPDATE 1-South Africa's ANC backs Gordhan but warns ministers to obey police summons

JOHANNESBURG, Aug 30 (Reuters) - South Africa's ruling party

backed Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan on Tuesday but said

ministers should obey police summons issued during

investigations, days after Gordhan declined to meet detectives

looking into his time at the tax office.

Read more

U.S. banks see higher net income, expand lending in Q2 - FDIC

WASHINGTON, Aug 30 (Reuters) - U.S. banks saw their net

income increase $584 million, or 1.4 percent, compared to the

second quarter of last year in a sign of strength for the

sector, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Read more

Oil firms deepen cost cuts as price recovery remains elusive

STAVANGER, Norway, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Oil companies are

deepening cost cuts through efficiency and standardisation to

stay profitable while maintaining dividends as a supply glut

pushes back a potential recovery in the price of crude, top

executives and analysts said.

Read more

UPDATE 2-VW reviews supplier strategy after dispute hits production

* Prevent transferred financial claims to gearbox unit

-sources

(Adds detail, background, analyst)

Read more

UPDATE 1-Militants say attacked pipeline in Nigeria's southern Delta state

YENAGOA, Nigeria, Aug 30 (Reuters) - A militant group on

Tuesday said it attacked a pipeline operated by the Nigerian

Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), a subsidiary of Nigeria's

state oil company, in the country's restive southern Delta

region.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Libya oil guards say to close two oilfields over payment delays

TRIPOLI, Aug 30 (Reuters) - A Libyan armed force controlling

some of the country's southern oilfields will close two of them

down because the government has not paid the funds needed to

maintain security operations, a brigade commander said on

Tuesday.

Read more

More than a million Indian workers to go on strike on Friday

NEW DELHI, Aug 30 (Reuters) - More than a million Indian

workers in banking, telecoms and other sectors will go on strike

on Friday, seeking higher wages and to protest against Prime

Minister Narendra Modi's labour reforms and a plan to close some

loss-making firms.

Read more

S.Africa's ruling party says has confidence in finmin Gordhan

JOHANNESBURG, Aug 30 (Reuters) - South Africa's ruling

African National Congress (ANC) has confidence in Finance

Minister Pravin Gordhan, the party's Secretary General Gwede

Mantashe said on Tuesday.

Read more

France's Hollande says Paris climate change deal far from being implemented

PARIS, Aug 30 (Reuters) - French President Francois Hollande

said on Tuesday an international deal on climate change agreed

in Paris last year was still far from being implemented and

called on countries to ensure it was ratified by year-end.

Read more

India may auction diamond mine abandoned by Rio Tinto

* Mines agency says will talk to parties interested in

Bunder

Read more

Iraq's Qayyara oil fields won't return to production before Mosul retaken - spokesman

BAGHDAD, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Iraq doesn't expect to resume

production from the northern Qayyara oil region before the

capture of nearby Mosul from Islamic State, an oil ministry

spokesman said on Tuesday.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Iraq's Qayyara oil fields won't return to production before Mosul retaken - spokesman

BAGHDAD, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Iraq doesn't expect to resume

production from the northern Qayyara oil region before the

capture of nearby Mosul from Islamic State, an oil ministry

spokesman said on Tuesday.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Australia steps up gas fracking bans despite supply crunch

* Northern Territory to impose fracking moratorium

(Adds Northern Territory, Armour Energy, Lakes Oil)

Read more

UPDATE 1-Philippines says China must recognise South China Sea ruling

MANILA, Aug 30 (Reuters) - China will be the "loser" if it

does not recognise an international court ruling against its

territorial claims in the South China Sea, Philippine Foreign

Minister Perfecto Yasay said on Tuesday.

Read more

Petrofac names former BG executive as CFO

Aug 30 (Reuters) - British oilfield services company

Petrofac Ltd on Tuesday named former BG Group executive

Alastair Cochran as its finance head.

Read more

Monday, August 29, 2016

UPDATE 1-Oil prices rise as dollar comes off 2-wk high

* Nigerian militant group says ends attack on oil, gas sites

(Adds U.A.E. minister comments, Libya outages, updates prices)

Read more

UPDATE 1-Japan's JX, TonenGeneral set to finalise merger deal on Wednesday

TOKYO, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Japan's top oil refiner by sales,

JX Holdings, and third-ranked TonenGeneral Sekiyu

are set to finalise details on Wednesday for a new

merged company to be formed in April 2017.

Read more

Oil prices rise as dollar retreats from two-week high

SINGAPORE, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Oil futures edged up on

Tuesday as the U.S. dollar erased earlier gains, but doubts that

producers would be able to agree to an output freeze continued

to drag on prices.

Read more

CANADA STOCKS-TSX gains muted by energy stocks; banks, miners shine

TORONTO, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index rose

on Monday, but by less than its U.S. peers, as investors bet on

rate hikes sooner south of the border and lower oil prices

weighed on the commodity-rich TSX.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Samarco dam failed due to poor drainage and design -investigation

BELO HORIZONTE/RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 29 (Reuters) - The deadly

collapse of a tailings dam at the Samarco mine, owned by Vale SA

and BHP Billiton, last November was caused by

drainage and design issues, a report into Brazil's worst-ever

environmental disaster showed on Monday.

Read more

Investigation finds Samarco dam failed due to liquefaction

BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil, Aug 29 (Reuters) - An investigation

launched by Brazilian miner Samarco, and its owners Vale SA

and BHP Billiton, into the cause of a dam

spill last November found the dam collapsed due to liquefaction,

a presentation said on Monday.

Read more

Libyan forces say oust Islamic State from central neighbourhood in Sirte

SIRTE, Libya Aug 29 (Reuters) - Libyan forces said they had

taken control of a residential neighbourhood in the middle of

Sirte from Islamic State on Monday, leaving just one district of

the city still occupied by militants.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Mexico says 2017 oil hedge guarantees $42 per barrel

MEXICO CITY, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Mexico's Finance Ministry on

Monday said it had wrapped up what traders consider the world's

biggest sovereign derivatives trade, guaranteeing an average

price of $42 per barrel for crude oil exports in 2017.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Protesters shut down TransCanada pipeline hearing in Montreal

MONTREAL/CALGARY, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Canada's National

Energy Board cancelled the first day of hearings on TransCanada

Corp's proposed Energy East pipeline in Montreal on

Monday after protesters disrupted the panel session, an agency

spokeswoman said.

Read more

Bankrupt Samson Resources, creditors reach restructuring deal

Aug 29 (Reuters) - Samson Resources Corp, one of the largest

energy companies to seek bankruptcy in the current commodities

slump, reached a new agreement with creditors that aims to bring

the company out of Chapter 11 under the ownership of its

second-lien lenders.

Read more

Trade dispute, policy divisions hang over Trudeau trip to China

OTTAWA, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin

Trudeau visits Beijing this week seeking deeper ties with China

but a dispute over canola exports, government divisions over

China policy and the case of a detained citizen look set to

limit his gains.

Read more

European shares lower on U.S. rate hike expectations, Alstom up

* Fingerprint Cards gains on client China launch

(Recasts, adds detail and updated prices at close)

Read more

CANADA STOCKS-TSX boosted by miners, banks; oil stocks weigh

TORONTO, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index made

slight gains in morning trading on Monday, with rises for banks

and miners offsetting energy shares' declines as the price of

oil pulled back.

Read more

South Africa's Eskom denies blocking coal contract investigation

JOHANNESBURG, Aug 29 (Reuters) - South Africa's Eskom denied

on Monday that it was blocking a Treasury investigation into

coal contracts with Tegeta Exploration & Resources Ltd., a firm

controlled by the Gupta family.

Read more

Iraq says fires put out at four oil wells in town captured from IS

BAGHDAD, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Iraq has put out fires at four

oil wells in the oil-producing region of Qayyara which Iraqi

forces recaptured from Islamic State last week, the oil ministry

said on Monday.

Read more

RPT-COLUMN-Refinery wars: China, India win; S.Korea, Japan, Singapore lose: Russell

LAUNCESTON, Australia, Aug 29 (Reuters) - There is little

doubt that China's surging exports of refined fuels have cut

profit margins for Asia's refiners, but the pain is unlikely to

be shared equally across all the region's exporters of oil

products.

Read more

UPDATE 1-China's parliament proposes new environmental tax benefits -state media

BEIJING, Aug 29 (Reuters) - China's parliament has proposed

increasing tax benefits for companies that cut pollution by more

than the national standard, state media reported on Monday, the

first details of a much-anticipated new code aimed at curbing

the country's emissions.

Read more

Syrian Kurdish YPG: Turkey's claim of fighting west of Euphrates pretext for land grab

BEIRUT, Aug 29 (Reuters) - The chief spokesman for the

Syrian Kurdish YPG militia said on Monday that Turkey's claims

that is it fighting YPG forces west of the Euphrates river in

northern Syria were untrue and a pretext for seizing Syrian

territory.

Read more

BlackRock withheld support from two key Exxon directors -filings

BOSTON, Aug 29 (Reuters) - BlackRock Inc withheld support

from two high-profile directors at Exxon Mobil Corp,

securities filings show, a rare spat apparently driven by a

board communications policy at the world's largest energy

company.

Read more

European shares lower on U.S. rate hike expectations, Alstom up

* Alstom boosted by high speed train deal

(ADVISORY- Follow European and UK stock markets in real time on

the Reuters Live Markets blog on Eikon - see cpurl://apps.cp./cms/?pageId=livemarkets)

Adds details, share prices)

Read more

UPDATE 3-Oil falls towards $49 on high output, strong dollar

* Expectations of price-boosting producer action wane

(Previous SINGAPORE, updates prices, adds quote)

Read more

Sunday, August 28, 2016

D.E. Shaw set to enter race for SunEdison's TerraForm Power-sources

Aug 28 (Reuters) - Hedge fund manager D.E. Shaw & Co LP is

weighing a bid for SunEdison Inc's controlling stake

in TerraForm Power Inc, the bankrupt U.S. renewable

energy producer's most valuable asset, according to people

familiar with the matter.

Read more

Oil prices fall on rising Iraq output, doubt over producer talk prospects

SINGAPORE, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Oil prices fell early on

Monday as output from Iraq rose and as Iran said it would only

cooperate in upcoming producer talks to freeze output if fellow

exporters recognised its right to fully regain market share.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Houthis say ready for fresh Yemen talks if attacks stop

SANAA, Aug 28 (Reuters) - Yemen's Houthi-run governing

council said on Sunday it was ready to restart peace talks with

the country's exiled government provided a Saudi-led coalition

stopped attacking and besieging Houthi-held territories.

Read more

Lazy officials criticised as China launches inspection to ensure growth on track - Xinhua

BEIJING, Aug 28 (Reuters) - China's cabinet has launched a

nationwide inspection to make sure this year's economic growth

target will be met, even as it presses ahead with structural

reforms, Xinhua news agency said on Sunday.

Read more

Houthis say ready for fresh Yemen talks if attacks stop

SANAA, Aug 28 (Reuters) - Yemen's Houthi-run governing

council said on Sunday it was ready to restart peace talks with

the country's exiled government provided a Saudi-led coalition

stopped attacking and besieging Houthi-held territories.

Read more

Envoy says Saudi policies on Iraq will not change-TV

DUBAI, Aug 28 (Reuters) - The Saudi Arabian ambassador to

Iraq, reacting to a reported request by Baghdad that Riyadh

withdraw him, told Al Arabiyah television on Sunday that the

kingdom's policies on Iraq would not change, and Saudi ties with

Iraqi politicians were amicable.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Iraq asks Saudi Arabia to replace envoy who riled Shi'ite militias

BAGHDAD, Aug 28 (Reuters) - Iraq asked Saudi Arabia on

Sunday to replace its ambassador in Baghdad after his comments

about Iranian involvement in Iraqi affairs and the alleged

persecution of Sunni Muslims angered local Shi'ite Muslim

politicians and militia leaders.

Read more

EDF chief urges Britain to give go-ahead to nuclear plant

LONDON, Aug 28 (Reuters) - The head of EDF Energy

has urged the British government to approve the Hinkley Point C

nuclear power project, an explict appeal by the French energy

giant ahead of a decision due within weeks.

Read more

Profit at China's Sinopec slumps 21.6 percent in first half

BEIJING, Aug 28 (Reuters) - China Petroleum and Chemical

Corporation, or Sinopec Corp, said on Sunday its net

profit fell 21.6 percent in the first half of 2016, hurt by a

steep decline in international oil prices.

Read more

REFILE-Election result adds to Northern Territory gas uncertainty

SYDNEY, Aug 28 (Reuters) - Australia's centre-left Labor

Party won a convincing vote in the Northern Territory election

on Saturday, a result that will likely add to existing

uncertainty over development of the region's onshore gas

industry and could ward off foreign investment.

Read more

Venezuela, Iran seeking consensus to stabilize oil markets

CARACAS, Aug 27 (Reuters) - Venezuela and Iran continue to

seek consensus on ways to stabilize oil markets and strengthen

OPEC, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Saturday,

following a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad

Zarif.

Read more

Saturday, August 27, 2016

REFILE-Nigeria launches offensive against militants in Delta oil hub

YENAGOA, Nigeria, Aug 27 (Reuters) - Nigeria's military said

on Saturday it had launched a new offensive against militants in

the oil-producing Niger Delta, killing five and arresting 23.

Read more

Iran detects malware in petrochemical plants, says not linked to recent fires

DUBAI, Aug 27 (Reuters) - Iran has detected and removed

malicious software from two of its petrochemical complexes, a

senior military official said on Saturday, after announcing last

week it was investigating whether recent petrochemical fires

were caused by cyber attacks.

Read more

Milk price talks between Lactalis and producers collapse

PARIS, Aug 27 (Reuters) - Negotiations over milk purchase

prices between Europe's largest dairy group Lactalis and French

farmers collapsed late on Friday without an agreement, a union

official said.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Iraq willing to play active role in propping up oil prices -minister

BAGHDAD, Aug 27 (Reuters) - Iraq is willing to play an

active role within OPEC to support oil prices, its oil minister

Jabar Ali al-Luaibi said on Saturday, without clarifying whether

it was prepared to back a possible agreement to freeze output.

Read more

Pacific Tropical Storm Lester now a hurricane - NHC

Aug 26 (Reuters) - Tropical Storm Lester has developed an

eye and is now a hurricane as it moved west in the Pacific Ocean

away from the mainland of Mexico, the National Hurricane Center

(NHC) said in an advisory on Friday.

Read more

Australian PM urges divided Senate to tackle budget deficit

SYDNEY, Aug 27 (Reuters) - Australian Prime Minister Malcolm

Turnbull said on Saturday it was imperative for Australia to cut

its high debt levels, urging newly elected opposition lawmakers

to support his economic reform agenda when parliament resumes

next week.

Read more

Friday, August 26, 2016

WRAPUP 1-Declining inventories curb U.S. second-quarter growth; consumption surges

WASHINGTON, Aug 26 (Reuters) - U.S. economic growth was a

bit more sluggish than initially thought in the second quarter

as businesses aggressively ran down stocks of unsold goods,

offsetting a spurt in consumer spending.

Read more

UPDATE 4-Oil prices fall as Saudi Arabia dampens prospects of output freeze

LONDON, Aug 26 (Reuters) - Oil fell on Friday and was set

for its largest weekly decline in a month after the Saudi energy

minister watered down expectations that the world's largest

producers might agree next month to limit their output.

Read more

U.S. second-quarter growth trimmed to 1.1 percent; consumer spending raised

WASHINGTON, Aug 26 (Reuters) - U.S. economic growth was a

bit more sluggish than initially thought in the second quarter

as businesses aggressively ran down stocks of unsold goods,

offsetting a spurt in consumer spending.

Read more

EUROPE POWER-German spot for Monday slides on high wind power output

PARIS, Aug 26 (Reuters) - European spot electricity prices

for delivery early next week were mixed on Friday as increased

wind power output weighed on German prices while expected firm

demand bolstered French prices.

Read more

Zimbabwe police fire tear gas at opposition leaders - Reuters witness

HARARE, Aug 26 (Reuters) - Zimbabwean police on Friday fired

tear gas at opposition leaders Morgan Tsvangirai and former vice

president Joice Mujuru as a protest rally against President

Robert Mugabe descended into violence, a Reuters witness said.

Read more

GLOBAL LNG-Asian prices steady as spot cargo fetches high rate amid glut

SINGAPORE, Aug 26 (Reuters) - Asian spot liquefied natural

gas (LNG) prices held steady in the absence of any decisive

indicators, with a lone deal being done at a

higher-than-expected level in an amply supplied market.

Read more

Thursday, August 25, 2016

UPDATE 5-Bolivia says deputy interior minister killed after kidnap by miners

* Bolivia says minister killed after kidnap by striking

miners

Read more

UPDATE 2-Tourism boom lifts Air NZ profit but competition headwinds loom

* Air NZ sees this FY pre-tax profit at NZ$400-600 mln

(Adds executive and analyst comment, shares, details)

Read more

RPT-Energy company problems expose cracks in Singapore bond market

SINGAPORE, Aug 25 (Reuters) - The collapse of an oil

services company and the deterioration in the finances of some

other energy firms have exposed structural cracks in the

Singapore dollar corporate bond market.

Read more

Oil prices dip as Saudi Arabia dampens prospects of output freeze

SINGAPORE, Aug 26 (Reuters) - Oil prices dipped in early

trading on Friday after the Saudi energy minister tempered

expectations of strong market intervention by producers during

talks next month.

Read more

Petrobras voluntary layoff program accepted by 6,100 employees - source

SAO PAULO, Aug 25 (Reuters) - A voluntary layoff program at

state-run oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA has been

accepted by 6,100 employees, a source with direct knowledge of

the matter told Reuters.

Read more

UPDATE 2-China raps Ottawa as dispute over Canada canola exports deepens

OTTAWA, Aug 25 (Reuters) - A dispute over Canadian canola

exports to China intensified on Thursday when Beijing criticized

Ottawa's insistence that bilateral relations could not improve

until the matter is settled.

Read more

UPDATE 1-U.S. ship fires warning shots at Iranian vessel -official

WASHINGTON, Aug 25 (Reuters) - A U.S. Navy ship fired

warning shots after an Iranian fast-attack craft approached two

U.S. ships in the northern Gulf on Wednesday, a U.S. Defense

official said.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Tesla wins U.S. antitrust approval to buy SolarCity

WASHINGTON, Aug 25 (Reuters) - Tesla Motors Inc has

won U.S. antitrust approval to buy solar panel installer

SolarCity Corp, the Federal Trade Commission said on

Thursday.

Read more

Iranian vessels' intentions in approaching U.S. warship unclear -White House

WASHINGTON, Aug 25 (Reuters) - The intention of four Iranian

vessels that approached a U.S. warship in international waters

in the Strait of Hormuz this week were not clear, but such

actions can escalate tensions, the White House said on Thursday.

Read more

China says unhappy with Canada's hard line on canola dispute

OTTAWA, Aug 25 (Reuters) - China opposes Canada's stance

that bilateral ties cannot be improved until a dispute over

Canadian canola exports has been settled, the Chinese embassy in

Ottawa said in a statement on Thursday.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Trafigura's China oil marketer released on bail -sources

BEIJING, Aug 25 (Reuters) - An oil marketing executive of

Swiss trading giant Trafigura's China operation was released on

bail this month after more than two years in detention, as an

investigation into alleged fraudulent oil trading continues,

sources with knowledge of the matter said.

Read more

Thailand to open bids for energy concessions in March 2017

BANGKOK, Aug 25 (Reuters) - Thailand's military government

plans to open bids in March 2017 for expiring oil and gas

contracts held by Chevron Corp and PTT Exploration and

Production, an energy ministry official said on

Thursday.

Read more

European shares pull back, weighed down by pharma, miners

MILAN, Aug 25 (Reuters) - European shares fell on Thursday,

weighed down by losses among pharma and mining sector stocks,

while firms such as Sunrise and Ahold were lifted by well

received earning updates.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Maybank Q2 profit slides, says closely monitoring oil sector loans

* Another central bank rate cut possible - group CEO

(Adds comments on loans growth, oil and gas sector)

Read more

RPT-Trump adviser's Russia credentials come under scrutiny

MOSCOW, Aug 24 (Reuters) - When Donald Trump named a

little-known U.S. energy consultant as part of his foreign

policy team, the adviser's ex-boss was puzzled; how could the

relatively junior banker he knew in Moscow a decade ago be

qualified to brief a presidential candidate?

Read more

UPDATE 2-Oil prices dip as focus returns to global supply overhang

* And China July oil demand down 0.3 pct at 10.58 million

bpd

(Re-leads, adds China oil stocks, updates prices)

Read more

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Celebrities join Native American pipeline protest in Washington, DC

WASHINGTON, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Actors Susan Sarandon, Riley

Keough and Shailene Woodley joined members of North Dakota's

Standing Rock Sioux Tribe outside a courthouse in Washington,

D.C., on Wednesday to protest against construction of a pipeline

they say would pollute water and desecrate sacred land.

Read more

Oil prices fall as market focus returns to global supply overhang

SINGAPORE, Aug 25 (Reuters) - Crude prices edged lower on

Thursday as brimming U.S. and Asian fuel inventories returned

investors' attention to a large global supply overhang, cutting

short a price rally and restricting Brent crude futures to below

the $50 a barrel mark.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Iran, Ecuador discuss ways to strengthen oil prices

QUITO, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Iran and Ecuador on Wednesday

discussed ways that the two countries can strengthen oil prices

as Iran signals it may support joint efforts by exporters to

prop up flagging crude.

Read more

UPDATE 1-France to open tender for 3,000 MW of solar plants -ministry

PARIS, Aug 24 (Reuters) - France will launch a series of

tenders for a combined capacity of 3,000 megawatts (MW) of solar

plants, the energy ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

Read more

Britain's FTSE underperforms European peers, miners hinder

LONDON, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Britain's blue-chip share index

retreated on Wednesday, underperforming its European peers, as a

sharp drop in metals prices put pressure on the mining sector

and South Africa-exposed stocks fell as the rand slipped.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Oil refiners face reprieve as maintenance tames fuel glut

* Diesel, gasoline stocks to drop due to autumn refinery

work

Read more

UPDATE 4-RBC keeps close eye on Vancouver and Toronto housing markets

* Earnings per share of C$1.72 edge past expectations

(Recasts to add CEO comments from conference call)

Read more

UPDATE 6-Oil down more than 2 pct after big U.S. crude stock build

NEW YORK, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Oil prices extended their

losses on Wednesday, with U.S. crude futures falling more than 2

percent, after an unexpected large build in U.S. crude

stockpiles renewed worries about oversupply in the market.

Read more

Canada may ask oil firms to pay extra for far-offshore drilling-memo

TORONTO, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Canada may ask oil companies to

contribute to the hundreds of millions of dollars or more the

country has to pay to an international body if they drill far

offshore, according to an internal government memo.

Read more

COLUMN-Colder 2016-17 winter will boost U.S. heating oil and gas demand: Kemp

LONDON, Aug 24 (Reuters) - The U.S. summer driving season

ends with Labor Day on Sep 5, and the attention of the energy

markets is already switching to the forthcoming winter heating

season.

Read more

EUROPE POWER-Increased wind weighs on German prices in mixed spot

PARIS, Aug 24 (Reuters) - European spot power prices for

day-ahead delivery were mixed on Wednesday as increased

availability of wind power weighed on German prices while

scorching weather, boosting use of air conditioning, lifted

French prices.

Read more

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Moody's sees negative outlook on Mexican banks for first time in 6 years

MEXICO CITY, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Ratings agency Moody's on

Tuesday lowered its outlook for Mexico's banking sector to

negative for the first time in six years, citing slower economic

growth and exposure to cash-strapped state oil company Pemex.

Read more

Oil prices fall on U.S. crude stocks build; fears over China demand

SINGAPORE, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Oil prices fell early on

Wednesday as an unexpected build in U.S. crude stocks weighed on

markets, along with concerns that Chinese crude demand could

falter as Beijing clamps down on alleged tax evasion in the oil

industry.

Read more

Tesla's Musk buying over half of SolarCity bond offer - filing

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Tesla Motors

Chief Executive Elon Musk is buying $65 million of bonds from

SolarCity Corp in the latest debt offering by the solar

panel company that Tesla plans to acquire for $2.6 billion,

according to a filing on Tuesday.

Read more

UPDATE 4-California moves to extend climate program despite weak auction results

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug 23 (Reuters) - The California Assembly on

Tuesday passed a bill to extend the state's ambitious program to

fight climate change beyond 2020, but minutes later it posted

disappointing results from an auction of carbon permits that is

key to the plan.

Read more

UPDATE 4-Tesla touts speed and driving range with new upgraded battery

SAN FRANCISCO/WASHINGTON, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Tesla Motors

Inc crowned itself the maker of the world's fastest

production car on Tuesday, saying a new version of its Model S

all-electric sedan can accelerate from 0-60 miles per hour in

just 2-1/2 seconds.

Read more

UPDATE 1-U.S. EPA links Texas quakes to oil work, echoing research

HOUSTON, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Federal regulators have

concluded that recent earthquakes in North Texas are likely

linked to wastewater disposal wells used by the oil and gas

industry, echoing findings from researchers at Texas

universities.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Big oil tankers' need for retrofit delays use of new Panama Canal

HOUSTON, Aug 23 (Reuters) - The promise that some oil

traders and brokers saw for an expanded Panama Canal to become a

new route for large tankers will take longer to realize than

expected because many ships must first undergo inconvenient

retrofits to transit through the new locks, shipping industry

experts said.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Iraq has not yet reached its full oil market share, says PM

* 2017 budget could price oil at $35 a barrel

(Combines PM comments on oil, adds context)

Read more

UPDATE 1-Rusoro says awarded $1.2 bln over Venezuelan seizure of gold assets

TORONTO, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Canada's Rusoro Mining Ltd

said on Tuesday it has been awarded more than $1.2

billion by a World Bank tribunal that ruled Venezuela had

unlawfully seized the company's gold assets four years ago.

Read more

Angola's ruling party picks leaders ahead of 2017 election

LUANDA, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Angola's ruling People's Movement

for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) elected new party leaders on

Tuesday, including a former army general seen as a front-runner

to succeed long-time president José Eduardo dos Santos.

Read more

Britain's FTSE buoyed by resilient Persimmon

* Tesco gains after industry data

(Adds detail and quote, updates prices at close)

Read more

UPDATE 2-Egypt plans to end fuel subsidies within three years - sources

CAIRO, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Egypt plans to end fuel subsidies

within three years and is aiming to increase fuel prices to 65

percent of their actual cost during the 2016/17 fiscal year, two

government sources told Reuters on Tuesday.

Read more

COLUMN-Saudi Arabia isn't flooding oil market ahead of freeze talks: Kemp

LONDON, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's oil production hit

a record in July, according to published statistics, and is

likely to hit another in August, according to industry sources.

Read more

RPT-COLUMN-China's surging fuel exports less worrisome than costly crude for refiners: Russell

LAUNCESTON, Australia, Aug 23 (Reuters) - A surge in China's

diesel exports last month to record levels is probably the last

thing refiners in the rest of Asia wanted to hear, but they

should probably worry more about rising crude oil prices.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Iraq asks foreign companies to raise oil output, exports

BAGHDAD, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Iraq on Tuesday asked foreign

oil companies to increase oil output and exports, as Baghdad

joined those spotlighting production potential ahead of a major

energy gathering late next month.

Read more

UPDATE 1-India's Idea Cellular denies report on merger talks with Vodafone

MUMBAI, Aug 23 (Reuters) - India's No. 3 mobile phone

carrier, Idea Cellular, strongly denied a news report

on Tuesday that it was in exploratory talks about a merger with

larger rival Vodafone India.

Read more

UPDATE 3-VW, suppliers settle dispute after marathon talks

* VW needs to trim Golf output on falling demand -analyst

(Recasts with agreement)

Read more

Volkswagen says production to resume as deal struck with suppliers

HAMBURG, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Volkswagen said on

Tuesday that the two auto parts suppliers with which it has been

at loggerheads over a contract dispute had agreed to start

delivering parts again and that the affected plants would

gradually resume production.

Read more

UPDATE 3-Oil slips below $49 as rising supply trumps hopes for producer action

* U.S. crude inventories seen lower in weekly report

(Previous SINGAPORE, updates prices, adds quote para 4)

Read more

UPDATE 1-China says to further pave way for private investors in infrastructure projects

* China wants clear, predictable environment for private

investors

Read more

COLUMN-China's surging fuel exports less worrisome than costly crude for refiners: Russell

LAUNCESTON, Australia, Aug 23 (Reuters) - A surge in China's

diesel exports last month to record levels is probably the last

thing refiners in the rest of Asia wanted to hear, but they

should probably worry more about rising crude oil prices.

Read more

China planning body pledges 'clear' market environment for private investors

BEIJING, Aug 23 (Reuters) - China's top economic planning

agency, saying there are many opportunities for private

investors in infrastructure projects, pledged to introduce

measures to ensure they can compete fairly with state companies.

Read more

Monday, August 22, 2016

UPDATE 1-Oil prices fall as analysts say market still oversupplied

* Output freeze would do little to rein in glut -Goldman

(Adds comment, updates prices)

Read more

Pakistan prepares its second LNG import terminal

SINGAPORE, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Pakistan is taking another

step towards becoming a key buyer of liquefied natural gas

(LNG), signing a deal to purchase a Floating Storage and

Regasification Unit (FSRU) for its second import terminal.

Read more

RPT-COLUMN-Oil prices surge as hedge funds reduce short positions: Kemp

LONDON, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Hedge funds executed one of the

fastest U-turns on record this month as managers turned from

super-bearish to cautiously bullish about the outlook for oil

prices.

Read more

Mexican development bank to issue first local green bonds

MEXICO CITY, Aug 22 (Reuters) - A Mexican development bank

said on Monday it will issue up to 2 billion pesos ($109

million) in green bonds, marking the country's first such

issuance in the local market.

Read more

UPDATE 2-U.S. rejects automakers' request to extend fuel comment deadline

WASHINGTON, Aug 22 (Reuters) - U.S. regulators on Monday

denied a request by major automakers to extend the comment

period on environmental analysis to determine whether government

fuel efficiency requirements are feasible through 2025.

Read more

Oil prices fall as analysts say market still oversupplied

* Output freeze would do little to rein in the glut -

Goldman

Read more

U.S. rejects automakers request to extend fuel comment deadline

WASHINGTON, Aug 22 (Reuters) - U.S. regulators late on

Monday denied a request by major automakers to extend the

comment period on a key environmental analysis to determine

whether government fuel efficiency requirements are feasible

through 2025.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Libya's eastern parliament votes against UN-backed govt in Tripoli

* Govt's opponents say it is strengthening role of militias

(Adds details, reaction)

Read more

UPDATE 2-Corvex's Meister proposes to replace Williams' board

NEW YORK, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Keith Meister, who runs hedge

fund Corvex Management LP, said on Monday that he planned to

nominate candidates to replace pipeline company Williams Cos

Inc's entire board.

Read more

RPT-UPDATE 1-UK gas supply worries ease as storage site to open more wells for withdrawals

LONDON, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Twenty wells at Britain's Rough

gas storage site should be available for withdrawals from Nov.

1, Centrica Storage Limited (CSL) said on Monday, above the

operator's previous estimate and easing concerns about record

low gas stocks this winter.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Libya's eastern parliament votes against UN-backed govt in Tripoli

BENGHAZI, Libya, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Opponents of Libya's

U.N.-backed government voted on Monday against a motion of

confidence in the Tripoli-based administration, in a rare

session of the parliament based in the east of the country.

Read more

UPDATE 1-German exports to Iran soar after removal of sanctions

* High demand for 'Made in Germany' goods from Islamic

Republic

Read more

COLUMN-Oil prices surge as hedge funds reduce short positions: Kemp

LONDON, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Hedge funds executed one of the

fastest U-turns on record this month as managers turned from

super-bearish to cautiously bullish about the outlook for oil

prices.

Read more

Russian EconMin: govt "to do its best" to privatise Rosneft in 2016

SHCHETINKA, Russia, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Russia's government

should do its best to privatise a stake in the nation's largest

oil producer Rosneft this year, Russian Economy

Minister Alexei Ulyukayev said on Monday.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Canada's Alimentation Couche-Tard to buy CST Brands for $3.67 bln

Aug 22 (Reuters) - Canadian convenience store operator

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc said it would buy U.S.

convenience store retailer CST Brands Inc for about

$3.67 billion, as the company looks to strengthen its U.S.

operations.

Read more

German exports to Iran soar in H1 after removal of sanctions

BERLIN, Aug 22 (Reuters) - German exports to Iran, mostly

machines and equipment, jumped in the first half of the year

following the removal of international sanctions against the

Islamic Republic, official trade data showed on Monday.

Read more

RPT-Anger in the Delta keeps oil majors quiet - and Nigeria's crude offline

LONDON/LAGOS, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Oil companies and even

Nigerian officials are losing faith in a deal anytime soon with

militants who have slashed the nation's oil output, casting

doubt on a production recovery in what is typically Africa's

largest oil exporter.

Read more

Sunday, August 21, 2016

UPDATE 2-Oil falls as August price rally seen overblown, China fuel exports jump

* Analysts say upcoming oil producer meetings unlikely to

succeed

Read more

Oil prices fall as analysts say August price rally has been overblown

* Analysts say upcoming oil producer meetings unlikely to

succeed

Read more

China's oil product exports surge in July- customs

NEW YORK, Aug 22 (Reuters) - China's diesel, gasoline and

kerosene exports surged in July from a year earlier, customs

data showed on Monday, the latest sign the world's top

commodities consumer can't cope with its domestic oversupply of

fuel.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Nigerian militant group says agrees on ceasefire, ready for dialogue with government

YENAGOA, Nigeria, Aug 21 (Reuters) - A Nigerian militant

group, which has claimed a wave of attacks on oil facilities in

the Niger Delta, said it was ready for a ceasefire and a

dialogue with the government.

Read more

Nigerian militant group says ready for dialogue with government

YENAGOA, Nigeria, Aug 21 (Reuters) - A Nigerian militant

group, which has claimed a wave of attacks on oil facilities in

the Niger Delta, said it was ready for dialogue with the

government.

Read more

Anger in the Delta keeps oil majors quiet - and Nigeria's crude offline

LONDON/LAGOS, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Oil companies and even

Nigerian officials are losing faith in a deal anytime soon with

militants who have slashed the nation's oil output, casting

doubt on a production recovery in what is typically Africa's

largest oil exporter.

Read more

UPDATE 4-Twenty-two killed, 94 injured in bomb attack of Turkish wedding

ANKARA/ISTANBUL, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Twenty-two people were

killed and 94 wounded when a suspected suicide bomber targeted a

wedding celebration in the Turkish city of Gaziantep on

Saturday, adding to a surge in violence this week in the mainly

Kurdish southeast.

Read more

Saturday, August 20, 2016

UPDATE 1-VW says talks to end supplier dispute will resume on Monday

* VW says keeping legal options open

(Adds negotiations to continue on Monday, details)

Read more

Several wounded in blast at wedding in Turkey's Gaziantep -state media

ISTANBUL, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Several people were wounded

when a blast targeted a wedding ceremony in the southern Turkish

city of Gaziantep on Saturday evening, state media reported,

citing the local governor.

Read more

Haiti Senate report claims graft in use of Venezuela funds

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Aug 19 (Reuters) - A Haitian Senate

report has called for charges to be brought against two former

prime ministers and several ministers for alleged embezzlement,

abuse of authority and forgery stemming from the use of funds in

a Venezuelan oil loan program.

Read more

Friday, August 19, 2016

UPDATE 2-Canada's British Columbia keeps carbon tax frozen in new climate plan

Aug 19 (Reuters) - Canada's British Columbia unveiled a new

climate action plan on Friday that kept its carbon tax frozen at

C$30 per tonne, a move environmental groups warned would

undermine the province's target of cutting 2050 emissions by 80

percent from 2007 levels.

Read more

Chinese power conglomerates becoming dominant forces in Brazil

SAO PAULO, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Chinese power conglomerates

are gradually becoming the dominant force in Brazil's

electricity industry, where high debt, a harsh recession and

less stringent takeover barriers than in other major markets

have stoked a wave of acquisitions.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Angolan president Dos Santos re-elected leader of ruling MPLA party

LUANDA, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Angola's ruling People's Movement

for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) on Friday confirmed the

election of Jose Eduardo dos Santos for another term as leader

of the party.

Read more

UPDATE 3-Civilians flee Syrian city as Kurdish forces fight govt

BEIRUT, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Civilians fled a city in

northeastern Syria where government warplanes bombed

Kurdish-held areas for a second day on Friday, as the Syrian

army accused Kurdish forces of igniting the conflict by trying

to take over the area.

Read more

Angolan president Dos Santos re-elected leader of ruling MPLA party

LUANDA, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Angola's long-ruling president

Jose Eduardo dos Santos was overwhelmingly re-elected leader of

the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) party

on Friday, results showed.

Read more

Venezuela's PDVSA in talks with Credit Suisse for bond swap

CARACAS/HOUSTON, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Venezuelan state oil

company PDVSA has begun talks with Credit Suisse AG

for a possible swap of bonds expiring in 2017,

according to sources familiar with the conversations.

Read more

U.S. oil drillers add rigs for eighth week in row -Baker Hughes

Aug 19 (Reuters) - U.S. drillers this week added oil rigs

for an eighth consecutive week, the longest recovery streak in

the rig count in over two years, as crude prices rebounded

toward the key $50-a-barrel mark that makes the return to the

well pad viable.

Read more

GLOBAL LNG-Prices dip on new tenders as Argentina cancels, defers imports

MILAN, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Asian spot liquefied natural gas

(LNG) prices edged lower on a slew of new supply tenders and as

Argentina moved to cancel and delay previously agreed purchases,

but rallying oil and Nigerian disruptions held deeper losses at

bay.

Read more

Economic downturn, Islamist attacks cause hunger to spread in Nigeria -UN

* Some 5.5 mln people in northeast Nigeria may need food aid

-WFP

Read more

GLOBAL MARKETS-Stocks indexes fall, dollar rises on rate-hike bets

* Comments from Fed heads push investors to rethink July

minutes

Read more

Syrian Kurds evacuate thousands from Hasaka city on second day of bombing

BEIRUT, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Syrian Kurdish authorities

evacuated thousands of civilians from Kurdish areas of a city in

northeastern Syria on a second day of government air strikes and

artillery bombardment on Friday, a spokesman for the Kurdish YPG

militia said.

Read more

Iran's June crude oil exports steady at 2 mln bpd - JODI

DUBAI, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Iran's crude oil exports were flat

in June at just over 2 million barrels per day and production at

3.610 million bpd was steady from the previous month, official

data showed on Friday.

Read more

China's State Grid expresses regret over Australia rejection

BEIJING, Aug 19 (Reuters) - State Grid Corp of China

expressed "deep regret" on Friday after Australia

formally blocked the A$10 billion ($7.6 bln) sale of Ausgrid to

Chinese bidders on security grounds.

Read more

COLUMN-U.S. natural gas market rebalances on hot weather, low prices: Kemp

LONDON, Aug 19 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks of natural gas are

rising much more slowly than normal for this time of year as a

long, hot summer spurs record air-conditioning demand and gas

burn by power generators.

Read more

GLOBAL MARKETS-European shares, oil ease as markets return to Fed-watching

LONDON, Aug 19 (Reuters) - European shares were poised to

post their biggest weekly loss in two months on Friday while

crude oil snapped its winning streak after a weaker dollar and

hopes of production cuts had lifted prices to eight-week highs.

Read more

China says Australia grid sale decision will hurt trade relationship

BEIJING, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Australia's decision to block

grid sale to Chinese firms showed uncertainty in its investment

environment and will seriously hurt the willingness of Chinese

companies to invest in the country, China's commerce ministry

said on Friday.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Brent crude oil rises, on track for seventh day of gains

SINGAPORE, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Brent crude oil prices rose

above $51 a barrel on Friday to hit an eight-week high and were

on track to rise for a seventh trading day, as hopes that

producers could agree measures to support crude buoyed

sentiment.

Read more

Chevron says no plan to exit Thailand, may keep stake in Myanmar gas field

BANGKOK, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Chevron is committed to

its Thailand investments despite job cuts that have spurred

rumours of the U.S. oil major's exit, and may keep a Myanmar gas

field stake if no attractive offer is made for the asset, an

executive said in a statement on Friday.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Woodside, Santos profits slump, focus on cost cuts

* Woodside, Santos shares up

(Recasts with Santos, adds Woodside CEO, analyst comments,

shares)

Read more

RPT-Russia takes budget gamble by shelving Bashneft stake sale

MOSCOW, Aug 18 (Reuters) - A surprise delay to Russia's

privatisation of mid-sized oil producer Bashneft does not bode

well for plans to sell a stake in energy giant Rosneft this

year. A failure of that deal too would deal a heavy blow to

state finances.

Read more

Thursday, August 18, 2016

RPT-COLUMN-Copper - a tale of two South American producers: Andy Home

LONDON, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Copper is underperforming every

other major base metal so far this year.

Read more

Brent crude oil prices dip on U.S. profit taking

SINGAPORE, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Brent crude oil prices dipped

in early Asian trading hours on Friday, but remained near

two-month highs with Brent still holding above $50 per barrel in

a bull-run that has lifted the market by over 20 percent since

early August.

Read more

U.S. EPA has not completed required review of biofuel mandate -report

WASHINGTON, Aug 18 (Reuters) - The U.S. Environmental

Protection Agency has not complied with federal requirements to

study the effects of the nation's biofuel use mandate, an agency

watchdog said on Thursday.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Caterpillar to explore options for some mining products, cut jobs

Aug 18 (Reuters) - Caterpillar Inc said on Thursday

it would explore options, including a possible divestiture for

some of its mining products, and would stop taking orders for

machinery specific to underground soft rock mining.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Enterprise Products approached Williams over acquisition -sources

Aug 18 (Reuters) - Enterprise Product Partners LP

approached Williams Companies Inc earlier this summer

about an acquisition that would combine the two U.S. oil and gas

pipeline companies, according to people familiar with the

matter.

Read more

Vitol says Exxon Mobil lacked 'transparency' during Torrance outage

HOUSTON, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Swiss commodity trader Vitol SA

criticized Exxon Mobil Corp this week for

failing to be transparent about maintenance at its Los Angeles

refinery following a February 2015 blast, which contributed to

tighter gasoline supplies and higher prices.

Read more

Russia takes budget gamble by shelving Bashneft stake sale

MOSCOW, Aug 18 (Reuters) - A surprise delay to Russia's

privatisation of mid-sized oil producer Bashneft does not bode

well for plans to sell a stake in energy giant Rosneft this

year. A failure of that deal too would deal a heavy blow to

state finances.

Read more

European shares snap losing streak, financials and industrials firmer

* STOXX 600 still down around 7 pct in 2016

(ADVISORY- Follow European and UK stock markets in real time on

the Reuters Live Markets blog on Eikon - see cpurl://apps.cp./cms/?pageId=livemarkets)

Read more

UPDATE 1-Ghana pumps first oil from second offshore TEN field

TAKORADI, Ghana, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Ghana began pumping

crude from a second offshore field operated by British company

Tullow Oil on Thursday, hoping the additional revenue

will boost its flagging economy.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Nigeria oil minister says OPEC cuts unlikely, Algeria meeting could help price

LAGOS, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Nigerian oil minister Emmanuel Ibe

Kachikwu said on Thursday that while a cut in OPEC production is

unlikely, there is hope a meeting of producers in Algeria next

month could help shore up crude prices.

Read more

RPT-COLUMN-Will it matter? That's the question to ask of any oil producers' deal: Russell

LAUNCESTON, Australia, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Asking whether the

world's major crude oil-exporting countries can reach a deal to

limit output is probably the wrong question. Asking whether it

matters if they do is more relevant.

Read more

EUROPE POWER-Spot narrowly down, curve ignores firmer fuels

FRANKFURT, Aug 18 (Reuters) - European spot power prices

eased on Thursday on weaker pre-weekend demand and improved

thermal plant availability, outweighing the impact of reduced

renewables output.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Myanmar's Suu Kyi meets China PM, due to sign deals on hospitals, bridge

BEIJING/YANGON, Aug 18 (Reuters) - China and Myanmar are set

to sign deals to build a strategic bridge near their border and

two hospitals in the Southeast Asian country, a Myanmar official

said on Thursday, as leader Aung San Suu Kyi met government

leaders in Beijing.

Read more

UPDATE 3-Oil steady near six-week highs on talk of supply freeze

* Oil producers set to discuss output freeze in September

(Updates prices, paragraph 2)

Read more

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Brent crude oil prices dip on prospect of record Saudi output

* Crude has soared nearly 20 pct in August on potential

output freeze

Read more

UPDATE 1-After years of pain, coal becomes one of the hottest commodities of 2016

* Australian miners stand to benefit most

(Adds Whitehaven comments, share price recovery)

Read more

Brazil seizes $655 mln in assets from Odebrecht, OAS, executives

SAO PAULO, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Brazil's federal auditing

court TCU ordered on Wednesday the seizure of about 2.1 billion

reais ($655 million) worth of assets from engineering firms

Odebrecht SA and OAS SA and some of their executives, to recoup

losses from contracts related to the country's biggest ever

corruption scandal.

Read more

Whitehaven Coal beats forecasts with a FY16 $15.7 mln profit

SYDNEY, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Australia's Whitehaven Coal Ltd

posted a fiscal 2016 net profit of A$20.5 million

($15.69 million) on Thursday, beating analysts' forecasts.

Read more

SolarCity CEO takes pay cut, to get $1 as annual salary

Aug 17 (Reuters) - Solar panel installer SolarCity Corp

, which recently accepted Tesla Motors Inc's

$2.6 billion buyout offer, said CEO Lyndon Rive would now take

$1 as annual salary, a steep drop from $275,000, as part of the

company's cost-cutting plans.

Read more

Tropical Storm Fiona forms in central Atlantic Ocean - NHC

Aug 17 (Reuters) - Tropical Storm Fiona, the sixth named

storm of the 2016 Atlantic hurricane season, has formed over the

central tropical Atlantic Ocean, the National Hurricane Center

(NHC) said on Wednesday.

Read more

Rosneftegas should make Rosneft privatisation recommendations by Sept. 1 - RIA

MOSCOW, Aug 17 (Reuters) - State-controlled Rosneftegas,

which owns 69.5 percent of Russia's Rosneft , should

present by Sept. 1 names of potential candidates to participate

in Rosneft's privatisation, RIA news agency reported, citing the

economy ministry.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Mutiny behind Malaysian tanker's change of course - authorities

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 17 (Reuters) - An oil tanker which was

first reported to have been hijacked and sailed into Indonesian

waters, was likely taken over by its own crew due to a dispute

with their employer, Malaysian authorities said on Wednesday.

Read more

URGENT-U.S. ITC backs steel pipe and tube import duties

WASHINGTON, Aug 17 (Reuters) - The U.S. International Trade

Commission on Wednesday backed duties on imports of certain

carbon steel pipes and tubes from South Korea, Mexico and

Turkey, saying the imports were harming domestic producers.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Norway's oil fund pares UK property portfolio after Brexit vote

* Repeats will remain a long-term investor in country

(Recasts on Brexit, adds deputy CEO quotes, detail)

Read more

UPDATE 1-Russia says Rosneft stake sale to come before Bashneft

MOSCOW, Aug 17 (Reuters) - A sale of part of Russia's

holding in oil producer Rosneft is a priority and will

come before any privatisation of mid-sized rival Bashneft

, First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov said on

Wednesday.

Read more

COLUMN-Freight recovery offers hope for U.S. diesel demand in 2017: Kemp

LONDON, Aug 17 (Reuters) - U.S. freight shipments are

showing tentative signs of a recovery which could underpin

faster growth in diesel demand in 2017.

Read more

CORRECTED-RPT-Undermining China: towns sink after mines close

HELIN, China, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Deep in the coal

heartlands of northern Shanxi province, people in Helin village

are fighting a losing battle as the ground beneath them

crumbles: patching up cracks, rebuilding walls and filling in

sinkholes caused by decades of coal mining.

Read more

RPT-COLUMN-Is being a boring cash cow going to be enough for BHP?: Russell

LAUNCESTON, Australia, Aug 17 (Reuters) - While a record

loss is certain to grab media headlines, the real story about

BHP Billiton is far more sanguine as the company tries

to prove that boring is better.

Read more

UPDATE 2-China warns 'protectionist' Australia on investment after grid deal blocked

* China MofCom warns investment in Australia will be

impacted

Read more

REFILE-Malaysian authorities say ship carrying diesel hijacked

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 17 (Reuters) - An oil tanker carrying

900,000 litres of diesel has been hijacked and taken into

Indonesian waters, Malaysian maritime authorities said on

Wednesday.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Oil prices fall on doubts producers can agree output restraint

* Profit-taking, expectations on U.S. inventory builds weigh

on prices -traders

Read more

Shipping traffic suspended in Turkey's Bosphorus after collision -shipping agent

ISTANBUL, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Traffic in Turkey's Bosphorus

Strait, a key international shipping lane for oil and grain, was

suspended on Wednesday after a bulk carrier collided with a

coast guard boat, shipping agent GAC said.

Read more

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

COLUMN-Is being a boring cash cow going to be enough for BHP?: Russell

LAUNCESTON, Australia, Aug 17 (Reuters) - While a record

loss is certain to grab media headlines, the real story about

BHP Billiton is far more sanguine as the company tries

to prove that boring is better.

Read more

S.Korea's Q2 crude oil imports, domestic oil consumption climb

* Q2 crude oil imports up 4.5 pct y/y, boosted by Iran

cargoes

Read more

Oil prices fall on doubts that producers can agree output restraint

SINGAPORE, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Oil prices fell away from

5-week highs early on Wednesday, as analysts doubted a

successful outcome from producer talks to rein in ballooning

oversupply.

Read more

RPT-COLUMN-Will OPEC agree to freeze output in Sept? Kemp

LONDON, Aug 16 (Reuters) - OPEC and non-OPEC countries are

again flirting with the idea of a production freeze to

accelerate oil-market rebalancing, according to recent

statements by several oil ministers.

Read more

Maduro says Venezuela signs $4.5 bln mining deals, gives no details

CARACAS, Aug 16 (Reuters) - President Nicolas Maduro said on

Tuesday that Venezuela had signed $4.5 billion in mining deals

for investment in the South American country's southern mineral

belt, but did not say who the deals were with or for what

projects.

Read more

China warns Australia on investment following blocked Ausgrid deal

SYDNEY, Aug 17 (Reuters) - The Chinese embassy has warned

that Australia's rejection of bids by two Chinese companies in

the A$10 billion ($7.7 billion)sale of its biggest energy grid

showed "clear protectionist tendencies" and would have a

"serious impact on the enthusiasm" of Chinese investors.

Read more

CORRECTED-UPDATE 1-Gabon opposition chooses Ping as candidate for Aug. 27 election

LIBREVILLE, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Gabon's main opposition

parties chose former foreign minister Jean Ping as their

candidate in an election on Aug. 27 against President Ali Bongo,

who is standing for a second term.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Canada's Couche-Tard in lead to acquire CST Brands -sources

NEW YORK, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Canadian convenience store

operator Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc is in the lead

to acquire CST Brands Inc, a U.S.-based convenience

store retailer, according to two sources familiar with the

matter.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Russia orders surprise delay in Bashneft oil firm privatisation

MOSCOW, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Russian Prime Minister Dmitry

Medvedev has postponed the privatisation of mid-sized oil

producer Bashneft, his spokeswoman said on Tuesday, a

surprise move she said was approved by President Vladimir Putin.

Read more

Russian Prime Minister Medvedev delays Bashneft privatisation - RBC

MOSCOW, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Russian Prime Minister Dmitry

Medvedev has decided to postpone the privatisation of a

government stake in oil producer Bashneft for an

unspecified amount of time, the RBC news organisation reported

on Tuesday, citing Medvedev's spokeswoman.

Read more

Britain's FTSE slips from 14-month highs as UK inflation bites

LONDON, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Britain's top shares index

slipped from a 14-month high on Tuesday as higher-than-expected

UK inflation data weighed on the market.

Read more

CANADA STOCKS-TSX falls as banks, natural resource companies weigh

TORONTO, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index fell

on Tuesday, dragged lower by some mining and energy companies

despite the advance of gold and global oil prices.

Read more

UPDATE 3-BHP Billiton books record loss, says commodity price 'free fall' over

* BHP sees rising cash flows, confident in long-term outlook

(Adds CEO comment, analysis, detail)

Read more

UPDATE 2-Oil trades at fresh August high on hopes producer action

LONDON, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Oil prices reached their highest

levels in more than five weeks on Tuesday as the market rode

optimism over potential producer action to prop up the market.

Read more

EUROPE POWER-Prompt rises on German demand, tight French nuclear

FRANKFURT, Aug 16 (Reuters) - European spot power prices

rose on Tuesday as hot weather and low wind was set to give way

to slightly lower temperatures over the next two days in

Germany, the main market, where demand was rising.

Read more

RPT-Volatility ahead for U.S. crude as investors split bets

* Market open interest in WTI climbs to highest since Sept

2013

Read more

Britain's FTSE retreats, though Antofagasta leads miners higher

LONDON, Aug 16 (Reuters) - UK shares slipped from a 14-month

high on Tuesday, though mining stocks rallied following a

well-received set of results from Antofagasta.

Read more

Myanmar's Suu Kyi heads to China with dam project clouding ties

YANGON, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi

is heading to China on Wednesday for what is likely to be her

government's biggest diplomatic test, with the fate of a

suspended dam project, backed by China but opposed by many

people in Myanmar, in the balance.

Read more

Russia to decide in autumn whether to top up sovereign Eurobond issue - FinMin

MOSCOW, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Russia's Finance Ministry will

decide in autumn whether to top up sovereign Eurobond issue,

Konstantin Vyshkovsky, head of the ministry's debt department,

told Reuters.

Read more

Cairn Energy raises resource estimate for Senegal oilfields

Aug 16 (Reuters) - Oil exploration company Cairn Energy Plc

raised its best estimate of reserves at its oilfields

off the coast of Senegal by almost a third on Tuesday, following

successful appraisal of the SNE-4 test well earlier this year.

Read more

Indonesia's proposed 2017 budget puts fiscal deficit at 2.41 pct of GDP

JAKARTA, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Indonesia's President Joko

Widodo on Tuesday proposed to parliament a 2017 state budget

that has a fiscal deficit at 2.41 percent of gross domestic

product (GDP) and assumes the economy will grow 5.3 percent next

year.

The government's GDP growth target this year is 5.2 percent.

In the second quarter, Indonesia had stronger-than-expected

annual growth of 5.18 percent.

The initial budget for this year called for a fiscal deficit

of 2.35 percent. But new Financ

Read more

Monday, August 15, 2016

Australia shares trapped, NZ stocks edge lower

SYDNEY/WELLINGTON, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Australian shares

moved sideways on Tuesday as gains in the energy and natural

resources sectors were offset by weakness in financials and

discretionary stocks in another busy week of earnings reporting.

Read more

China's July power consumption rises 8.17 pct y/y

BEIJING, Aug 16 (Reuters) - China's power consumption

reached 552.3 billion kilowatt hours (kwh) in July, up 8.17

percent from the same period a year earlier, the country's

economic planner said on Tuesday.

Read more

China's economic planner calls for accelerated capacity cuts to steel, coal

SHANGHAI, Aug 16 (Reuters) - China's economic planning

agency said the country should quicken the pace of capacity

reductions in steel and coal, adding that rising prices for the

commodities were weakening the resolve of local governments to

accelerate the cuts.

Read more

Oil prices dip as traders cash in on two-week price rally

SINGAPORE, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Oil prices edged away from

5-week highs on Tuesday, with traders cashing in on a 16-percent

rally since early August that has largely been fuelled by talk

of producers taking action to prop up the market.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Praxair in talks to acquire Linde- source

Aug 15 (Reuters) - U.S. industrial gas supplier Praxair Inc

is in early-stage talks to acquire German peer Linde AG

and create the biggest company in their sector with a

market value of more than $60 billion, a person familiar with

the matter said.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Libya's U.N.-backed government appoints panel to run $67 bln wealth fund

TRIPOLI, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Libya's U.N.-backed government

said on Monday it was appointing a five-member caretaker

committee to run the country's $67 billion sovereign wealth

fund.

Read more

Icahn makes new bet on Allergan, cuts Hertz in Q2 - filing

BOSTON, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Carl Icahn, the octogenarian

investor whose stock investments still create a buzz on Wall

Street nearly 50 years after he first got into the business,

made a new bet on Allergan and slashed his holding in

Hertz Global Holdings, a new filing shows.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Iraq parliament approves cabinet overhaul, bolstering PM Abadi

BAGHDAD, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Iraq's parliament approved the

appointment of Jabar Ali al-Luaibi, former head of the main

state oil firm, as oil minister in a cabinet overhaul on Monday

that bolsters Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's leadership.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Rosneft quarterly profit falls by a third

MOSCOW, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Rosneft, Russia's

largest oil producer, said on Monday its second-quarter net

profit fell almost 34 percent to 89 billion roubles ($1.38

billion) following a drop in global oil prices.

Read more

OPEC deal a tough task, as oil output freeze expectations rise

* Saudi comments suggest Riyadh wants supply deal-OPEC

sources

Read more

COLUMN-Hedge funds add bullish positions in oil as short-covering rally starts: Kemp

LONDON, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Hedge funds increased their

bullish long positions in crude oil by the most for over two

months in the week ending on Aug.9.

Read more

Indonesia's Sampoerna Agro fined record sum for 2014 forest fires

JAKARTA, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Indonesian plantation company

Sampoerna Agro is considering how to respond to a

recent court ruling that handed down the country's largest ever

fine to a company linked to forest fires, a company official

said on Monday.

Read more

Chesapeake arranges $1 bln loan to buy back senior notes

Aug 15 (Reuters) - Chesapeake Energy Corp, the

second-largest U.S. natural gas producer, said on Monday that it

had arranged a $1 billion 5-year term loan that it would use to

buy back senior notes due between 2017 and 2038.

Read more

Thailand's PTT in with 6 automakers to develop electric car sector

BANGKOK, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Thailand's largest energy firm,

PTT Pcl, on Monday signed contracts with six major

automakers for cooperation in developing electric cars, opening

the first in a series of electric vehicle charging stations

associated with the project.

Read more

Sunday, August 14, 2016

RPT-Undermining China: towns sink after mines close

HELIN, China, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Deep in the coal

heartlands of northern Shanxi province, people in Helin village

are fighting a losing battle as the ground beneath them

crumbles: patching up cracks, rebuilding walls and filling in

sinkholes caused by decades of coal mining.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Oil prices firm on potential producer action to prop up market

* Ahead of producer talks, exporters still vie for market

share

Read more

Singapore's KrisEnergy warns debt covenants may come under stress

SINGAPORE, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Singapore oil and gas

exploration firm KrisEnergy Ltd on Sunday said some

covenants on existing debt agreements could come under stress in

the near term as weaker oil markets hit revenue.

Read more

RPT-Undermining China: towns sink after mines close

HELIN, China, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Deep in the coal

heartlands of northern Shanxi province, people in Helin village

are fighting a losing battle as the ground beneath them

crumbles: patching up cracks, rebuilding walls and filling in

sinkholes caused by decades of coal mining.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Aurizon profit down, 2017 outlook weaker than market tipped

MELBOURNE, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Aurizon Holdings

reported a 16-percent drop in annual underlying profit on a

decrease in transported coal and freight and said on Monday it

expected operating earnings to grow in 2017 but by less than

analysts had been forecasting.

Read more

Undermining China: towns sink after mines close

HELIN, China, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Deep in the coal

heartlands of northern Shanxi province, people in Helin village

are fighting a losing battle as the ground beneath them

crumbles: patching up cracks, rebuilding walls and filling in

sinkholes caused by decades of coal mining.

Read more

Clashes flare southwest of South Sudan's capital

JUBA, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Fighting erupted in South Sudan

late on Saturday southwest of the capital between forces loyal

to the president and the opposition, an opposition spokesman

said, after fierce fighting last month in Juba raised fears of a

slide back into civil war.

Read more

Saturday, August 13, 2016

China to use tougher environmental standards to tackle capacity glut

SHANGHAI, Aug 13 (Reuters) - China will use the stricter

enforcement of environmental, safety and energy efficiency

standards as well as tougher credit controls to help fight

against overcapacity in key industrial sectors, the government

said.

Read more

Friday, August 12, 2016

Croatia candidates battle over tax cuts ahead of September polls

ZAGREB, Aug 12 (Reuters) - The top two contenders in

Croatia's general election battled on Friday over who would be

best placed to cut taxes and boost growth, in a televised debate

that put the economy at the forefront of a ballot that might not

end a political deadlock.

Read more

Tepper's Appaloosa cuts back on some big energy bets in 2nd qtr

BOSTON, Aug 12 (Reuters) - Billionaire hedge fund manager

David Tepper cut back on some of his biggest bets in the energy

sector and sold off other names during the second quarter,

according to a regulatory filing on Friday.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Sete Brasil to seek up to $5 bln funding in reorganization plan

SAO PAULO, Aug 12 (Reuters) - Sete Brasil Participações SA

presented a draft reorganization plan on Friday that includes

seeking up to $5 billion in funding and downsizing business,

three months after the Brazilian rig leaser sought court

protection against 18 billion reais ($5.7 billion) in looming

debt payments.

Read more

SunEdison delays filing second-quarter results

Aug 12 (Reuters) - Bankrupt solar company SunEdison Inc

on Friday joined its "yieldcos" in delaying earnings

report for the second-quarter ended June 30.

Read more

UPDATE 2-UN approves 4,000 more troops to secure peace in South Sudan capital

UNITED NATIONS, Aug 12 (Reuters) - The United Nations

Security Council on Friday authorized the deployment of a

4,000-strong protection force in South Sudan's capital, Juba, as

part of the U.N. peacekeeping mission and threatened an arms

embargo if the government does not cooperate.

Read more

UN approves 4,000 more troops to secure peace in South Sudan capital

UNITED NATIONS, Aug 12 (Reuters) - The United Nations

Security Council authorized on Friday the deployment of a

4,000-strong protection force in South Sudan's capital, Juba, as

part of the U.N. peacekeeping mission and threatened an arms

embargo if the government does not cooperate.

Read more

UPDATE 1-North Dakota oil output seen falling below 1 mln barrel/day mark

Aug 12 (Reuters) - North Dakota's daily oil production will

soon drop below 1 million barrels if it has not already done so,

a level not seen since the summer of 2014, and a recovery would

take at least a year, state regulators said on Friday.

Read more

U.S. oil drillers add rigs for 7th week in a row -Baker Hughes

Aug 12 (Reuters) - U.S. drillers this week added oil rigs

for a seventh consecutive week, according to a closely followed

report on Friday, even as analysts revise down rig count growth

forecasts and energy firms become more cautious the longer crude

holds below $50 a barrel.

Read more

In 3rd bid to lead Mexico, fiery leftist puts oil reform in crosshairs

MEXICO CITY, Aug 12 (Reuters) - A firebrand leftist who

twice narrowly missed becoming Mexico's president is riding high

with a fresh bid for election in 2018, vowing to upend a

landmark energy sector opening championed by President Enrique

Pena Nieto.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Cost cuts ease pain of Maersk's gloomy shipping forecast

* Company says profit to fall this year

(Adds CEO comment, analyst)

Read more

Azerbaijan's oil output edges up 0.7 pct in Jan-July

BAKU, Aug 12 (Reuters) - Azerbaijan produced 24.7 million

tonnes of oil in January-July, 0.7 percent more than in the same

period last year, the State Statistics Committee said on Friday.

Read more

How the Marshall Islands became a top U.S. crude export destination

SINGAPORE, Aug 12 (Reuters) - Best known for diving, lagoons

and the island that gave the world the name for the bikini

swimsuit, the Marshall Islands is now gaining attention as a

top-five destination for U.S. crude exports despite the lack of

a refinery to process the oil.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Oil edges up on talk of possible exporter moves to prop up market

* Saudi Arabia willing to talk about ways to stabilize

market

Read more

Thursday, August 11, 2016

UPDATE 3-China power plant blast kills at least 21 on eve of Tianjin anniversary

* Tianjin marks one-year anniversary of warehouse blasts on

Aug 12

(Adds details of Tianjin one-year anniversary, comments from

work safety administration)

Read more

UPDATE 1-Philippines seeks formal talks with China amid South China Sea tensions-Ramos

HONG KONG, Aug 12 (Reuters) - The Philippines special envoy

to China, Fidel Ramos, said on Friday that Manila wants formal

discussions with China to explore pathways to peace and

cooperation after a meeting with former Chinese deputy foreign

minister Fu Ying.

Read more

China July power output up 7.2 pct at 550.6 bln kWh

Aug 12 (Reuters) - China generated 550.6 billion

kilowatt-hours (kWh) of power in July, up 7.2 percent from a

year ago, government data showed on Friday.

Read more

Philippines seeks formal talks with China amid South China Sea tensions-Ramos

HONG KONG, Aug 12 (Reuters) - The Philippines special envoy

to China, Fidel Ramos, said on Friday Manila wants formal

discussions with China to explore pathways to peace and

cooperation after a meeting with former Chinese deputy foreign

minister Fu Ying.

Read more

Oil prices rise on talk of possible exporter moves to prop up market

* Saudi Arabia says willing to talk about ways to stabilize

market

Read more

New fund aims to fuel growth in market for clean cookstoves

BARCELONA, Aug 12 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - A new $4

million fund aims to speed up the development of supply chains

for less polluting cookstoves in poor communities, by lending to

businesses that would otherwise struggle to finance their

growth, the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves said.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Petrobras posts Q2 profit of $118 mln, misses outlook

RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 11 (Reuters) - State-controlled oil

company Petrobras reported second-quarter profit that

fell by nearly a third from a year earlier, broadly missing

analysts' expectations as it took large charges for layoffs and

the impairment of a controversial refinery.

Read more

Petrobras reports second-quarter net profit of 370 mln reais

RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 11 (Reuters) - Brazil's state-controlled

oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA recorded a

370-million-real ($118-million) net profit in the second

quarter, the Rio de Janeiro-based company said in a statement.

Read more

Refiner CVR Energy preparing offer to buy Delek Holdings-NY Post

Aug 11 (Reuters) - U.S. oil refiner CVR Energy Inc,

backed by activist investor Carl Icahn, is preparing to make an

offer to buy smaller peer Delek US Holdings Inc, the New

York Post reported, citing a source close to the situation.

Read more

Canada's Gibson Energy says it turned down takeover offer

Aug 11 (Reuters) - Oil transportation company Gibson Energy

Inc said on Thursday it had rejected a takeover offer

from a foreign buyer, calling it inadequate.

Read more

Iraq corruption row won't derail Mosul offensive, says US envoy

BAGHDAD, Aug 11 (Reuters) - Iraq's offensive to dislodge

Islamic State from its de facto capital Mosul is on track

despite a spat between two senior politicians over alleged

corruption in the military, the U.S. envoy to the coalition

fighting the militant group said.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Volkswagen plaintiffs' lawyers to seek up to $332.5 mln in fees, costs

NEW YORK, Aug 11 (Reuters) - Plaintiffs' lawyers will seek

up to $332.5 million in fees and costs for their work in a $10

billion settlement over claims Volkswagen AG outfitted vehicles

with software to cheat on emissions testing, according to a

court filing.

Read more

UPDATE 5-Oil rises 3 pct as Saudi mulls meeting, IEA sees market tighten

* Saudi production rises to record 10.67 million bpd in July

(Adds Saudi oil minister comments, Genscape numbers, updates

prices)

Read more

British PM seeks progress on Falklands in letter to Argentine leader

LONDON, Aug 11 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Theresa

May has written to Argentina's President Mauricio Macri calling

for restrictions on oil exploration in the Falklands Islands to

be lifted and for more flights to the British-run islands, her

office said on Thursday.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Militants blow up Nigeria pipeline, Chevron protest goes on

ONITSHA, Nigeria, Aug 11 (Reuters) - Militants blew up

another crude pipeline in Nigeria's Niger Delta, a youth and

protest leader said on Thursday.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Steinhoff raises Poundland offer after hedge fund stake-building

* U.S. hedge fund Elliott has 17.5 pct stake in Poundland

(Adds detail, analyst comment, shares)

Read more

UPDATE 2-IEA sees oil markets slowly tightening after months of oversupply

* Call on OPEC crude in 2017 close to current output

(Adds global refining activity picking up)

Read more

UPDATE 2-Oil price hurts Thyssenkrupp, steel outlook improves

* CFO says steel outlook improving, no comment on merger

talks

Read more

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

COLUMN-New iron ore tax on Rio, BHP unlikely, but issue is back: Russell

LAUNCESTON, Australia, Aug 11 (Reuters) - Here we go again!

Another political attempt rooted more in populism than economics

to grab more tax revenue from Australia's top iron ore miners,

Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton.

Read more

Oil prices fall on U.S. crude inventory build, record Saudi output

SINGAPORE, Aug 11 (Reuters) - Oil prices fell early on

Thursday as a build in U.S. crude inventories and record Saudi

Arabian production weighed on markets.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Australian Treasurer blocks sale of electricity network to Chinese bidders

* Australia makes preliminary decision to block bids for

Ausgrid

Read more

Peru detects fresh oil spill from decades-old Amazon pipeline

LIMA, Aug 10 (Reuters) - A fresh oil spill in the Peruvian

Amazon was detected from the country's four-decades-old pipeline

on Thursday, operator Petroperu said, bringing the

number of leaks this year to four.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Chesapeake to sell Barnett land, renegotiate Williams contract

Aug 10 (Reuters) - Chesapeake Energy Corp said on

Wednesday that it would sell its Barnett shale acreage in Texas

to private equity-backed Saddle Barnett Resources LLC and had

renegotiated an expensive pipeline contract with Williams

Partners LP, steps that should save more than $1.9

billion in future liabilities.

Read more

Brazil's Cosan misses profit estimates as revenue declines

SAO PAULO, Aug 10 (Reuters) - Cosan SA Industria & Comercio

, one of Brazil's largest energy and logistics group,

missed second-quarter profit estimates on Wednesday after

revenue declined and expenses and taxes rose sharply.

Read more

Chesapeake to sell interests in Barnett shale operating area

Aug 10 (Reuters) - Chesapeake Energy Corp said on

Wednesday it agreed to sell its interests in the Barnett shale

operating area to private equity-backed Saddle Barnett Resources

LLC.

Read more

SunEdison's "yieldcos" delay filing quarterly reports

Aug 10 (Reuters) - TerraForm Power Inc and

TerraForm Global Inc, the "yieldcos" of bankrupt solar

company SunEdison Inc, said they would delay filing

their second-quarter earnings reports.

Read more

Venezuela crude production down 0.25 pct in June from prior month

CARACAS, Aug 10 (Reuters) - Venezuelan crude production was

down 0.25 percent in June, compared to the previous month, at

2.364 million barrels per day, according to Venezuelan data

published by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting

Countries.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Weak oil pushes SBM Offshore to axe more jobs

Aug 10 (Reuters) - SBM Offshore's first-half

results lagged analysts' expectations on Wednesday as

challenging conditions persisted in the oil industry and the

Dutch oil services company announced an additional 250 job cuts.

Read more

CORRECTED-REUTERS SUMMIT-Argentina foreign investment quest a work in progress

BUENOS AIRES, Aug 10 (Reuters) - Argentina is making strides

in opening up its economy to foreign investment after years of

hostility to free enterprise but still has a way to go to catch

up to some of its market friendlier neighbors, investors say.

Read more