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REUTERS/Thomas Peter/File photoBEIJING, Aug 13 (Reuters) - China's State Council issued guidelines on Sunday that it said would further optimize the country's foreign investment environment and attract more foreign investment. The State Council said in a document containing 24 guidelines that authorities should increase protection of the rights and interests of foreign investors, including strengthening enforcement of intellectual property rights. The document also announced guidelines to increase fiscal support and tax incentives for foreign-invested enterprises, such as temporarily exempting withholding income tax for foreign investors' reinvestment of their profits into China. The State Council said it would explore a "convenient and secure management mechanism" for cross-border data flows. Reporting by Andrew Hayley and Ethan Wang; Editing by Andrew Heavens and Bernadette BaumOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Thomas Peter, Andrew Hayley, Ethan Wang, Andrew Heavens, Bernadette Baum Organizations: National People's Congress, REUTERS, State, The State Council, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, BEIJING

BEIJING, Aug 13 (Reuters) - The death toll from a mudslide last week in China's northwestern Shaanxi province has risen to four, state radio said on Sunday, as the country grapples with unusually high summer rainfall. TYPHOON WEAKENSMeanwhile, Typhoon Khanun weakened into a tropical depression when it made landfall in China's Liaoning province on Friday night. Overnight rainfall in Liaoning peaked at 52 millimetres (2 inches) per hour, with four reservoirs exceeding flood limits, CCTV said. A video posted by state media People's Daily showed thick swirling clouds hanging low above the ground, darkening the sky. Reporting by Andrew Hayley and Ethan Wang; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan and Jamie FreedOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Typhoon Khanun, Khanun, Doksuri, Andrew Hayley, Ethan Wang, Raju Gopalakrishnan, Jamie Freed Organizations: China Central Television, Xinhua, Liaoning province's Anshan, Flood, Drought, Ministry of Emergency Management, CCTV, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, China's, Shaanxi, Xian, China's Liaoning, Liaoning, Tianjin, Chongqing, China, Xinjiang

BEIJING, Aug 13 (Reuters) - The death toll from a mudslide last week in China's northwestern Shaanxi province has risen to four, state radio said on Sunday. State-owned China Central Television (CCTV) had earlier reported that Friday's mudslide in the city of Xi'an, which followed heavy rainfall in the region, left a total of 18 people dead or missing, with two confirmed casualties. Rescue work was underway with a total of 81 people and 11 vehicles deployed at the site，the state radio report said. Towns and cities across northern China have been lashed by torrential rain and flooding in recent weeks causing multiple deaths and extensive damage, after Typhoon Doksuri made landfall in the country on July 28. Reporting by Andrew Hayley; Editing by Raju GopalakrishnanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Typhoon Doksuri, Andrew Hayley, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Sunday . State, China Central Television, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, China's, Shaanxi, Xi'an, Towns, China

Brent crude futures rose 41 cents, or 0.5%, to settle $86.81 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures gained 37 cents, or 0.5%, to settle at $83.19. The IEA estimated that global oil demand hit a record 103 million barrels per day in June and could scale another peak this month. Meanwhile, output cuts from Saudi Arabia and Russia set the stage for a sharp decline in inventories over the rest of 2023, which IEA said could drive oil prices even higher. On Thursday, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) said it expects global oil demand to rise by 2.44 million bpd this year, unchanged from its previous forecast. The steady oil rig count indicates U.S. producers are maintaining discipline about drilling and exploration, said Eric Freedman, Chief Investment Officer at U.S. Bank Asset Management.

Persons: Dado, Brent, Baker Hughes, Craig Erlam, WTI, Eric Freedman, Shariq Khan, Ahmad Ghaddar, Andrew Hayley, Elaine Hardcastle, Marguerita Choy, Cynthia Osterman, David Gregorio Our Organizations: REUTERS, International Energy Agency, Brent, U.S, West Texas, IEA, Organization of, Petroleum, Federal Reserve, Bank Asset Management, Thomson Locations: Baker Hughes BENGALURU, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Ukraine, U.S, China, June's

☆ Oil prices firm on upbeat demand growth forecasts
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Ahmad Ghaddar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A 3D-printed oil pump jack is seen in front of displayed OPEC logo in this illustration picture, April 14, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/File PhotoSummary IEA says tighter inventories could push prices higherOPEC flags healthy oil market fundamentals in second halfU.S. consumer prices rise moderately in JulyLONDON, Aug 11 (Reuters) - Oil prices gained ground on Friday amid optimistic demand forecasts from the OPEC producer group and the International Energy Agency (IEA). The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) on Thursday said it expects global oil demand to rise by 2.25 million bpd in 2024, compared with growth of 2.44 million bpd this year. In 2024 "solid" economic growth amid continued improvements in China is expected to boost oil consumption, it added. Data this week also showed China's consumer prices fell into deflation and factory gate prices extended declines in July, raising concerns about fuel demand in the world's second-largest economy.

Persons: Dado, Brent, Tamas Varga, Ahmad Ghaddar, Andrew Hayley, David Goodman, Jason Neely Organizations: REUTERS, International Energy Agency, West Texas, of, Petroleum, Thursday's U.S, Federal Reserve, Thomson Locations: OPEC, China, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Ukraine, June's, Beijing

A 3D-printed oil pump jack is seen in front of displayed OPEC logo in this illustration picture, April 14, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/File PhotoSummary OPEC flags healthy oil market fundamentals in second halfUS consumer prices rise moderately in JulyChina tips into deflation as efforts to stoke recovery falterBEIJING, Aug 11 (Reuters) - Oil prices fell marginally on Friday as investors weighed optimistic demand forecasts from the OPEC producer group against mixed economic data in top importer China. Brent crude fell 15 cents to $86.25 a barrel at 0515 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were down 13 cents at $82.69 a barrel. Market sentiment was also lifted by Thursday's U.S. consumer prices data for July, which fuelled speculation the Federal Reserve is nearing the end of its aggressive rate hike cycle. Data this week also showed China's consumer prices fell into deflation and factory gate prices extended declines in July, raising concerns about fuel demand in the world's second-largest economy.

Persons: Dado, Brent, Tina Teng, Teng, Baden Moore, Moore, Stephanie Kelly, Andrew Hayley, Shri Navaratnam, Simon Cameron Organizations: REUTERS, China, U.S, West Texas, CMC Markets, The, of Petroleum Exporting, Thursday's U.S, Federal Reserve, National Australia Bank, bbl, Thomson Locations: China, BEIJING, OPEC, Auckland, June's, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Ukraine, Baden, 2H23, New York, Beijing

A 3D-printed oil pump jack is seen in front of displayed OPEC logo in this illustration picture, April 14, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/File PhotoSummary OPEC flags healthy oil market fundamentals in second halfUS consumer prices rise moderately in JulyChina tips into deflation as efforts to stoke recovery falterBEIJING, Aug 11 (Reuters) - Oil prices were largely unchanged in Asian morning trade as investors weighed optimistic demand forecasts from the OPEC producer group against mixed economic data in top importer China. In 2024, "solid" economic growth amid continued improvements in China is expected to boost oil consumption, it added. Market sentiment was also lifted by Thursday's U.S. consumer prices data for July, which fuelled speculation the Federal Reserve is nearing the end of its aggressive rate hike cycle. However, Teng also noted that "China’s sluggish economic data and the retreat on Wall Street weighs on risk sentiment, and a strengthened USD also pressured commodity prices".

Persons: Dado, Brent, Tina Teng, Teng, Baden Moore, Moore, Stephanie Kelly, Andrew Hayley, Shri Navaratnam, Simon Cameron Organizations: REUTERS, China, U.S, West Texas, CMC Markets, The, of, Petroleum, Thursday's U.S, Federal Reserve, National Australia Bank, bbl, Thomson Locations: China, BEIJING, OPEC, Auckland, June's, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Ukraine, Baden, 2H23, New York, Beijing

Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii told MSNBC. In a late evening statement, Maui County said that the death toll had risen to 80. [1/9]A view of damage cause by wildfires in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S., in this undated picture posted on August 11, 2023. County officials began allowing Lahaina residents back to their homes on Friday, even though much of Maui's western side remained without power and water. "Hot spots still exist and wearing a mask and gloves is advised," Maui County said in a statement.

Persons: Nobody, Brian Schatz, Josh Green, Green, Fire Chief Bradford Ventura, Hawaii Josh Green, Richard Bissen, NBC's, Andrew Rumbach, Marco Garcia, Mike Blake, Brendan O'Brien, Jonathan Allen, Rich McKay, Andrew Hay, Daniel Trotta, Dan Whitcomb, Doyinsola, Joseph Ax, Frank McGurty, Jonathan Oatis, Sandra Maler, Frances Kerry Organizations: Hawaii, U.S, MSNBC, CNN, Fire Chief, REUTERS, Facebook, Urban Institute, University of Hawaii, Police, Thomson Locations: MAALAEA, Hawaii, Maui, Lahaina, United States, Maui County, U.S, Kula, Washington

☆ Hawaii wildfires: How did the Maui blazes start and what we know about the damage to Lahaina
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Jonathan Oatis | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

An aerial view shows smoke as wildfires ravage the island in Maui, Hawaii, August 9, 2023. WHAT'S DRIVING THE HAWAII WILDFIRES? Winds from Hurricane Dora, hundreds of miles southwest of the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean, have fanned the flames across the U.S. state, officials say. It is made up of eight main islands, including Hawaii, known as the Big Island. The island of Maui sits to the east of the island of Hawaii.

Persons: Dora, Jonathan Oatis, Andrew Hay, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: REUTERS, National Weather Service, Islands, U.S . Forest Service, Maui ., Honolulu Star, U.S . Civil Air Patrol, Maui Fire Department, Reuters Graphics, Thomson Locations: Maui, Hawaii, County, Handout, Big, Lahaina, U.S, Europe, Canada, HAWAII, Hurricane Dora, Japan, Guinea, Kihei, South Maui, Kula

☆ Oil hits new highs as tighter supply offsets China demand concern
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Alex Lawler | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

An aerial view shows a crude oil tanker at an oil terminal off Waidiao island in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, China January 4, 2023. Brent crude was 54 cents, or 0.6%, higher at $86.71 by 1110 GMT having touched $87.09, the highest since April 13. Crude posted its sixth consecutive weekly gain last week helped by a reduction in OPEC+ supplies and hopes of stimulus boosting oil demand recovery in China. "There is no doubt that there is plenty of momentum here," said Naeem Aslam, chief investment officer at Avatrade. On Tuesday, oil also came under pressure from Chinese data showing crude oil imports in July fell 18.8% from the previous month to their lowest daily rate since January, although they were up 17% from a year earlier.

Persons: Brent, Charalampos Pissouros, Naeem Aslam, Yuka Obayashi, Andrew Hayley, Bernadette Baum, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: Saudi, XM, . West Texas, Organization of, Petroleum, American Petroleum Institute, Official U.S . Energy, Thomson Locations: Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, China, Saudi, Russian, Saudi Arabia, Russia, U.S, OPEC, Tokyo, Beijing

An aerial view shows a crude oil tanker at an oil terminal off Waidiao island in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, China January 4, 2023. China Daily via REUTERSBEIJING, Aug 9 (Reuters) - Oil prices eased in Asian morning trade on Wednesday as concerns over slow demand from top crude importer China grew after bearish trade and inflation data, outweighing fears over tighter supply arising from output cuts by Saudi Arabia and Russia. "Oil prices are struggling to further rise because of lingering concerns over a sluggish recovery in China's economy and fuel demand," said Chiyoki Chen, chief analyst at Sunward Trading. Both benchmarks notched their sixth consecutive weekly gains last week, the longest winning streak since December 2021 to January 2022, helped by a reduction in OPEC+ supplies and hopes of stimulus boosting an oil demand recovery in China. In another bearish sign, U.S. crude oil stocks rose by 4.1 million barrels last week, according to market sources citing American Petroleum Institute figures on Tuesday.

Persons: Brent, Chiyoki Chen, Yuka Obayashi, Andrew Hayley, Jamie Freed, Sonali Paul Organizations: REUTERS, . West Texas, Sunward, American Petroleum Institute, Reuters, U.S . Energy Information Administration, Saudi, Thomson Locations: Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, China, REUTERS BEIJING, Saudi Arabia, Russia, United States, Europe, Saudi, Tokyo, Beijing

REUTERS/Bing Guan/File PhotoAug 4 (Reuters) - “Rust” armorer Hannah Gutierrez on Friday waived her right to a preliminary hearing, allowing charges against her over the 2021 shooting death of the movie's cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins, to move toward a possible trial. Actor Alec Baldwin was rehearsing when he fired a live round that killed cinematographer Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza. Prosecutors Andrea Reeb and Mary Carmack-Altwies, who handled the case until March, declined to comment on plea bargains. Prosecutor Kari Morrissey, who took over the case, said in a statement she expected the case to be set for trial in the future. Under New Mexico law, to convict Gutierrez of involuntary manslaughter prosecutors must prove she showed willful disregard for firearms safety.

Persons: Bing Guan, armorer Hannah Gutierrez, Halyna Hutchins, Jason Bowles, Hutchins, Bowles, Alec Baldwin, Joel Souza, Gutierrez, Dave Halls, Andrea Reeb, Mary Carmack, Altwies, Kari Morrissey, Prosecutors, Baldwin, Morrissey, Andrew Hay, Donna Bryson, Andrew Heavens Organizations: REUTERS, New, Prosecutors, Thomson Locations: Santa Fe , New Mexico, U.S, Mexico, New Mexico

REUTERS/Christian Hartmann/File PhotoSINGAPORE, Aug 3 (Reuters) - Oil prices were little changed on Thursday after a two-day decline, including a sharp drop on Wednesday, as a U.S. government credit downgrade weighed on sentiment, though concerns around supply tightness provided some support. Ratings agency Fitch downgraded the main U.S. credit rating, the world's biggest oil consumer, reflecting an expected fiscal deterioration as well as a high and growing government debt burden. Both benchmarks were trading near their highest since April on Wednesday, but closed down 2% after the ratings downgrade. "Since oil had a steady rise over the past month, it was ripe for a pullback. The oil market will remain tight over the short-term, but prices could be still vulnerable for a deeper drop," said Edward Moya, an analyst at OANDA.

Persons: Christian Hartmann, Fitch, Brent, Edward Moya, refiners, Tina Teng, Andrew Hayley, Sudarshan, Christian Schmollinger, Kim Coghill Organizations: REUTERS, Brent, U.S, West Texas, Energy, Administration, Organization of, Petroleum, Reuters, CMC Markets, Thomson Locations: Scheibenhard, Strasbourg, France, SINGAPORE, U.S, Saudi Arabia, China

☆ Oil rises marginally as markets weigh inventory data, US ratings downgrade
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Andrew Hayley | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A oil pump is seen at sunset outside Scheibenhard, near Strasbourg, France, October 6, 2017. Both benchmarks had been trading at near their highest levels since April on Wednesday, but closed down 2% amid risk-off investor sentiment following the ratings downgrade. Wall Street's three main indexes closed lower and Treasury yields rose on Wednesday as uncertainty rippled through financial markets. U.S. crude stocks fell by a record 17 million barrels last week as refiners stepped up runs and exports topped 5 million barrels per day (bpd), the Energy Information Administration said on Wednesday. The inventory drawdown, which dramatically exceeded analysts' expectations in a Reuters poll of 1.4 million barrels, pointed to global demand outpacing supply as deep cuts from major producers continue.

Persons: Christian Hartmann, Fitch, refiners, Andrew Hayley Our Organizations: REUTERS, Brent, U.S, West Texas, AAA, U.S ., Energy Information Administration, Organization of, Petroleum, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Scheibenhard, Strasbourg, France, BEIJING, U.S, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Moscow

☆ China gallium, germanium export curbs kick in; wait for permits starts
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BEIJING, Aug 1 (Reuters) - China's export controls on some gallium and germanium products take effect on Tuesday, with traders braced for a drop in international supply in August and September while exporters sort out newly required permits. China, the world's top supplier of the two minor metals used to make semiconductors, announced restrictions on the exports of eight gallium and six germanium products in early July, citing national security reasons. At the same time, the export restrictions are expected to result in a growing surplus of the products in China. Chinese exports of wrought germanium and germanium products in the first half totalled 27,825 kg, up 75.5% from a year earlier, customs data showed. Exports of wrought gallium and gallium products totalled 17,565 kg, down 53.5%.

Persons: Willis Thomas, CRU's Thomas, Andrew Hayley, Florence Tan, Jason Neely, Jan Harvey Organizations: China's Ministry of Commerce, Reuters, Commerce, China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association, Beijing Newsroom, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, China, London, Rotterdam, Beijing

☆ China's oil and uranium business in Niger
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( Andrew Hayley | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

China's total foreign direct investment (FDI) into Niger stood at $2.68 billion as at the end of 2020, according to the U.S. Embassy in Niger. The pipeline investment is twinned with a second phase of development of the Agadem field. Taken together, total investment into the pipeline and second phase development is expected to reach $4 billion, according to China's Ministry of Commerce. URANIUM MINEIn 2007, state-owned China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) (601985.SS) entered a joint venture with the Nigerien government to develop the Azelik uranium mine in the centre of the country. Niger, which has Africa's highest-grade uranium ores, produced 2,020 metric tons of uranium in 2022, about 5% of world mining output, according to the World Nuclear Association.

Persons: Niger's, Mohamed Bazoum, PetroChina, CNNC, Andrew Hayley, Aizhu Chen Organizations: U.S, Embassy, Nigerien, China's Ministry of Commerce, Reuters, China National Nuclear Corporation, Hong Kong Stock Exchange, World Nuclear Association, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, China, France, West, Niger, PetroChina, Niamey, Zinder, Nigeria, Nigerien, Cotonou, Africa, Beijing, Singapore

☆ How Native American police are fighting the crisis of missing people
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-29 | by ( Andrew Hay | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

These gaps have led Native American police Reuters met with to take matters into their own hands, some forming their own missing units. Driven by decades of Native American activism, data showing the scale of the crisis, and the appointment of the United States' first ever Native American cabinet secretary Deb Haaland, the issue of missing indigenous people entered the U.S. mainstream in the last five years. MORE AT RISKFactors ranging from poverty and a history of colonial oppression make Native American people disproportionately at risk of going missing. REUTERS/Adria Malcolm“Very few tribes have the funds and staff available to make MMIWR a priority,” said Darlene Gomez, an Albuquerque lawyer who represents families in 17 missing Native American cases. Families of victims and their lawyers say police routinely blame missing Native American women for their own disappearance due to factors such as substance abuse — and it’s not just outsiders.

Persons: Kathleen Lucero, didn’t, Lucero, ”, Isleta, “, Victor Rodriguez, Deb Haaland, Bryan Newland, ” Newland, Adria Malcolm “, Darlene Gomez, Daryl Noon, “ We've, ” Noon, Raul Torrez, Torrez, Zachariah Shorty, Vangie Randall, Shorty, Randall, Raul Bujanda, Bujanda, it’s, Jamie Yazzie, Yazzie's, Tre James, Noon, Michael Henderson, Andrew Hay, Donna Bryson, Claudia Parsons Organizations: Reuters, American, of Indian Affairs, Bay, Indian, Isleta Police Department, REUTERS, New, HOME, BIA, Unit, FBI, Navajo, Thomson Locations: ISLETA PUEBLO, N.M, Manzano, New Mexico, American, U.S, Pueblo, Albuquerque, Oklahoma, United States, Isleta Pueblo, Navajo, Arizona, Utah, Native, Albuquerque’s Bernalillo, Kirtland , New Mexico, Mexico, Washington

Bolstered by supply cuts from the OPEC+ alliance announced earlier this month, both oil benchmarks gained nearly 5% for the week - a fifth straight week of gains. The benchmarks are on track to gain over 13% for the month. In an interview on Friday, Exxon Mobil (XOM.N) chief Darren Woods said he expected record oil demand this year and next. On the supply side, U.S. oil rigs fell by one to 529 this week, their lowest since March 2022, energy services firm Baker Hughes (BKR.O) said on Friday. Saudi Arabia is expected to extend the voluntary oil output cut for another month to include September, five analysts said, to provide additional support for the oil market.

Persons: Brent, Phil Flynn, Jerome Powell's, Tamas Varga, Darren Woods, Baker Hughes, Stephanie Kelly, Natalie Grover, Laura Sanicola, Andrew Hayley, Deepa Babington, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: drillers, U.S . Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, U.S, West Texas, Price Futures, Federal, Exxon Mobil, Thomson Locations: France, Spain, China, OPEC, United States, U.S, Saudi, Saudi Arabia, New York, London, Washington, Beijing

July 28 (Reuters) - Oil prices slipped in Asian trade on Friday but were on track for a fifth straight week of gains following strong economic data in the U.S., and on speculation over Chinese stimulus measures and OPEC+ output cuts. Brent crude fell 42 cents, or 0.5%, to $83.82 a barrel by 0404 GMT, but was on track for a weekly 3.5% increase. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell 34 cents, or 0.4%, to $79.75 a barrel, but were heading for a 3.6% weekly increase. But recent interest rate increases from global central banks seeking to tame stubborn inflation raised questions about long term demand. Earlier this week oil fell after data showed U.S. crude inventories fell less than expected.

Persons: Brent, Jerome Powell's, Baden Moore, Jim Ritterbusch, Laura Sanicola, Andrew Hayley, Lincoln, Sonali Paul Organizations: . West Texas, Commerce Department, Federal, Organization of, Petroleum, bbl, National Australia Bank, U.S . Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, Ritterbusch, Associates, Thomson Locations: U.S, 3Q23, Saudi, Galena , Illinois, Washington, Beijing

☆ 'Oppenheimer' and the story behind those who lost their land to the lab
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( Andrew Hay | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/2] The town of Los Alamos, New Mexico with Fuller Lodge and the "Big House" dormitories is seen in an undated photograph. "Oppenheimer had no qualms about displacing people from their homelands," said Gomez, who wrote "Nuclear Nuevo Mexico" about the setting up of the lab. Today Los Alamos County, where the lab is based, is one of the richest and best-educated in the United States. "There's no economic development in our areas because it's all focused in Los Alamos," said Cristian Madrid-Estrada, director of the regional homeless shelter in Espanola, Rio Arriba's largest town. The lab said over 61% of employees hired since 2018 were from New Mexico, with most of its workforce living outside Los Alamos County.

Persons: Oppenheimer, Cillian Murphy, Loyda Martinez, Martinez, Christopher Nolan's, Marcel Torres, Torres, dispossession, Myrriah Gomez, Gomez, Alisa Valdes, Mexico Rob Martinez, homesteader, Cristian Madrid, Estrada, Andrew Hay, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: Fuller, of Energy, REUTERS, U.S . Army, Homes, Los Alamos National Laboratory, National Nuclear Security Administration, U.S, Department, Labor, University of New, Manhattan, Hispano, Los Alamos, U.S ., Thomson Locations: Los Alamos , New Mexico, New Mexico, Espanola, New, University of New Mexico, Nuevo Mexico, Abiquiu , New Mexico, Publicists, United States, Los, Mexico, Los Alamos County, Neighboring Rio Arriba County, Los Alamos, Rio Arriba's, Taos , New Mexico

☆ China's gasoline demand peak nears as EV boom hastens transition
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( Mohi Narayan | Thomson Reuters | Reports On Everything How Asia S Fuel Use Recovers The Fallout Of To Tracking How The Global Energy Transition Impacts Refinery Expansion Plans | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The International Energy Agency (IEA) and consultancy Rystad Energy have brought forward forecasts of China's peak gasoline demand by about a year to 2024, while Chinese state majors PetroChina and Sinopec (600028.SS) see it in 2025. The earlier halt in gasoline demand growth in the world's No. Reuters GraphicsAs a result of accelerating EV sales, Paris-based IEA now expects Chinese gasoline demand to peak in 2024 at about 3.7 million barrels per day (bpd), bringing forward an earlier projection of demand plateauing in 2025/2026. The research arm of China's state refiner CNPC expects gasoline demand to peak in 2025, citing accelerating sales of EVs, and sees gasoline demand shrinking 2.3% annually between 2026 and 2030. China's massive move into petrochemicals is already causing a glut globally, prompting companies to shift investments to high-end energy transition materials.

Persons: Aly, refiners, Toril Bosoni, EV's, Gaurav Batra, Mukesh Sahdev, Ma Yongsheng, Mohi Narayan, Carman Chew, Matthew Chye, Chen Aizhu, Zoey Zhang, Andrew Hayley, Florence Tan, Sonali Paul Organizations: Porsche, Auto Shanghai, REUTERS, International Energy Agency, Rystad Energy, China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, Reuters Graphics, Reuters, China, Shenghong Petrochemical, Energy, Graphics, Thomson Locations: Shanghai, China, Jan, Sinopec, Asia, Reuters Graphics China, Paris, U.S, North America, India, Sun, New Delhi, Singapore, Beijing

"Chinese Exim bank rolled over principal amounts totalling $2.4 bln which are due in next 2 fiscal years," he said in a post on messaging platform X, formerly known as Twitter. "Pakistan will make interest payments only over the next two years," Dar said, meaning the wavier is only for the principal loan amount. "In principle, China and Pakistan have close cooperation in economic and financial sectors, and we will continue to advance cooperation with Pakistan to support the country in achieving stability and development," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said. The IMF team this month met the leadership of all political parties, including former Prime Minister Imran Khan, to seek a continuation of its bailout objectives irrespective of who comes to power. Reporting by Asif Shahzad; Additional Reporting by Andrew Hayley in Beijing; Editing by Tom Hogue and Christopher CushingOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ishaq Dar, Dar, Mao Ning, Shehbaz Sharif, Imran Khan, Asif Shahzad, Andrew Hayley, Tom Hogue, Christopher Cushing Organizations: Pakistan Finance, Reuters, Foreign Ministry, Longtime, Beijing, Initiative, International Monetary Fund, United, United Arab Emirates, IMF, Thomson Locations: Islamabad, Pakistan, ISLAMABAD, China, Saudi Arabia, United Arab, Beijing

The new market-based pricing system will also encourage distributors like ENN and China Gas that are expanding into global gas trading to look at importing LNG. "The policy will help the whole (gas) distribution sector and restore utilities' profitability," said Tan Yuwei, general manager of capital management at China Gas Holdings. Shares for listed gas utility companies briefly reversed this year's trend downwards after the policy was announced, but they remain under pressure from lacklustre industrial demand and China's struggling economy. China in recent years has liberalized natural gas prices by allowing distributors to pass costs on to industrial and commercial customers, although Beijing maintained tight control over household prices to avoid a consumer backlash. "This policy reform will result in more reasonable downstream gas prices in China, which will encourage city gas utilities to increase purchases from upstream importers," said Yi Cui, an analyst with consultancy Rystad Energy, referring to Chinese national oil companies.

Persons: COVID, Tan Yuwei, Tan, Yi Cui, Chen Aizhu, Emily Chow, Andrew Hayley, Tom Hogue Organizations: ENN Energy Holdings, HK, China Gas Holdings, China Resources Gas, Shanghai Gas, Chongqing Gas, Changchun Gas, China Gas, National Development, Reform Commission, China Gas Association, Rystad Energy, Beijing, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, BEIJING, China, Changchun, Qingdao, Nanjing, Shijiangzhuang, Lanzhou, Hubei, Guizhou, Shaanxi, Beijing, Hebei, Singapore

☆ Saguaro cacti collapsing in Arizona extreme heat, scientist says
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Liliana Salgado | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

PHOENIX, July 25 (Reuters) - Arizona's saguaro cacti, a symbol of the U.S. West, are leaning, losing arms and in some cases falling over during the state's record streak of extreme heat, a scientist said on Tuesday. [1/4]View of a Saguaro, a resilient desert cacti affected by Arizona's extreme heat and prolonged drought, in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S., July 25, 2023. REUTERS/Liliana SalgadoPlant physiologists at the Phoenix garden are studying how much heat cacti can take. Arizona's heat wave is testing those assumptions. Cacti in Phoenix are being studied as the city is a heat island, mimicking higher temperatures plants in the wild are expected to face with future climate change, Hernandez said.

Persons: Tania Hernandez, Hernandez, Liliana Salgado Plant, Liliana Salgado, Andrew Hay, Sandra Maler Organizations: PHOENIX, U.S ., REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Phoenix, Phoenix , Arizona, U.S

"The oil market is starting to slowly price in a looming supply crunch," Price Futures Group analyst Phil Flynn said. "Global supplies are starting to tighten and that could accelerate dramatically in the coming weeks. A shutdown of the grain corridor could hit supplies of ethanol and biofuels that are blended with oil products at a time that global grain markets are already tightening, which would lead to refiners using more crude oil, Flynn said. Meanwhile, U.S. energy firms this week reduced the number of oil rigs by seven, their biggest cut since early June, energy services firm Baker Hughes said. At 530, the U.S. oil rig count, an early indicator of future output, is at its lowest since March 2022.

Persons: WTI, Phil Flynn, Flynn, Baker Hughes, Suhail, Mazrouei, Rob Haworth, Shariq Khan, Natalie Grover, Arathy, Andrew Hayley, Marguerita Choy, David Holmes Organizations: Brent, U.S . West Texas, Futures, Energy Information Administration, EIA, UAE Energy, Reuters, P, U.S, Bank Asset Management, Thomson Locations: Russia, Ukraine, China BENGALURU, U.S, Bengaluru, London, Houston, Beijing

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