Wednesday, August 31, 2016

UPDATE 2-China factories unexpectedly expand in August, suggests economy steadying

* Factories grow at fastest pace in nearly 2 years-official

survey

Read more

COLUMN-China's robust August iron ore, coal imports mirrored in prices: Russell

LAUNCESTON, Australia, Sept 1 (Reuters) - China's imports of

iron ore and coal remained robust in August, providing a

fundamental justification for the ongoing resilience in the

price of the two major bulk commodities.

Read more

Canada fertilizer deal would send farmers to regulators

WINNIPEG/CHICAGO, Aug 31 (Reuters) - North American farmers

will pressure regulators to protect their negotiating leverage

with fertilizer suppliers if Potash Corp of Saskatchewan

and Agrium Inc agree to merge, major farm

groups 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

Libya's stockpile of toxic chemicals removed

AMSTERDAM, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Libya's remaining stockpile of

toxic chemicals has been successfully transported abroad in an

operation aimed at keeping them safe from militants, the world's

chemical weapons watchdog said on Wednesday.

Read more

UPDATE 1-American Eagle coin August sales fall yr/yr as prices ease

(Recasts to include milestones and silver in paragraph 1, adds

background)

NEW YORK, Aug 31 (Reuters) - U.S. Mint sales of American

Eagle gold coins in August fell 42 percent from a year ago while

silver coin sales dropped to the lowest since late-2013, as

bullion prices came off the highest in more than two years,

government data showed on Wednesday.

The U.S. Mint sold 58,500 ounces of American Eagle gold

coins in August, up 52 percent from July but down sharply from

the 101,500 ounc

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

South African mine deaths rise after years of improving safety

* Netting credited with saving lives in deep South Africa

mines

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

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

Sri Lankan rupee ends steady after cbank head allays fears

COLOMBO, Aug 31 (Reuters) - The Sri Lankan rupee ended

steady on Wednesday as importer dollar demand was offset by

greenback sales, a day after central bank governor Indrajith

Coomaraswamy said the currency was not under upward pressure as

capital inflows had not been of sufficient magnitude to exert

such pressure.

Read more

Motor racing-Monza to keep Formula One race - government officials

MILAN, Aug 31 (Reuters) - The historic Monza circuit is to stay on the Formula One calendar after agreeing a new deal with the sport's organisers, Italian officials said on Wednesday.

Read more

Austrian economy minister adds his 'nein' to U.S. trade talks debate

VIENNA, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Austria's economy minister said

talks on a EU-U.S. free trade agreement should be halted, adding

his voice to an increasingly polarised debate on both sides of

the Atlantic over whether to keep the negotiations going.

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

Thyssenkrupp steel workers protest merger plans

DUISBURG, Germany, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Several thousand steel

workers at Thyssenkrupp on Wednesday protested

management's plans for a merger of its European steel business

with that of Tata Steel as well as possible site

closures.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Baosteel sees China's 2016 steel consumption down nearly 3 pct y/y

* Its steel exports to reach over 3.4 million tonnes this

year

Read more

Sri Lankan rupee steady after cbank chief allays fears of upward pressure

COLOMBO, Aug 31 (Reuters) - The Sri Lankan rupee traded

steady on Wednesday, a day after the country's Central Bank

Governor Indrajith Coomaraswamy said the currency was not under

upward pressure as capital inflows had not been of sufficient

magnitude to exert such pressure.

Read more

E-commerce, bags to drive Asian plastics demand growth through 2017

SINGAPORE, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Asian shoppers' fondness for

buying on the internet along with the region's steady economic

growth should boost Asia's plastics demand for the next two

years.

Read more

Myanmar's Suu Kyi kicks off peace conference with appeal for unity

NAYPYITAW, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi

launched a major push to end decades of fighting between the

military and myriad rebel groups with an appeal on Wednesday to

the country's ethnic minorities to overcome their differences to

achieve peace.

Read more

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

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

CANADA STOCKS-TSX edges higher, led by banks and fertilizer stocks

TORONTO, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index edged

slightly higher on Tuesday as bank and fertilizer stocks

rallied, but gains for the index were mostly pared as lower gold

prices weighed on mining stocks.

Read more

Chile's Codelco says two die in accident at Chuquicamata mine

SANTIAGO, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Two workers died in an accident

on Tuesday at Chilean state-owned miner Codelco's massive

Chuquicamata mine, the company said, prompting the world's No.1

copper producer to halt mining activities there.

(Reporting by Anthony Esposito; Editing by James Dalgleish)

Read more

Workers at Chile Codelco's Salvador copper mine vote on strike

SANTIAGO, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Workers at Chilean state-owned

miner Codelco's smallest copper mine began voting on Tuesday

whether to accept a wage offer or go on strike, a potential

headache for the company as it finds itself in a delicate

financial position.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Mothballed Ghana gold mine reveals risk of reliance on minerals

* Minerals, metals, fuels account for 60 pct of Africa

exports

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-UN chief says Myanmar's Rohingya "deserve hope" ahead of peace talks

* UN chief says Rohingya have right to self-identity,

citizenship

Read more

UPDATE 3-Fertilizer giants Potash Corp, Agrium talk merger

WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Canadian fertilizer

companies Agrium Inc and Potash Corp of Saskatchewan

Inc said on Tuesday they are in talks to merge, in what

would be a tie-up of the world's biggest crop nutrient company

by capacity and North America's largest farm retailer.

Read more

Berkeley could be dumped from Britain's FTSE 100 as Brexit bites

LONDON, Aug 30 (Reuters) - British housebuilder Berkeley

Group could be kicked out of the top UK equity index

following a sharp drop in its stock price on concerns about the

pace of economic growth in Britain after it voted to leave the

European Union.

Read more

CANADA STOCKS-TSX rises; merger report boosts fertilizer companies

TORONTO, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index rose

in early trade on Tuesday, boosted by a rebound in energy stocks

and further gains for financials, while a report of a possible

merger sent shares of two fertilizer companies soaring.

Read more

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 1-Iran plans first phase of oil deal tenders from Sept - SHANA

BEIRUT, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Iran plans to hold an oil and gas

bidding round for foreign firms from late September, Ali Kardor,

managing director of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC),

was quoted as saying by the oil ministry's news agency SHANA on

Tuesday.

Read more

UPDATE 1-India may auction diamond mine abandoned by Rio Tinto

* Mines agency says will talk to parties interested in

Bunder

(Adds details about spending, environmental issues)

Read more

India may auction diamond mine abandoned by Rio Tinto

* Mines agency says will talk to parties interested in

Bunder

Read more

Mothballed Ghana gold mine reveals risk of reliance on minerals

* Minerals, metals, fuels account for 60 pct of Africa

exports

Read more

Myanmar's Suu Kyi to hold major peace summit with ethnic rebels

* Most of Myanmar's ethnic armed rebel groups attending

talks

Read more

UPDATE 1-VW reviews procurement strategy in wake of supplier dispute

* VW CEO says Prevent Group had not signed up to code

(Adds details, background)

Read more

VW reviews its procurement strategy in wake of supplier dispute

HAMBURG, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Volkswagen is

reviewing its supplier and procurement strategy to avoid another

crippling dispute like the one that caused production slowdowns

and even stoppages at six plants this month, Chief Executive

Matthias Mueller said.

Read more

Rheinmetall eyes savings from defence, automotive overlaps

DUESSELDORF, Germany, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Germany's

Rheinmetall aims to cut costs by 2018 by doing away

with duplicate functions and structures at its automotive and

defence divisions, according to Chief Executive Armin Papperger.

Read more

Monday, August 29, 2016

UPDATE 1-Trade dispute, policy divisions hang over Trudeau trip to China

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

Trudeau will visit Beijing this week seeking deeper ties with

China but a trade dispute, government divisions over China

policy and the case of a detained citizen could limit his gains.

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

White House says it sees a path to approval of Pacific trade deal

WASHINGTON, Aug 29 (Reuters) - The White House on Monday

said it was hopeful it could win congressional approval of the

Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact before President Barack

Obama leaves office, and warned that failing to do so would

undermine U.S. leadership in the region.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Canada's Ivanhoe Mines gets unsolicited interest, to hire bankers

Aug 29 (Reuters) - Canadian copper miner Ivanhoe Mines Ltd

said on Monday that companies from Asia, Europe, Africa

and elsewhere had expressed interest in the company and its

projects in recent months.

Read more

Less haze this year, Indonesia promises

JAKARTA, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Indonesia's Disaster Agency said

it is confident the country's forest fires and haze of toxic

smoke they send over Southeast Asia are unlikely to reach levels

seen in 2015 because of favourable weather conditions and a

quicker emergency response.

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

UPDATE 2-Chinese-owned Zhongwang USA to buy aluminum products maker Aleris

Aug 29 (Reuters) - Zhongwang USA LLC, a division of China's

Zhongwang International Group Ltd., said on Monday it would buy

U.S.-based aluminum rolled products maker Aleris Corp

from a fund group in a $2.33 billion deal.

Read more

CORRECTED-Zhongwang USA to buy aluminum products maker Aleris

Aug 29 (Reuters) - Aleris Corp, a U.S.-based

aluminum rolled products maker, said it would be bought by

Zhongwang USA LLC, a unit of Zhongwang International Group Ltd,

in a $2.33 billion deal.

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

Canada's Ivanhoe Mines gets unsolicited interest, to hire bankers

Aug 29 (Reuters) - Canadian copper miner Ivanhoe Mines Ltd

said on Monday that companies from Asia, Europe, Africa

and elsewhere had expressed interest in the company and its

projects in recent months.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Russian diamond miner Alrosa's second-quarter sales tumble 21 pct q/q

* Says Russia to cancel rough diamonds export duty

(Adds details, analyst comment, context)

Read more

UPDATE 1-Malaysia's Felda Global Ventures posts 35 percent rise in profit

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Felda Global Ventures

, the world's third-largest palm plantation operator,

reported a 35 percent rise in second-quarter earnings, supported

by stronger crude palm oil production following measures to

boost fruit yields.

Read more

As Beijing aims for blue skies over G20, China's steel mills get unexpected boost

SHANGHAI, Aug 29 (Reuters) - When Beijing ordered hundreds

of industrial plants to close ahead of China's first-ever G20

summit next week, the government wanted to spruce up the host

city of Hangzhou and ensure world leaders would gather under

clear blue skies.

Read more

Sunday, August 28, 2016

UPDATE 1-Peru lifts growth forecasts as mines boost output

LIMA, Aug 28 (Reuters) - Peru's economy is set to grow 4

percent this year and 4.8 percent next year, the government said

on Sunday in its first set of forecasts since taking power in

July, raising estimates on an expected boost from new mines.

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

L'Aquila is grim reminder of struggle facing Italy's quake-hit towns

L'AQUILA, Italy, Aug 28 (Reuters) - Seven years after being

devastated by an earthquake that killed more than 300 people,

L'Aquila's abandoned city centre is a stark reminder of the

struggle facing Italian towns hit by a quake last week.

Read more

UPDATE 3-Scandal-hit Gupta family says plans to sell South African holdings

* Gupta businesses range from media to mining

(Adds additional comment by Guptas, family spokesman)

Read more

Saturday, August 27, 2016

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

Minnesota sets broadest U.S. limits on chemicals blamed for bee declines

Aug 26 (Reuters) - Minnesota's governor on Friday ordered

the broadest restrictions yet in a U.S. state on the use of

agricultural pesticides that have been blamed for hurting bees,

fueling concerns that farmers there will not be able to protect

crops from insects.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Bolivian miners lift roadblock after deputy minister beaten to death

LA PAZ, Aug 26 (Reuters) - Protesting Bolivian miners on

Friday abandoned a roadblock where a day earlier they kidnapped

a government deputy minister, who was later found beaten to

death.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Venezuela says signs $5.5 bln mining deals with companies

CARACAS, Aug 26 (Reuters) - Venezuela has signed over $5.5

billion in mining deals with companies including Canada's

Barrick Gold Corp and China's Shandong Gold, President

Nicolas Maduro said on Friday.

Read more

Friday, August 26, 2016

Sri Lankan rupee edges up on foreign bank dollar sales

COLOMBO, Aug 26 (Reuters) - The Sri Lankan rupee ended

stronger on Friday as dollar sales by a foreign bank outpaced

importer demand for the greenback, dealers said.

Read more

Bolivian miners lift roadblock after official beaten to death

LA PAZ, Aug 26 (Reuters) - Bolivian miners accused of

beating a government official to death lifted the roadblock

where violent protests had taken place this week, with President

Evo Morales calling Friday a day of "deep pain" for the country.

Read more

COLUMN-What do surging LME copper stocks say about China? Andy Home

LONDON, Aug 26 (Reuters) - A wave of copper is currently

washing up in London Metal Exchange (LME) warehouses.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Foreign seed firms team up to oppose new India GM crop rules

NEW DELHI, Aug 26 (Reuters) - Major international seed

companies formed an alliance on Friday to oppose a proposal by

India that would force them to share their genetically modified

crop technology with local players.

Read more

Foreign seed firms form alliance to protest India regulation

NEW DELHI, Aug 26 (Reuters) - Major international seed

companies formed an alliance on Friday to protest against

India's moves to toughen regulation, executives said on Friday,

reacting to proposals that foresee the compulsory licensing of

genetically modified crops.

Read more

India should let market to determine seed prices -foreign seed firms' alliance

NEW DELHI, Aug 26 (Reuters) - An official from the newly

formed alliance of major international seed companies in India

said on Friday that market should determine prices of seeds

rather than regulatory mechanism.

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

China, U.S. still in talks on trade pact despite challenges - Chinese commerce official

BEIJING, Aug 26 (Reuters) - China and the United States are

still in frequent discussion about a bilateral trade pact,

despite a challenging global trade environment, a Chinese

commerce official said on Thursday.

Read more

RPT-COLUMN-Nickel merry-go-round: Indonesia ferronickel replacing Philippine ore: Russell



Read more

UPDATE 2-Lotte Group vice chairman found dead, suicide suspected

* Lotte Group Vice Chairman Lee In-won has died - Lotte

Group

Read more

UPDATE 3-China raps Ottawa as dispute over Canada canola exports deepens

OTTAWA, Aug 25 (Reuters) - A dispute over C$2 billion ($1.55

billion) worth of 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-LyondellBasell retains bank for potential Houston refinery sale -sources

NEW YORK/HOUSTON, Aug 25 (Reuters) - LyondellBasell

Industries NV has retained Bank of America Merrill Lynch

to help with the potential sale of its 263,776

barrel-per-day refinery in Houston, according to two people

familiar with the talks.

Read more

European shares end lower on weaker miners and drugmakers

MILAN, Aug 25 (Reuters) - European equities fell on

Thursday, dragged down by weaker miners and drugmakers, with

investors cutting their exposure to riskier assets ahead of a

key speech by Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen on Friday.

Read more

Indonesia fire arrests jump amid efforts to stop haze

JAKARTA, Aug 25 (Reuters) - Indonesian police have arrested

more than double the number of individuals in forest fire cases

this year compared with 2015, when large parts of the region

were blanketed in choking smog from fires that caused a national

crisis.

Read more

Britain's FTSE retreats as pharma stocks fall

* CRH rises after results

(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-GM mustard clears hurdle in India but more remain

* Final decision needed by minister; opposition likely

(Adds companies' news conference called on Indian regulation,

para 7)

Read more

Aluminium producer Chalco's H1 net profit up sharply on price recovery

SINGAPORE, Aug 25 (Reuters) - Aluminum Corporation of China

Ltd (Chalco) posted a sharp rise

in profit in the first half of the year due to a general

recovery in aluminium prices, the company said on Thursday.

Read more

India government panel clears GM mustard but hurdles remain -sources

NEW DELHI, Aug 25 (Reuters) - A government panel has cleared

commercial use of what would be India's first genetically

modified (GM) food crop, but the political establishment will

still have to give final approvals amid wide-spread public

opposition to the technology.

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

U.N. Security Council must act over Syria chemical use - France

PARIS, Aug 25 (Reuters) - France's foreign minister said on

Thursday the Security Council had to respond firmly after a U.N.

probe found that Syrian government troops were responsible for

two toxic gas attacks.

Read more

Brexit takes deeper toll on German business morale-Ifo economist

BERLIN, Aug 25 (Reuters) - Britain's vote to leave the

European Union weighed on German business morale in August more

heavily than previously, with orders in the chemicals and auto

industry particularly subdued, Ifo economist Klaus Wohlrabe told

Reuters on Thursday.

Read more

Mounting losses, delisting drive Chongqing Steel out of steel sector

SHANGHAI, Aug 25 (Reuters) - China's debt-ridden Chongqing

Iron and Steel is drawing up radical restructuring

plans that will see the firm exit the steel industry and shift

its focus to more lucrative sectors like finance, it said on

Thursday.

Read more

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

UPDATE 1-Aluminium giant Rusal expects tough second half of year

* Q2 adjusted earnings down nearly 40 pct on yr, up 10 pct

on Q1

Read more

Spring rain for Australia's north to hold cattle prices high

SYDNEY, Aug 25 (Reuters) - Australia's north is forecast to

receive above average rainfall over the next three months, the

country's weather bureau said on Thursday, boosting cattle

herds.

Read more

Nippon Steel seeks advisers for split of Brazil's Usiminas, sources say

SAO PAULO, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Nippon Steel and Sumitomo

Metal Corp is working on a plan to split Usinas

Siderúrgicas de Minas Gerais SA (Usiminas) into two

separate units, in a last ditch attempt to end a two-year battle

with Techint Group for control of the Brazilian steelmaker, two

people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Philippines could suspend more mines in environmental crackdown

* Says decisions to suspend mines based on scientific facts

(Adds quotes, details)

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 2-Polish chemicals company Azoty scales down 2016 CAPEX target

WARSAW, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Grupa Azoty, Poland's

largest chemicals maker, has cut its 2016 capital expenditure

target by 20 percent to 1.6 billion zlotys ($420 million) after

its second quarter profit fell more than expected.

Read more

COLUMN-Global aluminium production is falling, but for how long? Andy Home

LONDON, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Global aluminium production fell

by 1.2 percent to 33.12 million tonnes in the first seven months

of this year, according to the International Aluminium Institute

(IAI).

Read more

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Australia sees upturn in public investment, home building booms

SYDNEY, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Australia is finally enjoying a

long-awaited recovery in government investment as spending on

public works expanded at a double-digit pace last quarter to hit

the highest in more than two years.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Glencore speeds up debt reduction with Australian copper mine deal

* Evolution to get 49 pct stake in mine expansion

(Adds comments from Evolution CEO)

Read more

UPDATE 2-France's DCNS, builder of Australia's new submarines, suffers huge data leak

SYDNEY, Aug 24 (Reuters) - The French shipbuilder which

earlier this year won a A$50 billion ($38.06 billion) contract

to build Australia's next generation of submarines has suffered

a massive data leak, raising doubts about the security of one of

the world's biggest defence projects.

Read more

France's DCNS, builder of Australia's new submarines, suffers huge data leak

SYDNEY, Aug 24 (Reuters) - The French shipbuilder which

earlier this year won a A$50 billion ($38.06 billion) contract

to build Australia's next generation submarines has suffered a

massive data leak, raising doubts about the security of one of

the world's biggest defence projects.

Read more

U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee to hold hearing on ag chemical deals

WASHINGTON, Aug 23 (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate Judiciary

Committee will hold a hearing in late September to discuss the

mergers of Dow Chemical Co and Dupont Co as well

as China National Chemical Corp's purchase of

Syngenta AG, committee chair Charles Grassley said in a

statement on Tuesday.

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 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

CANADA STOCKS-TSX rises to 1-week high as bank earnings support financials

TORONTO, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index rose

to a one-week high on Tuesday, led by financial shares after one

of the country's major banks reported better-than-expected

earnings, while lower oil prices weighed on energy stocks.

Read more

South Africa and ArcelorMittal forge steel pricing agreement

CAPE TOWN, Aug 23 (Reuters) - ArcelorMittal's South

African business and the country's government have agreed a new

pricing model aimed at bolstering the domestic steel sector and

reviving the economy.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Congo opposition strikes to call for Kabila to step down

* Government dismisses strike as "old fashioned fun"

(Adds quotes, details, context)

Read more

Sri Lankan rupee ends steady; importer dollar demand weighs on mkt

COLOMBO, Aug 23 (Reuters) - The Sri Lankan rupee ended

steady for a seventh straight session on Tuesday, with dealers

hesitating to trade in the local currency below 145.50 per

dollar in anticipation of central bank intervention to defend

the currency, dealers said.

Read more

Make or break: Philippine lawmaker says ban ore exports or shut shop

* Mining may contribute 5-10 pct to economy if processed

locally

Read more

WIDER IMAGE-World's largest cemetery grows bigger as Shi'ite militias bury their dead

BAGHDAD, Aug 23 (Reuters) - The world's largest cemetery, in

Iraq's Shi'ite holy city of Najaf, is expanding at double its

usual rate as the nation's death rate increased with the war on

Islamic State.

Read more

UPDATE 1-China's Henan province cuts loans to overcapacity sectors by almost $1 bln

* CBRC in Henan encouraging banks to restructure firms'

debts

Read more

UPDATE 1-Gas leak from Bangladesh fertilizer plant sickens 100 people

DHAKA, Aug 23 (Reuters) - More than 100 people fell ill in

Bangladesh after inhaling gas that leaked from a fertilizer

factory in the port town of Chittagong, officials said on

Tuesday.

Read more

China refiners, petrochemical companies to propose CO2 benchmarking plan

BEIJING, Aug 23 (Reuters) - China's oil refining,

petrochemical and chemical companies will propose a plan to

benchmark their carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions as the first step

toward setting up an emissions market for the sector, the

group's industry association said on Tuesday.

Read more

Britain's FTSE buoyed by resilient Persimmon

LONDON, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Britain's leading share index

rose on Tuesday, helped by a rise in housebuilders after strong

results from Persimmon suggested that the sector was

coping with the uncertainty from Britain's vote to leave the

European Union.

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

REFILE-Gas leaks from Bangladesh fertilizer plant, 50 people ill

DHAKA, Aug 23 (Reuters) - About 50 people fell ill in

Bangladesh after inhaling gas that leaked from a fertilizer

factory in the port town of Chittagong, an official said on

Tuesday.

Read more

Monday, August 22, 2016

UPDATE 1-VW, suppliers struggle to resolve dispute in marathon talks

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

(Adds analyst comment, detail and background)

Read more

VW, suppliers struggle to resolve dispute in marathon talks

BERLIN, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Volkswagen and two of

its auto parts suppliers were pushing to resolve a contract

dispute early on Tuesday, spokespeople said, but had no progress

to report despite marathon talks as the conflict threatens to

cost the carmaker thousands of vehicles in lost output this

week.

Read more

UPDATE 1-China's state construction giants to merge

* Is part of China's plans to create globally competitive

MNCs

(Adds details of planned deal, background)

Read more

CANADA STOCKS-TSX up despite commodity weakness; Couche-Tard, Valeant jump

TORONTO, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index rose

on Monday as Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc jumped after the

convenience store operator bought a U.S. chain in an expansion

move and drugmaker Valeant Pharmaceuticals rose after it hired a

new chief financial officer.

Read more

Weaker commodity-related stocks push FTSE to 2-week low

LONDON, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Britain's top share index slipped

to its lowest level in nearly two weeks on Monday, with

commodity-related stocks leading the market lower following a

drop in metals and crude oil prices.

Read more

LME slashes ring dealing fees in half for August

LONDON, Aug 22 (Reuters) - The London Metal Exchange (LME)

has slashed trading fees in half for open outcry trades during

August as a goodwill gesture after it had to vacate its premises

due to structural problems, it said on Monday.

Read more

UPDATE 1-LME cuts ring dealing fees in half for August

LONDON, Aug 22 (Reuters) - The London Metal Exchange (LME)

has cut fees in half for open outcry trades during August as a

goodwill gesture after it had to vacate its premises because of

structural problems, it said on Monday.

Read more

COLUMN-Tin mining - Cornish dreams and Myanmar reality: Andy Home

LONDON, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Hope springs eternal in Cornwall

when it comes to reviving tin mining in this southwestern corner

of the United Kingdom.

Read more

CANADA STOCKS-TSX falls on commodity weakness; Couche-Tard jumps

TORONTO, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index fell

on Monday as lower oil and metal prices weighed on energy and

mining stocks, while Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc

jumped after the convenience store operator bought a U.S. chain

in an expansion move.

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

RPT-COLUMN-Fortescue, Bluescope success shows why iron, steel prices will stay low: Russell

LAUNCESTON, Australia, Aug 22 (Reuters) - A year ago it's

likely you would have got better odds that Fortescue Metals

Group and Bluescope Steel would go under rather than double

profits, given the dire outlook for both iron ore and steel

products at that time.

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

Pakistan shares close lower; rupee weaker, o/n rates rise

KARACHI, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Pakistan shares closed lower on

Monday as investors took a cautious stance after outflow of

foreign portfolio investment in the last session, dealers said.

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-Promised prosperity never arrived in Russian-held Crimea, locals say

ARMYANSK, Crimea, Aug 21 (Reuters) - More than two years

after Russia annexed Crimea and promised its 2 million people a

better life, residents say prices have soared, wages and

pensions have stagnated and tourists have fled.

Read more

Sunday, August 21, 2016

REFILE-UPDATE 2-Iron ore miner Fortescue eyes dividend rise as profit leaps

SYDNEY, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Australia's Fortescue Metals

Group Ltd, the world No. 4 iron ore producer, reported

a tripling of its annual net profit on Monday to nearly $1

billion and said it could shoulder a big jump in future dividend

payouts.

Read more

U.S. watchdog clears ChemChina takeover of Syngenta

ZURICH, Aug 22 (Reuters) - A U.S. regulator has cleared

ChemChina's blockbuster takeover of Swiss pesticides and seeds

group Syngenta, the companies said on Monday.

Read more

UPDATE 1-U.S. watchdog clears ChemChina takeover of Syngenta

ZURICH, Aug 22 (Reuters) - A U.S. regulator has cleared

ChemChina's $43 billion takeover of Swiss pesticides and seeds

group Syngenta, the companies said on Monday.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Australia's BlueScope Steel tips strong growth in 2017 after stellar year

* Shares jump to more than five-year high

(Adds CEO comments)

Read more

Tokyo Steel keeps prices unchanged for third month

TOKYO, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Tokyo Steel Manufacturing

, Japan's top electric arc furnace steelmaker, said on

Monday it would keep product prices unchanged for the third

month in September, reflecting a slow recovery in its local

market.

Read more

Palm oil to average at 2,678 rgt/T in 2016 -Malaysia trade body

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Crude palm oil prices are

seen averaging at 2,678 ringgit per tonne in 2016, up nearly 18

percent from last year, boosted by demand from top consumer

India and replenishment of stocks by China, according to the

Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC).

Read more

China July unwrought copper and products exports surge- customs

BEIJING, Aug 22 (Reuters) - China's exports of unwrought

copper, including copper alloy products, stood at 75,022 tonnes

in July, a more-than-fivefold increase from the same month a

year earlier, Chinese customs data showed on Monday.

(Reporting by Josephine Mason; Editing by Paul Tait)

Read more

CORRECTED-China's Bohai Steel $28.9 billion debt plan to get local support - Caixin

BEIJING, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Bohai Steel Group, the indebted

state-owned conglomerate, may receive help from a local

government bailout fund to restructure its debts, the online

financial magazine Caixin said at the weekend.

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

Colombia mulls bill to tackle mercury contamination from illegal gold mining

BOGOTA, Aug 19 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Opposition

lawmakers in Colombia have proposed a bill that aims to cut the

use of mercury and other toxic chemicals in illegal gold mining,

that has polluted rivers and blighted the ancestral lands of

indigenous tribes.

Read more

Friday, August 19, 2016

CANADA STOCKS-TSX barely higher; lower metals prices weigh on miners

TORONTO, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index was

barely higher on Friday, as gains for bank, consumer and railway

stocks offset declines for miners which fell on weaker metals

prices.

Read more

UPDATE 1-K+S wins approval for Unterbreizbach water storage

* Unterbreizbach site gets temporary saline water storage

approval

Read more

Pakistan shares close lower; rupee steady, o/n rates rise

KARACHI, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Pakistan shares closed lower on

Friday, as cement and fertilizer stocks fell on reports the

government had cut the price of urea and on market talk that it

had abolished customs duty on cement imports, dealers said.

Read more

INVESTMENT FOCUS-Investors see British infrastructure getting stimulus boost after Brexit

LONDON, Aug 19 (Reuters) - UK infrastructure funds are

hitting record highs on the prospect of more government spending

after Britain's vote to leave the European Union, bolstered by

the view that the effectiveness of ultra-loose monetary policy

is reaching its limits.

Read more

RPT-Peru's stealth rally upstages emerging market rivals

Aug 19 (Reuters) - Brazil and Argentina have seized the

emerging markets spotlight in recent months thanks to

investor-friendly political upheavals, but much smaller Peru is

quietly stealing the show.

Read more

Kalashnikov gunmaker opens store at Moscow's largest airport

MOSCOW, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Gunmaker Kalashnikov, whose AK-47

assault rifle has armed Russian forces for 70 years and been the

preferred weapon of insurgents across continents, has opened a

store at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport selling souvenirs

including plastic model guns, the company said.

Read more

Zimbabwe's parched forests fall prey to new pests

HARARE, Aug 19 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Eucalyptus

trees, popularly known as gum trees, stand tall amid Zimbabwe's

forests. But those dotting the Harare-Beitbridge roadside, just

outside the capital, are in trouble, with their bark fraying

off.

Read more

RPT-Peru's stealth rally upstages emerging market rivals

Aug 19 (Reuters) - Brazil and Argentina have seized the

emerging markets spotlight in recent months thanks to

investor-friendly political upheavals, but much smaller Peru is

quietly stealing the show.

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

RPT-China smelters face lowest fees in 4 yrs as zinc market tightens

MELBOURNE, Aug 18 (Reuters) - China's huge zinc smelting

industry has slashed its fees for turning ore concentrates into

refined metal by 20 percent as competition for dwindling global

mine output heats up, industry sources said this week.

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

Funding cuts, insurgency hamper Afghan goal to clear mines by 2023

* Uncleared minefields deter investment, hinder economic

recovery

Read more

Britain's FTSE edges up, helped by miner rally

* Kingfisher, Kaz Minerals up after results

(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

Pakistan shares close lower; rupee steady, o/n rates flat

KARACHI, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Pakistan shares closed lower on

Thursday on foreign portfolio investment outflows and on

profit-taking, dealers said.

Read more

UPDATE 2-German residential building permits up 30 pct in first half

* Construction to support growth in coming months

(Adds criticism from German trade groups)

Read more

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

REFILE-China smelters face lowest fees in 4 yrs as zinc market tightens

MELBOURNE, Aug 18 (Reuters) - China's huge zinc smelting

industry has slashed its fees for turning ore concentrates into

refined metal by 20 percent as competition for dwindling global

mine output heats up, industry sources said this week.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Mongolia raises interest rates in bid to stabilise tumbling currency

ULAANBAATAR, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Mongolia raised its

benchmark interest rates by 4.5 percentage points to 15 percent

on Thursday, the central bank said, as it struggles to stabilise

a currency that has been in free-fall.

Read more

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Top steel firms' debt level totals record $150 billion -EY

LONDON, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Debt in the world's top 30 steel

companies totals a record $150 billion, international

accountancy firm EY said on Thursday, adding governments' action

to support the sector would work only if matched with more

radical industry restructuring.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Monsanto gives Bayer limited access to its books -sources

* Bayer has no appetite to go hostile but talks difficult

-sources

(Adds Monsanto CEO comment)

Read more

UPDATE 1-Poland's KGHM H1 net below forecasts on foreign asset losses

WARSAW, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Poland's KGHM on

Wednesday reported a bigger than expected fall in net profit in

the first half of 2016 on the back of losses on its foreign

assets driven by rising costs and falling copper prices.

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

Canada's Brookfield to buy Odebrecht Ambiental - source

PARIS, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Canada's Brookfield Asset

Management Inc has signed a preliminary contract to

buy Brazilian engineering conglomerate Grupo Odebrecht's 70

percent stake in water and sewage group Odebrecht Ambiental, an

industry source told Reuters on Wednesday.

Read more

MIDEAST STOCKS-Saudi falls to four-month low, FTSE hopes support Qatar

DUBAI, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Most Middle Eastern stock markets

fell on Wednesday with Saudi Arabia hit by a broad sell-off, but

support for Qatar persisted on expectations of fund inflows when

index compiler FTSE includes it in its emerging market index

next month.

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

Pakistan shares hit record high; rupee flat, o/n rates fall

KARACHI, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Pakistan shares closed at a

record high on Wednesday after a decision by the Pakistan Stock

Exchange Ltd to offer a stake in the bourse operator received

interest from as many as 17 investors, and on gains in refinery

stocks, dealers said.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Balfour Beatty resumes dividend payments as recovery continues

Aug 17 (Reuters) - UK construction company Balfour Beatty

declared its first dividend for 18 months on Wednesday

and said it expected to boost margins to standard levels for the

sector over the next 24 months following a turbulent few years.

Read more

De Beers stakes its reputation on spotting the difference

* Anglo American has put De Beers at core of slimmer

portfolio

Read more

European shares stuck as results temper recent enthusiasm

LONDON, Aug 17 (Reuters) - European shares little changed in

early trading on Wednesday, with Austrian brickmaker

Wienerberger, Danish brewer Carlsberg and

UK insurer Admiral Group all sliding after publishing their

results.

Read more

Construction company Balfour Beatty restarts dividend

Aug 17 (Reuters) - Balfour Beatty Plc restarted

dividends with a 0.9 pence interim payment and said it expected

its business to reach industry-standard level margins over the

following 24 months, showing promise of sustained growth after a

turbulent few years.

Read more

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

SINGAPORE, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Less than a year after the

coal industry was declared to be in terminal decline, the fossil

fuel has staged its steepest price rally in over half a decade,

making it one of the hottest major commodities.

Read more

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

UPDATE 1-Maduro says Venezuela signs $4.5 bln in deals that include Canadian and U.S. miners

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

Tuesday that Venezuela had struck $4.5 billion in mining deals

with foreign and domestic companies, part of plan to lift the

OPEC nation's economy out of a deep recession causing food

shortages and social unrest.

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

CORRECTED-Lumber Liquidators wins ruling on cancer warnings, shares jump

Aug 16 (Reuters) - Lumber Liquidators Holdings Inc

said a California court ruled in its favor against claims that

it did not warn consumers about cancer-causing formaldehyde in

some of its flooring products.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Chile energy prices seen falling after massive auction

SANTIAGO, Aug 16 (Reuters) - The cost of energy in Chile is

likely to fall in the next decade, as an auction aimed at

providing around a third of the copper exporter's energy needs

had attracted bids priced more competitively than forecast, the

energy minister said.

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

Zinc deficit looms, prices up, but output restarts unlikely

LONDON, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Zinc's sharp rally and looming

market deficit has fed speculation that major producers such as

Glencore may reverse output cuts, but analysts caution that is

unlikely to happen soon.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Antofagasta lowers spending, raises H1 earnings

* Shares highest since April

(Adds shares, metal prices, detail, CEO)

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

UPDATE 1-Global miner BHP Billiton books record loss, sees good growth in 2017

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

(Adds dividend, net debt, 2017 outlook)

Read more

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

Global miner BHP Billiton slumps to record loss

MELBOURNE, Aug 16 (Reuters) - BHP Billiton

reported a record $6.4 billion annual loss on Tuesday, hammered

by a bad bet on shale, a dam disaster in Brazil and a

commodities slump, but said it expects its free cash flow to

more than double this year.

Read more

Monday, August 15, 2016

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-Billionaire investors turn bearish as U.S. stocks hit record highs



Read more

Australia shares set for firm start, NZ stocks steady

SYDNEY, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Australian shares are set for a

firm start on Tuesday, tracking a buoyant session on Wall

Street, with investors focused on more earnings results from

local companies, including giant miner BHP Billiton.

Local share price index futures rose 0.1 percent to

5,494.0, but that was a 37-point discount to the underlying

S&P/ASX 200 index close on Monday. The benchmark inched

up 0.2 percent in the last session, edging closer to a recent

one-year peak.

New Zealand's be

Read more

Soros Fund Management slashes gold shares in second quarter -13F

NEW YORK, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Soros Fund Management LLC

sharply cut its shares in SPDR Gold Trust and Barrick

Gold Corp in the second quarter of 2016, 13F-HR filings

with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission showed on

Monday.

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

MIDEAST STOCKS-Gulf markets diverge, Egypt settles at 14-month high

* Bank shares weigh on Saudi but petrochemical sector

resilient

Read more

UPDATE 2-Zambian president Lungu re-elected in disputed vote

* Election fought over ailing economy in copper producer

(Adds colour, background, analyst quote)

Read more

EU to boost steel trade defences as imports surge

LONDON, Aug 15 (Reuters) - The European Commission is

expected to further strengthen its steel trade defences,

possibly as early as October, industry leaders say, as a global

trade war in the alloy intensifies and imports keep flooding

into the bloc.

Read more

CORRECTED-Australia's Aura Energy to float shares in London by end September

LONDON, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Australian uranium miner Aura

Energy Ltd plans to list shares on the AIM market of

the London Stock Exchange by the end of September and aims to

raise 2.85 million pounds (US$3.7 mln), it said on Monday.

Read more

Lonza buys InterHealth in health push

* Lonza to spend up to $300 million on health-supplements

target

Read more

UPDATE 1-Australia's Aura Energy to float shares in London by end September

LONDON, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Australian uranium miner Aura

Energy Ltd is making a bet on a rebound in uranium

prices as it lists in London, hoping to raise about 2.85 million

pounds (US$3.7 mln) to fund development of a mine in Mauritania,

its chief executive said on Monday.

Read more

RPT-Europe's boutique firms stealing M&A market share, dealmakers, data shows

LONDON, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Boutique advisory firms now

receive nearly half of all mergers and acquisition fees in

Europe, stealing market share and top dealmakers from global

investment banks hamstrung by a renewed focus on cost-cutting

and regulations on how much they can pay.

Read more

COLUMN-Coal's rally is at risk from lower China imports in August: Russell

LAUNCESTON, Australia, Aug 15 (Reuters) - If you believe

that thermal coal's rally this year has been largely on the back

of rising Chinese imports, it follows that any sign of

moderation in demand in the world's biggest buyer would raise a

red flag of caution.

Read more

Sunday, August 14, 2016

Egypt reconsiders grain mega project amid scandal investigation

CAIRO, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Blumberg Grain said its mega

project to store Egyptian grains was back in play, with the

government to announce a final decision in two weeks, after

earlier indications that plans had been shelved and the company

might exit the country entirely.

Read more

Europe's boutique firms stealing M&A market share, dealmakers, data shows

LONDON, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Boutique advisory firms now

receive nearly half of all mergers and acquisition fees in

Europe, stealing market share and top dealmakers from global

investment banks hamstrung by a renewed focus on cost-cutting

and regulations on how much they can pay.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Zambia's Lungu ahead in early vote count, opposition cries foul

* Ailing economy at centre of election

(Updates vote tally, opposition disputes count)

Read more

Saturday, August 13, 2016

Zambia's opposition leader takes narrow early lead in election

LUSAKA, Aug 13 (Reuters) - Zambia's main opposition leader

Hakainde Hichilema took an early lead over President Edgar Lungu

on Saturday in a tight election battle fought as the key copper

producer's economy stutters due to weak commodity prices.

Read more

Friday, August 12, 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

Glencore begins arbitration against Bolivia over mine nationalization

SANTIAGO, Aug 12 (Reuters) - Swiss-based mining and trading

firm Glencore said it would begin arbitration

proceedings against Bolivia over the nationalization of some of

its assets by the Evo Morales government.

Read more

UPDATE 3-Zambia's president takes narrow early lead in election

* Ailing economy was big issue in election campaign

(Updates with first results in, row over fraud)

Read more

Thyssenkrupp eyes steel plant closures, says labour official

DUISBURG, Germany, Aug 12 (Reuters) - German conglomerate

Thyssenkrupp wants to come up with a new, aggressive

cost-cutting plan for its steelmaking division by May, probably

including the closure of some plants that would violate a labour

agreement, a senior labour official said.

Read more

South Sudan rejects extra U.N. troops for Juba, says will not cooperate

JUBA, Aug 12 (Reuters) - South Sudan will not accept a

4,000-member United Nations protection force to ensure peace in

its capital Juba and will not to cooperate with the world body,

a spokesman for President Salva Kiir said on Friday after the

U.N. Security Council authorized the troops.

Read more

Pakistan shares post all-time closing high; rupee weaker, o/n rates fall

KARACHI, Aug 12 (Reuters) - Pakistan stocks posted an

all-time closing high on Friday, led by gains in oil stocks due

to a rise in crude prices overnight, dealers said.

Read more

UPDATE 2-South Africa's NUM union ends strike at power utility Eskom

* Petrochemical sector strike in second week

(Recasts with NUM ends strike)

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

China July crude steel output up 2.6 pct at 66.81 mln T

Aug 12 (Reuters) - China's crude steel output rose 2.6

percent from a year ago to 66.81 million tonnes in July, data

from the National Bureau of Statistics showed on Friday.

Read more

UPDATE 1-China daily steel output slips in July amid pollution crackdown

Aug 12 (Reuters) - China's average daily crude steel fell in

July from a record high in the previous month, government data

showed on Friday, as Beijing's environmental clampdown curbed

production in the world's top steel producer.

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-Steel & Tube full-year profits rise over 20 pct

WELLINGTON, Aug 12 (Reuters) - New Zealand's Steel & Tube

on Friday posted a rise in its full-year profit,

despite low prices for steel and increased competition creating

a challenging environment.

Read more

Pakistan shares hit record high; rupee stronger, o/n rates fall

KARACHI, Aug 12 (Reuters) - Pakistan stocks edged up to a

fresh record closing high on Thursday, led by banking stocks,

dealers said.

Read more

UPDATE 2-RPT-Legg Mason's Bill Miller leaves firm amid faded glory

NEW YORK/BOSTON, Aug 11 (Reuters) - Legg Mason Inc's Bill

Miller, whose mutual fund beat the S&P 500 handily for 15

consecutive years at the turn of the century, is riding off into

the sunset after his recent lagging returns left a trail of

disappointed investors.

Read more

Indian conglomerate Aditya Birla to spin off financial services in group restructuring

MUMBAI, Aug 11 (Reuters) - Indian conglomerate Aditya Birla

Group plans to merge its subsidiaries Grasim Industries Ltd

and Aditya Birla Nuvo Ltd through a stock

swap and spin off its financial services business, it said on

Thursday.

Read more

UPDATE 1-U.N. wants Russia to agree "workable humanitarian pause" in Aleppo

* U.S., Russia discussing Aleppo, overall ceasefire

(Adds details, quotes, byline)

Read more

UPDATE 1-EU regulators to investigate Dow, DuPont $130 bln merger

BRUSSELS, Aug 11 (Reuters) - EU antitrust regulators have

opened a full investigation into Dow Chemical and DuPont

's proposed $130 billion merger, saying the deal may

reduce competition in crop protection, seeds and some

petrochemicals.

Read more

MIDEAST STOCKS-IMF deal boosts Egypt, Saudi falls despite reform news

DUBAI, Aug 11 (Reuters) - Egyptian stocks rose on Thursday

after Cairo and the IMF said they had agreed on a $12 billion

loan, while major Gulf bourses pulled back and Saudi Arabia fell

despite news that foreign investment curbs would be eased sooner

than expected.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Oil price hurts Thyssenkrupp, steel outlook improves

* CFO says steel outlook improving, no comment on merger

talks

Read more

European shares buoyed by upbeat earnings, Henkel hits record

LONDON, Aug 11 (Reuters) - European shares rose on Thursday,

rebounding from a drop in the previous session, helped by

well-received corporate updates from the likes of Belgium's KBC

and Germany's Henkel.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Philippines suspends two more mines in environmental clampdown

* Crackdown has helped lift global nickel price to 1-year

high

Read more

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Indian gold demand to revive in H2 on surplus monsoon rains -WGC

MUMBAI, Aug 11 (Reuters) - India's gold demand may rise in

the second half of 2016 after falling to the lowest in seven

years in the first half as beneficial monsoon rains will spur

rural demand during the peak festive season, the World Gold

Council said.

Read more

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

Australia shares fall 1 pct to hit 6-day low, NZ shares little changed

SYDNEY/WELLINGTON, Aug 11 (Reuters) - Australian shares fell

1 percent on Thursday as negative market sentiment towards the

country's financial sector dragged the index to a six-day low.

Read more

RPT-COLUMN-Will LME consolidate or fragment London's bullion market? Andy Home

LONDON, Aug 10 (Reuters) - The London Metal Exchange (LME)

has announced the launch next year of a suite of precious metals

contracts, starting with gold and silver and eventually

encompassing platinum and palladium.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Brazil's Odebrecht hires law firm for debt restructuring

SAO PAULO, Aug 10 (Reuters) - Grupo Odebrecht SA, the

engineering company ensnared in Brazil's worst corruption

scandal, said on Wednesday that it had hired law firm E. Munhoz

Advogados to advise on a debt restructuring plan.

Read more

REUTERS SUMMIT-Farm group Los Grobo eyes fresh Argentine investment

BUENOS AIRES, Aug 10 (Reuters) - Latin American farming

production and services group Los Grobo is looking to invest

$100 million in Argentina in coming years, encouraged by new

market-friendly government policies, the company president said

on Wednesday.

Read more

Vale denies iron ore streaming financing deal in the works

SAO PAULO, Aug 10 (Reuters) - Vale SA, the world's largest

producer of iron ore, denied it plans to raise cash from the

sale of future iron ore output through a so-called streaming

financing transaction.

Read more

UPDATE 1-U.S. Steel Canada rejects offer from Essar consortium

* Union says decision "irresponsible"

(Adds comment from union)

Read more

CANADA STOCKS-TSX barely higher at 13-month high, gold miners lead

* Half of the TSX's 10 main groups rise; materials up 1.2

pct

Read more

Asia gold demand to fall 15-20 pct in 2016 on price rise-Scotiabank

MUMBAI, Aug 10 (Reuters) - Gold consumption in China and

India, the world's top two buyers, is set to drop 15 to 20

percent in 2016 after lower investment demand and jewellery

sales, an official at a leading importing bank said.

Read more

Israeli chemicals maker ICL beats Q2 profit forecasts thanks to specialty products

JERUSALEM, Aug 10 (Reuters) - Israel Chemicals (ICL)

, one of the three major suppliers of potash to China,

India and Europe, reported a better than expected second-quarter

profit on Wednesday and predicted further gains from its

specialty products units.

Read more

U.S. Steel Canada rejects latest offer from Essar consortium

TORONTO, Aug 10 (Reuters) - U.S. Steel Canada on Wednesday

rejected a buyout offer from Ontario Steel Investment Ltd, a

group that includes shareholders of Essar Global, saying it was

not considering further proposals by Essar, which had been

eliminated from the sale process.

Read more

COLUMN-Will LME consolidate or fragment London's bullion market? Andy Home

LONDON, Aug 10 (Reuters) - The London Metal Exchange (LME)

has announced the launch next year of a suite of precious metals

contracts, starting with gold and silver and eventually

encompassing platinum and palladium.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Thailand's PTT Global Q2 profit down 45 pct, hit by shutdowns

* Q2 refinery run down to 35 pct vs 100 pct year earlier

(Adds details of results)

Read more

Zimbabweans spot green gold in bamboo that spares forests

CHIPINGE, Zimbabwe, Aug 10 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) -

Lush tracts of bamboo spread across southeastern Chipinge

district, where the tall plant is increasingly regarded as green

gold by villagers. They are harvesting it commercially while

helping preserve Zimbabwe's fast-dwindling forests.

Read more

Thailand's PTT Global Q2 down 45 pct, hit by shutdowns

BANGKOK, Aug 10 (Reuters) - PTT Global Chemical Pcl

, Thailand's largest petrochemical maker, posted a 45

percent drop in quarterly net profit on Wednesday, due to a

2-month scheduled shutdown of its refinery and an unplanned

turnaround of an olefins cracker.

Read more

Activists demand Formosa Plastics Group shut steel unit in Vietnam

TAIPEI, Aug 10 (Reuters) - About 100 activists protested in

front of Formosa Plastics Group's headquarters in Taipei on

Wednesday demanding it shut its steel project in Vietnam and

urged Hanoi to prosecute the Taiwanese firm for environmental

damage.

Read more

Petra Diamonds mines 138-carat white diamond from Cullinan

Aug 10 (Reuters) - Petra Diamonds Ltd said on

Wednesday it recovered a 138.57 carat white diamond at the

historic Cullinan mine near Pretoria in South Africa.

Read more

Gold miner Centamin hikes FY production forecast

Aug 10 (Reuters) - Gold miner Centamin Plc raised

its production guidance for 2016, aided by rising output from

its Sukari mine in Egypt, and said its second-quarter core

profit more than doubled.

Read more

Tuesday, August 9, 2016

UPDATE 2-Ontario Steel in bid for US Steel Canada, including C$1 bln liabilities

* Could combine both businesses if successful

(Adds details of progress on Essar Steel Algoma bid,

background)

Read more

US, Australia, Canada indigenous land rights laws lag Africa, Latam - mapping study

LONDON, Aug 9 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Wealthier

countries including the United States and Australia score behind

Latin America and African nations when it comes to laws

protecting indigenous land rights, according to the first

analysis of an online global map of land ownership.

Read more

A Minute With: Robert Redford on magical childhood stories

LOS ANGELES, Aug 9 (Reuters) - Hollywood veteran Robert

Redford returns to his childhood love of fantasy stories in

"Pete's Dragon," a new Disney film about an orphaned boy living

in a forest and his friendship with one such creature.

Read more

Ontario Steel makes bid for U.S. Steel Canada

TORONTO, Aug 9 (Reuters) - Ontario Steel Investment Ltd, a

group that includes shareholders of Essar Global, said on

Tuesday that it had submitted an offer for the purchase of U.S.

Steel Canada.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Hindustan Zinc to double silver output to catch solar wave

MUMBAI, Aug 9 (Reuters) - Hindustan Zinc Ltd, a

subsidiary of billionaire Anil Agarwal's mining conglomerate

Vedanta Ltd, aims to double silver output in five

years due to rising prices and increased demand from solar panel

makers.

Read more

Pakistan shares close higher; rupee stronger, o/n rates rise

KARACHI, Aug 9 (Reuters) - Pakistan stocks rose for a second

straight session on Tuesday, led by gains in oil stocks as

global crude prices increased, dealers said.

Read more

Pollution crackdown on China tin producers could spur imports, lift prices

MELBOURNE/SHANGHAI, Aug 9 (Reuters) - China could ramp up

imports of refined tin as a string of environmental inspections

at smelters in the world's top producer of the metal curbs local

output.

Read more

COLUMN-Iron ore's rally is starting to look overcooked: Russell

LAUNCESTON, Australia, Aug 9 (Reuters) - At what point is

the 43 percent rally in iron ore prices this year overcooked,

given it remains a well-supplied market facing mounting economic

uncertainty across the globe.

Read more

Monday, August 8, 2016

RPT-COLUMN-London Metal Exchange cuts fees, but is it too little too late? Andy Home

LONDON, Aug 8 (Reuters) - The London Metal Exchange (LME)

has just unveiled a package of measures designed to "strengthen

its role as the global liquidity centre for metals trading".

Read more

China's Guangdong sets up tribunal to handle zombie firms - media

SHANGHAI, Aug 9 (Reuters) - China's Guangdong province has

set up a special court to deal with disputes that arise from the

closure of "zombie enterprises", the official China Daily

reported on Tuesday.

Read more

Mesoblast cell treatment shows promise in rheumatoid arthritis -study

Aug 8 (Reuters) - Mesoblast Ltd on Monday said its

experimental stem-cell treatment led to significant improvements

of symptoms and disease activity in patients whose rheumatoid

arthritis had stopped being helped by widely used biotech

medicines, according to data from a mid-stage trial.

Read more

London Metal Exchange to launch gold spot, futures contracts

LONDON, Aug 9 (Reuters) - The London Metal Exchange (LME)

said on Tuesday it is planning to launch spot and futures

contracts for gold and silver in the first half of 2017, adding

to its list of products which includes copper and aluminium.

Read more

Farm tech investment drops off after record year

Aug 8 (Reuters) - Investor backing for agriculture

technology startups cooled in the first half of 2016 after

record global investment last year, according to industry data

released on Monday.

Read more

Chinese production drives global stainless steel output rise

LONDON, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Global production of stainless

steel was 0.4 percent higher in the first quarter than in the

same period of 2015 as Chinese mills ramped up their output,

despite pledges to reduce over-capacity, industry data showed on

Monday.

Read more

COLUMN-London Metal Exchange cuts fees, but is it too little too late? Andy Home

LONDON, Aug 8 (Reuters) - The London Metal Exchange (LME)

has just unveiled a package of measures designed to "strengthen

its role as the global liquidity centre for metals trading".

Read more

Pakistan shares close higher; rupee weakens, o/n rates fall

KARACHI, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Pakistan stocks closed higher on

Monday, snapping four consecutive sessions of losses, led by

foreign portfolio investments, dealers said.

Read more

China July iron ore imports rise to near record, other commodities drop

* Copper purchases down 14 pct from June, soy fell 18 pct

yr/yr

Read more

UPDATE 1-Samsung Biologics to apply for Korea IPO approval on Aug 11 - bourse officials

* Biologics plans to double capacity by 2018

(Adds capacity increase plans, shareholders)

Read more

UPDATE 1-China Shanxi large coal miners can extend debt maturities - Xinhua

SHANGHAI/BEIJING, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Seven large Shanxi

province-owned coal miners will be permitted to extend the

maturities of some existing debt, state news agency Xinhua

reported, as Chinese regulators continue their efforts to

provide a softer landing for the stricken sector.

Read more

Samsung Biologics expected to apply for Korea IPO approval on Aug 11 - exchange officials

SEOUL, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Samsung Biologics Co Ltd, the

biopharmaceutical contract manufacturing affiliate of Samsung

Group, is expected to apply on Thursday for Korea

Exchange approval for a planned initial public offering, two

exchange officials said on Monday.

Read more

Sunday, August 7, 2016

Australia, New Zealand shares rally with banks leading gains

SYDNEY/WELLINGTON, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Australian shares

rallied on Monday, tracking Wall Street's positive lead with

banks, miners and energy companies leading gains, while New

Zealand stocks were near last week's record high.

Read more

UPDATE 1-China's July exports, imports fall more than expected

BEIJING, Aug 8 (Reuters) - China's exports and imports fell

more than expected in July in a rocky start to the third

quarter, suggesting global demand remains weak in the aftermath

of Britain's decision to leave the EU.

Read more

China Shanxi province-owned large coal miners can extend debt maturities - Xinhua

SHANGHAI, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Seven large Shanxi

province-owned coal miners will be permitted to extend the

maturities of some existing debt, the official Xinhua news

agency reported Sunday, citing a document released by the Shanxi

branch of China's banking regulator.

Read more

RPT-Philippine "shock and awe" mine crackdown rattles nickel markets

* Nickel price may skyrocket if Philippines shuts mining

sector

Read more

Trading places: clutch of new metal hires signals bet on recovery

Aug 8 (Reuters) - A flurry of new metal trading desks that

has sprung up this year reflects an industry realignment as

bigger players downsize, but in a market still strapped for

capital only the thriftiest will survive, industry sources said.

Read more

Return of Congo's Tshisekedi jolts opposition to life

KINSHASA, Aug 7 (Reuters) - In 1991, then Congolese

President Mobutu Sese Seko made his long-time nemesis Etienne

Tshisekedi prime minister, hoping to neutralise opposition to a

dictatorship beset by economic and political crises.

Read more

Australia shares set to start with a firm tone, NZ stocks steady

SYDNEY, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Australian shares are set to have

a strong start on Monday following a positive lead on Wall

Street and an expected boost to mining stocks from a jump in

iron ore prices.

Global miner BHP Billiton is expected to open 1.8

percent higher, tracking a gain in its U.S. ADRs.

Local share price index futures rose 0.6 percent to

5,489 points, but that was still an 8.4-point discount to the

close of the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index on Friday.

The benchmark fell 1.2 p

Read more

UPDATE 1-China's July forex reserves fall to $3.20 trillion

BEIJING, Aug 7 (Reuters) - China's foreign exchange reserves

fell to $3.20 trillion in July, central bank data showed on

Sunday, in line with analyst expectations.

Read more

Saturday, August 6, 2016

China's July forex reserves fall to $3.20 trillion

BEIJING, Aug 7 (Reuters) - China's foreign exchange reserves

fell to $3.20 trillion in July, central bank data showed on

Sunday, matching forecasts.

Read more

China gold reserves rise to 58.79 mln fine troy oz at end-July

BEIJING, Aug 7 (Reuters) - China's gold reserves stood at

58.79 million fine troy ounces at the end of July, up from 58.62

million fine troy ounces at the end of June, the central bank

said on Sunday.

Read more

Friday, August 5, 2016

European shares lifted by solid earnings but RBS slumps

MILAN, Aug 5 (Reuters) - European shares rose on Friday,

helped by solid earnings from companies including cement making

group LafargeHolcim, but Royal Bank of Scotland

slumped after weak results.

Read more

U.S. locks in hot-rolled steel dumping duties on seven countries

WASHINGTON, Aug 5 (Reuters) - The U.S. Commerce Department

on Friday set final anti-dumping duties on hot-rolled flat steel

from Japan, South Korea, Turkey, Britain, Brazil, the

Netherlands and Australia on Friday, locking in import taxes of

3.7 percent to about 34.3 percent for five years.

Read more

GLOBAL MARKETS-Stocks, dollar rally on bumper U.S. jobs data

* Dollar rallies, drags oil and gold lower

(Updates to U.S. trading, changes byline, dateline previous

LONDON)

Read more

Indigenous tribe applauds state move to cancel Brazil Amazon dam

RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 5 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) -

I ndigenous people living in Brazil's rainforest have welcomed a

decision by the national environment agency to cancel a proposed

mega-dam in the Amazon which they say would have displaced

communities while opening the sensitive region to logging.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Chinese investors agree to buy AC Milan, ending Berlusconi era

* Fininvest says signs preliminary deal with Chinese investors

Read more

European shares lifted by solid earnings but RBS slumps

MILAN, Aug 5 (Reuters) - European shares rose on Friday,

helped by solid earnings from companies including cement making

group LafargeHolcim, but Royal Bank of Scotland

slumped after weak results.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Share rout at Spain's OHL turns up heat on indebted owner

* GVM says in process of changing loans backed by OHL shares

(Recasts to focus on Villar Mir's dealing with OHL, updates

shares and with CFO comments)

Read more

European shares rise after solid earnings updates, RBS slumps

MILAN, Aug 5 (Reuters) - European shares rose on Friday,

helped by solid earnings updates from companies including cement

maker LafargeHolcim, but Royal Bank of Scotland slumped in an

otherwise mostly positive banking sector after reporting wider

losses in the first half.

Read more

China's regions show big economic divergence as rustbelt suffers, cities prosper

BEIJING, Aug 5 (Reuters) - China's regional economies showed

a marked divergence in performance in the first half of 2016,

with provinces reliant on steel making and mining reporting weak

or no growth but some larger cities thriving.

Read more

UPDATE 2-LafargeHolcim beats forecasts with price hikes, merger benefits

* Expects prices to improve in H2

(Adds CEO comments from call, background)

Read more

Nissan says Brexit deal will determine future UK plant investment - BBC

LONDON, Aug 5 (Reuters) - The chief executive of Japanese

carmaker Nissan said future investment decisions about

Britain's biggest car plant will depend on the terms of a Brexit

deal struck with the European Union on customs, trade and free

movement of goods.

Read more

European shares rise helped by solid earning updates, RBS slumps

MILAN, Aug 5 (Reuters) - European shares rose on Friday in

early deals, helped by well-received earning updates from

companies including cement maker LafargeHolcim, but Royal Bank

of Scotland slumped after its first-half losses widened.

Read more

Australia shares rally on Bank of England easing, NZ little changed

SYDNEY/WELLINGTON, Aug 5 (Reuters) - Australian shares rose

on Friday, driven by commodity prices and as an aggressive

easing package announced overnight by the Bank of England stokes

global risk appetite.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Glencore halts Zambia copper mine output after deaths

LUSAKA, Aug 5 (Reuters) - Glencore's Zambian Mopani

Copper Mines (MCM) has halted production at all its operations

after four miners were killed in separate accidents, a company

official said on Friday.

Read more

Thursday, August 4, 2016

RPT-COLUMN-With retroactive action against Metro, LME puts down a future marker: Andy Home

LONDON, Aug 4 (Reuters) - There will be few tears shed for

Metro International Trade Services.

Read more

Sherritt, partners get deferral for Madagascar mine debt

TORONTO, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Canadian miner Sherritt

International Corp said on Thursday that lenders for a

large Madagascar nickel mine, which it holds with partners, will

defer six principal loan payments totaling $565 million until

2021.

Read more

UPDATE 2-China says it "regrets" EU duties on Chinese cold-rolled steel

* China says the duties weaken EU's downstream

competitiveness

(Adds British comment)

Read more

Brazil land conflicts simmer with 23 killings so far in 2016 - watchdog

RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 4 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - More

than 20 land rights activists have been killed in Brazil so far

this year, with most deaths linked to conflicts over logging and

agribusiness, data on Thursday showed, reinforcing the country's

reputation for being dangerous for environmentalists.

Read more

FTSE rallies after BoE decision, Hikma sinks

LONDON, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Britain's top share index rallied

after the Bank of England (BoE) cut interest rates on Thursday,

although pharmaceuticals company Hikma and precious

metals mining group Randgold Resources slumped after

poor updates.

Read more

U.S. ethanol industry finds sweet deals in Brazil as sugar prices soar

NEW YORK/SAO PAULO, Aug 4 (Reuters) - U.S. ethanol plants

and traders are rushing to sell biofuel to Brazil as tightening

supplies and logistics in the South American market give the

world's top producer a rare opportunity to ship south during the

peak sugar cane harvest, sources said.

Read more

COLUMN-With retroactive action against Metro, LME puts down a future marker: Andy Home

LONDON, Aug 4 (Reuters) - There will be few tears shed for

Metro International Trade Services.

Read more

CF Industries to run nitrogen plants full-out despite oversupply

Aug 4 (Reuters) - CF Industries Holdings Inc plans to

run its expanded U.S. nitrogen fertilizer plants at full

throttle, its chief executive officer said on Thursday, and

expects its domestic rivals to do the same, despite global

oversupply that has hurt prices and profits.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Turkey's Erdogan vows to cut off revenues of Gulen-linked businesses

* EU concerned about scale of crackdown

(Adds details on companies, European comment)

Read more

Pakistan shares end lower on profit-taking; rupee stronger, o/n rates rise

KARACHI, Aug 4 - Pakistan stocks closed lower on Thursday

marking their third session of losses as investors locked in

profits from a recent rally, dealers said.

Read more

FTSE rallies after BoE decision, Hikma sinks

* Hikma slumps after update

(Recasts, adds quote and detail, updates prices)

Read more

RPT-COLUMN-Small Australian miners are the canaries of commodity prices: Russell

LAUNCESTON, Australia, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Are the strong

gains this year in small Australian resource companies a

harbinger of sustainable rallies for both bigger miners and

commodity prices in general? Past evidence suggests yes.

Read more

FTSE steadies near 3-week low before BoE decision, Hikma sinks

LONDON, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Britain's top share index steadied

before a likely move by the Bank of England to cut rates on

Thursday, although drugmaker Hikma and precious metals

miner Randgold Resources slumped after their poor

updates.

Read more

China's says it "regrets" EU duties on Chinese cold-rolled steel

BEIJING, Aug 4 (Reuters) - China's Commerce Ministry said on

Thursday it "regrets" the European Commission's decision to put

retroactive anti-dumping duties on Chinese cold-rolled steel

plates.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Russia's Mechel ups sales to China, starts supplies to India

MOSCOW, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Russian coal and steel producer

Mechel raised supplies of its coking coal concentrate

to China in the second quarter and started sales to India and

Vietnam, it said on Thursday.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Randgold Resources posts flat Q2 mining profit

Aug 4 (Reuters) - Randgold Resources Ltd said its

second-quarter profit from mining was flat, as higher gold

prices were offset by lower production and higher costs.

Read more

British PM May promises to help small businesses navigate Brexit

LONDON, Aug 4 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Theresa May

will tell small business owners on Thursday that she wants to

help them take advantage of the opportunities provided by

Britain's vote to leave the European Union.

Read more

Gold miner Randgold Resources posts flat Q2 profit

Aug 4 (Reuters) - Gold miner Randgold Resources Ltd

said its second-quarter profit from mining was flat, as higher

gold prices were offset by lower production and higher costs.

Read more

Wednesday, August 3, 2016

COLUMN-Small Australian miners are the canaries of commodity prices: Russell

LAUNCESTON, Australia, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Are the strong

gains this year in small Australian resource companies a

harbinger of sustainable rallies for both bigger miners and

commodity prices in general? Past evidence suggests yes.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Philippines suspends seventh nickel miner in environmental crackdown

* Suspended miner is Claver Mineral, controlled by local

lawmaker

Read more

S.Korea won, stocks edge up, investors await BOE policy meeting

* Won unlikely to strengthen past 1,100 level - analyst

* Markets expect more stimulus from BOE

SEOUL, Aug 4 (Reuters) - The South Korean won and

shares rebounded early on Thursday from the previous session's

losses as market expectations for the Bank of England to come up

with more monetary easing modestly boosted risk sentiment.

The won was quoted at 1,113.5 as of 0212 GMT, up

0.4 percent versus Wednesday's close of 1,117.6.

The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) was up

Read more

Fertilizer price slump chops profits at CF Industries, Agrium

Aug 3 (Reuters) - Two of North America's biggest fertilizer

companies reported large drops in quarterly profit on Wednesday,

and warned of tough times ahead as abundant supplies weighed on

prices.

Read more

UPDATE 1-CF Industries profit tumbles as fertilizer prices slump

Aug 3 (Reuters) - U.S. nitrogen fertilizer producer CF

Industries Holdings Inc reported an 87 percent plunge in

quarterly profit - more than expected - and warned on Wednesday

that prices would likely remain weak into next year due to

abundant supplies.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Anglo American kicks off major new diamond mine in Canada

LONDON/TORONTO, Aug 3 (Reuters) - De Beers' Gahcho Kue

diamond mine in Canada's Northwest Territories is expected to

reach full commercial production early next year, Anglo American

said on Wednesday.

Read more

CF Industries profit tumbles, as fertilizer prices slump

Aug 3 (Reuters) - U.S. nitrogen fertilizer producer CF

Industries Holdings Inc reported sharply lower quarterly

profit on Wednesday, and warned that prices would likely remain

weak into next year due to abundant supplies.

Read more

FTSE posts lowest close in three weeks, though HSBC leads banks

* Next shares gain after update

(Adds detail, updates prices at close)

Read more

Greece's Titan Cement buys stake in Brazil's Cimento Apodi for $100 mln

Aug 3 (Reuters) - Greece's Titan Cement said on Wednesday it

is buying a stake in Brazilian cement manufacturer Companhia

Industrial de Cimento Apodi for about $100 million.

Read more

White House doesn't rule out pesticides in Zika fight

WASHINGTON, Aug 3 (Reuters) - U.S. officials were willing to

consider a range of options to control the spread of the Zika

virus, the White House said on Wednesday when asked about

whether it would be willing to relax restrictions on some

pesticides.

Read more

CANADA STOCKS-TSX inches up as broad gains offset mining weakness

TORONTO, Aug 3 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index inched

higher on Wednesday as broad gains offset losses among gold

miners and other materials stocks.

Read more

UPDATE 1-U.S. refiner HollyFrontier's adjusted profit misses estimates

Aug 3 (Reuters) - U.S. refiner HollyFrontier Corp

reported a lower-than-expected quarterly adjusted profit, hurt

by weak refining margins.

Read more

Apollo consortium frontfrunner for Anglo's $1.5 bln Australian coal assets -sources

LONDON, Aug 3 (Reuters) - A consortium led by private equity

firm Apollo Global Management has emerged as the

frontrunner for Anglo American's metallurgical coal

mines in Australia, valued at up to $1.5 billion, two sources

familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Read more

U.S. refiner HollyFrontier reports second-quarter loss

Aug 3 (Reuters) - U.S. refiner HollyFrontier Corp

reported a quarterly loss, compared with a year-earlier profit,

as it took a $654.1 million impairment charge amid weak refining

margins.

Read more

FTSE steadies near recent lows, HSBC leads banks

LONDON, Aug 3 (Reuters) - Britain's top share index steadied

near a recent two-week low on Wednesday, with weaker commodities

and property-related stocks offsetting an HSBC-led

rally in banking stocks.

Read more

Indonesia's new resources chief tells Freeport not to push on contract extension

JAKARTA, Aug 3 (Reuters) - Indonesia's newly appointed

resources chief urged Freeport-McMoRan Inc on Wednesday

not to push for a quick extension of its contract to operate the

giant Grasberg copper mine, amid a planned revision of the

country's mining law.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Rio Tinto earnings slump to 12-year low, warns conditions still tough

* CEO sees volatile, challenging conditions ahead

(Adds CEO, analyst comments)

Read more

Indian farmers cotton on to new seed, in blow to Monsanto

* Area planted with indigenous variety jumps in northern

India

Read more

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Blood Mica: Key findings of investigation into child deaths in India's illegal mica mines

KODERMA/BHILWARA/SYDAPURAM, India, Aug 3 (Thomson Reuters

Foundation) - I n the depths of India's illegal mica mines, where

children as young as five work alongside adults, lurks a dark,

hidden secret - the cover-up of child deaths with seven killed

in the past two months, a Thomson Reuters Foundation

investigation revealed.

Read more

Australia's tiny miners rise from the ashes of the bust

SYDNEY, Aug 3 (Reuters) - From gold to graphite to zinc to

lithium, Australia's army of "penny dreadful" stocks is rising

from the ashes of the mining bust and growing at rates that

majors like BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto can only wish for.

Read more

UPDATE 1-PM May resurrects industrial policy as Britain prepares for Brexit

LONDON, Aug 2 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Theresa May on

Tuesday kickstarted her bid to reshape the British economy for a

post-Brexit world, reviving the once unfashionable concept of

industrial policy 30 years after Margaret Thatcher killed it

off.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Nobel Prize-winning Egyptian chemist Zewail dies

CAIRO, Aug 2 (Reuters) - Nobel Prize-winning

Egyptian-American chemist Ahmed Zewail, a science and technology

advisor to President Barack Obama and the first U.S. science

envoy to the Middle East, died on Tuesday in the United States,

his spokesman told Egyptian state TV.

Read more

UK construction hit by Brexit but some weathering storm

LONDON, Aug 2 (Reuters) - As Britain's construction industry

reels from its sharpest downturn for seven years, it is

companies that operate under longer-term contracts and have less

exposure to London that are better weathering market uncertainty

caused by the Brexit vote.

Read more

Hershey, Alphabet spell another big day of bonds

NEW YORK, Aug 2 (IFR) - Chocolate-maker Hershey and Google's

parent company Alphabet spearheaded another deluge of deals in

the US high-grade bond market Tuesday as companies seize the day

to raise fresh cash.

Read more

UPDATE 3-Mosaic says worst may be over for fertilizer markets

* Slashes 2016 capex, other expenses

(Compares with estimates, adds shares)

Read more

Pakistan shares end lower; rupee stronger, o/n rates fall

KARACHI, Aug 2(Reuters) - Pakistan stocks edged lower on

Tuesday to snap five sessions of gains as the market witnessed

consolidation, dealers said.

Read more

RPT-COLUMN-Gold rally's Achilles heel may be soft China, India demand: Russell

LAUNCESTON, Australia, Aug 2 (Reuters) - There is little

doubt that gold has had a stellar year so far, surging almost 28

percent, but there may be some areas of concern emerging that

could act as a brake on further gains.

Read more

Rio Tinto to invest $338 mln in Silvergrass iron ore mine

Aug 2 (Reuters) - Rio Tinto Plc/Ltd said on

Tuesday it would invest $338 million to complete the development

of its Silvergrass iron ore mine in Western Australia.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Rio Tinto to invest $338 mln in Silvergrass iron ore mine

Aug 2 (Reuters) - Rio Tinto Plc/Ltd said on

Tuesday it would invest $338 million to complete the development

of its Silvergrass iron ore mine in Western Australia.

Read more

China's Iran specialist Zhuhai Zhenrong tips senior crude trader as head

BEIJING, Aug 2 (Reuters) - Zhuhai Zhenrong Corp, a

state-owned trader that started China's Iranian oil business,

has appointed a senior trading manager to head the company,

officials at the firm said on Tuesday.

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UPDATE 1-Miner Fresnillo's CEO says silver has bottomed

Aug 2 (Reuters) - Fresnillo Plc's chief executive

said the price of silver had bottomed, and added the miner would

report a stronger core profit in the second half than the first

if prices remained at current levels.

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Carlyle could make a brace of $2 bln acquisitions in Japan - exec

TOKYO, Aug 2 (Reuters) - Private equity firm Carlyle Group

said it could make a pair of acquisitions in Japan worth

$2 billion apiece, a strategic departure from a previous focus

on smaller deals as big Japanese firms are gearing up for

spinoffs of larger assets.

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