UK's Thames Water may be required to restate accounts, FT reports
Thames Water is trying to understand the consequences of having to restate key figures in its accounts published last year, the report added, citing documents it had seen.
Reuters could not immediately verify the report.
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Reuters
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- Reuters
Gold falls to near two-week low after US, EU agree to tariff deal
July 28 (Reuters) - Gold prices fell to their lowest level in nearly two weeks on Monday, as a framework trade agreement between the United States and European Union ahead of the August 1 tariff deadline boosted appetite for risk assets. Spot gold was down 0.1% at $3,332.18 per ounce, as of 0208 GMT, after touching its lowest level since July 17. U.S. gold futures edged 0.1% lower to $3,331.60. The U.S. struck a framework trade agreement with the European Union on Sunday, imposing a 15% import tariff on most EU goods - half the threatened rate - and averting a bigger trade war between the two allies that account for almost a third of global trade. However, the agreement left key issues unresolved, including tariffs on spirits. The agreement eased transatlantic trade tensions, putting pressure on gold, said Jigar Trivedi, a senior commodity analyst at Reliance Securities, adding that it also softened the dollar index, which provided some cushion to bullion. The U.S. dollar index (.DXY), opens new tab eased 0.1%, making greenback-priced bullion more affordable for overseas buyers. Risk sentiment improved following the agreement, with European currencies and U.S. stock index futures trading higher. Meanwhile, senior U.S. and Chinese negotiators are set to meet in Stockholm later in the day to address long-standing economic disputes, seeking to extend a truce that has prevented higher tariffs. "In the short term, we don't expect gold to experience wild swings. Investors are turning their focus to a pivotal week for U.S. monetary policy and economic data," Trivedi said. The Federal Reserve is expected to maintain its benchmark interest rate in the 4.25%-4.50% range after its two-day policy meeting concludes on Wednesday. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday he had a positive meeting with Powell, suggesting the Fed chief might be inclined to lower interest rates. Spot silver was up 0.2% at $38.23 per ounce, while platinum gained 0.6% to $1,409.50 and palladium rose 0.6% to $1,227.76.
The Guardian
35 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Starmer faces difficult task persuading Trump to take different path on Gaza
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The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Ukraine war briefing: Kyiv attack injures five, Trump and Starmer to discuss ‘applying pressure' on Putin
A Russian air attack on Kyiv has injured at least five people and damaged a residential building, the head of the Ukrainian capital's military administration, Tymur Tkachenko, said on Monday via Telegram. British prime minister Keir Starmer and US president Donald Trump are expected to discuss the war in Ukraine when they meet in Scotland on Monday. Downing Street said the talks would include 'applying pressure' on Russian president Vladimir Putin to end the invasion. The two leaders have built a rapport on the world stage despite their differing political backgrounds, with Trump praising Starmer for doing a 'very good job' in office ahead of their talks on Monday, which will focus on the Middle East and trade. It comes after Trump announced a tariffs deal between the US and the European Union after meeting European commission president Ursula von der Leyen for high-stakes talks at Turnberry on Sunday. Von der Leyen called on Sunday for Volodymyr Zelenskyy to uphold independent anti-corruption bodies, with the Ukrainian president signalling legislation to that effect could be adopted within days. 'Ukraine has already achieved a lot on its European path,' von der Leyen said on X after a call with Zelenskyy. 'It must build on these solid foundations and preserve independent anti-corruption bodies, which are cornerstones of Ukraine's rule of law.' After a rare outburst of public criticism, Zelenskyy on Thursday submitted draft legislation to restore the independence of Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies – reversing course on an earlier bill aimed at stripping their autonomy. 'I thanked the European commission for the provided expertise,' Zelenskyy said on X after his Sunday call with von der Leyen. 'We share the same vision: it is important that the bill is adopted without delay, as early as next week.' Von der Leyen also promised continued support for Ukraine on its path to EU membership. Russia scaled down the festivities on Sunday honouring its navy, citing security concerns amid continuing Ukrainian drone attacks. Russian authorities cancelled the parades of warships in St Petersburg, in the Kaliningrad region on the Baltic and in the far-eastern port of Vladivostok that are usually held to mark the annual Navy Day celebrations. Asked about the reason for the cancellation in St Petersburg even as Putin arrived in his home city to visit the navy headquarters, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that 'it's linked to the overall situation, security reasons, which are above all else'. The Russian defence ministry said air defences downed 99 Ukrainian drones in several regions overnight. Later in the day, it said another 51 drones were shot down near St Petersburg. A man was killed and three other people injured by drone fragments in the region around St Petersburg, according to local authorities. On the trip to St Petersburg, Putin vowed to build more warships and intensify the navy's training, adding: 'The navy's strike power and combat capability will rise to a qualitatively new level.' French president Emmanuel Macron had a phone call with Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday and said later on X that he reaffirmed France's support for Kyiv and vowed to raise pressure on Moscow to force it to 'agree to a ceasefire that paves the way for talks leading to a solid and lasting peace, with full European involvement'.
