Kenyan shilling stable versus dollar in balanced trade
At 0845 GMT, the shilling traded at 129.00/50 per dollar, compared with 128.95/129.45 at the close of Wednesday's session.
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Reuters
4 hours ago
- Reuters
Rwanda, Congo agree on outline for economic framework as part of peace deal
WASHINGTON/PARIS, Aug 1 (Reuters) - Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo on Friday agreed on an outline for the regional economic integration framework, according to the U.S. State Department, as the two countries take steps toward delivering on a peace deal signed in Washington last month. The tenets agreed on Friday summarize the framework, which includes elements of cooperation on energy, infrastructure, mineral supply chains, national parks and public health, the State Department said in a statement. Rwanda and Congo signed a peace deal in Washington in June at talks held by U.S. President Donald Trump's administration, which aims to bring an end to fighting that has killed thousands and attract billions of dollars of Western investment to a region rich in tantalum, gold, cobalt, copper, lithium and other minerals. As part of the deal, Kinshasa and Kigali agreed to launch a regional economic integration framework within 90 days, the agreement said. A source familiar with the matter said a preliminary draft of the framework has been agreed to and there would now be an input period to get reaction from the private sector and civil society before it is finalized. The framework is planned to be signed at a meeting of heads of state at the White House. No date has been set yet for that meeting, the source said. In the Friday statement, Rwanda and Congo affirmed that each country has "full, sovereign control" over the exploitation, processing and export of its natural resources and recognized the importance of developing mineral processing and transformation capacity within each country, according to a copy seen by Reuters. Kinshasa views the plundering of its mineral wealth as a key driver of the conflict between its forces and Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in eastern Congo. Reuters reported in May that Congolese minerals such as tungsten, tantalum and tin, which Kinshasa has long accused neighbouring Rwanda of illegally exploiting, could be exported legitimately to Rwanda for processing under the terms of the deal being negotiated by the U.S., according to sources. The two countries are committed to ensuring that the minerals trade no longer provides funding to armed groups and to create a world-class industrial mining sector in the region, as well as to ensure better cross-border interoperability on mineral supply chains, according to the statement. They also agreed to connect new infrastructure to the U.S.-backed Lobito Corridor, underscoring Washington's aim of greater access to resources in the region and efforts to counter China. The Ruzizi III hydropower project and Lake Kivu methane exploitation were the only specific projects mentioned in the statement, despite U.S. emphasis on critical minerals. The countries said they intended to prioritize financing for Ruzizi and work together to exploit the methane gas sustainably. Friday's announcement comes after the two countries held the first meeting of a joint oversight committee on Thursday in a step toward implementing the Washington peace deal even as other commitments are yet to be fulfilled. In the Washington agreement, the two African countries pledged to implement a 2024 deal that would see Rwandan troops withdraw from eastern Congo within 90 days. Congolese military operations targeting the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a Congo-based armed group that includes remnants of Rwanda's former army and militias that carried out a 1994 genocide, are meant to conclude over the same timeframe. The deal also said Congo and Rwanda would form a joint security coordination mechanism within 30 days and implement a plan agreed last year to monitor and verify the withdrawal of Rwandan soldiers within three months. But 30 days from the signing has passed without a meeting of the joint security coordination mechanism. The source familiar with the matter said the joint security coordination mechanism meeting would be held on August 7 in Addis Ababa. Congo is also involved in direct talks with M23 hosted by Qatar, and last month the two sides pledged to sign a separate peace agreement by August 18, though many outstanding details need to be negotiated.
Reuters
4 hours ago
- Reuters
IMF lowers bar for Argentina reserves accumulation, next review due after local October elections
NEW YORK, Aug 1 (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund lowered the bar for Argentina's reserve accumulation targets through 2026 in its $20 billion program and removed a review that was due before the country's October legislative elections as detailed in a report published Friday. Net international reserves accumulation targets were lowered through 2026, leading to a steeper accumulation curve as the 2027 target was kept in place. "The NIR accumulation target for end-December 2025 has been lowered to mainly reflect the initial shortfalls, which are gradually being addressed through the agreed corrective actions," the report said. The announcement came a day after the IMF board completed the first review of the $20 billion program approved in April. Disbursements of around $14 billion have been made for Argentina so far as part of this new program. "While early efforts to re-access international capital markets are commendable, Argentina's capacity to repay its Fund obligations remains subject to exceptional risks and continues to hinge on strong policy implementation to improve reserve coverage and sustain market access (at more favorable terms) by the time repayments to the Fund come due," said the report from IMF staff.
Reuters
8 hours ago
- Reuters
NFL deals Red Zone, NFL Media assets to ESPN in billion-dollar agreement, the Athletic reports
Aug 1 (Reuters) - The NFL and Disney's (DIS.N), opens new tab ESPN have reached a deal, potentially worth billions, placing many of the league's media holdings with the sports network in exchange for equity in ESPN, the Athletic reported on Friday. ESPN is expected to have access to RedZone, NFL Network, seven more regular-season games and the NFL's fantasy football business, the report said, citing sources briefed on the agreement. There is also a possibility of integrating special features, including betting, and potentially more assets too. The four-year on-and-off discussions have led to what is said to be a complicated agreement, the Athletic report said. An official announcement is expected next week. Disney is set to report results on Wednesday. Both ESPN and the NFL declined to comment on the report when contacted by Reuters. The news of the deal comes as Disney is set to launch its new streaming service, named ESPN, this fall, providing access to ESPN networks, including professional and college football and basketball games. The new service will cost $29.99 per month and is part of the media company's effort to tap sports fans who have never subscribed to traditional television.
