China, Turkmenistan agree to promote and deepen energy cooperation

 China and Turkmenistan pledged Tuesday to promote bilateral energy cooperation and push forward their natural gas pipeline project.

The two sides made the pledge in a joint declaration issued following talks between visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Turkmenian counterpart, Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov.

In the document, the two sides agreed to take measures to guarantee a safe and stable operation of Line A and Line B of the Turkmenistan-China natural gas pipeline, as well as a sound implementation of their natural gas project on the right bank of Amu Darya, a major river in Central Asia.

Meanwhile, they vowed to work together to complete the construction of Line C and make it ready for gas transmission at an early date, and to make sure that Line D will be completed and ready for gas transmission in 2016.

Eventually, according to the document, they will achieve the target of transmitting 65 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually.

Prior to his visit, Xi said in an interview that China, a major energy consumer, and Turkmenistan, a major energy producer, enjoy a natural advantage and huge potential in energy cooperation.

The two countries have already carried out major cooperation projects, such as the China-Central Asia gas pipeline, he said, noting that the pipeline has linked up with the second line of China's west-to-east gas transmission project to form the longest natural gas pipeline in the world.
Source: Xinhua

Li Keqiang vows China-ASEAN "diamond decade"

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said on Tuesday China will work Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries to build a community of "common destiny" to share peace and prosperity.

"China's good-neighborly policy toward the ASEAN is absolutely not a matter of expediency, but a long-term strategic option of China," said Li.

China is the largest trading partner of the ASEAN, while the ASEAN ranks as China's third-largest trading partner.

This year's expo attracted more than 2,300 companies from China and the ASEAN, consolidating its place as an important platform to promote bilateral trade and relationships between China and the ASEAN.

To deepen pragmatic economic cooperation, Li proposed "an upgraded version" of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA), adding that the Chinese side will strive to expand bilateral trade to 1 trillion U.S. dollars by 2020 and increase bilateral investment by 150 billion dollars during the next eight years.

Launched in 2010, the CAFTA has become the world's largest free trade area among developing countries, covering a total population of 1.9 billion.

The expo has successfully facilitated the construction of the CAFTA under the framework of strategic partnership, and created various bilateral trade and economic opportunities, added ASEAN Secretary-General Le Luong Minh.

Bilateral trade between China and the ASEAN amounted to 400.1 billion U.S. dollars last year, nearly six times that of 10 years ago. In the first half of 2013, the bilateral trade surged to 210.56 billion U.S. dollars, representing a 12.2-percent increase year on year.

On Tuesday, Li said that China and the ASEAN could consider holding discussions on further lowering tariffs, and the Chinese side is willing to expand imports from the ASEAN and boost free trade and investment.

China is willing to join hands with the ASEAN to advance talks of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and discuss exchanges and interactions with frameworks such as Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement, so as to create an open, inclusive and mutually beneficial climate to "make the two wheels of regional and global trade roll together," according to the premier.

Li said that China will firmly prioritize ASEAN member countries in the country's peripheral diplomacy, firmly deepen the strategic partnership with the ASEAN, and cooperate with the ASEAN to jointly safeguard peace and stability in the region, including the South China Sea.

China, Turkmenistan lift bilateral ties to strategic partnership

 Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Turkmenian counterpart, Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, signed a joint declaration here Tuesday to lift bilateral ties to a strategic partnership.

The document, inked following talks between the two presidents, marks a new phase in the development of China-Turkmenistan relations and heralds a better future for bilateral cooperation.

The two sides stressed that, no matter how the global and regional situations change, their relationship will remain a priority in both countries' foreign policy.

Xi is in Turkmenistan for an ongoing Central Asia tour, which will also take him to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. He will also attend a Group of Twenty summit in the Russian city of St. Petersburg and a Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Kyrgyzstan.

Upon his arrival in Ashkhabad, the Chinese president said the timing and conditions are ripe for a strategic upgrade of bilateral ties.
Source: Xinhua

Turkmenistan: International Exhibition " Oil and Gas-2013"

Turkmenistan is a country with a rapidly growing economy, which has, since gaining independence 20 years ago, achieved exceptional results. The oil and gas industry is a key contributor to this economic success. Together with the development of a stable legal foundation, in line with international standards, Turkmenistan has established the necessary conditions for attracting investment to oil and gas sector.

Advancement of the oil and gas industry is one of the main policy priorities for the country. Sustainable development of Turkmenistan's natural resources, investment in infrastructure and the petrochemical industry are vital to the continued growth of economy. For this purpose Turkmenistan requires large-scale capital investment in existing fields and prospective reserves. It is necessary to highlight one reserve, Gelkynish, the second largest gas deposit in the world. According to the latest audit data, Gelkynish contains 26.2 trillion cubic meters of gas, making Turkmenistan one of the world's leading hydrocarbon powers. Viable development of Gelkynish is conditional upon attracting global cutting edge technology and know-how in order to secure the field's significance for the future of Turkmenistan and its people.

Effective implementation of this policy is closely correlated to regional and international cooperation as well as establishment of mutually-beneficial partnerships between the public and private sectors.

 Source:  The International Exhibition " Oil and Gas-2013"

Precious Metals Prices 03.09.13 9.45 p.m. Eastern Time

Gold Price Futures     3 months      US$ 1,412.86

Silver Price Futures    3 months      US$     24.27

Iran:Arab League position on Syria "politically-motivated"

The Arab League (AL) latest position on Syria crisis is "politically-motivated," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham said on Monday.

"The Arab League position before the official announcement of the United Nations inspectors' report shows that it (the decision) is politically-motivated and is a pre-determined judgment," Afkham was quoted as saying.

The final resolution of an AL meeting in Cairo urged the UN and the international community to assume their responsibilities in line with the UN charter and the international law by "taking deterrent and necessary measures against the Syrian regime."

Such a position has been adopted to exert more pressure on the Syrian government, Afkham said, warning that provocation to and encouragement for the use of force would be "dangerous."

Any possible military offensive against Syria would engulf the entire Middle East region, she reiterated earlier remarks by a number of Iranian officials.

Source: Xinhua

No retreat on Egyptian transitional roadmap

There can be no retreat on the political transitional roadmap in Egypt, Egyptian interim President Adly Mansour said Tuesday in his first TV interview aired by the State TV.

Implementing the transitional roadmap is among the priorities of the interim government, said Mansour.The interim president reviewed some of governmental plans to improve the economic situation, stressing that security, economy and education are on the list of the government's top priorities.According to Mansour, imposing state of emergency and curfew was an exceptional measure, which the government had to take to protect the country against dangerous threats. He expressed his hopes to end the curfew soon as security situation is improving. There will be no exclusion to any political faction from the political process, adding that disbanding Muslim Brotherhood is a matter for judiciary to decide.

While hailing the stances of Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates concerning the Egyptian "revolution," Mansour indicated disapproval toward Qatar, saying "Our patience is about to run out. "

Mansour also expressed Egypt's rejection to military intervention in Syria outside international legitimacy, calling for a political solution to the Syrian crisis.

Putin backs direct talks between Russian, U.S. lawmakers over Syria

An initiative to send a delegation of Russian lawmakers for direct talks with their U.S. colleagues on Syrian problem is timely and correct, President Vladimir Putin said Monday.

"Indeed, in order to better understand each other, there is no other way but a direct and open dialogue with arguments and with the presentation of positions," Putin told the heads of the Parliament's Upper House, or the Federation Council, Valentina Matviyenko and Lower House, or the State Duma, Sergei Naryshkin.

Putin expressed his belief that U.S. lawmakers would better understand Moscow's stances over Syria after listening to the Russia's arguments.

"Sure, our U.S. colleagues could better understand and feel what the Russian position is. It would not be useless to listen to our American partners as well," he said.

Putin added that a dialogue between the lawmakers would be also a significant element for the development of Russian-U.S. relations.

U.S. President Barack Obama on Saturday announced that he has decided to take military action against Syrian government targets. He sent Congress a draft resolution that authorizes a U.S. military strike over the alleged use of chemical weapons by Syrian government near Damascus on Aug. 21.

"We expect the U.S. Congress will not support the offer to stage a provocation against Syria," Matviyenko said.

She also asked Putin to invite a delegation of the U.S. Congress to Russia.

The U.S. Congress reconvenes on Sept. 9 after the summer recess.

Source: Xinhua

On Syria events,interview to Chairman CCCP G.Zyuganov

Interview to Chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, Gennady Zyuganov

"What do you think about the actions of our country in the Syrian conflict?"

"Russia still takes a principled position. It is shared by many countries, the UN Security Council (UN) the modern superpower - China. In the last 150 years, mankind has seen 12 crises of capitalism. There are three ways out of these crises: revolution, dictatorship and war. Modern capitalism looks for ways out of difficult situations with the help of military adventures. It was so in Iraq, in Afghanistan. In Libya, the French and the British  are zealous, taking into consideration the fact that they have their own interests there." 

"How do you assess the probability of military intervention of the West in the Syrian conflict?"

"I do not exclude any version of events. But this is a great excuse to destabilize a huge region. It will lead to most serious consequences. The Americans feel uncomfortable to go there - they have not finished with two other bloody conflicts yet. They  are looking for an excuse. The effrontery, with which they are trying to portray that it was the Syrian government that used chemical weapons, simply amazes me. Back in the days, the Americans were about to find  Saddam Hussein's weapons in his palace, under the bed. Chemical, nuclear and biological weapons require highly professional handling, storage and use. When they say that there were biological weapons used, it is difficult to take it as justification. But, nevertheless, they did it in Iraq. Now it can be the same in Syria."

"Which line should Russia follow, in your opinion?"

"We must remember that in today's world, the strong, smart and successful are respected. In the Mediterranean Sea, at the time when there was a war between Israel and Egypt, the Soviet government decided to prepare for a military action. The Americans called five hours later and said - take it back, and the war will stop. The war ended.

"Now we can and we must protect. We must help, support and protect Syria; we must constantly keep it in mind that we will be next after Syria. It may be too bold a statement, but not that long ago, we could not even imagine that NATO would be the master in the Baltic, that SS legionaries would march on the streets of Riga. Nobody thought that there would be such a mess in Central Asia, and no one thought that in North Africa, where Egypt was the leader, all would turn into a bloody drama. Today it has become a reality."

Source: Pravda

Pravda's version of Syria: The predictable and false "chemical" attack

"So, in an area where there has been fighting until recently but where the Syrian Arab Army (Government) has been making steady progress and where the terrorist opposition forces have been getting hammered, it does not make sense for the Government forces to use nerve gas, and it makes no sense at all to use it against large numbers of civilians, including children, who appear to comprise the majority of the victims"

 "And let us observe this from another angle: does the presence of the UN team in Syria to investigate use of weapons of mass destruction favour the Government? Yes, because it will discover the Government has not used any. Will it favour the terrorists? No, because they have used chemical weapons before and everyone knows so, that is why the west went silent about previous attacks after accusing the Government. After all, in May the UN investigation team leader, Carla del Ponte, stated there was evidence the "opposition" had used chemical agents, including Sarin gas. This came after two Syrian "opposition" leaders were caught on an audio recording of a phone conversation discussing attacks with chemical weapons and let us not forget the "opposition" laboratories last year filmed gassing rabbits with nerve agents. In this column I predicted today's event at the time.

The Syrian authorities strongly deny today's claim as being completely untrue. For the Government, these wild and absurd allegations denote the hysteria and demoralized state the "opposition" is in, as it is pressed back on all fronts".

 Timothy Bancroft-Hinchey 21.08.13

 Pravda

Obama wins the backing of Congress Leaders for Syria strike

 President Barack Obama won the backing of key figures in the U.S. Congress, including Republicans, in his call for limited U.S. strikes on Syria to punish President Bashar al-Assad for his suspected use of chemical weapons against civilians.

Speaking after the United Nations said two million Syrians had fled a conflict that posed the greatest threat to world peace since the Vietnam war, Obama said the United States also has a broader plan to help rebels defeat Assad's forces.

In remarks that appeared to question the legality of U.S. plans to strike Syria without U.N. backing, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the use of force is only legal when it is in self-defence or with Security Council authorization.

If U.N. inspectors confirm the use of chemical weapons in Syria, the Security Council, which has been deadlocked on the 2-1/2-year Syrian civil war, should overcome its differences and take action, Ban said.

Having startled friends and foes alike by delaying a punitive attack on Assad until Congress reconvenes and agrees, Obama met congressional leaders at the White House to urge a prompt decision and assure them it did not mean another long war like Iraq or Afghanistan.

John Boehner, the Republican speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor both pledged their support for military action after the meeting.

Votes are expected to be held in the Senate and House next week, with the Republican-led House presenting the tougher challenge for Obama.

China:Land seizures an ugly side of the urbanization drive

When Xu Haifeng's home was razed three years ago, she went to China's capital Beijing to complain about the city and county governments that ordered the demolition.

Since then, she says family members have been kidnapped at least 18 times, typically having black bags thrust over their heads before being taken to a hotel-turned-illegal jail in the eastern city of Wuxi and locked for weeks in a tiny, windowless room.

Our Wuxi is now steep in debt," said Xu. "The Wuxi city today relies on drawing from residents' financial wealth and stealing residents' land to survive."

Her 74-year-old mother, she says, has been abducted nearly a dozen times and held illegally for almost a year in a campaign to silence the family's demands for proper compensation.

Land seizures rank as among the biggest causes of social tension in China, spotlighting an ugly side of the urbanization drive that has raised it to the world's second-biggest economy.

Source: Reuters

Precious Metals Prices 03.09.13 at 8.36 a. m. Eastern Time

Gold Price Futures     3 months      US$   1,401.99

Silver Price Futures    3 months     US$        24.40

Int'l meeting on preserving tuna stock in Pacific starts

An international meeting to discuss how to manage bluefin tuna resources in the northern Pacific started Monday in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka.

The subcommittee meeting of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission through Thursday is being attended by nine countries including China, South Korea and the United States.

Given that the stock of adult bluefin tuna aged 4 years or older in the ocean declined to near its lowest-ever level of 22,606 tons in 2010, Japan has proposed that the catch of juvenile bluefin tuna up to 3 years old in the Pacific next year be cut by at least 15 percent from the 2002-2004 average.

Source: NewsOnJapan

Japan:Banks offer new services to sell housing loans

Japanese banks are offering new services to attract housing loan borrowers. They're trying to capitalize on rising demand for housing ahead of a planned consumption tax hike next April.

Banks are already competing to cut mortgage rates. They've been targeting people thinking of refinancing existing mortgages taken out when lending rates were higher.

Now, banks are offering other kinds of perks. A service introduced by Mizuho Bank in August allows family borrowers to make smaller, flexible repayments in needy times, like childbirth and school enrollment.

China:Home prices keep rising in August

New home prices in 100 major cities averaged 10,442 yuan ($1,706) per square meter in August, rising for 15 consecutive months in month-on-month terms, and indicating the recovery of the property sector, a survey has shown.

Of the 100 cities tracked by the China Index Academy, the research arm of Soufun, China's largest property website, 71 cities posted month-on-month increases, with 31 of them seeing prices rising at a pace above 1 percent, two cities fewer than in July.

The other 29 cities saw monthly declines, 10 cities fewer than in the previous month. Of those, 14 cities saw drops more than 1 percent.

On an annual basis, new home prices in those 100 cities increased 8.61 percent on average, 0.67 percentage point higher than in July.

Among the 10 largest cities, Beijing saw the biggest property inflation with a 3.22 percent month-on-month increase in August, trailed by Wuhan, Hubei province, which posted a 2.16 percent month-on-month increase.

On a year-on-year basis, new home prices in the 10 top-tier cities grew 12.18 percent in August, extending the period of gains to 10 months and pointing to robust housing demand.

China's August non-manufacturing PMI falls to 53.9 pct

China's non-manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) fell to 53.9 percent in August from 54.1 percent for July, according to official data released on Tuesday.

A PMI reading of more than 50 percent indicates expansion in non-manufacturing activity, while a reading below 50 percent indicates contraction.

The monthly indicator is released by the National Bureau of Statistics and the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing.

Source: Xinhua

Precious Metal Prices 10.08 p.m. Eastern Time

Gold Price Futures         3 months    US$  1,393.74

Silver Price Futures        3 months    US$      24.19

Brasil:Deficit de US$ 3,764 bilhões en balança comercial de janeiro a agosto

A balança comercial brasileira voltou a mostrar saldo positivo em agosto, mas o resultado ficou muito aquém do mesmo período de 2012. O saldo positivo nas trocas comerciais do Brasil foi de apenas US$ 1,226 bilhão no mês passado, uma queda de 62% na comparação com o ano passado.

No acumulado do ano, a balança comercial continua registrando deficit. O saldo negativo somou US$ 3,764 bilhões de janeiro a agosto, revertendo o superavit registrado nos oito primeiros meses de 2012 de US$ 13,149 bilhões.

A redução do saldo se deve tanto ao aumento das importações como a queda das exportações brasileiras.

Porém, o principal impacto negativo na balança comercial vem da conta petróleo, que registra o comércio exterior do óleo bruto e combustíveis derivados. Essa conta está negativa em US$ 16,368 bilhões nos oito primeiros meses do ano.

O saldo total das demais trocas de produtos é positivo em US$ 12,604 bilhões.

Brasil: Bolsa tem a maior alta diária em mais de um ano

Dados que mostraram a melhora da indústria europeia e chinesa animaram os investidores nesta segunda-feira (2) e levaram o Ibovespa, principal índice de ações da Bolsa brasileira, a fechar em alta de 3,65%, a 51.835 pontos. Foi a maior alta diária registrada pelo índice desde 27 de julho de 2012, quando subiu 4,72%.

O avanço do índice também foi impulsionado pela valorização de 33,33% das ações da OGX, petroleira de Eike Batista, para R$ 0,40.

  Na semana passada, a ação da petroleira de Eike foi derrubada pela notícia de que o empresário estaria negociando a conversão da dívida da OGX em participação acionária na companhia, o que diluiria os demais acionistas.

 "Os dados divulgados na China hoje aliviaram um pouco a tensão que o mercado estava sentindo em relação a demanda chinesa por matérias-primas. Isso contribuiu para a alta das ações de empresas desse segmento, como a Vale", diz Elad Revi, analista-chefe da Spinelli Corretora.

As ações mais negociadas da Vale tiveram alta de 2,95%, para R$ 32,02, dando impulso ao Ibovespa. A China é o principal cliente internacional da mineradora brasileira.

Na Europa, o PMI de indústria do Markit para a zona do euro saltou de 50,3 em julho para 51,4 em agosto, maior valor em mais de dois anos.

Além disso, também contribuiu para o clima mais ameno nos mercados o adiamento do conflito de potências ocidentais com a Síria.

Hoje, a BM&FBovespa divulgou a nova composição do Ibovespa, que vai vigorar de 2 de setembro de 2013 a 3 de janeiro de 2014. A novidade foi a inclusão das ações da Anhanguera e da Kroton, ambas do setor de educação.

Outra novidade da nova composição do Ibovespa foi a menor participação das ações mais negociadas de Petrobras (de 8,009% para 7,617%), Vale (de 8,585% para 8,287%), e dos papéis da OGX (de 5,061% para 4,259%). Já o Itaú passou a ter maior representatividade no índice (de 4,402% para 4,558%).

"Muitos fundos estão equalizando suas carteiras. Eles compram e vendem mais ações para igualar a composição de suas aplicações com a do Ibovespa. Esse movimento é um vetor a mais que contribuiu para o avanço da Bolsa hoje", diz Revi.

  Folha de Sao Paulo

Império brasileiro de Eike naufragou por mais do que arrogância

"Há 15 meses, Paulo Mendonça, presidente-executivo da OGX Petróleo, estava confiante em que a companhia que presidia estava a caminho de se tornar uma grande produtora independente de petróleo, a âncora do vasto império brasileiro de recursos naturais presidido por Eike Batista.

Em entrevista à Reuters na sede da empresa, no Rio de Janeiro, Mendonça exibiu recipientes contendo o petróleo de odor forte extraído do primeiro campo da OGX, o Tubarão Azul, e descartou as preocupações quanto às operações nas águas a nordeste do Rio.

   Pequenos problemas haviam acontecido, claro, mas eles estavam sendo corrigidos. As ações da OGX Petróleo e Participações --carro-chefe do EBX Group, de Eike-- haviam caído em um terço ante picos recentes, mas o principal índice da bolsa brasileira e as ações de outras companhias petroleiras também estavam em queda. Mendonça deu a entender que tudo ia bem.

   Foi então, quase que de passagem ao final de uma hora de entrevista, que ele revelou uma bomba: Tubarão Azul estava produzindo apenas 17 mil barris de petróleo ou o equivalente em gás natural (bpoed) a cada dia e a expectativa de atingir produção de entre 40 mil e 50 mil barris ao dia antes do final do ano "demoraria mais tempo que o esperado" para se realizar.

A admissão de que a OGX havia caído bem abaixo de suas previsões foi um momento crucial na queda da companhia de energia, objeto de tantos exageros - o primeiro dominó a cair no rápido colapso do grupo EBX, o conglomerado de petróleo, energia, construção naval, mineração e portos criado por Eike.

As ações da OGX caíram em 8,4% no dia seguinte, dada a queda da confiança dos investidores. Haviam caído em mais 50% - eliminando US$ 10,4 bilhões em valor para os acionistas - quando Mendonça renunciou, um mês mais tarde.

  De lá para cá, as coisas só pioraram para Eike. Prejudicadas por dívidas crescentes, atrasos em uma série de projetos e uma crise de confiança, suas seis companhias de capital aberto sofreram um dos mais espetaculares colapsos empresariais da História recente.

  O colapso da OGX --e o subsequentemente desmonte da EBX-- refletem o sucesso inicial de Eike em atrair investidores para descobertas de petróleo que se provaram muito mais difíceis de extrair do que era esperado.

Mas a história não é tão simples. O império dele também caiu vítima do súbito fim de um boom mundial de commodities e da exuberância selvagem que existia quanto aos mercados emergentes - duas das forças que atraíram investidores para a visão de Eike.

  "Houve arrogância? Houve a venda de um sonho sem grande consideração quando aos riscos reais? Claro que sim."Mas ao mesmo tempo outras coisas se fizeram sentir. Muitas das pessoas que investiram em Eike não eram tolas, e sua ascensão e queda acompanhou a do Brasil".

    Eike concorda, em certa medida. Em carta publicada em 19 de julho por dois jornais brasileiros, ele disse que a implosão de seu império começou pela OGX. A companhia, escreveu, "é a origem da crise de credibilidade que prejudicou meu nome e resultou no obscurecimento das realizações e conquistas" da EBX

   Eike enfatizou que não estava sozinho em acreditar que a OGX teria sucesso. "Tive ofertas para vender uma parcela grande ou até controladora da OGX baseadas em avaliação de US$ 30 bilhões para a companhia", ele afirmou. Na data da carta, a OGX tinha valor de mercado de US$ 723 milhões.

Delcidio Amaral, antigo vice-presidente de gás e energia na estatal Petrobras, disse que não havia dúvida de que o empresário acreditava na presença de petróleo.

"Ele tinha boas intenções mas estava errado", disse Amaral, hoje senador. "Ninguém investe bilhões de dólares na construção de navios para extrair petróleo offshore se está apenas tentando iludir as pessoas. Seria insano".

  Folha de Sao Paulo

Brasil:Mercado prevê crescimento maior do PIB e inflação em 2013

Analistas do mercado financeiro revisaram para cima suas projeções para o crescimento da economia, inflação e dólar em 2013, mostrou o relatório Focus, divulgado nesta manhã pelo Banco Central (BC).

No documento, os agentes consultados pela autoridade monetária esperam que a economia avance 2,32% em 2013, em vez de 2,20%. Para 2014, a estimativa é de um crescimento de 2,30%.

A projeção para o aumento do IPCA em 2013 saiu de 5,80% para 5,83%. A estimativa do índice de preços para 2014 permaneceu em 5,84% de incremento.

As cerca de cem instituições financeiras ouvidas semanalmente pelo BC elevaram a projeção para a taxa de câmbio no fim deste ano --esperam dólar a R$ 2,36, em lugar de R$ 2,32. Em 2014, a moeda americana deve terminar a R$ 2,40, ante R$ 2,38 previstos antes.

Na última sexta-feira, o IBGE (Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística) informou que o PIB (Produto Interno Bruto) brasileiro cresceu 1,5% no segundo trimestre deste ano, sobre os primeiros três meses de 2013, feitos os ajustes sazonais.

O resultado ficou acima da estimativa média de 1% apurada pelo Valor Data junto a 15 consultorias e instituições financeiras.

Na semana passada, o ministro da Fazenda, Guido Mantega, passou a trabalhar com uma previsão de crescimento do PIB em 2013 de 2,5%, ante estimativa anterior de 3%. Mesmo com um avanço de 1,5% da economia no segundo trimestre, considerado bom pelo ministro, ele preferiu aguardar o resultado do terceiro trimestre para fazer qualquer alteração nessa expectativa.

Folha de Sao Paulo

10 baby-miliardari più ricchi

Nel mondo vivono 1.426 miliardari, ma solo 29 hanno meno di 40 anni. Nella top ten dei "baby-miliardari" sono presenti i due fondatori di Google, Larry Page e Sergey Brin, e tre dei quattro ideatori di Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, Eduardo Saverin e Dustin Moskovitz. Il baby-miliardario più ricco del mondo resta il trentanovenne Larry Page, attuale amministratore delegato di Google che conta un patrimonio di 17,4 miliardi di euro (testi di Francesco Tortora).

 Al secondo posto si posiziona Sergey Brin, cofondatore di Google che ha un patrimonio di 17,2 miliardi di euro. Negli ultimi giorni il nome del trentanovenne ha conquistato le prime pagine dei giornali per la fine della relazione con sua moglie Anne Wojcicki, con la quale era sposato da sei anni e ha due figli, e per il suo nuovo legame sentimentale con Amanda Rosenberg, marketing manager dei Google Glass.

Quarto in classifica è il colombiano Alejandro Santo Domingo Davila. Figlio del magnate della birra Julio Mario Santo Domingo, il trentaseienne è amministratore della Quadrant Capital Advisors, siede nel consiglio d'amministrazione del Metropolitan Museum of Art di New York e ha un patrimonio di 8,8 miliardi di euro.   

                                                                                                                            

• 
  
  

Commercio: Ue, aumento preoccupante barriere agli scambi

Nell'ultimo anno sono state introdotte nel mondo 150 nuove restrizioni al commercio mentre sono state smantellate solo 18 misure esistenti. Lo indica un rapporto della Commissione europea. Anche se il ricorso a misure restrittive e' piu' lento di quanto sia risultato nel 2011 e nel 2012, segnala Bruxelles, "c'e' stato un preoccupante aumento di certe misure altamente dirompenti per il commercio". 

Eni: Scaroni incontra il primo ministro iracheno Nuri al-Maliki

Il primo ministro iracheno, Nuri al-Maliki, e l'amministratore delegato di Eni, Paolo Scaroni, si sono incontrati oggi a Baghdad per discutere delle attivita' di Eni nel Paese. Durante l'incontro Paolo Scaroni, insieme con Claudio Descalzi, direttore generale Eni E&P, ha aggiornato al-Maliki sulle attivita' di sviluppo del giacimento petrolifero di Zubair e discusso i requisiti contrattuali e operativi per raggiungere il nuovo plateau di produzione di 850.000 barili di olio al giorno nel 2016, come concordato nell'emendamento al contratto di servizio firmato il 15 luglio 2013. Le parti hanno anche discusso delle potenzialita' del settore iracheno degli idrocarburi e delle future possibilita' di sviluppo di Eni in Iraq. Il Primo Ministro al-Maliki, conclude la nota del gruppo italiano, "ha espresso la sua soddisfazione per le attivita' svolte da Eni nel Paese".

Corriere della Sera