(Reuters) - An unprecedented spate of fierce, wind-driven wildfires in Oregon have all but destroyed five small towns, leaving a potentially high death toll in their wake, the governor said on Wednesday, as initial casualty reports began to surface.

Hundreds of miles away in northern California, three fatalities were confirmed on Wednesday from a lightning-sparked conflagration that raged with renewed intensity this week after firefighters had made significant headway containing it.

While more than two dozen major blazes continued to wreak havoc across wide swaths of California, the neighboring state of Oregon bore the latest brunt of wildfires plaguing much of the western United States over the past week.

(Reuters) - An unprecedented spate of fierce, wind-driven wildfires in Oregon have all but destroyed five small towns, leaving a potentially high death toll in their wake, the governor said on Wednesday, as initial casualty reports began to surface.

Hundreds of miles away in northern California, three fatalities were confirmed on Wednesday from a lightning-sparked conflagration that raged with renewed intensity this week after firefighters had made significant headway containing it.

While more than two dozen major blazes continued to wreak havoc across wide swaths of California, the neighboring state of Oregon bore the latest brunt of wildfires plaguing much of the western United States over the past week.

In Oregon, almost 100,000 homes and businesses were without power as crews battled large fires in Clackamas County, south of Portland.

Washington state was seeing 'unprecedented' fires, with 500 square miles burning on Monday alone.

In Northern California, helicopters have rescued hundreds of people stranded in the Sierra National Forest, where the Creek Fire was burning.

In Oregon, almost 100,000 homes and businesses were without power as crews battled large fires in Clackamas County, south of Portland.

Washington state was seeing 'unprecedented' fires, with 500 square miles burning on Monday alone.

In Northern California, helicopters have rescued hundreds of people stranded in the Sierra National Forest, where the Creek Fire was burning.

In Oregon, almost 100,000 homes and businesses were without power as crews battled large fires in Clackamas County, south of Portland.

Washington state was seeing 'unprecedented' fires, with 500 square miles burning on Monday alone.

In Northern California, helicopters have rescued hundreds of people stranded in the Sierra National Forest, where the Creek Fire was burning.

Moratorium end this month. Gold to the rescue

Moratorium end this month. Gold to the rescue

Moratorium end this month. Gold to the rescue

'High possibility’ BNM reduces OPR by 25bps to all-time low of 1.5% — TA Securities
Ong Kye Li
/
theedgemarkets.com

September 09, 2020 16:10 pm +08

'High possibility’ BNM reduces OPR by 25bps to all-time low of 1.5% — TA Securities
Ong Kye Li
/
theedgemarkets.com

September 09, 2020 16:10 pm +08

'High possibility’ BNM reduces OPR by 25bps to all-time low of 1.5% — TA Securities
Ong Kye Li
/
theedgemarkets.com

September 09, 2020 16:10 pm +08

FXStreetLATEST NEWS >>

Gold Price News and Forecast: XAU/USD fades pullback from 50-day EMA
September 09, 2020 03:16 GMT | By FXStreet Team
Gold Price News and Forecast: XAU/USD fades pullback from 50-day EMA
Gold Price Analysis: XAU/USD’s path of least resistance is down, $1913 back in sight – Confluence Detector
Following Tuesday’s two-way wild swings, Gold (XAU/USD) returns to the backseat, as the haven demand for the US dollar remains in vogue amid the risk-off action in the global stocks. The sentiment soured on rising US-Sino tensions, US fiscal deadlock and pessimism over the coronavirus vaccine. AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine trial was put on hold over safety concerns.

PETALING JAYA: Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) will reduce its overnight policy rate (OPR) by a further 25 basis points (bps), say seven out of 13 economists polled by Reuters.

An announcement is expected following the central bank’s policy meeting on Thursday.

Such a move will also see the OPR reduced to a record low of 1.5%, with BNM having already delivered 125 bps of rate cuts this year. The last cut of 25 bps was announced on July 7.

PETALING JAYA: Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) will reduce its overnight policy rate (OPR) by a further 25 basis points (bps), say seven out of 13 economists polled by Reuters.

An announcement is expected following the central bank’s policy meeting on Thursday.

Such a move will also see the OPR reduced to a record low of 1.5%, with BNM having already delivered 125 bps of rate cuts this year. The last cut of 25 bps was announced on July 7.

PETALING JAYA: Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) will reduce its overnight policy rate (OPR) by a further 25 basis points (bps), say seven out of 13 economists polled by Reuters.

An announcement is expected following the central bank’s policy meeting on Thursday.

Such a move will also see the OPR reduced to a record low of 1.5%, with BNM having already delivered 125 bps of rate cuts this year. The last cut of 25 bps was announced on July 7.

Pound Sterling Tipped to Fall below 1.10 vs. Euro, 1.31 vs. Dollar this Month as Brexit Anxieties Bite
Written by Gary Howes on 08 September 2020

Latest GBP RateLatest £€ Data and Graphs
Long Term DataLong Term Data
Get Best DealGet Best Deal on Currency Payments
- EU and UK in war of words on Brexit
- GBP shrinks as anxieties grow
- But Macron/Johnson call confirms commitment towards a deal
- GBP forecast below 1.10 vs EUR by ING
- Could go below 1.31 vs. USD

Pound Sterling Tipped to Fall below 1.10 vs. Euro, 1.31 vs. Dollar this Month as Brexit Anxieties Bite
Written by Gary Howes on 08 September 2020

Latest GBP RateLatest £€ Data and Graphs
Long Term DataLong Term Data
Get Best DealGet Best Deal on Currency Payments
- EU and UK in war of words on Brexit
- GBP shrinks as anxieties grow
- But Macron/Johnson call confirms commitment towards a deal
- GBP forecast below 1.10 vs EUR by ING
- Could go below 1.31 vs. USD

London copper falls on US-China tension, stronger US dollar
Mai Nguyen
/
Reuters

September 08, 2020 16:41 pm +08

Chinese yuan to become No 3 global currency by 2030 after US dollar, euro, Morgan Stanley predicts
The yuan could account for up to 10 per cent of global foreign exchange reserve assets by 2030
Policy advisers in Beijing have presented a number of suggestions to reduce China’s reliance on the US dollar

Chinese yuan to become No 3 global currency by 2030 after US dollar, euro, Morgan Stanley predicts
The yuan could account for up to 10 per cent of global foreign exchange reserve assets by 2030
Policy advisers in Beijing have presented a number of suggestions to reduce China’s reliance on the US dollar

Chinese yuan to become No 3 global currency by 2030 after US dollar, euro, Morgan Stanley predicts
The yuan could account for up to 10 per cent of global foreign exchange reserve assets by 2030
Policy advisers in Beijing have presented a number of suggestions to reduce China’s reliance on the US dollar

China bond inclusion in WGBI may drive US$140b in inflows — Goldman Sachs

China bond inclusion in WGBI may drive US$140b in inflows — Goldman Sachs

Stimulus check: Eligibility, fine print, income limit and how the first payment could shape the next rescue package
A second $1,200 maximum check from the IRS may still happen, but some prominent questions still remain. The original CARES Act may offer clues as to what a second round of payments might look like.

Clifford Colby headshot
Clifford Colby
Sept. 7, 2020 2:15 p.m. PT

Angela Lang/CNET
Washington lawmakers are expected to pass either another coronavirus economic relief package or other legislation that could give Americans who qualify a second stimulus check up to $1,200 per person. If there's another direct payment, the first round can offer some clues about what could happen next.

Stimulus check: Eligibility, fine print, income limit and how the first payment could shape the next rescue package
A second $1,200 maximum check from the IRS may still happen, but some prominent questions still remain. The original CARES Act may offer clues as to what a second round of payments might look like.

Clifford Colby headshot
Clifford Colby
Sept. 7, 2020 2:15 p.m. PT


Angela Lang/CNET
Washington lawmakers are expected to pass either another coronavirus economic relief package or other legislation that could give Americans who qualify a second stimulus check up to $1,200 per person. If there's another direct payment, the first round can offer some clues about what could happen next.

Stimulus check: Eligibility, fine print, income limit and how the first payment could shape the next rescue package
A second $1,200 maximum check from the IRS may still happen, but some prominent questions still remain. The original CARES Act may offer clues as to what a second round of payments might look like.

Clifford Colby headshot
Clifford Colby
Sept. 7, 2020 2:15 p.m. PT

Angela Lang/CNET
Washington lawmakers are expected to pass either another coronavirus economic relief package or other legislation that could give Americans who qualify a second stimulus check up to $1,200 per person. If there's another direct payment, the first round can offer some clues about what could happen next.

BEIJING, Sept 8 — China has put its homegrown coronavirus vaccines on display for the first time, as the country where the contagion was discovered looks to shape the narrative surrounding the pandemic.

A Sinovac representative told AFP his firm has already “completed the construction of a vaccine factory” able to produce 300 million doses a year.

China's nationalistic tabloid Global Times reported last month that “the price of the vaccines will not be high.”

Every two doses should cost below 1,000 yuan (RM606), the report said, citing Sinopharm's chairman, who told media he has already been injected with one of the candidate vaccines.

China's official Xinhua news agency reported yesterday that another vaccine candidate, developed by Chinese military scientists, can deal with mutations in the coronavirus.

BEIJING, Sept 8 — China has put its homegrown coronavirus vaccines on display for the first time, as the country where the contagion was discovered looks to shape the narrative surrounding the pandemic.

A Sinovac representative told AFP his firm has already “completed the construction of a vaccine factory” able to produce 300 million doses a year.

China's nationalistic tabloid Global Times reported last month that “the price of the vaccines will not be high.”

Every two doses should cost below 1,000 yuan (RM606), the report said, citing Sinopharm's chairman, who told media he has already been injected with one of the candidate vaccines.

China's official Xinhua news agency reported yesterday that another vaccine candidate, developed by Chinese military scientists, can deal with mutations in the coronavirus.

BEIJING, Sept 8 — China has put its homegrown coronavirus vaccines on display for the first time, as the country where the contagion was discovered looks to shape the narrative surrounding the pandemic.

A Sinovac representative told AFP his firm has already “completed the construction of a vaccine factory” able to produce 300 million doses a year.

China's nationalistic tabloid Global Times reported last month that “the price of the vaccines will not be high.”

Every two doses should cost below 1,000 yuan (RM606), the report said, citing Sinopharm's chairman, who told media he has already been injected with one of the candidate vaccines.

China's official Xinhua news agency reported yesterday that another vaccine candidate, developed by Chinese military scientists, can deal with mutations in the coronavirus.

The Trump International Hotel in Vancouver is closing due to the operator filing for bankruptcy, only three years after the establishment opened amid widespread opposition.

The operator TA Hotel Management Ltd. Partnership filed for bankruptcy late last week, owing $4.79 million and holding total assets of $1.1 million, according to records from the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy Canada.

“Its ongoing expenses since the outbreak of COVID-19 and lack of revenue has placed TAHMLP into a position of insolvency,” the operator said in its website, as quoted by Reuters.

The 69-storey hotel was initially shut down on April 4 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but staff said that the business is no longer accepting bookings due to permanent closure.

China's yuan could become the world’s third-largest reserve currency in the foreseeable future due to increased foreign investment in Chinese companies, analysts at Morgan Stanley conclude in a report distributed Friday (Sept. 4) and cited by CNBC.

The shift would put the yuan behind the U.S. dollar and the euro. Reserves are funds central banks hold in currencies other than their own.

As of the end of the first calendar quarter of this year, the International Monetary Fund lists the world’s leading reserve currencies as the U.S. dollar, the euro, the Japanese yen and the British pound, followed by the yuan, the Canadian dollar and the Australian dollar.

China's yuan could become the world’s third-largest reserve currency in the foreseeable future due to increased foreign investment in Chinese companies, analysts at Morgan Stanley conclude in a report distributed Friday (Sept. 4) and cited by CNBC.

The shift would put the yuan behind the U.S. dollar and the euro. Reserves are funds central banks hold in currencies other than their own.

As of the end of the first calendar quarter of this year, the International Monetary Fund lists the world’s leading reserve currencies as the U.S. dollar, the euro, the Japanese yen and the British pound, followed by the yuan, the Canadian dollar and the Australian dollar.

China's yuan could become the world’s third-largest reserve currency in the foreseeable future due to increased foreign investment in Chinese companies, analysts at Morgan Stanley conclude in a report distributed Friday (Sept. 4) and cited by CNBC.

The shift would put the yuan behind the U.S. dollar and the euro. Reserves are funds central banks hold in currencies other than their own.

As of the end of the first calendar quarter of this year, the International Monetary Fund lists the world’s leading reserve currencies as the U.S. dollar, the euro, the Japanese yen and the British pound, followed by the yuan, the Canadian dollar and the Australian dollar.

China Allows for Stronger Yuan as Xi Turns Focus to Home
Bloomberg News
September 4, 2020, 4:00 AM GMT+8
Updated on September 4, 2020, 4:51 PM GMT+8
Currency has jumped nearly 5% since this year’s nadir in May
Beijing hopes to stimulate imports, boost domestic consumption
Sign up for Next China, a weekly email on where the nation stands now and where it's going next.

Beijing is allowing faster gains in the yuan as it seeks to cheapen imports and bolster weak consumer spending.

China Allows for Stronger Yuan as Xi Turns Focus to Home
Bloomberg News
September 4, 2020, 4:00 AM GMT+8
Updated on September 4, 2020, 4:51 PM GMT+8
Currency has jumped nearly 5% since this year’s nadir in May
Beijing hopes to stimulate imports, boost domestic consumption
Sign up for Next China, a weekly email on where the nation stands now and where it's going next.

Beijing is allowing faster gains in the yuan as it seeks to cheapen imports and bolster weak consumer spending.

China Allows for Stronger Yuan as Xi Turns Focus to Home
Bloomberg News
September 4, 2020, 4:00 AM GMT+8
Updated on September 4, 2020, 4:51 PM GMT+8
Currency has jumped nearly 5% since this year’s nadir in May
Beijing hopes to stimulate imports, boost domestic consumption
Sign up for Next China, a weekly email on where the nation stands now and where it's going next.

Beijing is allowing faster gains in the yuan as it seeks to cheapen imports and bolster weak consumer spending.

China will further cut holdings of US bonds - Global Times 'experts'
Thu 3 Sep 2020 19:37:25 GMT

"China will gradually decrease its holdings of US debt to about $800billion under normal circumstances. But of course, China might sell all of its US bonds in an extreme case, like a military conflict," Xi Junyang, a professor at the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, told the Global Times on Thursday.

One reason for the bond selling is because Beijing is increasingly concerned about the potential risks behind surging debt level in the US, experts said.
China has cut USD holdings this year so the trend is certainty divestment and it's undoubtedly negative for the currency going forward. Then again, the Fed's buying $5 in bonds for every one that China sells.

"China will gradually decrease its holdings of US debt to about $800billion under normal circumstances. But of course, China might sell all of its US bonds in an extreme case, like a military conflict," Xi Junyang, a professor at the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, told the Global Times on Thursday.

One reason for the bond selling is because Beijing is increasingly concerned about the potential risks behind surging debt level in the US, experts said.
China has cut USD holdings this year so the trend is certainty divestment and it's undoubtedly negative for the currency going forward. Then again, the Fed's buying $5 in bonds for every one that China sells.

State-sanctioned Global Times -- citing economists -- says China will cuts its holdings of US bonds from the current level of above $1 trillion to about $800 billion on worries about US crackdowns and a ballooning US deficit.

This is framed as speculation but nothing gets past the Chinese censors unless they're sending a message.

China will further cut holdings of US bonds - Global Times 'experts'

Berkshire Hathaway Inc's USD 6.2 billion (4.6 billion pounds) foray into Japan's five largest trading houses may signal billionaire Warren Buffett's expectation that inflation and a falling US dollar may make international equities more attractive when economies worldwide recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

Berkshire said late Sunday, on Buffett's 90th birthday, it owned just over 5 percent of each of Itochu Corp, Marubeni Corp, Mitsubishi Corp Mitsui & Co Ltd and Sumitomo Corp <8053.T>, and said it could increase its stakes to 9.9 percent.

Berkshire Hathaway Inc's USD 6.2 billion (4.6 billion pounds) foray into Japan's five largest trading houses may signal billionaire Warren Buffett's expectation that inflation and a falling US dollar may make international equities more attractive when economies worldwide recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

Berkshire said late Sunday, on Buffett's 90th birthday, it owned just over 5 percent of each of Itochu Corp, Marubeni Corp, Mitsubishi Corp Mitsui & Co Ltd and Sumitomo Corp <8053.T>, and said it could increase its stakes to 9.9 percent.

Why Buffett's bet on Japan could turn on higher inflation, weakening dollar
CNBC-TV18 • September 01, 2020 08:36 AM IST
By Reuters

Bitcoin to soar as Buffett exits USD: Max Keiser
TV host says the top crypto will reach all-time high in near term as world loses confidence in reserve currency
By PAUL MUIR
SEPTEMBER 1, 2020

The US dollar is becoming so enfeebled by excess printing that even billionaire investor Warren Buffett is jumping ship. But this debasement of the world’s reserve currency is good news for bitcoin holders, according to analyst and TV presenter Max Keiser, because it will push its price to all-time highs.

“Buffett’s move into Japan, along with his GOLD investment, confirms he’s getting out of USD BIGLY,” Keiser tweeted on Monday. “USD is trending lower today, about to break key support. Bitcoin – Gold – Silver Will all make new ATH in the near term.”

Bitcoin to soar as Buffett exits USD: Max Keiser
TV host says the top crypto will reach all-time high in near term as world loses confidence in reserve currency
By PAUL MUIR
SEPTEMBER 1, 2020

The US dollar is becoming so enfeebled by excess printing that even billionaire investor Warren Buffett is jumping ship. But this debasement of the world’s reserve currency is good news for bitcoin holders, according to analyst and TV presenter Max Keiser, because it will push its price to all-time highs.

“Buffett’s move into Japan, along with his GOLD investment, confirms he’s getting out of USD BIGLY,” Keiser tweeted on Monday. “USD is trending lower today, about to break key support. Bitcoin – Gold – Silver Will all make new ATH in the near term.”

Bitcoin to soar as Buffett exits USD: Max Keiser
TV host says the top crypto will reach all-time high in near term as world loses confidence in reserve currency
By PAUL MUIR
SEPTEMBER 1, 2020

The US dollar is becoming so enfeebled by excess printing that even billionaire investor Warren Buffett is jumping ship. But this debasement of the world’s reserve currency is good news for bitcoin holders, according to analyst and TV presenter Max Keiser, because it will push its price to all-time highs.

“Buffett’s move into Japan, along with his GOLD investment, confirms he’s getting out of USD BIGLY,” Keiser tweeted on Monday. “USD is trending lower today, about to break key support. Bitcoin – Gold – Silver Will all make new ATH in the near term.”

Oil rises in shift to risk assets as US dollar slides
Business
Oil rises in shift to risk assets as US dollar slides
01 Sep 2020 09:15AM




Bookmark

MELBOURNE: Oil prices rose in early trade on Tuesday, reversing overnight losses, as investors shifted to risk assets and out of the safe-haven U.S. dollar, which slid to a more than two-year low.

Brent crude futures climbed 27 cents, or 0.6per cent, to US$45.55 a barrel at 0055 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose 21 cents, or 0.5per cent, to US$42.82 a barrel.

Ant Group's upcoming IPO aims to raise a record $30 billion and could bring first-time tech fundraising to the highest level since 1999.
Should demand for the offering hold up, Ant's debut could bring global first-time stock sales to more than $57 billion, according to data collected by Bloomberg. The dot-com bubble's annual proceeds peaked at $62 billion.
The debut is the latest to enjoy surging investor demand for tech stocks. With concentration in giants like Apple and Microsoft reaching historic highs, traders have turned to the IPO market for cheaper entry into the tech sector.

Ant Group's upcoming IPO aims to raise a record $30 billion and could bring first-time tech fundraising to the highest level since 1999.
Should demand for the offering hold up, Ant's debut could bring global first-time stock sales to more than $57 billion, according to data collected by Bloomberg. The dot-com bubble's annual proceeds peaked at $62 billion.
The debut is the latest to enjoy surging investor demand for tech stocks. With concentration in giants like Apple and Microsoft reaching historic highs, traders have turned to the IPO market for cheaper entry into the tech sector.