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China offers incentives for Taiwan after opposition leader's visit
China announced 10 new incentives for Taiwan on Sunday, including easing tourist restrictions, allowing "healthy" TV dramas and facilitating the sale of food, after a visit from the island's opposition leader. Cheng Li-wun (chairwoman of Taiwan's largest political opposition party, the Kuomintang) made this decision at the end of a visit to China. She spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping about the importance of peace and reconciliation. The official Xinhua News Agency announced 10 measures that "explore" a number of issues, including the resumption of flights between China and Taiwan, and the permission to individuals from Shanghai or Fujian Province to visit Taiwan. Xinhua reported that a mechanism would be created to reduce the inspection standards of food and fishery items, but it must be based on a political platform "opposing Taiwan's independence". Taiwanese TV dramas, documentaries, and animations will be allowed to air, as long as "they have a correct orientation, healthy contents, and high-quality production," the statement added. Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (which is responsible for the island's China Policy) said in a recent statement that Beijing's "unilateral" concessions are merely poison pills disguised as "generous gifts packages." It said that the Taiwanese Government supports healthy and orderly exchanges across the Strait, but these should not be dependent on political objectives or preconditions. The?KMT issued a statement in which it welcomed China's declaration, calling it a "gift" for the people of Taiwan. China has refused to speak with Taiwan President Lai Ching Te, claiming that he is a separatist. He rejects Beijing’s claims of sovereignty over the democratically-governed island. China and Taiwan blame each other for the lack of Chinese tourism on the island following the COVID-19 pandemic. Taiwan has also complained before about Chinese restrictions on the import of certain agricultural and aquatic products. Taiwan claims that China uses unjustified excuses in some cases to prevent the spread of pests.
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Saudi Arabia restores capacity to the East-West oil pipeline at 7 million barrels per day after the attacks
Saudi Arabia said that it had restored the full capacity of the East-West oil pipeline to about seven million barrels per day. This was after assessing the damage caused by the attacks on the energy sector during the Iran conflict. According to the ministry, the energy facilities and pipelines that were damaged during the conflict are now operational again. Saudi Arabia did not say who was behind the attack, but it has intercepted Iranian missiles and drones many times in recent weeks. The strikes also disrupted key oil, gas and refining sites, as well as petrochemical, electricity and petrochemical sites, in Riyadh and the Eastern Province. RESTORE OUTPUT TO CONTINUE SUPPLY Saudi Arabia said that the attacks on Thursday had reduced its oil production by approximately 600,000 barrels a day, and its East-West Pipeline throughput by about 700,000. Saudi Arabia has only one crude export route, the East-West Pipeline, due to the closure of Strait of Hormuz. Reports on Wednesday claimed that Iran had attacked the 'pipeline just hours following the ceasefire. The ministry said it had'recovered affected volumes' from the Manifa field, where production had been reduced previously by approximately?300,000. The ministry said that work was underway to restore the full output at the Khurais plant after attacks on it reduced Saudi Arabia's capacity by a further?300,000 bpd. The company said that a quick recovery would improve the "reliability and consistency of supplies for local and global markets." Reporting by Menna Alaa Al-Din, Muhammad Al Gebaly and Bernadette B. Baum
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China offers incentives for Taiwan after opposition leader's visit
China announced 10 new incentives measures for Taiwan on Sunday, including relaxing tourist restrictions, allowing "healthy" TV dramas and facilitating the sale of food. This follows a visit by Taiwan's opposition leader. Cheng Li-wun (chairwoman of Taiwan's biggest opposition party, the Kuomintang KMT) made the decision at the end of a visit to China. She spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping about the importance of peace and reconciliation. The 10'measures', announced by the official Xinhua News Agency, "explore" establishing a'regular communication system between the KMT, and China’s Communist Party. They also include the full resumption of flights between both sides, and allowing individuals from Shanghai, and Fujian Province, to visit Taiwan. Xinhua reported that a mechanism would be created to reduce the?inspection standard for food and _fishery products. However, this must be based on the political basis of "opposing Taiwan's independence". Taiwanese dramas, documentaries, and animations will be permitted to be shown, as long as they are "correctly oriented, have healthy content, and are of high production quality," it added. Taiwan's government did not immediately respond. China has refused to speak to Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te because it believes he is "separatist." He rejects Beijing’s claims of sovereignty over the democratically-governed island. China and Taiwan blamed eachother for the failure of a large-scale Chinese tourism on the island after the end of the COVID-19 epidemic. Taiwan complained before about Chinese restrictions?on the imports of certain agricultural and aquatic products. It claimed that China had in some cases used unjustified reasons to stop the spreading of pests and disease.
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Israel reprimands Spain for blowing up an effigy of Netanyahu
Israel announced on Saturday that it had reprimanded Spain’s most senior diplomat in Tel Aviv for the explosion of a giant effigy?of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week in a Spanish town. Maria Dolores Narvaez, the mayor of El Burgo in southern Spain, told local TV that the seven-metre-high (23-foot-high)?figure had been packed with?14 kg (31 lb) gunpowder during a ceremony held for decades on April 5. Israel's Foreign Ministry stated in a press release on X that highlighted a video, "The appalling hatred of Jews on display is the direct result from Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's Government's systematic incitement." I was not able to confirm the video immediately. "The Spanish government is committed to combating antisemitism, hate and discrimination in any form. We reject any 'insidious allegations' that suggest the opposite, a Spanish Foreign Ministry?source said. El Burgo Mayor Narvaez stated that the town had previously used effigies for U.S. president Donald Trump and Russian president Vladimir Putin at the annual event. Spain has always been a vocal critic of U.S. military operations in Iran and Lebanon. This is despite U.S. warnings to punish non-cooperative NATO members. Spain and Israel have been involved in a long-running dispute that began with the Gaza War. Gideon Sa'ar, Israeli Foreign Minister said that a Spanish ban on aircraft or ships transporting weapons to Israel through its?ports and?airspace was antisemitic. Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares has accused Israel of breaking international law and the two-week truce after a wave of airstrikes across Lebanon this week. Netanyahu claimed on Wednesday that Lebanon is not a part of the ceasefire, and Israel's military continues to attack Hezbollah with force. Sanchez, who is a prominent opponent of the Iran War, has shut down Spanish airspace for any aircraft that may be involved in an encounter he describes as reckless and illegal. (Reporting and editing by Alexander Smith; Reporting by Graham Keeley)
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The pilots' union has called for strikes on April 13 and 14.
?Union VC called on 'pilots 'at Lufthansa on a saturday to strike for two days starting on Monday over a pension dispute, saying the company has failed to make an acceptable offer. The union has asked pilots at Lufthansa CityLine, Lufthansa CityCargo, and Lufthansa Cargo to strike between April 13, 0001 CET (2221 GMT) and April 14, 2359 GMT (2159 GMT), the union stated. The ban excludes flights to the following Middle East countries: Azerbaijan (Azerbaijan), Egypt (Bahrain), Iraq, Israel (Israel), Jordan (Jordan), Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman and Saudi Arabia. The union has also asked pilots at Lufthansa's subsidiary Eurowings to go on strike from 0001 to 2359 CET on the 13th of April. The Cockpit 'union felt compelled to make this move after the employers showed no real willingness -to reach a resolution in several collective bargaining Disputes, said VC President Andreas Pinheiro. "Despite our deliberate choice not to strike over Easter holidays, no serious offer has been made." Lufthansa stated in a press release that VC's announcement was a "completely a new escalation" and questioned the union's demands to "double a company pension plan which is already excellent and above average". Reporting by Christoph Steitz, Ilona Knowebach. Jane Merriman edited the article.
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India increases export duties on aviation turbine fuel, diesel
India has raised its windfall 'tax' on the export of diesel and aviation turbine fuel, which it had imposed last week to ensure an adequate supply at home. India's Finance Ministry increased taxes on diesel exports to 55.5 rupees/litre from just 21.5 rupees/litre. The tax on aviation turbine fuel exports was also raised from 29.5 rupees/litre to 42 rupees/litre. India cut the excise tax on petrol and diesel last month by 10 rupees ($0.11). To control the rise in airfares it also set a limit of 25% on domestic airline fuel prices. Jet fuel can account for up to 40% of airline expenses. The global oil price has risen to $100 per barrel as the U.S. - Iran war continues to restrict the flow of crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz. This is the conduit that carries 40% of India's crude?oil?imports. India is the third largest oil consumer and importer in the world, and it relies heavily upon foreign supplies. (Reporting and writing by Nikunj Ahri; editing by Jan Harvey).
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Irish police break up blockade by protesters at high fuel prices
Irish police cleared protesters who had blocked the only oil refinery in Ireland on Saturday, after a senior government minister said that protests over surging fuel prices created a "very danger economic moment" for Ireland. Protesters angry by a rise of more than 20% in diesel prices following the U.S./Israeli war on Iran have used tractors and trucks to block a Whitegate refinery and a fuel terminal, as well as a few roads in Dublin's capital. The government said that hundreds of petrol stations were left 'without fuel,' putting emergency services at risk. State broadcaster RTE reported that police detained one protester and pushed others back at the Whitegate refinery on Saturday. The police released a video on social media that showed a number?of oil trucks?entering the refinery. After Finance Minister Simon Harris stated that the protests caused an "extremely hazardous moment" for the economy, this action was taken. Micheal Martin, the Prime Minister, said on Friday that the country was in danger of being forced to stop oil deliveries. Conor Humphries is the author. (Editing by Jane Merriman.
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Cathay Pacific will cut flights between mid-May and end-June due to rising jet fuel prices
Cathay Pacific Airlines announced on Saturday that it would cut some flights from mid-May until the end of June, citing the rising costs of jet fuel caused by the Middle East conflict. It was reported that the airline would cancel about 2% scheduled passenger flights between May '16 and June 30, 2026. Meanwhile, its budget arm HK Express would cut around 6% starting May 11. The airline said that the suspension of passenger services between Dubai and Riyadh will remain in effect until June 30. Cathay's CEO Ronald Lam announced last month that the Hong Kong-based carrier would expand its passenger capacity this year by 10%, citing a strong demand for flights to North America and Europe, as well as Australia, after the Iran War cut off traffic in the Middle East. Cathay?Pacific said that it plans to continue operating all scheduled passenger flights beyond June. Executives said that the two-week?ceasefire? between President Donald Trump and Iran will not bring immediate relief to the aviation industry. Officials in the industry have warned that jet fuel supplies will be tight and expensive for several months even if Iran were to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. (Reporting and editing by Anusha in Bengaluru)
United States peak power pollution season gets underway: Maguire
The month of July kicks off the yearly peak period for power emissions in the United States, as higher nationwide temperatures ratchet up usage of energyintensive air conditioning unit and spur power firms to crank up output from fossil fuels.
The July-to-September quarter has actually marked the quarterly high point for nonrenewable fuel source power output over the previous three years, with fossil-fired generation increasing by approximately 37% from the previous quarter considering that 2021, data from LSEG programs.
Resulting emissions throughout the third quarter of the calendar year have actually leapt by a similar degree, according to energy think tank Cinder, and have once again have actually traditionally scaled their yearly peak throughout the July-September duration.
U.S. power emissions through the very first half of 2024 have currently climbed by 5.2% from the very same period last year, to 790 million metric tons of co2 (CO2) and equivalent gases, according to Coal.
If power companies follow their typical practice and count on nonrenewable fuel sources to plug most of any power supply shortfalls throughout this year's peak need period, 2024's emissions toll will most likely climb even further above last year's total.
GASSING UP
Power companies traditionally depend on gas to supply the bulk of any incremental rise in power use during the 3rd quarter, with gas-fired output rising by an average of 36% because 2021 throughout that time window from the second quarter.
However, coal-fired power generation also tends to climb greatly during the July to September period, and in 2023 increased by more than 50% from the 2nd quarter as power companies had a hard time to meet the higher power consumption throughout that period.
A key driver behind the heavy dependence on nonrenewable fuel sources throughout the height of summertime is the tendency for clean power supplies to hold flat and even agreement a little during that duration.
Clean power generation tends to plunge during the summer due to lower wind speeds at turbine level and minimized hydro dam generation during the driest months of the year.
In 2023, clean power generation expanded by simply 0.4% during the 3rd quarter from the second quarter, LSEG information shows.
In 2022 and 2021, clean generation declined by 4.3% and 1.7%. respectively during that quarter from the previous quarter.
TOUGH CHOICES
The combined track record of tidy power generation right when. total power demand reliably peaks leaves U.S. power firms with. little scope but to improve output from nonrenewable fuel sources in spite of. continuous commitments to decarbonize power production.
Power sector emissions tend to go through substantial jumps. whenever power companies raise the share of fossil fuels in the. total generation mix.
In between 2019 and 2023, typical power sector emissions during. the 3rd quarter have been 532 million heaps, according to. Cinder.
That compares to 401 million tons for each of the other. quarters of the year, and highlights the scale of the. ecological impact from higher nonrenewable fuel source usage.
However, the July to September window is also when the U.S. power system tends to come under pressure from heat waves and. heavy storms that traditionally cluster during the most popular time. of year.
To ensure day-and-night power availability and fulfill greater. baseload requirements from higher commercial and residential. air conditioning system use during summer season, many power systems are. bound to improve general output by whatever indicates required.
Fossil fuels have actually formed the backbone of that additional. power generation over the last few years, and have actually resulted in a jump in. associated emissions which might worsen the climate-warming patterns. that have actually lifted a/c unit need in the very first place.
However if power firms continue to construct out tidy generation. and battery storage capacity at the record pace seen over the. past decade or two, tidy source of power may be able to replace. some fossil fuels in power generation mixes in the years ahead.
<< The opinions expressed here are those of the author, a. writer .>
(source: Reuters)