Latest News
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Europe's aviation regulator issues brand-new cautioning for Russian airspace
The European Union Aviation Safety Firm issued a brand-new alert on Thursday caution nonEuropean providers not to fly within western Russia airspace due to the risk of being accidentally targeted by its airdefence systems. Russia's civil air travel authority, Rosaviatsiya, denounced the alert as a brand-new imposition of sanctions on Russian companies and an attempt to enable Western airlines to recover lost markets. EASA said the crash last month in Kazakhstan of an Azerbaijan Airlines aircraft, after Russian air defences fired against Ukrainian drones, showed the high threat at play. At least 38 people passed away in the crash. The ongoing conflict following the Russian intrusion of Ukraine poses the danger of civil aircraft being unintentionally targeted in the airspace of the Russian Federation due to possible civil-military coordination deficiencies, and the potential for misidentification, EASA stated. EASA recommends not to run within the impacted airspace of the Russian Federation situated west of longitude 60 ° East at all altitudes and flight levels. The warning was for third-country operators authorised by EASA, considered that Russian airspace has been closed to European Union airline companies given that the bloc imposed Ukraine-related sanctions targeting Russia's air travel sector. A statement issued on Friday by Rosaviatsiya said air security was its greatest top priority and the suggestion was baseless. This recommendation is absolutely nothing more than an extension of the policy of sanctions by Western nations on the Russian Federation's air travel market, it wrote on the Telegram messaging app. EASA, it stated, was trying to protect a reduction in the number of flights by Asian carriers to EU destinations using the Trans-Siberian route. EASA, through this suggestion, is simply trying to recover its lost competitive advantage for its business, it stated. 4 sources with knowledge of the preliminary findings of Azerbaijan's investigation informed Reuters last month that Russian air defences had incorrectly shot down the airliner. Guests said they heard a loud bang outside the airplane. President Vladimir Putin apologised to Azerbaijan's leader for what the Kremlin called a tragic event although the Kremlin declaration did not say Russia had actually shot down the plane, noting just that a criminal case had been opened.
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American Airlines' focus on ESG in 401( k) plan is unlawful, US judge guidelines
A federal judge in Texas on Friday said American Airlines broken federal law by basing investment choices for its employee retirement strategy on ecological, social and other non-financial aspects. The ruling by U.S. District Judge Reed O'Connor appeared to be the very first of its kind amid growing backlash by conservatives to an uptick in socially-conscious investing. O'Connor said American had actually breached its legal task to make financial investment choices based exclusively on the monetary interests of 401( k) plan beneficiaries by allowing BlackRock, its possession supervisor and a major shareholder, to concentrate on ecological, social and business governance (ESG) factors. The evidence made clear that [American's] incestuous relationship with BlackRock and its own corporate objectives disloyally influenced administration of the Plan, composed O'Connor, an appointee of Republican former President George W. Bush. The judge ruled after holding a four-day non-jury trial in June, in a class action by American pilot Bryan Spence on behalf of more than 100,000 participants in the retirement plan. American did not right away respond to a request for remark. BlackRock was not involved in the suit.
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Germany protects oil tanker adrift off its Baltic coast
A tugboat has stopped a. tanker bring around 99,000 metric lots of oil from Russia. from wandering out of control off Germany's Baltic Sea coast near. the island of Ruegen, emergency services said on Friday. The 274-metre (899-foot) Panama-flagged tanker, called. Eventin, and taking a trip from Russia to Egypt, had been drifting. gradually and unable to manoeuvre given that earlier on Friday,. Germany's Central Command for Maritime Emergencies said. A tugboat was holding it in position and others were en. route, CCME said, adding it was examining next steps. Evacuation of the 24-member team was not required, it said. Russia threatens our European security not just with its. prohibited war of aggression versus Ukraine however also through. severed cable televisions ... disinformation projects, GPS jammers, and,. indeed, with decrepit oil tankers, Germany's Foreign Minister. Annalena Baerbock stated in a declaration. With the unethical usage of a fleet of rusting tankers,. ( Russian President Vladimir) Putin not only circumvents. sanctions however also deliberately accepts the threat of halting. tourism in the Baltic Sea area. Moscow did not instantly reply to a request for comment. Baerbock said the event is an example of why Germany,. with other nations, had required brand-new sanctions against. Russia's fleet of oil tankers in current months.
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Readily available Russian-origin aluminium stocks in LME system fell 11% in December
Russian aluminium stocks in London Metal Exchange warehouses readily available to the marketplace fell 11% in December from November, LME data revealed, as traders and consumers wanted to avoid lines for Indian metal in Port Klang, Malaysia. The aluminium stored in LME signed up storage facilities in Port Klang is primarily of Indian origin and is wanted by Western customers, much of which have refused to purchase metal produced in Russia, after it attacked Ukraine almost three years back. Readily available aluminium stocks of Russian origin or those that are on warrant reached 163,450 metric tons at the end-December, which totaled up to 56% of the overall, compared with 254,500 tons at the end of November, which was 67% of the overall. The rest of Russian aluminium warrants, title files that give ownership, have been cancelled suggesting they have been earmarked to leave the LME system. Cancelled warrants or aluminium marked for shipment at ISTIM UK's LME approved storage facilities in Port Klang stood at 239,705 loads and LME information revealed the queue to take shipment of that metal was 163 days at end-December. The LME did not prohibit Russian metal until April in 2015. Before then many business holding Russian aluminium deposited their stocks in LME warehouses, much of it in the South Korean Port of Gwangyang. Indian-origin aluminium at 120,225 lots at end-December consisted of 41% of on warrant stocks in the LME system up from 31%. at end-Nov.
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Andreessen Horowitz, Eli Lilly to release $500 million venture fund
Venture capital company Andreessen Horowitz said on Friday it was working with Eli Lilly to launch a $500 million venture fund that will be completely moneyed by the U.S. drugmaker. WHY IT is very important The fund, Biotech Ecosystem Venture Fund, intends to buy potentially appropriate treatment platforms and innovative. innovation companies with special focus on new science,. engineering technologies and expert system. capabilities. Beyond the capital contribution, Lilly would provide. extra resources to the companies, including an access to. its pre-clinical and clinical drug development talent and. resources. CONTEXT. Investing in drug advancement has actually slowed considering that early 2023 due to. higher rates of interest, however with alleviating inflationary pressures,. increasing bets of a soft landing for the U.S. economy and. appealing information from drug trials, the biotech financing market. began to see an increase last year. These companies, which are greatly depending on credit are amongst. those that stand to benefit the most from the U.S. reserve bank. decreasing its loaning costs. CRUCIAL QUOTE. Combining our strengths as organizations will empower founders. with not only the venture support needed to advance. groundbreaking innovations, but likewise the resources required to. strategically select the most promising application locations for. these platforms, stated Vineeta Agarwala, general partner at. Andreessen Horowitz's Bio + Health Fund.
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United States includes Romania to visa waiver travel program
The United States announced on Friday it was confessing Romania into its visa waiver program, permitting visafree travel by Romanian citizens for as much as 90 days starting around March 31. Romania had actually satisfied the strict security requirements to sign up with the program, consisting of participating in collaborations with U.S. law enforcement to share information on terrorism and major criminal offenses, the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department said in a statement. Romania is the 43rd nation to sign up with the program-- and the 4th included under President Joe Biden after Croatia, Israel and Qatar. The program has led to an increase in tourists from the countries that are added since it makes it simpler to come to the United States. Reuters initially reported in October 2021 that Romania was among a number of candidates under factor to consider to be included. To participate in the program, a nation needs to satisfy counterterrorism, police, migration enforcement, document security, and border management requirements. The DHS will conduct an extensive assessment of Romania's. continued designation on U.S. nationwide security and law. enforcement interests at least when every 2 years. The requirements consist of having a rate of nonimmigrant visa. rejections below 3%, providing protected travel files, and working. closely with U.S. law enforcement and counterterrorism. authorities. U.S. citizens can currently travel to Romania and remain for up. to 90 days for tourism or service purposes without a visa.
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New U.S. Sanctions against Russian Energy Interests
The U.S. Treasury announced new sanctions on Friday against the Russian energy industry, including oil giants Gazprom and Surgutneftegaz, in an effort to hamper Moscow's war with Ukraine. The U.S. Treasury announced that Britain has also joined sanctions against these two companies. According to the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control, sanctions are also targeted at more than 180 vessels, dozens of oil traders and oilfield service providers as well as insurance companies and officials in energy. The following are key individuals and entities affected: RUSSIAN MAJOR OIL MAJORS Gazprom Neft Surgutneftegaz; There are more than two dozen subsidiaries, including the Moscow Oil Refinery, and companies in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Luxembourg. RUSSIA SEABORNE OIL - Exports Sovcomflot, the state-owned Russian shipping company and fleet operator; The UK has sanctioned two Russian maritime insurers: Ingosstrakh Insurance Company, and Alfastrakhovanie Group. Sovcomflot owns 69 vessels, including 54 oil tankers, four LNG tankers and a total of 49 products tankers. Fornax Ship Management FZCO, and Stream Ship Management FZCO are two UAE-based ship management companies that support Sovcomflot. There are 138 vessels, mostly oil tankers, which form part of the shadow fleet, as well as oil tanks owned by Russian fleet operators. Rosnefteflot is the Russian oil company Rosneft's marine transport arm. Sovcomflot and Rosnefteflot were regular Russian oil shippers to India. OPAQUE TRADERS OF RUSSIAN RUSSIAN OIL Black Pearl Network is a major Russian crude oil trader, which includes barrels above the $60 price limit. Black Pearl Network has sold over $2 billion in Russian crude oil, oil products and petroleum derivatives since 2023. Conmar Maritime DMCC, based in the UAE (Conmar), is affiliated with Black Pearl. There are also a number other UAE and Hong Kong trading offices. RUSSIAN ENERGY OFFICIALS Yusuf Alekperov is the founder of Russian oilfield service company Welltech, and the son of Vagit Alekperov who was one of Lukoil’s founders. Aleksander Dyukov is the CEO of Gazprom; Sergei Kudryashov is the CEO of Zarubezhneft, an oil producer. Nail Maganov is the CEO of Tatneft, an oil company. Vadim Vorobyev is the CEO of Lukoil. Vladimir Bogdanov is the CEO of Surgutneftegaz. Kevin Liffey (Reporting and Editing)
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Asian area LNG down from one-month high ahead of Lunar New Year
Asian area liquefied natural gas (LNG) costs fell today from a onemonth high, amid weak demand ahead of the Lunar New Year vacation in Asia, healthy stocks and as current high costs kept some purchasers at bay. The average LNG rate for February delivery into north-east Asia was $14.00 per million British thermal units ( mmBtu), down from $14.60 last week, industry sources approximated. Spot gas prices in Europe and in Asia have actually dropped back from their highs at the start of the month, as the marketplace has taken in the shutdown of Russia-Ukraine pipe flows said Alex. Froley, senior LNG analyst at data intelligence company ICIS. China's need doesn't appear too strong at the minute. November and December dropped below in 2015's levels and we. saw 3 freights re-exported in December, one each to South. Korea, Thailand and Japan, Froley stated. The high rate levels over the past weeks have actually kept price. sensitive buyers in both China and India away from the spot. market, stated Martin Senior citizen, head of LNG pricing at Argus. With stocks still reasonably well-filled and very little. economic enhancement provided the current numbers on Chinese. industrial production and inflation, it seems clear that some. portfolio managers must be well-prepared for the second half of. the winter season, said Klaas Dozeman, market analyst at Creation. Product Intelligence. As the Lunar New Year approaches, the risk of any deficiency. throughout the winter season decreases by the day. It is thus no. surprise that spot activity is still restricted with only. Bangladesh as an active purchaser at the moment, Dozeman added. In Europe, LNG delivered costs fell this week from a. one-year high the previous week. However, the inter-basin. arbitrage, moving freights from one market to another, has held. firmly shut, with a minimum of 2 cargoes diverting in the. mid-Atlantic to Europe this week as Asian buyers are not. competing for Atlantic basin supply, Argus' Martin Senior citizen stated. Meanwhile, Europe has actually been withdrawing from gas storage. faster than the last few years however those winters were moderate, and. this year's trajectory is not out of line with longer-term. averages, ICIS' Froley said. S&P Global Commodity Insights examined its daily North West. Europe LNG Marker (NWM) price criteria for cargoes delivered in. February on an ex-ship (DES) basis at $13.385/ mmBtu on Jan. 9, a. $ 0.20/ mmBtu discount to the February gas cost at the Dutch TTF. center. Argus assessed the cost at $13.355/ mmBtu, while Spark. Products evaluated it at $13.324/ mmBtu. The U.S. arbitrage to north-east Asia through the Panama Canal. is presently likewise signalling U.S. cargoes are incentivised to. provide to north-west Europe, said Spark Commodities expert. Qasim Afghan. The front-month arbitrage is also firmly closed, most likely a. big driving aspect behind the recent diversions of U.S. freights away from Asia and towards Europe. In LNG freight, Atlantic rates dropped to $24,000/ day on. Friday, while Pacific rates stayed consistent at $21,750/ day,. Afghan added.
Sources: Greece evaluates the impact of US blacklisting Piraeus Port Owner COSCO
Sources told The Greek Government on Friday that Piraeus, Greece's largest port, is still operating normally despite the U.S. blacklisting of COSCO, its majority owner.
The U.S. Defense Department announced on Monday that it added COSCO Shipping, a Chinese shipping company, to a list it claimed worked with China's Military. The shipping industry views this as an attempt to discourage U.S. firms from trading with COSCO Shipping.
COSCO, the largest shipping group in the world, announced on Wednesday that no of its units were military companies. It also said that its global operations would continue uninterrupted and that the company would explain the matter to U.S. authorities.
The U.S. Blacklisting is not a sanction that can be applied to the commercial sector. However, it has caused concern in Greece, where Piraeus - one of the biggest ports in the Mediterranean based on throughput - has already seen a decline in trade due to the Red Sea Crisis, in which Yemen's Houthis are attacking commercial shipping.
A Greek official who is familiar with the situation said, "I do not see any impact on Piraeus. But it's still early."
A second Greek official confirmed that Greece was monitoring the situation, and had discussed it with its EU counterparts. COSCO's subsidiary also operates terminals in Spain and Italy. Omar Nokta, an analyst at Jefferies, said that there is a potential for market players to'self sanction' themselves out of fear they will run afoul with U.S. policies.
Ulf Bergman is a senior economist at the freight platform Shipfix. He said that while blacklisting does not include any legal sanctions, many importers may be deterred by it.
Unidentified Greek shipowner said that the blacklisting is a part of a power struggle between China and the U.S., rather than a game-changer.
Danish shipping group NORDEN said that the ruling has not affected their business yet.
It said, "We will continue to monitor the situation and adjust as necessary."
The U.S. sanctioned two COSCO subsidiaries in 2019. This prompted shipping companies temporarily to suspend the chartering of their vessels, until the sanctions are lifted. Reporting by Renee Maltezou and Jonathan Saul. (Editing by Jane Merriman.
(source: Reuters)