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Ukraine oilseed exports drop in January, traders' union says
The Ukrainian grain traders' union UGA reported on Wednesday that Ukraine, which is the world's largest producer and exporter for oilseeds, reduced exports of the major oilseeds during January. The Ukrainian Ministry of Agriculture does not normally report data about the country's oilseeds and vegetable oil exports. UGA reported that exports of soybeans dropped to 194,000 metric tonnes in January, from 344,000 tons in the previous month. Rapeseed shipments also decreased to 101,000 from 130,000 tons. UGA did not give an explanation for the decline, but analysts pointed out that the main reasons were low rapeseed stocks and tensions in the global soybean markets due to the possible escalation of trade conflicts between the United States, and China. The Ukrainian Agriculture Ministry said that the country produced a record amount of soybeans, 6 million tonnes in 2024. Rapeseed production decreased from 4.2 millions tons to 3.45million tons this year. (Reporting and editing by Tomaszjanowski)
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Malaysia Aviation Group sells MASwings to Sarawak State Government
Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) announced on Wednesday that it had signed an agreement with the Sarawak government on the sale and transfer its MASwing carrier. The deal is expected to be finalized by the end the year. The financial details were not disclosed. The deal follows a Memorandum of Understanding signed on October 27, 2020, with Hornbill Skyways owned by Sarawak to purchase a majority stake in MASwings. The transfer should be completed before the end of this year. MAG is working closely with all parties, including Khazanah Nasional Berhad as the shareholder, to ensure a smooth transition and compliance with the relevant legal and regulatory frameworks," MAG stated in a press release. MAG stated that MASwings would continue to operate as usual, under its jurisdiction, without any disruptions in flight schedules. The state media Bernama reported the Sarawak government renamed MASwings as AirBorneo. It is expected that the airline will operate as a full service carrier. Abang Johari tun Openg, state premier, was quoted saying: "By taking a strategic step, we position Sarawak as an airport hub for Borneo, and as a gateway to ASEAN. We are opening doors to opportunities, and fostering greater accessibility and connectivity to both domestic as well as international destinations."
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South Korea's MFG purchases around 115,000 metric tonnes feed wheat
Major Feedmill Group of South Korea (MFG) bought 115,000 metric tonnes of animal feed wheat on Wednesday in private deals without issuing a tender to the international market, European traders reported. A consignment of 55,000 tons, expected to come from Australia, was purchased for an estimated $265.00 per ton c&f. Plus a $1.00 surcharge per tonne for port unloading. Trading house CJ International was thought to have sold it for shipment between 1 April and 25 April. The second consignment of 60,000 tons was bought at an estimated $264.84 per ton c&f, plus $1.50 for port unloading. Cargill was thought to have sold it This 60,000-ton consignment is available from all origins except Russia, China and Pakistan. It can also be purchased in Argentina or Denmark. Arrival in South Korea was scheduled for around June 10. If sourced from Australia, shipment would be between April 25 and 25 May. MFG made its purchases ahead of an international tender by the Feed Leaders Committee of South Korea (FLC), which was to be held on Wednesday, for around 65,000 tonnes of feed wheat. The reports reflect the assessments of traders, and further estimates on prices and volume are possible later. (Reporting and editing by Tomaszjanowski, Tomasz Hogan)
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First time in nearly a year, transits through the Panama Canal dropped in January
According to a bulletin released by the Panama Canal's administering authority on Tuesday, the number of ships that passed through it, the second busiest canal in the world, decreased to an average of 32,6 per day, or 1,011 total vessels in January. This is the first monthly decline in nearly a year. According to statistics from the Panama Canal Authority, after a severe drought in 2023 that led to passage restrictions in early 2024, 2024 saw a significant increase in transits, with a total 1,059 vessels in December. The data revealed that the recovery in demand was not sufficient to fill the 36 slots available since September. Toll increases led some shippers to choose longer routes to Asia. The number of ships transiting the seas dropped to 662 in February from 702 vessels in January. From February, the traffic increased by almost 60% until the end of last year. Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary for State, visited Panama City earlier this month and met with the top officials of the canal to discuss tolls as well as the presence of Chinese companies near the waterway. Some Washington politicians and officials had identified the Chinese businesses in the vicinity of the canal to be a security threat to its operation. The drought caused a 5% drop in the toll revenue for the fiscal year ending in September. According to annual reports, toll revenues for the fiscal years ending between 2020 and 2023 increased by almost 26%, to $3.35billion. After Rubio's trip, the U.S. government and Panama had agreed to a Public dispute According to a 1977 document, the U.S. military ships have priority in transiting through the canal and must pay tolls. Neutrality Treaty Signed when the U.S. agreed that Panama would be able to return the canal. Panama's President, Jose Mulino said Washington spread "lies and falsehoods", when it claimed U.S. government ships would be able pass through the Canal without paying. These comments increased tensions after the U.S. cited military cooperation and strategies to counter China's expansion into Panama.
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Heathrow Airport in the UK will submit a plan for a new runway by summer
Thomas Woldbye, the chief executive of London's Heathrow Airport (one of the busiest airports in the world) will make a speech Wednesday to announce that the British government will receive its proposal for the construction a third runway by the summer. The move follows the announcement by Finance Minister Rachel Reeves last month that the government would support the construction of a brand new runway at Heathrow in order to boost economic growth and trade. According to a preview, Woldbye's speech will include the following: "A third airport is essential for the future economic success of our country. I confirm that we will present our plans for a new runway to the government this summer." Heathrow will consult with stakeholders, including local communities and airlines, before finalising its plan, he said. The project will only proceed if the rules for noise, air quality, and emissions are met. The need for increased capacity has been a constant concern of successive governments, but also the concerns about the impact on the environment. Reeves has been pushing for growth ever since her Labour Party came to power in July last year. She said that the case for the third runway is stronger than ever. Woldbye said previously that a third runway might be operational in 2035. The plan, one of the most controversial infrastructure projects in the country, has to be built despite the support from the government. This includes figuring out how the project will be funded. Heathrow operates at 99% of its capacity, and is in danger of being overtaken. Heathrow's two runways are compared to four at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, Frankfurt Airport and Amsterdam Schiphol. Woldbye is also launching on Wednesday, a plan privately-funded to upgrade the existing infrastructure at Heathrow. This includes new investments to improve the terminal infrastructure and local transportation connections. (Reporting and editing by Ros Russell; Catarina demony)
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Democrats claim Trump is illegally withholding funds for charging electric vehicles in the state
On Tuesday, a group of nine Senators from the Environment and Public Works Committee claimed that the Trump Administration is illegally withholding funds previously granted to the states for charging electric vehicles. The U.S. Transportation Department announced on Thursday that it would suspend the electric vehicle charging programs and rescind approval of state EV charger plans pending a re-evaluation. The Democratic Senators in the Committee led by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse stated that the action was "in blatant disregard of law." Whitehouse requested any emails which would indicate if Elon Musk, Tesla CEO and advisor to President Donald Trump was involved in this decision. Sean Duffy's spokesperson did not comment immediately. Tesla didn't immediately respond to our request for comment. A group of automakers and charging companies for electric vehicles called on USDOT on Friday to restore funding quickly, urging action "to quickly restart the critical work and minimize uncertainty for the states and their businesses." On Trump's very first day as president, he launched a volley of shots Electric Vehicles He said he would stop the distribution of government funds that had not been spent on vehicle charging stations. National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund of $5 Billion Trump also revoked an executive order from 2021 signed by the former president Joe Biden, which sought to guarantee that half of new homes would be built in 2021. By 2030, all vehicles sold in America will be electric. Trump has also Calls for the end of a waiver that allows states to adopt zero emission His administration will consider vehicle regulations by 2035 Ending EV Tax Credits Biden's 50% goal, which is not legally binding, has won the support of U.S. automakers and foreign automakers. Trump has stated that he may take additional actions regarding EVs. The repeal of the $7,500 Consumer Tax Credit for Electric-vehicle purchase as part of tax reform legislation. Last month, Duffy The U.S. regulators were directed to rescind Biden issued landmark fuel efficiency standards that were aimed at Reduce fuel consumption for cars and trucks, as well as the highway climate regulations. Reporting by David Shepardson, Editing by Chris Reese & David Gregorio
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Greenpeace files lawsuits against US pipeline companies Energy Transfer
Greenpeace International filed a lawsuit in Dutch court against the U.S. Pipeline company Energy Transfer, the environmental group announced on Tuesday. It said it was the first trial of a European law intended to curb lawsuits meant to silence activists. Energy Transfer has filed lawsuits against Greenpeace USA and Greenpeace International as well as other environmental groups in the United States since 2017 seeking $300 million damages for the activists' efforts to block the Dakota Access Pipeline. Greenpeace International announced in a press release that it will seek to recover all damages and costs as a result ET's two back-to-back, unjustified lawsuits. The European Union adopted rules in 2024 to help journalists, activists, and public watchdogs defend against lawsuits that are intended to harass them or silence them. This includes tying them into expensive litigation. Greenpeace International, a Greenpeace-affiliated organization based in Amsterdam, announced that it filed the lawsuit at the District Court of Amsterdam. The case against Energy Transfer was not clear as to whether EU or Dutch law would apply. Energy Transfer was not available for comment. (Reporting and writing by Toby Sterling; editing by Alison Williams, Nison Williams, and Charlotte Van Campenhout)
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Kobe and Kawasaki both confirm their progress to the last 16 of Asian Champions League
Vissel Kobe, the Japanese champions, booked their place in Tuesday's knockout round of the Asian Champions League Elite with a 4-0 demolition of China's Shanghai Port. Kawasaki Frontale, their compatriots confirmed their progression to the last 16 Kawasaki cruised past the 10-man Pohang Steelers to win 4-0 in South Korea, securing their place in the next round with only one match remaining. Gwangju FC of South Korea will progress despite its 3-1 defeat to Shandong Taishan in the Chinese Super League. The results on Tuesday also mean that Yokohama F Marinos who are third amongst 12 teams and play Wednesday are also through. Malaysia's Johor darul Ta'zim kept its qualification hopes alive by beating Australia's Central Coast Mariners 2-1. Matches in the knockout stage will be played in march. The teams will then progress to the centralised finals, which will be held in Saudi Arabia between April and May. Kevin Muscat, the former Yokohama F Marinos coach, had a traumatic return to Japan as the Chinese Super League champions. Yuya Kwasaki scored the second goal nine minutes after the halftime break with a shot which smashed into the underside of crossbar. A little over a minute later Koya Yuruki completed an impressive counterattack to score Kobe's final goal. Osako's penalty in the 78th minute was saved by Yan Junling, but three minutes later, he swept home his team's fourth goal when he connected with Takahiro Ahgihara's first-time free kick. Kobe is now in the lead with 16 points after seven games, ahead of Kawasaki, who are one point behind. Third-placed Yokohama F Marinos have 13 points, and will finish within the top eight ahead of their match with Shanghai Shenhua on Wednesday. Kawasaki led Pohang by a Shin Yamada header in the 38th minute. Jonathan Aspropotamitis then was sent off for a second booking. Kawasaki advanced thanks to late goals by Yasuto Wakaizaka, So Kawahara, and Erison. JDT also took advantage of undermanned opponents. They won 2-1 over Central Coast, after goalkeeper Dylan Peraic Cullen was dismissed for a late first-half foul on Arif Aliman. Alvaro Gonzalez scored twice to propel his team to fifth place. Shandong dominated Gwangju, with goals in the first half from Valeri Qazaishvili (reporting by Michael Church), Zeca (editing by Christian Radnedge) and Cryzan (reporting by Christian Radnedge). The Chinese team is now ranked sixth. (Reporting and editing by Christian Radnedge, Michael Church)
Trump says the US will retake back the Panama Canal by invoking an expansionist agenda
Donald Trump, the newly sworn in President of the United States, promised on Monday to take back the Panama Canal during his inauguration speech. He invoked the 19th-century expansionist doctrine "Manifest Destiny."
Trump reaffirmed his threat made before his inauguration to regain control of the canal. He accused Panama of not fulfilling its promises to transfer the strategic waterway to the United States in 1999, and of transferring the operation to China. The Panamanian government has denied these claims.
"We didn't hand it over to China." Trump said, "We gave it to Panama and we're bringing it back."
He did not provide any further details about when or how this would be done, but had refused to rule out the possibility of using military force in the past. This drew both criticism and praise from Washington's Latin American allies and enemies.
On Monday, Panama's president Jose Raul Mulino responded to X by saying that his country had administered the canal for world trade including the U.S. and that "it is and will continue be Panamanian."
Trump's repeated threat to close the Panama Canal at the beginning of his second term is his most obvious mention of a territorial expansion agenda that he has laid down in recent weeks.
He also spoke of acquiring Greenland and turning Canada into an American state in the lead-up to his inauguration.
Possible encouragement for Russia, China Ambitions
Some critics have said that Trump's language resembles imperialism of the modern day. They claim this could be used to encourage Russia to continue its war in Ukraine, and to justify China if they decide to invade Taiwan.
Analysts have questioned if Trump is serious in his plans to pursue what critics call a land grab. They speculate that he could be setting up an extreme position for negotiating concessions. Trump's first term, from 2017 to 2021, was also known for making headline-grabbing pronouncements and threats that he did not follow through on.
Trump did not mention Greenland or Canada during his first four-year term, but he gave hints about territorial ambitions in his second four year term.
He said: "The United States once again will consider itself as a growing nation. One that expands its territory, builds cities, raises expectations, and carries the flag to new and beautiful horizons."
Trump continued, "We will continue to pursue our Manifest Destiny in the stars by launching American astronauts who will plant the stars on Mars."
Manifest Destiny was a term coined by the United States in the 1880s to describe the belief that the U.S. had a God-given right to expand their control across North America. It was used as a justification to seize land from Mexico and Native Americans.
In his Monday speech, Trump reiterated his promise to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.
Trump claimed that the U.S. "foolishly gave" the Panama Canal to Panama.
For decades, the United States built and governed the territory around the canal. In 1977, the United States signed two accords with Panama that allowed the canal to be returned to Panamanian control. After a period of joint management, the United States returned it to Panama in 1999.
Panama has broken its promise to us. We have been treated badly by this stupid gift. Trump stated that the spirit and purpose of our agreement have been violated.
He claimed that U.S. vessels are "being overcharged severely and not being treated fairly in any shape or form." Panama insists that it treats all vessels fairly that transit the Canal, and says that China has no influence over its administration.
China does not administer or control the canal. However, a Hong Kong-based subsidiary of CK Hutchison Holdings0001.HK has managed two ports at the Caribbean and Pacific entrances for many years.
The 82-km-long (51-mile-long) canal connects the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean through Panama. It is vital for U.S. imports, such as autos, commercial goods, and liquefied gas, by container ships coming from Asia. Matt Spetalnick in Washington; Elida Moreno and Katharine Jackson, in Panama City. Matt Spetalnick wrote the article. Don Durfee edited it.
(source: Reuters)