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SpiceJet, a new subsidiary of Natilus, has ordered 100 jets from the company.
Natilus, an aviation startup in the United States, announced on Wednesday that India's SpiceJet had ordered 100 of their blended-wing-body aircraft. The company is marking its entry into India's fast-growing market with the launch of a new local subsidiary. According to the industry group IATA the Indian aviation market is the fifth largest in the world. It is a lucrative spot for global airlines and planemakers, driven by a stronger demand for travel into and out of the country following the pandemic. Natilus also considers India as a possible location for a manufacturing plant, and plans to build approximately 300 HORIZON Jets at the site when it is completed. Aleksey Mathyushev, CEO of Natilus, said: "I believe there is a great opportunity for us to expand into what could actually be a second manufacturing plant over there." Natilus announced earlier this year that it was in the process of selecting the location of its first U.S. Manufacturing Facility. SpiceJet, a low-cost airline in India, said that it would partner with Natilus for certification and to purchase the jets after regulatory hurdles have been cleared. Natilus India will have its headquarters in Mumbai. Natilus, founded in San Diego in 2016, is one of the companies that are looking to commercialize blended-wing jet designs. This concept has been explored for years in experimental and defense aircraft but not in mainstream airline service. Boeing and Airbus also have experimented over the years with blended-wing body concepts. Natilus is pursuing certification under?Part 25 for its HORIZON Jet through the Federal Aviation Administration. It expects to see it on the market at the beginning of the next decade. The?HORIZON will be a narrowbody jet that is similar to the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320, but with more interior space and lower operating costs. (Reporting and editing by Mrigank Dahniwala in Bengaluru)
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Delhi limits vehicles and office attendance to curb pollution
The authorities in India's capital Delhi took strict measures to combat pollution on Wednesday. These included a ban on cars that did not meet the 'latest emission control standards and regulations on attendance at private and government offices. In the Delhi region with 30 million residents, the air quality index has often been above 450. The visibility was also affected by shallow fog that engulfed parts of Delhi, which made it difficult to fly and take trains. The Commission for Air Quality Management invoked?stage 4, the highest level of the graded action plan for Delhi, and the surrounding areas? on Saturday. The curbs prohibit the entry of diesel trucks older than 15 years into the city. They also suspend construction including public projects and mandate hybrid education. Kapil Mishra announced Wednesday that, except for a few exceptions, all offices, both private and public, in 'the city will operate with only 50% of their staff present. Mishra, at a Delhi press conference, said that all construction workers, including many who earn daily wages, will receive compensation of 10000 rupees ($110). Bhupender Yadav, India's environment minister, has instructed authorities to only allow construction and demolition in Delhi and its suburbs if there is a proper waste management infrastructure. The?minister ordered the removal of illegal encroachments, and the creation of corridors to allow for easy movement during rush hour traffic. The government imposed strict anti-pollution regulations for vehicles in the city on Tuesday. Vehicles that do not meet the latest emission standards are banned. "Our government is committed to clean air in Delhi." "We will take strict measures to ensure that in the coming days," Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa late on Tuesday. Delhi's winter pollution is a problem every year. Cold, dense air traps the emissions of vehicles, construction sites, and burning crops in neighbouring states. This causes the levels to rise to the highest in the entire world, exposing residents to respiratory problems. The area is covered with a thick layer smog, and the AQI reaches levels of the high 450s. A reading below 50 is considered good. Reporting by Tanvi mehta and Editing by Raju goplakrishnan. $1 = 90.3180 Indian Rupees.
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The blockade on tankers ordered by Trump could put at risk the rising Russian naphtha imports to Venezuela
Market sources say that the U.S. president Donald Trump has ordered a ban on?all sanctioned tankers' entering and exiting Venezuela. Washington announced its latest move on Tuesday to increase pressure on Nicolas Maduro’s government through the imposition of a blockade. Venezuela uses naphtha as a diluting agent for its heavy crude oil to make it easier to transport. In July, it began importing naphtha in Russia after U.S. sanctioned cut off supplies to its former American suppliers. Due to the fact that Russia is using sanctioned ships to deliver its naphtha to Venezuela, traders have warned these vessels could be redirected elsewhere in search of new buyers. The Benin-flagged Boltaris tanker, which had around 32,000 metric tonnes of Russian naphtha destined for Venezuela, redirected late last week to Europe, without completing its discharge, according to LSEG data. Since the European Union embargo against Russian oil products went into effect in February 2023, Russia has exported the majority of its naphtha. India, Taiwan, and Brazil are among the top buyers of naphtha, mainly for blending into gasoline. After the U.S. imposed sanctions related to Ukraine on Russia's biggest oil companies last October and pressured India to cut Russian oil imports to a minimum, the number of Russian ports that loaded naphtha to asia dropped by 15% to 800,000 tonnes, according to LSEG data and market sources. Contrariwise, shipments into Latin America increased. According to?data, the number of naphtha exports from Russian ports into Venezuela increased in November, jumping to 190,000. metric tons, up from 35,000 tons the previous month. Several tankers remain on the road, and some of these cargoes are already discharged. According to December shipping data, at least 100,000 tonnes of Russian naphtha were destined for Venezuela.
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Ukrainian grain exports reduced by Russian attacks, says union
The Ukrainian farmers' union UAC reported on Wednesday that some grain export terminals were closed due to the recent Russian attacks on Black Sea ports, energy facilities and other infrastructure. Ukraine is one of the world's largest wheat exporters, exporting about 70% its harvest via Black Sea ports. Ukraine's exports are dominated by food. Russia increased its attacks on the southern Odesa port hub this month. One of the attacks left about a thousand households without electricity. UAC reported in its weekly report on Wednesday that Ukraine exported 359 150 metric tons (measured by weight) of wheat at the end of December, out of a total of 1 million tonnes contracted to be exported for the month. The union stated that certain export?terminals had ceased operations, and the port was operating at only 20% of its capacity. UAC stated that "we see that?for the second consecutive week, one of the Central Ports has been unable start up and function normally." "Traders don't know what to do." The port is a dangerous place to store grain, and the logistics aren't working well - there are frequent?power outages and constant interruptions with locomotives." Ukrzaliznytsia, the Ukrainian state railway, said that Russia attacked the port Pivdennyi and the rail infrastructure which delivers cargo to this?port. Barva Invest, an analyst firm, said that Ukraine's export terminals have reduced their grain intake due to Russian?attacks. Last week, Ukraine's Economy Ministry said that wheat exports in 2025/26 have fallen to 7.5?million tonnes so far compared with 9.2?million tonne for the same time period the previous year. The ministry said that Ukraine will not restrict its wheat exports for 2025/26 due to a large harvest at the start of the season and low export rates. (Reporting and editing by David Goodman)
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Delhi limits vehicles and office attendance to curb pollution
The authorities in India's capital Delhi took strict measures to combat?pollution on Wednesday. These included a ban on cars that did not meet the latest emission control standards and regulations governing attendance at private and government offices. The AQI (air quality index) for Delhi, which is home to over 30 million people, was in the'severe category' in recent days and often exceeded the 450 mark. The visibility was also affected by shallow fog that covered parts of the city. The Commission for Air Quality Management invoked the fourth stage, which is the highest level of?the Graded Response Action Plan for Delhi & Surrounding Areas on Saturday. The curbs prohibit the entry of older diesel trucks in the city. They suspend construction including public projects and mandate hybrid schools. Kapil Mishra announced Wednesday that 50% of the employees in all government and private offices will be working from home. Mishra, at a Delhi press conference, said that all construction workers registered, including many who earn daily wages, would receive compensation of 10000 rupees ($110). The government imposed strict anti-pollution standards on Tuesday for vehicles in the city. Vehicles that do not meet the latest emission control standard are banned. Our government is committed to providing clean air in Delhi. Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Delhi's Environment minister, said late Tuesday that the government would take "strict steps" to achieve this goal in the upcoming days. Winter pollution is a problem for 'Delhi' and its suburbs. Cold, dense air traps pollutants from vehicles, construction sites, and burning crops in neighbouring states. The resultant levels of pollution are among the highest anywhere in the world, exposing residents to respiratory problems. A thick layer of smog covers the area that is home to over 30 million people. The AQI reaches high levels, reaching 450. A reading below 50 is considered good. Reporting by Tanvi mehta and Editing by Raju goplakrishnan. $1 = 90.3180 Indian Rupees.
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Norway's electricity grid operators are asked to improve their sabotage readiness
The Norwegian energy regulator NVE proposed on Wednesday new rules that would govern the 'preparedness' of grid companies in the event of an act of sabotage. This was in response to a heightened threat level as notified by security agencies. The Norwegian security agencies warned that the war in Ukraine, and increased geopolitical tensions, pose a greater threat of sabotage to Norway. NVE stated that a recent study had revealed that the current regime for repairing Norwegian electricity infrastructure was primarily designed to deal with storms and technical problems, rather than'simultaneous attacks on power infrastructure. Kjetil Lind, Director General of NVE, said that Norway would "stop working" in a short period of time if the power system stopped working. Grid companies must therefore update their plans to deal with such events. Lund explained that "grid companies need to have crews and spare parts to be able to restore the necessary functions, and to withstand simultaneous and serious incidents in time." NVE has now sent a consultation document to companies that will increase costs. The average household would pay $300 (29.40) per year in grid fees. "The cost increase must be weighed against its benefit, which is improved public safety. Lund stated that the insurance premium was worth it. (1 dollar = 10.2046 Norwegian crowns). (Reporting and editing by Nora Buli)
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Maguire: Japan's fossil-fuel power output falls again as nuclear production rises.
Japan, one of the largest importers of oil, coal and gas, has reduced fossil fuel electricity production to its lowest level in more than a decade by 2025. This is largely due to a continuing recovery in nuclear energy output. The?fleet? of Japan's nuclear reactors generated the most electricity in 2012 since the?a?tsunami caused a meltdown of the Fukushima nuclear power plant, which led to a shutdown of many of the country's reactors. Japan's nuclear recovery has provided utilities with the most clean energy since 2010. It also allowed power companies to reduce the use of gas fired power plants to its lowest level in at least six year. In 2026, Japan's energy shift away from fossil fuels is likely to accelerate as it restarts Kashiwazaki - Kariwa's world's biggest nuclear reactor and adds additional renewable energy production capacity. The steady decline of fossil fuel production in such an important economy will be a source of concern for natural gas exporters. They will have to find other buyers for any extra gas they intend to sell in 2026 or beyond. CLEAN?MOMENTUM Japan's electricity production system has increased output by a large amount from clean energy sources in 2025. Ember data shows that from January to October, the generation of bioenergy plants, solar and wind farms, and nuclear reactors?all increased at least 10% in comparison to the same month in 2024. Bioenergy and solar energy sources registered their highest-ever share of total utility electric supplies at 7% and 14%, respectively. Nuclear reactors produced over 10% of the total utility electrical supply for the first since 2011. The total amount of clean electricity produced during the first ten months of 2025 reached 326.3 terawatt-hours (TWh), an increase by 9% from the same period in 2024, and the highest output for a full year since 2010. NUCLEAR DRIVE The growth in clean energy supply seen over the past few years has been driven by Japan's steady return of its nuclear reactor fleet. Japan's authorities have gradually restarted the reactors after the shutdown of all 54 reactors. The generation has risen from less than 5 TWh to 78TWh by 2025. Japan has restarted fourteen of the 33 reactors still operational in the country. It plans to reboot two reactors at the Kashiwazaki Kariwa nuclear power station over the next few months. As Japan's new prime minister Sanae Takaichi pledged during her election campaign to increase local electricity supply, reduce electricity costs, and reduce fossil fuel imports, it is expected that more nuclear power will be restarted. In 2024, Japan spent 10.7 trillion Japanese yen (68 billion dollars) on imported coal and liquefied gas. This was a tenth its total import cost. Imports are expected to fall as the country's nuclear power and clean energy assets continue their growth. As Japan's imports decline, gas and coal exporters will suffer. However, as utilities increase electricity production from nuclear reactors, and reduce output from plants which burn imported natural gas, Japan's energy supplies should become cleaner and more affordable. These are the opinions of the columnist, an author for. You like this article? Check it out Open Interest The new global financial commentary source (ROI) is your go-to for all the latest news and analysis. ROI provides data-driven, thought-provoking analysis on everything from soybeans to swap rates. The markets are changing faster than ever. ROI can help you keep up. Follow ROI on You can find us on LinkedIn.
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The construction of the Russia-China Far Eastern Gas Route is progressing, says China's ambassador to Russia
Zhang 'Hanhui', Beijing's embassy to Moscow, told Russia's RIA News Agency that construction is proceeding on a planned Far Eastern pipeline to'supply Russian gas to China'. The Far Eastern route is designed to send gas from Russia's Pacific coast to ?China via a new branch link connected to Russia's ?Sakhalin-Khabarovsk-Vladivostok pipeline system. Exports will begin?in 2027. China is expected to import 2 billion cubic metres (bcm), initially, and then a total of 12 bcm per year. Zhang, RIA cited as saying that "Construction is progressing steadily on the Far Eastern route of natural gas supply from Russia to China." Russia currently supplies pipeline gas to China through the Power of Siberia Pipeline, which began deliveries in 2019. It has a design capacity of 38 bcm per year. Energy is the driving force behind Moscow's efforts to deepen its ties with Beijing after Western sanctions over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 accelerated a pivot away from Europe. China increased purchases of Russian crude oil and expanded gas cooperation. (Reporting and editing by Saad sayeed in Melbourne, Lidia Kelly from Melbourne)
Maguire: Japan's fossil-fuel power output falls again as nuclear production rises.
Japan, one of the largest importers of oil, coal and gas, has reduced fossil fuel electricity production to its lowest level in more than a decade by 2025. This is largely due to a continuing recovery in nuclear energy output.
The?fleet? of Japan's nuclear reactors generated the most electricity in 2012 since the?a?tsunami caused a meltdown of the Fukushima nuclear power plant, which led to a shutdown of many of the country's reactors.
Japan's nuclear recovery has provided utilities with a record amount of clean energy since 2010. It also allowed power companies to reduce the use of gas-fired plants to its lowest level in at least six year.
In 2026, Japan's energy shift away from fossil fuels is likely to accelerate as it restarts Kashiwazaki - Kariwa's world's biggest nuclear reactor and adds additional renewable energy production capacity.
The steady decline of fossil fuel production in such an important economy will be a source of concern for natural gas exporters. They will have to find other buyers for any extra gas they intend to sell in 2026 or beyond.
CLEAN?MOMENTUM
Japan's electricity production system has increased output by a large amount from clean energy sources in 2025.
Ember data shows that from January to October, the generation of bioenergy plants, solar and wind farms, and nuclear reactors?all increased at least 10% in comparison to the same month in 2024.
Bioenergy and solar energy sources registered their highest-ever share of total utility electric supplies at 7% and 14%, respectively. Nuclear reactors produced over 10% of the total utility electrical supply for the first since 2011.
The total amount of clean electricity produced during the first ten months of 2025 reached 326.3 terawatt-hours (TWh), an increase by 9% from the same period in 2024, and the highest output for a full year since 2010.
NUCLEAR DRIVE
The growth in clean energy supply seen over the past few years has been driven by Japan's steady return of its nuclear reactor fleet.
Japan's authorities have gradually restarted the reactors after the shutdown of all 54 reactors. The generation has risen from less than 5 TWh to close to 78TWh by 2025.
Japan has restarted fourteen of the 33 reactors still operational in the country. It plans to reboot two reactors at the Kashiwazaki Kariwa nuclear power station over the next few months.
As Japan's new prime minister Sanae Takaichi pledged during her election campaign to increase local electricity supply, reduce electricity costs, and reduce fossil fuel imports, it is expected that more nuclear power will be restarted.
In 2024, Japan spent 10.7 trillion Japanese yen (68 billion dollars) on imported coal and liquefied gas. This was a tenth its total import cost.
Imports are expected to fall as the country's nuclear power and clean energy assets continue their growth.
As Japan's imports decline, gas and coal exporters will suffer. However, as utilities increase electricity production from nuclear reactors, and reduce output from plants which burn imported natural gas, Japan's energy supplies should become cleaner and more affordable.
These are the opinions of the columnist, an author for.
You like this article? Check it out
Open Interest
The new global financial commentary source (ROI) is your go-to for all the latest news and analysis. ROI provides data-driven, thought-provoking analysis on everything from soybeans to swap rates. The markets are changing faster than ever. ROI can help you keep up. Follow ROI on
You can find us on LinkedIn.
(source: Reuters)