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US Judge strikes down Trump Order against Law Firm Jenner & Block
The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday overturned the executive order that President Donald Trump had issued targeting Jenner & Block. This is another blow to his administration’s efforts to crackdown on law firms who represented Trump's political opponents or hired lawyers who investigated him previously. Trump's order suspended Jenner's attorneys' security clearances and restricted their access government buildings, federal officials and federal contractor work. U.S. district judge John Bates, a Republican-appointed judge, ruled the directive violated the core rights of the U.S. Constitution. This ruling mirrors a May 2, 2015 ruling that invalidated a similar executive orders against the law firm Perkins Coie. The Justice Department may appeal Bates's order to the U.S. Court of Appeals District of Columbia Circuit. Trump's order towards Jenner accused her firm of engaging what it called "partisan lawfare" as well as taking cases that were detrimental to U.S. interest. The letter referred to Andrew Weissmann's previous employment at the firm. Weissmann was a federal prosecutor who had been involved in Robert Mueller's investigation, which detailed Russian contacts during Trump's presidential campaign of 2016. Trump has called Russia investigation "hoax", "witch-hunt" The order also attacked Jenner’s internal diversity policies as well as its free legal services, including those on transgender issues and immigrants' rights. Jenner filed a lawsuit to block Trump's orders, arguing that it violated First Amendment protections from government abridgment and Fifth Amendment guarantees of due process. This is a requirement of the government to follow a fair legal procedure. Two other firms, WilmerHale & Susman Godfrey, have also sued the administration in order to permanently block any executive orders issued by him against them. Nine law firms including Paul Weiss and Milbank, Simpson Thacher, and Skadden Arps have pledged almost $1 billion worth of free legal services for causes that the White House supports. They also made other concessions in order to avoid being targeted as targets by Trump. The Justice Department has defended Trump’s executive orders against Jenner, and other law firms by claiming that they are consistent with the wide reach of presidential power. (Reporting and editing by David Thomas, Nia Williams and David Bario)
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US Justice Department strikes deal with Boeing that allows planemaker to avoid prosecution
The U.S. Justice Department announced on Friday that it had reached a deal with Boeing in principle to allow the company to avoid prosecution for a fraud case arising from two fatal crashes of 737 MAX aircraft, which killed 346 people. Boeing will not be branded as a felon, and the agreement is a blow for families who have lost loved ones in crashes and had asked prosecutors to bring the U.S. aircraft manufacturer to trial. The Justice Department was urged by a lawyer representing family members as well as two U.S. Senators to continue its investigation. However, the government rejected their requests. Boeing agreed to pay $444.5 in addition to the $243.6 million in fines into a fund for crash victims. The money would be distributed evenly among each crash victim. The Justice Department anticipates filing the written agreement with Boeing before the end of the next week. Boeing will no long be subject to independent monitoring under the agreement. The Justice Department announced that Boeing would pay a total of over $1.1 billion, including the fine, compensation for families, and over $455 millions to strengthen its compliance, safety and quality programs. The department stated that Boeing must improve its anti-fraud compliance program, and retain an independent consultant. "We are confident this resolution will have practical benefits and is just," said the department. Boeing has not yet commented. First reported on 16 May that Boeing had reached an agreement to not prosecute with the government. The agreement will prevent a trial scheduled for June 23 against the planemaker over a charge that it misled U.S. regulatory authorities about a critical flight control system in the 737 MAX jet, the company's best-selling model. Boeing agreed in July to plead guilty in a criminal fraud charge following the two fatal 737 MAX crash in Indonesia and Ethiopia spanning between 2018 and 2019. The company will pay a maximum fine of $487.2 Million and be subject to independent oversight for three years. Prosecutors told the family members of crash victim during a last-week meeting that Boeing would no longer plead guilty. Prosecutors told family members that the company's attitude changed after a December judge rejected an earlier plea agreement. Judge Reed O'Connor, a Texas judge, said in 2023: "Boeing's crimes may be properly considered as the deadliest corporate crimes in U.S. history." Boeing is under increased scrutiny by the Federal Aviation Administration, since January 2024 when a MAX 9 that was missing four bolts in a critical area suffered an emergency mid-air and lost a door plug. The FAA limits production to 38 planes per monthly. DOJ officials found last year that Boeing violated an agreement reached in the final days of the Trump administration, which shielded Boeing from prosecution. This conclusion was reached after the in-flight incident that occurred on an Alaska Airlines flight in January 2024. In response, DOJ officials decided that they would reopen an older fatal crash case and negotiate with Boeing a plea deal. (Reporting and editing by Chris Reese, Diane Craft and David Shepardson)
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France claims it diverted a British fishing boat to French waters without the correct license
The regional French authority in the English Channel region said that a British fishing boat had been escorted out of French waters on Friday morning after it was discovered to be fishing without the proper licence. The issue of fishing rights has been an ongoing source of contention in negotiations between Britain and the European Union following Brexit. In fact, the EU took Britain to court for its ban on sandeels being fished in UK waters. According to the French authorities, the incident occurred between Thursday evening and Friday morning. The French local authority for English Channel and North Sea said, "This operation demonstrates how the French government will protect seafood resources while ensuring that all laws are followed." This week, Britain and the European Union struck a wide-ranging agreement that gave British and EU vessels 12 years of access to each others' waters. Nigel Farage, the leader of the pro-Brexit Reform UK right-wing party, called the deal "abject submission - the end for the fishing industry." Reporting by Sudip K. Gupta. Editing by William Maclean & Alistair Bell.
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India will discuss IndiGo's Turkish Airlines Partnership with security agencies
India's civil aviation minister announced on Friday that it will consult with the security agencies about IndiGo's codeshare pacts and leasing agreements with Turkish Airlines, and then decide what to do next. This move comes after growing anger in India over Turkey's support of Pakistan in a recent conflict that was sparked by a terrorist attack in Indian Kashmir on tourists. "We're taking input from IndiGo and with the necessary agencies and would like to see what we can do with that," Rammohan Naidu, Minister of State for External Affairs in New Delhi told reporters at the sidelines an event. IndiGo and Turkish Airlines have not responded to our requests for comment. IndiGo previously defended this partnership by stating that it provides multiple benefits for Indian travellers and boosts aviation jobs and growth. It has also enabled IndiGo's presence to grow in long-haul European and U.S. markets. IndiGo entered into a codeshare agreement with Turkish Airlines, allowing the airline to offer its customers many international destinations. IndiGo, India's largest domestic airline, has had a leasing agreement with Turkish Airlines since 2023. Turkish Airlines has provided two aircraft with pilots, crew and other equipment to IndiGo for use on the New Delhi and Mumbai to Istanbul routes. There has been a growing demand to scrap the two agreements. Last week, it was reported that Air India had lobbied Indian officials in order to stop IndiGo's leasing deal with Turkish Airlines. They cited business impacts as well as concerns about security sparked by Istanbul’s support of Pakistan. In a recent decision, the Indian government revoked the security clearance for the Turkish ground handling services firm Celebi citing national safety. This led to a lawsuit by the Indian branch of the Turkish company. The boycott includes small Indian grocery stores and major online fashion retailers. The boycott was a result of the Turkish President Tayyip Erdoan's public declaration of solidarity with Pakistan following India's military strike in response to the deaths and injuries of tourists. Abhijith Ganahapavaram reported from New Delhi, Nandan Mandayam contributed additional reporting in Bengaluru and Lisa Shumaker edited the article.
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Documents show that Niger intends to reduce Chinese oil workers
Documents seen by us on Friday show that Niger has requested that Chinese employees who are working on oil projects in the country leave. This could impact dozens of people and strain bilateral relations. Niger, like other West African nations, has tried to gain greater control over natural resources while promoting local employment. Two letters show that the Oil Minister Sahabi Oumarou asked the China National Petroleum Corporation and its refinery SORAZ, to terminate the contracts with expatriates working in Niger since more than four years. In a May 21 letter to SORAZ, Oumarou said that there would be flexibility. He explained that he understood the necessity to keep certain employees within the country. Decisions on departure would be taken case-by-case. In a letter dated 20 May, Oumarou stated that he would not accept a meeting in private with the CEO of the company who asked to discuss tensions. In the same letter, Oumarou accused CNPC for not complying with local regulations. The Chinese Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Niger expulsed three Chinese oil executives from the country in March over a dispute regarding disparities in salaries between foreign employees and local workers. Sources close to CNPC said that following the dismissal of the executives, the top officials at CNPC have tried to negotiate with the government. Source: If the May 20-21 letters are implemented, Chinese workers would have to return home. (Reporting and writing by Anait Miridzhanian, Liz Lee in Beijing. Editing by Rob Corey-Boulet & Susan Fenton.
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RIA reports that a Russian-Italian prisoner was sentenced to 29 years in jail by RIA for an 'act' of terror committed against Ukraine.
The Russian state news agency RIA reported that a Russian-Italian was sentenced to 29 years in prison by a Russian military court after he was found guilty of various terrorism charges, including blowing up a train on Ukraine's orders. The report said that a military tribunal in the western Russian town of Ryazan ordered Ruslan to serve nine years in prison and the remainder in a maximum-security prison camp. RIA cited Sidiki’s lawyer, who said that his client partially admitted to his guilt. In the past, Russian-language media outlets reported that Sidiki had admitted his guilt but denied any intent to harm anyone. These reports stated that he regarded his actions as sabotage and not terrorism, and viewed himself as a war prisoner. State prosecutors accused Sidiki, in November 2023 of blowing up a train with a homemade bomb, which caused 19 wagons derail. They also said that he had used a drone to attack an airbase the previous year. In a statement issued at the time, Russia's FSB said that Sidiki was recruited by Ukrainian military intelligence in Istanbul in 2023. He then received sabotage instruction in Latvia before returning home to Russia. Ukraine has not yet responded. Andrew Osborn (Reporting) Andrew Heavens (Editing)
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US Senators urge DOJ to not let Boeing escape criminal prosecution
Two U.S. Senators called for the Justice Department to prosecute Boeing on Friday in a criminal case stemming two fatal 737 MAX accidents, and reject a tentative agreement that would have allowed the planemaker avoid pleading guilt. "DOJ should not sign an agreement with Boeing to avoid prosecution, which would allow Boeing to evade responsibility for its failed corporate cultures and any illegal behaviors that have resulted in fatal consequences," wrote Democratic senators Elizabeth Warren and Richard Blumenthal. Any deal between DOJ & Boeing that allows the company and its executive to escape accountability would be a grave mistake. Boeing and the Justice Department have not responded to comments immediately. Paul Cassell is an attorney for the families of some of the 346 victims of two 737 MAX crashes that occurred in Indonesia and Ethiopia between 2018 and 2019. He said that it would be unfair to allow Boeing to avoid trial or a guilty plea. Cassell said that the proposal of the government would allow Boeing to be its own probationary officer, as it would not need an independent monitor. On May 16, the department announced a tentative agreement. The agreement will prevent a trial scheduled for June 23 against the planemaker on a fraud allegation that it misled Federal Aviation Administration regarding a critical flight control system in the 737 MAX jet, its most popular model. Boeing pleaded guilty last July to a criminal conspiracy charge of fraud after the two fatal 737 MAX crash and agreed to pay a maximum fine of $487.2 Million. Prosecutors told the family members of crash victim during a last-week meeting that Boeing no longer agrees to plead guilty. Prosecutors told family members that the company's position changed after a December judge rejected an earlier plea agreement. Lawyers for the families reported that, in addition to $500 million Boeing had paid by 2021, the Justice Department informed families that Boeing was required to pay $444.5 millions into a fund for crash victims, divided equally per victim. Boeing is under increased scrutiny by the FAA after a new Alaska Airlines MAX 9 that was missing four bolts in January 2024 suffered an emergency mid-air and lost a door plug. This happened near Portland, Oregon. The FAA has set a monthly production limit of 38 aircraft. (Reporting and editing by Mark Porter, Frances Kerry, and David Shepardson)
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Panama-flagged ships must notify authorities of any ship-to-ship transfer
Panama's Maritime Authority announced on Friday that it would strengthen controls for ship to ship operations by Panama flagged vessels. This follows an increase in "dark fleet" tankers being used to avoid sanctions or evade requirements. The U.S. increased pressure on countries that have large vessels registries, such as Panama, who gives its flag for more than 8,500 ship. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, has threatened to take over the Panama Canal by criticizing the expansion of a "dark fleet" of oil tankers that are moving sanctioned crude. Panama has removed several vessels from the registry in recent months following investigations into norm violations. The Maritime Authority stated in February that Panama was not a "haven for sanctions evasion". A resolution published in the beginning of this month states that all Panamanian flagged ships with a gross weight exceeding 150 tons must inform Panama's Maritime Authority at least two working days prior to their planned ship-to-ship transfer. The notification must include the vessel involved, the place of transfer, the type and quantity of hydrocarbons, and the compliance with international maritime rules. Dark-fleet vessels that transport oil at sea turn off their transponders for localization or manipulate coordinates in order to conceal the operation.
Asian spot LNG price rises to two-week highest amid renewed demand
The price of Asian LNG spot rose for the third consecutive week to a record high. This was due to renewed demand and weak production in Malaysia, as well as Egypt's desire to secure large volumes for the remainder of the year.
Average LNG price for July deliveries into North-East Asia
Alex Froley is a senior LNG analyst with data intelligence firm ICIS. He said that the market had been in a trend of rising since the recent lows it experienced at the beginning of the month. However, overall, the market remains far below its highs from mid-February.
Froley attributes the increase to the interest of Asian importers, including Bangladesh and Taiwan. He also reports that Egypt is looking to secure large quantities over the remainder of the year.
Laura Page, the head of LNG insights at Kpler, said that the Asian market continues its monitoring of LNG supply disruptions in Australia and Malaysia.
Page stated that Australia's North West Shelf Plant ceased LNG exports from May 16-22. Meanwhile, exports of Malaysia's Bintulu Complex have been in a steep decline.
She said that while some of the decrease is due to maintenance planned, the severity of it suggests there could also be a problem unplanned that affects capacity.
Martin Senior, head LNG pricing at Argus said that weekly loads at Malaysia's Bintulu had fallen to a 13-year low. A growing number of vessels are waiting off the shore to the facility, awaiting production to resume.
He also said that the hot weather forecasts in parts of North-east Asia and Southern Europe could increase early summer cooling demands.
Gas prices in Europe rose at the Dutch TTF hub this week due to maintenance by Norway and concerns about the Ukraine peace talks, which haven't seen much progress.
Kpler's Page stated that "looking ahead, TTF could increase slightly due to heavy pipeline maintenance in Norway. This is despite weather predictions anticipating strong renewable production and a gradual warming of temperatures across the continent."
Froley, ICIS, said that Europe's underground storage of gas is growing and the supply is increasing. He added that possible EU storage targets reductions would prevent major price increases, but downsides could be limited if new Asian buyers enter the market at lower prices.
S&P Global Commodity Insights estimated its daily North West Europe LNG Marker price benchmark (NWM) for cargoes to be delivered in July ex-ship on May 22 at $11.646/mmBtu, a $0.55/mmBtu reduction from the July futures prices at the TTF Hub.
Spark Commodities set the price of July delivery at $11.467/mmBtu. Argus had the same price.
According to Spark Commodities analyst Qasim Afghan, the U.S. Arbitrage to North-East Asia via Cape of Good Hope has decreased but is still pointing to Europe. The arbitrage via Panama, however, continues to point towards Asia.
Afghan said that on Friday the LNG market saw a drop in rates to $32,000/day for Atlantic and $20,750/day for Pacific. (Reporting and editing by Nina Chestney; Marwa Rashad)
(source: Reuters)