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Japan braces for more quakes, authorities dismiss doomsday hype
The Japanese government warned on Saturday of the possibility of further strong earthquakes occurring in waters southwest from its main islands. However, it urged people not to be misled by unfounded predictions. Authorities evacuated residents on Friday from islands near the epicenter of a 5.5 magnitude quake that struck off the tip the southernmost island of Kyushu. The quake that occurred on Thursday was strong enough to make it difficult to stand. It was one of over 1,000 tremors that have been recorded in Kagoshima Prefecture islands in the last two weeks. This has fueled rumours that were sparked by a comic-book prediction of a disaster that would strike the country in this month. Ayataka Aybita, Director of the Japan Meteorological Agency’s earthquake and tsunami monitor division, said that it was difficult to predict an earthquake's exact location, time or magnitude with the current scientific knowledge. Ebita said at a press briefing that "we ask people to base their understandings on scientific evidence". Some travellers have avoided Japan because of the manga. The manga has been interpreted by some as a prediction of a catastrophe on Saturday. The latest data shows that arrivals from Hong Kong - where the rumours are widely spread - were down 11% from last May. This year, Japan saw record numbers of visitors. April's record-breaking monthly number of 3.9 millions travellers was a record. Ryo Tatsuki is the artist of the manga "The Future I Saw", which was first published in 1999, and then re-released 2021. In a press release issued by her publisher, she said that she "was not a prophet". Japan is one of the most seismically active countries in the world. About one-fifth (or more) of all earthquakes with a magnitude of 6 or higher occur in Japan. (Reporting and editing by William Mallard in Tokyo, with Tim Kelly reporting from Tokyo)
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French President Macron announces 'historic' Airbus/Malaysia Airlines deal
French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Friday that Airbus and Malaysia had signed a historic agreement, while Macron was hosting Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Paris. Macron said that such deals showed the importance of trade between France, Asia and Europe as Europe prepares to face possible tariffs by U.S. President Donald Trump. "I think of the projects that have been signed in key minerals, rare earths, with Carester, which just opened a new factory in Lacq region, transport, with this historic collaboration between Malaysia Airlines, and Airbus and the energy sector," said Macron. This week, industry sources reported that Airbus is close to winning a Malaysia Aviation Group order for additional A330neo long haul jets. Airbus was our main focus. "AirAsia has another 50, and Malaysian Airlines 20," said Ibrahim. (Reporting and editing by Jean-Stephane Brosse)
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US Air Force suspends SpaceX project on Pacific atoll report says
According to an article published this week by Stars and Stripes (an independent publication of the U.S. Military), the U.S. Air Force suspended plans to test hypersonic cargo deliveries using a remote Pacific island. The suspension was a result of reports that biologists and other experts claimed that the project could harm seabirds nesting at the Johnston Atoll Wildlife Refuge, an unincorporated U.S. Territory located nearly 1,300 km southwest of Hawaii. Air Force said that it would conduct an environmental assessment on the project. However, publication of a draft report was delayed due to opposition from environmental groups. SpaceX and the Air Force did not immediately reply to comments. A spokesperson for the Air Force told Stars and Stripes that the Air Force was looking at alternative locations to host the program. The story appeared in the newspaper on Thursday. Although the Air Force hasn't announced any private partners, it is likely that commercial rockets such as those manufactured by SpaceX will be used in this program. The program would test rocket landing reentry vehicles that could deliver 100 tons of cargo anywhere on Earth in 90 minutes. This program would revolutionize military logistics, making it possible to quickly move supplies into remote locations. The 14 tropical bird species on the atoll could not withstand the pressure, say biologists and other experts who worked there. It is part of the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument. SpaceX has affected birds in other protected areas. SpaceX's Starship rocket was launched in Boca Chica in Texas last year. The blast caused the destruction of nests and eggs by plover shorebirds. Musk, the billionaire, ended up in legal trouble for his company and joked that he wouldn't eat omelets in Boca Chica for a whole week as compensation. (Reporting from Washington by Valerie Volcovici, Timothy Gardner and Matthew Lewis. Editing by Matthew Lewis.)
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Kyiv blames Russian attack for power cut at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant
The U.N. nuclear watchdog reported that all external power lines supplying Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which is occupied by Russia, were down Friday. Ukraine blamed Russian artillery for the destruction of the last powerline. The International Atomic Energy Agency reported that Europe's largest nuclear power plant is now running on diesel generators. It has not been operating, but it still needs power to cool its nuclear fuel. IAEA warned repeatedly of the danger of a catastrophic incident at Zaporizhzhia. This is a city located near the frontline of the Ukraine war. The six reactors have been shut down but the nuclear fuel still needs cooling, and this requires constant power. IAEA reported on X that "Ukraine’s ZNPP has lost all offsite power today at 17:36, the 9th time in military conflict and the first since late 2023." The ZNPP relies on its emergency diesel generators to provide power, highlighting the extremely precarious situation in nuclear safety. German Galuschenko wrote on Telegram, Ukraine's Energy Minister, that a Russian strike cut off the plant. "The enemy has struck the powerline connecting the temporarily occupied nuclear plant (Zaporizhzhia) with the integrated energy system of Ukraine." The IAEA and the Russian management of the plant did not initially give a reason for the shutdown. "The reason for the disconnect is being clarified. The station's equipment is safe and under staff control. The management installed in Russia said that no violations of safety conditions had been observed. Reporting by Francois Murph, Ronald Popeski and Peter Graff.
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Minister says Canada is waiting for private sector action on Pacific crude oil pipeline
Tim Hodgson, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, said that the federal government had not received any private sector proposals to build a crude pipeline from the Canadian interior to the Pacific Coast. Hodgson stated in an interview with Calgary that the federal government has begun "concrete talks" with different proponents for projects that may be approved under the new legislation passed by the Canadian Senate at the end of June. The bill aims to accelerate approval of natural resource and infrastructure project, as part of Prime Minister Mark Carney's campaign promise to transform Canada’s economy against U.S. Tariffs. Hodgson refused to divulge specifics on the ongoing discussions, stating that the government had done its part in providing project proponents with the clarity they needed to invest. He said, "Now the private sector is responsible for making those decisions." Alberta Premier Danielle Smith stated in June that the province was working on presenting the federal government a proposal and route for an upcoming new crude oil pipeline from Alberta to Port of Prince Rupert, British Columbia. Smith stated that the pipeline will be constructed in conjunction with the Pathways Alliance project for carbon capture and storage. Canada has been trying to diversify its oil exports in order to become less dependent on the United States. However, it has had difficulty finding private companies that are willing to build a pipe. Hodgson said Friday that, if a tidewater pipeline is to be built, it will be in conjunction with the Pathways Project, which was proposed by an oil sands consortium to reduce emissions within Canada's energy industry. The project could cost anywhere between C$10 billion and C$20billion to build. In recent years, the major Canadian oil pipelines faced regulatory delays and legal challenges that led to the cancellation of some projects, and spiraling costs in others. Enbridge, Canada's largest pipe-line company, stated in an email statement sent last week that it would require significant changes to provincial and federal legislation -- including changes to Canada's industrial carbon policies -- before considering a new pipeline. Hodgson refused to comment on whether the government might consider modifying or eliminating certain environmental and regulatory policies to encourage a proposed pipeline. (Reporting from Amanda Stephenson, Calgary; Editing and proofreading by Daniel Wallis.)
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France joins European push to bring satellite internet to trains
The French state-owned rail company SNCF is launching a tender to add satellite internet in its trains. It will be the latest European rail operator exploring space-based connectivity systems on board. In a Friday statement, SNCF stated that it is pursuing "an innovative approach to strengthening connectivity and resilience", by combining terrestrial network solutions with low-Earth orbit satellite solutions. The company stated that the strategy is designed to guarantee service continuity throughout its entire network including remote sites and better internet access for passengers. SNCF stated that the combination of satellite and 4G/5G would eliminate dead zones, offer stable service with fast speeds, and be able to adapt new services such as video conferencing or streaming. Sources familiar with the situation said that Elon Musk's Starlink, and France's Eutelsat were among the companies under consideration. SNCF refused to discuss whether it is in discussions with specific providers. Eutelsat's spokesperson confirmed that the company is interested in the deal, as it has already been in discussions with SNCF to set up a pilot program as they did in Britain and Kazakhstan. The spokesperson stated that "as the only French LEO (low-Earth orbit) operator currently in service and as the only French player we intend to bid on the contract with our French partner such as Orange Business Services." Starlink has expanded its services beyond consumer markets to include enterprise markets in the transportation and maritime sector. Eutelsat's OneWeb satellite network, which has more than 600 LEOs, offers internet access. Similar initiatives have been taken in Europe. Matteo Salvini, Minister of Infrastructure, said in May that Ferrovie dello Stato, the Italian state railway, conducted a two-week test in June, with two providers including Starlink. ScotRail, a Scottish railway company, also began a Starlink six-week trial in May. In most European trains, internet access is provided by cellular networks. The quality of the connection varies depending on where you are. High speeds also pose technical challenges, as the systems are constantly switching between mobile towers. This causes intermittent service. Satellites offer coverage in remote areas, even where there are few or no cellular towers. (Reporting and editing by Hugh Lawson; Gianluca Nostro)
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Trump and Zelesnkiy talk about weapons and escalating Russian attacks
According to a report by Axios, U.S. president Donald Trump and Ukrainian president Volodymr Zelenskiy discussed Friday air defence weapons as well as the escalating Russian attacks on Ukraine. The call came a day following Trump's claim that he had an unsatisfactory conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Hours after Trump's meeting with Putin, Russia pounded Kyiv in the capital with the biggest drone attack since the war began. Zelenskiy described the attack as "deliberately mass and cynical." Kyiv warned that Washington's decision to stop some weapons shipments to Ukraine would erode its defenses against airstrikes intensifying and battlefield advances. Germany has said that it is currently in negotiations to buy Patriot air defence systems as a bridge. Spiegel, citing sources in the government, reported that Trump spoke to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz Thursday. Spiegel reported Friday that the two leaders had discussed trade and Ukraine's situation, including its air defence. Reporting by Doina chiacu and Tim Gardner, Editing by Louise Heavens & Peter Graff
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The discount on Russian Urals oil sent to India has been the lowest since 2022.
Three traders on the Urals crude oil market reported that discounts for Russian's flagship Urals crude for delivery to Indian ports in August have decreased to their lowest levels since 2022 due to high demand and a shrinking supply. Traders said that the lower supply and narrowing discounts of Russian spot barrels will force Indian refiners into looking for alternatives like United Arab Emirates Murban or U.S. West Texas Intermediate grades. The shrinking discount shows that Moscow has managed to maintain its oil sales despite Western sanctions. However, its discounted oil becomes more expensive, even though it is still cheaper than alternative oil. The traders reported that spot discounts for Urals crude for cargoes arriving to India in August were reduced to an average of $1.70-2 per barrelle to Brent dated on delivery ex ship (DES) basis, down from $2.50 to $2.50 a barrel for Brent dated on DES basis for July. This is the smallest discount on Urals oil cargoes compared to Brent dated in Indian ports, since the Ukraine War broke out in the year 2022. Since April of this year, the Russian oil grade has traded at a price that is largely below the $60 price per barrel cap set by the West. This allows Western companies to offer shipping and insurance services for the barrels. The traders stated that the high demand for Urals oil in India and Turkey - the two biggest buyers of this grade - is supporting the price. LSEG data shows that Turkey's imports from Russia of Urals crude reached their highest level in June since May 2024, due to healthy refinery margins as well as seasonal demand for motor gasolines. In July, the Urals oil loadings will decline from June due to increased refinery production in Russia. The Russian oil supply will also decline in August due to a planned shutdown of the Sakhalin-1 Project, which exports Sokol Oil. India is the biggest buyer of Russian crude oil after Moscow diverted energy away from the European Union which imposed an import ban in late 2022. Sources claim that several Indian refineries, which normally purchase Russian oil at the spot market, will not receive enough Urals oil to deliver in August. India is looking at building three new strategic reserves of oil to increase its emergency stockpile, and improve energy security. The deal signed between India's largest refiner Reliance Industries and Russian oil giant Rosneft in 2013 saw large volumes of Urals oil shipped to India. This has limited the amount of crude oil available on the spot market.
CANADA-CRUDE-Discount on Western Canada Select unchanged
On Friday, the discount between West Texas Intermediate and Western Canada Select futures remained unchanged.
WCS for August in Hardisty (Alberta) settled at $10.30 per barrel below the U.S. benchmark WTI according to brokerage CalRock. The price was flat compared to Thursday's trading. Due to the U.S. Independence Day holiday, trading volumes were low. Independence Day is a holiday in the United States.
The summer and the return to road construction season is a strong season for Canadian heavy crude. This crude is used by U.S. refiners to make asphalt.
* The WCS Discount has increased slightly since last week, when wildfires in Canada’s oil-producing areas led to temporary tightening. The price of Canadian crude oil remains historically high, partly due to the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion that increased the country's ability to export oil to Asian markets.
The global oil futures market fell slightly on Friday due to low trading volume, as traders awaited the OPEC+ meeting this weekend and anticipated that the member countries would decide to increase their output. Amanda Stephenson reports from Calgary.
(source: Reuters)