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South Korea sends chartered plane to Atlanta for workers held in US
A Korean Air spokesperson announced on Tuesday that South Korea would send a chartered flight to Atlanta by Wednesday to return workers who were detained in a massive immigration raid on a U.S. car battery factory last week. According to the spokesperson, a Korean Air Boeing 747-800i with 368 seats is scheduled to fly from Incheon in South Korea to Atlanta. About 300 South Koreans made up 475 of the people arrested during the U.S. Immigration raid The site of the $4.3 billion project between Hyundai Motor and LG Energy Solution, to build batteries for electrical cars. Cho Hyun, the South Korean foreign minister, is visiting Washington to discuss issues including reentering detained Koreans into the United States. After meeting the workers, a senior diplomat in Georgia told reporters that South Korean officials have begun the process to bring them home. The raid was the biggest single-site enforcement in the history of Department of Homeland Security investigative operations. It sent shockwaves throughout South Korea, an ally of the United States that is trying to finalise the trade agreement agreed upon with Washington in July. (Reporting and editing by Ed Davies; Ju-min Park)
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Sources say that RPT-Japan has hired Wood Mackenzie for the assessment of Trump's Alaska LNG project.
Two sources familiar with the matter confirmed that Japan hired Wood Mackenzie, an energy consultancy, to assess the proposed 800-mile Alaska gas pipeline project and LNG plant. This is a sign of its support for the $44billion project pushed by U.S. president Donald Trump. One of the sources said that the assessment could ease concerns of potential Japanese investors and off-takers about a project which has been stalled for decades because of cost and logistical issues. It is not clear what the scope of the Wood Mackenzie deal is, nor if any report that results from it will be public. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in Japan declined to comment. Wood Mackenzie and Glenfarne, the project developers of the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation AGDC (state-owned) have not responded to comments. Trump promised that he would push the project forward since reentering office. The mammoth plan involves moving gas from Alaska's remote northern region across the state, before it is chilled and sent overseas as LNG. Trump announced in July that Tokyo and Washington would form a joint-venture to develop the Alaskan LNG Project. Japan hasn't confirmed this plan. Tokyo committed to exploring a new agreement for Alaskan LNG in the final terms of this trade deal, agreed last week. Japan has also committed $550 billion in unspecified U.S. investments, including energy and pipelines. When asked about the Alaska LNG Project, Japan's Trade minister Yojimuto said at a late-July press conference that they were continuing to have close discussions with U.S. government officials. Key Customer Despite Trump’s optimism, several Japanese energy officials and industry leaders have expressed doubts over the projected cost of the project which could make gas more expensive than other sources. Source: Yet, project developers are in discussions with at least five Japanese companies. These include JERA, Japan’s largest LNG buyer, Tokyo Gas, Osaka Gas and trading house Mitsubishi Corp. Inpex is an oil and natural gas explorer, whose biggest shareholder is the Japanese Government. JERA's spokesperson said that it is "considering" this project. Tokyo Gas stated that it was "one candidate for procurement". Inpex stated that nothing has been decided about the project. Osaka Gas & Mitsubishi declined to comment. Alaskan LNG developers already signed non-binding agreements with the state-owned Thai oil company PTT Group, and Taiwanese energy company CPC Corp. Securing a deal with Japan would boost the project's success chances. It is the No. The country is the world's No. A deal of this kind could also open up financing options from Japanese state-owned banks, such as Japan Bank for International Cooperation. JBIC announced earlier this year that it would be willing to provide support, taking into consideration factors such as the involvement of Japanese companies. U.S. officials are promoting the Alaska project to Tokyo, highlighting its security benefits, comparing it to Middle East projects and its proximity to Japan. They also highlight the fact that the project would allow shipments to avoid choke points like the Straits of Hormuz, Malacca and South China Sea. According to Japan's Finance Ministry, Japan receives approximately one-tenth its LNG from the U.S. and similar proportions of LNG from Russia and Middle East. About 40% of the LNG is produced in Australia. Wood Mackenzie conducted three Alaska LNG studies over the past decade, commissioned by AGDC as well as other stakeholders. In a 2016 study, it was ranked poorly against other projects which could supply Asian markets such as Japan. However, a review in 2022 that took into account different financing structures and cost-reductions found it to be competitive when compared with U.S. Gulf Coast supplies. Alaska LNG developers have hired Australian engineering company Worley to conduct a cost estimate of the project. The goal is to reach a decision on the investment by the end the year. (Editing by Christian Schmollinger; Additional reporting by Yuka Golubkova and Katya Obayashi in Tokyo)
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After a double-decker Mexican bus is hit by a train, 10 people are killed and 61 injured
A freight train crashed into a double decker passenger bus in central Mexico, killing 10 people and injuring at least 61 others. The train operator claimed that the double decker bus was trying to pass the moving train. Canadian Pacific Kansas City de Mexico, the railroad, sent condolences and urged drivers to obey road signs and stop at railroad crossings. Herradura de Plata, the bus operator in question, did not respond immediately to a comment request. First responders had cordoned off and photographed the scene. The bus's metal frame was badly dented as well as the front of its top deck. Local authorities reported that the collision occurred in an industrial area on the highway between Atlacomulco (a town located 115 km northwest of Mexico City) and Maravatio in the nearby state of Michoacan. According to the State of Mexico Attorney General's Office, seven women and three males were killed. In Mexico, buses are the main mode of transportation. Although freight rail lines are widespread, passenger train routes are limited. The government of President Claudia Sheinbaum wants to expand the country's passenger rail system to connect many areas of northern and central Mexico. Reporting by LizbethDiaz; Additional reporting and writing by Stephen Eisenhammer, Rod Nickel; Editing by Brendan O'Boyle.
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Heathrow Terminal 4 in London closed over possible hazardous material incident
On Monday, firefighters were called to respond to a possible hazardous materials incident at Heathrow Airport in London. Heathrow Airport, Europe's busiest international airport, announced on Twitter that Terminal 4 was closed while emergency services responded to an incident. All other terminals are operating normally. The London Fire Brigade stated on its website that "specialist crews were dispatched to assess the scene, and Terminal 4 Check-in was evacuated for safety reasons while firefighters conducted operations." They added that they were first notified about the incident at 1601 BST (1701 GMT). The brigade reported that around 20 people were assessed by paramedics on the scene. At this point, the cause of the accident is still under investigation. Video clips that were not verified and shared online show dozens of people waiting outside the terminal. Heathrow website's departures page shows that flights have taken off from Terminal 4 ever since the incident. A fire that broke out at an electrical substation in March knocked the power to the airport, causing it to be closed for almost a full day. This caused flight schedules all over the world to be disrupted and thousands of passengers stranded. (Reporting and editing by Chris Reese, Rosalba o'Brien).
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Democratic lawmakers demand that Fed nominee Miran resigns from the White House.
Democratic lawmakers on the U.S. Senate Banking Committee have demanded that Stephen Miran pledge to resign from his job as chief White House economic adviser before the Republican-controlled panel takes any more steps to advance his nomination for a seat on the Federal Reserve's Board of Governors. Miran stated at his confirmation hearing that he was legally advised to take a leave of absence from the White House Council of Economic Advisors, as the Fed position he wants only lasts until the end of January. "That is what I will be taking," he said. Democrats on the panel said that the term of the central banker could be extended, depending on how long it takes to confirm the successor. They also noted the potential conflict created by his dual role as an adviser to Donald Trump and a central lender. In a letter, a majority Democratic member of the panel demanded that Miran resign from his White House position by September 8. In a letter dated Friday, they stated that "without this commitment, we do not believe the committee should move forward with your nominee." The committee has said it will vote on Wednesday to send Miran’s nomination to the U.S. Senate as a whole. Federal Reserve Act states that U.S. central banks governors must devote "their entire time" to board business. The Democratic lawmakers demanded copies of the legal analysis Miran claimed would allow him to continue working at the White House while serving as a Fed employee. They suggested that the arrangement was "inconsistent" with the law. Kush Desaiand, White House spokesperson, said that if Stephen Miran's position as CEA is confirmed, "based on legal advice, Stephen Miran could take a leave of absence without pay from his CEA post." A spokesman of Senate Banking Committee chair Tim Scott declined comment. (Reporting and editing by Ann Saphir, Andrea Shalal and Nick Zieminski.
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Nepal-Au moins 19 morts lors de manifestations contre l'interdiction des reseaux sociaux
Au moins 19 personnes sont decedees lundi au Nepal lors d'un mouvement de protestations contre l'interdiction des reseaux sociaux et la corruption, dans les pires troubles que le pays ait connus depuis des decennies, ont declare les autorites. Un responsable local a declare qu'une partie des manifestants, jeunes pour la plupart, ont force l'entree du complexe parlementaire a Katmandou en brisant une barricade, incendiant une ambulance et lancant des objets sur les rangs de policiers anti-emeutes qui gardaient le batiment. La police avait recu l'ordre d'utiliser des canons a eau, des matraques et des balles en caoutchouc pour controler la foule, et l'armee avait ete deployee dans le quartier du Parlement pour renforcer les forces de l'ordre, a declare a Muktiram Rijal, porte-parole du bureau du district de Katmandou. "La police a tire sans discernement", a declare un manifestant a l'agence de presse ANI. "(Ils) ont tire des balles qui m'ont manque, mais ont touche un ami qui se tenait derriere moi. Il a ete touche a la main." Plus de 100 personnes, dont 28 policiers, ont ete soignees pour leurs blessures, a declare a l'officier de police Shekhar Khanal. Les manifestants transportaient les blesses a l'hopital sur des motos. Deux des 19 victimes ont ete tuees lorsque la manifestation dans la ville orientale d'Itahari a degenere en violences, a declare la police. Ce mouvement de protestations de la part de la jeune generation nepalaise fait suite a la decision prise la semaine derniere par le gouvernement de bloquer l'acces a plusieurs reseaux sociaux, dont Facebook. Les autorites ont justifie cette interdiction par le fait que ces plateformes ne s'etaient pas enregistrees aupres des autorites dans le cadre d'une campagne de lutte contre les abus, notamment les faux comptes utilises pour diffuser des discours haineux et des fausses informations. Le ministre de l'Interieur nepalais, Ramesh Lekhak, a demissionne du gouvernement, assumant la "responsabilite morale" des violences, a declare a apres une reunion du cabinet un ministre qui a souhaite rester anonyme, n'etant pas autorise a s'exprimer devant les medias. (Reportage de Gopal Sharma, redige par YP Rajesh ; version francaise Coralie Lamarque ; edite par Blandine Henault)
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Spain bans Israel bound weapons ships and aircraft over Gaza
Spain banned Monday ships and aircraft that carry weapons to Israel to enter its ports or airspace in response to Israel's offensive against Gaza. The Israeli Foreign Minister called the measures antisemitic. Spain, which recognized a Palestinian State in May 2024, and has been vocal in its criticism of Israel's action in the Gaza Strip responded to Gideon Saar’s comments by calling back its ambassador in Tel Aviv for consultations. The government of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has announced that it will not allow anyone to enter Spain who is directly involved in the "genocide", in Gaza. Israel denies that its actions in Gaza constitute genocide. It is currently fighting a case before the International Court of Justice at The Hague in which it has been accused of genocide. Israel began its attack on the Gaza Strip after Hamas militants, who controlled the territory, had attacked Israeli communities and killed 1,200 people, while capturing over 250 hostages. Saar claimed that Sanchez was using these measures to distract attention from corruption scandals at home. He also announced an entry ban for Sanchez's deputy Yolanda Diz and Youth Minister Sira Regio. Both are members of the hard-left Sumar party, which is the junior partner to Sanchez's coalition. The Spanish Foreign Ministry has said that the entry ban imposed by Israel is unacceptable. It also stated that Sanchez's actions were in line and reflect Madrid's support of peace, human right and international law. Spain is committed to combating antisemitism. It cited the fact that 72,000 Sephardic Jews, descendants of those who were expelled from Iberian Peninsula during the 15th century, have been granted Spanish citizenship. The ministry issued a statement in which it condemned the "terrorist attack in East Jerusalem" that took place on Monday, in which Palestinian gunmen opened up at a bus station, killing six people including a Spaniard living in Israel. (Reporting and editing by Inti Latona and David Latona, Andrei Khalip, Helen Popper and Charlie Devereux)
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China's demand for Russian ESPO crude oil keeps it firm despite increasing western sanctions pressure
The price of Russian ESPO blend crude oil for October loading cargoes remained stable as traders reported on Monday that the strong demand from China and abundant supply offset the growing pressure from Western sanctions. They said that cargoes loaded from the Far Eastern Port of Kozmino were sold for a premium of about $2 per barrel over ICE Brent, on a delivery-basis to Chinese ports. This was a little different from September's levels. Intense Ukrainian drone attacks have struck several major Russian oil refining facilities in the last few weeks. This has led to a decrease in feedstock processing and an increase in crude exports. The price stability is despite the new wave of Western sanctions targeting Russian oil exports. Last week, Britain, the European Union and other countries lowered the price of Russian crude oil from $60 per barrel to $47.60. Buyers were required to submit certifications within 30 days after loading in order to continue to have access to Western shipping and insurance services. The EU has announced its 18th package of sanctions, which includes a blacklist of dozens of entities. These include Indian refiner Nayara Energy as well as several Chinese companies accused of helping Russia to bypass restrictions. The measures tighten control on energy and technology exports, and ban fuels derived from Russian crude beginning in January 2026. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, announced on Sunday that he is ready to implement a second round of restrictions. The EU Council's Antonio Costa also said that new sanctions are being closely coordinated with United States. Traders have noted that Chinese oil demand remains strong, despite the threat of Western sanctions. Chinese buyers will also receive Urals and Arctic crudes via the Northern Sea Route in addition to ESPO. The latest step in the strengthening of financial ties between Beijing, Russia and the United States was taken on Friday when the Chinese rating agency CSCI Pengyuan gave its highest AAA-rating to the Russian oil and natural gas giant Gazprom, which is blacklisted by the U.S. A trader stated that ESPO premiums may soften if U.S. Tariffs drive Indian purchases lower and more oil flows into China. A trader said that because Urals and ESPO are different in quality, increased Urals flow may not have an impact on ESPO prices. Urals is a sour oil, while ESPO can be described as a light and low-sulphur type of oil. (Reporting and Editing by Joe Bavier).
FAA has yet to make a decision about Boeing 737 MAX production limit
On Monday, the head of the Federal Aviation Administration stated that the agency has not yet made any decisions about whether or not to abandon the plan to produce 38 737 MAX planes per month since early 2024. It also did say it had not decided how it would overseen Boeing production. "Progress is made. "It may not be as quick as Boeing would prefer, but it's as fast as we are able to move through the process," FAA administrator Bryan Bedford told journalists after an event in Washington.
The FAA implemented the production cap in January 2024, shortly after an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 mid-air emergency occurred. Four key bolts were missing from this new aircraft. Since then, FAA has increased its in-person supervision of Boeing production.
Bedford said that he is encouraged by Boeing's improvement but that he needs data to answer some key questions. Bedford explained that this would be a bottom up process, with the front line FAA team being the ones to decide if they think we have reached certain milestones which warranted any changes. "None have been made yet." This tells me that the work continues. Boeing declined to comment immediately. Bedford also said that his agency is "stretched" in an interview, as it tries to pursue a $12.5 billion overhaul of U.S. Air Traffic Control System, overseeing Boeing, as well as new regulations on supersonic and drone airplanes and modernizing aircraft certification.
Bedford stated, "The agency is now stretched thin trying to get as much information out of the door."
(source: Reuters)