Latest News
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Shanghai Port wins Chinese Super League title after beating Dalian
Shanghai Port won the Chinese Super League on Saturday. A 1-0 victory over Dalian Yingbo meant that Kevin Muscat’s team finished the season with two points more than their cross-city rivals Shanghai Shenhua. Gabrielzinho, who latched on to Leonardo's pass in the fourth-minute in Dalian, scored the lone goal for Port. He slipped the ball past the home goalkeeper Huang Zihao with ease. Shanghai Port now has 66 points after 30 matches. This is two more than Shenhua of Leonid Shlutsky, who beat Tianjin Tiger 3-1. Port has won the title three times in a row, and twice in two seasons. This is after Australian Muscat took over from Javier Pereira. Shanghai Port and Shanghai Shenhua will both play next season in the Asian Champions League Elite, while Chengdu Rongcheng, who finished third last year, will compete in the Asian Champions League Two. (Reporting and editing by Ken Ferry)
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Officials say that crew evacuated from container ship after fire at Los Angeles port
The Los Angeles Fire Department reported that all crew members were evacuated from container ship One Henry Hudson on Friday after an explosion and fire disrupted its power and crane operation at San Pedro Port. The port has identified hazardous materials in several bays. Firefighters are using protective gear, including self-contained respirators. LAFD reported that marine units are continuing to cool the exterior of the ship, and no personnel is allowed below deck. ABC's affiliate broadcasts footage of firefighting boats spraying water over the containers that are on fire and the sides of the ship. Port officials announced that four of the seven container terminals in the port have been suspended and a safety zone around the vessel has been created. LAFD has announced that it has issued an order to shelter in place for San Pedro, Wilmington and other nearby areas due to the hazardous materials incident caused by the container ship fire. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has said that residents of the affected areas should stay at home, with their windows shut and AC systems off. According to LSEG, the One Henry Hudson sailed under a Panaman flag and arrived at Los Angeles from Tokyo's Shinagawa Port on Wednesday. In an X-post, the office of California Governor Gavin Newsom said it was coordinating with local officials to support first responders. Mayor Bass stated that more than 100 firefighters were working to suppress the blaze and air quality was being monitored. Port of Los Angeles released a press release stating that the vessel was berthed in the Yusen Container Terminal. Fire suppression efforts continue. Reporting by Rajveer Pardesi in Bengaluru and Rishabh Jaisewal; editing by William Mallard, Tom Hogue
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BP crew excavates Olympic Pipeline but has yet to determine cause of leak
BP announced on Friday that its Olympic Pipeline crew had excavated over 100 feet (0.03km) of pipeline in response to a leak which occurred earlier this month near Everett (Washington), but they have yet to identify the source of leak. Washington Governor Bob Ferguson declared an emergency on Wednesday following the Olympic Pipeline shut down, which has caused jet fuel supply to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to be disrupted. Crews have excavated safely over 100 feet but have yet to identify the source of the leak. In an email, a spokesperson for the company said that excavation and inspection would continue over night. The pipeline is still closed at this time. The London-based company that produces oil and gas did not give a timetable for restarting this pipeline. The Olympic Pipeline System is a 400-mile fuel pipeline that runs from Washington's northern border to Oregon. The pipeline transports refined petroleum product including gasoline, jet fuel and diesel to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. First reported on 11 November, the fuel leak was discovered. BP reopened on Monday the one of two pipelines that were shut down to investigate the source of a product discharge east of Everett. Shortly after the restored line, it was shut down once again. This halted all refined product deliveries in the system. (Reporting and editing by Himani Sarkar in Bengaluru, Rishabh Jaisewal from Bengaluru)
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Australia's Northern Territory prepares for Tropical Cyclone Fina
Darwin, Australia, shut down its airport on Saturday as a precaution due to a tropical storm that is forecast to cause destructive winds and floods in the north of the country. The Bureau of Meteorology in Australia said that Fina, a category 3 cyclone located in the Van Diemen Gulf, with wind gusts of up to 185 km/h (115mph), would pass north of Darwin, capital of the Northern Territory later on Saturday, as a "severe Tropical Cyclone". On its website, the weather bureau warned that the cyclone would hit remote Tiwi islands and Cape Hotham before it reached Darwin. Residents of Darwin were urged to start or continue their preparations immediately, including securing boats, property and other valuables. Darwin International Airport issued an alert on Fina, its Facebook page, saying that all flights today, 22 Nov, are cancelled. The airport added that the conditions were expected worsen. The warning issued for Darwin, a city with a population of about 140,000 people, brings back painful memories of the Cyclone Tracy that wiped out 66 lives on Christmas Day, 1974. It was one of Australia’s worst natural disasters. Dean Narramore, senior meteorologist at the Weather Bureau, said that although it was unlikely to landfall in Darwin on Saturday morning, it would be felt there. Narramore, a meteorologist with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, said that the forecast was for "widespread and heavy rains" as well as "damaging to locally destructive wind." "Staying above water means the intensity is likely to remain," he continued. According to the Weather Bureau, Category 3 tropical cyclones are two levels below the most dangerous rating. They typically cause damage to structures, trees, and crops, and power outages. The ex-tropical storm Alfred, which hit Queensland in March, closed schools and left hundreds of thousands without power. (Reporting and editing by Diane Craft, Himani Sarkar and Sam McKeith from Sydney)
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Canada Post and union reach agreement in principle to end lockouts and strikes
After more than two years, Canada Post and the union that represents thousands of mail carriers have reached an agreement in principle. This has halted all lockouts and strike actions. On September 25, more than 55,000 workers from the Canadian Postal Service walked out of their jobs after the government demanded that the company undergo a major transformation in order to improve its finances and modernize its operations. Postal service struggles as letter volume drops and private sector competition increases for parcel shipping. Canada Post, the nation's main postal service, said via email that tentative collective agreements have not yet been finalized by Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers. The union stated that "Both parties have agreed on major points of the agreements, but we must agree on the contract language that will be used to form the collective agreement that members would vote on," CUPW said it would retain its right to strike until new agreements were ratified. (Reporting and editing by Chris Reese in Bengaluru, Mrinmay dey from Bengaluru)
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US warns airlines about potential dangers when flying over Venezuela
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration on Friday warned major airlines of a "potentially dangerous situation" while flying over Venezuela, and encouraged them to exercise caution. The FAA's notice noted the "worsening situation in security and increased military activity around Venezuela", and warned that threats at any altitude could be dangerous to aircraft. In recent months there has been an enormous American military buildup, including the largest aircraft carrier of the U.S. Navy, as well as at least eight warships and F-35 planes. The Trump administration has bombed boats that were allegedly transporting drugs and had left the shores of Venezuela or other Latin American countries. Since 2019, direct flights from the United States to Venezuela for passengers or cargo have been suspended. However, some U.S. carriers fly over Venezuela on some South American flights. American Airlines announced on Friday that they had stopped flying over Venezuela since October. Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and other airlines did not respond immediately to comments. The order did not prohibit flights over the country. Since September, the FAA has reported an increase in Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) interference in Venezuela. This can cause lingering effects on a flight and is also associated with "activity related to increasing Venezuela's military readiness". The FAA stated that Venezuela had conducted multiple military drills and mobilized thousands of reserve and military forces. It added that Venezuela never expressed any intention to target civil aviation. The agency stated that the Venezuelan military had advanced fighter aircraft, multiple weapons systems capable or exceeding civil aircraft operational altitudes and there was a potential low-altitude threat from anti-aircraft and air defense artillery. The FAA will continue to monitor risk for U.S. Civil Aviation operating in the area.
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US lawmakers urge enforcement of Biden wheelchair airline travel rules
On Friday, a group of U.S. House members called on the Trump Administration to enforce key provisions in a rule that was issued by former president Joe Biden's government and which requires new consumer protections when disabled passengers use wheelchairs. The letter was signed by 14 Democrats from the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, including Greg Stanton and Rick Larsen. Airlines for America, a trade association of United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines, as well as JetBlue Airways, filed a lawsuit in February against the rule that sets stricter standards for accommodating wheelchair-bound passengers. In September, the U.S. Transportation Department announced that it would not enforce certain provisions until a review was completed. This included one requiring airlines to be liable for wheelchairs mishandled. A second requirement was for airlines to reimburse wheelchair users the difference in fare between the flight they took and the one that would have been charged if the wheelchair had fit into the cargo or cabin of another aircraft. USDOT and the airline did not immediately respond to our request for comment. When they check wheelchairs or scooters, carriers must also notify passengers in writing about their rights and reimburse them for any damage caused to the wheelchairs. USDOT reported that 5.5 million Americans used a wheelchair last year. For every 100 wheelchairs and scooters transported by domestic flights, at least one of them is damaged, lost, or delayed. In October 2024 the USDOT fined American Airlines $50 million, a record amount, for its treatment towards disabled passengers. This included failing to provide adequate assistance to some and mishandling of wheelchairs. USDOT retracted a Biden proposal last week to require airlines pay cash compensation to passengers when carriers cause flight disruptions in the United States.
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India's weak demand for Urals oil leads to a widening of discounts on the oil
Sources say that the differentials between Russian Urals crude and other grades are under pressure due to the weakening value of the grade in India's ports. Three sources in the oil trade reported that discounts for Russian Urals crude have tripled in Indian ports since August compared to Brent dated as U.S. sanction drive key buyers from Moscow-supplied fuel. According to traders, the December Urals cargoes are currently trading at a discount of $5-$6 per barrel compared to Brent. This is about three times greater than the $1-2 seen in August. PLATTS WINDOW There were no bids or offers reported on the Platts Window for Urals CPC Blend, or Azeri BTC on Wednesday. Five sources have confirmed that U.S. sanctions will dismantle what is left of Litasco. Litasco was once Russia's largest oil trader, and a competitor to Swiss oil giants and top Swiss houses. (Reporting from ;)
Trump's trade battle with China in 2025
U.S. president Donald Trump targeted China, the top economic rival with a cascade tariff order on billions in imported goods. The orders were aimed at narrowing an enormous trade deficit, bringing manufacturing back and crippling the trade of fentanyl.
The reverse chronological timeline below shows the U.S. - China trade war in this year.
U.S. trade representative Jamison Greer said that after China announced it would expand its rare earth export controls, the U.S. had reached out to China via phone but Beijing declined. China calls the new U.S. Tariffs hypocritical and defends its export controls.
Trump re-starts the trade war on October 10, imposing additional tariffs of 100% on China’s U.S. bound exports and new export controls by November 1, including "any critical software". This ends an uneasy truce between both countries that was reached in August.
Trump has said that there is no reason for him to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, but he also did not cancel the meeting. They are expected to meet again in South Korea, on the sidelines the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum later this month.
Trump says that the United States may also impose export controls for Boeing parts in response to China's export restrictions on rare earth minerals.
China has launched an antitrust investigation against U.S. chip manufacturer Qualcomm for its acquisition of Israeli chip designer Autotalks.
China Announces
Port fees
On Oct. 14, the U.S. will begin charging port fees for vessels owned, operated, constructed, or flying the flag of America. This is a response to U.S. charges on ships with ties to China that began on the same date.
October 9 - China expands
Export controls
The government has tightened its control over rare earths by including five additional medium to heavy elements as of Nov. 8 and adding extra scrutiny to semiconductor users.
Grab and dominance
The critical minerals that are key to the energy transformation
Trump Administration Proposals
Ban
Chinese airlines are preventing American airlines from flying above Russia on routes between the United States and China, claiming that the shorter flight times put American carriers at an unfair disadvantage.
Trump hopes to discuss soya beans with Xi, but warns that the U.S. could halt a significant share of its imports from China.
U.S. lawmakers demand a broader ban on chipmaking equipment going to China following a bipartisan report that found Chinese chipmakers purchased $38 billion worth of sophisticated gear in the past year.
Trump's October 1st statement
Soybeans
When he meets Xi, this will be a main topic of conversation. China has drastically reduced U.S. purchases of soybeans, a move Trump has called a negotiating tactic.
Greer said that around 55% of tariffs applied to Chinese imports is a "good state-of-the-art" but the U.S. wanted bilateral trade to be more free. However, she did not indicate any immediate moves towards lowering Trump’s tariffs.
U.S. Treasury Sec. Scott Bessent said aircraft engines, parts and chemicals could be a powerful tool for the United States to use in negotiations with China.
The first time since 2019 that a group of U.S. House of Representatives lawmakers visited China to talk, is on September 21. The group said to Premier Li Qiang that both the largest economies in the world need to "break the ice" and increase engagement.
September 19 - Trump & Xi have a phone call. Trump says they made progress in a TikTok deal and will meet in South Korea in six weeks to discuss illicit drugs, trade and Russia's conflict in Ukraine.
China has said so
Welcome to the new year
Commercial negotiations on TikTok according to market rules.
China announces that it will review TikTok’s technology exports, and its intellectual property licensing. It calls the framework agreement reached "win-win".
15 September - U.S. & China reach a framework deal to transfer TikTok under U.S. control. This decision will be confirmed by Trump and Xi in a phone call later this week.
Bessent states that the Trump administration won't impose tariffs on Chinese products over Russian oil imports, unless European countries first impose tariffs.
September 14 - Bessent, China's Vice Premier He Lifeng and the Spanish government lead a fourth round in Madrid of discussions to discuss trade relations as well as TikTok’s impending divestiture deadline.
Trump and his administration ask the G7, EU, and NATO to put pressure on China to impose tariffs between 50% and 100% in order to stop Russian oil revenues.
U.S. and China extend tariff truce by another 90 days.
August 10 - Trump asks China to quadruple their soybean purchases from the U.S., as the expiration date of the trade truce is approaching on August 12.
U.S. begins issuing licenses to Nvidia for exporting H20 chips to China on August 8.
Bessent is "optimistic", according to Bessent, about the future.
After two days of discussions in Stockholm, U.S. officials and Chinese officials agreed to extend their 90-day truce on tariffs. The talks were described as constructive by both sides, but there was no significant breakthrough.
U.S. Commerce secretary Howard Lutnick announced that Nvidia will resume sales of their advanced AI H20 chip to China in the U.S. rare earths negotiations, reversing an export ban by the U.S. in April.
Trump threatens to impose an additional 10% on countries that he says are aligning themselves with "Anti-American Policies" of BRICS. This includes China.
Bessent reports that the U.S. has resolved its issues with China regarding rare earth minerals, magnets and shipments into the U.S.
On June 11-12, some Chinese rare earths producers will begin receiving export licenses. Trump claims that the trade truce has been re-established.
The U.S.A. and China have a second round of negotiations in London, and they reach an agreement on a framework.
June 5, Xi and Trump have a phone call lasting an hour.
Trump claims that China has violated the Geneva agreement to reduce tariffs and Chinese restrictions on vital minerals exports. China denies the accusation and says that U.S. has introduced a number of "discriminatory restrictive measures" against China.
The U.S. will begin "aggressively," revoking Chinese student visas on May 28-29. The order also instructs a wide range of companies to cease shipping semiconductors, software design and aviation equipment into China.
Beijing and Washington have trade talks in Geneva over the weekend, May 10-12. Both sides issued a joint declaration agreeing to a 90 day pause in tariffs.
Tariffs between the U.S. and China were reduced to 10%, from 125%. China has also agreed to remove non-tariff measures that have been imposed on the United States by China since April 2.
Nvidia reveals that U.S. officials informed them that their H20 chip will require an export license for China.
China raises its levies to 125% on U.S. imports, calling the Trump tariff strategy "a joke". It also said it would ignore any future U.S. "numbers games with tariffs".
China announced that it would immediately limit imports of Hollywood movies on April 10.
China increases levies on U.S. imported goods to 84%. It also added 12 U.S. firms to a list of companies that are prohibited from exporting dual-use products, and six more to the "unreliable entity" list. This allows Beijing to take punitive measures against foreign entities.
The U.S. has increased tariffs on Chinese imports from 84% to 125%. China warns citizens not to travel to the U.S.
April 8: The U.S. increases tariffs on all Chinese imports from 34% to 84%.
April 4: China announces that it will impose retaliatory duties of 34% on U.S. imports starting April 10, and that export restrictions on rare earths will be implemented. About 30 U.S. companies, mostly involved in the defence industry, were subject to restrictions.
Beijing has also suspended shipments of sorghum and poultry and bone meals from certain U.S. companies.
Trump increases global trade friction by imposing "liberation day tariffs" on April 2. He announced a 10% baseline for all imports as well as significantly higher duties against some countries. Trump will impose 34% tariffs on all Chinese products, which will take effect on the 9th of April.
From May 2, the Trump administration will also end duty-free access to low-value shipments of goods from China and Hong Kong (known as "de minimis exemptions").
China retaliates with a 10-15% levied on U.S. agricultural exports. This affects about $21 billion of U.S. imports. Beijing has also placed export and investment restrictions on 25 U.S. companies, citing national security concerns. It also banned the import of genetic sequencers made by U.S. medical device maker Illumina.
March 4 - U.S. increases tariffs by 20% on all Chinese imports due to fentanyl.
China responds to the U.S. companies with a variety of measures, including Google, farmers and Calvin Klein's owner.
Beijing will also begin imposing levies on February 10 of 10% for some autos and crude oil, and 15% for imports of US coal and LNG. Beijing also restricted the exports of five metals that are used in defence, clean-energy and other industries.
Trump imposes a 10% tariff on all goods imported from China, and 25% on those imported from Mexico and Canada to demand that they reduce the flow of illegal immigrants and fentanyl into the U.S.
January 21: A day after taking the oath of office, Trump threatens a 10% punitive tariff on Chinese imports citing the fentanyl coming from China. Reporting by Liz Lee, Shi Bu and Jacqueline Wong; Editing by Ronojoy Mazumdar and Jacqueline Wong
(source: Reuters)