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Philippines confirms the visit of alleged Bondi Gunmen amid terror concerns
The Philippines Bureau of Immigration announced on Tuesday that the two alleged gunmen who carried out the mass shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach travelled from Sydney to Manila on?November 1, aboard Philippine Airlines Flight PR212 and then onwards to Davao. According to a spokesperson from the bureau, Sajid Akram (50), an Indian national who lives in Australia, travelled with an Indian passport while his son Naveed, 24, an Australian, travelled with an Australian passport. Both passengers arrived on the same flight. On November 28, they flew back to Sydney via Manila on the same flight number PR212. This was weeks before the attack that killed 15 people. The investigation is looking at the attack as a terrorist act targeting Australia's Jewish community. It wasn't immediately clear what they did in the Philippines, or if they went elsewhere after landing in Davao. Mindanao is a city located in a region that has been a haven for terrorist groups including ISIS linked factions. In 2017, militants inspired by Islamic State seized part of the southern city of Marawi, and held it for five months through ground offensives and air attacks. Marawi's siege, the biggest battle in the country?since World War Two?, forced 350,000 people to leave their homes and more than 1,100 were killed, most of them militants. The Armed Forces are validating these reports. However, their spokesperson stated in a press release that the military closely coordinates with the relevant agencies regarding matters involving foreign nationals' movements and possible terrorist connections.
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ROI-Global coal exports post rare decline in 2025 on China cuts: Maguire
The first decline in global thermal coal shipments - used in power plants - has been recorded since 2020, due to lower coal-fired electricity generation in major Asian markets. Data from commodities intelligence firm Kpler indicates that total seaborne exports for so-called steam coal are expected to be 945 million tons in 2025. This represents a drop of 5%, or about 50 million tons, from 2024. The main driver of the decline was a 7% decrease in imports from countries in Asia, the region that consumes the most coal. This suggests that the global export volume of coal may have reached its peak and continue to contract. ASIAN DOMINANCE The concentration of coal shipments is evident in the fact that 89% all thermal coal imported for this year came from Asia. The total imports of thermal coal fell by 7%, or 60 million tons from the 2024 figures. China ranked as the largest coal importer in this year's figures, with a total of 305 million metric tons. India was second (157 million metric tons), followed by Japan (100 metric tons), South Korea 76 million tonne and Vietnam 45 tonne. Only two of the five biggest coal import markets, South Korea and Vietnam, posted an increase in annual imports. This highlights the depressed tone of coal demand, even in the region that consumes the most coal. While other countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, and Turkey have also seen an increase in their coal imports over the past year, China and India remain the two main drivers of global coal import trends. CHINA AND INDIA IN FOCUS China and India, the two largest thermal coal importers, accounted for 48% of total thermal coal imports. Both countries registered a contraction in imports this year as a result of combining increased domestic coal production with greater power supply from other sources. China's thermal imports dropped by 12%, or almost 43 million tons in 2025 from the previous year. This is a drop of 305 million tonnes. India's thermal imports fell by 3%, or 4.3 million tonnes to 157 million. China and India both have policies that support coal production at home, creating jobs. However, both countries also face the danger of an overproduction of low grade coal, which increases pollution when burned. China's ongoing war against overcapacity will likely lead to a shrinkage of domestic coal production in the coming years, which in turn could limit further declines in coal imports in the near-to-medium term. China's rapid rollouts of clean energy - including record deployments of solar and nuclear power - are expected to continue to shrink coal's share in the domestic power mix. Data from the energy think tank Ember show that coal's share in China's electricity production has dropped to a new record low of just 55.3% in 2025. This is down from 59% in 2014, and nearly 60% in 2013. In India, the combination of record coal production in India and declining coal consumption in electricity generation has resulted in a rare issuance for coal export permits. These export permits are likely to increase competition between exporters in early 2026. They could also become more frequent if the mine output increases continue to be sustained, while the domestic coal use for electricity production continues to decline. In 2025, coal will generate just under 70% (compared to 77% in the last two years) of India's total electricity. The rapid rollout of solar and wind farms in India, along with the highest hydro dam generation for more than six years, has led to coal's loss as India's largest generator. Further coal cuts could be made in India, both for the coal share and the total amount of coal used. This could lead to India exporting even more coal in the near future, which would reduce the profits of other 'coal exporters' such as Indonesia and Australia. Over time, any sustained decline in coal consumption in China, India, and other former major coal consumers, will likely result in a steady shrinkage of coal export volumes, and a wider contraction of the coal industry. These are the opinions of a columnist who writes 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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Philippines confirms the visit of alleged Bondi Gunmen amid terror concerns
The Philippines Bureau of Immigration announced on Tuesday that two alleged gunmen responsible for the?massive shooting at Sydney Bondi Beach travelled on Philippine Airlines Flight PR212?from Sydney, to Manila, and then to Davao on November 1. According to a spokesperson from the bureau, Sajid Akram (50), an Indian citizen and Australian resident, travelled with an Indian passport while his son Naveed,?24 an Australian, used an Australian one. Both passengers arrived on the same flight. On November 28, they flew back from Sydney via Manila on the same flight, PR212. This was just weeks before the attack that left 15 dead. The shooting?on Sunday is Australia's deadliest mass shooting in?nearly?30 years. It is being investigated as a terrorist act targeting the Jewish Community. It wasn't immediately clear what they did in the Philippines, or if they went elsewhere after landing in Davao. Mindanao is a city located in a region that has been a haven for?terrorists groups, including ISIS linked factions. In 2017, militants inspired by Islamic State seized part of the southern city of Marawi, and held it for five months through ground offensives and air strikes. Marawi's siege, the biggest battle in the country since World War Two, has displaced 350,000 residents. More than 1,100 people, mostly militants, have been killed. The Armed Forces of the Philippines are?validating the reported information, but its spokesperson stated in a press release that the military closely coordinates with relevant agencies regarding matters involving the movement of foreign nationals or potential terrorist links.
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Wall Street Journal, December 16,
These are the most popular stories from the Wall Street Journal. These?stories have not been verified and we cannot vouch for their accuracy. Ford Motor announced Monday that it expects to incur charges of about $19.5 billion, mostly related to its electric vehicle business. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, sued 'the BBC for defamation on Monday. His lawsuit claims that the BBC defamed Trump and violated Florida law which prohibits deceptive or unfair trade practices. He wants $5?billion for each count of the lawsuit. PayPal has filed to create a bank that offers business loans and savings account. Frontier Group Holdings has named James Dempsey as interim chief executive officer, effective immediately. He succeeds Barry Biffle, who was with the company for eleven years and had served as CEO since 2016. Stellantis has added more than 1,000 new employees to its Windsor, Ontario assembly plant in just two months. Luminar Technologies filed for bankruptcy following the loss of a contract to supply Volvo Cars.
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James Dempsey is named interim Frontier Group CEO after Biffle leaves.
Frontier Group Holdings - parent company of Frontier Airlines - announced on Monday the departure of its 'longtime CEO, Barry Biffle, and named James Dempsey as interim CEO, with immediate effect. Frontier announced that Biffle will continue to serve as an advisor with the company until December 31. Dempsey was Frontier's president from October 2023. He oversaw the company's commercial operations and customer care, as well as its research, design and planning functions. He joined Frontier as CFO in 2014, prior to which he held senior management roles at Ryanair Holdings and various management roles with PricewaterhouseCoopers. Bill Franke, the Board Chair said: "We believe (Dempsey is) uniquely qualified to lead our airline into future." Frontier said it also expects its fourth-quarter results will be in line with the forecasts that were previously made. The company had forecast a fourth-quarter profit adjusted between 4 cents to 20 cents per share. The company also expects the fourth-quarter growth in capacity to be flat when compared to last year. (Reporting and editing by Shailesh Kuber in Bengaluru. Abhinav Pmar is based in Bengaluru.
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JetBlue flight avoids collision with US Air Force jet in mid-air
A JetBlue passenger plane bound for New York avoided a mid-air crash on Friday with a U.S. Air Force Tanker near Venezuela by taking evasive actions, according to a recording of an air traffic control system. JetBlue Flight 1112 was departing from Curacao in the Caribbean and flying approximately 40 miles (64km) off the coast Venezuela when an Airbus A320 reported spotting the Air Force jet. The Air Force plane did not have its Transponder turned on. JetBlue's pilot stated that the Air Force pilot flew within a few mile of the plane at the same height. They passed directly through our flight path... The transponders are not on. "It's outrageous", said the pilot. JetBlue's pilot said that the Air Force jet entered Venezuelan airspace. "We nearly had a mid air collision up here." INCIDENT RECALLS DEADLY JANUARY CRASH Senate Commerce Committee Chair Ted Cruz noted on Monday that an Army helicopter had ?collided with an American Airlines flight on January 29 near Reagan Washington National Airport, killing 67 people, and was not using an advanced tracking technology called an automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast system, also ?known as ADS-B. Why do we tolerate near misses? Cruz spoke about the JetBlue incident. Maria Cantwell said that the JetBlue incident 'raised concern and the public needs a better system. Cantwell stated that "this is not acceptable". You can't have military planes and commercial aircraft flying in the same corridors without letting one another know. "We just can't do that." They spoke at a Monday press conference to push for the removal of a provision in a defense bill, which must be passed annually, that, according to them, would weaken safety by allowing military planes to fly through Washington, DC's airspace without transmitting ADSB information. JetBlue's spokesperson stated on Monday that safety was the company's number one priority. Our crew is trained in proper procedures to handle different flight situations. We appreciate that our crew reported this incident promptly to our leadership team. We have reported the incident to federal authorities, and we will be a part of any investigation." U.S. Military Active in Region The incident occurred as the United States mounted a massive military buildup in southern Caribbean, as President Donald Trump campaigns against Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. This has pushed relations to the most volatile point they have been in years. U.S. 'Southern Command' said in a Monday statement that it was aware and was reviewing the matter. The military said that its "aircrews" are highly-trained professionals who follow established procedures and adhere to applicable airspace requirements. Safety is our top priority. We are using the "appropriate channels" to evaluate the facts of the situation. The Federal Aviation Administration issued a warning to major airlines last month about a "potentially dangerous situation" while flying over Venezuela, and encouraged them to be cautious. As tensions worsened, major airlines around the globe have suspended flights. Trump has also threatened to start hitting Venezuelan land targets. The FAA didn't immediately comment on Monday about the JetBlue incident. (Reporting and editing by Lisa Shumaker, Jamie Freed, and David Shepardson from Washington)
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US FTC and 21 states file amended complaints against Uber regarding subscription practices
Uber is accused of deceptive billing practices and cancellations by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. The agency, 21 states as well as the District of Columbia have filed an amended complaint. The lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, alleges that Uber charged users for subscriptions they didn't consent to, did not deliver on promised benefits like zero-dollar delivery charges and monthly savings and made it difficult for them to cancel. Following the news, shares of Uber dropped more than 3%. Uber was first sued by the FTC in April for similar allegations. The amended complaint aims to seek civil penalties in connection with alleged violations of state consumer protection laws and the Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act. Uber One is marketed as a subscription that can be purchased monthly or annually. It promises benefits such as $0 delivery charges and up to $25 monthly savings. The FTC stated that many consumers paid delivery fees in spite of the promise, and did not receive the advertised savings. Uber is also accused of enrolling users into subscriptions without their consent, including those who had signed up for a free trial, and charging them before the trial ended. Uber has denied these allegations, saying that it never charges or signs up customers without their consent. According to the filing, canceling was described as being "extremely difficult" with users having to navigate through up to 23 screens. Uber stated in an emailed statement that most cancellations can be made in less than 20 seconds and in the Uber app at any time. "Prior until December 2024, customers had to call Support within 48 hours to cancel their next billing cycle, as was explained when signing up." California, New York and Texas are among the states that have joined the FTC. Reporting by Kritika Lama in Bangalore, Costas Pittas in Los Angeles, and Ryan Patrick Jones at Toronto; editing by Chris Reese & Shinjini Ganuli
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Trinidad and Tobago allows US military aircraft to transit through airports
Trinidad and Tobago approved on Monday for United States military aircraft to transit their airports in the coming weeks. This is due to the rising tensions between Venezuela and the U.S. In a press release, the Caribbean country's Foreign Ministry said it was "committed" to working with the U.S. on regional security. It added that the aircraft movements were "logistical in nature". Pentagon: In November, an American military official met with the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Kamla Persad Bisssar, to "reaffirm" the partnership and "discuss priorities for regional stability and security". In recent months, the U.S. increased operations in the Caribbean and Pacific. This included more than 20 strikes on suspected drug-trafficking ships this year. Nearly 90 people were killed. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, has raised the?possibility of military??intervention? in Venezuela. He cited allegations that Venezuela ships?narcotics? to the United States. Caracas, however, denies this.
FAA establishes new office for air safety after deadly mid-air collision
Federal Aviation Administration announced on Monday that it will open a "new aviation safety" office, as part of its strategic plan. The goal is to improve hiring and training while identifying potential hazards quickly. This comes after criticisms for not addressing near-misses. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford released "Flight Plan 2026", in response to a mid-air collision that occurred between an American Airlines Regional Jet and an Army Helicopter near Reagan Washington National Airport on January 28th, which killed 67 people. He said that the plan will create an FAA Safety Management System and implement a FAA-wide safety risk management process. Bedford stated that to achieve this goal, the Safety Integration Office will be established, safety risk heat maps developed, increased transparency and accountability improved at all levels within the organization.
FAA is also moving into the building where?the U.S. Transportation Department has its headquarters. In a memo to its employees, Bedford stated that "Aviation changes rapidly and the nation expects FAA to lead the way with confidence, competence and clarity."
The FAA is planning to create a pilot program for applicants of aircraft certification to be able to take part in digitized certification process. Sean Duffy, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, harshly criticised the FAA's failure to act in the face of dozens near-miss incidents prior to the fatal crash that occurred on January 29, days after U.S. president Donald Trump took office. Duffy stated that "we had 84 near-misses within the D.C. area in the previous three years, but no one took any action." Someone was sleeping at the wheel. Someone should have noticed that." Both parties of Congress have asked why the FAA has not acted for so many years in response to close calls with helicopters near Reagan Airport.
Jennifer Homendy, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, said that in August FAA ignored warnings about serious safety concerns. Homendy stated that the FAA had transferred out people instead of accepting responsibility for the fact that everyone in the FAA tower was saying there was an issue. "Fix it. "Do better." Bedford, who was appointed in July, oversees a $12.5-billion rehabilitation of U.S. Air Traffic Control?and Duffy is asking for another $19-billion to finish the job. Bedford, who was a former airline chief executive, had been critical of the FAA’s leadership and culture before he took office. Early May, the FAA barred Army helicopters from flying around the Pentagon following a close call in May that caused two civilian planes abort landings. The FAA implemented new restrictions in April to prevent helicopters from colliding with passenger planes at the busy Harry Reid International Airport, Las Vegas, and has also expanded buffer zones around airports in the Washington, D.C. area.
Bedford will testify in front of two congressional committees beginning Tuesday. David Shepardson, Washington correspondent; Chris Reese, Jamie Freed and Chris Reese are the editors.
(source: Reuters)