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In talks with Putin, PM Fico claims to have secured gas supplies for Slovakia
Robert Fico, the Prime Minister of Slovakia, said that he secured the country's gas supply when he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin last month in Moscow. This was just a few days before Ukraine stopped the transit of Russian gas to Ukraine at the beginning of 2025. Fico stated in a Facebook video that he needed to ensure at least gas for Slovakian domestic consumption. We have done so. Fico didn't provide any more details, and the government office didn't immediately respond to an inquiry for comment. Fico accused Kyiv, of harming Slovakia, by refusing to extend a transit agreement for Russian gas which expired at the end 2024. He also threatened to reduce electricity flows to Ukraine as well as aid to its refugees. According to data from the Slovak gas network operator Eustream, Slovakia continues to receive gas through Hungary, which gets Russian gas via Turk Stream. This has been true since Ukraine stopped receiving gas. Fico stated that the Ukraine's stoppage has cost him 500 million euros as transit fees, and 1 billion euro in higher gas prices. Fico will meet with officials of the European Commission in Brussels, Belgium on Thursday to talk about the suspension of Ukraine's gas transit. Moscow will continue to lose revenue if Ukraine continues to be attacked by Russia, according Kyiv. Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the Ukrainian president, has accused Fico that he opened a second energy front against Ukraine at Russia's orders. (Reporting and editing by Kevin Liffey, Alistair Bell and Jason Hovet)
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Poland and Baltics look to protect energy assets after undersea cable cuts
The Baltic states are working with Poland to protect the energy facilities they need as they decouple their power grids from Russia, Lithuania's energy minister told Reuters, following damage to undersea cable televisions in the area. Polish and baltic state-run power grid operators are working on an arrangement to guarantee the smooth running of the decoupled system, and how to repair it if needed, Zygimantas Vaiciunas said in an interview on Tuesday. The goal is to have a common list, and settle on what procedures require to be taken, and settle on sources of financing them. And to implement it as quick as possible, he stated. Polish grid operator PSE individually informed Reuters that talks were underway with the Baltic states - Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia - on joint projects to reinforce the protection of facilities in the area, and on obtaining European Union assistance for them. The Estlink 2 power cable between Estonia and Finland was harmed on Dec. 25, in the latest disturbance to facilities in the region considering that Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Russia denies involvement. Finland on Dec. 27 took an oil tanker carrying Russian oil which it stated dragged an anchor through the seabed. Lithuania in reaction is charging elite police to protect its power link with Poland, which is meant to keep power in Baltic states running in sync with continental Europe, and its largest gas-fired power plant, both essential for the decoupling, stated Vaiciunas. This (Estlink 2 damage) had a direct impact on the decision to release authorities resources, Vaiciunas said. We used to believe that personal security is enough, now we see complete government's attention to security is required, he added. Lithuania is working to increase tracking of its NordBalt power link with Sweden, consisting of to guarantee that the cause of any damage is rapidly recognized, the minister stated. The power grids of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, members of both the European Union and NATO, are run in a typical grid with Russia and Belarus, a holdover from the times when the nations were ranged from Moscow. The Baltic states expect to decouple on Feb. 8, taking control of the obligation for running their own grid after years of upgrades that were supported by 1.6 billion euros ($ 1.7 billion). of European financing. Poland's PSE also stated it was working carefully with its. Ukrainian counterpart to guarantee the security of the link. linking Rzeszow in Poland with the Khmelnytsky nuclear power. station in Ukraine.
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Consortium providing to take over Malaysia Airports protects 84.1% stake
A consortium consisting of Malaysia's sovereign wealth fund Khazanah and BlackRock's Global Facilities Partners that used to take over Malaysia Airports Holdings stated late on Wednesday it had secured an 84.1% stake of the company. The consortium, which includes Malaysia's Staff members Provident Fund and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, said it had reached the level as of Wednesday, moving it decisively towards the 90% limit to de-list Malaysia Airports. A stock filing on Monday revealed the deal had been extended to Jan. 17 from Wednesday. The consortium announced in May in 2015 a deal to get all shares in Malaysia Airports not currently owned by it at 11 ringgit per share, offering the airports operator an equity value of 18.4 billion ringgit ($ 4.09 billion). Malaysia Airports' shares have jumped 40.9% over the past one year, LSEG information showed. It ended Wednesday 1.3% higher at 10.78 ringgit.
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China's foreign ministry is unaware of the ban on US sanctioned ships by Shandong Port Group
China's Foreign Ministry said that it did not know about the decision by Shandong Port Group to ban U.S. sanctioned vessels in its east coast harbours. The group supervises several major terminals located in Shandong province, the main entry port for oil imported from Iran, Russia and Venezuela. These embargoed oil flows accounted for almost a fifth (or 5%) of all imports last year. If the ban was enforced, traders claim it would increase shipping costs for independent refining companies in Shandong. These are the main purchasers of discounted sanctioned oil from the three countries. It could also cause a slowdown in the importation of oil into China. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson confirmed that they did not know about the U.S. decision reported on Tuesday and reiterated China’s opposition to U.S. sanction. At a press conference held daily, the spokesperson stated that "I am not aware of any relevant information." They added that "China has always been firmly against the United States' lack of respect for international law, its illegal unilateral sanctions, and the use of long-arm jurisdictions without the authorization of the U.N. Security Council." (Reporting and editing by Liz Lee in Beijing, Lewis Jackson in Washington; Alexander Smith)
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China Advancement Bank releases $255 mln for Nigeria rail job
China Development Bank has released a $254.76 million loan to Nigeria for a railway task linking the 2 northern states of Kano and Kaduna, the bank stated, ahead of a check out to the West African country by China's. leading diplomat this week. As part of his yearly New Year tour of Africa, China's. Foreign Minister Wang Yi will arrive in Nigeria on Wednesday. and fulfill President Bola Tinubu and senior federal government officials. on Thursday, Nigeria's foreign affairs ministry said. Construction of the Kaduna-to-Kano rail task, which is. anticipated to cost $973 million, has been slowed by financing. delays. China Development Bank said in a statement on its website. that the loan would supply financial support for the smooth. progress of the 203-kilometre (126-mile) standard-gauge train. When finished, it will supply direct rail connectivity. between Kano, an important northern city in Nigeria, and the. country's capital Abuja, using regional homeowners a safe,. efficient, and hassle-free mode of transport, the bank. said. Nigeria's parliament initially authorized China's Exim Bank as. investor for the rail project in 2020 but the bank later on. withdrew. The Kano-Kaduna train task is part of China's Belt and. Road Initiative and is being constructed by China Civil. Engineering Building And Construction Corporation. It is also anticipated to alleviate motion of individuals and goods in. an area, where road visitors deal with attacks from armed gangs. who kidnap for ransom. China is amongst Nigeria's largest bilateral lending institutions,. supplying loans for roads, rail and power stations.
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Spain's Sanchez says Musk attacks Europe's institutions, prompts hatred
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Wednesday attacked billionaire Elon Musk for interfering in European politics, implicating him of undermining democracy. The global far-right that we have been opposing in Spain for many years, led in this case by the wealthiest man on the world, honestly assaults our organizations, prompts hatred and freely supports the heirs of Nazism in Germany, Sanchez said of Musk without directly naming him during. Sanchez was speaking in Madrid at an occasion to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the death of totalitarian Francisco Franco. Musk, who is set to serve under U.S. President-elect Donald Trump as an external adviser in charge of improving the government, waded into Spanish affairs on Sunday by commenting on X about a post that said that rape convictions in Spain's. northeastern region of Catalonia were primarily carried out by. immigrants. Sanchez stated that democracy is delicate and faced an. existential danger. If history teaches us anything, it is that freedom is. never permanently conquered, he said.
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China expects increase in New Year travel numbers, in spite of financial doldrums
China anticipates an increase in the variety of people joining the coming Lunar New Year travel rush, with authorities estimating a record 9 billion domestic journeys will be made throughout the 40day duration of celebrations, despite the stuttering economy. State media reported the forecast for the travel season that When individuals generally take a trip to and from, starts on Jan. 14 their home towns. In 2015, authorities also expected 9 billion domestic journeys, however real numbers fell short with around 8.4 billion overall journeys logged. Self-driving road trips are expected to comprise about 80% of journeys this year, followed by train and flight, Li Chunlin, an official with the National Development and Reform Commission ( NDRC), said in a press briefing on Wednesday. This year's Spring Festival comes at a time when China's. economy is in the doldrums, struggling to recuperate from three. years of pandemic control and hamstrung by a prolonged home. market crisis. Exports are a bright spot in growth however face. possible brand-new U.S. tariffs when Donald Trump takes workplace this. month. The government has rolled out a flurry of stimulus procedures. in current months, consisting of rate of interest cuts and a growth. in the scope of a consumer goods trade-in scheme, but has so far. failed to stage a continual healing. Yearly official tallies of trips made during the New Year. travel rush have leapt because the Ministry of Transportation revised. the metric before the 2023 Lunar New Year to include. self-driving road trips on major nationwide expressways. The metric was changed once again before the 2024 celebrations to. consist of trip made on more highways. A total of 2.98 billion journeys were tape-recorded in the 2019. Spring Festival travel rush, the year before the pandemic. restrictions obstructed travel. A record 510 million train trips are anticipated during the. coming 40-day duration, up 5.5% year-on-year, Zhu Wenzhong, an. authorities from China's national railway operator, said at the. exact same instruction. Some 90 million aircraft trips are anticipated throughout this year's. celebrations, likewise a record high, the NDRC's Li said.
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Lufthansa to obtain stake in Italy's ITA next week, source says
Lufthansa is set to obtain a stake in Italian stateowned airline company ITA on Jan. 13, a. source familiar with the circumstance informed Reuters on Wednesday,. bringing to a close years of talks. DPA news company first reported on the date, which. Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr announced at a staff member event,. according to the report. A Lufthansa spokesperson declined to discuss the specific. date and reiterated that the acquisition was expected to close. in early 2025. Lufthansa is set to purchase 41% of ITA, the follower airline company to. insolvent Alitalia, for 325 million euros ($ 335 million). The European Commission authorized in November a bundle of. competition solutions protecting more routes for the German flag. carrier's peers, leading the way for the offer to go through.
Poland prepared to supply electrical power to Ukraine, minister states
Poland is ready to supply Ukraine with electrical power, Minister of Climate and Environment Paulina HennigKloska stated on Tuesday, describing threats that Slovakia might cut off power materials to its neighbour.
Poland will have the ability to increase electricity sales to Ukraine, however only if Ukraine asks for it, Hennig-Kloska told public broadcaster TVP Information.
Our operator is ready, it is just a matter of whether Ukraine will desire or have to utilize it. Fico's behaviour is against Europe, she added.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said recently that his celebration would think about cutting electricity supplies to Ukraine, decreasing aid to refugees, and requiring the renewal of gas transits or payment for losses he said Slovakia had suffered due to the end of Russian gas streams through Ukraine.
(source: Reuters)