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This week, the second opposition leader to die in state custody in Nicaragua has been reported.
Local media and opposition parties reported that a critic of the authoritarian Nicaraguan government died in custody two weeks after being arrested. This comes days after another longtime critic died in detention. The deaths suggest that President Daniel Ortega, and his wife, Rosario Murillo (co-president), have intensified their crackdown on dissent, and arrested hundreds of opponents over the past few years. Since 2019, five government critics have reportedly died in government custody. Carlos Cardenas was arrested in August during police raids against government opponents. He was previously imprisoned in 2018 following a social uprising. On Saturday, the Great Nicaraguan Opposition Confederation said that the "dictatorship had handed another dead political prisoner over to his family." The Nicaraguan Government did not respond immediately to a comment request. On Monday, Nicaraguan leaders of the opposition condemned the death of Mauricio Alonso, a political activist who was detained by authorities in mid-July. Gabriela Selser, Diego Ore, and Nick Zieminski edited the story.
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FT reports that Rolls-Royce is weighing funding options for a small nuclear unit including an IPO.
The Financial Times reported that Rolls-Royce Holdings was exploring financing options for its small reactor unit. This included the possibility of a public offering. The report said that the board of directors is not in a hurry to make a decision, and the talks with banks and investment houses are still at an early stage. The Rolls-Royce SMR unit has been selected by the British government to build the first Small Modular Reactors in its plan to accelerate the decarbonisation power network starting from mid-2030. The British engineering company, which owns the majority of the unit, is planning to build three nuclear reactors. The British government has pledged to invest 2.5 billion pounds ($3.4billion) in the SMR program over the next four-year period, with the aim of launching one of Europe's earliest small-scale nuclear industries. SMRs are being pursued by other countries, including the United States of America, Canada, Romania, and the Czech Republic. If the British project is successful, it could create a global market. Rolls-Royce SMR and Rolls-Royce did not respond immediately to requests for comments outside of regular business hours. Surbhi misra, Bengaluru (Reporting and Editing by Bernadettebaum and Alex Richardson).
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Ukrainian former parliament speaker Parubiy is killed in Lviv
Andriy Parubiy, a former Ukrainian parliamentary speaker, was killed in Lviv (west Ukraine) on Saturday. A manhunt is underway to find the assailant. The office of the Prosecutor-General said that a gunman shot several times at Parubiy and killed him instantly. It said that the attacker fled, and a manhunt had been launched. Parubiy was 54 years old and a member in the parliament. He was the speaker of the chamber from April 2016 until August 2019 and was also one of the protest leaders who called for closer relations with the European Union during the 2013-14 period. From February to August of 2014, he was the secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council. This was a time when fighting broke out in eastern Ukraine and Russia annexed Crimea. The officials did not immediately indicate whether this murder was directly linked to Russia's conflict in Ukraine. "Minister for Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko, and Prosecutor-General Ruslan Kravchenko just reported the first circumstances known of an horrific murder in Lviv. Andriy Paraubiy was killed," Volodymyr Zelenskiy wrote in a letter to X. He expressed his condolences to Parubiy's loved ones and family, adding: "All the necessary means and forces are being used in the investigation and the search for the murderer." The shooting was reported to the national police at about noon (0900 GMT). Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi stressed the importance of finding the attacker and determining the circumstances of this attack. He wrote on Telegram: "This is about security in a war-torn country, where we can see that there are no places completely safe." TRIBUTES POUR IN The government and parliament colleagues paid tribute to Parubiy for his contribution to Ukraine’s struggle for independence and sovereignty as one of the leaders in the protests that became known as Euromaidan in 2013-14. On Telegram, the former president Petro Poroshenko stated that the murder of Parubiy was "a shot at the heart" of Ukraine. Parubiy was a member the parliamentary committee for national security, defense and intelligence. "Andriy is a great person and a friend." "They are afraid, and that's why they want revenge," he said. He praised Parubiy for his contribution to the building of the Ukrainian Army. In a Telegram statement, Andrii Sybiha, the Foreign Minister, described Parubiy, as "a patriot, a statesman, who has made a tremendous contribution to the defense of Ukraine's independence, freedom and sovereignty." He is a man that belongs in history. The Ukrainian police did not provide any information about the identity or motives of the killer. Yulia Shvyrydenko, Ukrainian Prime Minister, called for an immediate investigation into the murder. She described it as "a profound loss" to the country. She wrote: "You have always been a patriot and contributed greatly to the creation of our country."
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OWC Gets Cable Engineering Job for GreenVolt Floating Wind Farm
Renewable energy consultancy OWC has secured cable engineering support job for the 560 MW GreenVolt floating wind farm offshore Scotland, being developed by Flotation Energy and Vårgrønn, a joint venture firm created by Plenitude (Eni) and HitecVision.OWC’s scope of work includes cable engineering for both offshore and onshore cables.The subsea scope focuses primarily on the export cable, but OWC will also support inter array cable system design and alignment.The onshore engineering scope includes technical responsibility for the cable that runs from the landfall site near Aberdeen to an onshore substation.“It is a privilege to support a project that is setting new standards for floating wind and local content. Our contribution demonstrates the value of U.K.-based engineering talent and strengthens our position as a go-to partner for complex offshore wind developments,” said Will Cleverly, CEO of OWC.The GreenVolt project will deliver renewable electricity to oil and gas platforms, replacing existing natural gas and diesel power generation, while also providing power to the U.K. grid.The project has received support as part of Crown Estate Scotland’s Innovation and Targeted Oil & Gas (INTOG) leasing round.
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Elliott Affiliate's bid of $5.89 billion recommended as the winner of Citgo's auction
According to documents filed by the officer overseeing sale, a $5.89 billion offer from an affiliate hedge fund Elliott Investment Management was recommended as the winning bid in a U.S.-court-organized auction for shares of the Venezuelan-owned refiner Citgo Petroleum. Robert Pincus, a court officer, made the recommendation despite an attempt by a Gold Reserve subsidiary to sweeten their $7.4 billion deal earlier in the week. Pincus, in a ruling earlier this month said that an improved offer from Elliott's subsidiary Amber Energy was superior. The court then gave the Gold Reserve Group three days to match the bid. Pincus stated on Friday that Gold Reserve's Dalinar Energy transaction "didn't match or exceed the Amber Sale transaction and therefore the Amber Sale transaction continues to be a superior proposition." The proceeds of the auction are expected to compensate a few creditors who have been fighting in U.S. court since 2017 for nearly $19 billion after Venezuela expropriated its assets and defaulted. (Reporting and editing by Julia Symmes Cobb; Marianna Pararaga)
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California waives penalties for high profits from refineries
California's Energy Commission decided on Friday to set aside for a temporary period penalties for excessive refinery profits, which were adopted in response to the rise of gasoline prices over $8 per gallon by 2022. Phillips 66 Los Angeles refinery, which is preparing for a permanent shutdown by the end of next week, has delayed implementing penalties by five years. In an email, the staff of the Commission stated that "the fact is that supply is decreasing faster than demand and we need them to align: this means aggressively pursuing a transition to zero-emission vehicles while slowing down supply loss." California's Democratic governor Gavin Newsom proposed the penalties but has now changed direction due to fears of price spikes after 2026 following the closure of Phillips 66 refinery, and a plant in the San Francisco area operated by Valero Energy Corp. Both companies said declining gasoline demand promoted by state's policies in favor of non-fossil-fuel-powered vehicles made the once-lucrative California market untenable in the long-term. California has set a goal of banning the sale fossil fuel-powered cars by 2035. Western States Petroleum Association, which called for a 20-year delay in the penalties, said that global oil markets determine prices and not state policies. Consumer Watchdog, a group within the state of California, has criticized officials for their change in policy. Consumer Watchdog's Jamie Court wrote in a letter before the vote that by removing the penalty, California officials were opening the market up to the price spikes of 2022. The commission also adopted policies to stabilize California’s refinery capacity and increase motor fuel imports, as well as to promote the development of the oil reserves in the state. California is separated from U.S. refinery centers in the Midwest and along the Gulf Coast by the Rocky Mountains. The state depends on the refineries in Washington and California as well as Asian imports.
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California waives penalties for high profits from refineries
California's Energy Commission decided on Friday to set aside for a temporary period penalties for excessive refinery profits, which were adopted in response to the rise of gasoline prices over $8 per gallon by 2022. The delay of five years in implementing penalties comes at a time when Phillips 66 Los Angeles refinery prepares to start shutting down production next week, ahead of a complete closure. California's Democratic governor Gavin Newsom proposed the penalties but has now changed direction due to fears of price spikes after 2026 following the closure of a Phillips 66 plant and a Valero Energy Corp. plant in the San Francisco area next year. Both companies said declining gasoline demand promoted by state's policies in favor of non-fossil-fuel-powered vehicles made the once-lucrative California market untenable in the long-term. California has set a goal of banning the sale fossil fuel-powered cars by 2035. Western States Petroleum Association, which called for a 20-year delay in the penalty, supported this decision. WSPA has criticized the Energy Commission's claim that the threat of fines had kept gas prices low in the State. Catherine Reheis Boyd, WSPA president, said late last year that "no mandates, rules or decrees have been issued by Sacramento since 2019." Consumer Watchdog, a group within the state of California, has criticized officials for their change of direction. Consumer Watchdog's Jamie Court wrote in a letter before the vote that by removing the penalty, California officials were opening the market up to the price spikes of 2022. The commission also adopted policies to stabilize California’s refinery capacity and increase motor fuel imports, as well as to promote the development of the oil reserves in the state. California is separated from U.S. refinery centers in the Midwest and along the Gulf Coast by the Rocky Mountains. The state depends on the refineries in Washington and California as well as Asian imports.
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Brazil investigates JBS, other beefpackers and their purchase of cattle from deforested lands
According to a document seen on Friday, the Brazilian environment agency Ibama notified 12 meatpacking facilities, including two JBS SA plants, that they were being inspected for their alleged involvement with a scheme involving buying cattle from illegally cleared lands in the Amazon rainforest. Ibama announced on Thursday that it would be investigating 12 plants for violations of the law, but refused to name any companies. JBS issued a statement in which it said that it had not purchased cattle from the farm Ibama claimed to have illegally destroyed. The meatpacker said it could provide more information to the agency after it receives the full inspection report. The document seen by also shows that Frigol and Mercurio, both privately owned, are included in the 12 beef producers being reviewed. Frigol replied that Ibama made a mistake and added it had also not purchased cattle from the farm which the agency claimed had been illegally destroyed. Mercurio chairman Lincoln Bueno said that a third party firm monitors origin of animals it processes and that the company does not deal with properties which have environmental and labor irregularities. Ibama said on Thursday that it was inspecting factories which were "acquiring suspect cattle, triangulated by 'clean' farm, to conceal their illegal origin". Ibama said that six meatpackers who were not named had been fined 4 million reais (740,000 dollars) for buying directly 8,172 cattle from "embargoed zones." Ibama also seized over 7,000 cattle on 2,100 hectares that it had banned from commercial use due to illegal deforestation. It fined violators 49 million reais (9.04 million dollars) without naming the companies or individuals. Ibama said that producing, selling or purchasing cattle from embargoed regions is an environmental offense and the responsible parties are fined. Ana Mano, Richard Chang and Daina Beth Solon edited the article.
Putin, with ironic smile, praises Biden for calling him a 'insane SOB'
Russian President Vladimir Putin praised Joe Biden on Thursday for calling him a insane. SOB, saying with a paradoxical smile that the remark showed why the. Kremlin felt Biden was a more suitable future U.S. president to. Donald Trump.
The U.S. president made the insane SOB remark as part of a. sentence about hazards to the world - consisting of that guy Putin. and others, the danger of nuclear dispute and the existential. danger to humanity from climate change.
Asked by Russian state television about Biden's crude. remark, Putin smiled sardonically and bit his lip before. looking at the ground.
We are ready to work with any president. However I believe that. for us, Biden is a more preferable president for Russia, and. evaluating by what he has just said, I am definitely right, Putin. told state tv, with a slight smile.
Putin, 71, said that his previous comments saying that. Biden, 81, was Russia's favored prospect had actually triggered. Biden's appropriate reaction.
It's not like he can say to me, 'Volodya, thank you, well. done, you've helped me a lot', Putin stated. You asked me which. is much better for us. I stated it then that, and I still believe I can. repeat it: Biden.
Russia's ambassador to Washington, Anatoly Antonov, stated his. embassy had actually sent the U.S. State Department a strong note of. demonstration about the outrageous nature and unacceptability of. Biden's comments.
Antonov, writing on the Telegram messaging app, said Moscow. was not expecting an suitable reaction. As the November. U.S. election methods such adventures will become regular.
For Putin, the remarks show the difficulty of navigating the. upcoming U.S. presidential election which is likely to bring to. power either Biden, who has actually openly insulted Putin, or Trump,. 77, who has actually assured to end the war in Ukraine promptly.
The war in Ukraine, the death of Russian opposition leader. Alexei Navalny and U.S. assertions that Russia prepares to put a. nuclear weapon in space have led to the most significant crisis in. relations between Russia and the West since the Cold War.
Leading Russian and U.S. diplomats state they do not remember a. time when relations between the world's two biggest nuclear. powers were worse, consisting of throughout the 1962 Cuban Rocket. Crisis.
Putin casts the United States and its allies as a crumbling. empire that wishes to damage Russia and steal its natural. resources. The West casts Putin as a totalitarian and a killer, and. Putin's Russia as an enemy.
Never ever has a serving U.S. president previously utilized such. insulting words in public to explain a serving Kremlin chief. U.S. President Ronald Reagan angered the Kremlin in 1983 by. calling the Soviet Union an evil empire, though personal. insults against leaders were rare in the Cold War.
' COWBOY ACT' OR 'OLD GEEZER'?
The Kremlin had previously said that Biden had actually debased the. United States with his comment, casting the U.S. president's. remark as part of a stopped working Hollywood cowboy act.
Making use of such language against the head of another state. by the president of the United States is not likely to infringe on. our president, President Putin, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. told . But it debases those who use such vocabulary.
Peskov said the remark was probably some kind of attempt to. look like a Hollywood cowboy. Truthfully I do not think it's. possible.
Others in Moscow were less restrained.
Putin ally Dmitry Medvedev, who functioned as president from. 2008-2012, said the existential hazard to the world came from. ineffective old geezers, like Biden himself. Medvedev stated Biden. was senile and prepared to begin a war with Russia.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. that the next time Biden utilized the expression insane kid of a bitch. he needs to try to bear in mind that Americans associate it best with. his own offspring, Hunter Biden.
Russian newspaper Moskovsky Komsomolets stated Biden insulted. Putin while Sergei Markov, a previous Kremlin consultant, said the. Biden remark reveals the West was heightening its attempt to. demonise Putin ahead of Russia's March governmental election.
Biden said last week after jail officers revealed. Navalny's death in a Russian penal colony that it was a. repercussion of something that Putin and his thugs did. Navalny. had actually previously implicated Putin of trying to eliminate him, an. allegation the Kremlin rejected.
Russian authorities say the West hurried to blame Putin without. awaiting proof. The Kremlin says the West's reaction to. Navalny's death is undesirable and unjustified.
Biden stated in a speech in Warsaw in 2022 that Putin can not. remain in power. The White Home played down the remark, while. hardliners in Russia saw it as evidence that the U.S. wanted to. topple Putin.
In 2021, Biden stated he believed Putin a killer. Putin stated. Biden telephoned him later on to offer a description of why he used. such words.
(source: Reuters)