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China, Congressional Oversight, EPA, Fracking, general news, OIG, oil and gas, Range Resources, Range Resources Gas Drilling Company, Russia, South Sudan, Texas, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA, US Senate
Post continues here: https://miningawareness.wordpress.com/2014/01/03/the-ongoing-saga-11-news-updates-tidbits-trivia/. The oldest update is at the bottom and most recent at the top. This is a continuation of: https://miningawareness.wordpress.com/2013/12/20/the-ongoing-saga-9-news-updates-tidbits-trivia/ which started on December 20th and last updated today.
Thursday, 2 January 2014
Our post about Chernobyl fallout in Europe, with focus on the impact on Reindeer, has been updated today: https://miningawareness.wordpress.com/2013/12/25/radioactive-reindeer/
There is a lot of Energy and Basic Mats news at Reuters news feeds. We must, in particular point out the rail accident explosion and fire involving two BNSF trains — one carrying oil hit one already derailed carrying wheat. It forced evacuation of a town. The oil tank cars were not up to contemporary standards for carrying oil. The container-containment was not adequately thick. According to Reuters,
“In October 2011, the American Association of Railroads, the rail industry’s trade group, adopted new standards requiring tank cars manufactured after that date to have thicker hulls and reinforced valves to better protect against punctures and leaks in derailments. U.S. regulators also are considering tougher safety standards.”
It is estimated to cost $1 billion to bring all up to safety standards. Of course, it will probably take more energy to transport in a thicker, heavier container. Once again, better materials are needed — both light and resistant. WHO owns BNSF? Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway. Buffett is worth $53.5 billion and so could easily afford the $1 billion to make all rail cars safer, not simply his own. He would have a lot to spare to invest in tank-container materials research. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forbes_list_of_billionaires Think about that next time you hear how great the so-called “Wizard of Omaha” is. That’s not honest money. The Wizard of Oz wasn’t all that great either.
This is not the only BNSF accident. Here is a reenactment of a BNSF coal train hitting a BNSF maintenance train in 2011:
When a company hits its own trains, there appears a problem!
Gold has lost 28% this year. Aren’t you glad you did the right thing for the environment and didn’t invest in it (or buy any)?
We added two news titles classified as “environment”. Reuters has the official results of how the Bald Eagles got sick in the US. It is West Nile virus. That being said, one cannot exclude the possibility of Fukushima or other radiation impacting their immune systems or the immune systems of birds they feed upon (as more than one suspect). Others will tie it into global warming since it is a mosquito born disease. All three could be true. Another title: they still haven’t been able to rescue the Antarctic research team. Although neither oil and gas nor mining are involved, it points to the challenges-dangers of drilling, mining, and transport in extreme Arctic or Antarctic environments.
We note between 5,000 and 20,000 antigovernment protesters in Niger. The current President used to work as a manager for France’s Areva uranium mine. Niger is the 4th uranium exporter in the world and has oil, but is one of the poorest countries in the world.
One of the more interesting is a Mexican mafia drug cartel taking over the iron industry from mining to port export. This again raises the question of how much mafias, along with the stock market, are responsible for so many of the woes of the earth. Be certain and watch yesterday’s two minute video on the homeless working at Fukushima (cleanup reportedly run by Yakuza mafia). Speak of the devil, let’s all save mouth muscles and pronounce Fukushima, as it really is: Fuck-a-shima. See how much more easy that is to pronounce? Fukushima means fortune or lucky island. No more luck so we vote to change the name.
Excerpt from Reuters “FEATURE-Chinese iron trade fuels port clash with Mexican drug cartel. BY DAVE GRAHAM:
“The Knights Templar cartel, steadily diversifying into other businesses, became so successful at exporting iron ore to China that the Mexican Navy in November had to move in and take over the port in Lazaro Cardenas, a city that has become one of the gang’s main cash generators……
Firstly, the Knights controlled how the ore moved, having imposed protection charges on local transport unions after becoming the dominant gang in the city a few years ago.
It also helped local prospectors stake claims to mine areas either unclaimed by others or beyond the control of the existing concession-holders. Then the Knights took their cut.
Finally, the gang pressured customs officials to ensure the ore passed through the port smoothly.
‘Most of the groups mining are Knights Templar or belong to them. They have the whole chain,’ a local official told Reuters.
Fueled by the appetite of Chinese buyers, about half the mining in the area was done without proper permits this year, said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity.” See entire article below:
Reuters News Feeds:
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Chinese iron trade fuels port clash with Mexican drug cartel
Posted:Wed, 01 Jan 2014 18:04:24 GMT
LAZARO CARDENAS, Mexico (Reuters) – When the leaders of Mexico and China met last summer, there was much talk of the need to deepen trade between their nations. Down on Mexico’s Pacific coast, a drug gang was already making it a reality.
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Antarctic helicopter rescue of trapped ship passengers delayed due to sea ice
Posted:Thu, 02 Jan 2014 03:59:51 GMT
SYDNEY (Reuters) – A planned helicopter rescue of 52 passengers on a Russian ship stranded in Antarctic ice since Christmas Eve was delayed on Thursday due to unfavorable sea ice conditions in the area.
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West Nile virus blamed for death of bald eagles in Utah
Posted:Wed, 01 Jan 2014 01:14:51 GMT
(Reuters) – An unprecedented wintertime outbreak of West Nile virus has killed more than two dozen bald eagles in Utah and thousands of water birds around the Great Salt Lake, state wildlife officials said on Tuesday.
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RPT-Woodside says Japan’s MIMI terminates Browse LNG sales agreement
Posted:Thu, 02 Jan 2014 02:12:15 GMT
PERTH, Jan 2 (Reuters) – Japan Australia LNG (MIMI) Pty. Ltd, a 50-50 joint venture between Mitsui & Co and Mitsubishi Corp, has terminated a long term sales and purchase agreement with Woodside Petroleum for liquefied natural gas (LNG) from its Browse LNG project, Woodside said Thursday.
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China clears 2nd batch of IPOs after ending listing freeze – report
Posted:Thu, 02 Jan 2014 01:38:35 GMT
SHANGHAI, Jan 2 (Reuters) – China has approved six more companies to list on mainland stock exchanges, the second batch to get approval since regulators ended a year-long freeze on initial public offerings, state media reported on Thursday.
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Australia shares rise to six-week high in first session of 2014
Posted:Thu, 02 Jan 2014 01:11:03 GMT
SYDNEY, Jan 2 (Reuters) – Australian shares rose 0.5 percent on Thursday, floating to a six-week high on hopes that the world’s major economies are set for a period of linked growth in 2014. -
Stung by curbs, Indian iron ore companies throw in towel
Posted:Wed, 01 Jan 2014 21:00:00 GMT
Codli Village, INDIA/SINGAPORE, Jan 2 (Reuters) – Top Indian trader MMTC’s $80 million iron ore export terminal, ready since 2010, has never handled a cargo. Now the company wants to spend $16 million to convert the terminal to ship coal. -
UPDATE 2-South Sudan president declares state of emergency ahead of talks
Posted:Wed, 01 Jan 2014 20:10:55 GMT
* Mediator fears fighting could scupper talks in Ethiopia -
Libya warns public salaries at risk due to oil strikes
Posted:Wed, 01 Jan 2014 19:56:27 GMT
TRIPOLI/BENGHAZI, Jan 1 (Reuters) – Strikes at major ports and oilfields drying up oil exports undermine Libya’s ability to pay public salaries and deter foreign investment, the country’s labour minister said on Wednesday. -
Australia’s Base Resources to start Kenya mine exports in Feb
Posted:Wed, 01 Jan 2014 16:02:35 GMT
MOMBASA, Jan 1 (Reuters) – Australian miner Base Resources expects to start exporting titanium from Kenya’s biggest mine in February, the company said on Wednesday, opening up a lucrative revenue source after years of delays.
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Coup-leader president’s candidate poised to win Madagascar vote
Posted:Wed, 01 Jan 2014 12:44:50 GMT
ANTANANARIVO, Jan 1 (Reuters) – The candidate backed by Madagascar’s coup-leader President Andry Rajoelina held on Wednesday an apparently unassailable lead in the island’s run-off vote, which his rival’s camp has said was rigged. -
S. Sudan government, rebels set for New Year’s Day talks -mediators
Posted:Wed, 01 Jan 2014 08:40:11 GMT
* White House says will deny support to those responsible -
UPDATE 1-South Sudan rebels seize key town of Bor – mayor
Posted:Wed, 01 Jan 2014 07:25:07 GMT
JUBA, Jan 1 (Reuters) – South Sudanese rebels loyal to former Vice President Riek Machar have seized control of Bor, the capital of restive Jonglei state, the town’s Mayor said on Wednesday. -
Railcars in North Dakota crude train crash older, less safe -investigators
Posted:Wed, 01 Jan 2014 01:27:36 GMT
FARGO, N.D., Dec 31 (Reuters) – The railcars carrying crude oil that crashed into a derailed grain train in North Dakota on Monday were all older types that do not meet the latest industry safety standards, a member of the National Transportation Safety Board said on Tuesday. -
CORRECTED-Ex-chair of bankrupt Dewey law firm tapped as a top UAE legal adviser
Posted:Tue, 31 Dec 2013 23:34:25 GMT
NEW YORK, Dec 31 (Reuters) – The former head of defunct New York law firm Dewey & LeBoeuf has become the top legal adviser to the government of Ras al Khaimah, according to an internal government memo. -
UPDATE 1-Gunmen blast natgas pipeline in Sinai -security sources
Posted:Tue, 31 Dec 2013 22:07:10 GMT
CAIRO, Dec 31 (Reuters) – Unknown assailants attacked a natural gas pipeline in the Sinai on Tuesday, Egyptian security sources told Reuters, raising concerns of instability as the country pushes through with a roadmap for political transition to democracy. -
UPDATE 9-Brent ends 2013 nearly flat, U.S. crude up 7 pct on the year
Posted:Tue, 31 Dec 2013 21:52:47 GMT
* U.S. crude traded between $85.61 and $112.24 (Adds API report) -
UPDATE 2-Residents allowed to return home after smoky North Dakota rail crash
Posted:Tue, 31 Dec 2013 21:43:53 GMT
CASSELTON, N.D., Dec 31 (Reuters) – Mandatory evacuation orders were lifted on Tuesday in Casselton, North Dakota, where a fiery oil train crash a day earlier triggered a series of blasts and forced residents from their homes. -
Evacuation orders lifted in Casselton after N. Dakota derailment
Posted:Tue, 31 Dec 2013 20:50:24 GMT
CASSELTON, North Dakota, Dec 31 (Reuters) – Emergency responders lifted mandatory evacuation orders on Tuesday afternoon in Casselton, North Dakota, where a BNSF train carrying oil collided with another on Monday setting off a series of blasts and a fire that is still raging. -
UPDATE 3-Iran says nuclear deal to be implemented in late January
Posted:Tue, 31 Dec 2013 20:49:06 GMT
* UK says some issues remain to be resolved (Adds U.S. comment in paragraphs 11-12) -
COMMODITIES-Natgas tops gains in 2013, gold in biggest loss since 1981
Posted:Tue, 31 Dec 2013 20:41:10 GMT
* Natural gas up 30 percent in 2013, U.S. oil gains 8 percent * Corn worst performer with 40 percent slump * Gold on track for 28 percent loss this year (Updates with closing prices) By Eric Onstad LONDON, Dec 31 (Reuters) – Natural gas was the best-performing commodity in 2013 while U.S. oil also gained, but gold notched up its biggest fall since 1981 as commodities ended the year amid uncertainty about the scope for rising global demand to absorb ample supplies. Corn fell -
South Sudan, rebel negotiators to arrive in Ethiopia on Wednesday – minister
Posted:Tue, 31 Dec 2013 20:06:35 GMT
ADDIS ABABA, Dec 31 (Reuters) – The South Sudanese government and rebel negotiators will arrive for peace talks in Ethiopia on Wednesday, a day later than planned, Ethiopian Foreign Minister Tedros Adhanom said, as fighting raged for the control of the flashpoint town of Bor.
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New York natural gas prices soar on frigid weather
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Posted:Tue, 31 Dec 2013 18:41:40 GMT
NEW YORK, Dec 31 (Reuters) – Cold weather, which is forecast to remain over much of the northeast United States through the week, sent natural gas prices in New York to their highest level since January as homes and businesses cranked up the heat.
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Booming North Dakota takes latest oil train wreck in stride
Posted:Tue, 31 Dec 2013 18:24:13 GMT
CASSELTON, North Dakota, Dec 31 (Reuters) – In this tiny North Dakota town, the shock of watching a dozen oil tank cars erupt into flames just a mile or two from residents’ homes and businesses stirred little anxiety over the safety of the thriving oil-by-rail business. -
UPDATE 1-Indian steel group slasheD Afghan ore plant plan
Posted:Tue, 31 Dec 2013 15:42:49 GMT
NEW DELHI/KABUL, Dec 31 (Reuters) – An Indian consortium has slashed a planned $10.8 billion iron ore investment in Afghanistan by 80 percent because it has been unable to get funding for the project.
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Iraqi Kurds export first heavy oil to global market
Posted:Tue, 31 Dec 2013 13:43:01 GMT
LONDON, Dec 31 (Reuters) – Iraq’s Kurdish region has started exports of heavy crude to world markets, traders and industry sources said, a further step to wrestle more control of its lucrative oil sector from the central government in Baghdad.
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UPDATE 1-Israel’s Delek examines $3.6 bln energy spinoff
Posted:Tue, 31 Dec 2013 13:35:30 GMT
TEL AVIV, Dec 31 (Reuters) – Israeli conglomerate Delek Group is examining a spinoff of its oil and gas activities, saying it could help maximise value for shareholders by separately listing a bunch of assets which one analyst valued at some $3.6 billion. -
North Dakota town mostly evacuated after fiery oil train crash
Posted:Tue, 31 Dec 2013 13:25:57 GMT
Dec 31 (Reuters) – Most of a small North Dakota town has been evacuated after a train carrying crude oil crashed into another train that had derailed, officials said on Tuesday.
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UPDATE 1-Apollo’s failed deal for Cooper sows doubt on future Indian M&A
Posted:Tue, 31 Dec 2013 13:21:19 GMT
MUMBAI, Dec 31 (Reuters) – The ambition from Indian mid-sized companies for large debt-fuelled acquisitions abroad was dealt a major setback after the unravelling of a $2.5 billion bid by India’s Apollo Tyres Ltd to buy Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. -
US STOCKS-Futures flat as Wall St heads for best year since 1997
Posted:Tue, 31 Dec 2013 12:47:05 GMt
* Case-Shiller home price index, consumer confidence data due
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CORRECTED-Thousands protest against Niger government
Posted:Tue, 31 Dec 2013 08:28:05 -0500
(Corrects Dec. 28 story to clarify in paragraph 5 that official police estimate was 5,000 protesters).
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War, weather, bureaucracy cause Syria to miss chemical weapons deadline
Posted:Tue, 31 Dec 2013 06:40:53 -0500
Wednesday, 1 January 2014
New Post for Haiti’s 210 anniversary of Independence, Jan. 1, 1804 to 2014. Pretty amazing images of New US Embassy, fancy new homes for Embassy workers and Haitian homeless shanties. https://miningawareness.wordpress.com/2014/01/01/haiti-new-us-embassy-homes-haitians-take-refuge-in-concrete-quarry/
Very short video, between one and two minutes and very shocking. Mostly older homeless people being used for Fukushima clean-up. This isn’t the young men who slept on cardboard boxes in Tokyo, even before the 2008 crisis. Either they used them up and spat them out already or they wouldn’t go. No, these are older, homeless, people and some which one might qualify as bums. Sad and worrisome.
“Plight of homeless in Fukushima cleanup
Posted:Sun, 29 Dec 2013 23:15:00 -0500
Dec. 30 – Brokers recruit and sell homeless people as workers to clear the site of Japan’s wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant. Ruairidh Villar reports. http://feeds.reuters.com/~r/reuters/USVideoMostWatched/~3/NqZLFWHi8KQ/plight-of-homeless-in-fukushima-cleanup
The common theme today seems to be homelessness versus something we can’t find words for and probably couldn’t print them if we could….Social Stratification, Haves and Have-nots…Oh, how about total lack of ethics. That would cover these two cases: no ethics. Also, caste arrogance, and even evil.
Mining? If no mining for uranium, no nuclear power then no Fukushimas. The poor in Haiti living in or near a concrete quarry.
The rest of the news titles are saved but will be posted later.
Update 1, Tuesday, 31 December 2013
This is for Canada. If you are outside of Canada check for similar services in your area to volunteer or if you need a ride home after drinking (a little bit):
“Operation Red Nose needs volunteers
CTV Ottawa, Last Updated Monday, December 30, 2013 4:34PM EST
There’s an urgent call out tonight to help New Year’s Eve revellers get home safely. Operation Red Nose needs volunteers to offer safe rides home.” See info here: http://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/operation-red-nose-needs-volunteers-1.1611947 Additional information is here: http://www.rednoseottawa.com
Tuesday, 31 December 2013
Our post Radioactive Reindeer has been updated: https://miningawareness.wordpress.com/2013/12/25/radioactive-reindeer/ The Reuters news feeds tell us that South Korea is going to build around 5 new nuclear power plants in order to REDUCE its dependence upon nuclear. Go figure. Gee how Orwellian can you get? Another Fukushima in the making. Meanwhile, China has decided that an area the size of Belgium is too contaminated to use for farming. So, at least they will try to clean it up. They may have a lot of problems but at least they seem to be trying, which is more than can be said for many countries. The never ending great-grab for Africa’s natural resources continues on.
Reuters Energy and Basic Materials News Feeds
(click on Title for Full Text)
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UPDATE 7-Brent falls on signs of Libyan oil recovery; China debt
Posted:Mon, 30 Dec 2013 16:30:01 GMT
* Libya official looks forward to “good news” on Hariga port reopening -
US STOCKS-Wall St flat, housing data falls short
Posted:Mon, 30 Dec 2013 16:09:50 GMT
* Rise in Nov.’s pending home contracts weaker than expected -
COLUMN-Why Saudi Arabia and the U.S. don’t see eye to eye in the Middle East
Posted:Mon, 30 Dec 2013 15:55:17 GMT
(The opinions expressed here are those of the author, a columnist for Reuters.)
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UPDATE 2-Uganda says region ready to take on, defeat S. Sudan rebel leader
Posted:Mon, 30 Dec 2013 15:51:54 GMT
* No confirmation of pact vs. Machar from regional powers -
Platinum may be bright spot in 2014 as surpluses pressure commods
Posted:Mon, 30 Dec 2013 15:06:30 GMT
LONDON, Dec 30 (Reuters) – Nimble investors may find pockets of outperformance next year in platinum group metals (PGMs) and selected industrial metals while abundant supplies weigh down most other commodities.
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UPDATE 1-Vanguard Natural to buy oil and gas assets for $581 mln
Posted:Mon, 30 Dec 2013 14:49:14 GMT
* Vanguard buys from a unit of oil and gas producer Anadarko -
Heavy weapons fire breaks out in C.African Republic’s capital
Posted:Mon, 30 Dec 2013 14:11:04 GMT
BANGUI, Dec 30 (Reuters) – Heavy weapons fire rang out in the north of Central African Republic’s capital Bangui early on Monday in what the government said were clashes with Christian militias.
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UPDATE 1-Libya’s Hariga oil port still closed, protesters remain
Posted:Mon, 30 Dec 2013 13:52:02 GMT
TRIPOLI, Dec 30 (Reuters) – The Hariga oil export port in eastern Libya remained closed on Monday despite an oil official saying last week it was set to return to service after months of closure that have starved the country of revenues.
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Max Petroleum cuts full-year forecast; shares tumble
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Posted:Mon, 30 Dec 2013 12:53:05 GMT
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Hundreds flee as S. Sudan forces brace for “White Army” assault
Posted:Mon, 30 Dec 2013 11:00:43 GMT
JUBA, Dec 30 (Reuters) – Hundreds of people fled South Sudan’s flashpoint town of Bor as the army warned of an imminent attack by the “White Army” militia on Monday, two weeks into ethnic fighting that has ravaged the world’s newest state, officials said.
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CORRECTED-Nigeria Islamists kill eight in bachelor party attack
Posted:Mon, 30 Dec 2013 09:55:08 GMT
(Corrects to make clear Boko Haram not yet a threat to oil producing delta, paragraph 2)
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Iran and world powers resume expert level nuclear talks
Posted:Mon, 30 Dec 2013 09:51:11 GMT
DUBAI, Dec 30 (Reuters) – Iran resumed technical talks with world powers in Geneva on Monday, a vital step in implementing a nuclear deal signed last month which suspends key elements of Tehran’s nuclear programme in exchange for limited sanctions relief. -
South Korea may need five more nuclear plants for 2025-2035
Posted:Mon, 30 Dec 2013 07:48:55 GMT
SEOUL, Dec 30 (Reuters) – South Korea may have to build up to five nuclear power plants between 2025 and 2035 to meet a target of 43,000 MW of nuclear power under a plan to reduce the proportion of nuclear in the total energy supply, government officials said on Monday. -
Strengthening cyclone sets path for Australia iron ore mines
Posted:Mon, 30 Dec 2013 05:31:10 GMT
SYDNEY, Dec 30 (Reuters) – A tropical cyclone intensifying off northwestern Australia was on course to sweep across some of the world’s largest iron ore mines after causing giant shipping ports to close. -
Australia shares rise 0.5 pct in light trade, set for 15 pct gain in 2013
Posted:Mon, 30 Dec 2013 00:59:41 GMT
SYDNEY, Dec 30 (Reuters) – Australian stocks rose 0.5 percent on Monday morning in light trading as firmer metal prices offset caution over the potential impact of a cyclone on mining shipments, keeping the market on track to post the biggest annual gain in four years. The S&P/ASX 200 index rose 25.2 points to 5,349.3 by 0050 GMT, just 108 points away from the 5-1/2 year high of 5,457.3 hit on Oct. 28. With just one and a half days of trading remaining before the end of 2013, the benchmark h -
UK not to challenge EU environmental regulations on coal power plants – Times London
Posted:Mon, 30 Dec 2013 00:27:06 GMT
Dec 29 (Reuters) – The United Kingdom will not challenge the European Union’s environmental rules which have led to closure of many old coal power plants even as the country faces threats of power black outs within the next two years, The Times of London reported on Monday.
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WRAPUP 3-Chile economy slows slightly, but consumption, jobs firm
Posted:Mon, 30 Dec 2013 11:16:51 -0500
* Manufacturing output slips again * Retail sales healthy, jobless rate inches down * Central bank’s Dec decision to hold rates was unanimous By Antonio De la Jara and Anthony Esposito SANTIAGO, Dec 30 (Reuters) – Chile’s economy showed signs it was continuing to slow slightly in November, with manufacturing output slipping for a fourth straight month, even as consumption and the labor market remained firm. Manufacturing production fell 1.1 percent in November from a year e
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Congo army clashes with Mukungubila’s followers in Lubumbashi
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Posted:Mon, 30 Dec 2013 06:56:29 -0500
KINSHASA, Dec 30 (Reuters) – Congo’s army clashed on Monday with followers of religious leader Paul Joseph Mukungubila in the eastern mining city of Lubumbashi, an official in the governor’s office said, hours after his supporters attacked targets in the capital. -
Vedanta resumes operations at Karnataka iron ore mine
Posted:Mon, 30 Dec 2013 05:19:29 -0500
Dec 30 (Reuters) – Vedanta Resources Plc, a London-based mining conglomerate that has most of its assets in India, said it had resumed mining iron ore in the southern Indian state of Karnataka on Monday following clearance from a court-appointed panel. -
China says over 3 mln hectares of land too polluted to farm
Posted:Mon, 30 Dec 2013 00:41:31 -0500
BEIJING, Dec 30 (Reuters) – About 3.33 million hectares (8 million acres) of China’s farmland is too polluted to grow crops, a government official said on Monday, highlighting the risk facing agriculture after three decades of rapid industrial growth.
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Indonesia scores tentative tin win; blueprint for more commodities
Posted:Sun, 29 Dec 2013 16:00:43 -0500
* Tin trade rule seen as template for palm oil, coal, gold
Monday, 30 December 2013
We updated our Radioactive Reindeer post: https://miningawareness.wordpress.com/2013/12/25/radioactive-reindeer/ Anyone concerned about radiation and health should take a look. It is currently an ongoing post. Caesium contaminated Reindeer is very related to international food standards. The “standards” used in the US, Canada, and Australia open them up to be radioactive food dumping grounds from Japan and even from Chernobyl impacted parts of Europe (e.g. canned Reindeer). Japan has such better standards it is amazing. These standards pre-date their current government. The EU shut off dumping, in theory, by only importing Japanese standard food. In reality, they told their Japanese counterparts to stop checking some food items. And, it is unclear if the EU checks the food or only depends on Japanese reports. However, Europe has internal problems of radiation. And, in the event of a radiation emergency the rates allowed for certain items will be truly astronomical. But, the low standards for the US, Canada and Australia are truly appalling. Clear information about the EU standards was truly difficult to find. We had to search for information in German, from Germany and Austria.
Yesterday we posted a Reuters news feeds about protests in Niger. This is a link to an article, in English, which helps to contextualize the situation:
“French nuclear giant Areva slammed for ‘tax negotiation’ in Niger
Published 25 November 2013, updated 26 November 2013
The French uranium mining firm Areva is facing calls to end its practice of securing tax exemptions from the government of Niger, one of the poorest countries in the world, as contract negotiations between the two reach a critical stage“. http://www.euractiv.com/development-policy/french-nuclear-giant-areva-slamm-news-531914
Sunday, 29 December 2013
We will have to comment on the news titles later. However, it is worthwhile looking at our Radioactive Reindeer updates. We have found that Japan has comparatively good standards for protecting from radiation in food, meaning that there is the possibility for them to export highly contaminated food to other countries, like the USA. Europe got wise quickly and asked for the same standards as Japan. Although other countries are contaminated, Japan has the most recent and ongoing contamination with Fukushima. The radiation has and will impact everyone, but especially the US and its agriculture and then they are importing radioactive food and animal food from Japan! Food which is over 10 times more contaminated than that allowed in Japan and Europe is allowed in the US. https://miningawareness.wordpress.com/2013/12/25/radioactive-reindeer/
Reuters News Feeds, Basic Materials and Energy (click on titles for full articles)
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UPDATE 1-Output at Statfjord A platform in N.Sea halted -Statoil
Posted:Sat, 28 Dec 2013 19:49:24 GMT
OSLO, Dec 28 (Reuters) – Output at the Statfjord A platform in the North Sea was shut down after an oil and gas leak on Saturday, leading to about half of the 168 staff on board being evacuated by helicopter, operator Statoil said. -
UPDATE 4-U.S. military personnel freed after brief detention in Libya
Posted:Sat, 28 Dec 2013 19:00:22 GMT
SABRATHA, Libya/WASHINGTON Dec 28 (Reuters) – Four American military personnel were briefly detained in western Libya on Friday after part of their convoy failed to stop at a checkpoint and was found to be carrying weapons, Libyan officials said. -
UPDATE 1-South Sudan says will attack rebel stronghold if ceasefire rejected
Posted:Sat, 28 Dec 2013 15:40:15 GMT
* EU envoy urges two main ethnic groups to hold peace talks (Adds comments by EU envoy, displaced civilians, arrival of President Museveni)
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UPDATE 1-Yemeni tribesmen blow up pipeline in south – local official
Posted:Sat, 28 Dec 2013 11:41:52 GMT
ADEN, Dec 28 (Reuters) – Yemeni tribesmen blew up a pipeline in the eastern Hadramout province on Saturday, disrupting oil flow two days after they seized an Oil Ministry building in the region, a local government official said.
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Australia’s iron ore ports prepare as Cyclone Christine nears
Posted:Sat, 28 Dec 2013 11:10:05 GMT
PERTH, Australia, Dec 28 (Reuters) – Ports in Australia’s Pilbara region, through which almost half of the world’s seaborne iron ore is shipped, were sending ships out to sea on Saturday ahead of a tropical cyclone that is forecast to reach the coast by Tuesday.
Tens of thousands protest against Niger government
Posted:Sat, 28 Dec 2013 12:38:16 -0500
NIAMEY, Dec 28 (Reuters) – Tens of thousands of opposition supporters staged a protest rally on Saturday against what they said was the failure of President Mahamadou Issoufou to improve living standards in Niger, one of the world’s poorest countries. -
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Australia’s iron ore ports prepare as Cyclone Christine nears
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Posted:Sat, 28 Dec 2013 06:10:05 -0500
PERTH, Australia, Dec 28 (Reuters) – Ports in Australia’s Pilbara region, through which almost half of the world’s seaborne iron ore is shipped, were sending ships out to sea on Saturday ahead of a tropical cyclone that is forecast to reach the coast by Tuesday.
Saturday, 28 December 2013
Short new post today written by us, regarding the economics of fascism and nuclear power. Tepco’s profits will also be from getting rid of 2,000 workers! That is bad for safety.: https://miningawareness.wordpress.com/2013/12/28/criminal-tepco-will-make-a-profit-on-the-backs-of-the-japanese-people/
Most of the Reuters news items, found below, were commented upon, yesterday (ahead of time), in Ongoing Saga number 9. Today, we added comments on TEPCO’s making a profit to Ongoing 9, but intend to make it a new separate post, as well. Besides the fight for natural resources in Central African Republic, Sudan, Yemen and Libya, there is important Reuters news about Russia, China and other countries. We especially recommend those about Russia and the “March of State companies”. The US judge is not allowing BP to weasle out of agreed upon damages to small US coastal fishermen (and other small businesses), who can not necessarily document or prove their loses. Vestas shows that there is money to be made in wind power. One is left with the impression that the Chinese gov is the only one which wants to do anything about environmental problems, except they are funding a nuclear power plant in Pakistan! According to Reuters, the Chinese government is trying to improve things, because the Chinese people are fed up. But, even the Chinese gov is having trouble controlling some of the companies, according to Reuters. The conflicts in Africa and strikes in France, have had repercussions on oil prices. Arms manufacturers and dealers make killings off of these conflicts (not mentioned in Reuters). It is interesting to see, as well, the dependence of Australian and other stocks on mining.
One of the Reuters news posts is about something which we suspect was meant to slip through, unseen, during Christmas Holidays: OIG reprimanded the US EPA over Range Resources case. Based on what we saw with the EPA in conjunction with RadNet, one suspects that the US EPA needs house-cleaning done in their workforce. Reuters says legal action was taken by Range Resources – presumably against the EPA. Perhaps corporations should not be able to sue government? Unfortunately individuals need to be able to sue government at times. Based on the leniency which EPA showed to a fracking company, Range Resources, six US Senators — count them —SIX, and there are only 2 Senators per state, insisted that the Office of Inspector General of the EPA investigate the EPA’s dropping of an emergency order regarding contaminated water from Fracking. How many phone calls and petitions did that take? These are videos related to the case. The poor guy whose water well vent was flammable even got sued for defamation by Range Resources! Although we think that nuclear is the biggest problem facing us all — if you were to end up poisoned, on fire or dead in an explosion, related to fracking, dead is dead.
Videos related to this case:
Official Report regarding reopening case, dated the Friday before Christmas, when Christmas Eve was on a Tuesday and those who could took Monday off!
“U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 14-P-0044 December 20, 2013 Office of Inspector General
At a Glance
Why We Did This Review
We conducted this review in response to a congressional request. We evaluated the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Region 6 issuance and withdrawal of an emergency order under Section 1431 of the Safe Drinking Water Act to the Range Resources Gas Drilling Company, to determine whether the EPA followed applicable laws and policy.
Region 6 concluded that a gas well owned and operated by Range Resources in Parker County, Texas, either caused or contributed to contamination found in the groundwater. Subsequently, on December 7, 2010, Region 6 issued an emergency order instructing Range Resources to investigate the groundwater and soil in the contaminated area to determine the cause of the contamination and to take actions to remediate and prevent further contamination.
This report addresses the following EPA themes:
Making a visible difference in communities across the country. Taking action on toxics and chemical safety. Protecting water: A precious limited resource.
Response to Congressional Inquiry Regarding the EPA’s Emergency Order to the Range Resources Gas Drilling Company
What We Found
….
Laws and guidance do not address withdrawing Section 1431 emergency orders and the EPA used its discretion in withdrawing the emergency order. The EPA reached an agreement whereby Range Resources agreed to test 20 water wells every 3 months for a year to provide information about the presence of more widespread contamination. According to the EPA, the sampling that Range Resources has completed indicates no widespread methane contamination of concern in the wells that were sampled in Parker County. However, the EPA lacks quality assurance information for the Range Resources’ sampling program, and questions remain about the contamination.
Recommendations and Planned Corrective Actions
We recommend that the Region 6 Regional Administrator (1) collect and evaluate the testing results being provided by Range Resources to determine whether the data is of sufficient quality and utility, (2) determine whether an imminent and substantial endangerment still exists at the original residential well involved, (3) inform the affected residents of the present status of the contamination and of any Region 6 planned actions, (4) work with the Railroad Commission of Texas to ensure appropriate action is taken as needed, and (5) document the costs and resources invested to complete the work included in these recommendations.
In its official comments and in subsequent meetings, the EPA agreed with and provided corrective actions that address our recommendations. All recommendations are resolved with corrective actions underway. No final response to this report is required.” Entire report is here: http://www.epa.gov/oig/reports/2014/20131220-14-P-0044.pdf
Reuters RSS news feeds start here. Click on Titles for full article:
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UPDATE 5-S. Sudan offers olive branch to rebels, releases prisoners
Posted:Fri, 27 Dec 2013 22:35:06 GMT
* Conflict divides South Sudan on ethnic lines (Adds arrival of first U.N. peacekeeping reinforcements) -
UPDATE 8-U.S. oil settles at 2-month high on inventory decline
Posted:Fri, 27 Dec 2013 22:09:16 GMT
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UPDATE 2-Libya’s Hariga port to resume exports within days-oil official
Posted:Fri, 27 Dec 2013 22:03:35 GMT
* Authorities moving oil HQ from capital to Benghazi (Adds oil official) -
UPDATE 1-Greenpeace activists leave Russia after Putin’s amnesty
Posted:Fri, 27 Dec 2013 19:09:34 GMT
(Adds Greenpeace saying 25 have left Russia, quote, context) -
UPDATE 1-US crude stocks fall even as output hits 1988 high -EIA
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Posted:Fri, 27 Dec 2013 18:00:59 GMT
NEW YORK, Dec 27 (Reuters) – U.S. crude oil stocks fell 4.7 million barrels last week as the Gulf Coast continued to shed inventories, even as U.S. oil production reached a 25-year high, data from the Energy Information Administration showed on Friday -
UPDATE 2-South Sudan’s Kiir wins regional backing, rebels driven from town
Posted:Fri, 27 Dec 2013 15:48:19 GMT
* Govt troops take capital of oil producing state (Adds rebel defeat in Malakal, comments by Information Minister) -
March of state companies resets global trading patterns
Posted:Fri, 27 Dec 2013 15:08:38 GMT
* China seen becoming top player in setting benchmark prices
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CORRECTED-Vestas December orders hit monthly record in rush for U.S. tax credits
Posted:Fri, 27 Dec 2013 14:45:07 GMT
(Corrects 11th paragraph to say share price has quintupled, not quadrupled)
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REFILE-Government forces defeat South Sudan rebels in oil state capital – army
Posted:Fri, 27 Dec 2013 14:26:51 GMT
JUBA, Dec 27 (Reuters) – South Sudanese rebels loyal to former Vice President Riek Machar have been defeated in Malakal, the capital of major oil producing Upper Nile state, after four days of intense fighting, the army spokesman told Reuters on Friday. -
UPDATE 1-Rosneft to focus on Morgan Stanley deal completion, not more buys
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Posted:Fri, 27 Dec 2013 11:50:02 GMT
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* Rosneft pumps around 40 pct of Russia’s total oil output
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Tepco submits new business plan to government, seeks more funds
Posted:Fri, 27 Dec 2013 08:56:22 GMT
TOKYO, Dec 27 (Reuters) – The operator of Japan’s crippled Fukushima nuclear plant submitted a revised business plan to the government on Friday aimed at securing steady profit with the restart of its undamaged Kashiwazaki Kariwa nuclear plant in July. -
UPDATE-1-Asian imports of Iran oil slide, may recover on supply fears
Posted:Fri, 27 Dec 2013 06:31:17 GMT
* Japan’s imports in Nov plunge by more than half, Jan-Nov down 4.6 pct
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UPDATE 2-Panama economic growth eases in October – government
Posted:Fri, 27 Dec 2013 12:35:17 -0500
PANAMA CITY, Dec 27 (Reuters) – The growth of Panama’s vibrant economy eased slightly in October, weakened by slower traffic through the Central American nation’s trademark canal and ports, official data showed on Friday.
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China targets cement, batteries, metals in anti-pollution push
Posted:Fri, 27 Dec 2013 07:17:06 -0500
BEIJING, Dec 27 (Reuters) – China will raise standards for the production of cement, batteries, leather and heavy metals as part of its efforts to cut air, water and soil pollution, the environment ministry said on Friday.
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China’s avg. daily steel output up slightly in mid-Dec
Posted:Fri, 27 Dec 2013 00:55:13 -0500
SHANGHAI, Dec 27 (Reuters) – China’s average daily crude steel output rose slightly over Dec.11-20 after falling for the previous three 10-day periods, the China Iron & Steel Association data showed on Friday. Daily production inched up 0.06 percent to 2.014 million tonnes, data showed. CISA estimated the country’s total production based on its members, including more than 80 large steel mills that account for about 80 percent of China’s total steel output. CISA members produced 1.69
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Sinopec Engineering to build $3.1 bln coal-to-chemical plant
Posted:Thu, 26 Dec 2013 23:58:06 -0500
BEIJING, Dec 27 (Reuters) – Sinopec Engineering Group said it has entered into a deal to build a $3.1 billion plant in northern China to turn coal into petrochemicals, as China seeks to reduce its reliance on petrochemical imports.
Australia shares rise to one-month high following Wall Street gains
Posted:Fri, 27 Dec 2013 01:14:41 GMT
SYDNEY, Dec 27 (Reuters) – Australian shares rose 0.5 percent on Friday, touching a one-month high with overnight gains on Wall Street providing the only significant trading clue and lifting financial stocks in a quiet post-Christmas session. -
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UPDATE 2-Batista’s OSX reaches $1.5 bln deal on OGX contracts
Posted:Fri, 27 Dec 2013 00:27:38 GMT
RIO DE JANEIRO, Dec 26 (Reuters) – Brazilian tycoon Eike Batista’s troubled shipbuilder OSX Brasil SA and oil company Oleo e Gas Participações SA have taken another step toward emerging from Latin America’s largest-ever bankruptcy with a deal to swap Oleo e Gas debt for stock.
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Australia shares may see 5th session of gain on Wall St, metals
Posted:Thu, 26 Dec 2013 22:29:14 GMT
SYDNEY, Dec 27 (Reuters) – Australian shares may eke out a fifth session of gains on Friday as mining stocks could be supported by a lift in metals prices and Wall Street advanced to record highs overnight, though trading may be subdued post-Christmas break. -
US STOCKS-Retailers lead Dow, S&P 500 to record closing highs
Posted:Thu, 26 Dec 2013 22:14:33 GMT
* Dow ends at record for 6th day; S&P marks 4th record in a row -
UPDATE 1-South Sudan rebels seize oil wells, mediators urge talks
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Posted:Thu, 26 Dec 2013 20:48:31 GMT
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* Minister says rebels captured some oil wells in Unity state
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UPDATE 1-Tribesmen seize oil ministry building in east Yemen
Posted:Thu, 26 Dec 2013 19:21:11 GMT
ADEN, Dec 26 (Reuters) – Tribesmen seized an oil ministry building in Yemen’s eastern Hadramout province on Thursday and exchanged gunfire with a pro-government tribe seeking to regain control of the premises, tribal sources and ministry employees said. -
UPDATE 1-Russia’s Surgut says launches Europe’s largest hydrocracker
Posted:Thu, 26 Dec 2013 15:19:24 GMT
* The complex would produce 98,000 bpd of middle distillates
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REFILE-Court rejects BP bid to require proof of Gulf oil spill losses
Posted:Thu, 26 Dec 2013 13:05:12 GMT
Dec 24 (Reuters) – BP Plc has failed to persuade a federal judge to require businesses seeking to recover money over the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill to provide proof that their economic losses were caused by the disaster. -
UPDATE 1-Libyan militiamen briefly block entrance to central bank
Posted:Thu, 26 Dec 2013 12:10:43 GMT
TRIPOLI, Dec 26 (Reuters) – Dozens of Libyan militiamen briefly blocked the entrance to the central bank on Thursday, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Ali Zeidan, witnesses and a central bank official said. -
CORRECTED-Struggle for resources at root of C. Africa religious violence
Posted:Thu, 26 Dec 2013 11:43:36 GMT
(Corrects paragraph 4 to clarify role of Seleka in early December violence)
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Bombing of Yemen’s main oil pipeline halts crude flows – officials
Posted:Thu, 26 Dec 2013 09:48:06 GMT
SANAA, Dec 26 (Reuters) – Tribesmen bombed Yemen’s main oil pipeline and it will take several days to repair it and resume crude pumping, oil and local officials said -
China to send envoy to South Sudan to help push peace talks
Posted:Thu, 26 Dec 2013 09:14:41 GMT
BEIJING, Dec 26 (Reuters) – China will send its special envoy for Africa to South Sudan to help push talks, China’s foreign minister was quoted as saying on Thursday, as the world’s newest country spirals into violence.
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UPDATE 1-Brent steadies below $112, holds near 3-wk high on supply woes
Posted:Thu, 26 Dec 2013 07:51:31 GMT
* U.S. weekly crude stockpiles rise 716,000 bbls last week – API
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Tianjin launches China’s latest carbon market
Posted:Thu, 26 Dec 2013 04:54:53 GMT
TIANJIN/BEIJING, Dec 26 (Reuters) – The Chinese city of Tianjin on Thursday launched the country’s fifth emissions trading scheme as the world’s biggest-emitting nation took another step towards reining in its impact on the environment.
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Report chastises U.S. EPA for retreat on Range pollution charges
Posted:Wed, 25 Dec 2013 19:27:39 GMT
WASHINGTON, Dec 25 (Reuters) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was criticized in an internal report for dropping charges that Range Resources Corp was polluting drinking water while “fracking” for natural gas. -
Libyan tribesmen to hold more talks to reopen oil ports -prime minister
Posted:Wed, 25 Dec 2013 17:57:50 GMT
TRIPOLI, Dec 25 (Reuters) – Tribal leaders will hold more talks on reopening several seized oil export ports in eastern Libya but the government will not negotiate with protesters blocking the ports, Prime Minister Ali Zeidan said on Wednesday. -
South Sudan says fighting rebels in oil state Upper Nile’s capital
Posted:Wed, 25 Dec 2013 11:45:32 GMT
JUBA, Dec 25 (Reuters) – South Sudanese troops are fighting to stop rebels loyal to former Vice President Riek Machar taking control of the major oil producing Upper Nile state capital, Malakal, the presidential spokesman said on Wednesday.
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UPDATE 1-Russia’s Surgut says launches Europe’s largest hydrocracker
Posted:Thu, 26 Dec 2013 10:19:24 -0500
* The complex would produce 98,000 bpd of middle distillates -
Chile Chuquicamata smelter strike over, operations normal -union
Posted:Thu, 26 Dec 2013 08:55:29 -0500
SANTIAGO, Dec 26 (Reuters) – Smelting operations at state copper miner Codelco’s massive Chuquicamata mine have returned to normal after a strike that lasted more than two weeks, a union worker said on Thursday.
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China struggling to meet 2011-2015 environment goals
Posted:Wed, 25 Dec 2013 11:14:19 GMT
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UPDATE 1-Ukraine expects remaining $12 bln of Russian bailout in early 2014
Posted:Wed, 25 Dec 2013 09:06:43 GMT
KIEV, Dec 25 (Reuters) – Ukraine expects a $15 billion bailout package from Russia to be fully disbursed in early 2014, Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said on Wednesday after Kiev received the first $3 billion tranche.
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