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☆ China, Saudi Arabia stress importance of oil market stability as Xi visits Riyadh
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Chinese President, Xi Jinping (L) is welcomed by Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud (R) at the Palace of Yamamah in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on December 8, 2022. China and Saudi Arabia stressed the importance of global oil market stability and Riyadh's role in achieving this balance, following a three-day Saudi visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping. China is the world's largest crude oil importer, while Saudi Arabia is the greatest exporter of such resources and chairs the influential OPEC+ producers' alliance. Xi met both King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud and his heir, Crown Prince and Saudi Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, according to Chinese official news agency Xinhua. The Chinese head of state has extended an invitation for King Salman to visit China "at a mutually convenient time," the statement said.

☆ Oil Spill in Kansas Prompts Shutdown of Keystone Pipeline System
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Derrick Bryson Taylor | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The Keystone pipeline system was shut down Wednesday night after its operator, TC Energy, said it had detected an oil spill in northern Kansas. An estimated 14,000 barrels of oil spilled into a creek in Washington County, Kan., south of the Nebraska border, TC Energy said in a statement on Thursday. Washington County has a population of about 5,500, according to government data. The Washington County Emergency Management Office said on Facebook on Thursday that residents in and around the county had reported waking up to the smell of gas. TC Energy said that the “affected segment” of the pipeline “has been isolated and we have contained downstream migration of the release.” The company said that crews were responding to the spill and were working to contain and recover the oil.

☆ North Korea Wants Dollars. It’s a Sign of Trouble.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Choe Sang-Hun | Pablo Robles | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +18 min

Media Korean Studies 2016 2008 New Finished New buildings Repainted TAEDONG RIVER TAEDONG RIVER Pyongyang in 2008. Media Korean Studies 2008 2016 New Finished New buildings Repainted TAEDONG RIVER TAEDONG RIVER Pyongyang in 2008. Under Mr. Kim, North Korea has opened a new terminal at the city’s international airport, renovated subway stations and opened new amusement parks. Missile tests this year alone cost North Korea hundreds of millions of dollars, according to estimates by South Korean and American researchers. An array of cell phones, assembled in North Korea with components imported from China, is on sale and advertised on state TV.

☆ Von Miller: Buffalo Bills defensive star is out for the season with torn ACL
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-08 | by ( Amy Woodyatt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +25 min

Tony Gutierrez/AP Buffalo wide receiver Stefon Diggs digs into a turkey leg after the Bills defeated Detroit on Thanksgiving Day. Norm Hall/Getty Images Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen hurdles Kansas City Chiefs safety Justin Reid as he scrambles for a first down. Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Minnesota wide receiver Justin Jefferson dives for a two-point conversion during the Vikings' 29-22 victory over the Chicago Bears. Gerald Herbert/AP Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. is tripped up by Denver Broncos cornerback K'Waun Williams. Gary A. Vasquez/USA Today Sports/Reuters New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas makes a reception against Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J.

☆ Henry Anderson: Carolina Panthers defensive end reveals he recently had stroke -- but wants to play on Sunday
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-08 | by ( Alasdair Howorth | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +26 min

Tony Gutierrez/AP Buffalo wide receiver Stefon Diggs digs into a turkey leg after the Bills defeated Detroit on Thanksgiving Day. Gary McCullough/AP Green Bay Packers wide receiver Samori Toure is tackled by Detroit Lions safety Will Harris. Norm Hall/Getty Images Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen hurdles Kansas City Chiefs safety Justin Reid as he scrambles for a first down. Gerald Herbert/AP Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. is tripped up by Denver Broncos cornerback K'Waun Williams. Gary A. Vasquez/USA Today Sports/Reuters New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas makes a reception against Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J.

How Washington State Employees Credit Union worksWashington State Employees Credit Union is a community development financial institution (CDFI) with 22 branches throughout Washington. Washington State Employees Credit Union trustworthiness and BBB ratingWashington State Employees Credit Union hasn't been involved in any recent public controversies. Washington State Employees Credit Union vs. Kitsap Credit UnionKitsap Credit Union is another CDFI in Washington. Kitsap Credit Union has a high-yield checking account while Washington State Employees Credit Union has a cash-back checking account. Washington State Employees Credit Union vs. Gesa Credit UnionGesa Credit Union has 30 branches in Washington and is also certified as a CDFI.

☆ Worried about Social Security benefit cuts? How calculators may help gauge how changes may affect you
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Hobo_018 | E+ | Getty ImagesHow to measure the effects of a benefit cutCovisum, a provider of Social Security claiming software, recently updated its calculator to reflect the Social Security trustees' latest projections. Offerings include a free version for consumers and a more complex paid version for financial advisors. Another product, Maximize My Social Security, lets consumers evaluate for a $40 annual fee which claiming strategy might best suit them. Because there are thousands of Social Security claiming rules, a more in-depth analysis can help identify the best way to get the most from the program for your unique situation. Why it's important to stress test your planIt's also important to remember the current depletion date projections are subject to change, as the Social Security trustees amend their projections each year.

The answer is simple, according to more than a dozen Washington insiders, FTX employees, and crypto industry observers who spoke with Insider. I don't think anyone believed that he was going to fund candidates who were, quote unquote, committed to ending pandemics who were also hostile to the crypto industry." Alex Wong/Getty ImagesRebuffed by the SEC, Bankman-Fried turned his attention to Congress. "It's not that he was welcoming regulation," says the senior figure in the crypto industry who attended meetings with Bankman-Fried. But while Bankman-Fried was busy wooing Washington, FTX was about to become Exhibit A in the case for more effective oversight of the crypto industry.

The Biden administration last week authorized Chevron to expand operations in Venezuela and resume taking prized heavy crude to the United States. Valero Energy Corp (VLO.N), PBF Energy (PBF.N) and Citgo Petroleum have shown interest in getting access to the oil Chevron is expecting in coming weeks, according to the people. No Venezuelan oil officially has been allocated to Chevron yet and no chartering contracts have been signed to transport cargoes to the United States, according to Venezuelan export schedules and Refinitiv freight data. Valero, PBF and other U.S. independent refiners would not need any new authorization to buy Venezuelan oil from Chevron. The primary effect will be to allow some Venezuelan oil to flow back to the United States, "which will help the U.S. refining system," Wirth said.

☆ Philippines needs to find ways to exploit South China Sea resources, says Marcos
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MANILA, Dec 1 (Reuters) - The Philippines must find a way to explore for oil and gas in the South China Sea even without a deal with China, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Thursday, emphasising his country's right to exploit energy reserves in the contested waterway. Talks over joint energy exploration between Manila and Beijing in the South China Sea had been terminated, the previous government said in June, citing constitutional constraints and issues of sovereignty. I think there might be other ways so it does not have to be G-to-G (government-to-government)," Marcos said. During a three-day visit last week, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris affirmed American defence commitments to the Philippines and reiterated support for a 2016 arbitration ruling that invalidated Beijing's expansive South China Sea claims. The ruling, which China refused to recognise, states that the Philippines has sovereign rights to exploit energy reserves inside its 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone.

But satellite images and photos show the Chinese-owned ship had loaded the oil four months earlier in Venezuela, an OPEC nation in South America under U.S. oil sanctions. Two of those tankers, including the Young Yong, were designated this month by U.S. authorities for violating sanctions on Iran, one of Venezuela's closest allies. The U.S. Treasury declined to comment on the involvement of the Young Yong or the other vessels identified by Reuters in shipping Venezuela crude. Indonesian authorities said in early November that the Young Yong had run aground off the Riau Islands on Oct. 26. The United States imposed oil trading sanctions on Venezuela in 2019 after calling Maduro's re-election the previous year a sham.

☆ Russia-Ukraine War U.S. Rushes to Secure Aid for Ukraine to Repair Energy Grid Before Winter
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Edward Wong | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

On Tuesday, American officials pledged to give Ukraine $53 million to repair the electrical grid, and sought to rally other allies to make similar offers. Western officials say the Ukrainian energy reconstruction campaign should be considered a second front in the war. In April, not long after Russian troops swept into Ukraine, American officials marshaled dozens of allies to furnish Ukraine with long-term military aid, and organized the countries into the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. The United States is organizing a working group to help Ukraine repair energy equipment and to better defend its power plants and grid from attack. That energy “contact group” is centered on those nations and their close partners, and is expected to meet again next month in Paris.

Qatar, which has strong ties with Washington and friendly relations with Tehran, has staked its reputation on delivering a smooth World Cup, beefing up security at Iran games and banning some items deemed inflammatory, like Iran's pre-Revolution flag. The Qatar official, when asked about fans' security concerns and complaints over restrictions, said authorities would ensure every match at the World Cup is "safe and welcoming for all spectators". Items that "could increase tensions and risk the safety of fans" would not be permitted at stadiums, the official said. The United States and Iran severed formal relations in 1980 after the Revolution and ties were hostile when their soccer teams clashed in the 1998 World Cup. Reporting by Maya Gebeily and Charlotte Bruneau; Writing by Ghaida Ghantous; Editing by Peter RutherfordOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Nexperia and Elmos cases show how the US-China chip war is spilling over to Europe
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Last week, the new owner of Britain’s biggest chipmaker was ordered to unwind its takeover, just days after another chip factory sale was blocked in Germany. “These decisions mark a shift towards tougher stances regarding Chinese investment in critical industries in Europe,” said Xiaomeng Lu, director of geo‑technology at Eurasia Group. A worker in a clean room for silicon semiconductor wafer manufacturing at the Newport Wafer Fab, owned by Nexperia, in Newport, Wales on Aug. 18. A company sign of Elmos Semiconductor, seen on Nov. 9 in the German city of Dortmund. Both Britain and Germany have recently added rules that expand government oversight over such decisions, making outcomes harder to predict.

☆ Kim Jong Un’s sister warns U.S. of ‘a more fatal security crisis’
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-23 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

After the meeting, Thomas-Greenfield also read a statement by 14 countries that supported action to limit North Korea’s advancement of its weapons programs. During the Security Council meeting, the United States and its allies strongly criticized the ICBM launch and called for action to limit North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs. But Russia and China, both veto-wielding members of the Security Council, opposed any new pressure and sanctions on North Korea. The status of North Korea’s nuclear capability remains shrouded in secrecy. Some analysts say North Korea already has nuclear-armed missiles that can strike both the U.S. mainland and its allies South Korea and Japan, but others say the North is still years away from possessing such missiles.

☆ Kamala Harris Seeks to Strengthen Philippines Alliance Amid Fraught China Relations
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Feliz Solomon | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

PUERTO PRINCESA, Philippines—Vice President Kamala Harris pledged deeper maritime cooperation with the Philippines and held discussions on the proposed expansion of a military pact between the two countries as Washington seeks to firm up its alliances in Asia. Ms. Harris’s three-day visit to the Southeast Asian country—which closely follows President Biden’s trip to the region for a string of summits—builds on U.S. efforts to step up diplomacy as it faces an assertive China. Washington and Beijing are at odds over a range of issues, from Taiwan and trade to China’s actions in the South China Sea that the U.S. says amount to bullying of smaller nations.

☆ NBA roundup: Kyrie Irving returns, helps Nets top Grizzlies
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

Dillon Brooks led all scorers with 31 points but shot 13 of 30 as the Grizzlies saw their seven-game winning streak over Brooklyn halted. John Konchar added 16 while Steven Adams contributed 15 and 10 rebounds as the Grizzlies shot 43.4 percent. Bruce Brown scored 12 points and DeAndre Jordan had 17 rebounds for the short-handed Nuggets. Six Cavs scored at least 11 points with Lamar Stevens posting 11 and Evan Mobley recording a double-double of 15 and 10 rebounds. KJ Martin scored 12 points off the bench.

☆ Leaked email from Amazon executive shows the Astro home robot will survive a massive cull of jobs and projects across the company
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Eugene Kim | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

VP of consumer robotics Ken Washington reaffirmed commitment to home robots in an email to employees last week. Washington's team is primarily in charge of Astro, the home-roaming robot Amazon revealed last year. While the company has been unusually vague about layoff details, one team appears to have continued support: consumer robotics. Washington reports to Dave Limp, Amazon's SVP of Devices and Services, who confirmed layoffs in a team-wide email last week. "We are committed to the future of consumer robots and, as Dave said, we will further prioritize what matters most to our customers and the business," Washington wrote in the email.

☆ See the first 36 groups that won coveted licenses to sell recreational cannabis in New York, including Housing Works and The Doe Fund
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Jeremy Berke | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

New York regulators announced the first 36 groups who'll be able to sell cannabis in the state. The 36 licensees include 28 groups of "justice-involved" individuals, who have been convicted of prior cannabis-related offenses in New York state and also have experience running profitable businesses. Wright has repeatedly said that cannabis sales would begin in New York before the end of the year. That means companies are unable to own both a cultivation facility and a retail store, unlike in some other states with legal cannabis markets. The regulations also outline different license types to be awarded in the future, including supply-side licenses, microbusinesses, and retail stores.

Harris also plans a highly symbolic stop on the Philippine islands of Palawan in the South China Sea to show U.S. support for its ally. "So if they want American support in the South China Sea, the Americans will expect Philippine support on Taiwan." "The second Philippine demand is a continued clear commitment to defend Filipinos in the South China Sea," Poling said. If there was a Chinese attack on a Philippine base in the South China Sea tomorrow, could the Americans actually do anything about it? China claims 90% of the South China Sea as its sovereign territory, but is opposed by five Southeast Asian states and Taiwan.

Last decade 2100 scenarios LOW EMISSIONS By 2100, Basra would see almost six months of dangerous heat under the most likely scenario. MEDIUM EMISSIONS HIGH EMISSIONS Jan. July Jan. July Dec. Dec. Heat Index 80°F Caution 90°F Extreme Caution 103°F Danger 125°F Extreme Danger Basra Kuwait City Last decade 2100 scenarios Lower emissions Medium emissions Higher emissions Jan. July Jan. July Dec. Dec. Heat Index 80°F Caution 90°F Extreme Caution 103°F Danger 125°F Extreme Danger Basra Last decade 2100 emissions scenario LOW Medium HIGH Jan. July Dec. Kuwait City Last decade 2100 emissions scenario LOW Medium HIGH Jan. July Dec. Heat Index 80°F Caution 90°F Extreme Caution 103°F Danger 125°F Extreme Danger Basra Last decade 2100 emission scenarios Low Medium High Jan. July Dec. Kuwait City Last decade 2100 emission scenarios Low Medium High Jan. July Dec. Heat Index 80°F Caution 90°F Extreme Caution 103°F Danger 125°F Extreme Danger Kuwait City Basra Today, Basra experiences about 60 dangerously hot days per year. MEDIUM EMISSIONS HIGH EMISSIONS Jan. July Jan. July Dec. Dec. Heat Index 27°C Caution 32°C Extreme Caution 39°C Danger 52°C Extreme Danger Basra Kuwait City Last decade 2100 scenarios Lower emissions Medium emissions Higher emissions Jan. July Jan. July Dec. Dec. Heat Index 27°C Caution 32°C Extreme Caution 39°C Danger 52°C Extreme Danger Basra Last decade 2100 emissions scenario LOW Medium HIGH Jan. July Dec. Kuwait City Last decade 2100 emissions scenario LOW Medium HIGH Jan. July Dec. Heat Index 27°C Caution 32°C Extreme Caution 39°C Danger 52°C Extreme Danger Basra Last decade 2100 emissions scenario Low Medium High Jan. July Dec. Kuwait City Last decade 2100 emissions scenario Low Medium High Jan. July Dec. Heat Index 27°C Caution 32°C Extreme Caution 39°C Danger 52°C Extreme Danger Kuwait City Basra Today, Basra experiences about 60 dangerously hot days per year. Last decade 2100 scenarios LOW EMISSIONS By 2100, Basra would see almost six months of dangerous heat under the most likely scenario. MEDIUM EMISSIONS HIGH EMISSIONS Jan. July Jan. July Dec. Dec.

WASHINGTON — House Republicans' majority will be smaller than expected, but they're eager to use their new oversight powers and pass a spate of bills to draw contrasts with Democrats and give the Biden administration heartburn. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., joined by Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., left, and Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, in Washington on July 21, 2021. A growing number of Republicans say they have their sights set on impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, bashing his handling of the border surge. LegislationDemocrats still occupy the White House, so any legislation Republicans pass on a partisan basis won’t be signed into law by Biden. But House Republicans say they will waste no time showing the parties’ stark differences as they battle for control of the White House in 2024.

☆ North Korea fires ballistic missile as it vows ‘fiercer’ military response to U.S. and allies
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea launched a short-range ballistic missile toward its eastern waters on Thursday, South Korea’s military said, hours after the North threatened to launch “fiercer” military responses to the U.S. bolstering its security commitment to its allies South Korea and Japan. It said South Korea has strengthened its surveillance of North Korea while maintaining military readiness in close coordination with the United States. It was North Korea’s first ballistic missile firing in eight days and the latest in its barrage of tests in recent months. North Korea previously said some of the tests were simulations of nuclear attacks on South Korean and U.S. targets. Many experts say North Korea would eventually want to enhance its nuclear capability to wrest bigger concessions from its rivals.

☆ NHL roundup: Devils dump Habs for 10th straight win
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Jonathan Marchessault and Jack Eichel scored for the Golden Knights, who took their second straight loss following a nine-game winning streak. Boone Jenner added two goals and Eric Robinson contributed one goal and one assist for the Blue Jackets. Canucks 5, Sabres 4Bo Horvat notched a goal and two assists as Vancouver ended a three-game losing streak with a win in Buffalo. Predators 2, Wild 1Matt Duchene had a goal and an assist for Nashville in a win against visiting Minnesota. Dylan Strome and John Carlson scored for the Capitals, who got 38 saves from Darcy Kuemper.

☆ NBA roundup: Heat storm back to defeat Suns
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Butler produced a double-double for the second time in three games, posting 16 points and 13 rebounds. The Suns' Deandre Ayton had a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds. That reserve unit also featured Damion Lee, who scored 14 points. Luguentz Dort had 21 with three 3-pointers, and Aleksej Pokusevski logged a double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds. The Clippers turned 11 Houston turnovers into 16 points before the break while the Rockets missed 10 of 13 3-pointers.

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