Power dressing in the corporate world

Fortescue Metals Group (FSUGY), another major Australian iron ore miner, reported in October that China's strong demand helped the company reach record shipments for the material. It later reported that it signed as much as $4 billion worth of deals with major Chinese steel mills for iron ore exports. … [Read more...] about China still needs Australia to power its economic recovery

India’s success in connecting its largest domestically-built nuclear reactor to the grid is a boost for plans to deploy the technology to help the world’s third-biggest polluter limit emissions, according to the official overseeing the plans.The 700-megawatt pressurized heavy water reactor of the Kakrapar Atomic Power Station in Gujarat is the first of 16 planned units that will help balance the grid against growing intermittent renewable generation, according to K.N. Vyas, India’s atomic energy secretary.“Renewables are less capital intensive and can be implemented much more quickly. Yet, they need to be balanced with more stable power,” Vyas said in a phone interview. “Nuclear provides clean base load power and that makes it an important element of our climate strategy.”India is counting on its nuclear program to help meet its Paris climate commitments to reduce the emissions intensity of its economy by a third from 2005 levels by 2030. So … [Read more...] about India debuts largest domestically-built nuclear reactor with more planned

Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand’s rice exports are expected to recover slightly from an estimated 5.8 million tonnes in 2020, which was the lowest in 20 years due to weak global purchasing power caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, a container shortage and the strong baht. Chookiat Ophaswongse, honorary president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association (TREA), said he believes that rice exports will reach 6.5 million tonnes at best this year, up from an anticipated 5.8 million tonnes worth 110-120 billion baht (3.65-3.98 billion USD) in 2020. Rice exports remain gloomy this year, as consumers worldwide are likely to opt to save their money and buy rice at cheaper prices, he stated. He took Malaysia as an example as the country has now started buying more rice from India with cheaper prices, instead of Thailand and Vietnam. According to him, the container shortage is another obstacle for rice export prospects, citing the Thai National Shippers’ Council’s expectation that … [Read more...] about Thailand’s rice exports remain gloomy this year

As for Putin, a veteran of the KGB’s foreign intelligence service and a former FSB chief, his focus is on his services’ successes. Just days after Russia’s massive cyberattack on the U.S. came to light, Putin praised SVR officers for their “invaluable contribution to ensuring the country’s security,” and for carrying out “the most difficult assignments,” in a speech on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Russian foreign intelligence service on Dec. 20, 2020. He made a point of including the FSB: “All the personnel of Russia’s security agencies are comrades-in-arms of the Foreign Intelligence Service staff. And on this holiday, I would like to extend my warmest wishes to them too.” Referring to “the successes achieved by the counterintelligence agencies,” Putin said, “I offer my highest praise on these complicated and professional operations.” … [Read more...] about Why Russia’s Overseas Spies Keep Getting Caught

But Biden has vowed to push back on Chinese economic, human rights and territorial abuses if required. He also plans to put human rights and democracy at the center of his foreign policy agenda, likely meaning more future conflict with the authoritarian CCP. … [Read more...] about China Accuses U.S. of Abusing National Security Excuse While Doing Same in Hong Kong, Xinjiang