English Edition

Tehran's Biggest Fear

Τρι, 29 Δεκεμβρίου 2009 - 15:50

The biggest threat to the ruling ayatollahs and generals in multi-ethnic Iran does not come from the embattled democratic opposition movement struggling to reform the Islamic Republic. It comes from increasingly aggressive separatist groups in Kurdish, Baluch, Azeri and Arab ethnic minority regions that collectively make up some 44 percent of Persian-dominated Iran’s population.

UAE Splits The Atom Club

Τρι, 29 Δεκεμβρίου 2009 - 14:46

It is hard to imagine a more politically sensitive new energy project than the Arab world's first nuclear power plants. But by awarding the $20.4 billion contract to a group of South Korean companies, the United Arab Emirates has shrugged off lobbying from Washington and Paris and gone for the cheapest and simplest industrial option.

Lukoil-Statoil Signs Initial Pact For Iraq Oil Field

Τρι, 29 Δεκεμβρίου 2009 - 14:45

Russia's Lukoil Holdings (LUKOY, LKOH.RS) and Norway's Statoil ASA (STO) Tuesday signed an initial deal to develop the Iraqi supergiant West Qurna Phase 2 oil field, 16 days after the closure of the country's second post-war licensing auction, Iraqi oil ministry officials said.

No More Risk Of Russia Oil Flow Disruption Via Ukraine

Τρι, 29 Δεκεμβρίου 2009 - 14:44

There is no further risk of disruption to Russian oil supplies to Europe after a row between Russia and Ukraine was resolved, the European Union said Tuesday.

Munich Re:Widening Climate-Related Losses Call For New Deal

Τρι, 29 Δεκεμβρίου 2009 - 14:43

Germany's Munich Re AG (MUV2.XE), one of the world's largest reinsurers, Tuesday said economic and insured losses caused by climate change will continue to widen in the future, calling for a near-term deal to ensure a substantial reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions.

Albanian Company Asks For Italy OK To Build 1,000MW Power Link

Τρι, 29 Δεκεμβρίου 2009 - 14:43

Albania's Biopower Green Energy Shpk Tuesday said it had asked the Italian government for permission to build an electricity line, with a capacity of 1000 megawatts, linking the two countries.

China Power Firms May See 2010 Losses On Coal Prices

Τρι, 29 Δεκεμβρίου 2009 - 14:42

China's power generators may face losses next year following hikes in contract coal prices, the China Electric News reported Tuesday.

European Commission Gives Oil Supplies Guarantees to 3 countries

Τρι, 29 Δεκεμβρίου 2009 - 09:18

European Commission on Monday issued guarantees to East-European countries – Slovakia, Hungary and the Czech Republic, in the first place – that it will secure the necessary amounts of crude oil for them if problems emerge with the transits of crude from Russia’s Siberian oilfields via the Ukrainian territory.

Dark Days at the Center of Europe

Τρι, 29 Δεκεμβρίου 2009 - 09:16

Surrounded by forest, a white granite pillar topped by a ring of golden stars near the village of Purnuskes marks "the geographical center of Europe." Things are looking bleak. The Baltic state of Lithuania -- sandwiched between Latvia and the Russian exclave Kalingrad -- faces an economic contraction of 18 percent for 2009.

Heard On The St: Exxon's Chemical Romance

Δευ, 28 Δεκεμβρίου 2009 - 14:40

For fans of the fuel, Exxon Mobil's takeover of XTO Energy, announced recently, signals the dawn of the age of natural gas. That is good news for the U.S. chemicals industry. Some 70% of America's production capacity for ethylene, the most common basic building block of chemicals manufacturing, uses gas as a feedstock.

China's 2009 Power Consumption To Rise 6% On Year –Report

Δευ, 28 Δεκεμβρίου 2009 - 14:39

China's 2009 power consumption is expected to rise more than 6% from 2008 amid accelerating economic recovery, the state-run Economic Information Daily reported Monday.

First Section Of Siberian-Pacific Oil Pipeline Opens

Δευ, 28 Δεκεμβρίου 2009 - 14:39

Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin opened Monday the first section of the Siberian-Pacific oil pipeline network that will ultimately carry crude to China, Russian news agencies reported.

12 Dead, 11 Missing In China Mine Blasts - State Media

Δευ, 28 Δεκεμβρίου 2009 - 14:38

Twelve coal miners have been killed and 11 others trapped in two gas explosions in China, state media said Monday, in the latest accidents to strike the country's notoriously dangerous mining sector.

French Nuclear Body Encouraged By EDF Technical Efforts

Δευ, 28 Δεκεμβρίου 2009 - 14:38

French state-controlled utility Electricite de France SA (EDF.SA) has stepped up efforts to resolve a technical issue with the new nuclear reactors it is rolling out, newspaper Les Echos quotes an unnamed person close to the country's nuclear safety authority as saying Monday.

Iranian Opposition Claims Widespread Arrests

Δευ, 28 Δεκεμβρίου 2009 - 14:35

Iranian opposition Web sites reported Monday the arrest of several prominent reformists, including aides to opposition leaders and a former foreign minister, a day after clashes killed at least eight, the deadliest day of protests since the summer.

Power Line from Kosovo to Albania with German Funds

Δευ, 28 Δεκεμβρίου 2009 - 11:40

Kosovo has received a German loan to finance the construction of a 33,5 million euro transmission line to link with Albania’s power grid, said Kosovo’s Economy and Finance Minister, Ahmet Shala last week. The 400 kilovolt line will be complete in three years time.