ExxonMobil could partner up with Eni and Total to jointly develop natural gas deposits off Cyprus

ExxonMobil could partner up with Eni and Total to jointly develop natural gas deposits off Cyprus

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — ExxonMobil could partner up with a consortium composed of Eni of Italy and Total of France to jointly develop gas deposits they’ve discovered close to each other off Cyprus’ southern coast, the Cypriot energy minister said Friday. Minister George Papanastasiou said ExxonMobil is in talks with the Eni-Total consortium on working…

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Spinnova and Suzano’s wood-based fibre plant faces delay

Spinnova and Suzano’s wood-based fibre plant faces delay

Finnish fibre textile company Spinnova and Brazil’s Suzano have postponed the pre-engineering stage phase for their new wood-based fibre facility beyond the previously anticipated timeline of late 2024. In March this year, the two companies formalised their intentions through a Letter of Intent (LOI) for a new manufacturing site focused on producing wood-based Spinnova fibre.…

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Spain fines ‘abusive’ budget airlines 179 mn euros

Spain fines ‘abusive’ budget airlines 179 mn euros

Spain’s leftist government said Friday it has fined five budget airlines including Ryanair and EasyJet 179 million euros ($187 million) for “abusive practices” such as charging passengers for hand luggage. The carriers, which included Spanish airlines Volotea and Vueling along with Norwegian Air, were also fined for charging passengers to reserve adjacent seats for children…

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Fugitive Zambian MP arrested in Zimbabwe – minister

Fugitive Zambian MP arrested in Zimbabwe – minister

Emmanuel Banda denies the allegations of robbery [Emmanuel Banda/Facebook] A fugitive Zambian lawmaker with a bounty on his head has been arrested in Zimbabwe, Zambian authorities have said. Emmanuel “Jay Jay” Banda, who was facing robbery charges, is accused of having escaped from custody in August as he awaited to appear in court. He is…

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5 tourists have died from drinking tainted alcohol in Laos

5 tourists have died from drinking tainted alcohol in Laos

Five tourists have died from suspected methanol poisoning in Laos. The victims are an American, two Danes, a Brit, and an Australian. The US State Department said it was monitoring the situation and providing consular assistance. Several tourists have died from drinking tainted alcohol in Vang Vieng, Laos. An American, two Danes, a Brit, and…

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Clip shows Burmese resistance fighters praying at replica pagoda, not ‘arriving at Golden Rock shrine’

Clip shows Burmese resistance fighters praying at replica pagoda, not ‘arriving at Golden Rock shrine’

As conflict between the military and various armed groups continues to roil Buddhist-majority Myanmar, a clip of pro-democracy fighters has been shared alongside a false claim they have arrived at a sacred site of worship called the Golden Rock pagoda. But visual clues show the pagoda is just a replica found in the country’s central region…

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Japan government to approve $140bn stimulus

Japan government to approve 0bn stimulus

Japan already has one of the world’s biggest ratios of national debt to output (Richard A. Brooks) Japan’s minority government was expected Friday to approve a $140-billion stimulus drive aimed at putting more money in consumers’ pockets after the ruling party’s worst election result in 15 years. The October 27 contest saw voters — angry…

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Trudeau plays Santa with seasonal tax break

Trudeau plays Santa with seasonal tax break

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is playing Father Christmas with a seasonally-timed tax break amid growing frustrations about Canada’s cost of living. The prime minister announced Thursday a two-month limited-time break on sales tax on a set list of goods during the holiday season. The list includes Christmas trees, restaurant meals, toys, alcohol and sweets,…

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