Latest news with #western
Muscat Daily
an hour ago
- Politics
- Muscat Daily
Germany's Annalena Baerbock set for top UN job
Berlin, Germany – Annalena Baerbock knows how to land on her feet. Just a few weeks after it became clear that her Green Party was unlikely to be part of the next German government, the country's first-ever female foreign minister was already lining up a new job. The UN General Assembly is set to elect her on Monday. She is running unopposed for the one-year top position, which is primarily of ceremonial significance and mainly involves organising plenary sessions. The inauguration is due to take place on September 9, shortly before the general debate of the UN General Assembly – and while the job is limited to a year, it is considered a good stepping stone for subsequent roles. Appointment ruffled feathers When Germany's former centre-left government nominated Baerbock as the new president of the United Nations General Assembly, a post that Germany was next in line to occupy, government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit said Baerbock was highly respected and 'highly qualified for the job'. The appointment did not come without some internal grievance: Germany had said last year that it would nominate the much-respected diplomat Helga Schmid for the post. A former Green Party member, Schmid is a Foreign Ministry veteran and was considered a vital architect of the nuclear agreement between Iran, the EU and other states, concluded in 2015. Baerbock responded to the criticism saying her appointment was be 'analogous to many predecessors who were also former foreign ministers or former prime ministers'. Baerbock, still only 44, was foreign minister until the centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) , Christian Social Union (CSU) and the centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) negotiated their way to Germany's new government. At least rhetorically, Baerbock always remained committed to the 'value-based foreign policy' she said she wanted to enact even before she took office. As the Green Party's chancellor candidate in 2021, she made what many saw as assertive statements about human rights and democratic freedoms in China, Belarus, Hungary, and Russia. Baerbock in office But her outspokenness often did not go down well later, when she took office. Her ministry was forced to clarify a remark she made during a meeting of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg in January 2023, when, during a call for unity among western allies, she said, in English: 'We are fighting a war against Russia, not against each other.' This was immediately pounced on by the Russian government, when spokesperson Maria Zakharova claimed that this was proof that the West was waging a 'premeditated war against Russia'. Then in April 2023, during a press conference with her Chinese counterpart Qin Gang in Beijing, she offered a note of warning about China's international ambitions, only to be told by Qin that the 'last thing that China needs is a teacher from the West'. Nor did it help Chinese-German relations when, in an interview with US broadcaster Fox News in September 2023, she described Xi Jinping as a 'dictator', which led the Chinese government to summon Germany's ambassador to Beijing. Overall, Baerbock's three years as foreign minister were marked by momentous international crises, which necessitated a tireless work rate: She made a total of 160 trips in her time in office, visiting some 77 countries – face-to-face diplomacy had never been more necessary, she once told public broadcaster ARD . During her time in office, she showed herself a strong supporter of sending military supplies to Ukraine, a country she visited nine times – including visits to Ukrainian troops on the front. Following the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas, Baerbock attempted to walk a line between expressing Germany's continued support for Israel, while also trying to negotiate humanitarian aid for Gaza. She also attempted to enact a more 'feminist' foreign policy, something she expressed by increasing the proportion of female officials in her own ministry, as well as in German embassies around the world, a third of which are now headed by women. Baerbock's rise Baerbock's political career was marked in her youth by her parents, who took her on anti-nuclear demos in the 1980s. On her personal website, she describes being 'touched by worldwide injustice' since her teenage years, which she said sparked early ambitions to be a journalist. She studied political science and public law in Hamburg, earned a master's degree in international law at the London School of Economics, and then began a doctorate at Berlin's Free University, which she broke off in 2013 on being elected to the Bundestag. Her academic career ran in parallel to a steep political ascent. Having joined the Green Party at the age of 25, she became leader of the party in the state of Brandenburg only four years later, while simultaneously acting as spokesperson of the party's working group on European affairs and serving as a board member of the European Green Party. She continued this focus on European affairs in her first term in the Bundestag, when she claims to have 'worked hard on making the German government finally acknowledge its international responsibility as one of the largest economies in the world and to lead the German 'energy transition''. Her rise continued into April 2021, when she won an internal power struggle against her Green Party co-leader Robert Habeck, and became the party's first-ever official chancellor candidate in a national election campaign. Her candidacy was undermined however, when it emerged that her ghost writer had plagiarised parts of her hastily-released book. Though her party's election result that year was a disappointment, it set her on her course into foreign diplomacy. DW
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Trans Mountain could take on more pipeline projects if private sector can't: CEO
CALGARY - The CEO of Crown-owned pipeline operator Trans Mountain Corp. says it could take on other market-expanding pipeline projects if necessary, but that it would be preferable for the private sector to take the lead. Trade tumult in recent months with the United States — Canada's biggest customer for its crude oil — has intensified calls for Canada to build infrastructure that would allow its resources to flow to other global buyers. When the expanded Trans Mountain pipeline began shipping Alberta crude to the B.C. Lower Mainland just over a year ago, oilsands producers were finally able to meaningfully access lucrative Asian markets. Trans Mountain CEO Mark Maki said in an interview Friday there's an appetite for more pipeline egress to the Pacific coast and elsewhere. 'The U.S. is a great customer. It will always be a great customer, but diversification of markets for the country is important,' he said. He said Trans Mountain's owner — the Government of Canada — would prefer the private sector lead the way. 'If that can't happen, and it's in the national interest, Trans Mountain is here,' Maki said. His remarks came after Trans Mountain reported its operational and financial results for the first three months of 2025. Since oil started flowing through the expansion in May of last year, 266 crude vessels have been loaded, and third-party information suggests the destinations have been split between the U.S. West Coast and Asia. The expanded pipeline shipped an average of about 757,000 barrels per day during the quarter — below its capacity of 890,000 barrels per day. Maki said if the pipeline were running full, western Canadian heavy crude would see a steeper price discount against the easier-to-refine light crude sold on the global market. That would eat into the margins of Alberta producers. 'You really don't want us 100 per cent full … What's important really is to keep a little bit of slack in the system,' he said. As of now, the supply of crude hasn't caught up with takeaway capacity. 'But when that happens, the crude differential blows out. And so having a little bit of wiggle room is important.' Trans Mountain said there are economical ways to boost the pipeline's capacity if needed, such as adding chemical agents to reduce friction, which would enable more crude to flow through the line. Other options could include adding pumping horsepower or pipe segments. Those projects could together add up to 300,000 barrels per day of capacity. Trans Mountain said quarterly net income was $148 million, down from $158 million a year earlier. Its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization — a measure it says reflects the performance of its underlying business — were $568 million, compared to the $36 million it brought in a year earlier, before the pipeline expansion had started up. During the quarter, $311 million was paid to its parent Canada TMP Finance Ltd., which is itself owned by the Canada Development Investment Corp. That consisted of $148 million in interest payments and $163 million in cash dividends. The original Trans Mountain pipeline has been operating since the 1950s. In 2013, U.S. energy company Kinder Morgan filed a proposal to expand it at a cost of $5.4 billion, touching off a contentious regulatory review process marked by protests and legal challenges. Kinder Morgan suspended work in 2018 and shortly thereafter sold the pipeline to the federal government for $4.5 billion. By the time the expansion project was completed, its cost had ballooned to $34 billion. Maki said there's no hurry to bring Trans Mountain back into private hands. He said the expanded pipeline should get a little more operating history under its belt so a potential buyer can ascribe the proper value to it. A dispute over the tolls customers pay to use the line, currently before the Canada Energy Regulator, also needs to be sorted out, he said. There is also interest in potential Indigenous equity ownership in the line — when the time is right. Trans Mountain is in a 'transitional' year where it is starting to pay dividends and is continuing some of the cleanup work from the pipeline construction. Next year will be a 'much more normal' one, Maki said. 'And so really probably at that point and out would make sense to start thinking about that.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 30, 2025.
National Observer
3 days ago
- Business
- National Observer
Trans Mountain CEO offers to take on more pipelines
The CEO of Crown-owned pipeline operator Trans Mountain Corp. says it could take on other market-expanding pipeline projects if necessary, but that it would be preferable for the private sector to take the lead. Trade tumult in recent months with the United States — Canada's biggest customer for its crude oil — has intensified calls for Canada to build infrastructure that would allow its resources to flow to other global buyers. When the expanded Trans Mountain pipeline began shipping Alberta crude to the B.C. Lower Mainland just over a year ago, oilsands producers were finally able to meaningfully access lucrative Asian markets. Trans Mountain CEO Mark Maki said in an interview Friday there's an appetite for more pipeline egress to the Pacific coast and elsewhere. "The U.S. is a great customer. It will always be a great customer, but diversification of markets for the country is important," he said. He said Trans Mountain's owner — the Government of Canada — would prefer the private sector lead the way. "If that can't happen, and it's in the national interest, Trans Mountain is here," Maki said. His remarks came after Trans Mountain reported its operational and financial results for the first three months of 2025. Since oil started flowing through the expansion in May of last year, 266 crude vessels have been loaded, and third-party information suggests the destinations have been split between the U.S. West Coast and Asia. The expanded pipeline shipped an average of about 757,000 barrels per day during the quarter — below its capacity of 890,000 barrels per day. Maki said if the pipeline were running full, western Canadian heavy crude would see a steeper price discount against the easier-to-refine light crude sold on the global market. That would eat into the margins of Alberta producers. "You really don't want us 100 per cent full … What's important really is to keep a little bit of slack in the system," he said. As of now, the supply of crude hasn't caught up with takeaway capacity. "But when that happens, the crude differential blows out. And so having a little bit of wiggle room is important." Trans Mountain said there are economical ways to boost the pipeline's capacity if needed, such as adding chemical agents to reduce friction, which would enable more crude to flow through the line. Other options could include adding pumping horsepower or pipe segments. Those projects could together add up to 300,000 barrels per day of capacity. Trans Mountain said quarterly net income was $148 million, down from $158 million a year earlier. Its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization — a measure it says reflects the performance of its underlying business — were $568 million, compared to the $36 million it brought in a year earlier, before the pipeline expansion had started up. During the quarter, $311 million was paid to its parent Canada TMP Finance Ltd., which is itself owned by the Canada Development Investment Corp. That consisted of $148 million in interest payments and $163 million in cash dividends. The original Trans Mountain pipeline has been operating since the 1950s. In 2013, U.S. energy company Kinder Morgan filed a proposal to expand it at a cost of $5.4 billion, touching off a contentious regulatory review process marked by protests and legal challenges. Kinder Morgan suspended work in 2018 and shortly thereafter sold the pipeline to the federal government for $4.5 billion. By the time the expansion project was completed, its cost had ballooned to $34 billion. Maki said there's no hurry to bring Trans Mountain back into private hands. He said the expanded pipeline should get a little more operating history under its belt so a potential buyer can ascribe the proper value to it. A dispute over the tolls customers pay to use the line, currently before the Canada Energy Regulator, also needs to be sorted out, he said. There is also interest in potential Indigenous equity ownership in the line — when the time is right. Trans Mountain is in a "transitional" year where it is starting to pay dividends and is continuing some of the cleanup work from the pipeline construction. Next year will be a "much more normal" one, Maki said. "And so really probably at that point and out would make sense to start thinking about that."
Winnipeg Free Press
3 days ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Trans Mountain could take on more pipeline projects if private sector can't: CEO
CALGARY – The CEO of Crown-owned pipeline operator Trans Mountain Corp. says it could take on other market-expanding pipeline projects if necessary, but that it would be preferable for the private sector to take the lead. Trade tumult in recent months with the United States — Canada's biggest customer for its crude oil — has intensified calls for Canada to build infrastructure that would allow its resources to flow to other global buyers. When the expanded Trans Mountain pipeline began shipping Alberta crude to the B.C. Lower Mainland just over a year ago, oilsands producers were finally able to meaningfully access lucrative Asian markets. Trans Mountain CEO Mark Maki said in an interview Friday there's an appetite for more pipeline egress to the Pacific coast and elsewhere. 'The U.S. is a great customer. It will always be a great customer, but diversification of markets for the country is important,' he said. He said Trans Mountain's owner — the Government of Canada — would prefer the private sector lead the way. 'If that can't happen, and it's in the national interest, Trans Mountain is here,' Maki said. His remarks came after Trans Mountain reported its operational and financial results for the first three months of 2025. Since oil started flowing through the expansion in May of last year, 266 crude vessels have been loaded, and third-party information suggests the destinations have been split between the U.S. West Coast and Asia. The expanded pipeline shipped an average of about 757,000 barrels per day during the quarter — below its capacity of 890,000 barrels per day. Maki said if the pipeline were running full, western Canadian heavy crude would see a steeper price discount against the easier-to-refine light crude sold on the global market. That would eat into the margins of Alberta producers. 'You really don't want us 100 per cent full … What's important really is to keep a little bit of slack in the system,' he said. As of now, the supply of crude hasn't caught up with takeaway capacity. 'But when that happens, the crude differential blows out. And so having a little bit of wiggle room is important.' Trans Mountain said there are economical ways to boost the pipeline's capacity if needed, such as adding chemical agents to reduce friction, which would enable more crude to flow through the line. Other options could include adding pumping horsepower or pipe segments. Those projects could together add up to 300,000 barrels per day of capacity. Trans Mountain said quarterly net income was $148 million, down from $158 million a year earlier. Its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization — a measure it says reflects the performance of its underlying business — were $568 million, compared to the $36 million it brought in a year earlier, before the pipeline expansion had started up. During the quarter, $311 million was paid to its parent Canada TMP Finance Ltd., which is itself owned by the Canada Development Investment Corp. That consisted of $148 million in interest payments and $163 million in cash dividends. The original Trans Mountain pipeline has been operating since the 1950s. In 2013, U.S. energy company Kinder Morgan filed a proposal to expand it at a cost of $5.4 billion, touching off a contentious regulatory review process marked by protests and legal challenges. Kinder Morgan suspended work in 2018 and shortly thereafter sold the pipeline to the federal government for $4.5 billion. By the time the expansion project was completed, its cost had ballooned to $34 billion. Maki said there's no hurry to bring Trans Mountain back into private hands. He said the expanded pipeline should get a little more operating history under its belt so a potential buyer can ascribe the proper value to it. A dispute over the tolls customers pay to use the line, currently before the Canada Energy Regulator, also needs to be sorted out, he said. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. There is also interest in potential Indigenous equity ownership in the line — when the time is right. Trans Mountain is in a 'transitional' year where it is starting to pay dividends and is continuing some of the cleanup work from the pipeline construction. Next year will be a 'much more normal' one, Maki said. 'And so really probably at that point and out would make sense to start thinking about that.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 30, 2025.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Rubio lays out detailed plan to restructure State Department to focus on Trump's priorities
The US State Department on Thursday formally told Congress it intends to make sweeping changes to focus on the Trump administration's priorities, including reducing immigration to the US and promoting the administration's worldview, with less emphasis on protecting and promoting human rights across the globe. The proposed overhaul was announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio in April. Thursday's more than 100 page long congressional notification lays out further details on the plan, which includes scores of office closures and mergers, renaming and restructuring offices, and firing staff at the headquarters in Washington, DC. It comes as the US State Department finalizes its plans to subsume the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and amid broader cuts throughout the federal government. 'The plan submitted to Congress was the result of thoughtful and deliberative work by senior Department leadership,' Rubio said in a statement. 'We have taken into account feedback from lawmakers, bureaus, and long-serving employees. The reorganization plan will result in a more agile Department, better equipped to promote America's interests and keep Americans safe across the world.' The congressional notification – a copy of which was obtained by CNN – proposes an increased focus on migration and the border, rather than refugees, at the State Department. The Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration's 'existing migration functions will be consolidated into three new functional offices under a (Deputy Assistant Secretary of State) for Migration Matters.' 'Reflecting core Administration priorities, these offices will be substantially reorganized to shift focus towards supporting the Administration's efforts to return illegal aliens to their country of origin or legal status,' it states. One of those 'functional offices' will be called the Office of Remigration and will be a 'hub for immigration issues and repatriation tracking.' 'It will provide a policy platform for interagency coordination with DHS and other agencies on removals/repatriations, and for intra-agency policy work to advance the President's immigration agenda' and will use State Department funds to 'actively facilitate the voluntary return of migrants to their country of origin or legal status.' Much of the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor 'will be focused on advancing the Administration's affirmative vision of American and Western values' with three offices under a Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy & Western Values, the congressional notification says. One office – the Office of Natural Rights – 'will ground the Department's values-based diplomacy in traditional western conceptions of core freedoms and advance the Department's affirmative vision of civil liberties.' 'For example, the office will build the foundation for criticisms of free speech backsliding in Europe and other developed nations,' it states, noting it will be staffed from the Bureau's eliminated European and Asian offices, as well as its policy planning and public diplomacy office. Another office – the Office of Free Markets and Free Labor – 'will refocus existing international labor policy engagement toward the promotion of free market principles and efforts to ensure that American works compete in a fair and open global labor playing field,' it states. The notification also confirms that USAID's international disaster assistance work will be folded into the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration – a move that has been highly criticized. USAID's disaster assistance response teams were highly trained and would be dispatched immediately in the wake of major disasters around the world. However, as the administration dismantled USAID, it also cut contracts critical to the disaster relief work and sources say folding the functions under the bureau at the State Department further exacerbates the problem. The bureau 'is not prepared with the staffing, systems, or strategy to handle this absorption,' a State Department official focused on foreign aid told CNN. 'Absolutely nothing about this reorg is thoughtful or smart. It signals the end of a lot of functions of the US government that will render us completely irrelevant in a lot of international dynamics,' they said. The notification says the disaster assistance functions will be overseen by a Senate-confirmed Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization, who will report directly to the secretary of state. 'Until a Coordinator is confirmed by the Senate, the Department anticipates the duties and functions of the office to be performed by a former USAID foreign service officer with extensive experience in disaster and humanitarian response,' it states. Notably, the State Department congressional notification says that no workforce cuts 'are planned for locally employed staff or U.S. direct hire personnel posted overseas.' Reports had swirled that locally employed staff could be impacted by the reorganization. However, back in the US, the notification proposes 'reducing the workforce domestically by up to 3,448 personnel from a baseline staffing levels as of May 4, 2025.' That baseline staffing level was listed as 18,730. The proposed reduction includes a 10% cut – 1,873 personnel assigned to domestic offices – 'and up to 1,575 already indicated voluntary departures, such as through employee participation in the Department's two previously offered Deferred Resignation Programs (DRP).' The domestic cuts would not 'impact personnel within Consular Affairs' passport or visa operations, federal DS Special Agents whose responsibilities include an active law enforcement and security role, or personnel assigned to a regional bureau country 'desk.''
