Tensions are rising between Russia and Azerbaijan. Why is this happening now?
These are among the factors that have led to the escalating tensions between Russia and Azerbaijan, the oil-rich Caspian Sea country where President Ilhan Aliyev has been in power since 2003 — almost as long as the 25-year rule of Vladimir Putin in Russia.
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Winnipeg Free Press
3 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Russia hammers Kyiv in largest missile and drone barrage since war in Ukraine began
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Waves of drone and missile attacks targeted Kyiv overnight into Friday in the largest aerial attack since Russia's war in Ukraine began, injuring 23 people and inflicting damage across multiple districts of the capital. Russia launched 550 drones and missiles across Ukraine overnight, the country's air force said. The majority were Shahed drones, while Russia used 11 missiles in the attack. Throughout the night, Associated Press journalists in Kyiv heard the constant buzzing of drones overhead and the sound of explosions and intense machine gun fire as Ukrainian forces tried to intercept the aerial assault. Kyiv was the primary target of the attack. At least 23 people were injured, with 14 hospitalized, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko. Ukrainian air defenses shot down 270 targets, including two cruise missiles. Another 208 targets were lost from radar and presumed jammed. Russia successfully hit eight locations with nine missiles and 63 drones. Debris from intercepted drones fell across at least 33 sites. The attack came hours after President Donald Trump held a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin and made his first public comments on his administration's decision to pause some shipments of weapons to Ukraine. That decision affects munitions, including Patriot missiles, the AIM-7 Sparrow air-to-air missile and shorter-range Stinger missiles. They are needed to counter incoming missiles and drones, and to bring down Russian aircraft. It's been less than a week since Russia's previous largest aerial assault of the war. Ukraine's air force reported that Russia fired 537 drones, decoys and 60 missiles in that attack. Emergency services reported damage in at least five of the capital's 10 districts. In Solomianskyi district, a five-story residential building was partially destroyed and the roof of a seven-story building caught fire. Fires also broke out at a warehouse, a garage complex and an auto repair facility. In Sviatoshynskyi district, a strike hit a 14-story residential building, sparking a fire. Several vehicles also caught fire nearby. Blazes were also reported at non-residential facilities. In Shevchenkivskyi district, an eight-story building came under attack, with the first floor sustaining damage. Falling debris was recorded in Darnytskyi and Holosiivskyi districts. Ukraine's national railway operator, Ukrzaliznytsia, said drone strikes damaged rail infrastructure in Kyiv.
Japan Forward
8 hours ago
- Japan Forward
Turn to the US for Oil Imports to Ensure Japan's Energy Security
このページを 日本語 で読む Israel and Iran have agreed to a ceasefire. At one point, there was acute concern that Iran might block the Strait of Hormuz, the world's main oil transport artery, and thereby cause energy prices to soar. However, markets soon calmed down. Nevertheless, flashpoints for a new Middle East crisis remain. Japan imports over 95% of its crude oil from the Middle East. Moreover, 80% of tankers bound for Japan pass through the Strait of Hormuz. The recent confrontation between Iran and Israel has once again highlighted the vulnerability of Japan's energy procurement paradigm. Excessive reliance on the Middle East is also an energy security concern. Clearly, Japan needs to diversify its crude oil suppliers and reduce geopolitical risks. Japan began diversifying its sources of crude oil after experiencing the two oil shocks of the 1970s. As a result, Japan's dependence on the Middle East for its oil supplies, which was in the upper 70% range before the oil shocks, temporarily dropped to the 60% range. However, procurement from some oil-producing countries subsequently dropped significantly. For example, there was a decline in production in Indonesia, which had been a major supplier. Instead, as consumption increased with economic development, the country became a net importer of crude oil. The ban on Russian oil imports due to sanctions imposed following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine also led to increased reliance on the Middle East. Amidst these circumstances, Japan is eyeing the United States as a possible source of petroleum. America has become the world's largest crude oil producer, thanks to the shale revolution. Furthermore, the Donald Trump administration is also promoting increased production of fossil fuels. Increasing crude oil imports from the United States, Japan's ally, would definitely contribute to strengthening the nation's energy security. It would also benefit the US, which is pursuing high tariff policies in an attempt to reduce its trade deficit. A North American LNG terminal in Kitimat, British Columbia, western Canada (Photo courtesy of Mitsubishi Corporation) Currently, due to several reasons related to procurement costs, imports of American crude oil account for only about 2% of Japan's oil needs. These include the fact that Japan's refineries are equipped to process Mideast crude, and transport times from the US are longer. That means the government should also consider providing subsidies to cover the increase in procurement costs. In response to the 1973 oil shock, Japan enacted the Oil Stockpiling Act in 1975. That law requires oil stockpiling in case of emergencies such as an overseas emergency that severs the supply line for oil imports. Disruption of the supply of crude oil from the Middle East would have an immeasurable impact on the Japanese economy and people's lives. We must prepare for such a Middle East emergency not only by stockpiling oil but also by diversifying our crude oil procurement sources. Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun このページを 日本語 で読む
Global News
11 hours ago
- Global News
Russia won't back down in Ukraine war, Kremlin says after Trump-Putin call
U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed Iran, Ukraine and other issues on Thursday in a 'frank and constructive' phone call, the Kremlin said, in their sixth publicly disclosed chat since Trump returned to the White House. While discussing the situation around Iran and in the broader Middle East, Putin emphasized the need to resolve all differences 'exclusively by political and diplomatic means,' said Yuri Ushakov, his foreign affairs adviser. The leaders agreed that Russian and U.S. officials will maintain contacts on the issue, he added. The United States struck three sites in Iran on June 22, inserting itself into Israel's war aimed at destroying Tehran's nuclear program. On the conflict in Ukraine, Ushakov said Trump emphasized his push for a quick halt to the fighting, and Putin voiced Moscow's readiness to pursue talks with Kyiv, noting the previous rounds in Turkey yielded humanitarian results. Story continues below advertisement At the same time, the Russian leader emphasized that Moscow will seek to achieve its goals in Ukraine and remove the 'root causes' of the conflict, Ushakov said. 'Russia will not back down from these goals,' Ushakov told reporters after the call. 3:02 Putin says 'the whole of Ukraine is ours' in theory, may take city of Sumy Putin has argued he sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022 to fend off a threat to Russia posed by Ukraine's push to join NATO and protect Russian speakers in Ukraine — arguments rejected by Kyiv and its allies. He insisted that any prospective peace deal must see Ukraine abandon its NATO bid and recognize Russia's territorial gains. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Thursday's call follows the Pentagon's confirmation that it's pausing shipment of some weapons to Ukraine as it reviews U.S. military stockpiles. The weapons being held up for Ukraine include air defense missiles, precision-guided artillery and other equipment. Story continues below advertisement The details on the weapons in some of the paused deliveries were confirmed by a U.S. official and former national security official familiar with the matter. They both requested anonymity to discuss what is being held up as the Pentagon has yet to provide details. Ushakov said a suspension of some U.S. weapons shipments to Ukraine wasn't discussed in the Trump-Putin call. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in Denmark after meeting with major European Union backers that he may talk to Trump in the coming days about the suspension of U.S. weapons deliveries. 'I hope that maybe tomorrow, or close days, these days, I will speak about it with President Trump,' he said. Asked about his expectations from the Trump-Putin call, he said that 'I'm not sure that they have a lot of common ideas, common topics to talk (about), because they are very different people.' The previous publicly known call between Trump and Putin came June 14, a day after Israel attacked Iran. 1:05 Putin condemns Israel strikes on Iran in phone call with Trump: Kremlin The resumed contacts between Trump and Putin appeared to reflect both leaders' interest in mending U.S.-Russian ties that have plummeted to their lowest point since the Cold War amid the conflict in Ukraine. Story continues below advertisement Ushakov said Trump told Putin about his $4.5 trillion tax breaks and spending cuts bill, and the Russian leader wished him success in pursuing his plans and also congratulated the U.S. on the Independence Day holiday. The Kremlin adviser noted the leaders also discussed developments in Syria and expressed interest in pursuing bilateral projects in the energy sector and space exploration, during what he described as 'frank, businesslike and concrete conversation.' Ushakov added that Putin even suggested that the U.S. and Russia could exchange movies promoting 'traditional values shared by us and the Trump administration.' On Tuesday, Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron held their first direct telephone call in almost three years. Associated Press writers Aamer Madhani in Washington and Lorne Cook in Aarhus, Denmark, contributed.
