Thursday July 13, 2006 
Thursday July 13, 2006
Crude oil hits $75.89, a new record high
Crude oil rose to a record in New York and London after a report that militants attacked pipelines in Nigeria, closing 120,000 barrels a day of production. Oil for August delivery rose to $75.89 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude oil rose to a record $75.45 a barrel on London's ICE Futures Exchange.
See also :
1. Oil hits record $75.78 on strong demand
2. US crude oil hits $75.40, a new record high
(2006-07-13 16:50:05 SGT)
[Energy]
Permalink
Microsoft and Yahoo are beginning a limited test of plans to make their instant messaging systems work together. The pairing of Microsoft and Yahoo - who compete aggressively in other areas - has been seen as a way to better take on U.S. market leader AOL and perhaps even form a defense against mutual rival Google Inc. Although Google is still a minor player in instant messaging, the two companies have reason to fear the Internet search leader's ever-expanding reach.
The test of the companies' interoperability plans will initially be available only to limited numbers of people who have the latest version of either company's instant messaging products: Windows Live Messenger and Yahoo Messenger with Voice. The functionality is expected to be broadly available by the end of the year.
- And here's a screenshot of ... me talking to myself :
To accomplish this, you must have the very latest Yahoo Messenger 8.0.0.508 beta version, and the very latest Windows Live Messenger 8.0.0792. The Yahoo Messenger user has to sign up here for the beta test activation, and the MSN Messenger user has to sign up here.
See also :
1. Microsoft and Yahoo IM's start talking with each other
(2006-07-13 15:21:46 SGT)
[Tech]
Permalink
Air New Zealand suspends flights to Singapore, Los Angeles
business-times.asia1.com.sg :
Air New Zealand said it was suspending services to Singapore and revamping other long haul services in a bid to improve profitability in the face of soaring fuel prices. The airline said it would also scrap services to Los Angeles, fly smaller aircraft to London and will review some of its Pacific services. The airline's daily services to Singapore would be suspended from Oct 2 because of low traffic, which had seen it incur heavy losses. Singapore Airlines is the only other airline flying directly between the two countries.
Air New Zealand said it will suspend its loss-making daily flights between Auckland and Singapore from October to pursue more profitable destinations. Air New Zealand fills only 30% of capacity on the route. Most passengers travelling from Auckland to Singapore are connecting with other flights to the northern hemisphere. These passengers could be served through flights to Hong Kong, said Ed Sims, Air New Zealand's group general manager for international services.
(2006-07-13 14:06:38 SGT)
[Biz]
Permalink
Iran promises to cover China's energy demand
peakoil.com -> iranian.ws :
Chinese Ambassador to Tehran Leo Jen Tung conferred with the Head of Majlis Energy Commission Kamal Daneshyar on expansion of mutual cooperation on energy sector between the two countries. According to the News Bureau and Public Relations Department of Majlis, at the the meeting, the Majlis representative highlighted deep-rooted ties between Iran and China and voiced the readiness of the Islamic Republic in meeting the energy demands of China on a wide scale.
Concerning the upcoming energy crisis along with increase in demands in the market for import of oil and gas, there would emerge the vital need for establishment of nuclear power plants in the world. China's support of Iran's peaceful nuclear activities would not only defend the country's legitimate rights but also it could be considered as supporting the rights of all humans, he said.
See also :
1. Iran hints may play oil card in nuclear dispute
2. Oil prices jump on Iran energy threat
(2006-07-13 13:48:44 SGT)
[Energy]
Permalink
Russia has the world's largest proven natural gas reserves - though these are largely undeveloped - and significant oil reserves. The economy is heavily reliant on energy exports, with 2005 being a particularly successful year due to high world oil prices. President Vladimir Putin has said that Russia's ambition is to become the world leader in the energy sector.
Oil production grew by 2.7% in 2005 to 9.44m barrels per day (bpd). Russia exports around 5m bpd of crude oil and 100m tonnes of refined products. The gas sector in Russia is dominated by state-owned company Gazprom. Production of natural gas increased by 1.13% in 2005 to 640.634bn cubic metres, while exports increased by 8.04% to 152.478bn cubic metres.
After a 20-year lull following the Chernobyl disaster, Russia announced ambitious plans for new nuclear facilities. Russia is set to increase the proportion of its energy that is nuclear-generated from the current 16% to 25% by 2030 and build at least 40 new reactors.
See also :
1. BBC coverage - G8 in Russia
2. Russia plans atomic energy expansion
(2006-07-13 13:28:24 SGT)
[Energy]
Permalink
G8 ministers voice oil price fear
Rising oil prices and inflation are the key issues that will be addressed by G8 finance ministers as the world's richest nations meet in St Petersburg. According to a draft communique, high and volatile oil prices are a threat to the world economy and they need to be dealt with as a shared responsibility.
Russia's Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin stressed the need for G8 nations to address the issue of energy supplies as oil has surged beyond the $75-a-barrel mark at times this year. Russia, which supplies a quarter of Europe's gas, has repeatedly stressed the importance of energy security during its G8 presidency. However, its own policies have proved controversial ever since the nation's monopoly, Gazprom, cut off supplies to Europe during a pricing dispute with Ukraine.
See also :
1. G8 plan for global nuclear expansion revealed
2. G8 ministers see threat from high energy prices
(2006-07-13 13:14:54 SGT)
[Energy]
Permalink
Most popular blog postings on lowem.log :
1. Singapore MRT rail network length to double by 2020
2. 2010 Nissan Leaf electric car specifications : 107hp, 24KWh lithium-ion batteries, 100-mile range
3. Live spot gold price quotes chart on COMEX
4. 2010 Toyota Prius specifications released : 50 mpg, 1.8L, 134hp, Ni-MH, solar roof option
5. AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 2011 direct download link
6. Real-time live gold and silver price quotes chart on COMEX
7. Singapore electric vehicles : Government agencies EMA and LTA to study EV introduction
8. Book review : Shut Down by William Flynn
Featured articles on lowem.log :
1. Book review : Shut Down by William Flynn
2. Singapore electric cars testing starts with 9 electric vehicles
3. Honda, GS Yuasa JV to make lithium-ion batteries for 2010/2011 Honda Civic Hybrid
4. 2010 Honda Civic Hybrid preliminary specifications released
5. 2010 Honda CR-Z hybrid, 2010 Honda Fit/Jazz hybrid models confirmed
6. 2010 Toyota Prius specifications released : 50 mpg, 1.8L, 134hp, Ni-MH, solar roof option
7. NYMEX crude oil recovers from $32.40 low after 2.2 mbpd OPEC production cut announced
8. Singapore : Nuclear power not ruled out
| search |
|
|
| sponsored links |
|
|
| bookmarks |
|
about
blogroll
sites
quotes
charts
historical |
| navigation |
| decals |
|
| powered by |
|
| hosted by |
|