Libya's parliament speaker warns of oil blockade
The speaker of Libya's eastern-based parliament has warned of a possible oil blockade over an attempt to replace the central bank governor.
"Replacing the governor in the current situation may result in shutting down oil and stopping the transfer of its revenues to the central bank," said Aguila Saleh, whose parliament is supported by eastern-based general Khalifa Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA).
The LNA has imposed several politically motivated oil blockades in the past few years, which have wiped out huge chunks of Libya's nominal 1.2mn b/d of crude production. The LNA ordered the shutdown of the El Sharara field earlier this month, resulting in around 250,000 b/d being shut in. Libya's current output is around 1mn b/d.
Libya's Tripoli-based Presidential Council issued an order on 18 August to replace central bank governor Sadiq al-Kabir, who has resisted efforts to remove him. Libya's oil export revenues flow into the central bank, making it one of the country's most powerful institutions.
The UN's Libya mission on 22 August called for the dispute to be resolved peacefully. The mission "expresses grave concerns about reports of mobilisation of forces in Tripoli, including the threats to use force to resolve the crisis surrounding the Central Bank of Libya," it said.
Libya is politically fragmented, with armed groups propping up rival administrations in the east and west. The move against al-Kabir threatens to destabilise a fragile peace that has held since 2020, when eastern and western based military forces reached a ceasefire agreement.
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Union plans new rail strike despite arbitration order
Union plans new rail strike despite arbitration order
Washington, 23 August (Argus) — The status of rail freight in Canada remains uncertain after a Canadian labor union today issued a new strike notice to Canadian National (CN), less than a day after the federal government forced all parties to participate in binding arbitration. The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) today issued notice to CN that members will go on strike at 10am ET on 26 August. The union had not issued a strike notice to CN earlier this week, but employees could not work yesterday after the CN and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) locked them out. "We do not believe that any of the matters we have been discussing over the last several days are insurmountable," the union said today in its notice to CN. It said it would be available to discuss issues to avoid another work stoppage. CN indicated it was frustrated with the union's action. "While CN is focused on its recovery plan to get back to powering the economy, the Teamsters are focused on returning to the picket line and holding the country hostage to their demands," the railroad said. CN last night had begun implementing a recovery plan to restore service . The union has not yet responded to inquiries about its action today. The office of labour minister Steven MacKinnon declined to comment. Rail operations at CN and CP stopped at 12:01am ET on Thursday after the union launched a strike at CPKC and both railroads locked out employees. That action ended late Thursday afternoon with the federal government directing the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to manage binding arbitration on the railroads. CIRB, an independent agency, has not yet said if it will accept the government's order. CN began moving some freight early on 23 August, but the new strike order issued soon by the union today could disrupt those plans. The union has also challenged the constitutionality of MacKinnon's order regarding CPKC operations pending the outcome of a new ruling by the CIRB. CPKC's rail fleet remains parked in the meantime. CPKC said late Thursday it was disappointed in the minister's decision and sought to meet with CIRB to discuss resumption of service. CPKC said the union "refused to discuss any resumption of service, and instead indicated that they wish to make submissions to challenge the constitutionality of the Minister's direction." A case management meeting with CIRB occurred last night and another was scheduled for early today. By Abby Caplan Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Court endorses Maduro win amid warnings, violence
Court endorses Maduro win amid warnings, violence
Caracas, 23 August (Argus) — Venezuela's supreme court validated the reelection of President Nicolas Maduro to a third six-year term, maintaining he is the victor of the polemic 28 July vote. The court did not present any electoral material, ballots or tallies to support the claim, and no experts offered testimony. "This chamber declares ... the validity of the electoral material surveyed and validates the results of the presidential election," court chief justice Caryslia Rodriguez said. She also declared presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez to be in contempt of court for not attending the proceedings. Rodriguez's announcement came two hours after a UN mission questioned the official results. "We warn about the lack of independence and impartiality of the supreme court of justice and the national electoral council of Venezuela, which have played a role within the repressive machinery of the state," the UN fact-finding mission on Venezuela posted on social media. Gonzalez has produced electoral material, including tallies printed by voting machines and signed by witnesses on election day, giving him the victory by almost 70pc to 30pc. The "actas," as the tallies are known in Venezuela, were validated by several independent parties, including the Carter Center, the UN and the Organization of American states. The CNE electoral agency has also failed to present any of the other sets of these documents. Audits were never conducted. The Maduro government confirmed this week that 27 Venezuelans were killed in post-electoral violence, for which it blamed the opposition. Human rights non-government organization Provea said the bulk of the violence came from police and the military. Six anti-Maduro demonstrators were killed on 29 July near an army base. By Carlos Camacho Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Canada rail strike ends by forced arbitration: Update
Canada rail strike ends by forced arbitration: Update
Adds comments from railroads, Canadian Propane Association and background. Calgary, 22 August (Argus) — A Canadian rail strike that started early Thursday morning will be short-lived as the federal government stepped in to force the union and two railroads into binding arbitration. The federal government is now directing the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to "assist the parties in settling the outstanding terms of their collective agreements by imposing final binding arbitration," labour minister Steven MacKinnon said Thursday. At 12:01am ET today, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) and Canadian National (CN) locked out union members, while the Teamsters Canada Rail conference launched a strike at CPKC . The work stoppage froze ongoing train shipments, even if they have not yet reached their destinations. CN ended its lockout at 6pm ET and initiated its service recovery plan. CN said it is satisfied that the labour action has ended, but it is "disappointed that a negotiated deal could not be achieved at the bargaining table despite its best efforts." CPKC said it would restart operations once it receives orders from CIRB. "Our teams are already preparing for the safe and orderly resumption of our rail network and further details about timing will be provided once we receive the CIRB's order," CPKC said. CPKC chief executive Keith Creel said the railroad regrets that the government had to intervene because he believes in and respects collective bargaining, but "given the stakes for all involved this situation required action." Though the work stoppage lasted less than a day, it may take weeks for rail operations to return to normal. The Canadian railroads last week embargoed shipments of toxic materials and earlier this week stopped loading any new railcars. Instead it focused on delivering already-loaded trains to their destination. Shippers across North America feared the impact of the work stoppages. The Canadian Propane Association today said that for each day that propane is not delivered, there is a sales loss of C$9.82mn and that would rise to $75.2mn after seven days. Labour minister MacKinnon has the authority under section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to mandate the sides return to the bargaining table, a tool the federal government was reluctant to use until now. By Brett Holmes and Abby Caplan Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Canada rail strike stopped by forced arbitration
Canada rail strike stopped by forced arbitration
Calgary, 22 August (Argus) — A Canadian rail strike that started early Thursday morning will be short-lived as the federal government stepped in to force the union and two railroads into binding arbitration. The federal government is now directing the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to "assist the parties in settling the outstanding terms of their collective agreements by imposing final binding arbitration," labour minister Steven MacKinnon said Thursday. The minister has the authority under section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to mandate the sides return to the bargaining table, a tool the federal government was reluctant to use until now. Operations for Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) and Canadian National (CN) stopped at 12:01am ET Thursday when they could not reach agreements over contract terms with the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC). Operations will resume at the railroads during arbitration. By Brett Holmes Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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