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world news Diamars 6 september 2022

Japan protests to Russia over military exercises with China

TOKYO (AP) — Japan has security strategy and defense
protested to Russia over guidelines to significantly
multinational military ex- bolster its military capabilities
ercises being conducted to reinforce its deterrence.
on Russian-held islands
claimed by Japan, and is After the joint firing exer-
seriously concerned about cise, the warships, including
shooting drills by Russian a Chinese guided missile de-
and Chinese warships off stroyer, a frigate and a supply
Japan's northern coast, an ship and three Russian frig-
official said Monday. ates, crossed the Soya Strait
between the Japanese islands
Beijing has been increasing of Honshu and Hokkaido.
its military cooperation with The Chinese warships had
Moscow, and has been tak- crossed Tsushima Strait in
ing part in the multinational southwestern Japan on Aug.
"Vostok 2020" drills since late 29, the ministry said.
August at a number of loca-
tions in Russia's far east. Japan has repeatedly sought
to regain sovereignty over
Japanese Chief Cabinet Sec- the disputed islands, which
retary Hirokazu Matsuno Moscow seized in the clos-
criticized Russia for holding ing days of World War II. The
exercises on two of the four dispute has prevented the
disputed islands, which Ja- Ministry spotted six Russian Sunday that China partici- Japan has raised concern two countries from signing a
pan calls the Northern Ter- and Chinese warships firing pated in air, ground and naval about growing tensions in peace treaty formally ending
ritories, in the Kuril chain off machine guns into the Sea of exercises as part of the exer- Asia following Russia's inva- their World War II hostilities.
Japan's northernmost main Japan about 190 kilometers cises. It said a Chinese naval sion of Ukraine, fearing that Russia earlier this year an-
island of Hokkaido. It was (118 miles) west of Cape Ka- tactical team conducted joint the war is emboldening Chi- nounced it has suspended
not clear whether China was mui on Hokkaido on Satur- exercises with Russia in the na's already assertive military peace talks with Japan to
part of the exercises on the day. Sea of Japan, including one activities in East Asia, espe- protest Tokyo's sanctions
disputed islands. designed to destroy drifting cially around Taiwan, which against Moscow over its war
China's Ministry of National mines. China claims. Japan is cur- in Ukraine.
He said Japan's Defense Defense said in a statement rently revising its national

OPEC+ makes small trim to world oil supplies as prices fall

FRANKFURT, Germany peaks of over $120 per barrel, taken the upper hand. Econ- to Biden as his Democratic of Russian supply are still
(AP) — OPEC and allied cutting into the windfall for omists in Europe are pencil- Party heads into midterm out there because European
oil-producing countries, OPEC+ countries' coffers ing in a recession at the end elections. sanctions aimed at block-
including Russia, made but proving a blessing for of this year due to skyrock- ing most Russian oil imports
a small trim in their sup- drivers in the U.S. as pump eting inflation fed by energy In June, fears that U.S. and won't take effect until the end
plies to the global econ- prices have eased. costs, while China's severe European sanctions would of the year.
omy Monday, underlin- restrictions aimed at halting take Russian oil off the mar-
ing their unhappiness as The supply cut for October the spread of the coronavirus ket helped push Brent to Other factors are lurking that
recession fears help drive is only a small fraction of have sapped growth in that over $123. Prices have fallen could influence the price of
down crude prices — the 43.8 million barrels per major world economy. sharply in recent weeks as it oil. For one, the Group of
along with the cost of gas- day under OPEC+ produc- became clear that Russia is Seven wealthy democracies
oline, to drivers' delight. tion goals, but wrong-footed Those falling oil prices have still managing to sell signifi- plan to impose a price cap on
several analysts' predictions been a boon to U.S. drivers, cant amounts of oil in Asia, Russian oil aimed at battling
The decision for October of no change in output. Oil sending gasoline prices down albeit at sharply discounted high energy prices and reduc-
rolls back a mostly symbolic prices jumped after the an- to $3.82 per gallon from re- prices. ing oil profits that Russia can
increase of 100,000 barrels nouncement. cord highs of over $5 in June use for its war in Ukraine.
per day in September. It fol- and offering a potential boost But concerns about the loss
lows a statement last month U.S. crude rose 3.3%, to
from Saudi Arabia's energy $89.79 per barrel, while in-
minister that the OPEC+ ternational benchmark Brent
coalition could reduce output was up 3.7%, to $96.50, after
at any time. the decision.
Oil producers such as Saudi The amount of oil per day
Arabia have resisted calls "may seem negligible, but the
from U.S. President Joe message from today's cut is
Biden to pump more oil to clear: OPEC+ thinks they've
lower gasoline prices and fallen enough," Columbia
the burden on consumers. University energy policy ex-
OPEC+ has stuck with only pert Jason Bordoff tweeted.
cautious increases to make
up for deep cuts made during Oil prices have gyrated in re-
the COVID-19 pandemic, cent months: Recession fears
which were finally restored have pushed them down,
in August. while worries of a loss of
Russian oil because of sanc-
Since then, growing wor- tions over its invasion of
ries about slumping future Ukraine pushed them up.
demand have helped send
oil prices down from June Recently, recession fears have