Headline: US Oil Production at Current Prices Peaks – Sechin
US oil production at current prices has probably reached its peak, Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin said at the Energy Panel of the XXVIII St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
Delivering a keynote speech, the CEO called the energy policy initially announced by the new US administration promising. However, most of these goals have not yet been achieved: tariff wars have led to a drop in oil prices, while taxes for the oil industry remain at the same level and interest rates have not been reduced. Given this backdrop, the number of active drilling rigs has fallen 9% to 439 over the past two months and oil production growth has stalled. In less than a year, the U.S. Department of Energy has lowered its forecast for U.S. oil production by the end of 2025 by 400 thousand barrels per day.
“At current prices, the USA oil production appears to have peaked,” Sechin said, noting that Diamondback Energy and ConocoPhillips recently voiced this opinion. And Liberty Energy, an oilfield services company founded by U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, expects a significant slowdown in drilling activity in the second half of this year, which should lead to a reduction in the U.S. drilling fleet by about 10% more. “Not surprisingly, against this backdrop, many shale players have already started cutting investments,” said Rosneft’s CEO.
He noted that the sharp drop in oil prices this year has already led to a revision of investment plans. According to the IEA’s latest estimate, this year, for the first time in five years, global investments in oil exploration and production will drop by 6%, while in the U.S. the drop will amount to about 10%. “I think this is just the beginning,” the CEO of Rosneft remarked.
“The new head of the US Treasury Department, Scott Bessent, has repeatedly stated that the success of Trump’s second presidential term requires oil production growth in the US in the amount of three million barrels per day. This is part of a so-called “3-3-3 Plan” which also envisages cutting the US budget deficit down to 3% of GDP and reaching 3% of GDP increase,” Igor Sechin reminded.
The CEO of the Company also asks the question, what difference does it make for the US market where these barrels will come from? “Quite possibly, those may be barrels produced in OPEC+ countries. Since late last year the alliance has consistently reiterated the need to ramp up production due to changes in consumption,” Sechin said.
The CEO also noted that in addition to the interest of states, the interests of shareholders should be taken into account. Low oil prices in the current period do not allow many companies to maintain the same level of dividend payments and share buybacks, said the CEO of Rosneft. According to Rystad Energy experts, which Sechin cited, if the oil majors maintain their payments to shareholders, they will have to almost completely abandon investments or significantly increase their debt as early as this year.
“The fall in prices has already started to affect the major players. BP and Chevron will reduce share buybacks by almost 60% and 30%, respectively , while Aramco has to build up debt to be able to pay dividends,” the CEO said.
Department of Information and Advertising Rosneft Oil Company June 21, 2025
Headline: US Oil Production at Current Prices Peaks – Sechin
US oil production at current prices has probably reached its peak, Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin said at the Energy Panel of the XXVIII St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
Delivering a keynote speech, the CEO called the energy policy initially announced by the new US administration promising. However, most of these goals have not yet been achieved: tariff wars have led to a drop in oil prices, while taxes for the oil industry remain at the same level and interest rates have not been reduced. Given this backdrop, the number of active drilling rigs has fallen 9% to 439 over the past two months and oil production growth has stalled. In less than a year, the U.S. Department of Energy has lowered its forecast for U.S. oil production by the end of 2025 by 400 thousand barrels per day.
“At current prices, the USA oil production appears to have peaked,” Sechin said, noting that Diamondback Energy and ConocoPhillips recently voiced this opinion. And Liberty Energy, an oilfield services company founded by U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, expects a significant slowdown in drilling activity in the second half of this year, which should lead to a reduction in the U.S. drilling fleet by about 10% more. “Not surprisingly, against this backdrop, many shale players have already started cutting investments,” said Rosneft’s CEO.
He noted that the sharp drop in oil prices this year has already led to a revision of investment plans. According to the IEA’s latest estimate, this year, for the first time in five years, global investments in oil exploration and production will drop by 6%, while in the U.S. the drop will amount to about 10%. “I think this is just the beginning,” the CEO of Rosneft remarked.
“The new head of the US Treasury Department, Scott Bessent, has repeatedly stated that the success of Trump’s second presidential term requires oil production growth in the US in the amount of three million barrels per day. This is part of a so-called “3-3-3 Plan” which also envisages cutting the US budget deficit down to 3% of GDP and reaching 3% of GDP increase,” Igor Sechin reminded.
The CEO of the Company also asks the question, what difference does it make for the US market where these barrels will come from? “Quite possibly, those may be barrels produced in OPEC+ countries. Since late last year the alliance has consistently reiterated the need to ramp up production due to changes in consumption,” Sechin said.
The CEO also noted that in addition to the interest of states, the interests of shareholders should be taken into account. Low oil prices in the current period do not allow many companies to maintain the same level of dividend payments and share buybacks, said the CEO of Rosneft. According to Rystad Energy experts, which Sechin cited, if the oil majors maintain their payments to shareholders, they will have to almost completely abandon investments or significantly increase their debt as early as this year.
“The fall in prices has already started to affect the major players. BP and Chevron will reduce share buybacks by almost 60% and 30%, respectively , while Aramco has to build up debt to be able to pay dividends,” the CEO said.
Department of Information and Advertising Rosneft Oil Company June 21, 2025
Headline: OPEC+ Decision on Production Growth Justified, Oil Reserves at Minimum Level – Rosneft CEO
Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin called decision by OPEC+ to forcefully increase oil production justified and far-sighted.
During his keynote speech at the Energy Panel of the XXVIII St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Sechin noted that the announced increase in production since May this year is three times higher than the alliance’s original plan. In addition, the entire OPEC+ production increase could be pushed back a year ahead of plan.
“The decision of OPEC leaders to boost production appears today a very forward-looking and, a justified one from the market standpoint, given the consumers’ interest in light of uncertainty pertaining to the scope of the Iran-Israel conflict,” the CEO said.
At the same time, Sechin noted, “Despite the announced production growth, there can be no question of an oil excess in the market in the long run” as “world oil reserves are now at their lowest levels in five years”.
“Low oil prices suit consumers in the US, where the inflation-adjusted price of gasoline has already returned to 2019 levels. It is no coincidence that this is happening against the backdrop of the White House’s intensified Middle East policy and the conclusion of a number of agreements with key countries in the region”, – said the CEO of Rosneft.
Department of Information and Advertising Rosneft Oil Company June 21, 2025
Headline: OPEC+ Decision on Production Growth Justified, Oil Reserves at Minimum Level – Rosneft CEO
Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin called decision by OPEC+ to forcefully increase oil production justified and far-sighted.
During his keynote speech at the Energy Panel of the XXVIII St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Sechin noted that the announced increase in production since May this year is three times higher than the alliance’s original plan. In addition, the entire OPEC+ production increase could be pushed back a year ahead of plan.
“The decision of OPEC leaders to boost production appears today a very forward-looking and, a justified one from the market standpoint, given the consumers’ interest in light of uncertainty pertaining to the scope of the Iran-Israel conflict,” the CEO said.
At the same time, Sechin noted, “Despite the announced production growth, there can be no question of an oil excess in the market in the long run” as “world oil reserves are now at their lowest levels in five years”.
“Low oil prices suit consumers in the US, where the inflation-adjusted price of gasoline has already returned to 2019 levels. It is no coincidence that this is happening against the backdrop of the White House’s intensified Middle East policy and the conclusion of a number of agreements with key countries in the region”, – said the CEO of Rosneft.
Department of Information and Advertising Rosneft Oil Company June 21, 2025
President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday participated in a mass yoga demonstration at the Uttarakhand State Police Line Maidan in Dehradun to mark the 10th International Day of Yoga, joining thousands across the globe in celebrating the ancient Indian tradition.
Addressing participants after the session, the President extended her greetings to all those practising yoga worldwide. Reflecting on the global recognition of yoga since the United Nations designated June 21 as International Yoga Day in 2015, President Murmu described yoga as a shared heritage of humanity and an example of India’s growing soft power.
“Yoga is not just about physical fitness, it is the art of living a healthy and balanced life,” the President said, adding that its practice contributes to the well-being of not just individuals, but also families, societies, and nations. “When a person is healthy, the family tends to remain healthy. When the family and society remain healthy, the country remains healthy.”
President Murmu also underscored the deeper meaning of yoga, noting that the word itself means ‘to connect’. “The practice of yoga connects the body, mind, and soul of a person and promotes overall health. But it also fosters connection among individuals, communities, and even countries,” she said.
Emphasising the preventive benefits of yoga, the President referred to the commonly accepted notion that prevention is better than cure, and urged people to adopt yoga as a daily discipline. “Yoga is very useful in prevention. I urge all to make it an integral part of life and inspire others to do the same,” she said.
The mass demonstration in Dehradun was part of a nationwide celebration that saw citizens from all walks of life participating in yoga sessions at schools, public parks, and cultural institutions. This year’s theme, ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health’, aligns with India’s ongoing efforts to promote holistic wellness at both the individual and collective levels.
CPC Central Committee Hong Kong & Macao Work Office Director and State Council Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office Director Xia Baolong today attended the 5th Anniversary of Promulgation & Implementation of Hong Kong National Security Law Forum and visited the National Security Exhibition Gallery in Hong Kong.
In the morning, Mr Xia attended the forum held at the Convention & Exhibition Centre and delivered a keynote speech. Chief Executive John Lee also gave a keynote address at the forum.
Organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, the forum aimed to review and preview the development of Hong Kong’s legal system in safeguarding national security, and enhance the understanding and awareness of various sectors of the community regarding the protection of national security.
Mr Xia, accompanied by Mr Lee, then visited the National Security Exhibition Gallery at the Museum of History to view the 5th Anniversary of Promulgation & Implementation of Hong Kong National Security Law Thematic Exhibition.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Legal experts, academics and young leaders participate in afternoon session of 5th Anniversary of Promulgation & Implementation of Hong Kong National Security Law Forum In the afternoon session of the Forum, Mr Lam said in his welcome remarks that the most important direction for safeguarding national security in the future is to balance the relation between security and development, strictly adhering to the principle of rule of law and the requirements of respecting and protecting human rights and freedoms set out in Articles 4 and 5 of the HKNSL. This, he said, would enable members of the public to study, work and live with peace of mind and unite to seek breakthroughs and changes, overcoming various challenges to consolidate Hong Kong’s status as an international centre in several areas and encouraging people from abroad to be willing and eager to come to Hong Kong for their development.
The Director of the Research Office of the HKSAR Basic Law Committee and Macao Special Administrative Region Basic Law Committee of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, Mr Yang Zhaoye, delivered a keynote speech in which he examined the significance and remarkable achievements of the implementation of the HKNSL over the past five years, as well as its key role in safeguarding Hong Kong’s prosperity, stability and people’s livelihood.
There were two panel sessions in the Forum. With the theme of “The legal great wall for refining and safeguarding national security”, legal experts and academics reviewed in the first session the legislative intent and background of the HKNSL. They also had an in-depth discussion on how national security is effectively safeguarded under the compatibility and complementary of the laws including the HKNSL and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, and looked ahead to the future development of the HKSAR’s legal system for safeguarding national security.
In the second session, titled “An arduous and important journey – our youth sharing the mission to safeguard national security”, Mr Lam engaged with young leaders from various sectors to explore the vital role of young people in safeguarding national security, and envisage further joint endeavours between the Government and the community in enhancing legal literacy. This, he said, would better jointly promote the concepts of “security brings prosperity” and “respecting and observing the law”, and have them rooted in the community, enabling members of the public to identify themselves closely with the harmony and stability brought about by national security, making “being patriotic and loving Hong Kong” a mainstream value among the city’s younger generation.
Concluding the Forum, the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, said that today’s Forum aimed to provide an in-depth and broad discussion loaded with insights and humour. He added that the number of young attendees of the Forum was believed to be the highest in the history of national security legal forums held by the Department of Justice. He said that safeguarding national security is the responsibility of every generation and must be passed from generation to generation. Dr Cheung also emphasised that Hong Kong has built legal protection measures for safeguarding national security, and that Hong Kong’s future will be bright as long as the city remains vigilant at all times, seizing the opportunity to integrate into the national development and deepening international exchanges and co-operation. Issued at HKT 22:40
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, June 21 (Xinhua) — Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will pay an official visit to China from June 22 to 26 at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
Lawrence Wong was born in December 1972. He was elected to the Singapore Parliament in 2011 and has served successively as Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, Minister for National Development, Minister for Education and Minister for Finance.
In 2022, the politician took up the post of Deputy Prime Minister, simultaneously serving as Minister of Finance. In May 2024, he became Prime Minister, retaining the post of head of the Ministry of Finance, and in May 2025, he began his second term in this post. –0–
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
JERUSALEM, June 21 (Xinhua) — Iran launched 10 drones toward Israel on Saturday morning, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said.
One of the drones hit a two-story residential building in the northern Israeli city of Beit She’an, causing significant damage but no one was hurt, Israel’s Magen David Adom national health service said.
Another drone crashed in an open area in the Negev Desert in southern Israel, causing no casualties. The IDF said the remaining eight UAVs were intercepted by Israeli air defenses.
Earlier on Saturday, five rockets were fired from Iran before dawn towards central Israel.
All rockets were intercepted by the Israeli Air Force, and there were no reports of casualties, the IDF said.
According to Magen David Adom, a fallen fragment of an intercepted drone caused a fire in a residential building in Tel Aviv. –0–
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
KABUL, June 21 (Xinhua) — A total of 1,247 Afghan refugee families returned home from neighboring Iran and Pakistan on Friday, state-run Bakhtar News Agency reported Saturday.
All returnees were reportedly provided with necessary assistance by government agencies at checkpoints before leaving for their home provinces.
Hundreds of Afghans are returning home every day since Pakistan and Iran began deporting foreign nationals living illegally on their soil.
About seven million Afghan refugees live abroad. Two million refugees, mostly from neighboring Pakistan and Iran, are believed to have returned to Afghanistan in the past year. Host countries are pressuring undocumented refugees to return home. –0–
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
TEHRAN, June 21 (Xinhua) — Israeli strikes have killed more than 400 Iranians and injured 3,056 in the past nine days, Health Ministry public relations chief Hossein Kermanpour said on Saturday.
“Among the injured, 2,220 people received treatment and were discharged from the Ministry of Health hospitals, and 232 people were provided outpatient care on the spot,” H. Kermanpour reported on the social network X.
The official said most of the victims in the Israeli strikes were civilians, with 54 of the dead being women and children. –0–
Premier David Eby has issued the following statement celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day:
“Today, people throughout the province and country are coming together to celebrate the rich cultures and many contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples.
“Indigenous Peoples have stewarded the lands and waters of this country for millennia. They have made important contributions to all areas of civic life, from arts and culture to science and law. They continue to create positive change in their communities and beyond. And they have done it all while healing from past harms.
“National Indigenous Peoples Day is an opportunity to honour this strength, bravery and resilience. It is an invitation to learn more about the past, present and future of Indigenous Peoples. And it is a call to action to stand up against Indigenous-specific racism, including residential school denialism. We all have a role to play.
“Our government is committed to working toward a future rooted in reconciliation, respect and the recognition of Indigenous rights.
“In partnership with Indigenous Peoples, our government continues to lead Canada in our work to implement the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. We are also working together to advance shared priorities, such as improving access to health care, building more homes and growing a stronger, more diversified economy.
“Today is also the summer solstice, which holds cultural significance for Indigenous Peoples who welcome the longest day of the year with traditional ceremonies and celebrations. Many Indigenous communities generously invite neighbouring communities to join them on this special day. From festivals and powwows to films and art exhibits, there are many family-friendly events to enjoy throughout the province.
“As we celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day, I encourage everyone to take the opportunity to get out in their community and learn about the Indigenous Peoples who call it home. Today, as we enjoy the most daylight of the year, we can all help build a brighter future for everyone.”
Christine Boyle, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, said:
“On this National Indigenous Peoples Day, we honour the many ways in which the leadership of Indigenous Peoples continues to shape B.C. for the better. From the celebrations at Royal Roads University on Vancouver Island to the community event at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park in Prince George to the block party at the Carnegie Community Centre in Vancouver, let’s come together in celebration and reflection. Today, let’s ask ourselves what each of us can do to advance, collectively, in a good way, now and for future generations.”
OTTAWA – ancestral land of the Algonquin People, June 21, 2025
The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages; the Honourable Rebecca Alty, Minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations; the Honourable Mandy Gull-Masty, Minister of Indigenous Services; and the Honourable Rebecca Chartrand, Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, issued the following statement:
“Today, on National Indigenous Peoples Day, we recognize and celebrate the diverse languages, cultures, histories and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis across Canada. Coinciding with the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, this day holds deep significance for many Indigenous communities and is a moment to honour Indigenous leadership, knowledge, traditions and ways of being.
Reconciliation is not just about acknowledging the past; it is about acting in the present and shaping a better future, together. It means renewing the relationship between Indigenous Peoples and non-Indigenous Canadians, built on respect, truth and partnership.
Our government is committed to being a partner to Indigenous peoples and to supporting their full participation in economic opportunities that will benefit current and future generations, as Indigenous equity and leadership will be pivotal in building a strong Canadian economy.
As we mark this day, we invite everyone in Canada to take part in Indigenous-led events and celebrations happening from coast to coast to coast. Whether through ceremony, art, language or food, these experiences are an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the lands we live on and the peoples who have called them home since time immemorial.
Canada’s strength is rooted in the distinct histories and identities of its peoples, and First Nations, Inuit and Métis voices, rights and worldviews are central to building a stronger, more united Canada—and to shaping our shared future with strength, pride and resilience.
Headline: China Moves Towards Full Energy Independence to Become Major Energy Exporter – Rosneft CEO
China is moving towards full energy independence and will turn from an importer to a major energy exporter in the foreseeable future, Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin said in his report at the Energy Panel of the XXVIII St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
He noted that China is a unique example of a competent approach to energy system development – the country now accounts for a third of the world’s investments in the energy sector.
“In my opinion, China, which has already ensured its energy security, is confidently moving towards complete energy independence, forming a stable energy balance based on its own resources. There is no doubt, taking into account the persistence and professionalism of the Chinese comrades, that in the foreseeable future they will achieve the desired result, which will turn China from an importer of energy resources into a major energy exporter,” said the CEO of Rosneft.
According to Igor Sechin, in recent years it is in China that the largest amount of new renewable energy capacity has been commissioned and more than 70% of the world’s capacity for the production of equipment for the “green” economy is located. This applies to the entire value chain: from critical minerals to the production of high-tech equipment that has no analogues in Western countries.
Rosneft’s CEO also noted China’s efforts in increasing investments in related infrastructure: investments in power grids increased by 15% last year and may double this year. “investments in rechargeable batteries have grown almost fivefold to $11 billion. As of today, the total capacity of such batteries in China exceeds 35 GW , which amounts to two-thirds of the entire global capacity,” Igor Sechin said.
At the same time, China has never given up fossil fuels. Over the last five years, the country has outpaced the rest of the world in terms of commissioning new coal-fired generation capacity. “Today, coal accounts for almost 60% of China’s electricity generation. Last year alone, China issued permits for about 100 gigawatts of new coal-fired power generation, the highest in a decade, which should strengthen coal’s role in the grid,” emphasized the CEO of Rosneft.
China’s efforts to strengthen its own energy security have drawn a barrage of criticism, often disguised as concern for the environment. “As the outstanding Chinese strategist and thinker Sun Tzu aptly noted two and a half thousand years ago: ‘The more brilliant your plan, the fewer people will agree with it,’” the Rosneft CEO added.
According to Sechin, China’s coordinated approach to energy security is particularly clear from the example of electric cars. The growth of their sales led to a significant slowdown in demand for motor fuel last year, and “the continuation of this trend may have a significant reversing effect on the balance of the oil market”.
An important part of China’s strategy to reduce its dependence on energy imports is the processing of coal into synthetic fuels and chemical products. “Chinese companies are investing billions of dollars in the development of this industry. According to experts, today in China 40 million tons of coal is used to produce synthetic fuels and more than 260 mln tons for ammonia and methanol production,” Igor Sechin concluded.
Department of Information and Advertising Rosneft Oil Company June 21, 2025
Headline: China Moves Towards Full Energy Independence to Become Major Energy Exporter – Rosneft CEO
China is moving towards full energy independence and will turn from an importer to a major energy exporter in the foreseeable future, Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin said in his report at the Energy Panel of the XXVIII St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
He noted that China is a unique example of a competent approach to energy system development – the country now accounts for a third of the world’s investments in the energy sector.
“In my opinion, China, which has already ensured its energy security, is confidently moving towards complete energy independence, forming a stable energy balance based on its own resources. There is no doubt, taking into account the persistence and professionalism of the Chinese comrades, that in the foreseeable future they will achieve the desired result, which will turn China from an importer of energy resources into a major energy exporter,” said the CEO of Rosneft.
According to Igor Sechin, in recent years it is in China that the largest amount of new renewable energy capacity has been commissioned and more than 70% of the world’s capacity for the production of equipment for the “green” economy is located. This applies to the entire value chain: from critical minerals to the production of high-tech equipment that has no analogues in Western countries.
Rosneft’s CEO also noted China’s efforts in increasing investments in related infrastructure: investments in power grids increased by 15% last year and may double this year. “investments in rechargeable batteries have grown almost fivefold to $11 billion. As of today, the total capacity of such batteries in China exceeds 35 GW , which amounts to two-thirds of the entire global capacity,” Igor Sechin said.
At the same time, China has never given up fossil fuels. Over the last five years, the country has outpaced the rest of the world in terms of commissioning new coal-fired generation capacity. “Today, coal accounts for almost 60% of China’s electricity generation. Last year alone, China issued permits for about 100 gigawatts of new coal-fired power generation, the highest in a decade, which should strengthen coal’s role in the grid,” emphasized the CEO of Rosneft.
China’s efforts to strengthen its own energy security have drawn a barrage of criticism, often disguised as concern for the environment. “As the outstanding Chinese strategist and thinker Sun Tzu aptly noted two and a half thousand years ago: ‘The more brilliant your plan, the fewer people will agree with it,’” the Rosneft CEO added.
According to Sechin, China’s coordinated approach to energy security is particularly clear from the example of electric cars. The growth of their sales led to a significant slowdown in demand for motor fuel last year, and “the continuation of this trend may have a significant reversing effect on the balance of the oil market”.
An important part of China’s strategy to reduce its dependence on energy imports is the processing of coal into synthetic fuels and chemical products. “Chinese companies are investing billions of dollars in the development of this industry. According to experts, today in China 40 million tons of coal is used to produce synthetic fuels and more than 260 mln tons for ammonia and methanol production,” Igor Sechin concluded.
Department of Information and Advertising Rosneft Oil Company June 21, 2025
Headline: Rosneft Finalizes Development of GTL Technology, Plans Introduction in Taimyr Project – Sechin
Igor Sechin, Chief Executive Officer of Rosneft, speaking at the Energy Panel at the XXVIII St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, said that the Company has completed the development of proprietary technologies and catalysts throughout the entire chain of the GTL* process using Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.
“I would also like to inform that Rosneft has completed the development of proprietary technologies and catalysts throughout the entire chain of the GTL process using Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. All stages of the technological process are covered by respective patents. We plan to introduce this technology in Taimyr,” Igor Sechin said.
The CEO of the Company demonstrated to the participants of the energy panel a flask with the obtained fuel, noting that it is synthetic oil consisting of the purest hydrocarbon molecules, with zero sulfur content. “To anyone who is interested, we are ready to provide samples,” he added, addressing the participants and audience of the Energy Panel.
Speaking about the importance of such fuel, Igor Sechin cited the example of China, where an important part of the strategy to reduce dependence on energy imports is the processing of coal into synthetic fuels and chemical products. “Chinese companies are investing billions of dollars in the development of this industry. According to experts, today in China 40 million tons of coal is used to produce synthetic fuels and more than 260 mln tons for ammonia and methanol production,” Igor Sechin emphasized.
* GTL or Gas-to-Liquid is a technology for converting natural gas into high quality liquid hydrocarbons such as diesel fuel, gasoline, and others.
Department of Information and Advertising Rosneft Oil Company June 21, 2025
Headline: Rosneft Finalizes Development of GTL Technology, Plans Introduction in Taimyr Project – Sechin
Igor Sechin, Chief Executive Officer of Rosneft, speaking at the Energy Panel at the XXVIII St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, said that the Company has completed the development of proprietary technologies and catalysts throughout the entire chain of the GTL* process using Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.
“I would also like to inform that Rosneft has completed the development of proprietary technologies and catalysts throughout the entire chain of the GTL process using Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. All stages of the technological process are covered by respective patents. We plan to introduce this technology in Taimyr,” Igor Sechin said.
The CEO of the Company demonstrated to the participants of the energy panel a flask with the obtained fuel, noting that it is synthetic oil consisting of the purest hydrocarbon molecules, with zero sulfur content. “To anyone who is interested, we are ready to provide samples,” he added, addressing the participants and audience of the Energy Panel.
Speaking about the importance of such fuel, Igor Sechin cited the example of China, where an important part of the strategy to reduce dependence on energy imports is the processing of coal into synthetic fuels and chemical products. “Chinese companies are investing billions of dollars in the development of this industry. According to experts, today in China 40 million tons of coal is used to produce synthetic fuels and more than 260 mln tons for ammonia and methanol production,” Igor Sechin emphasized.
* GTL or Gas-to-Liquid is a technology for converting natural gas into high quality liquid hydrocarbons such as diesel fuel, gasoline, and others.
Department of Information and Advertising Rosneft Oil Company June 21, 2025
The House of Commons narrowly passed the terminally ill adults (end of life) bill on June 20, a significant step toward legalising assisted dying in England and Wales. The bill must still pass through the House of Lords before it can become law. So far, the debate has centred on a key question: should people already facing a terminal prognosis have the legal right to choose when to end their lives?
The discussions, both in Parliament and among the wider public, have often focused on personal stories of dying – some shared as examples of a “good” death, others as cautionary tales of suffering. When speaking to the BBC after the bill passed, MP Kim Leadbeater, who introduced the legislation, described the current situation as a “failing status quo.” She argued that the law must change to offer more control and compassion at the end of life.
The concept of a “good” death already shapes the country’s end-of-life care policy. Current practice encourages patient choice, comfort and dignity usually guided by the question: what matters most to you?
Through advance care planning, patients can express preferences for their care, such as refusing resuscitation or declining further treatment. But these choices are usually framed in terms of what not to do. Assisted dying, by contrast, introduces a new ethical dimension: it’s not about withholding treatment, but about actively intervening to end life.
View from the clinic – and bedside
Over the past 15 years of conducting ethnographic research on end-of-life care in England, I’ve seen just how deeply people are affected when asked to contemplate their future – or the future of someone they love.
Some patients are decisive: they know what they don’t want, and they say so clearly. Others apologise for being a burden. Some find it too difficult to plan at all. In fact, fewer than 3% of UK adults have documented advance care plans.
Clinicians, too, face challenges. I’ve seen doctors wish patients would recognise when treatment has become futile – and patients, in turn, hope doctors will take the decision to “just stop”. There can be deep mistrust, with some fearing they’ll be “given up on”. These tensions are unlikely to disappear if assisted dying is legalised; in fact, they may become more pronounced.
Who would be eligible?
In England, the legal definition of “terminal illness” is a life expectancy of six months or less, and that’s the threshold used in this bill. It excludes people with incurable but long-term conditions who may be suffering, but aren’t likely to die within half a year.
This six-month cut-off also assumes that doctors can accurately predict how long someone has left. But Marie Curie, the end of life charity, called that definition “outdated” and “arbitrary,” highlighting how it fails to reflect clinical reality.
More recently, research examining nearly 100,000 patient records from London found that prognosis is least reliable when predicting survival over the “weeks to months” time-frame – exactly the bracket covered by the bill. Doctors are more confident estimating if someone has less than two weeks or more than a year. Anything in between is often described, quite literally, as “the length of a piece of string”.
A step forward – with complexities ahead
The bill’s passage in the Commons reflects a growing desire to give people more choice, control and clarity at the end of life. For many, it marks a long-overdue recognition of both suffering and the right to self-determination.
Yet while the vote signals strong support for greater autonomy in dying, the everyday realities of predicting prognosis and navigating complex end-of-life decisions remain uncertain. The practical and ethical challenges are far from resolved.
Erica Borgstrom receives/has received funding for her research from the National Institute of Health Research, the UKRI Economic and Social Research Council, Marie Curie, the Foundation for the Sociology of Health and Illness, NHS England & NHS Innovation, and End of Life Doula UK.
The House of Commons narrowly passed the terminally ill adults (end of life) bill on June 20, a significant step toward legalising assisted dying in England and Wales. The bill must still pass through the House of Lords before it can become law. So far, the debate has centred on a key question: should people already facing a terminal prognosis have the legal right to choose when to end their lives?
The discussions, both in Parliament and among the wider public, have often focused on personal stories of dying – some shared as examples of a “good” death, others as cautionary tales of suffering. When speaking to the BBC after the bill passed, MP Kim Leadbeater, who introduced the legislation, described the current situation as a “failing status quo.” She argued that the law must change to offer more control and compassion at the end of life.
The concept of a “good” death already shapes the country’s end-of-life care policy. Current practice encourages patient choice, comfort and dignity usually guided by the question: what matters most to you?
Through advance care planning, patients can express preferences for their care, such as refusing resuscitation or declining further treatment. But these choices are usually framed in terms of what not to do. Assisted dying, by contrast, introduces a new ethical dimension: it’s not about withholding treatment, but about actively intervening to end life.
View from the clinic – and bedside
Over the past 15 years of conducting ethnographic research on end-of-life care in England, I’ve seen just how deeply people are affected when asked to contemplate their future – or the future of someone they love.
Some patients are decisive: they know what they don’t want, and they say so clearly. Others apologise for being a burden. Some find it too difficult to plan at all. In fact, fewer than 3% of UK adults have documented advance care plans.
Clinicians, too, face challenges. I’ve seen doctors wish patients would recognise when treatment has become futile – and patients, in turn, hope doctors will take the decision to “just stop”. There can be deep mistrust, with some fearing they’ll be “given up on”. These tensions are unlikely to disappear if assisted dying is legalised; in fact, they may become more pronounced.
Who would be eligible?
In England, the legal definition of “terminal illness” is a life expectancy of six months or less, and that’s the threshold used in this bill. It excludes people with incurable but long-term conditions who may be suffering, but aren’t likely to die within half a year.
This six-month cut-off also assumes that doctors can accurately predict how long someone has left. But Marie Curie, the end of life charity, called that definition “outdated” and “arbitrary,” highlighting how it fails to reflect clinical reality.
More recently, research examining nearly 100,000 patient records from London found that prognosis is least reliable when predicting survival over the “weeks to months” time-frame – exactly the bracket covered by the bill. Doctors are more confident estimating if someone has less than two weeks or more than a year. Anything in between is often described, quite literally, as “the length of a piece of string”.
A step forward – with complexities ahead
The bill’s passage in the Commons reflects a growing desire to give people more choice, control and clarity at the end of life. For many, it marks a long-overdue recognition of both suffering and the right to self-determination.
Yet while the vote signals strong support for greater autonomy in dying, the everyday realities of predicting prognosis and navigating complex end-of-life decisions remain uncertain. The practical and ethical challenges are far from resolved.
Erica Borgstrom receives/has received funding for her research from the National Institute of Health Research, the UKRI Economic and Social Research Council, Marie Curie, the Foundation for the Sociology of Health and Illness, NHS England & NHS Innovation, and End of Life Doula UK.
HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani met Saturday with HE Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr. Abbas Araqchi. The meeting was held on the margin of the 51st Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), currently taking place in Istanbul, Turkey.
Discussion during the meeting focused on the latest developments in the region, particularly the continued Israeli aggression against the territory of the sisterly Islamic Republic of Iran.
In this context, HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs reiterated the State of Qatar’s strong condemnation and denunciation of the Israeli aggression against Iranian territory, considering it a flagrant violation of Iran’s sovereignty and security, and a clear breach of the rules and principles of international law.
His Excellency stressed the need for concerted regional and international efforts to de-escalate tensions and resolve disputes through diplomatic means, affirming that the State of Qatar is making strenuous efforts with its partners to return to the path of dialogue to address outstanding issues and consolidate security and peace in the region and the world.
The State of Qatar is participating in the ongoing 51st session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), currently taking place in Istanbul, Turkiye.
HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani is heading Qatar’s delegation to the session.
The meetings are addressing the latest developments in the region, with a particular focus on the situation in the Gaza Strip and the occupied Palestinian territories, as well as the continued Israeli aggression against the sisterly Islamic Republic of Iran and its serious regional and international implications.
The discussions also center on ways to de-escalate tensions and resolve disputes through diplomatic means, with the aim of promoting security, peace, and stability in the region and the wider world.
Using terrorism legislation against non-violent protestors is deeply authoritarian
More in External Affairs
Following news reports that the UK plans to proscribe Palestine Action, the Scottish Greens warned of the deeply authoritarian implications of using terrorism legislation to go after non-violent protesters.
“Labour’s use of terrorism legislation against non-violent protesters is deeply authoritarian, and it’s astonishing that a former human rights lawyer is doing this.
“Palestine Action have been accused by Keir Starmer of ‘vandalism’ – which the RAF said would have no impact on their operations. It’s obviously absurd that throwing red paint on things could cause a group to be listed alongside Al Qaeda, ISIS and Russia’s Wagner Group, with membership carrying a 14-year prison sentence.
“Human rights groups like Amnesty International have rightly raised significant concerns over this aggressive use of powers that should be reserved for only the most extreme and dangerous organisations.
“And while Labour pull out all the stops to prosecute these protesters, they continue to train, arm and support Israel as it regularly and openly commits war crimes as part of an ongoing genocide. It’s impossible to overstate how backwards Labour’s priorities are here.”
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, June 21 — China’s disaster management and strategic reserves authorities said Saturday that a batch of relief supplies had been dispatched to the flood-hit Hunan Province in central China.
These supplies comprised 81,500 items such as tents, folding beds, quilts and mattresses, and will help in effectively relocating affected residents and ensuring their basic living needs, according to the National Disaster Reduction Commission, the Ministry of Emergency Management and the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration.
Severe flooding has recently struck this province, with the city of Zhangjiajie and the Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture among the areas hit hardest. Notably, a Level-IV emergency response to flooding has been activated.
China has a four-tier emergency response system for flood control, with Level I being the most severe.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, held talks with France, Germany, and the United Kingdom yesterday in Geneva as Israel’s attacks on Iran entered a second week.
A US-based Iranian human rights group reports the Israeli attacks have killed at least 639 people. Israeli war planes have repeatedly pummeled Tehran and other parts of Iran. Iran is responded by continuing to launch missile strikes into Israel.
Hundreds of thousands of Iranians have protested in Iran against Israel. Meanwhile, President Trump continues to give mixed messages on whether the US will join Israel’s attack on Iran.
On Wednesday, Trump told reporters, “I may do it, I may not do it”. On Thursday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt delivered a new statement from the President.
KAROLINE LEAVITT: “Regarding the ongoing situation in Iran, I know there has been a lot of speculation among all of you in the media regarding the president’s decision-making and whether or not the United States will be directly involved.
“In light of that news, I have a message directly from the president. And I quote, ‘Based on the fact that there’s a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks.’”
AMY GOODMAN, The War and Peace Report:President Trump has repeatedly used that term, “two weeks,” when being questioned about decisions in this term and his first term as president. Leavitt delivered the message shortly after President Trump met with his former adviser, Steve Bannon, who has publicly warned against war with Iran.
Bannon recently said, “We can’t do this again. We’ll tear the country apart. We can’t have another Iraq,” Bannon said.
This comes as Trump’s reportedly sidelined National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard from key discussions on Iran. In March, Gabbard told lawmakers the intelligence community, “Continues to assess that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon.”
But on Tuesday, Trump dismissed her statement, saying, “I don’t care what she said.”
Earlier Thursday, an Iranian missile hit the main hospital in Southern Israel in Beersheba. After the strike, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz threatened to assassinate Ayatollah Khamenei, saying Iran’s supreme leader, “Cannot continue to exist.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the hospital and likened Iran’s attack to the London Blitz. Netanyahu stunned many in Israel by saying, “Each of us bears a personal cost. My family has not been exempt. This is the second time my son Avner has cancelled a wedding due to missile threats.”
We’re joined now by William Hartung, senior research fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. His new article for The National Interest is headlined, “Don’t Get Dragged Into a War with Iran.”
Can you talk about what’s going on right now, Bill, the whole question of whether the U.S. is going to use a bunker-buster bomb that has to be delivered by a B-2 bomber, which only the US has?
Another Iraq: Military expert warns US has no real plan Video: Democracy Now!
WILLIAM HARTUNG: Yeah. This is a case of undue trust in technology. The US is always getting in trouble when they think there’s this miracle solution. A lot of experts aren’t sure this would even work, or if it did, it would take multiple bombings.
And of course, Iran’s not going to sit on its hands. They’ll respond possibly by killing US troops in the region, then we’ll have escalation from there. It’s reminiscent of the beginning of the Iraq War, when they said, “It’s going to be a cakewalk. It’s not going to cost anything.”
Couple of trillion dollars, hundreds of thousands of casualties, many US veterans coming home with PTSD, a regime that was sectarian that paved the way for ISIS, it couldn’t have gone worse.
And so, this is a different beginning, but the end is uncertain, and I don’t think we want to go there.
AMY GOODMAN: So, can you talk about the GBU-57, the bunker-buster bomb, and how is it that this discussion going on within the White House about the use of the bomb — and of course, the US has gone back and forth — I should say President Trump has gone back and forth whether he’s fully involved with this war.
At first he was saying they knew about it, but Israel was doing it, then saying, “We have total control of the skies over Tehran,” saying we, not Israel, and what exactly it would mean if the US dropped this bomb and the fleet that the US is moving in?
WILLIAM HARTUNG: Yes, well, the notion is, it’s heavy steel, it’s more explosive power than any conventional bomb. But it only goes so deep, and they don’t actually know how deep this facility is buried. And if it’s going in a straight line, and it’s to one side, it’s just not clear that it’s going to work.
And of course, if it does, Iran is going to rebuild, they’re going to go straight for a nuclear weapon. They’re not going to trust negotiations anymore.
So, apparently, the two weeks is partly because Trump’s getting conflicting reports from his own people about this. Now, if he had actual independent military folks, like Mark Milley in the first term, I think we’d be less likely to go in.
But they made sure to have loyalists. Pete Hegseth is not a profile in courage. He’s not going to stand up to Trump on this. He might not even know the consequences. So, a lot of the press coverage is about this bomb, not about the consequences of an active war.
AMY GOODMAN: Right, about using it. In your recent piece, you wrote, “Israeli officials suggested their attacks may result in regime change in Iran, despite the devastating destabilising impact such efforts in the region would have.”
Can you talk about the significance of Israel putting forward and then Trump going back and forth on whether or not Ali Khamenei will be targeted?
WILLIAM HARTUNG: Yeah, I think my colleague Trita Parsi put it well. There’s been no example of regime change in the region that has come out with a better result. They don’t know what kind of regime would come in.
Could be to the right of the current one. Could just be chaos that would fuel terrorism, who knows what else.
So, they’re just talking — they’re winging it. They have no idea what they’re getting into. And I think Trump, he doesn’t want to seem like Netanyahu’s pulling him by the nose, so when he gets out in front of Trump, Trump says, “Oh, that was my idea.”
But it’s almost as if Benjamin Netanyahu is running US foreign policy, and Trump is kind of following along.
AMY GOODMAN: You have Netanyahu back in 2002 saying, “Iran is imminently going to have a nuclear bomb.” That was more than two decades ago.
WILLIAM HARTUNG: Exactly. That’s just a cover for wanting to take out the regime. And he spoke to the US Congress, he’s made presentations all over the world, and his intelligence has been proven wrong over, and over, and over.
And when we had the Iran deal, he had European allies, he had China, he had Russia. There hadn’t been a deal like that where all these countries were on the same page in living memory, and it was working.
And Trump trashed it and now has to start over.
AMY GOODMAN: So, talk about the War Powers Act. The Virginia Senator Kaine has said that — has just put forward a bill around saying it must be — Congress that must vote on this. Where is [Senator] Chuck Schumer [Senate minority leader]? Where is [Hakeem] Jeffries [Congress minoroity leader] on this, the Democratic House and Senate leaders?
WILLIAM HARTUNG: Well, a lot of the so-called leaders are not leading. When is the moment that you should step forward if we’re possibly going to get into another disastrous war? But I think they’re concerned about being viewed as critical of Israel.
They don’t want to go out on a limb. So, you’ve got a progressive group that’s saying, “This has to be authorised by Congress.” You’ve got Republicans who are doubtful, but they don’t want to stand up to Trump because they don’t want to lose their jobs.
“Risk your job. This is a huge thing. Don’t just sort of be a time-server.
AMY GOODMAN: So, according to a report from IAEA, the International Atomic Energy Agency, released in May, Iran has accumulated roughly 120 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent, which is 30 percent away from weapons-grade level of 90 percent. You have Rafael Grossi, the head of the IAEA, saying this week that they do not have evidence that Iran has the system for a nuclear bomb.
WILLIAM HARTUNG: Yes, well, a lot of the discussion points out — they don’t talk about, when you’ve got the uranium, you have to build the weapon, you have to make it work on a missile.
It’s not you get the uranium, you have a weapon overnight, so there’s time to deal with that should they go forward through negotiations. And we had a deal that was working, which Trump threw aside in his first term.
AMY GOODMAN: Talk about the foreign minister of Iran, Araghchi, in Geneva now speaking with his counterparts from Britain, France, the EU.
WILLIAM HARTUNG: Well, I don’t think US allies in Europe want to go along with this, and I think he’s looking for some leverage over Trump. And of course, Trump is very hard to read, but even his own base, the majority of Trump supporters, don’t want to go to war.
You’ve got people like Tucker Carlson, Steve Bannon saying it would be a disaster. But ultimately, it comes down to Trump. He’s unpredictable, he’s transactional, he’ll calculate what he thinks it’ll mean for him.
AMY GOODMAN: And what impact does protests have around the country, as we wrap up?
WILLIAM HARTUNG: Well, I think taking the stand is infectious. So many institutions were caving in to Trump. And the more people stand up, 2000 demonstrations around the country, the more the folks sitting on the fence, the millions of people who, they’re against Trump, but they don’t know what to do, the more of us that get involved, the better chance we have of turning this thing around.
So, we should not let them discourage us. We need to build power to push back against all these horrible things.
AMY GOODMAN: Finally, if the US were to bomb the nuclear site that it would require the bunker-buster bomb to hit below ground, underground. Are we talking about nuclear fallout here?
WILLIAM HARTUNG: I think there would certainly be radiation that would of course affect the Iranian people. They’ve already had many civilian deaths. It’s not this kind of precise thing that’s only hitting military targets.
And that, too, has to affect Iran’s view of this. They were shortly away from another negotiation, and now their country’s being devastated, so can they trust us?
AMY GOODMAN: Bill Hartung is senior research fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. His new piece for The National Interest is headlined, “Don’t Get Dragged Into a War with Iran.”
Republished from Democracy Now! under Creative Commons.
The Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi hosted a large-scale celebration of the 11th International Day of Yoga on Friday at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council. Contrary to earlier mentions, the event was held exclusively at ADNEC and not at the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Held under the global theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” the event aligned with the UAE’s Year of the Community initiative and drew wide participation from yoga enthusiasts across the emirate.
The morning session was graced by UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence Sheikh Nahyan Mabarak Al Nahayan as chief guest, with Indian tennis star Sania Mirza joining as guest of honor. Indian Ambassador to the UAE, Sunjay Sudhir, also took part in the celebration. Yoga sessions were led by renowned international instructors, catering to participants of all levels, and aimed at promoting holistic wellness and intercultural harmony. The Embassy has been organizing such events annually since the United Nations adopted India’s proposal to designate June 21 as International Day of Yoga in 2014, with growing interest each year underscoring the universal relevance and appeal of yoga.
The Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi hosted a large-scale celebration of the 11th International Day of Yoga on Friday at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council. Contrary to earlier mentions, the event was held exclusively at ADNEC and not at the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Held under the global theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” the event aligned with the UAE’s Year of the Community initiative and drew wide participation from yoga enthusiasts across the emirate.
The morning session was graced by UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence Sheikh Nahyan Mabarak Al Nahayan as chief guest, with Indian tennis star Sania Mirza joining as guest of honor. Indian Ambassador to the UAE, Sunjay Sudhir, also took part in the celebration. Yoga sessions were led by renowned international instructors, catering to participants of all levels, and aimed at promoting holistic wellness and intercultural harmony. The Embassy has been organizing such events annually since the United Nations adopted India’s proposal to designate June 21 as International Day of Yoga in 2014, with growing interest each year underscoring the universal relevance and appeal of yoga.
“In my first months as Prime Minister, I have been grateful for the opportunity to meet with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, and I recognize there is much more work to do together.
“The government will work in full partnership with Indigenous Peoples – advancing shared priorities such as health care, food security, housing, education, economic prosperity, conservation, climate action, and emergency management to build a better future. Indigenous partnership is a critical component of the One Canadian Economy Act, and shared leadership with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis will be pivotal to the success of building major projects in Canada.
“We will move forward together on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls’ Calls for Justice, and the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.
“Supporting Indigenous communities, advancing self-determination, implementing treaties, and creating generational wealth and prosperity are central to our commitment to advancing reconciliation. Through initiatives like the Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program, we’re addressing the historical, systemic, and economic barriers that have prevented Indigenous Peoples from participating in – and benefitting from – economic opportunities, particularly in the natural resource sector.
“Today, on National Indigenous Peoples Day, and every day, we honour the enduring histories, cultures, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, and we reaffirm our partnership in reconciliation. Together, we can build a better future, a stronger economy, and a legacy that future generations can inherit and carry forward.”
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Director of Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of CPC Central Committee and Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of State Council Mr Xia Baolong attends 5th Anniversary of Promulgation & Implementation of Hong Kong National Security Law Forum and visits National Security Exhibition Gallery in Hong KongIssued at HKT 21:45
Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – United States Attorney John P. Heekin announces the last of four co-defendants was sentenced today in a large-scale conspiracy that distributed over 1000 kilograms of marijuana in Tallahassee. Tyquan Watson, 28, of Tallahassee, Florida, received 10 years in prison. His half-brother, Cleveland Blackshear, 26, of Tallahassee also received 10 years in prison. Dezaneil Cosby, 28, of Tallahassee received 5 years in prison. Shambresha Turner, 26, of Tallahassee received time-served and supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “I applaud the substantial efforts of our state and federal law enforcement partners to investigate, arrest, and help bring these drug traffickers to justice. These offenses are not victimless crimes; the victims are the members of our community who experience the addiction and violence that too often follows from drug traffickers flooding our streets with this poison. My office will continue to aggressively pursue these cases to keep our communities healthy and safe.”
Trial testimony and evidence demonstrated that Watson was purchasing hundred-pound quantities of marijuana per week from farms and brokers in California and reselling the marijuana in Tallahassee and surrounding areas. Evidence demonstrated that Watson had purchased at least 3169 pounds of marijuana between September 24, 2023, and January 10, 2024, with proceeds of at least $2.4 million during that period.
“With dispensaries and smoke shops becoming more commonplace, people may falsely assume that marijuana is no big deal,” said Deanne L. Reuter, Special Agent in Charge of Drug Enforcement Administration’s Miami Field Division. “I assure you, DEA considers it a big deal. It’s stronger than ever and can pose a serious health risk, especially to children. We will continue to pursue marijuana peddlers with the same verve as any other illicit substance.”
A long-term investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). On August 16, 2022, Shambresha Turner was stopped at the Panama City airport with 40 pounds of marijuana in her suitcases. Turner told officers that she was being paid to transport the suitcases. On October 13, 2022, FDLE conducted a controlled purchase of 28 pounds of marijuana from Cleveland Blackshear. During the surveillance, FDLE agents observed Blackshear obtaining the marijuana from Cosby’s residence immediately prior to the controlled purchase. Both Blackshear and Watson’s fingerprints were identified on packaging material associated with the purchased marijuana. Surveillance of Cosby’s residence between October 12, 2022, and October 28, 2022, revealed multiple people dropping off and picking up suitcases (at least 32 suitcases and 16 garbage bags). On October 28, 2022, DEA executed a federal search warrant at Cosby’s residence and seized 238 pounds of marijuana and a firearm. Watson and Cosby were arrested together on federal arrest warrants on March 11, 2024, at another residence in Tallahassee. During that arrest, law enforcement seized another 183 pounds of marijuana and a firearm.
“This investigation sends a clear message: if you bring drug trafficking and violence into our communities, we’re coming for you,” said FDLE Tallahassee Special Agent in Charge Keith Wilmer. “Our special agents, working side-by-side with the DEA, spent countless hours on covert operations to take down this criminal network. I’m proud of their relentless work to protect Florida’s capital city and hold these offenders accountable.”
Watson and Cosby were convicted at a jury trial on February 14, 2025. Blackshear and Turner had previously pled guilty. As part of his sentence, Watson was also ordered to forfeit $2,424,217 in drug proceeds.
“This case is a clear example of how drug trafficking, even with substances like marijuana, is often linked to greater dangers in our community, including illegal firearms and violent crime,” said Chief Lawrence Revell of the Tallahassee Police Department. “We remain committed to working alongside our federal and state partners to disrupt these criminal networks and protect the safety of our neighborhoods.”
These sentences were the result of a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Tallahassee Police Department, and the Bay County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys James A. McCain and Harley Ferguson prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline) a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – United States Attorney John P. Heekin announces the last of four co-defendants was sentenced today in a large-scale conspiracy that distributed over 1000 kilograms of marijuana in Tallahassee. Tyquan Watson, 28, of Tallahassee, Florida, received 10 years in prison. His half-brother, Cleveland Blackshear, 26, of Tallahassee also received 10 years in prison. Dezaneil Cosby, 28, of Tallahassee received 5 years in prison. Shambresha Turner, 26, of Tallahassee received time-served and supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “I applaud the substantial efforts of our state and federal law enforcement partners to investigate, arrest, and help bring these drug traffickers to justice. These offenses are not victimless crimes; the victims are the members of our community who experience the addiction and violence that too often follows from drug traffickers flooding our streets with this poison. My office will continue to aggressively pursue these cases to keep our communities healthy and safe.”
Trial testimony and evidence demonstrated that Watson was purchasing hundred-pound quantities of marijuana per week from farms and brokers in California and reselling the marijuana in Tallahassee and surrounding areas. Evidence demonstrated that Watson had purchased at least 3169 pounds of marijuana between September 24, 2023, and January 10, 2024, with proceeds of at least $2.4 million during that period.
“With dispensaries and smoke shops becoming more commonplace, people may falsely assume that marijuana is no big deal,” said Deanne L. Reuter, Special Agent in Charge of Drug Enforcement Administration’s Miami Field Division. “I assure you, DEA considers it a big deal. It’s stronger than ever and can pose a serious health risk, especially to children. We will continue to pursue marijuana peddlers with the same verve as any other illicit substance.”
A long-term investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). On August 16, 2022, Shambresha Turner was stopped at the Panama City airport with 40 pounds of marijuana in her suitcases. Turner told officers that she was being paid to transport the suitcases. On October 13, 2022, FDLE conducted a controlled purchase of 28 pounds of marijuana from Cleveland Blackshear. During the surveillance, FDLE agents observed Blackshear obtaining the marijuana from Cosby’s residence immediately prior to the controlled purchase. Both Blackshear and Watson’s fingerprints were identified on packaging material associated with the purchased marijuana. Surveillance of Cosby’s residence between October 12, 2022, and October 28, 2022, revealed multiple people dropping off and picking up suitcases (at least 32 suitcases and 16 garbage bags). On October 28, 2022, DEA executed a federal search warrant at Cosby’s residence and seized 238 pounds of marijuana and a firearm. Watson and Cosby were arrested together on federal arrest warrants on March 11, 2024, at another residence in Tallahassee. During that arrest, law enforcement seized another 183 pounds of marijuana and a firearm.
“This investigation sends a clear message: if you bring drug trafficking and violence into our communities, we’re coming for you,” said FDLE Tallahassee Special Agent in Charge Keith Wilmer. “Our special agents, working side-by-side with the DEA, spent countless hours on covert operations to take down this criminal network. I’m proud of their relentless work to protect Florida’s capital city and hold these offenders accountable.”
Watson and Cosby were convicted at a jury trial on February 14, 2025. Blackshear and Turner had previously pled guilty. As part of his sentence, Watson was also ordered to forfeit $2,424,217 in drug proceeds.
“This case is a clear example of how drug trafficking, even with substances like marijuana, is often linked to greater dangers in our community, including illegal firearms and violent crime,” said Chief Lawrence Revell of the Tallahassee Police Department. “We remain committed to working alongside our federal and state partners to disrupt these criminal networks and protect the safety of our neighborhoods.”
These sentences were the result of a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Tallahassee Police Department, and the Bay County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys James A. McCain and Harley Ferguson prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline) a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.