U.S. Sanctions Chinese Firms and Executives Active in Contested South China Sea

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The U.S. unveiled a set of visa and export restrictions targeting Chinese state-owned companies and their executives involved in advancing Beijing’s territorial claims in the contested South China Sea, a new challenge to China involving the strategic waters. Wednesday’s actions by the State and Commerce departments apply to a range of state-owned enterprises, including units … Read more

Islamist Attacks in Mozambique Threaten to Disrupt Total-Led Natural-Gas Project

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Fighting between Islamic extremist rebels and Mozambique’s army over a key port is threatening to disrupt the East African nation’s burgeoning natural-gas developments, including a multibillion-dollar project led by French energy giant Total SA . The insurgent group, which is affiliated with Islamic State, seized control of the Mocimboa da Praia port this month and … Read more

Flooding Again Pounds China’s Three Gorges Dam

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Heavy rains that again swelled the Yangtze River are expected to hit the Three Gorges Dam with its largest-ever flood this week. The new rainfall at a time when summer rains usually have subsided threatens to prolong a crisis that has already caused billions of dollars in economic losses and displaced millions of people. In … Read more