Brent crude oil prices rise to $78 after U.S. strikes on Iran
¬ U.S. envoy claims China and Russia still maintain intelligence outposts in Cuba, threatening U.S. national security
¬ France's heatwave causes shutdown of 3 nuclear reactors
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Trading data shows that Brent crude oil prices surged to $78 per barrel following reports of U.S. strikes on Iran.
As of 1:21 a.m. Moscow time on July 13, the September Brent crude futures price rose sharply from the previous trading day’s close of $76.01 per barrel to $78 per barrel. Meanwhile, WTI crude oil August futures climbed from $71.41 per barrel to $73.79 per barrel.
Prior to this, Iranian state media reported explosions at least in three port cities—Sirik, Abbas, and Jask—as well as on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. Central Command also confirmed that U.S. forces have begun new strikes against Iran under orders from President Donald Trump.
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U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations Mike Waltz told U.S. media on the 12th that China and Russia currently still maintain intelligence outposts in Cuba, continuously gathering information around U.S. military bases, posing a threat to American national security.
Waltz stated: "The Cuban regime is not only a threat to its own people, but also a threat to U.S. national security. This administration will no longer tolerate such a situation."
He pointed out that since the Trump administration took office, it has significantly reduced the operational space of China and Russia in the Western Hemisphere. Although both countries still retain intelligence facilities in Cuba, their influence elsewhere has diminished.
"Russia and China still have intelligence stations, signals intelligence collection sites, and military personnel located in Cuba—right near our doorstep—but they are no longer present in Venezuela as they were under the Biden administration or earlier, nor are they active in Central America and South America. Even their influence around the Panama Canal has declined," he said.
Waltz credited the achievements to Trump, Secretary of State Rubio, and Treasury Secretary Bessent, stating that the U.S. has reestablished its influence in the Western Hemisphere and will continue to counter competitors like China and Russia in the future.
He emphasized that the Trump administration has successfully contained the expansion of Chinese and Russian influence in regions including Venezuela, Central America, and the Panama Canal area, but Cuba remains one of America’s most critical security concerns.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson previously responded to these issues, saying China’s cooperation with Cuba is open and aboveboard. Fabricating pretexts and spreading disinformation cannot justify the U.S.’s brutal blockade and illegal sanctions against Cuba, nor can it conceal the fact that the U.S. severely violates Cuba’s rights to survival and development and breaches fundamental principles of international relations. China will firmly support Cuba in safeguarding its sovereignty and security, and urge the U.S. to immediately end its blockade, sanctions, and any form of coercion and pressure against Cuba.
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According to French media, France’s third wave of extreme heat reached its peak on July 12, leading to the shutdown of three nuclear reactors, with over one-third of the population across the country entering the highest-level red heat alert.
The report states that the French Meteorological Service included 37 of France’s 96 mainland departments in the red heat alert zone for Sunday and Monday. Based on annual population data from the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies, approximately 26 million French citizens are affected—including the entire Paris metropolitan area.
The report notes one consequence of the extreme heat is the temporary shutdown or power reduction of certain nuclear reactors. Nuclear reactor cooling systems release warmer coolant water into rivers or oceans. To comply with environmental protection standards, one reactor each at the Golfech Nuclear Power Plant, the Bugey Nuclear Power Plant in southeastern France, and the Chooz Nuclear Power Plant in northeastern France near the Belgian border ceased electricity generation on Sunday. Additionally, seven other reactors reduced their operating power.
Source: sputniknews
Original: toutiao.com/article/1870568957750473/
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