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Panama calls on China to respect its port rulings after detention of ships
Panama's top diplomatic official said on Wednesday that a.rise in inspections and.detentions of Panama flagged vessels in China was.caused by a Panama court decision.against Hong Kong based CK.Hutchison.and urged China to respect Panama's sovereign affairs. Panama's Supreme Court invalidated in January the legal framework that supported conglomerate CK Hutchison’s right to operate two key terminals close to the Panama Canal via its Panama unit, leading the Panama government cancel the cancellation of concessions. At a?conference in Asuncion, the capital of Paraguay, Panamanian foreign minister Javier Martinez-Acha expressed his hope that the increase in ship detentions seen in March will return to normal. He said that the ruling has led to an increase in the number of inspections and detentions of vessels flying our flags in ports of People's Republic of China. "Panama... respects the legal sovereignty of all countries and we ask only for the same treatment." The Chinese embassy in Panama didn't immediately respond to an inquiry for comment. Detentions are the latest flashpoint of the battle between China and the United States for influence on international trade. Panama, and its strategic canal that handles about 5% global maritime trade, is in the middle. Panama's Foreign Affairs Ministry thanked United States and other countries on Saturday for expressing concern about the detentions. The U.S. Maritime Commission, which is part of the U.S. Department of State, said in late March that it was closely watching the increase in the number of Panama-flagged ships being detained in China. China opposes CK Hutchison losing its port concessions and calls it "an act of bad faith." CK Hutchison has accused the Panamanian authorities of illegally seizing properties and filed an international arbitration against Panama. The company is claiming damages in excess of $2 billion. (Reporting from Asuncion by Daniela DeSantis; Writing by Brendan O'Boyle, Editing by Daina-Beth Solomon)
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Lufthansa cabin staff union announces one-day strike
This week, Lufthansa will be facing a one-day walkout. It's the third strike in just two months. The UFO cabin crew union has asked staff from the core Lufthansa and its feeder airline, Cityline, to strike for one day on Friday. The strike is expected to affect all Lufthansa flights departing from Frankfurt and Munich from 12:01 am to 10 pm local time (2201 GMT on Thursday to 2200 GMT on Friday), according to the Independent Flight Attendants' Organisation. The Cityline cabin staff at nine German airports will also walk out in the same time period. The vast majority of respondents to a vote held at the end March voted for strike action as a result of the failure of negotiations. The union stated that Lufthansa had shown no flexibility in negotiations regarding the working conditions of the 19,000 cabin staff members or the redundancy packages for approximately 800 employees at Cityline who are about to shut down their operations. Joachim Vazquez-Burger, UFO's chief executive officer, said: "This situation was avoidable. Lufthansa is responsible for this. They have not yet been able to present a negotiation-friendly proposal." The demands include more predictability in shifts, and longer notice periods. Lufthansa has called on the union to restart talks. Martin Leutke, a spokesperson for UFO, said: "We apologize to our guests for the inconvenience that their disproportionate and short-notice strike caused." UFO and Vereinigung Cockpit, the pilots union, went on strike for one day against Lufthansa in mid-February. This led to mass flight cancellations. The pilots again applied pressure in mid-March, with a 2-day strike. The pay dispute continues. This pay dispute is ongoing.
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US military is ready to restart Iran war if diplomacy fails
On Wednesday, the top U.S. General said that U.S. soldiers were ready to resume combat if Tehran did not reach a negotiated settlement. The Trump administration was trying to portray this 'war' as a decisive win against Iran. The remarks were made a day after Donald Trump backed away from a threatened civilization ending assault on Iran, on Tuesday night. Two hours before the deadline that he set for Tehran to open up the blockaded Strait of Hormuz. U.S. officials and Iranian officials will meet for talks in Pakistan on Friday. "We hope Iran chooses peace," said General Dan Caine at a Pentagon press conference. "A ceasefire, is just a pause, and the joint forces remain ready to resume combat operations if called or ordered --?with the speed and precision we have shown over the past 38 days." Saudi Arabia's East-West oil pipe, its sole outlet for crude exports at the moment, was still hit by an Iranian attack despite the ceasefire. Saudi Arabia reported that it had intercepted nine drones in the last few hours, while Kuwait claimed to have been attacked by Iranian drones. US. STRATEGIC WIN OR GAINS? Tehran has claimed victory, and said it will enter the talks with no trust in U.S. negotiating teams. In a recent statement, Iran's Supreme National Security Council stated that the enemy had suffered a historic, crushing and undeniable defeat in its illegal, unjust and criminal war on the Iranian people. Pete Hegseth of the U.S. Department of Defense, on the other hand, described Iran as a defeated military power with no choice but to reach a deal. Hegseth, Caine and others spoke of the destruction of Iran’s missile and defense industries. Hegseth stated that the U.S. Military was "hanging out" in the Middle East, to "ensure Iran adheres to the two-week truce and monitor the country's stockpile of enriched uranium." He added that the United States will take action "if necessary." Hegseth said that President Trump could have crippled Iran's economy in just minutes but chose mercy. Caine outlined the tactical victories the U.S. Military had made, including the destruction of about 80% of Iran's Air Defense Systems, the?attack on 90% of its Weapons factories, and the sinking of approximately 90% of the regular naval fleet. Experts say that the strategic goals have not been achieved, as the Iranian regime is still largely intact. Tehran could be even more confident in the future. U.S. troops are in the Middle East, and that number is increasing. U.S. officials said that the movement of Marines from San Diego to the Middle East was continuing for the time being. In the 38-day conflict, 13 U.S. soldiers were killed and 372 injured. The vast majority had returned to duty. Last week, the U.S. conducted operations to save two airmen who had been forced from their plane after it was shot down over Iran. The successful evacuation ended one of most dangerous episodes of the war.
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Iran strikes Saudi Arabia oil pipeline hours after ceasefire
An industry source said that Iran attacked Saudi Arabia's East-West Pipeline only a few hours after a ceasefire agreement was reached to pause the Iran war. It hit its sole crude oil export route ever since hostilities started. An industry source said that the Iranians targeted Saudi Arabia's East-West Pipeline - its sole outlet for exporting crude - as well as other facilities within the Kingdom. After?Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz and trapped huge quantities of oil and natural gas in the Gulf, prices soared. Sources said that the flow of oil through the pipeline is expected to be affected. Damages are being assessed. This could worsen what experts call the world's worst energy crisis. In a statement released on Wednesday, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said that they had struck several?targets throughout the region using missiles and /drones. This included what the IRGC referred to as oil facilities owned by U.S. firms in Yanbu. It was not immediately known the exact time of the attack, nor the extent of damage or impact on the pipeline operations. Saudi Aramco, the pipeline operator and office of government communication in Saudi Arabia, did not respond immediately to requests for comments sent via email. The United States, Iran and Pakistan agreed on Tuesday to a ceasefire of two weeks that was mediated by Pakistan. This is meant to stop a six-week war which has claimed thousands of lives and spread throughout the Middle East. It also caused an unprecedented disruption to the energy market. The agreement did not stop the attacks on other Gulf states. Kuwaiti Army said an intensified wave Iranian attacks have targeted the country since 8am. Local time (0500 GMT), the Kuwaiti army added that drone attacks had caused extensive damage to oil installations, power plants and desalination plant. Bahrain reported that an Iranian strike?damaged homes in the Sitra region. Aramco uses approximately 2 million bpd from the East-West Pipeline capacity for domestic use, leaving about 5 million bpd to be exported. Shipping data revealed that Yanbu loadings were near capacity at 4.6 million bpd during the week beginning March 23. A recent analysis showed that the pipeline's estimated oil revenues in March were higher than the previous year.
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Dublin and other Irish cities are clogged with protestors for the second day in a row over fuel prices
On Wednesday, protesters urging the government to help lower fuel prices clogged busy roads and motorways in Ireland with parked tractors and lorries. This caused a disruption for commuters as well as public transport. On Tuesday, convoys of vehicles converged on Dublin and other cities and towns. Protesters, including farmers and hauliers, complained that a 250-million euro package temporarily reducing taxes on gasoline and diesel "didn't go far enough" to cushion the cost of the Middle East Conflict. Christopher Duffy, 46 a farmer contractor, said: "With the prices we're paying for fuel, my business is probably just two months away from folding." He was part of the group that blocked Dublin's O'Connell Street, calling for a cap on the price of diesel. It's not much to ask really... We are?just in a corner." Ministers stated that they would not meet with the protesters because they do not belong to groups the government supports. The organizers have promised a third disruption day on Thursday. "We respect the right of people to protest, but it is not acceptable that people declare we will turn O'Connell Street?into a car park," Micheal Mart told a press conference. Tractors and trucks lining up O'Connell Street caused severe delays in bus services, as well as the partial suspension of two tram lines that traverse the city. There were also significant traffic delays reported on motorways leading to other major cities. At least one fuel station ran out of fuel due to protests at two fuel depots that blocked deliveries into Galway and Limerick, according to the head of the representative group for forecourt operators. Ireland's Government welcomed a ceasefire of two weeks in the Iran conflict and expected that it would lead to a drop in fuel prices in the near future. If they give us this phone call or meeting, Dublin streets will be cleared. John Dallon, a 61-year old farmer and agricultural contractor said that if they didn't call or meet with us we would stay for as long as necessary. (Reporting and editing by Janane Vekatraman; Padraic Halpin)
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FedEx Freight targets a 12% increase in operating profits ahead of the spin-off
FedEx Freight said on Wednesday that it expected average core profit growth in the range of 10% to 12% over the long term. This comes ahead of its first investor day, as the trucking giant nears the much-anticipated separation from its parent. FedEx's freight trucking division is on track to separate from the delivery firm?on 1 June into a publicly listed company. FedEx announced the move in December of 2024. Analysts claim that FedEx Freight assets were not fully appreciated by FedEx, and that it will expand if it is a separate public entity. The inaugural Investor Day is expected to be attended by FedEx Freight’s new CEO John Smith, and Marshall Witt, the finance chief. FedEx Freight is the leading provider of less-than-truckload services in the U.S. and sees its average revenue increasing between 4% to 6% over the next few years. LTL is the practice of 'carrying multiple shipments from different clients on a single truck. They are then routed through a network service centers, where they get transferred to trucks with similar destinations. FedEx Freight targets are set as U.S. diesel prices rise, delaying a long-awaited turnaround in the trucking industry and squeezing cash flow and profits of independent big-rig operators.
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Bousso: The energy market is in a twilight area because of the ceasefire between Iran and ROI
The Iran war ceasefire will bring much-needed relief to the economies that have been hit by the worst energy crisis in history. But hopes of a quick return to normal oil and natural gas flow from the Middle East are most likely misplaced. U.S. president Donald Trump agreed on Tuesday to a ceasefire for two weeks, provided that Iran halted its blockade of gas and oil shipments through 'Strait of Hormuz', the narrow waterway which typically handles?one fifth of the global oil trade. Abbas Araqchi, Iran's Foreign Minister, said Tehran would "halt counter-attacks" and ensure safe passage of vessels traversing the strait. Uncertain is the exact time frame in which the ceasefire will be fully implemented. Iran continued to attack Israel and Gulf states shortly after Trump announced the deal, highlighting its fragility. In its sixth week of fighting, the war has already claimed over 5,000 lives in nearly a dozen different countries. It has also severely damaged regional infrastructure including oil and gas installations. The financial markets welcomed the news. The Nikkei index in Japan rose 5%, reaching a new high. Brent crude fell 13%, to $95 per barrel, by 0300 GMT. Traders priced in an easing of the supply risk. QUICK RELIEF VAULT The temporary ceasefire and reopening the Hormuz Strait would allow Middle Eastern exporters of oil to move significant volumes that have been trapped in the Gulf since hostilities started, providing immediate relief to global energy markets. Kpler, a firm that provides analytics services, estimates that around 200 tankers are presently containing 130 million barrels crude oil and 46 millions barrels refined fuels in the region. Another 1.3 millions tonnes of liquefied gas is also stuck on vessels waiting for safe passage. The disruption was particularly severe for Asia, where 60% of its gas and 80% of its oil imports come from the Middle East. Following the abrupt cuts in fuel deliveries, several countries were forced to reduce industrial production and ration supplies. These trapped volumes could therefore be released to ease the greatest pressure on Asian economies and energy systems. The problem is not just clearing up the backlog. It is one thing to get tankers out of Gulf, but it's another to convince shipowners and chartered vessels to return. The unprecedented blockade on Hormuz caused a severe disruption to global shipping markets, as it reduced tanker availability and pushed freight rates up to record levels. Shipowners will likely be extremely cautious when reentering the area during what, at best is a shaky, time-limited ceasefire. They fear that their vessels and crews may once again get trapped if hostilities return. This caution will also constrain any attempts to restore normal export flows. OIL PRODUCTION IN LAG Kpler reports that Middle East oil exports via Hormuz fell by 13 million barrels a day (bpd), which is equivalent to 13% of the global demand. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were able to divert some shipments via alternative routes. However, regional producers had to close down an estimated 7.5 millions bpd production in March. This included 2.8 million bpd for Iraq and 1.9million bpd for Saudi Arabia. As things stand, it is unlikely that much of this production will return quickly. It can take several weeks to restart oilfields in the Middle East. Saudi Aramco, the UAE's Adnoc and other national oil companies may hesitate to restore production until they have more clarity about the duration of the ceasefire. Repairs to refineries, fields, and export terminals that have been damaged by drone and missile strikes could take months or even years. A shortage of skilled workers and specialised equipment could also slow down restoration efforts in the region. It is important that producers do not restart refineries and fields if they are unsure of the availability of tankers to transport crude oil, diesel, and jet fuel. If Washington and Tehran agreed to a permanent cessation in hostilities, which led to a full reopening the Strait of Hormuz and oil and gas trade could return to normal operations. Even in this more optimistic scenario, however, the war will likely leave lasting scars to global supply. According to Saul Kavonic of MST Marquee, who is the head of energy analysis, in the medium-term, oil markets could be 3 to 5 millions bpd tighter than pre-war expectations over the next several years due to damage done to export infrastructure, and the need to "rebuild depleted inventory", The two-week-old ceasefire that is now in place risks becoming a temporary fix to what has become a global energy crisis of unprecedented proportions unless the warring sides reach a more firm peace agreement. The opinions expressed are those of Ron Bousso a columnist at. This column is great! Open Interest (ROI) is your new essential source of global financial commentary. Follow ROI on LinkedIn and X. Listen to the Morning Bid podcast daily on Apple, Spotify or the app. Subscribe to the Morning Bid podcast and hear journalists discussing the latest news in finance and markets seven days a weeks.
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Sources and LSEG data show that Russia's Baltic Ust-Luga Port resumes oil exports
Three sources familiar with this matter have confirmed that the Ust-Luga Port has resumed oil exports, despite ongoing drone strikes. LSEG data?showed. According to LSEG and sources, the vessel 'Jewel' left Ust-Luga with 700,000 barrels on board. Loadings had been halted for almost two weeks. The Baltic port is capable of loading up to 700,000 barrels a day. Ust-Luga oil loadings were halted on 25 March after a heavy?drone attack from Ukraine?damaged the port. The attacks have continued during the suspension. Sources said that the Jewel began loading oil at the weekend, but it did not depart immediately due to drone attacks. The?sources reported that at least?one oil tanker was loaded on the Ust-Luga terminal on Wednesday. They added that drone strikes are likely to cause further delays in the operations. The Ukrainian military announced that it had struck Russia's Ust-Luga?oil?terminal? in the Leningrad area on Tuesday. This week, the Russian Sheskharis terminal in the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk was also closed after a drone strike. David Goodman is responsible for reporting and editing.
Bangladesh wants more fuel from India to repair relations
As the foreign minister of the new government, Khalilur Rahman, made his first ministerial trip to New Delhi on Wednesday, Bangladesh sought to increase its fuel purchases. This is a sign that the strained relations between the two countries may be improving.
Rahman met with India's Petroleum and Natural Gas minister Hardeep Singh Puri during his two-day trip. They discussed energy cooperation, among other things. Rahman thanked India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar for recent diesel shipments, and requested higher volumes of fuel and fertilizer. Puri indicated that the request would?be considered "readily and favorably," according to a Bangladeshi foreign ministry statement. Bangladesh relies heavily on energy imports that have been affected by the U.S./Israeli war in Iran. The visit is a first diplomatic outreach from the government of Prime Minister Tarique?Rahman who was elected in February after a landslide victory.
The discussions also included easing travel restrictions, and strengthening security co-operation. According to a statement, India said visa procedures for Bangladeshis - particularly those who travel for medical or business reasons - would be eased in the next few weeks. The two countries share a 4,000 km border and have deep cultural and economic ties. However, the relationship between them deteriorated in 2024 after Bangladesh's ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled New Delhi following mass protests.
Dhaka reiterated its call for Hasina to be extradited after she was sentenced by the International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh, according to a statement.
Rahman met with Ajit Doval from India, the National Security Advisor. The talks covered broader regional and global issues as well as the need to increase cooperation across sectors. Both countries suspended visa services as attacks on Bangladesh's Hindu minority exacerbated tensions. India also imposed a?port restriction on certain goods from Bangladesh. Recent signs of a thaw had been seen, but there were?already recent signs that the relationship was beginning to improve. Subrahmanyam?Jaishankar, the Indian Foreign Minister, visited Bangladesh in December?to attend the funeral of Tarique Rahman's mother Khaleda Zia and the Indian Prime Minister Narendra?Modi was one of the first leaders who congratulated him after he won his election.
(source: Reuters)