Latest News
-
Kazakhstan's main export pipeline returns to full capacity after mooring points repaired - CPC
The Caspian Pipeline Consortium, Kazakhstan's main oil export pipeline, returned to full capacity on Sunday at its terminalon the Russian Black Sea Coast after maintenance was completed at its three moorings points and a crude tanker was loaded, according to the pipeline. Kazakhstan, the 12th largest oil producer in the world, has been facing a number of challenges in recent months. These include an attack by a Ukrainian drone on the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) in late November, which caused the pipeline to pump at below capacity, and a shutdown in production earlier this month at the vast Tengiz field. Since a Ukrainian drone damaged the single mooring point 2 (SPM-2), which is a floating buoy that connects tankers for oil loading, the CPC terminal has been working below capacity. This?attack only left one?mooring-point -- SPM-1 -- operational, while a third, SPM-3 was under maintenance. CPC has now confirmed that SPM-3 was back in service and loaded a vessel on Sunday. CPC, a company with Russian, Kazakh, and U.S. shareholders said that the repair work on the SPM-3's mooring point was completed at the CPC sea terminus. Sunday, it was reported that the SPM-3 had recently been repaired. CPC stated that the underwater hoses were also replaced and tested and that a container was currently being loaded. CPC stated that "in?this regard we stress that the fulfillment of oil ships' requests according annual plans is guaranteed with the simultaneous operation of two SPMs." Three SPMs, located approximately 5 km (3 miles) away from the Yuzhnaya Ozereyevka CPC Terminal near Novorossiysk, are used to load offshore tankers; usually two of them are active and one is a backup. Tengiz, which is the primary source of CPC Blend may continue to limit shipments. Tengizchevroil, operated by Chevron and affecting CPC Blend, has issued a force majeure for the grade after the fire. CPC's 1,500 km pipeline is owned jointly by Kazmunaygas of Kazakhstan, Lukoil of Russia, Chevron, and ExxonMobil. Guy Faulconbridge, Guy Faulconbridge (reporting)
-
Winter storm in the U.S. leads to 100,000 power outages and thousands of cancellations.
On Saturday, more than 4,000 flights in the U.S. were cancelled - ahead of a winter storm which has already affected over 100,000 utility customers as far as Texas and threatens to paralyze states to the east with heavy snowfall. Forecasters predicted that dangerously cold temperatures would accompany a combination of sleet, freezing rain and snow in the eastern two thirds of the country on Sunday. Donald Trump, who called the storms "historic", approved federal disaster declarations on Saturday in South Carolina (South Carolina), Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia and North Carolina (Maryland), Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana Mississippi, Indiana and West Virginia. "We will monitor and keep in touch with every state in the path this storm. Trump posted a message on Truth Social titled "Stay Safe and Stay Warm". The Department of Homeland Security has declared weather emergencies in 17 states and District of Columbia. Tens of thousands have lost electricity in the affected states of the South. Utility crews are working as quickly as possible to restore power, DHS Secretary KristiNoem stated late Saturday afternoon. Power outages continue to increase. According to PowerOutage.com, as of 6:30 PM ET, more than 130,000 U.S. consumers had lost power, with the majority of those in Texas and Louisiana. The U.S. National Weather Service has warned of a?unusually large and long-lasting winter storm which will cause widespread heavy ice to accumulate in the Southeast U.S., citing "crippling or locally catastrophic impacts." The weather service predicted that dangerously low wind chills and record-breaking cold temperatures would continue to descend on the Great Plains region in the U.S. as of Monday. FlightAware, a flight tracking website, reported that as of 6:42 pm EST on Saturday, over 4,000 U.S. scheduled flights had been cancelled. The website also indicated that more than 9,000 U.S. flight originally scheduled for Sunday have been cancelled. Major U.S. Airlines warned their passengers to be alert for sudden flight cancellations and changes. Delta Air posted an update to its website Saturday, stating that it was "continuing to make schedule changes due to Winter Storm?Fern." Additional cancellations were expected in the morning in Atlanta, along the East Coast and at Delta hubs located in Boston and New York City. The airline announced that it would be transferring experts from its cold weather hubs in order to assist the de-icing teams and baggage teams of several southern airports. JetBlue announced that as of Saturday morning, it had cancelled?about 1,200 flights until Monday. Additional cancellations are possible as JetBlue is "closely" monitoring the forecasts. On Saturday, U.S. grid operators increased precautions in order to prevent rotating blackouts. Dominion Energy's Virginia operations, which include the largest data center collection in the world said that if the ice forecast holds, it could be one of the biggest winter events ever to impact the utility's operation. Noem warned Americans about taking precautions at a press conference on the preparations of the U.S. Government for this storm. Noem warned, "It will be cold." We encourage everyone to stock up fuel and food. We will all get through this together.
-
As tensions over Iran escalate, airlines reroute and cancel flights
As tensions between Iran and the United States escalate, airlines have been rerouting or cancelling flights in the Middle East. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the U.S. was sending an "armada", towards Iran. Senior Iranian officials Friday Iran will treat an attack as "an all-out battle against us" ahead of the arrival of the U.S. aircraft carrier strike group in the Middle East and other assets. On January 16, the European Union's aviation regulator advised its airlines to stay away from Iran's airspace, as tensions grew over Tehran's violent crackdown on anti-government protests and U.S. intervention threats. Air France KLM, the Dutch subsidiary of Air France KLM, said that Airline KLM would avoid flying over large parts of the Middle East 'until further notice' due to the rising tensions in the region. A KLM spokesperson stated that, as a precaution due to the geopolitical climate, KLM would not fly in the airspace of Iran and Israel, nor will it fly over several countries within the Gulf region. Air France Air France resumed its service from Paris to Dubai after it was suspended a day earlier. The airline said that they were monitoring the situation "in real-time" in the Middle East. Air France said that it "continually monitors" the geopolitical conditions of the countries served by its aircraft and those overflew. LUFTHANSA Lufthansa announced on January 14 that it will bypass Iranian and Iraqi Airspace until further notice and only operate day flights between January 14-19 to Tel Aviv or Amman. In a press release issued that same day, the company said some flights may be cancelled as a result. BRITISH AIRWAYS British Airways suspended its flights to Bahrain temporarily on 16 January as a precautionary step. The airline said it "continued to closely monitor the situation in the area". On January 24, flights to Bahrain were again available on the BA website. A spokesperson for the carrier said that all of its scheduled flights would be carried out. FINNAIR Finnair announced in a statement on 16 January that it has stopped flying over Iraqi airspace and is instead traveling to Doha or Dubai via Saudi Arabia. For security reasons, the carrier avoided Iranian, Syrian and Israeli skies. WIZZ AIR A spokesperson for Wizz Air said that in January, the company avoided Iraqi airspace and Iranian airspace. The representative explained that some flights departing from Dubai or Abu Dhabi will be required to stop in Larnaca (Cyprus) or Thessaloniki (Greece) for refueling and crew changes. (Compiled by Jan Harvey, with additional reporting from Leigh Thomas and Michael Holden at London and Paris; editing by Sharon Singleton).
-
Italy protests and recalls its ambassador to Switzerland following the release of a New Year's barfire suspect
Italy protested formally on Saturday against the bail release of the owner a Swiss bar that was engulfed by a deadly fire New Year's Day and it recalled its ambassador in Switzerland. The court's ruling had been criticized in both countries. Jacques Moretti, his wife Jessica and the owners of Le Constellation in Crans-Montana are being investigated for negligent homicide, as well as other crimes, linked to a fire that claimed 40 lives and injured over 100 others, including many teenagers. Jacques Moretti, who was arrested on 9 January but released on bail last Friday, has been detained since then. PM MELONI?CALLS THE DECISION "AN INSULT" TO VICTIMS FAMILIES Giorgia Melons, the Italian prime minister, called Moretti’s release “an insult to the families of those victims and an insult to their memory”. Six of the six dead and 10 injured in the bar fire were Italian. In a statement released on Saturday, Meloni and Antonio Tajani, Italy's Foreign Minister, instructed the ambassador to contact Beatrice Pilloud in Switzerland's Valais Canton, Chief Prosecutor, to express Italy's "strong anger" at Moretti's freedom. The court added that it had made the decision despite seriousness of alleged crime and the possibility of evidence being compromised. The statement read: "The entire country of Italy is demanding truth and justice and respectful measures in the wake this disaster that take into account the suffering and the expectations of the families." Meloni & Tajani also ordered Ambassador Gian Lorenzo Cornado to return Rome to determine the next steps to be taken, it stated. Swiss prosecutor Pilloud confirmed that she was contacted by the Italian Ambassador but explained that another court had ordered Moretti’s release. "I don't want to be held responsible for any diplomatic incident that may occur between our countries." "I will not be influenced by any pressure from the Italian authorities. That is why I told the ambassador to speak to the Swiss political authorities," said she. The spokesperson for the Swiss Foreign Affairs Ministry was not available to comment immediately. "ANOTHER SLAP", SAYS THE FATHER OF A TEEN VICTIM AFTER RELEASE Moretti was released on bail, which included a payment of 200,000 Swiss Francs ($256.377) and an instruction to report to the police station daily. Lawyers representing the families of victims and lawyers for those who were injured in the fire said that they could not understand the court order. They also expressed concern about the disappearance of evidence. Andrea Costanzo's comments in Italian newspapers published on Saturday said, "It's another slap to a wound that will never heal." Both the Morettis and their children have expressed their sorrow over this tragedy, and they both said that they will cooperate with the prosecutors. Their lawyers stated that they will "continue to obey all requests" from the authorities following Jacques Moretti’s release.
-
Italy protests and recalls its ambassador to Switzerland following the release of a New Year's barfire suspect
Italy protested formally on Saturday against the bail release of the owner of an?Italian?bar that was engulfed by a deadly fire on New Year's Day and it recalled its?ambassador?to Switzerland as the court's ruling had been criticized in both countries. Jacques Moretti, his wife Jessica and the owners of Le Constellation in Crans-Montana are being investigated for negligent homicide, as well as other crimes, linked to a fire that claimed 40 lives and injured over 100 others, including many teenagers. Jacques Moretti, who was arrested on 9 January, was released on bail this Friday. Release is a 'punishment' to the families of victims, says PM Meloni Giorgia?Meloni, the Italian Prime Minister, called Meloni's release overnight "an insult to the families of those who died in the New Year's Eve tragedy" and "a affront to their memory". Ten of the injured and six of the dead were Italian. In a statement released on Saturday, Meloni and Foreign Ministry Antonio Tajani instructed Italy’s?ambassador immediately to contact the chief prosecutor in Switzerland’s Valais Canton to express Italy's "strong anger" over Moretti’s release. The court added that it had made the decision despite seriousness of the crime, flight risk and possible compromise of evidence. The statement stated that "the whole of Italy is demanding truth and justice and calling for respect measures to be taken as a result of this tragedy, which fully account for the suffering and the expectations of the families." Meloni & Tajani also ordered ambassador Gian Lorenzo to Cornado to return to Rome and determine what action to take next, according to the statement. The spokesperson for the Swiss Foreign Affairs Ministry was not available to comment immediately. Moretti was released on bail, which included a payment of 200,000 Swiss Francs ($256.377) and an order to report to the police station daily. Lawyers representing the families of the victims and lawyers for those who were injured in the fire said that they had difficulty understanding the court order. They also expressed concern about the disappearance of evidence. Both the Morettis and their children have expressed their sorrow over this tragedy, and they both said that they will cooperate with prosecutors. Their lawyers stated that they both would "continue complying with all requests" from the authorities following Jacques Moretti’s release.
-
Delta cancels more Atlanta-East Coast flights due to winter storm
Delta Air Lines announced on Saturday that it had made "additional cancellations" for Atlanta, along the U.S. East Coast, and at its "hubs" in Boston and New York as it continues to adjust schedules because of winter storm Fern. The airline stated that significant snowfall will begin in the Northeast on Sunday afternoon, as well as ice accumulation. A major winter storm that threatens to disrupt operations, as well as force widespread cancellations, is disrupting air travel in the United States. Airlines are cancelling flights, warning of delays and issuing 'travel waivers' as ice and snow sweeps across major hubs, regional airports, and the central, eastern, and southern parts of the U.S. Customers should expect cancellations in the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys including Nashville and Raleigh-Durham as the storm threatens weekend travel. Delta cancelled flights at several airports across five states, citing the possibility of more cancellations and delays due to slow operations. The National Weather Service warned that a mixture of freezing rain and sleet could cause power outages, tree damage and make travel hazardous in the Southeast. As the storm moves north, heavier snowfall is expected. (Reporting and editing by Tomasz janowski in Bengaluru)
-
Dutch airline KLM avoids Middle East because of rising tensions
Air France KLM, the Dutch airline arm of Air France Group, said that KLM would avoid flying over a large part of the Middle East until further notice because of the 'increasing tensions. KLM didn't specify what prompted?the decision. The fear of a war between the United States and Iran is growing after U.S. president Donald Trump ordered the deployment?of an aircraft carrier strike group?and other military assets to the Middle East. On Friday, a senior Iranian official stated that Iran would consider any attack as "an all-out war" against the United States. KLM's spokesperson stated that, as a precaution due to the geopolitical climate, the airline will not fly through the airspaces of Iran, Iraq, and Israel, nor will it fly over several countries in the Gulf region. The spokesperson said that "KLM will not fly to Dubai, Riyadh Dammam, Tel Aviv and Tel Aviv" until further notice. (Reporting and editing by Bart Meijer)
-
US Judge rules that Trump administration illegally suspended EV charging infrastructure program
A federal judge ruled on Friday that President Donald Trump's administration illegally suspended funding to support the expansion?electric vehicle charger infrastructure. This was a win for the 20 Democratic-led state who sued the Trump administration over this action. U.S. District Court Judge Tana Lin ruled in Seattle in favor of the District of Columbia and 20 states that had filed their suit after the U.S. Department of Transportation suspended in February an EV charging infrastructure program enacted in 2021 by Congress under a Democrat President Joe Biden. Lin, a Biden-appointed official, stated that the DOT and Federal Highway Administration had "yanked out the NEVI Formula Program?cord from the outlet" without following the statutory requirements of administrative law. Environmental groups such as the Sierra Club praised the ruling. They said it allowed states to move forward in building infrastructure that is funded by law. Lin's order prevents the Transportation Department permanently from taking away funds from the states or cancelling their approved implementation plans. In a press release, Mike Faulk said that the order of Judge Lin was a "resounding victory for rule of law and smart investments in our future clean energy." The Transportation Department didn't immediately respond to an inquiry for comment. The DOT suspended the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program in February, shortly after Sean Duffy became Transportation Secretary. This program was part of Infrastructure Investment and Jobs act?that Biden signed in law in 2021. The Trump administration has implemented a number policies that aim to increase the sale of gasoline-powered cars and reduce EV incentives, both for automakers as well as consumers. California, Colorado, and Washington, along with other states, sued the Trump administration in May alleging that it wrongfully withheld billions of dollars they were previously awarded. The administration claimed it was only a temporary pause. It ended later after the judge issued a preliminary order and the agency issued a new guideline. Lin, however, said that the 2021 law did not contemplate?even temporary breaks in funding for EV infrastructure. She wrote: "In summary, defendants defied Congress' will by withholding funds a way not contemplated in the IIJA." Next week, the U.S. Senate will consider legislation that was already approved by the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill would redirect $879 millions in funds that were approved under Biden to build an EV charging infrastructure to other priorities. Nate Raymond, reporting from Boston; David Shepardson, editing in Washington.
What are nations doing to get nationals out of Lebanon?
Western countries are updating contingency prepare for arranging evacuations from Lebanon after a sharp escalation in border warfare between Israel and the Lebanese armed movement Hezbollah.
Cyprus, the closest European Union member state to the Middle East, is a most likely hub for evacuations, having actually processed around 60,000 individuals fleeing the Hezbollah-Israel war in 2006. Neighbouring Turkey has provided facilities also.
No country has actually activated a large-scale military evacuation yet, though some are chartering airplane to help in their nationals leaving as Beirut airport remains open. There have likewise been plans to evacuate by sea to Cyprus, enabling the motion of larger groups of individuals at a time.
Here are details on contingency preparation:
AUSTRALIA. Authorities have made contingency strategies that might include. evacuation by sea, though it has actually urged an estimated 15,000 of. its citizens in Lebanon to leave while Beirut airport remains. open.
BELGIUM. Belgium's foreign ministry advises Belgian people to leave. Lebanon as quickly as possible, Belga news agency reported.
CANADA
Report from Canada suggest it will cooperate with. Australia in leaving nationals by sea. The strategy involves. contracting a commercial vessel to carry 1,000 individuals out. each day, The Toronto Star reported.
FRANCE. France, which has actually been advising residents not to take a trip to Lebanon,. has actually had evacuation strategies in place for several months but has not. provided an evacuation order. Present contingency plans centre. around Cyprus and Beirut airport, while it is likewise discussing. evacuations by means of Turkey. France has a warship in the region,. while a French helicopter carrier will get here in the eastern. Mediterranean in the coming days and take up position in case a. choice is taken to leave foreign nationals from Lebanon, a. French army spokesperson said on Tuesday.
GERMANY
Germany has actually evacuated non-essential personnel, families of. embassy workers and German nationals who are medically. susceptible out of Lebanon and will support others attempting to. leave, a joint declaration by the foreign and defence ministries. said on Monday. Germans in the region can leave the nation on. business flights via airports that are still open, a. spokesperson for the German foreign ministry stated on Monday.
GREECE
The Greek foreign ministry has prompted its people to leave. Lebanon and avoid any travel to the nation. A frigate is on. standby in case help is required.
ITALY
Italy has actually lowered diplomatic staff and beefed up security. workers at its embassy in Beirut, a source informed Reuters. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has consistently prompted nationals. to leave the nation and looked for assurances from Israel over the. security of Italian soldiers running in peacekeeping operations. in the location.
THE NETHERLANDS. The Netherlands will repatriate its people from Lebanon, Dutch. news agency ANP reported on Tuesday.
TURKEY. Turkey is ready to perform a possible evacuation of Turks from. Lebanon via air and sea, and is dealing with around 20 countries. on preparing its ports and airports for a possible evacuation of. foreign nationals via Turkey, the foreign ministry said on. Tuesday.
A diplomatic source stated that some 14,000 Turkish people. were registered at the Turkish consulate in Lebanon, though that. number was not conclusive. Some states with less resources. were asking to sign up with Turkish evacuation operations.
If an evacuation choice is made, the top priority will be our. own people, the source said.
Our military freight airplanes and ships that will be utilized in a. possible evacuation are waiting prepared for responsibility.
UK. Britain has actually called for its nationals to leave immediately. It. has walked around 700 troops to Cyprus, strengthening its existence. in the area where it currently has military assets, including two. Royal Navy ships. It also has 2 military bases on the island. The British federal government has actually chartered a flight to help satisfy any. additional demand from Britons wishing to leave on Wednesday,. and will fly directly back to London.
UNITED STATES. The U.S. has actually purchased the implementation of lots of troops to. Cyprus to help get ready for situations, including an evacuation of. Americans from Lebanon.
PORTUGAL
Prime Minister Luis Montenegro has actually encouraged against travel to. Lebanon. The nation assisted in the evacuation of a little. variety of Portuguese people living there.
(source: Reuters)