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Latvia vows to fight people smugglers after finding a tunnel under the Belarus border
On Tuesday, Latvia announced that a tunnel was discovered 'under the border of Belarus. It also announced plans to combat the networks which it claims are helping an increasing number of migrants cross the border 'illegally. Last month, Latvian soldiers fired a warning shot and used teargas to deter migrants from entering the country through Belarus. Belarus shares a 173 km (107 mile) border with Latvia. Interior Minister Janis Dombrava said at a press conference held jointly with Prime Minister Andris Kubergs that "the protection of Latvia's east border will be enhanced, through closer cooperation between Border Guard, State Police and National Armed Forces, as well as more intensive use by drones to detect and detain illegal migrants early." In recent weeks, European nations expressed concern about unregulated migration following the inflow of tens and thousands of Moroccans to the Spanish exclave Ceuta. However, most of these migrants have now migrated elsewhere. Kulbergs stated that criminal networks were facilitating migration from Belarus to Latvia and bringing them into Europe's borderless Schengen zone, but the migrants' final destination was elsewhere on the continent. "They migrate where it is easier (to enter EU). "We mustn't be the easiest place," Kulbergs said at the press conference. As part of "Operation Werewolf", he promised to target the?networks that transport migrants from the border and to their destination, as well any points of support for migrants in Latvia. Kulbergs stated that if everything went according to plan we were 'confident' we would?already?deal a serious enough?blow to the system. "I want the organizers to know that everything will come to an end." Kulbergs said last month that the situation with migrants was a hybrid threat, which had led Latvia to double its number of border guards. The government of Latvia said that it would 'cooperate' with its neighbours Estonia and Lithuania to stop the influx of migrants. In July, Lithuania reported that it had found a tunnel migrants used to enter Belarus. (Reporting and editing by Terje Solsvik, Timothy Heritage)
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Gulf Stocks Fall on Fading Prospects of US-Iran Deal
Gulf stock markets closed lower on Tuesday, as?hopes dwindled that a U.S. and Iran agreement would be reached to end the conflict and allow shipping through?the Strait of?Hormuz. Tensions escalated following a?U.S. President Donald Trump responded to Iran's peace proposal by demanding compensation for American loss resulting from previous wars, attacks and demonstrations. This stance is likely to complicate diplomatic efforts. Trump said that the United States had cleared the Strait of Hormuz of Iranian mines, and thus secured the Strait. Saudi Arabia's benchmark stock index fell 0.1%. The country's largest lender, Saudi National Bank, lost 0.8%. Adding to regional concerns, ?oil major Saudi Aramco postponed the restart of ?its 400,000-barrel-per-day Jazan refinery to ?August 30, following the Houthis' claim of carrying out two attacks on the facility on Sunday. Aramco's shares rose 0.5%. Brent crude futures were up $1.4, or 1.6% to $89.12 per barrel at 0701 GMT. Dubai's main share index fell 0.5% due to a 2.5% drop in the top lender Emirates NBD. In Abu Dhabi, the index fell 0.3% due to a 0.8% drop in 'ADNOC Gas. ADNOC Logistics & Services, on the other hand gained 2% following a 300% increase in the second-quarter profits. The strong performance was attributed to higher?charter rates for shipping and record-breaking?operational activities. Qatar National Bank, the largest lender in the Gulf, fell 1.2%.
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Drone attack in Voronezh, Russia kills a man and sets warehouses on fire
Alexander Gusev said that a drone attack killed a person and injured two others overnight in the Voronezh region of 'Russia. Gusev, a Telegram user, said that Russia's air defense units destroyed 15 drones in the area of Voronezh. "A drone crashed caused fires in two warehouses of a large company. The fire at one warehouse has been contained within an area of 16 square meters. At the other, a fire covering 20,000 square metres is currently being put out. "Emergency Services are on the scene," said?the governor. He didn't identify the company that was affected. On?Tuesday?, Russian online retailer Wildberries announced that its logistic?facilities? in the Voronezh?region? had been?evacuated in accordance with safety? requirements.
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The Washington Post reported that Trump secretly flew from Turkey to Iran due to the threat.
The Washington Post reported that U.S. president Donald Trump took a secret military flight out of Turkey last month, when the White House announced he would be flying on Air Force One. This was an extraordinary move, prompted by an Iranian threat to assassinate him. Trump used the older Air Force One to leave the country after he had flown the newly renovated Qatari-donated jet. This raised questions about its security. It was the first time the plane had flown internationally. The rapid upgrades raised questions about its security and cost, as well as the escalating hostilities with Iran. Trump announced on Truth Social, that he was using an older baby-blue Air Force One to RAF Mildenhall (Britain) "for old times sake", while the new aircraft stayed at the same base for U.S. military personnel stationed there to tour the aircraft. The Post cited a U.S. Official familiar with the operation as well as corroborating materials it reviewed. The Post reported that the deception operation had been triggered by an actual credible threat against Trump. In 2000, President Bill Clinton had used an unmarked executive plane to fly into Pakistan and sent a dummy Air Force One. In?this instance, journalists who believed they were traveling on Air Force One with Trump, an older model that was used to fool them, reported being told to keep the window shades closed in the press cabin. The Post reported that in addition to reporters, White House staff believed the president was aboard. Later, when reporters asked why they kept their shades closed during the flight Trump replied that they were "probably" on a dangerous plane. He continued: "But if you go, I'll go." Right?" The Post reported that the C-32A with Trump on board flew to Britain and arrived at 10:20 pm. Air Force One, along with media, arrived minutes later. The paper reported that it was not clear how Trump had been moved from the C-32A to the older Air Force?One. The traveling press pool of Trump?reported that he descended the steps of the older Air Force One around 10:56 pm local time. He did not approach the press to speak with them, but he gave a peace signal. Then he spent time with servicemen before stepping onto the plane donated by Qatar. The White House responded to a question about a secret flight in a third aircraft with a statement by Communications Director Steve Cheung. He said the Qatari jet had been "fitted with high level security protocols" that ensured the "safety of President Obama and his staff." Cheung stated, "As President Obama has recently said, there are many enemies who are looking to him and we use all the tools at our disposal in order to counter these threats." The same statement was given to the Post. The Pentagon did no respond immediately to a comment request. (Reporting and editing by Caitlin Weber; Humeyra Pauk, Christian Martinez)
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The Washington Post reported that Trump secretly flew from Turkey to Iran due to the threat.
The Washington Post reported that Donald Trump, prompted by a threat from Iran, took a secret military flight out of Turkey last month, when the White House claimed he was on Air Force One. Trump had taken the newly renovated?Qatari-donated jet for the NATO summit in Ankara, but when he left the country he used an older Air Force One. This move raised questions about the security of the newer aircraft. The first international trip for the new aircraft was to NATO, and it took place at a time when hostilities with Iran, which borders Turkey, were intensifying. The Post cited a U.S. official familiar with the operation and another person familiar with the?president's travel. Officials familiar with the operation, as well as another person who is familiar with?presidential travel, were consulted. The Post reported that the C-32A arrived in Britain at 10:20 pm, with Air Force One arriving a few minutes later. Trump stated on Truth Social that the older blue Air Force One would be used "for old times sake" for the flight from Ankara, Turkey to RAF Mildenhall in Britain. The new aircraft would stop at the same base to allow U.S. military personnel stationed there to tour the aircraft. The White House responded to a question about a secret flight in a third plane with a statement by Communications Director Steve Cheung. He said the jet, which was donated by Qatar, had been equipped with high-level security protocols that ensured the safety of President Obama and his staff. Cheung stated, "As President Obama has recently said, there are many Americans who have their eyes on him. We use every tool available to us to address these threats." The same statement was given to the Post. The Pentagon did no respond immediately to a comment request. (Reporting and editing by Caitlin Weber; Humeyra Pauk, Christian Martinez)
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Two oil tanks seized by the US after Venezuelan raid are sold for scrap.
Lloyd's List reported on Monday that the U.S. Government has sold two sanctioned tankers for scrap. They were seized days after Washington's raid in?Venezuela. According to the report, Global Marketing Systems, a Dubai-based vessel recycling firm, purchased the tankers for an undisclosed amount last month. Reports stated that the sale included Era, which was previously known as Marinera or Bella 1, as well as Lileo. These vessels were previously known as Galileo or Veronica. The tankers are to be 'demolished at scrap yards in India. Anil Sharma, CEO of GMS, told Lloyd's List that the U.S. Government sold the ships to them and a court ordered the sale. However, there were complexities. Not least, we didn't know who owned the ships before. GMS didn't immediately respond to an inquiry for comment. The U.S. Coast Guard, along with military special forces, seized the Russian flagged Era in the waters south of Iceland in January. This ended a 'week-long pursuit across Atlantic. The vessel had slipped past a U.S. Blockade in the Caribbean, which was intended to stop oil exports from Venezuela. Washington said then that the Era was used to transport oil sanctioned from Venezuela and Iran. The?U.S. In January, the?U.S. The tanker was under?U.S. sanctions. The sanctions were aimed at Russia. After its military action in Venezuela, the?U.S. The?U.S. Sanctioned ships often change their names to avoid detection. (Reporting and editing by Tom Hogue; Lisa Baertlein)
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Libya's NOC threatens to shut down Zawiya Refinery if drones continue to attack
After reporting the third drone attack on oil assets in the city, Libya's National Oil Corporation said it would declare force majeure and stop operations at the Zawiya Refinery if the attacks continued. NOC reported that the drone's latest attack targeted an oil mixing and filling facility operated by Zawiya Oil Refining Company. It fell near the main oil tank of the company and the pipeline network which is used to produce "oils" for the domestic market. There were no reported injuries or damage to property. Authorities did not immediately claim responsibility for the attacks and have not revealed who they believe was behind them. Zawiya, located around 40 km west of Tripoli and connected to the country's 300 000 bpd Sharara oilfield, has a daily capacity of 120,000 barrels. Ras Lanuf is not in operation, making it Libya's biggest refinery. NOC reported that the latest 'attack' was the third to target oil assets in Zawiya on Sunday and Monday. Brega Oil Marketing Company reported that a fire with heavy smoke broke out Monday in an oil tank at a Zawiya Refinery depot after it was hit. The Libyan oil ministry said that on Tuesday, the tank, which was owned by Brega, and contained approximately 4.5 million litres gasoline, had caught fire and fallen. The report said that a series drone attacks were aimed at the Zawiya refinery and oil complex, as well as the desalination facility. NOC had said in a separate statement that Monday the tank was "directly targetted" and declared an extreme state of emergency in the region, calling on authorities to act immediately and investigate this incident. Online footage that was not verified showed thick black smoke and huge flames billowing above Zawiya. On Monday, two engineers at the refinery said that operations continued as usual. A drone crashed early on Saturday morning into an untreated naphtha storage tank at the Zawiya Refinery. The staff were able to contain the leak. Reporting by Ayman Al-Warfalli and Ahmed Elumami; Writing by Muhammad Al Gebaly. Editing by Chris Reese and Nick Zieminski.
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Washington Airport to stop flights to support Freedom 250 Grand Prix
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration announced?on Monday?that it expects to?temporarily suspend flight operations at Washington Reagan National Airport between 10:15 am (1415 GMT), and 1:15 pm on August 23, to support the 'Freedom 250 Grand Prix IndyCar Race. IndyCar will be racing through Washington's streets from August 22 to 23 in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States. The general admission tickets are free. However, spectators may pay to join the "Champions Club," which offers an "exclusive experience" during the race weekend. A two-day package costs $5,000 per person. In recent months, the FAA has shut down airspace over Washington's Reagan?Airport several times for anniversary celebrations. On July '4, the FAA shut down the airport to accommodate Independence Day events in the nation’s capital. This forced hundreds of flights to be cancelled. The airport ceased?operations in June '14 to accommodate U.S. president Donald Trump's Army Anniversary Parade. Courtney Rozen, Andrea Ricci and Courtney Rozen contributed to this report.
Italy's Poste operating profit beats forecast in Q3
Italian postal service operator Poste Italiane on Wednesday reported betterthanexpected operating earnings in its third quarter, assisted by a favorable performance by all its varied services and cost control.
Poste, which has insurance coverage, monetary and digital payment departments besides the standard mail and parcels segment, stated adjusted incomes before interest and tax (EBIT) rose to 789 million euros ($ 848 million) in the quarter from 539 million euros a year earlier.
That was above an analyst agreement put together by the company of 741 million euros.
We are further reinforcing our updated full-year 2024 Changed EBIT assistance of 2.8 billion euros, with a net profit guidance of 2.0 billion euros, CEO Matteo Del Fante said in a. statement.
Profits in the quarter came in at 3.06 billion euros,. 9.6% up from a year before, and slightly above a 3.05 billion. euros forecast, with all its service contributing to growth.
Italy's Treasury strategies to offer a stake of as much as 14% in. Poste, with the state remaining a majority investor in the. business.
The Treasury directly owns a 29.3% stake in the postal. service company, while another 35% stake is held through state. loan provider Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP).
Initially expected to be introduced late in October, the. public offering might occur between the 2nd half of. November and early December, according to some analysts.
Poste said it will pay on Nov. 20 a 33 cents interim. dividend on its 2024 outcomes, a 39% boost on the payment at. the exact same phase last year.
Poste is valued at around 17 billion euros at the. current market value. The stock has gained more than 28% since. the beginning of the year.
(source: Reuters)