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UAE warns against 'uncalculated and reckless steps' during Israel-Iran air conflict
According to a Tuesday statement from the UAE's foreign ministry, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed warned against "uncalculated, reckless actions" that might spill over beyond the borders with Iran and Israel. The Emirati news agency WAM later reported that the UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan spoke with the Iranian President Masoud Peshkian about the Israeli attacks on Iran. WAM reported that the Emirati President said the Gulf nation is holding intensive talks with parties concerned to calm down the situation. It added that he also expressed his solidarity with Iran and the Iranian people in light of current events. Abu Dhabi has recently normalized relations with Tehran following years of tension. In 2020, the Gulf nation, Bahrain included, will also normalise its ties with Israel. Reporting by Menna al-Din and Jaidaa taha, Editing by Gareth Jones & Chizu Nomiyama
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Signals jammed, oil tankers near Iran seem to be in rural Russia
Front Tyne was sailing in the Gulf of Oman between Iran and United Arab Emirates when, just after 9:40 am on Sunday morning, shiptracking data showed the vessel in Russia in fields that were better known as barley and sugarbeet fields. The ship's erratic signalling by 4:15 p.m. indicated that it was near Bidkhun in southern Iran, and then later moved it across the Gulf. Windward, an analysis company, says that since the beginning of the conflict between Israel & Iran, there have been mass interferences in the Gulf. On Tuesday, two tankers collided south of the Strait of Hormuz. This is a crucial shipping route for oil around the world. Both vessels caught fire. Data from the commodity data platform Kpler revealed that one of these ships, the Front Eagle, was on land in Iran on 15 June. It is a sister ship to the Front Tyne and, like it, measures more than three soccer pitches. Ami Daniel is the chief executive of Windward. "There are usually no jammings in the Strait of Hormuz, but now there are a lot," she said. The culmination of that is higher risks. This is a hot zone... If you don't geolocate you have a greater chance of having an accident." Automatic Identification System (AIS) transmitters, similar to GPS, are installed on ships to send signals about their location, speed, and other data. These signals are disrupted by jamming. Jim Scorer is the secretary general of International Federation of Shipmaster's Associations. He said that GPS jamming is a problem because most ships now use digitalised systems. If your GPS is not working, you are left with no other option than to navigate by your gut instinct. Spoofing is when a crew deliberately disrupts the ship's signalling. It may be an indication of illegal conduct such as an attempt to hide a cargo, or destination. According to Dimitris Apatzidis of Kpler, jamming is the term used when a third-party disrupts signals as it has been happening in Gulf. In conflict zones, this practice is becoming more common as militaries try to conceal the location of navy ships or other potential targets. Analysts said that jamming was observed in the Black Sea when Russian ships attacked Ukrainian ports in the Taiwan Strait, and in waters around Syria and Israel. Last month, several ships appeared on land in Port Sudan. Ampatzidis said, "If you do not know where the vessels are located, you will be unable to hit them." In March, the International Maritime Organization and other United Nations agencies issued a joint statement expressing their concern about an increase in cases of interference with global navigation. According to an analysis of maritime data platform Lloyd's List Intelligence, the oil tanker Xi Wang Mu that was under U.S. sanction appeared to be in India at a Hindu Temple earlier this year, when it spoofed his location.
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Algeria purchases around 420,000 T of wheat at tender, traders claim
European traders reported that Algeria's state grain agency OAIC bought around 420,000 metric tonnes of milling wheat at an international auction which ended on Tuesday. Some estimates were higher, claiming that 500,000 tonnes was purchased. They reported that the average purchase price per metric ton was around $244.50, including cost and freight. Wheat was to come mainly from the Black Sea Region, especially Romania Bulgaria and Ukraine. The reports reflect the opinions of traders and it is still possible to estimate prices and volume later. Algeria usually buys much more than the nominal volume. Wheat can be supplied from any approved origin. Wheat is shipped in two phases from the main regions of supply, including Europe: 10-20 August and 21-31 August. The shipment date is one month earlier if the wheat comes from South America or Australia. Some traders claimed that the prices were too low. Others said they wanted to get rid of storage space before harvests arrived. Algeria is an important customer of wheat from the European Union and France in particular, but Russians and other Black Sea exporters are expanding rapidly on the Algerian market. Reporting by Michael Hogan, Hamburg; Gus Trompiz, Sybille De La Hamaide and Jan Harvey in Paris.
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Domodedovo Airport to be nationalized by Moscow court
Court documents show that a Moscow court on Tuesday ruled to give the assets of Russia's third largest airport, Moscow Domodedovo to the Russian State at the Prosecutor's General's request. Dmitry Kamenshchik, a Russian businessman or one of his companies owned Domodedovo. According to Russian media Kamenshchik was also a citizen of Turkey and United Arab Emirates. And according to court documents, prosecutors were concerned that the ownership structure of the airport could expose it to foreign influence. Domodedovo has not responded to comments immediately. The Domodedovo investigation is part of a long line of asset seizures that prosecutors have initiated. In January, the court had ordered that several large companies, including grain traders Rodnie Polya and Raven Russia as well as oil service company Borets, be transferred to the state. Igor Krasnov, the Prosecutor-General, said that Moscow began seizing property in Russia from both foreign and Russian owners shortly after the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine. By March, the government had transferred property valued at 2.4 trillion Russian roubles (30.48 billion dollars) to it. Reporting by Gleb Stoliarov. Alexander Marrow, David Evans and David Evans edited the article.
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No outward flights for stranded Israelis
Israel's Airlines said Tuesday that the government had given them permission to begin flights to bring people back who were stranded overseas during the conflict with Iran. Israel's airspace is closed after Israel and Iran started trading attacks on Friday. Tens of thousands were stranded when their flights to Tel Aviv cancelled. El Al Airlines, Israel’s flag carrier, announced that it will operate flights from Larnaca to Israel on Wednesday, as well as to Athens, Rome and Milan. It added that there would be no more passenger flights departing Israel. El Al has canceled all scheduled flights until June 23. It said: "We are aware of the stress, anxiety and difficulty experienced by El Al passengers who have been abroad, trying to return to Israel. We also understand those whose plans for travel were interrupted." El Al's customers in other countries will need to be patient as the rescue flights are being operated slowly. "We recommend making arrangements for extended stay and lodging." Arkia, a smaller rival, said that it would bring Israelis back from Karpathos (Greece), Larnaca (Cyprus) and Tivat (Montenegro). It said that Arkia was ready to work during any time period approved by security authorities. This includes Fridays and weekends. The company is also working with the authorities to expand the rescue operation. Israir announced that it would offer three flights to Israelis on Wednesday from Larnaca, Athens, and Varna in Bulgaria. It hopes to add more flights soon. The airline has cancelled all domestic and international flights until June 30. Israel's Transportation Ministry said that there could be as many as 150 000 Israelis living abroad. Around 50,000 of these Israelis are seeking to return home. El Al reported that more than 60,000 passengers had registered electronically within 90 minutes after the portal was opened for those who wanted to fly home. Mano Maritime's "Crown Iris", which carries 2,000 passengers on board, announced that it will make two crossings between Cyprus and Israel's Mediterranean port of Haifa. The number of people who have congregated in large numbers is staggering Cyprus The European Union country closest to Israel is Luxembourg. The flight from Larnaca, a coastal city on the Mediterranean coast, to Tel Aviv takes 50 minutes. Boat crossings take 15 hours to reach Haifa. During Israel's conflict with Hamas militants, foreign carriers often cancel flights, leaving El Al and Arkia to fill in the gaps for travelers. (Reporting and editing by Timothy Heritage, Andrew Heavens and Steven Scheer)
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Waymo robotaxi service expands to more areas of the San Francisco Bay Area
Alphabet's Waymo unit announced on Tuesday that it will expand its operations to include more of the San Francisco Peninsula and Silicon Valley as the only commercial robotaxi operator operating in the U.S. aims to scale up. Tesla is preparing to launch its robotaxi service, which will be paid, in Austin, Texas, as the self-driving tech firm received approval last month from California to expand operations. Waymo will expand its autonomous ride-hailing services to include new areas on the peninsula starting Tuesday. These include Brisbane, South San Francisco and San Bruno. Waymo expands its reach in the Silicon Valley to include more areas of Palo Alto, Menlo Park and other nearby cities. Alphabet said that it will expand to more areas of Los Angeles beginning Wednesday, including Playa del Rey and Ladera Heights as well as Silver Lake, Silver Lake Park, Echo Park and the entire stretch of Sunset Boulevard. Although the company has been given approval to expand to San Jose, they have not revealed any plans for the launch of the service. Waymo, the only U.S. company to offer robotaxi services that charge passengers, is the only one in this country. It operates more than 1,500 cars, providing over 250,000 rides per week in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Arizona, and Austin, Texas. (Reporting from Akash Sriram, Bengaluru; Abhirup Roy, San Francisco; editing by Leroy Leo).
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Air India's Boeing 777 fleet is not a cause for concern, according to India's regulator
India's aviation watchdog said Tuesday that surveillance of Air India's Boeing 777 fleet revealed no major safety concerns days after a crash in which at least 271 passengers were killed. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation issued a statement saying that the aircraft and maintenance systems associated with it were found to comply with safety standards. A Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with 242 passengers on board, bound for London, crashed in Ahmedabad just seconds after takeoff. The plane hit nearby buildings. The plane crashed in Ahmedabad, killing all but one of the 242 passengers on board. About 30 people were also killed on the ground. The DGCA said that 24 of Air India’s 33 Boeing 787 aircraft completed the "enhanced inspection" they had ordered. In a meeting with Air India's senior officials, the regulator raised concerns over recent maintenance issues that were reported by the airline. The letter also advised the airline to "strictly adhere" to the regulations, improve coordination between its various businesses and make sure that there are enough spare parts to minimize passenger delays. The DGCA met with senior officials from Air India and Air India Express in order to evaluate their operations, given the increasing number of flights. (Reporting and editing by Abhijith Gaapavaram; Manvi Pant; Chris Thomas.
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Bolsonaro and others are officially accused in the spy agency case
The Brazilian federal police has officially accused former president Jair Bolsonaro of illegally spying on the authorities by the spy agency ABIN during Bolsonaro’s presidency. They have also named his son Carlos Bolsonaro as well as other individuals in a probe. The federal police, without naming names, confirmed the results of the investigation. They detailed the "existence" of a criminal group that was focused on illegally monitoring public authorities and producing fake news using ABINS systems. According to a statement from the federal police, although it has been delivered to the Supreme Court, its final report is still under seal. Bolsonaro is already the president of Brazil. defendant According to a federal source, Abin, in a case involving a coup, was aware of Abin’s illegal surveillance scheme, and had benefited from it. He said that he had no knowledge of the case, and hadn't seen the report from the federal police. Carlos Bolsonaro was arrested on suspicion that he used information illegally obtained through the scheme in order to target targets using social media. Indicted were Alexandre Ramagem and Luiz Fernando correa, both former heads of ABIN during Bolsonaro’s administration. Correa is accused of obstructing an investigation by the Federal Police during the administration of President Luiz inacio Lula da So. Abin declined comment. Ramagem’s press office didn't immediately respond to an inquiry for comment. Carlos Bolsonaro was not reachable. According to a reliable source, the government is closely monitoring Correa's condition, but has not yet made a decision on whether he will remain in office or be replaced. Last year reported The parallel structure set up in Abin under the Bolsonaro administration monitored at least three justices of the supreme court. The attorney general will decide whether or not to charge Bolsonaro, and others in the case. Reporting by Ricardo Brito from Brasilia, Additional reporting by Eduardo Simoes, Writing by Isabel Teles and Editing by Alex Richardson & Natalia Siniawski
Brazil raises coal imports to record as hydro struck remains: Maguire
Brazil is set to import almost 900,000 metric tons of thermal coal this month, the highest regular monthly tally on record and 3 times the month-to-month average for 2024 up until now, according to information from shiptracking firm Kpler.
The coal purchasing binge comes as an enduring dry spell has slashed hydropower output to three-year lows, leaving power manufacturers short on power-generating fuels heading into the hottest months of the year when electricity demand peaks.
Power firms have actually likewise raised imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to their highest since late 2021, indicating that a. steep rise in fossil fuel-fired generation is looming in South. America's biggest economy.
Greater use of nonrenewable fuel sources will in turn lift Brazil's power. sector emissions, which are currently at their greatest because 2021.
HYDRO DISAPPOINTMENT
Hydro power typically accounts for around 65% of Brazil's. utility-scale electrical energy production, with hydro-electricity. generation balancing simply under 40 terawatt hours (TWh) a month. throughout the very first half of 2024, Ember data shows.
However, in September hydro output fell to just 28.7 TWh as. a drop in rainfall from the year before hit dam output.
Cumulative rainfall in Brazil's southeast - home to a lot of. the country's greatest dam systems - was simply 584mm (23 inches). over the very first 10 months of the year, according to LSEG.
That was 10% less than the average from 2019 through 2023,. and marks the 2nd straight year of less than 600mm of rain. over the opening 10 months of the year.
The drop in actual hydro output likewise cut hydro's share of. Brazil's generation mix to just 50% in September, forcing power. suppliers to boost output from alternate sources in order to. meet system needs.
TIDY CUT
While Brazil has among the world's cleanest power systems,. utilities will likely depend on fossil fuels to generate much of. the lost hydropower as output from gas and coal-fired power. plants can be rapidly gotten used to balance system needs.
Up until now this year, hydro dams have generated around 63% of. total electrical energy materials, wind farms have actually represented around. 15%, while solar farms have actually generated around 10%.
Nuclear plants have represented an additional 2.5% share,. while bioenergy plants - which primarily burn sugar cane pulp -. have actually generated an additional 1.5%.
The cumulative share of power generation from tidy sources. up until now in 2024 is 92%, which stays one of the greatest. globally.
Nevertheless, the remaining 8% share of generation has actually originated from. nonrenewable fuel sources, which look primed to be used in even greater. volumes over the coming months if hydro output stays prevented.
Natural gas has produced around 6% of Brazil's electrical energy. so far in 2024, while coal and oil-fired plants produced an. additional 2.2%.
PEAK NEED
A steep climb in overall power consumption is likewise putting. Brazil's power firms under pressure to raise output.
Brazil's electrical power need over the first 9 months of. 2024 is up almost 7% from the same months in 2023, which is the. greatest growth pace for that duration because 2021 when the. nation's economy recovered from COVID-19-related limitations.
But overall power need is likely to climb greater still. heading into 2025 as homes, factories and workplaces all dial up. the use of power-hungry cooling systems during summer.
Typical temperature levels in Sao Paolo - Brazil's most populous. city - can average over 10 degrees Fahrenheit (5.6 degrees. Celsius) more during November through February than throughout the. other months of the year, according to Weatherbase.
Those greater summer temperatures - which can top 30C (86F) -. tend to increase making use of a/c unit around the clock, and. strain power networks.
To satisfy those greater need levels, energies look set to. lift output from the country's coal and gas-fired power plants,. which will be well stocked from the set up imports of both. coal and LNG that are en path.
A sharp rebound in precipitation levels might assist restore. output from dam networks and limit the total use of fossil. fuels in 2025.
But for the remainder of 2024 a minimum of, considerably higher. generation from coal and gas looks imminent, and indicates a flare. up in local power emissions will follow. << The viewpoints revealed here are those of the author, a. writer .>
(source: Reuters)