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China offers incentives for Taiwan after opposition leader's visit
China announced 10 new incentives for Taiwan on Sunday, including easing tourist restrictions, allowing "healthy" TV dramas and facilitating the sale of food, after a visit from the island's opposition leader. Cheng Li-wun (chairwoman of Taiwan's largest political opposition party, the Kuomintang) made this decision at the end of a visit to China. She spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping about the importance of peace and reconciliation. The official Xinhua News Agency announced 10 measures that "explore" a number of issues, including the resumption of flights between China and Taiwan, and the permission to individuals from Shanghai or Fujian Province to visit Taiwan. Xinhua reported that a mechanism would be created to reduce the inspection standards of food and fishery items, but it must be based on a political platform "opposing Taiwan's independence". Taiwanese TV dramas, documentaries, and animations will be allowed to air, as long as "they have a correct orientation, healthy contents, and high-quality production," the statement added. Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (which is responsible for the island's China Policy) said in a recent statement that Beijing's "unilateral" concessions are merely poison pills disguised as "generous gifts packages." It said that the Taiwanese Government supports healthy and orderly exchanges across the Strait, but these should not be dependent on political objectives or preconditions. The?KMT issued a statement in which it welcomed China's declaration, calling it a "gift" for the people of Taiwan. China has refused to speak with Taiwan President Lai Ching Te, claiming that he is a separatist. He rejects Beijing’s claims of sovereignty over the democratically-governed island. China and Taiwan blame each other for the lack of Chinese tourism on the island following the COVID-19 pandemic. Taiwan has also complained before about Chinese restrictions on the import of certain agricultural and aquatic products. Taiwan claims that China uses unjustified excuses in some cases to prevent the spread of pests.
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Saudi Arabia restores capacity to the East-West oil pipeline at 7 million barrels per day after the attacks
Saudi Arabia said that it had restored the full capacity of the East-West oil pipeline to about seven million barrels per day. This was after assessing the damage caused by the attacks on the energy sector during the Iran conflict. According to the ministry, the energy facilities and pipelines that were damaged during the conflict are now operational again. Saudi Arabia did not say who was behind the attack, but it has intercepted Iranian missiles and drones many times in recent weeks. The strikes also disrupted key oil, gas and refining sites, as well as petrochemical, electricity and petrochemical sites, in Riyadh and the Eastern Province. RESTORE OUTPUT TO CONTINUE SUPPLY Saudi Arabia said that the attacks on Thursday had reduced its oil production by approximately 600,000 barrels a day, and its East-West Pipeline throughput by about 700,000. Saudi Arabia has only one crude export route, the East-West Pipeline, due to the closure of Strait of Hormuz. Reports on Wednesday claimed that Iran had attacked the 'pipeline just hours following the ceasefire. The ministry said it had'recovered affected volumes' from the Manifa field, where production had been reduced previously by approximately?300,000. The ministry said that work was underway to restore the full output at the Khurais plant after attacks on it reduced Saudi Arabia's capacity by a further?300,000 bpd. The company said that a quick recovery would improve the "reliability and consistency of supplies for local and global markets." Reporting by Menna Alaa Al-Din, Muhammad Al Gebaly and Bernadette B. Baum
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China offers incentives for Taiwan after opposition leader's visit
China announced 10 new incentives measures for Taiwan on Sunday, including relaxing tourist restrictions, allowing "healthy" TV dramas and facilitating the sale of food. This follows a visit by Taiwan's opposition leader. Cheng Li-wun (chairwoman of Taiwan's biggest opposition party, the Kuomintang KMT) made the decision at the end of a visit to China. She spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping about the importance of peace and reconciliation. The 10'measures', announced by the official Xinhua News Agency, "explore" establishing a'regular communication system between the KMT, and China’s Communist Party. They also include the full resumption of flights between both sides, and allowing individuals from Shanghai, and Fujian Province, to visit Taiwan. Xinhua reported that a mechanism would be created to reduce the?inspection standard for food and _fishery products. However, this must be based on the political basis of "opposing Taiwan's independence". Taiwanese dramas, documentaries, and animations will be permitted to be shown, as long as they are "correctly oriented, have healthy content, and are of high production quality," it added. Taiwan's government did not immediately respond. China has refused to speak to Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te because it believes he is "separatist." He rejects Beijing’s claims of sovereignty over the democratically-governed island. China and Taiwan blamed eachother for the failure of a large-scale Chinese tourism on the island after the end of the COVID-19 epidemic. Taiwan complained before about Chinese restrictions?on the imports of certain agricultural and aquatic products. It claimed that China had in some cases used unjustified reasons to stop the spreading of pests and disease.
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Israel reprimands Spain for blowing up an effigy of Netanyahu
Israel announced on Saturday that it had reprimanded Spain’s most senior diplomat in Tel Aviv for the explosion of a giant effigy?of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week in a Spanish town. Maria Dolores Narvaez, the mayor of El Burgo in southern Spain, told local TV that the seven-metre-high (23-foot-high)?figure had been packed with?14 kg (31 lb) gunpowder during a ceremony held for decades on April 5. Israel's Foreign Ministry stated in a press release on X that highlighted a video, "The appalling hatred of Jews on display is the direct result from Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's Government's systematic incitement." I was not able to confirm the video immediately. "The Spanish government is committed to combating antisemitism, hate and discrimination in any form. We reject any 'insidious allegations' that suggest the opposite, a Spanish Foreign Ministry?source said. El Burgo Mayor Narvaez stated that the town had previously used effigies for U.S. president Donald Trump and Russian president Vladimir Putin at the annual event. Spain has always been a vocal critic of U.S. military operations in Iran and Lebanon. This is despite U.S. warnings to punish non-cooperative NATO members. Spain and Israel have been involved in a long-running dispute that began with the Gaza War. Gideon Sa'ar, Israeli Foreign Minister said that a Spanish ban on aircraft or ships transporting weapons to Israel through its?ports and?airspace was antisemitic. Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares has accused Israel of breaking international law and the two-week truce after a wave of airstrikes across Lebanon this week. Netanyahu claimed on Wednesday that Lebanon is not a part of the ceasefire, and Israel's military continues to attack Hezbollah with force. Sanchez, who is a prominent opponent of the Iran War, has shut down Spanish airspace for any aircraft that may be involved in an encounter he describes as reckless and illegal. (Reporting and editing by Alexander Smith; Reporting by Graham Keeley)
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The pilots' union has called for strikes on April 13 and 14.
?Union VC called on 'pilots 'at Lufthansa on a saturday to strike for two days starting on Monday over a pension dispute, saying the company has failed to make an acceptable offer. The union has asked pilots at Lufthansa CityLine, Lufthansa CityCargo, and Lufthansa Cargo to strike between April 13, 0001 CET (2221 GMT) and April 14, 2359 GMT (2159 GMT), the union stated. The ban excludes flights to the following Middle East countries: Azerbaijan (Azerbaijan), Egypt (Bahrain), Iraq, Israel (Israel), Jordan (Jordan), Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman and Saudi Arabia. The union has also asked pilots at Lufthansa's subsidiary Eurowings to go on strike from 0001 to 2359 CET on the 13th of April. The Cockpit 'union felt compelled to make this move after the employers showed no real willingness -to reach a resolution in several collective bargaining Disputes, said VC President Andreas Pinheiro. "Despite our deliberate choice not to strike over Easter holidays, no serious offer has been made." Lufthansa stated in a press release that VC's announcement was a "completely a new escalation" and questioned the union's demands to "double a company pension plan which is already excellent and above average". Reporting by Christoph Steitz, Ilona Knowebach. Jane Merriman edited the article.
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India increases export duties on aviation turbine fuel, diesel
India has raised its windfall 'tax' on the export of diesel and aviation turbine fuel, which it had imposed last week to ensure an adequate supply at home. India's Finance Ministry increased taxes on diesel exports to 55.5 rupees/litre from just 21.5 rupees/litre. The tax on aviation turbine fuel exports was also raised from 29.5 rupees/litre to 42 rupees/litre. India cut the excise tax on petrol and diesel last month by 10 rupees ($0.11). To control the rise in airfares it also set a limit of 25% on domestic airline fuel prices. Jet fuel can account for up to 40% of airline expenses. The global oil price has risen to $100 per barrel as the U.S. - Iran war continues to restrict the flow of crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz. This is the conduit that carries 40% of India's crude?oil?imports. India is the third largest oil consumer and importer in the world, and it relies heavily upon foreign supplies. (Reporting and writing by Nikunj Ahri; editing by Jan Harvey).
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Irish police break up blockade by protesters at high fuel prices
Irish police cleared protesters who had blocked the only oil refinery in Ireland on Saturday, after a senior government minister said that protests over surging fuel prices created a "very danger economic moment" for Ireland. Protesters angry by a rise of more than 20% in diesel prices following the U.S./Israeli war on Iran have used tractors and trucks to block a Whitegate refinery and a fuel terminal, as well as a few roads in Dublin's capital. The government said that hundreds of petrol stations were left 'without fuel,' putting emergency services at risk. State broadcaster RTE reported that police detained one protester and pushed others back at the Whitegate refinery on Saturday. The police released a video on social media that showed a number?of oil trucks?entering the refinery. After Finance Minister Simon Harris stated that the protests caused an "extremely hazardous moment" for the economy, this action was taken. Micheal Martin, the Prime Minister, said on Friday that the country was in danger of being forced to stop oil deliveries. Conor Humphries is the author. (Editing by Jane Merriman.
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Cathay Pacific will cut flights between mid-May and end-June due to rising jet fuel prices
Cathay Pacific Airlines announced on Saturday that it would cut some flights from mid-May until the end of June, citing the rising costs of jet fuel caused by the Middle East conflict. It was reported that the airline would cancel about 2% scheduled passenger flights between May '16 and June 30, 2026. Meanwhile, its budget arm HK Express would cut around 6% starting May 11. The airline said that the suspension of passenger services between Dubai and Riyadh will remain in effect until June 30. Cathay's CEO Ronald Lam announced last month that the Hong Kong-based carrier would expand its passenger capacity this year by 10%, citing a strong demand for flights to North America and Europe, as well as Australia, after the Iran War cut off traffic in the Middle East. Cathay?Pacific said that it plans to continue operating all scheduled passenger flights beyond June. Executives said that the two-week?ceasefire? between President Donald Trump and Iran will not bring immediate relief to the aviation industry. Officials in the industry have warned that jet fuel supplies will be tight and expensive for several months even if Iran were to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. (Reporting and editing by Anusha in Bengaluru)
Soccer-Turkish player's conservative 'wolf' goal celebration sparks furore
European soccer's governing body UEFA opened an investigation on Wednesday into a wolf salute goal celebration by Turkey centre back Merih Demiral which Germany condemned as racist due to its far best associations, prompting a rebuke from Ankara.
The 26-year-old protector imitated the shape of a wolf's head with his fingers after his 2nd goal in Turkey's sensational 2-1 win over Austria in the last-16 of Euro 2024.
The gesture is linked to the Grey Wolves, an ultra-nationalist youth branch of Turkey's Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), an ally of President Tayyip Erdogan's ruling AK Celebration.
The signs of Turkish conservative extremists have no place in our arenas, Germany's Interior Minister Nancy Faeser stated in a post on X. Using the European Football Championship as a platform for racism is totally unacceptable.
Developed in the 1960s, the Grey Wolves were associated with political violence in between leftists and nationalists that eliminated some 5,000 people around the time of a 1980 coup.
The group is disallowed in France and its sign is prohibited in Austria. The Grey Wolves are also under security in Germany, Faeser included.
UEFA stated it would look into the alleged inappropriate behaviour of Demiral.
It has actually been punishing misconduct during the tournament, banning Albania's Mirlind Daku for two video games after he led fans in offending chants, and examining England's Jude Bellingham for a crotch-grabbing gesture.
Turkey's foreign ministry said UEFA's probe was inappropriate which German authorities' approach to Demiral involved xenophobia.
We condemn the politically-motivated reactions to making use of a historical and cultural sign, in a manner that does not target anybody, throughout the celebrations of pleasure at a sporting event, it said.
The ministry also summoned Germany's ambassador to Ankara over the conflict, a Turkish diplomatic source stated.
'HAPPY TO BE TURKISH'
Elated by his man-of-the-match efficiency, Demiral informed press reporters he had planned the gesture.
I had a celebration in mind about being Turkish. I did that (gesture). I am really proud to be a Turk, I felt that to my bones after scoring the objective, that is why I wanted to do something like that, he said after the match.
I am very pleased to have actually done that, all the fans take pride in us. I saw individuals in the audience doing that. I wanted to do it after seeing them.
The German Israeli Society, which explained the Grey Wolves as a threat to Jews in addition to Armenians, Greeks and Kurds, gotten in touch with German authorities to prohibit the group.
The ideological supremacy of these fascist nationalists jeopardises public security, its president Volker Beck stated in a statement.
In Turkey, the ruling AK celebration and its MHP ally both protected Demiral and said the reaction ran out percentage.
AK celebration representative Omer Celik said those worried about racism and fascism need to concentrate on recent elections around the continent where the far ideal has been on the rise.
The Grey Wolf sign made by our kid Merih after hitting the net is the Turkish nation's message to the world, and UEFA's launch of an examination in this context is both ill-intentioned and part of a chain of provocations that have actually gained dangerous ground in current days, added MHP leader Devlet Bahceli.
The incident coincided with the start of a trial in Turkey of 22 individuals over the murder of former Grey Wolves leader Sinan Ates, who was gunned down in Ankara in late 2022.
(source: Reuters)