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E.ON CEO: Full grid protection against drones is 'illusory.'
E.ON CEO?Says?On Wednesday that critical energy?grids can't be protected from outside threats like drones. This comes a week after an incident with drones at one of Germany’s airports raised the issue of increased risks for critical infrastructure. Leonhard Birnbaum, after presenting the first-half results, said: "At this time we cannot secure any airports in Germany. Not even the major ones." How could I tell you we have our distribution network, which is spread out across the country, in control? The CEO of E.ON - Europe's largest energy grid operator - made the comments after an explosive drone was discovered last week near the runway at the Leipzig/Halle Airport, exposing its vulnerability to external attacks. "I do not believe in complete protection. Birnbaum added that E.ON was working on several initiatives to 'raise the protection. "But when it's about drones, we must admit that the progress is so rapid and extensive that, at this time, we can't guarantee that we are completely protected against a?malicious?drone attack." Birnbaum stated that it was E.ON's responsibility to ensure that they can quickly restore the supply after any successful attacks. (Reporting and editing by Linda Pasquini.)
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GRAINS-Wheat increases by around 3% following Ukraine's attack on Russia's key export port
Chicago wheat futures rose around 3% Wednesday, after Ukraine attacked grain terminals at the main Russian wheat exporting port of Novorossiysk. This sparked fears that supplies would be disrupted to global markets. Soybeans, corn and other grains rose in advance of a U.S. Agriculture report on world supply/demand later Wednesday. Chicago Board of Trade?most active wheat increased 3.05% at $9.49-1/2 per bushel by 0929 GMT. Soybeans increased 0.3% to $11.73-1/4 bushels, while corn rose by 0.7% to $4.63-3/4 bushels. Industry sources said that two of Russia's largest grain terminals at the Black Sea port Novorossiysk have suspended operations as a result of the drone strikes overnight by Ukraine. Most of Russia's wheat exports are shipped via Black Sea ports, including Novorossiysk. During the war between Ukraine and Russia, Ukraine left the massive grain export terminals at Novorossiysk largely alone. However, both sides have intensified their attacks on ports and shipping in recent weeks, effectively stopping Ukraine’s high-volume shipborne grains exports. One European trader stated that "big grain export terminals can be easily hit and there is a fear that Ukrainian attacks on Novorossiysk will seriously reduce Russia's exports of wheat, which may cause demand to shift to other origins." The 'big question' is how long Ukrainian attacks will continue. Cargo vessel owners may stop sailing if they fear that their ships won't be safe in a conflict zone. Another trader said: "The market has become dependent on cheap wheat from Russia and Ukraine. High-volume shipments are moving out despite the war." Fears are now being raised that Russian wheat exports may be affected by the war. Grain markets have turned their attention to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s August'supply and demand' report. This report will include estimates of the U.S. soybean and corn harvests for this year. Michael Hogan reported from Hamburg; Naveen Thupkral contributed additional reporting in Singapore. Subhranshu Sahu and Harikrishnan Nair edited the article.
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Sources say that the Orsk refinery in Russia halted production after an August 11 drone attack.
Two industry sources confirmed on Wednesday that the mid-sized Orsknefteorgsintez refinery in Russia ceased operations on August '11 following a fire caused by a 'drone attack from Ukraine. Sources said that the drones struck the plant located about 1,900 km (1180 miles) east from the border with Ukraine on Tuesday. Ukraine's military has confirmed the strike. Industry sources claim that the drone damaged some of the refinery units at the plant. Forteinvest, a company that owns the refinery?did not respond to a request for comment. Ukraine has increased drone attacks this year on Russian energy infrastructure, including refineries and pipelines, leading to an?fuel shortage in Russia. The nameplate capacity of Orsk refinery is 5.76 million metric tons per annum, or around 115,200 barrels a day. According to industry sources, it will process 4.2 million tonne of crude oil in '2024, producing 1.8 millions tons of diesel, 600,000.00 tons of gasoline, 500,000.000 tonne of bitumen, and 200,000.000 tons of fuel oil. Jan Harvey, Jan Harvey (Reporting)
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Aena's Spanish Airports served 34.4 millions passengers in July
Aena, the airport operator, reported that 34.4 million passengers travelled through its Spanish airports in July. This is 5% more than what was recorded in 'the same month last year. The growing number of tourists in Spain is a testament to its resilience, even as the airline industry struggles with geopolitical instability and labour shortages. * Passenger numbers rose 4% in the first seven months 2026, a slightly slower rate than the 4,1% increase last year The busiest airports in Spain are Adolfo Suarez Barajas Airport, Madrid, Josep Taradellas Barcelona El Prat and Palma De?Mallorca * All airports operated by Aena, including 46 airports, two heliports, and 17 airports in Brazil as well as London's Luton, and Leeds Bradford, saw a 4% increase in passengers to a total of?41 millions in July. (Reporting and editing by Milla Nissi-Prussak in Gdansk)
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UN agency reports that oil from a tanker grounded in Oman is now reaching the mainland.
The U.N. shipping agency reported on Wednesday that oil from a large slick of oil leaking from the tanker Caroline 'Bezengi has reached 'Oman's' mainland. Oil is drifting off to the northeast (of Oman's Al-Qibliyyah Island), with reports that some oil has reached the mainland. A spokesperson for the IMO said that oil spill contingency planning is already in place. The government of 'Oman said that the slick from a nature preserve in the country has covered 'almost 400 square kilometers. The tanker, which was carrying 800,000 barrels from Russia to Asia, grounded on the coast of Oman around 22 nautical mile?off the fishing village of Sharbithat in Oman, according to the IMO spokesperson. The vessel has been leaking oil for some time. The monsoon season 'has restricted access to the vessel, and delayed salvage 'operations, said the IMO spokesperson. Reporting by Jonathan Saul, editing by Alison Williams and Jason Neely
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Putin warns that Russia will strike back if EU nations seize Russian ships
The Russian state news agency TASS reported that Vladimir 'Putin' said on Wednesday, Russia would respond in kind if a?European country seizes?ussian mercantile vessels. The remarks come at a time when the EU is intensifying pressure on Russia's shadow fleet. It has expanded sanctions against hundreds vessels and detained some ships for inspections. Several European governments have stated that they are exploring tougher enforcement measures against ships suspected of evading sanctions. Putin was quoted by TASS as saying that these measures were nothing less than piracy and robbery. If?this is put into practice, then we will have to retaliate in kind. According to TASS he said that any Russian retaliatory actions would not be restricted to the waters where Russian vessels were seized but "would occur wherever we deem necessary and appropriate." Putin spoke from the Russian island of Sakhalin in Russia's far east, where he was observing military drills. ?TASS?cited Putin as saying that NATO was making inroads in the Asia-Pacific and creating tension in the Arctic. He said that NATO is "making inroads" into the Asia-Pacific region and creating new military-political blocks. New 'weapon systems' that are a threat to Russia are also being deployed, or are scheduled for deployment.
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Sources say that two grain terminals in Russia's Novorossiysk stop work following an attack by Ukraine
Four industry sources said that two of Russia's largest grain terminals in the southern port of Novorossiysk had suspended operations due to overnight Ukrainian drone attacks. Russia is the largest wheat exporter in the world and most of its exports are shipped through its Black Sea ports, like Novorossiysk. Russia's largest grain lobby warned last month about the possibility of Ukrainian drone attacks shutting down?grain imports via the Black Sea, which would cause prices to rise and hunger in Africa and the Middle East. A source in the industry, who did not want to be identified due to the sensitive nature of the issue, stated that the Novorossiysk terminal, which had a 'capacity to export 8.5 million tons of grain per year, was suspended and an assessment of damage is underway. Demetra Holding's spokesperson, who owns the terminal and has no further comment, said the terminal suffered unspecified damages. Three industry sources said that NKHP was also damaged, and its operations had been halted. It has an export capacity of 7.1 millions metric tons annually. OZK, the company's principal owner, confirmed in a press release that there had been damage to the terminal and that no one had been injured. The company said that it would release more details as soon as they become?available. Veniamin kondratyev is the governor of Krasnodar Region, which includes the port city. He said that a'massive' wave?of Ukrainian attack had targeted the region and killed two people including an 8-year-old. Novorossiysk?also hosts oil export infrastructure. This includes the Caspian?Pipeline Consortium, which is partly owned by U.S. major oil companies Chevron and Exxon, and carries Kazakh exports to market. The FT reported on Wednesday that Ukraine had halted its attacks on tankers serving the?CPC after receiving a request from U.S. vice president JD Vance. The overnight attacks did not appear to have targeted the CPC or the tankers that collect oil from the pipeline.
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One person dead and 172 people rescued when Indonesian ferry from Bali caught fire
Officials said that 172 Indonesians were rescued on Wednesday, after a 'ferry' travelling from Bali to Lombok caught fire in the waters near the island. The'search continues for any missing passengers. Muhammad Hariyadi is the head of local rescue agency. The KM Putri Yasmin left Padangbai Port in Bali to Lembar Port in Lombok, in the province West Nusa Tenggara. Hariyadi said the incident occurred in the Lombok strait at 4:39 am on Wednesday morning (2039 GMT Tuesday). Hariyadi reported that by Wednesday afternoon one Indonesian was confirmed dead, and 172 people had been evacuated from the Lombok Strait to Bali and Lombok ports. One of the survivors was Australian and the others were Indonesian. Hariyadi stated that "we have deployed some boats to carry out the 'evacuation' and coordinate with other nearby boats," adding that over 200 personnel were deployed for the operation. The cause of the fire is unknown, nor was it known if overcrowding played a role. Heri Wiyanto told Kompas TV earlier in the day that the manifest of the ferry only listed 114 passengers and 17 crew. This incident occurred less than a month after KM Mutiara Sentosa 2 caught fire near Madura Island, killing five people. The ship was carrying a greater number of passengers than the manifest indicated. Indonesia is an archipelago consisting of over 17,000 islands. Ferries are a major mode of transport, as they're more accessible and affordable than flying. Safety standards are not always strictly enforced. This results in a high accident rate.
Yemen Houthis claim ship attack that killed four in the Red Sea
The Houthis, a group of Yemeni armed forces that are allied with Iran, attacked a ship on Tuesday in the Bab el-Mandeb strait at the southern entry to the Red Sea. According to Houthi news agency Saba, three Pakistanis were killed in the attack.
Yemen's Transport Ministry said that four?crew of a small cargo vessel were killed when it was attacked by the Houthis Tuesday.
The deaths aboard the Egyptian-owned Tihamah were the first Houthi attacks on ships since the Iran War began on 28 February.
The Houthis claimed the ship carried Saudi military equipment. Saudi authorities did not immediately comment.
Houthis announced on July 20, they would impose a blockade in the Red Sea against Saudi Arabia as a response to what they called a Saudi siege? on Yemen. Riyadh, however, has denied this claim.
Since then, they've launched attacks against Saudi Arabia, and?Yemen’s Mocha and Marib?which is controlled by the?internationally recognized, Saudi-backed government based in Aden. Reporting by Mohammed Ghobari; Writing by Nayera Abedallah; Editing by Chris Reese & Alex Richardson
(source: Reuters)