Latest News
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Fire breaks out in Russia's Ust-Luga Port after drones from Ukraine cause damage
Russian officials reported that the Ust-Luga port, which is one of Russia's largest petroleum export outlets, was damaged by a Ukrainian drone attack on Sunday, which ignited a fire. Ukraine intensified drone strikes on Russia's oil export infrastructure in the last month. These attacks included Novorossiysk, on the Black Sea, and?Primorsk, and Ust-Luga, on the Baltic Sea. These attacks caused severe oil supply disruptions for Russia, which is the second largest oil exporter in the world. They also hit Moscow at a time when oil prices were above $100 per barrel because of?the Iran War. The Governor of Russia's Leningrad Region in the north said that there were waves of Ukrainian drone strikes on the area, and a fire broke out at the port?Ust-Luga which was also attacked by drones Wednesday. According to sources, the port operated by Russian oil monopoly Transneft handled around 700,000 barrels of oil per day. In 2025, it is expected that 32.9 million tons of oil-based products will be shipped. Ukraine's SBU agency for security said that?long-ranged drones hit an oil terminal in Ust-Luga. In a statement, it said that the strike had caused "serious damage" to the port and set off a fire. I was not able to verify the extent of the damages immediately. Reporting by. (Editing by Guy Faulconbridge, Mark Potter and Mark Faulconbridge)
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Oman claims that no one has claimed responsibility for the attacks on its territory
Oman's Foreign Ministry?said Sunday that it?"condemns" attacks on its land, adn that no one has claimed responsibility. Authorities are investigating "sources and motivations" of the attacks, without giving any further details or naming a specific attack. Oman reported on Saturday that a worker had been injured in a drone attack at the Salalah port of the Gulf nation. Danish container shipping company Maersk later announced it temporarily halted operations?at the Salalah port?after the attack. Iranian media reported that Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed on Saturday they had targeted a U.S. Support vessel "considerably" away from Salalah Port. The statement continued, "As we have stated previously, the Islamic Republic of Iran respects Oman's national sovereignty." On March 11, drones ?struck oil storage facilities ?at Salalah port. Masoud Pezeshkian, the Iranian president, told Oman's Sultan in a telephone call that an investigation would be conducted into this incident. (Reporting and editing by David Goodman, Menna Alaa el-Din, Jaidaa taha)
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After being located by the Mexican Navy, two humanitarian aid vessels safely reach Havana
The Mexican Navy reported that two sailboats carrying humanitarian aid from Mexico reached Havana safely on Saturday. They had been delayed by bad weather, and were briefly reported as missing. After authorities watched their final approach, the navy confirmed that the sailboats had docked in Cuba's capital. The Mexican Navy reported earlier that a maritime surveillance plane spotted the sailboats after they were reported missing on Thursday. They were located on 'Friday, about 80 nautical miles (148km) northwest of Cuba. The crews said they were in good shape but that the 'unfavorable' weather conditions, especially winds, had slowed them down. The two boats were part of a convoy that was delivering food, medicine and baby formula to the Caribbean’s largest island. This is despite a U.S. blockade of oil shipments, which has caused power outages to worsen. A spokesperson for Nuestra América Convoy stated that the vessels were continuing their journey towards Havana. The convoy is on track to fulfill its mission - delivering desperately needed humanitarian aid for the Cuban people. The sailboats that were supposed to arrive between March 24 and 25 in Havana, Cuba, have not arrived since they left Isla Mujeres on Saturday. U.S. Coast Guard told French Press Agency AFP that the boats were found on 'Friday but later retracted its statement saying a search is still 'under way. This caused confusion. Nuestra America, or "Our America", is a coalition of nearly 300 organizations, including non-governmental groups and political parties, from over 30 countries. The group has sent approximately 20 tons of aid to Cuba by air and sea, including bicycles, solar panels, food, medicine, and solar panels. (Reporting and editing by Joe Bavier; Alistair Bell; Rod Nickel, Natalia Siniawski. Additional reporting by Dave Sherwood in Mexico City.
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Vice President Vance is the winner of CPAC's straw-poll for 2028 Presidential election.
The 'Conservative Political Action Conference is the top pick?this year? for?the next?U.S. A straw poll conducted on Saturday revealed that the next president of the United States will be Vice President?JD Vance. Vance was chosen by 53% of the attendees at this year's CPAC Convention. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was ranked'second' with 35%, at CPAC. This is a major gathering for Republican lawmakers, activists, and presidential hopefuls. CPAC, who is holding the event this year in Grapevine Texas, attracts a large number of conservative Republicans. The straw poll it conducts each year is not necessarily a reliable indicator of who will be the nominee. The poll is a snapshot into where the 'energy' currently lies in core supporters of Donald Trump's Make America Great Again movement. Trump is not eligible to run again in 2028, as he is currently serving his second term. (Reporting and editing by Sergio Non, David Gregorio, and Nathan Layne from Grapevine Texas)
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Kuwait airport damaged by drones. Radar system damaged. No casualties reported
Kuwait 'International Airport 'was targeted by multiple drone attacks Saturday, causing significant damage to the radar system, but resulting in no injuries, according to state news agency KUNA, citing Kuwait Civil Aviation Authority. Later, the spokesperson for the authority said that the attacks were perpetrated by Iran and its proxies as well as the armed groups it supports. Kuwait's fire department, meanwhile said a??fire? that broke out??? in fuel tanks at an airport on Wednesday after a previous drone assault had been extinguished AFTER 58 CONSECUTIVE HOURS, KUNA reported??on Saturday?. Tehran launched strikes on Israel, as well as on Gulf Arab states that host U.S. military bases. Israel has launched attacks on Hezbollah fighters who are aligned with Iran in Lebanon. The Houthis of?Yemen have started launching missiles against Israel to?support Iran.
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Sources say that Italy's Poste wants to meet with Telecom Italia over the takeover bid
Two sources familiar with the matter confirmed on Saturday that Poste Italiane?has requested a meeting at which the chief executive of the postal services group, Matteo Del Fante, could present its 10.8 billion euro ($12 million) cash and share bid for the former telephone monopoly. Poste, a state-backed conglomerate, announced last Sunday a plan to privatize TIM and create a digital champion in the country. This would strengthen the control of critical data for households and corporations by the government. The offer was not previously agreed upon with TIM. Sources said Del Fante had sent a request to TIM directors asking for an opportunity to present the offer. Poste, which offers services in logistics, payments, broadband, insurance, and financials, forecasts 700 million euro of annual benefits from the merger. Poste would gain control over TIM's network of data centres and its cybersecurity division Telsy. This deal would expand Poste's digital services for consumers, large businesses, and governments. Sources said that TIM's 'directors' will discuss Del Fante’s request during a meeting scheduled for Sunday. They added that the presentation of the bid 'was expected to happen in the next few weeks'. Poste and TIM declined to comment. On Sunday, TIM directors will also be expected to select advisers who will help them assess?Poste bid. Sources said that the TIM board will also decide on a?premature termination of a contract with Inwit for a long term, similar to a move made by Swisscom?s?Fastweb?. Poste is TIM’s?leading shareholder with 27%?of its ordinary share capital. This stake will drop to close to 20% when TIM converts special shares that it has outstanding in ordinary stock.
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The thieves steal 12 tons KitKat bars from Europe
Nestle, a Swiss food giant, said that thieves stole the truck carrying 12 tons of KitKat bars in Europe. Nestle's KitKat said that the truck carrying 413 793 bars of their new chocolate range set out from central Italy to distribute the chocolate across Europe but never arrived at its final destination, Poland. The vehicle as well as the merchandise are still missing. Nestle has not revealed where the truck went missing. In a separate announcement, KitKat said that the bars missing can be traced via a unique batch code. Anyone who scans the batch numbers of?the stolen bars will receive instructions on how?to contact KitKat. KitKat stated that "cargo theft is an escalating issue for businesses of every size." (Writing and editing by Dave Graham)
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Bloomberg News reports that Saudi pipeline bypasses Hormuz and pumps 7 million barrels per day of oil.
Bloomberg News reported that Saudi Arabia's East-West Pipeline, which circumvents the Strait of Hormuz and pumps?oil to its full capacity of 7 million barrels per day, according to a source familiar with the issue. Bloomberg reported that Saudi Arabia exports 5 million barrels of crude oil a day from its Yanbu port, located on the?Red Sea. The country also exports 700,000 to 900,000 barrels per day in oil products. Could not verify the report immediately. Aramco, the Saudi Arabian oil company, did not immediately respond to an inquiry for comment. Aramco CEO Amin Nasser had earlier told reporters on a March earnings call that it was expected the East-West pipe to reach its full capacity 7 million bpd within the next few days as customers reroute. Conflict in the Gulf Region, triggered by U.S. The conflict in the Gulf region,?triggered by?U.S. Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz. This has trapped a fifth of the world's oil supplies and liquefied gas, sending crude oil prices soaring above $100 per barrel. (Reporting and editing by Jan Harvey in Bengaluru, and Joe Bavier.)
Olympics-High expenses, safety concerns harm Paris Games reservations
Spiralling travel and accommodation costs, French political tumult and security concerns are dissuading numerous sports fans and visitors from attending the Paris Olympic Games this summer season.
Cities that win a coveted possibility to host the world's biggest sporting event typically do so on expectations that they will attract crowds of visitors to showcase themselves and boost their economy.
However Paris has a handful of factors breaking it that have held down bookings.
Flight bookings to the French capital - an indicator of traveler activity - are anticipated to increase by 10% year-on-year from June 6 onwards, according to flight ticketing information firm ForwardKeys.
That is a plain contrast to the 115% increase in tourist arrivals for the 2016 Rio Games. Even the Tokyo Games, held during the COVID-19 pandemic, saw a 20% increase, ForwardKeys stated.
Data from Paris-based consultancy MKG reveals hotel appointments have dropped given that last year for the weeks ahead of the Olympics, along with a 25% revenue decline for much of June.
The data alongside interviews with travel agents, sports fans and ticket sellers reveal high costs and security issues are making even the most ardent Olympic fans hesitant to participate in.
Today, it's the lowest reservations we've seen in 25 years for almost any sports event, Alan Bachand, a sports travel agent based in the United States, informed .
The findings highlight the challenges significant cities deal with hosting global sporting events - they are already crowded and expensive, frightening more price-conscious customers.
They also reveal that unrelenting travel demand, with tourists going to splash cash on experiences rather than products in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, is slowing as they become more sensitive to increased rates.
London experienced something similar in 2012. It just saw a 3% increase in arrivals, as numerous tourists steered clear of a city that would usually be inundated with travelers over the summertime.
Still, it will be a blow for the French capital - one study just recently estimated the Games would produce as much as $12 billion in financial benefits to the Paris region. In 2015, the Australian state of Victoria withdrew from staging the Commonwealth Games due to the fact that of ballooning expenses.
NIGHT BUS
Emma Mathieson, 29, has tickets in August for the females's bronze football match in Lyon and is wishing to get tickets to the gold match the following day in Paris.
However rather than staying over night afterwards, she will capture a night bus back to London. Accommodation of over 300 euros ($323) for the night was above her budget.
I would have enjoyed to have actually seen more women's matches or group stages if it was more economical, she said.
Average hotel costs in between July 26 and Aug. 11 have actually surged by 70% to 342 euros a night from in 2015, according to the Paris traveler workplace.
Even wealthier visitors have been postponed. Bachand stated four-star hotels were charging up to 1,000 euros a night throughout the competition, with many clients hesitating as a result.
Even so, homesharing site Airbnb says it has actually seen record Paris reservations. Since March, nights scheduled in the Paris area throughout the video games were 400% higher than the exact same time a year earlier.
ORGANIZATION FALLOUT
Nevertheless, Air France-KLM stated on Monday it expected weaker-than-expected summer season sales as travellers avoid the Olympics.
Global Travel Moments, a luxury travel agency, stated clients had likewise mentioned security concerns in addition to pricing as a factor to postpone their journeys.
France is on its highest level of security alert as the Games approach, with the country additionally undergoing breeze legal elections.
Islamist terrorism is the primary security concern, the French capital's chief of authorities Laurent Nunez said last month.
People are providing it a wide berth offered the present climate, said Duncan Greenfield-Turk, Global Travel Moments' primary travel designer, pointing out challenges like the election called by President Emmanuel Macron.
One customer recently postponed a trip to Paris till next year while another chose to visit before the games, he said.
Luxury sellers are hoping to boost sales in other locations beyond Paris as travelers avoid the French capital.
BENEFITS
Some travel bureau hope there will be a last-minute rush for tickets and accommodation and possible discount rates in the last weeks before the games start.
Visitors may be showing up by train or car which will not show up in flight data, however might drive last-minute home rental bookings, stated Jamie Lane, short-term rental analytics firm AirDNA chief economist.
Eurostar stated train ticket sales volumes to Paris until July 1 for the Olympics and Paralympics travel period were up 7% year-on-year.
It's going to be okay. In France, as normal, they're constantly not delighted and always criticising, stated Samuel Riezzo, who runs a firm selling tickets for sports events.
(source: Reuters)