Latest News
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French Railways boss warns heat-vulnerable travellers to avoid trains
On 'Sunday, the SNCF head warned 'vulnerable people not to take the train during France's heatwave. Jean Castex, a reporter at the time, said: "We advise the most vulnerable to postpone or avoid their trip during this heatwave." * Former French Prime Minister?Castex said that a number of incidents were possible due to the high temperatures. Meteo France's latest update stated that 49 departments would be under a "red heatwave" warning starting at noon on Monday. This is 14 more departments than Sunday. The heatwave will intensify, reaching peaks as high as 42 degrees Celsius. It was also stated that "it is likely the heatwave will continue, or even worsen in some areas" for much of the next week. Reporting by Dominique Vidalon Editing By Louise Heavens And David Goodman
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Authorities say that the no-fly zone created by the Iran talks has disrupted flights to and from Zurich Airport.
Aviation authorities confirmed that a technical problem in air 'traffic control', which was triggered by security precautions?for the peace talks between the U.S.A. and Iran?in Switzerland?, caused disruptions? at the Zurich airport?on Sunday. They added that the problem has been resolved. Skyguide, a Swiss air traffic control authority, said that the glitch was caused by the integration of the restricted zone above Buergenstock in radar display systems. This is the Swiss mountain resort, where the negotiations are taking place. According to a statement, the zone was decided only at the last minute as the decision to hold the most recent round of discussions was not finalised until the following Saturday. Skyguide reported that operations have returned to normal. "The systems run smoothly and security is ensured at every time." A spokesperson for the airport said that by midday 12 arrivals had been cancelled and 14 departures. She added that at least 60 departures had been delayed. As outlined in a tentative peace agreement, U.S. Vice-President JD Vance met with Iran on Sunday for peace 'talks' at Buergenstock. However, the diplomacy of the U.S. was overshadowed when Iran announced that it had reimposed a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The Swiss government has promised that the talks will be held in a "reliable and discreet setting". This resort is located just over 50 kilometres south of the Zurich airport. Reporting by Alexandra Schwarz Goerlich; Writing by Rachel More, Editing by Barbara Lewis
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Five people killed in Ukraine attack as Crimea suspends fuel sales
The?Russian-installed 'governor' said that four people had been?killed? and 28 others wounded?in a ukranian drone attack against the russian-controlled peninsula Crimea. Local authorities in Russia's Krasnodar Region said that a Ukrainian drone strike on an oil transportation facility confirmed by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy killed one person on a passenger ship and set a?oil storage terminal on fire. The Russian Defence Ministry reported that 239 Ukrainian drones were shot down over night. Crimean Governor Sergei Aksyonov stated that 'fuel stations across peninsula have suspended sales to the public and businesses. Supplies are restricted to government agencies in charge of essential services and security. Ukraine intensified its drone attacks against Crimea, the home of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. The attack targeted the peninsula's fuel supply routes, which triggered a fuel shortage as the holiday season began. Local power grid operators reported "outages" in several areas due to damage to the electricity networks. Ferry traffic across the Kerch Strait, which separates Crimea from Krasnodar, was also temporarily suspended. The authorities also stopped traffic on the bridge connecting?Crimea and Russia's Krasnodar region for more than 9 hours, leaving 11 train running behind schedule. Louise Heavens (Reporting)
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Minister: Three Indian flagged oil tankers have cleared the Strait of Hormuz
Sarbananda Snowal, the shipping minister said that three Indian-flagged oil tankers with more than 860,000 metric tonnes of 'oil and 94 Indian crew have safely transited 'Strait of Hormuz. They are now en route to India. Sonowal announced on X the Desh Vaibhav?, Desh Vibhor?? and Sanmar Herald have all completed their transit. The United States and Iran have signed a ceasefire agreement, which has led to an increase in oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Gulf producers are preparing to boost?exports regardless of concerns about?conditions that Tehran set for the use of the waterway. Washington and Tehran have released the text for the interim agreement they signed on Wednesday. U.S. president Donald Trump has warned that if the commitments made are not kept, he will resume his attacks against Iranian officials. Thirteen cargoes with Indian flags were stranded at the Strait of Hormuz prior to the?transit of?three cargoes Sonowal said, "Our Ministry is actively working with all relevant agencies in order to ensure 'the safety of the?Bharat seafarers as well as energy lifelines.
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Judge rules that the wife of Spanish PM must face corruption charges
A 'judge' ruled that the?wife of Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez must face corruption charges, and is banned from leaving Spain. Begona Gómez is being investigated over allegations that she abused her position as wife of the Prime Minister to obtain work contracts. She denies all wrongdoing. The far-right groups brought the case. The investigating judge,?Juan Carlos Peinado, ordered Gomez surrender her passport and barred her from leaving Spain. She was also required to appear in court twice per month. Sanchez, Europe's last leftist leader, is weighing down by several corruption cases that are nearing or have already been tried. He hasn't been named in any of these cases, and he has claimed that they are all part of an effort to remove him from his office. The Socialist Party reacted quickly to the ruling of the judge, posting on social media X that "(Begona has been subjected?)to judicial and politcal persecution for two year. The development of today is a step forward in this process." Investigations are underway against several close friends, including the number three of the Socialist Party and Sanchez's ex-transport minister. The cases involve alleged kickbacks in connection with public works contracts, oil and gas deals, and the purchase of masks for the pandemic. They deny any wrongdoing. Separately the Spanish High Court announced that it was investigating ex-prime minister?Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero for allegations he led a?network?that benefited from lobbying government authorities on behalf third parties including airline Plus Ultra. He denies these claims. Reporting by Graham Keeley. Mark Potter edited the story.
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Nine people are still in critical condition following fatal UK train accident
The 'driver' of one of the trains was killed in the crash that occurred on Friday near Bedford, approximately 60 miles (100km) north of London. Around 5.15 pm local time (16:15 GMT), two passenger trains headed for London collided on Friday. One of the drivers of the two trains died at the scene. British Transport Police Chief Constable, Lucy D'Orsi, provided an update of those injured in the crash that occurred on Saturday. She said more than eighty people were hospitalized on Friday evening. She said that as of "this morning", 28 people were still in the hospital and nine are in critical condition. D'Orsi said that investigators were trying to determine what caused the accident. One of the passengers posted a video on Facebook on Friday showing what appeared to be the damaged front of one railcar entangled with another's back, while the carriages remained upright. In a blog post on X, Prime Minister Keir starmer called it a "devastating event". Buckingham Palace, the official residence of King Charles I, also released a statement saying that "His Majesty is deeply saddened by yesterday's rail crash in Bedford and is regularly kept updated on developments." "His thoughts?and sympathies are with the family of the deceased as well as with those who were injured or affected in such a tragic event." (Reporting and editing by William James)
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Judge rules that the wife of Spanish PM must face corruption charges
A?judge's ruling?on Saturday said that the wife of Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will be tried on corruption charges, and is banned from leaving the country. Begona Gomez faces an investigation for allegedly using her position as wife of the Prime Minister to obtain work contracts. She denies all wrongdoing. The case was brought by?far-right groups. The investigating judge Juan Carlos Peinado required Gomez to surrender her passport, bar her from leaving Spain, and require her to "report twice a monthly to court." This case is just one of many corruption?probes that are nearing or have already been tried and weighing down on?Sanchez. He's one of Europe’s last leftist leaders. He hasn't been named in the cases, but has claimed that they are all part of an effort to remove him from his office. Investigations are underway against several?close ally, including the number three of the Socialist Party and Sanchez's ex-transport minister. The cases involve alleged kickbacks in connection with public?works?,?oil contracts?, and the purchase of masks for the pandemic. They deny any wrongdoing. Separately the Spanish High Court announced that it was investigating Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero for allegations that he led a 'network' of lobbyists who profited by lobbying public authorities on behalf third parties including airline Plus Ultra. He denies these claims. Reporting by Graham Keeley. Mark Potter edited the story.
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Business Post reports that Ryanair CEO O'Leary believes fares will remain 'flat' this summer.
Michael O'Leary, Chief Executive Officer of Ryanair Group, told Ireland's Business Post newspaper that: He said: "We believe that?bookings will get a little boost as we move into the summer peak. I would use 'inverted commas' to say 'the peace agreement between Iran and the US.' But spot oil prices have fallen significantly." * "We don't expect prices to rise this summer into the peak. "I'm not sure that prices will drop, volumes are high, but pricing appears to be similar to last year," said he. We're not under pressure to hedge into May, June or July of next year. If prices fell to the low $80s, or even below $80, we would certainly start hedging summer '27. Here is the source text for more company coverage.
As conflict risks increase, sea drones are targeting oil tankers in the Middle East.
According to maritime authorities and analysts, naval drones were used in at least two attacks against oil tankers in Gulf region after war broke out between the U.S.?Israel, and Iran. This is a new dangerous threat for the 'key' shipping lane. Ukraine's use of unmanned surface ships armed with explosives in its war against Russia is now being used by Iran to stop oil shipments transiting the Strait of Hormuz. This crucial strait accounts for a fifth of all the world's crude oil.
British maritime agency reported that the first sea-based drone strike occurred on March 1, when an oil tanker named MKD VYOM was struck about 44 nautical mile off Oman and one crew member was killed. In a public announcement, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency (UKMTO), said that an unmanned surface vessel had struck a tanker flying the flag of the Marshall Islands 'just above the waterline. This caused an explosion and fire to start in the engine room. Sonangol Marine Services, the U.S. representative of Sonangol, reported that a small vessel hit the Bahamas flagged crude oil tanker Sonangol Namibe as it was anchored near Iraq's Khor al Zubair Port. Sonangol Marine Services, the U.S. representative company, said that all 23 crew members of the tanker were safe. They did not elaborate on what type of vessel struck it, citing a continuing investigation.
Online footage shows a speedboat-shaped object racing towards the side of the ship, before slamming it into it. The explosion sent thick plumes of smoke into the sky. According to two UK-based experts, Sidharth kaushal, research fellow at RUSI think tank, and Robert Peters, of maritime security company Ambrey, the vessel in this video appears to have been a drone that exploded upon impact.
SEA DRONES CAN IMMOBILIZE SHIPPING
Peters believes Iran is responsible for the Sonangol Namibe attacks, noting that Tehran previously displayed its naval drone capability at military demonstrations. Peters cited the timing of the attack. According to Iran's semiofficial Mehr news agency, the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed to have set ablaze an American oil tanker that was in the northern Persian Gulf. Mehr reported that the IRGC claimed "missiles were used" in this attack.
Iran said that the world must be prepared for oil priced at $200 per barrel after its forces smashed into merchant ships on Wednesday. Shipping through the Strait has also come to a standstill.
It was not possible to determine the identity of those responsible for these two attacks. The Iranian Mission to the UN in New York did not immediately respond to an inquiry for comment. Peters says that if Iran's involvement in the attack is confirmed, this would be the first time the Islamic Republic has used naval drones directly to target commercial vessels. Houthi militants in Yemen, who are aligned with Iran, have used drone boats to attack 'commercial ships' in the Red Sea. Peters stated that'sea drones could carry more explosives than those used in aerial drones, possibly equaling the payloads of ballistic missiles. Sea drones, he explained, can "immobilize" ships if they strike the right spot. While aerial drones are capable of killing crew members above them from above. If your ship is incapacitated, you're highly vulnerable if someone wants to follow up. (Reporting and editing by Joe Brock, David Gaffen and David Jeans; Additional reporting by Cassell Bryn-Low from London; Additional reporting by David Jeans from New York)
(source: Reuters)