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EU must increase its Aspides Naval Mission to protect key maritime routes.
Kaja Kallas, the EU's chief of foreign policy, stated that the EU must?increase its Aspides Naval?mission in order to protect?maritime routes from disruptions caused by the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran. Kallas' comments?on X? came after she took part?in a conference call with over 40 countries?organised?by British Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper to discuss a joint action...to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. "Thank you @YvetteCooperMP, for convening a call of more than 40 countries to discuss the Strait of Hormuz. This waterway is of global importance. Iran can't charge other countries a bounty for allowing ships to pass. "International law does not recognise schemes that charge to pass," wrote Kallas in X. Today, we looked at a number of?diplomatic and economic measures, as well as security measures, to help restore safe passage. We also worked with the shipping industry. The EU's Aspides mission has already helped 1,700 ships in the Red Sea and must be scaled up. She added, "We cannot afford to lose yet another important trade route." Sudip Kar Gupta reports.
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Bahrain expects to vote on the revised Hormuz Resolution on Friday
Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Bahrain's Foreign Minister, told the United Nations Security Council that he hopes the council will vote on Friday to approve a resolution Bahrain drafted for the protection of commercial shipping around and in the Strait of Hormuz. Since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran at the end of February, the oil prices have risen. The conflict has now lasted for over a month. It's effectively shut down the Strait to all shipping traffic. Bahrain has submitted a draft resolution to the Security Council that would authorize "all necessary measures" for commercial shipping around and in the Strait. The previous draft had dropped the explicit reference to binding implementation in an effort to overcome objections by other nations. Specifically, Russia and China. Al Zayani said at a meeting of Bahrain's 15-member council that the vote on the resolution draft will be held tomorrow. He said Iran’s "unlawful, unjustified and dangerous attempt to control the international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz", threatened the interests of countries and peoples all over the world. "A decisive response is required." The latest draft, while authorizing the use of force in the Strait of?Hormuz or adjacent waters (including within the territorial water of the littoral states within?or surrounding the?Strait), specifies that these steps must be "defensive." On Wednesday, U.S. president Donald Trump pledged to continue the attacks but didn't?lay out a plan for re-opening the strait. This sent the price of oil even higher, as his words raised concern that the U.S. might not play a significant role in ensuring the safe passage of shippers through this crucial waterway. Diplomats claim that the latest resolution has been placed under a "silence procedure" until noon (1600 GMT), on Thursday, and will be put to a vote only if there are no objections by then. (Reporting and editing by Michelle Nichols; Additional reporting by John Irish, Paris)
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US considers permanent ban on airbag components manufactured by Chinese manufacturer DTN
After 10 fatal crashes in the U.S. since May 2023, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced on Thursday that it was 'considering' a permanent ban of substandard Chinese replacement airbag inflators manufactured by DTN. The U.S. auto?safety agency said that it is aware of 12 U.S. crashes involving deaths or serious injuries caused by ruptured replacement airbag inflators manufactured in China by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co Ltd (also known as DTN) and illegally imported to the U.S. since May 2023. All of the deaths occurred in GM and Hyundai vehicles. NHTSA stated that it had made an initial determination the airbag inflators posed an unreasonable safety risk. NHTSA stated that the DTN air bag inflators failed in crashes where drivers were able to survive, sending "large metal fragments" into their chests, necks and eyes. In January, the agency sent an urgent warning to repair shops and owners. NHTSA reported that the latest?death? occurred on February 16 in Clarksdale, Mississippi. It was a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu. DTN will be given the chance to challenge the decision and the agency will solicit public comments. NHTSA continues to investigate how many inflators entered illegally into the U.S. In October, NHTSA opened an investigation on DTN replacement inflators. NHTSA has teamed up with law enforcement agencies to investigate any illegal activities related to the importation and sale of DTN replacement inflators. NHTSA says that it cannot confirm if the danger is only limited to these models and makes. DTN states on its website that inflators are "prohibited in the U.S." NHTSA stated that "whoever is bringing these vehicles into the country and installing then is putting American Families in danger." NHTSA advised that consumers who are buying used vehicles in which the airbag was deployed should inspect the airbag immediately to make sure it is an exact replacement. (Reporting and editing by Chizu Nomiyama, Mark Porter and David Shepardson)
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Parents desperate to keep their children away from social media ahead of Greek ban
Georgia Efstathiou, a Greek mother, has done everything she can to break the social media 'grip' on her son of?14 years: personal talks with him; internet-free days; and confiscating his phone. She is battling the lure of her son's screen, its videos, and its messages. Efstathiou could finally get the help she so desperately needs. The Greek government will likely announce in the next few days a ban on social media for children younger than 15. They'll join the ranks of other nations that are trying to protect young children against addiction and online abuse. We've reached our limits... We parents need help,"?said Efstathiou, 43, holding her son's mobile phone in her living room in Athens. We have reached our limit... we parents need help," said Efstathiou (43), holding her son's phone in the living room of her Athens home. Efstathiou's not alone. A February poll published by ALCO showed that 80% of respondents approved of the ban. The government of Prime Minister Kyriakos?Mitsotakis has already banned mobile phones from schools and established parental control platforms to limit teens' screen time. The government declined to comment on whether or not the ban will be implemented, as well as when. The plan was reported in February, and sources said that a formal announcement would be made soon. Mitsotakis said to a Greek Australian newspaper last month that Greece would move "in the same direction as Australia", where social media companies were ordered to exclude users under 16 in December or face fines. Worries of addiction and bullying are everywhere. As in other countries, Greece is facing a reckoning over social media platforms such as Meta’s Instagram, TikTok, and online gaming platforms. George Kormas, the manager of the Greek Safer Internet Centre, in Athens said that between 2024-2025, the number of calls to the helpline, which provides support to children who are victims to cyberbullying, more than doubled. Blackmailing minors, misinformation and hate speech are also complaints. According to data from the Helpline, 75% children in Greece who use social media are primary school age. He said, "This is undoubtedly worrying to us because they can't handle social media and protect themselves." Athanasios theocharis is the head of the National Organization for the Prevention and Treatment of Addictions. He said that 48% of teens have felt the negative effects of social media. He said that the ban could provide "a significant level of protection". KIDS CAN NOT IMAGINE LIFE WITHOUT SOCIAL MEDIA Parents who were interviewed expressed concern about their children's online activities or feared that they would lose control. Some people prefer that the government does not intervene at all. Dimitris (44), said: "I would prefer a different method, which is to limit mobile phone usage within the family." "But if that's not possible, perhaps a complete ban is the only option." Catherine, his 14-year old daughter, says that most teenagers of her age haven't known a life without social media. She told her father, "It's the way we have learned ever since we were children," before playing basketball near the Acropolis. "I'm able to control it, but I tend to get carried away." (Reporting and editing by Edward McAllister, Lincoln Feast and Louisa Gouliamaki from Athens. Additional reporting by Deborah Kyvrikosaios in Athens.
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As the Middle East conflict escalates, airlines cancel more flights
The global air travel industry is still severely affected by the Iran War. Many people are still unable fly to their destinations as planned after major Middle-Eastern hubs such as Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi were closed. The latest flight information is listed below alphabetically: AEGEAN AIRLINES Greece's largest airline has?cancelled flight to Riyadh and Tel Aviv until April 30 and Erbil, Baghdad, and Dubai until May 31, AIRBALTIC AirBaltic, a Latvian airline, has announced that all flights to Tel Aviv are cancelled until May 31, 2019. All flights to Dubai have been cancelled until October 24, according to airBaltic. AIR CANADA Canadian Airlines has canceled all flights to Tel Aviv and Dubai up until September 7. AIR EUROPA Spanish Airlines has cancelled all flights from Tel Aviv to May 3rd. AIR FRANCE-KLM Air France has suspended Tel Aviv flights to Beirut, Dubai, and Riyadh until April 19. KLM has suspended its flights to Tel Aviv and Riyadh until May 17. CATHAY PACIFIC Hong Kong Airlines has cancelled all flights to Dubai, Riyadh and Abu Dhabi until May 31. In April, the airline will increase passenger flights from London, Paris, and Zurich to Europe to meet the increased demand. The U.S. airline has cancelled flights between New York and Tel Aviv, and will delay the start of the Atlanta-Tel Aviv flight until September 5. The launch of the?Boston to Tel Aviv route was delayed until further notice. EL AL ISRAEL AIRLINES Customers who had planned to leave Israel by April 11th have been denied their flight, as well as the return flight. The airline operates a limited number flights to key destinations. EMIRATES After a partial opening of the regional airspace, Emirates Airlines has announced a reduced schedule. ETIHAD AERWAYS The UAE carrier said that it operates a commercial flight schedule between Abu Dhabi, and about 80 destinations. FINNAIR The Finnish airline has canceled its Doha flights up to July 2 and continues to avoid the airspaces of Iraq, Iran Syria, and Israel. Dubai flights will only be resumed in October. FLYNAS Saudi Budget Airlines has suspended flights to Dubai, Abu Dhabi Sharjah Doha, Bahrain Kuwait Iraq and Syria. British Airways, owned by IAG, has cancelled flights to Amman and Bahrain until May 31, and Doha until April 30. Flights to Bangkok, Singapore, and the Maldives have been added until April. In May, a third daily flight will be operated between London and Mumbai. Flights to Abu Dhabi are suspended until the end of this year. Iberia Express is IAG's low cost airline. All flights between Tel Aviv and Tel Aviv have been cancelled until May 31. JAPAN AIRLINES Japan Airlines has suspended its scheduled flights between Tokyo and Doha until April 10, and Doha to Tokyo until April 11. The Polish airline suspended all flights to Tel Aviv from May 31 until now. The airline has also canceled flights to Riyadh and Beirut between March 31 and May 30. The airline will operate its winter route from Dubai to October. LUFTHANSA GROUP Lufthansa and Swiss Airlines have suspended flights from Dubai and Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi until May 31. ITA Airways, Brussels Airlines, ITA Airways, Edelweiss and ITA Airways have suspended flights between Tel Aviv and Abu Dhabi until October 24. Lufthansa Cargo will be the same except for Tel Aviv, which is suspended until April 30. Eurowings, a low-cost airline, plans to suspend its flights to Tel Aviv and Beirut through April 30, and to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Amman until October 24. MALAYSIA AIRLINES Malaysian Airlines has suspended all flights to Doha up until June 14. NORWEGIAN AIR Low-cost carrier has delayed the launch of Tel Aviv and Beirut flights to June 15 from April 1?and April 4 respectively. The airline has cancelled all Dubai flights until April 8 for the rest of the winter. PEGASUS Pegasus Airlines, Turkey's national airline, has cancelled all flights to Iran, Iraq, Amman Beirut, Kuwait Bahrain Doha Dammam Riyadh Dubai Abu Dhabi Sharjah and Abu Dhabi until May 1. QANTAS Australia's flag-carrier is adding flights to Rome, Paris and London to meet the?increased demand for European routes. The number of flights to Paris will rise from three to five weekly return flights, and the Perth to Singapore service will go from daily to 10 flights a week. A new schedule will be implemented gradually for flights starting in mid-April. It will run through late July. QATAR AIRWAYS The airline has announced that it will gradually increase flights from and to Doha to more than 120 destination by mid-May. SINGAPORE Airlines In response to increased demand, the carrier has added services on the Singapore-London Gatwick route and Singapore-Melbourne route from late March until the 24th of October. TURKISH AIRLINES Turkish Airlines has cancelled the majority of Middle East flights up until March 31. SunExpress, a joint venture between Lufthansa and SunExpress has cancelled flights from Dubai to Bahrain to April 30. WIZZ AIR Low-cost carrier has suspended all flights from Europe to Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Amman until the middle of September. All flights to Medina are suspended permanently. (Compiled by Josephine Mason and Jamie Freed. Elviira Louma, Tiago Branao, Agnieszka Olesnska, Bernadette HOG, Boleslaw LaSocki, Romolo Tosiani, and Tiago Brandao. Sumana Nady, Joe Bavier, and Mark Potter edited the book.
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Sources say that drone attacks are reducing exports and causing a reduction in Russian oil production.
Three industry sources told Reuters that a Russian oil production cut is imminent due to Ukraine's strike on pipelines, port infrastructure and refineries, which has reduced export capacity by a million barrels / day or 5% of the total, according to their report. The conflict in the Middle East has already caused unprecedented disruptions in oil supply. A reduction in output from Russia, the second largest exporter in the world, will add to this. Ukraine intensified its attacks over the past month on Russia's oil-export infrastructure. Ukraine's drone attacks are the most intense of its four-year-long war. They target the Baltic ports Ust-Luga, and Primorsk to weaken Russia’s economy. According to three sources in the industry, at least 20% of Russia’s total export capability is not working. This is down from 40% last March but enough to have an impact, they say, on Russian oil production. It's the third largest in the world after Saudi Arabia and the United States. Sources spoke on condition of anonymity because of 'the sensitive nature of the situation. OIL IS CHEKED INTO OIL PIPELINES Russia's main Baltic Ust-Luga oil port suspended exports last week after heavy drone attacks and fires. Sources said that as Ukrainian drones targeted?both domestic refineries and export infrastructure,' the Russian oil pipeline system was choked up with oil, and storage was filling. They said that some oilfields would have to reduce production to prevent further flooding of the system. Russia has benefitted from the rise in oil prices ever since U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran began at the end of February, but cutting energy production would still hurt as oil and gas account for a quarter state budget revenues. Limited Pipeline Capacity Before the Baltic port attacks, Russia's capacity to export oil had already been squeezed. The Druzhba Pipeline, which supplies oil into Hungary and Slovakia since January, was suspended. Transneft, the state-controlled pipeline monopoly, pumps more than 80% (of Russia's) oil. Transneft, as well as the Russian energy ministry, did not respond to our requests for comment. Transneft informed exporters, according to sources, that Ust-Luga could not load oil to meet the initial exporting schedule because of recent damage. Transneft, according to one of the sources, was also unable import all oil from producers for export via Ust-Luga. According to the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, Russian oil production was 9.184 million barrels a day in February. Source could not specify how much production might be reduced. The oil export loading schedule for the first half of April was not expected to be completed, but loading allocations for second half of month were still in place. RUSSIAN Production Faded Slightly Last Year According to Russian data, the Russian oil production fell only by 0.8% last year to?10,28 million bpd, which is around a 10th of global output. This was despite Western sanctions as well as Ukrainian drone attacks against refineries. Sources claim that the bottleneck at Ust-Luga is not just affecting Russian oil exports but also Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan exports between 200,000 and 400,000 metric tons of KEBCO crude oil per month via Ust-Luga. The sources stated that seasonal oil refinery maintenance in Russia is a major factor in the problem of excess oil in the Transneft System, as the excess grows when the refineries are processing less oil. In March and April, when Russia performs seasonal refinery maintenance work, it increases crude oil exports. But this time, refinery closures may result in more oil being stored. No official figures are available on the amount of storage space. According to one source, there is enough food for a few weeks but not months. Guy Faulconbridge, Barbara Lewis and Guy Faulconbridge (reporting)
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Czech government will cap fuel retailer's margins and lower excise taxes
Andrej Babis, the Prime Minister of Czech Republic, said on Thursday that the government had agreed to cap fuel retailer's margins and reduce excise tax to limit fuel prices rising. Other governments in central Europe have also taken measures to reduce the impact of fuel prices resulting from the conflict in the Middle East, and the rising price of oil. Babis said at a press conference that the "chaos", caused by the lack of coordination between the central European countries, was due to the fact they had adopted?various?measures in order to curb the fallout from energy crisis. He said that his government would'start price controls on April 8 by capping margins on gasoline and diesel at?2.50 Crowns ($0.12), and by lowering the tax on diesel from 9.95 Crowns per litre to 2.35 Crowns. He said that a'maximum price would be set each day under the system. Babis stated, "We believe this is a measure that will help everyone - citizens, businesses and the economy." Since the U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran began on February 28, fuel prices have increased. Since the beginning of the conflict, the average price for gasoline per litre in the Czech Republic has increased by around 8 crowns to 41.60?crowns. CTK reported that diesel prices have risen around 15 crowns per litre to 48.33, citing data from fleet service provider CCS. The government has already taken the step of releasing 100,000 tonnes of crude oil from the state reserves to the sole refiner in the country, Orlen Unipetrol. Orlen and MOL, both of which are large fuel retailers with refinery systems in Hungary, have both a presence here. Central Europe has also been affected by an interruption in the supply of Russian oil to Slovakia and Hungary, due to an issue with the Druzhba Pipeline in Ukraine. Kyiv claimed that a Russian strike had damaged pipeline equipment.
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Defence Minister: Sweden will buy air defense systems for 8,7 billion crowns
The country's defense minister announced that Sweden will buy anti-drone and air defence systems worth $8.7 billion Swedish crowns from BAE Systems, Saab, and other companies. Sweden, along with most European countries is rushing to strengthen its defences in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Military spending will reach 2.8% of GDP in 2026 and rise to 3.5% by 2030. Defense Minister Pal Jonson stated that the added capability will help expand Sweden's air defenses which at present are primarily focused on protecting military units. He said: "With this technology, we'll be able to better protect critical infrastructure such as airports, ports, rail hubs, and nuclear power plants, or population centers." The package includes an anti-drone called Gute II. This is a radar and cannon system that can either be mounted on the vehicle or on the ground. Jonson?added that these systems were tested in Ukraine on the battlefield and proved to be very effective against drones such as the Shahed models used by Russia?and Iran. In a separate announcement, Saab said that its part of the package was 2.6 billion crowns. This money would be used to purchase an anti-drone system designed to detect and neutralise small to medium drones flying at low altitudes. Jonson stated that the total package would also include ammunition and vehicles such as infantry mobility vehicles made by the?Finnish defence company Sisu. The first deliveries will be made in 2027 or 2028. Reporting by Johan Ahlander, Editing by Niklas pollard and Thomas Derpinghaus.
Cheniere Sabine Pass trims LNG output after production line outage
According to LSEG data and other sources, Cheniere Energy's Sabine Pass liquefied gas plant in Louisiana has reduced its natural gas flows due to an outage of one of its production units.
Sabine Pass is the largest LNG plant in America, and it can process more than 5 billion cubic feet per day. LSEG data shows that it requested only?2.6bn cubic feet a day on Thursday.
Two people familiar with Cheniere's operations said that at least one production train is not running as the company does maintenance. The work is expected to be completed by Thursday, and production should begin on Friday.
Cheniere stated that it does not 'comment on the day-to-day operation or commercial activities. The company is the largest U.S. exporter of LNG and last month said it expected to export 51 million tons of supercooled gas in this year.
Qatar has been forced to stop production due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which is responsible for about 20% of global LNG capacity being offline.
(source: Reuters)