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Sources say that local suppliers have prevented jet fuel shortages at four Italian airports
Three sources said that local suppliers had stepped up to solve a temporary 'jet fuel shortage' at four Italian airports. This was in response to a sharp increase in jet fuel prices since the start of the U.S.-Israel war against Iran. Last week, the airports in Milan, Venice, Treviso, and Bologna alerted airlines about limited jet fuel supply from British company Air BP between April 2 and 9 according to advisories that were exchanged and seen by. Sources with knowledge of the situation said that alternative suppliers had filled the gap temporarily. They added that the problem affecting Air BP was due to a late cargo. The cause of the delay and where the cargo came from was not immediately clear. BP refused to comment. According to S&P Global, Europe imported more than half its jet fuel last year from the Middle East. The four airports have confirmed to? All four airports confirmed to? The SAVE Group has confirmed that the fuel supply is under control. There are no "critical issues" affecting supplies or flight operations, according to a recent statement from the operator of Venice airport and Treviso. SAVE has said that it can rely on multiple jet-fuel suppliers and has ruled out any supply problems for the short term. Corriere della Sera was the first to report jet fuel problems at four Italian airports. Reporting by Francesca Landini, London; additional reporting by Stephanie Kelly, Milan; editing by Giselda Vasgnoni
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China and Russia reject UN resolution protecting Hormuz shipping
China and Russia have vetoed the U.N. Resolution encouraging states to coordinate their efforts to 'protect commercial shipping along the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. Ambassador to the world body has called for "responsible countries" to join with the U.S. to secure this vital waterway. The Security Council, which consists of 15 members, voted in favor of the Bahraini resolution with 11 votes. China and Russia were against and there were two abstentions. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, warned that "a whole civilisation will die tonight", if Iran did not accept his ultimatum by Tuesday evening (Washington time). The oil prices have risen since the U.S. & Israel attacked Iran at the end February. This has led to a conflict which?has lasted for more than 5 weeks, while Tehran has closed the Strait of Hormuz that used to be the route of about a fifth?of?global liquefied gas and oil. Bahrain's Abdullatif Bin Rashid Al Zayani, Bahrain's foreign minister, said that the draft resolution was not adopted due to a negative vote from a permanent council member. U.S. AMBASSADOR CONDEMNS VETOES Mike Waltz, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations condemned the Russian and Chinese Vetoes. He said that they marked "a new level" of repression, as the Iranian closure of the Strait prevented medical aid from reaching the humanitarian crises in Gaza, Sudan, and the Congo. No one should tolerate this. They are holding global economic growth at gunpoint. Today, Russia and China tolerated it. "They sided with a government that is brutalizing its own citizens while trying to intimidate the Gulf. Waltz stated that Iran could "reopen the Strait to seek peace, and make amends." He said: "But before then, we ask responsible nations to join in protecting the Strait of Hormuz and securing it for?lawful trade, humanitarian goods and free movement of goods around the world." France regretted the vetoes. Jerome Bonnafont, its ambassador to the United Nations, said that the goal was to "encourage strict and purely defensive actions to ensure the safety and security of the Strait" without spiraling into escalation. China and Russia exercised their'vetoes, despite the fact that Bahrain significantly weakened its draft when China refused to authorize force. The draft that was put to a vote did not include any authorization for the use of force. A reference to binding enforcement that was included in an older draft has also been removed. The?text instead strongly encouraged States to "coordinate efforts defensive in nature, commensurate with the circumstances, so as to contribute to ensuring the safety and security of the navigation across the Strait of Hormuz." The text also stated that such contributions may include "the escort of commercial and merchant vessels" and supported efforts "to discourage attempts to close or obstruct international navigation through Strait of Hormuz." Reporting by David Brunnstrom, Editing by Caitlin and Barbara Lewis
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Despegar CEO: Brazil-driven expansion will triple business in 3 years.
Despegar, an online travel agency focusing on Latin America, plans to triple its size in the next three-year period. Its operations in Brazil will be the main driver, and it plans to invest $100m per year over that time. Gonzalo Estebarena, the company's top executive, said that it will invest in artificial intelligence technology for a "future based very much on artificial intelligent". Despegar, founded in Argentina in 1999 is one of Latin America’s largest online travel platforms. After its acquisition by Prosus, for approximately $1.7 billion, it was delisted from New York Stock Exchange. Estebarena, in an interview at Despegar offices in Buenos Aires, said: "We want to triple the company in three or four years both in terms of transactions and operations." He added that "the growth rate we propose going forward is more aggressive than growth seen in the past seven or eight year," By the end of this decade, the firm plans to more than triple the current gross bookings. Estebarena was Despegar's Chief Technology Officer before assuming his new role in this month. He said that growth would be driven by integration with other platforms, particularly those owned by Prosus, which owns iFood, Brazil's largest food delivery app. Estebarena reports that since the integration began in 2025, 14% (or more) of Decolar's revenue in Brazil has come from iFood clients who have earned points through a loyalty program. It gives us a great deal of?confidence because iFood 'has 25 times more customers than Decolar. This is a great growth opportunity. He said, "The opportunity is immense." He said that there has been a slowdown in sales of tickets and travel packages as the war in the Middle East pushed up oil costs and created uncertainty among customers. "The ?main impact is the uncertainty ?it creates among people and, potentially--although not ?yet to the extent it could reach in the future--we are starting to see an impact on prices due to rising fuel costs," Estebarena said. (Reporting and writing by Eliana Razewski, Editing by Janane Vekatraman).
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Transporters in Guinea-Bissau strike over fuel price increases
Transport drivers in three?locations in Guinea-Bissau, including the capital, went on strike Tuesday after the government raised fuel prices as a'response' to the Iran _war, but prohibited any increase in passenger fare. Residents reported that taxi and van drivers were not working in Gabu, which is the largest city of the east. They also said that Mansoa was the same. This forced passengers to walk long distances. Caram Gassama is the chairman of the country’s drivers’?union. He said that vans with at least 15 seats began their strike in Bissau on Tuesday. Taxis are expected to follow suit on Wednesday. African governments have increased fuel prices sharply as global oil prices are surging due to the Iran War. This could spark inflation on the continent. Guinea-Bissau raised the price for diesel last week from 700 CFA Francs (about $7.50) to $898 CFA Francs (about $8.99). The government also raised the price for gasoline from 794 to 899 CFA Francs. The government that took power in November through a coup d'état also prohibited?increases to fares for passengers. The shortage of petrol in West Africa has been a problem for the last two weeks. The government of Guinea-Bissau, headed by Major-General Horta?Inta-a did not comment on the transport strikes on Tuesday. A government spokesperson failed to respond to a comment request.
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Gautam Adani is seeking to dismiss the US SEC fraud charges against him
Gautam Adani will ask a U.S. His lawyers announced on Tuesday that he will?ask a?U.S. Adani and Sagar Adani, both executives and directors at Adani Green Energy where they are both employed, were charged in November 2024 by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) with orchestrating a bribery scheme in which hundreds of millions of dollars in bribes would be paid or promised to Indian government officials for Adani Green Energy's benefit. Adani Green is accused of failing to disclose the scheme to bond investors in documents for its $750 million offering in 2021. Adani's attorneys said in a filing to the Brooklyn federal court that the SEC claims are "impermissibly exterritorial," as the alleged misconduct and the defendants were all in India, and the bonds were not traded on any U.S. exchange. Lawyers also said that the Adanis were not involved in the offering, and there was no credible evidence to support the bribery scheme. The SEC?did not immediately respond to an inquiry for comment.
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SCENARIOS - Deal, delay or strike? Investors are on edge as Trump's Iran date approaches
Investors are weighing the various outcomes, from a ceasefire to a renewed military escalation, and their impact on oil, currencies, and risky assets. Iran did not show any sign of 'agreeing' to Trump’s demand that the Strait of Hormuz be opened by Tuesday evening or face massive attacks on civilian infrastructure. This would be the largest escalation of the?war yet. The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday that Iran has 'cut off direct diplomacy' with the U.S. Trump gave Iran until 8 pm in Washington (midnight GMT, and 3.30 am in Tehran) on Friday to end its Gulf oil blockade. This move has shook the commodities and financial markets in recent weeks. David Morrison is a senior market analyst with Trade Nation. He said that the markets are in a binary situation, as they attempt to position themselves before a deadline. This will either result in a quick resolution or an abrupt escalation. The S&P 500 index fell by nearly one percent on Tuesday. Gold and the dollar also declined, but oil rose. Here's what could happen: MILITARY ESCALATION Citigroup stated in a note that a prolonged conflict or severe disruptions to oil supply could drive Brent crude prices up to $130. Investors would price in a sharp slowdown of the economy and higher inflation by selling cyclical and interest rate-sensitive stocks. Pete Mulmat, of IG North America, said that American Airlines, as well as other travel stocks like Carnival, are the most vulnerable to rising fuel costs and weakening consumer demand. Palantir, on the other hand, and CrowdStrike, an AI-defense hybrid, have the biggest upside if volatility increases and the conflict continues. The U.S. Dollar has been one of the major beneficiaries of the safe haven trade sparked by?the conflict. Steve Englander, Standard Chartered's FX strategist, stated that if oil prices are expected to remain high for a longer period of time, the USD may strengthen. This could increase inflation and output pressures on energy importers. The rise in the dollar could also put pressure on the Japanese yen, and increase the possibility of an intervention from the Bank of Japan. UniCredit analysts stated that the BOJ would intervene likely if USD/JPY rose quickly above 160 and reached its highs of July 2024 near 162. The last time the yen traded was at 159.82. PEACE DEAL Trump has abruptly backed off similar threats to escalate the conflict over the last few weeks. He cited what he described as productive discussions with unidentified Iranian figures, even though Tehran denies that any substantive talks took place. S&P 500 is up about 4% from its low of late March, which was a seven-month high. This rebound has been attributed to the hope for a resolution. J.P. Morgan analysts stated that if a ceasefire were to occur, they would expect bond yields to fall, oil/energy prices to drop significantly, USD to be sold off, credit spreads tightened, and equity markets to soar. Stocks of energy, fertilizer, and defense companies that have surged in recent months on the expectation of a long conflict and higher input costs, could give back some of their gains. Oil-sensitive airlines and cruise operators, which have been hit hard by the oil price slump, could recover some of their losses as travel demand expectations improve and fuel prices fall. Bets on rate reductions could also be reinstated if the conflict in the Middle East de-escalates. Oil prices have spiked and inflationary fears are causing traders to expect a prolonged pause on monetary easing this year. Extension of Deadline Investors may be tempted to take risks in the short-term if they believe that a deal is near. Raffi Boysadjian is the lead analyst at Trading Point. He referred to a Wall?Street cliche that Trump "always chickens out." J.P. Morgan analysts prefer a neutral stance due to?unresolved risks in shipping and uncertainty about energy supply. Brent crude is expected to stay around its current price range of $10 per barrel as long as the Strait of Hormuz continues to be closed. Gold prices could remain the same as long-term uncertainty continues to drive hedging. The stronger dollar has hurt gold prices, which have dropped 12% since war began. (Reporting by Sruthi Shankar, Medha Singh, Anjana Anil, Vidya Ranganathan and Shashwat Chauhan in Bengaluru; editing by Colin Barr and Sriraj Kalluvila)
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IAG's Iberia has resumed Venezuela service with four flights per week
Iberia, the Spanish flag carrier, is a part of the 'International Consolidated Airlines Group. (IAG). They have resumed flights between Madrid and Caracas after a suspension in November when tensions between Venezuela and the United States escalated. On Tuesday, a company spokesperson stated that the airline would be operating four flights per week. This is one less than it was before the suspension. Spanish carriers 'Air Europa' and 'Plus Ultra" resumed flights from Spain to Venezuela in February and March, respectively. Iberia was among the airlines to halt flights into and out of the country following a warning from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration that civil aviation could be in a "potentially dangerous situation" due to increased military?and politic risks. Washington began to work to reopen Venezuelan airspace and remove restrictions on international airlines following the U.S. operation in which Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, who was captured by U.S. forces on January 3rd and transferred to New York for drug trafficking charges.
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Gunfight near Israeli consulate reminds Turkey of past militant attacks
According to witnesses and authorities, an attacker was killed during a gunfight with police outside of the building housing the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul on Tuesday. Here is a list with the major terrorist attacks that have occurred in Turkey over the past few years. December 29, 2025: Three Turkish police officers were killed and six Islamic State militants in Yalova, northwest Turkey. A 16-year old was arrested on September 8, 2025, for the murder of two police officers during a shooting attack at a police station located in Izmir in western Turkey. On October 24, 2024, two gunmen shot and killed five people at the largest Turkish aerospace company TUSAS. The attack was blamed by authorities on the militant Kurdistan Workers' Party. On January 28, 2024, two masked gunmen kill one person at a church in Istanbul. The Islamic State was linked to suspects captured. October 1, 2023: Two attackers detonated an explosive device outside Turkish government offices in Ankara. They killed themselves and injured two police officers. The PKK claimed responsibility. November 13, 2022: A blast in a busy Istanbul street killed six people and injured 81. Ankara blamed a Syrian Kurdish YPG milita, which they consider a PKK affiliate. Both groups denied any involvement. On January 5, 2017, a car bomb in Izmir caused the death of a policeman and an employee at a courthouse. Authorities claimed that PKK members are responsible. December 31, 2016 –?Islamic State claimed the responsibility for a mass shooting that took place in an Istanbul nightclub on New Year's Eve, killing 39 people. A car bomb in Kayseri killed 13 soldiers on December 17, 2016. A PKK offshoot claimed responsibility. On December 10, 2016, twin bombings took place outside a soccer stadium in Istanbul, killing 44 people. Most of them were police officers. The Kurdistan Freedom Hawks, a PKK-affiliated group, claimed responsibility. At least 11 people were killed in an attack by a suicide truck at a police HQ in the southeast of Turkey on August 26, 2016. PKK claimed responsibility. A suicide bomber killed at least 51 people in a suicide attack on a wedding celebration in Gaziantep. Tayyip Erdoan said that the attacker was linked to Islamic State. On June 28, 2016, a triple suicide attack and gun assault at Istanbul's airport main killed 45 people and injured over 160. The attackers, who are believed to have links to the Islamic State, were given life sentences. On March 19, 2016, a suicide?bomber in Istanbul killed four people, including two Israelis with dual citizenship and one Iranian. The alleged perpetrator was a Turkish member of the?Islamic State. On March 13, 2016, a car bomb-laden exploded in a busy transport hub of Ankara. 37 people were killed. TAK claimed responsibility. On February 17, 2016, a car bomb near military buses in Ankara killed 28 people and injured dozens. TAK claimed ?responsibility. On January 12, 2016, a suicide bomber in Istanbul's historical centre killed at least ten people, most of them German tourists. Authorities blamed Islamic State for the attack. On October 10, 2015,?Twin explosions near Ankara's main railway station killed more than 100 people. Turkish courts have sentenced perpetrators linked to the?Islamic State to life imprisonment. PKK militants have killed 15 policemen in eastern provinces Mardin and Igdir on September 8, 2015. On July 20, 2015, an Islamic State suicide bomber in Suruc, near the Syrian border, killed more than 30 people, mostly students. Canan Sevgili, Daren Butler, and Ros Russell edited the report.
Blinken prompts stop to Middle East dispute as Israel bombs historical Lebanese port city
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken pressed on Wednesday for a halt to fighting between Israel and militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah, however heavy Israeli air strikes on a large historic Lebanese port city showed that there was no reprieve.
Israel started to bomb the UNESCO-listed port city of Tire on Wednesday approximately 3 hours after issuing an order online for homeowners to leave central locations. Substantial clouds of thick smoke billowed above residential buildings.
Tens of thousands of individuals had actually currently run away Tyre in current weeks as Israel steps up its project to destroy Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, both close allies of Iran.
The port is normally a busy hub for the south - with fishermen, travelers, and even U.N. peacekeepers on a break from releases near the border spending quality time there by the sea. However Israel's evacuation orders this week for the city have for the very first time included swathes of it, including right as much as its ancient castle.
Blinken, who has actually travelled to the Middle East routinely because the outbreak of the war, is making his very first journey given that Israel eliminated the leader of Hamas recently, which Washington hopes can provide a new incentive for peace talks.
The journey is the last significant U.S. peace push before a Nov. 5 governmental election between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, which could overthrow U.S. policy in the area.
Washington is likewise seeking to head off a more widening of the conflict in anticipation of Israeli retaliation for an Iranian Oct. 1 rocket attack, released by Tehran in solidarity with Hezbollah and Hamas. Blinken stated on Wednesday that Israel's retaliation should not result in greater escalation.
In Lebanon, Israel's armed force said it had killed 3 Hezbollah leaders and some 70 fighters in the south in the past 2 days, a day after verifying it had eliminated Hashem Safieddine, the militant group's successor apparent leader.
Blinken, who held talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on his very first stop, said it was time for Israel to capitalise on its military victories.
Now is the time to turn those successes into a long-lasting tactical success, he informed press reporters as he prepared to leave for Saudi Arabia on the next stage of his regional trip. The. focus needs to be on getting the captives home, ending this war. and having a clear plan for what follows.
Blinken's check out to Jordan, prepared for Wednesday, was. held off, Jordan's foreign minister stated, without offering a. reason or rescheduled date.
In the year considering that fighters rampaged through Israeli towns. eliminating 1,200 people and catching more than 250 captives,. Israel has actually laid the Gaza Strip to lose to root out Hamas,. killing almost 43,000 Palestinians.
Recently Israel eliminated the Palestinian militant group's. leader Yahya Sinwar, presumed mastermind of the Oct. 7, 2023. attacks.
Over the past month it has likewise considerably ramped up war. in Lebanon versus Hezbollah, a separate Iran-backed militant. group that had actually rocketed Israel in assistance of the Palestinians. Israel has actually launched a ground offensive and killed most of. Hezbollah's leadership in air campaign that have displaced 1.2. million individuals.
POSSIBILITY FOR PEACE?
Washington views the death of Sinwar as an opportunity to promote. peace, as it would now be simpler for Netanyahu to argue that. significant goals have been achieved in Gaza.
Blinken said new solutions were being examined in an. effort to win freedom for hostages kept in Gaza and bring an end. to the war.
Still, there has been no sign of a letup in battling. Hamas. says it will not free ratings of hostages it is still holding. without an Israeli guarantee to end the war in Gaza. Israel states. it will not stop combating in Gaza up until Hamas is wiped out,. and in Lebanon until Hezbollah no longer postures a hazard.
Diplomats say Israel is pressing its military advantage to. lock in a strong position before a new U.S. administration takes. office following the Nov. 5 election.
Israel's armed force said its forces in southern Lebanon were. continuing to perform restricted, localised, targeted raids. versus Hezbollah terrorist facilities and operatives.
Over the previous day, the troops removed around 70. terrorists in ground and aerial strikes, it said.
Israel's offensive has actually driven at least 1.2 million Lebanese. from their homes and killed 2,530 individuals, consisting of a minimum of 63. over the previous 24 hours, the Lebanese federal government stated on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, the armed force stated it had actually validated the killing. Safieddine, successor apparent to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. who was eliminated in an Israeli attack last month. The military. said Safieddine was killed in a strike three weeks ago in. Beirut's southern suburbs; Israel had previously said he had. probably been killed but had stopped short of confirming it.
There was no instant response from Hezbollah, which. Nasrallah turned into an effective military and political force. now faces its most severe problems given that it was formed by. Iran's Revolutionary Guards in 1982 to counter an Israeli. intrusion of Lebanon.
(source: Reuters)