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Zelenskiy accuses Russia 'of Easter escalation,' after massive attack kills 2
Officials said that a large-scale daytime Russian strike on Ukraine killed at least two people, as part of a "Easter escalation" as Moscow changes tactics to avoid Ukrainian air defenses. Since the start of the war, more than four-years ago, Russia has carried out most major drone and missile attacks at night. It has sent drones and missiles in the daytime on several occasions over the past few weeks. One strike, which took place on March 24, set a new record for 'the number of weapons that were used. Telegram said that drones killed one person each in the central Zhytomyr region and Kyiv on Friday. Volodymyr Zelenskiy, President of X, said: "Essentially, Russians have only intensified their strikes. They have turned what should have been a silence in the sky into an Easter escalation." Zelenskiy had proposed earlier this week that strikes be halted for the Easter holidays. He also said Ukraine would reciprocate, if Russia stopped its attacks on energy sector. Moscow rejected the idea. The purpose of these strikes during the day is obvious. "Russia is deliberately trying increase the number civilian casualties, disrupt life, cause fear and damage Ukraine's Infrastructure," said Prime Minister Yulia Shvyrydenko on X. VETERINARY CLINIC HIT BY STRIKE Ukraine's Air Force announced on Telegram that it has destroyed 515 of the 542 drones, and 26 of the 37 missiles fired by Russia. Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat told state television on Friday that "we can see the enemy using new routes, drones they are continually modernising and new tactics." The strike in Kyiv's region damaged a veterinary hospital, along with private homes, residential buildings, and administrative buildings. Mykola Kalashnyk, the governor of Kyiv region, said that around 20 animals had been killed. Authorities reported that 18 buildings, including houses, were destroyed in Zhytomyr and more than 100 others were damaged. Poland's military has said that it scrambled its fighter jets despite the fact that there is no evidence of any violation of Polish airspace. According to Oleh syniehubov, the governor of Kharkiv's northeastern region, over two dozen people have been injured in missile, drone and bomb attacks during the past 24 hours. Kharkiv mayor Ihor Terekhov stated that "the current series of strike has been the most intense and heavy since the start the war, if not since the beginning the year."
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Trump: US can control Strait of Hormuz in more time
On Friday, President Donald 'Trump said that the United States. The Strait of Hormuz can be opened 'with a little more time,' as pressure mounts on his administration to resolve a war with Iran quickly. Trump stated in a Truth Social post that "With just a little bit more time we could easily OPEN THE HORMUS STRAIT,?TAKE THE OIL& MAKE A FAVORITE." Nearly five weeks since it began with a U.S. and Israeli aerial assault, war in Iran continues to?spread chaos throughout the region,?roiling financial markets, thereby increasing the pressure on Trump for a swift resolution of the conflict. Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway that carries a 'fifth of all oil consumed in the world, as retaliation to U.S. and Israeli strikes that began in late February. As energy prices rise, governments all over the world have made reopening the Strait of Hormuz a priority. In his speech on Wednesday night, Trump reiterated 'his threats against Iran’s civilian power plants, and gave no timeline for ending hostilities. This prompted Iran to 'vow retaliation,' which subsequently lowered share prices. (Reporting from Ryan Patrick Jones and Nate Raymond, Boston; editing by Michelle Nichols).
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Moscow shoppers and travelers hit by payment system problems
The 'payment system' problem caused chaos for Russian shoppers on Friday, forcing the turnstiles of?the Moscow Metro?to let people enter without paying and even forcing visitors to a regional Zoo to pay in cash. It was not clear what caused the payment system problems, but shoppers and retailers reported that they had issues with Sberbank - the largest bank in the country - and payments using QR codes. The central bank did not respond to a comment request. Sberbank stated that the problems were resolved, but did not provide any details as to what caused them. Reporters said that shops and petrol stations asked customers to pay cash for an hour or so on Friday due to a 'problem with the payment system. ?TASS reported that the?Moscow Metro turnstiles allowed people to enter for free once. The card payment system at a zoo in Belgorod was down. Visitors were asked to pay cash. Moscow and the surrounding area has a total population of 22,000,000 people.
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Data shows that a container ship owned by CMA CGM and French-owned has passed the Strait of Hormuz.
MarineTraffic vessel tracker data indicates that a container ship owned by French shipping group CMA CGM has 'crossed the Strait of Hormuz. This is a sign Iran may not view France as a hostile country. The Malta-flagged Kribi owned by CMA CGM crossed the Strait of Hormuz on April 2, and is the 'first French-owned ship to make it through since the?U.S. - Israeli attacks in Iran began at the end February. The Strait was the route of about a fifth global oil and gas supplies before the war effectively closed it. The data did not reveal how the vessel that was sailing south along the coast of Oman had secured safe passage. LSEG shipping information showed that the vessel changed its destination on 'Thursday' to 'Owner France', signaling to 'Iranian authorities' the 'nationality' of its owner. The ship was originally bound for Pointe-Noire, in the Republic of the Congo. CMA CGM didn't immediately?respond? to a?request for comment. The French foreign ministry declined to comment. (Reporting from Dominique Vidalon in Paris, John Irish in Oslo and Nerijus Adomiaitis in Paris; editing by Inti Lauro).
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Sweden seizes sanctioned Oil Tanker Suspect of Being Source of Spill
The Swedish Coast Guard announced on Friday that it had seized a?tanker of oil in the Baltic Sea. It is believed to be part of the 'Russian shadow fleet' and the suspected source of an oil spill of 12 km off the island Gotland. In recent months, the Swedish Coast Guard increased its efforts to stop vessels that are?connected with Russia. It said that the tanker Flora 1 was seized just off Sweden's south coast. MarineTraffic's data shows that Flora 1 departed from Primorsk in Russia with a destination unknown. Coast Guard officials?said that the oil spill will not reach the shore. It stated that it had begun an investigation into a possible environmental crime. It stated that it believed the vessel was listed on the EU sanctions, but added that the status of its flag was unclear. The Swedish Minister of Civil Defence, Carl-Oskar Bohlin, said on X that the Russian shadow fleet, which consists of older, badly insured tankers, evades sanctions and poses a serious security and 'environmental threat. He specifically mentioned the Flora 1 as part his remarks. The government takes the incident seriously even though it is not a major spill. The European nations are intensifying their efforts to disrupt the shadow fleet of tankers that Moscow uses to finance its four-year-long war against Ukraine. Russia has called such actions hostile.
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Hyundai Motors flags shipping disruptions due to Middle East conflict
Hyundai Motor stated on Friday that the conflict in the Middle East was disrupting exports from Europe to North Africa. These vehicles typically transit through the Middle East. This highlights the growing strain on global supply chains. The disruption shows how the conflict is blocking key shipping routes and driving up costs. It also delays deliveries and adds pressure to the automaker's suppliers. Hyundai Motor, with its Kia Corp affiliate, is the third largest automaker in the world by sales. The company warned that the Iran War's impact would last even if it ended soon. Kim Dong-jo is a senior 'vice president in Hyundai Motor's Global Policy Office. He said that rebuilding supply chain would take some time. Kim said that even if the war ends, it would take time to rebuild the supply chains. He was speaking in Pyeongtaek - Dangjin Port southwest of Seoul, where government officials met with logistics companies and automakers to assess the effects of the conflict. The meeting was held at a port, where cars were parked on the wharf for a giant vehicle transporter that would carry 4,900 vehicles to the U.S. West Coast. Kim said that the rising costs of raw materials and logistics, linked to the conflict, were also putting pressure on parts suppliers and production. He added that Hyundai worked with its suppliers and government to minimize disruption. Hyundai Motor Group’s logistics unit, Hyundai glovis, has said that it is currently unable access certain Middle East routes. This forces it to temporarily store goods at alternative locations, until conditions stabilize. While the company's routes to North America’s west and east coasts were not significantly affected, it said that restricted access to Middle East and increased fuel costs were hindering operations and efficiency. South Korea's Trade minister Yeo Han Koo said that?some shipments are being diverted to intermediary hubs like Sri Lanka where they are held?while the companies reassess if transport can resume. Reports last month stated that used cars from Japan could not enter Sri Lanka due to the congestion in ports caused by cargo diverted away from Dubai during the Middle East conflict. South Korea's exports to the Middle East dropped 49% in March, despite their highest growth in nearly four decades. Auto exports were largely unchanged as supply disruptions and strong demand for eco-friendly vehicles offset each other. Hyundai Motor said Thursday that it sold 358 759?vehicles worldwide in March. This is down 2.3% compared to a year ago. Domestic sales fell by 2.0%, and overseas sales declined by 2.4%. The shares of Hyundai Motor and Hyundai Glovis fell by 1.2% and 0.7% respectively on Friday, compared to the benchmark KOSPI which rose 2.7%. Daewoung Kim reported from Pyeongtaek and Heekyong Ya, Jihoon Le and Hyunjoo Ji in Seoul, with additional reporting by Heekyong Yan, JihoonLee and Hyunjoo Ji in Seoul. Editing was done by Ed Davies.
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Australians cancel Easter Travel as fuel crisis worries grow
Elsa Ulcak, a Sydney retiree, is among the millions of Australians who travel over the long Easter weekend. She cancelled the trip she had planned with her husband this year because she couldn't justify how much fuel it would use. Ulcak, aged 67, said: "We usually travel to the countryside but, because of the current petrol price, we have decided to stay home this year." She said that a long trip is expensive and uses fuel which could be used for people in greater need. It's expensive to drive six or seven hours to the country. We also need to consider that working people require petrol and we are retired. "We normally go with a bunch of friends. Everyone cancelled." In Australia, the Easter long weekend tends to be one of the busiest times for travel. According to Roy Morgan, in 2025 more than 4.5 millions people were expected to travel during the Easter long weekend, spending A$11.1billion ($7.67billion) on their trip. The blockade of Strait of Hormuz and the Iran War, which began on February 28, have disrupted many plans for this year. Diesel and petrol were both over A$2.50 per litre last week, before the government reduced fuel taxes in an effort to bring down prices. Rachel Abbott, 27, a art director has also put her plans to travel this Easter on hold. She would normally go back to her home in north-east Victoria but the costs of flying and driving made her decide to stay in Sydney. She said, "Work has been very busy, flights are expensive and driving would be even more expensive." Stav Zottilis, 59 years old, is an aid worker who said that her plans for Easter were not affected by the Middle East conflict. However, this year, "it feels very different" because of the conflict. "I'm not sure that we should celebrate. It's like the world has a shaky feel, it is unpredictable. "I feel like we have no idea where the world is going. She said that while she has felt the pressure of rising prices at the supermarket and petrol stations, she is more concerned for those living in conflict zones. "I have been an overseas aid worker since 25 years and lived in Asia for fourteen years. I know that people who live nearer the conflict must forgo food. She said that it was not just a matter of going interstate or along the coast like many Australians. Reporting by Christine Chen in Sydney and Cordelia Husu; editing by Kim Coghill.
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Japan denies reports that the government requested trading houses to accompany Russia's visit in May
The Japanese government denied on Friday a report from Kyodo News Agency that it had asked the country's leading trading houses to join a delegation planning to visit Russia in may. Kyodo reported late on Thursday that, citing its sources, the government expects that Japanese firms will resume full business operations in Russia once the war with Ukraine has ended. It was added that the government had requested participation from Mitsui O.S.K Lines, Mitsui O.S.K Lines, Itochu Sumitomo Corp and Marubeni. "As far as the accuracy of the report is concerned, it's not true." "The Japanese government will continue to implement sanctions against Russia", Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru K. Kihara said at a regular press conference. The full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine began in 2022, and diplomatic efforts on the international level have yet to lead to a peaceful settlement. Japan joined a range of western sanctions against Russia, and stopped importing most oil after 2022. The U.S. and Israel's war against?Iran has halted shipments through the Strait of?Hormuz, putting Japan at risk. Separately, the Japan's Industry Ministry said it had not made any such "requests" to trading companies. Marubeni declined to comment. Other companies did not respond immediately when asked for comment. (Reporting and editing by Kim Coghill, Katya Golubkova Tamiyuki, Kaori Kaneko, Kentaro Okasaka)
US LNG exporters are looking to renegotiate contracts to cover rising costs
According to company statements and sources, several U.S. producers of LNG are trying to renegotiate with buyers higher prices due to rising construction, labor, and borrowing costs. The higher prices will reduce the competitiveness of U.S. LNG on the global markets, especially at a moment when President Donald Trump wants to expand this industry.
Alex Munton is the director of Global Gas and LNG Research at Rapidan Energy Group. He said that "the competitiveness of U.S. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) could be affected by a double-whammy." Munton said that rising liquefaction prices, a tighter gas market at home, and declining prices for competing supplies index to oil, could all have an impact on the competitiveness of U.S. Liquefied Natural Gas.
Energy Transfer's coCEO said on an earnings call, that negotiations are underway. According to four sources, Mexico Pacific and Venture Global have been seeking to renegotiate supply purchase agreements.
Mexico Pacific is trying to renegotiate a higher liquefaction fee with Chinese buyers Zhejiang Energy, and Guangzhou Gas. This according to two Chinese officials who are familiar with the situation. Mexico Pacific is trying to negotiate the price because the U.S. engineering company Bechtel that is building the plant wants a construction cost which has made the project expensive.
Mexico Pacific and Bechtel declined to comment.
Sources claim that Zhejiang, Guangzhou and other cities have rejected Mexico Pacific’s proposal. The sources did not give any details on Mexico Pacific's costs of liquefaction or how much it wanted to pay for them.
One of two sources who have direct knowledge of this matter said that Guangzhou has requested to reduce its share of the project's revenue from 1 MTPA per year to 700,000 tonnes per annum.
Zhejiang Energy did not respond to requests for comments sent via email. Guangzhou Development Group (parent company of Guangzhou Gas) did not comment immediately. Venture Global, second largest U.S. exporter of LNG, is also trying to renegotiate a higher price for its CP2 Louisiana project, despite the fact that the plant has yet to begin construction and have not received the financial go ahead, according to separate sources. Venture Global declined to comment on a request. In January, the company told investors that fees for liquefaction could increase to $4 per million British Thermal Unit (mmBtu), up from $2.25. Energy Transfer, which has a 16.5 MTPA facility for LNG export in Louisiana under construction, stated on a February earnings call that it was also renegotiating liquefaction charges with customers to try and align higher construction costs with the offtake agreements.
Everyone understands the cost increases. We are continuing to negotiate with the companies in order to reduce their fees, said Marshall McCrea.
McCrea stated that customers stuck with their projects despite being asked to pay higher fees.
Cheniere Energy, the largest U.S. exporter of LNG, announced in February that it would not be increasing fees. This is in part due to its prices already being linked to inflation, and because its projects are constructed on brownfields, which have cost advantages. Baker Hughes, one the biggest equipment suppliers to the U.S. gas sector, was able to control its inflation, but LNG developers have seen increases, according to Lorenzo Simonelli.
Simonelli, who was referring to engineering, procurement and construction companies, said that the EPCs are the ones that we tend to see more of. If we looked at the external climate, we'd say that there was some inflation. In general, the liquefaction fee for U.S. LNG is on track to increase above $2.50/mmBtu because of a tight labor pool, rising construction costs and persistently high interest rates.
Poten warned that higher liquefaction costs could reduce the cost-competitiveness for U.S. LNG project, particularly if they are coupled with an increase of U.S. gas prices or a fall in Brent crude oil,
Poten stated that inflation, on top of the labor shortages, is driving up equipment and material prices.
(source: Reuters)