Latest News
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Haiti: Senior defense official reported abducted in Port-au-Prince
According to reports in the media on Saturday, June 13, armed men have kidnapped in Haiti a senior government and police official in Port-au-Prince. This is 'the highest-ranking abduction in recent years in a nation gripped by gang-related violence. James Boyard was reportedly seized in the Bourdon area on Thursday, according to a source familiar with the case. Boyard, a security expert widely respected in Haiti and a leader in the field of security, was abducted on Tuesday. His kidnapping marks an important escalation in the targeting of senior officials there. Gangs in Haiti have tightened their grip over 'the capital. As criminal groups increase their influence in Haiti, they are 'undermining the government authority' and worsening an already deteriorating humanitarian crisis. Authorities have not commented publicly on Boyard's case. Reporting by Cassandra Garrison, Mexico City; editing by Kim Coghill
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Governor of Temryuk says that a drone strike in Ukraine has killed one and ignited a fire in the Russian port.
Veniamin Kondratiev, the governor of the Krasnodar Region, said that a 'Ukrainian drone attack' sparked an blaze at a sea port in Temryuk in southern Russia. Peace talks to end the Ukraine War have stagnated. Temryuk was previously attacked by Ukrainian drones in late May when Kyiv’s security service claimed it had hit a gas station there. Regional authorities cited Governor Andrei Bocharov as saying that a separate strike took place on Saturday and caused a fire to break out in an industrial area of the Kotovo District in the Volgograd Region. Bocharov did not disclose the details of the damages or the affected facilities. The?report on June 1?stated that Lukoil's Volgograd oil refining plant in Russia's south has been suspended since May 29 due to a Ukrainian drone strike.
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Brazil launches a subsidised motorcycle credit program for delivery drivers using apps
The Brazilian government launched on Friday a subsidised?credit program to help app-based drivers purchase motorcycles. This is a new initiative aimed at boosting demand and supporting a sector of the workforce which has grown rapidly in recent years. Bruno Moretti, Minister of Planning, said at an event held in Brasilia that the program would offer interest rates for male and female drivers of 11,5% and 12,5%, respectively. The benchmark rate of the central bank is currently 14.5%. Moretti stated that state-run lenders Caixa Econômica Federal and Banco do Brasil would provide?financing for eligible borrowers. He also noted that a government funded will mitigate credit risks by covering a part of potential losses. The Ministry of Industry, Development and Trade stated that the new loans are expected to be worth up to 2.5 billion reais (494,19 million dollars). This initiative is the latest of a series quasi-fiscal policies introduced at the beginning of the year. They do not affect the primary balance of the federal government, but they are meant to 'boost demand before the elections in October. Leftist Luiz inacio Lula da So is running for a fourth non-consecutive term. The new measures include a program to renegotiate consumer debts, initiatives to encourage truck purchase and vehicle financing support for ride-hailing driver. The app-based drivers program will offer discounts on motorcycles made in Brazil. This includes electric models. It will be open to drivers who have been registered for at least 6 months and completed 100 trips or delivery. This will cover all taxi drivers, cyclists and motorcycle couriers who have been formally employed for at least six consecutive months by the same company. A government statement states that borrowers have up to 48-months to repay their loans, and a grace period of two months. ABOVE TARGET INFLATION On?Friday earlier, Dario Durigan reiterated the government's plans to launch a program later this month to renegotiate consumer debts and personal loans for Brazilians that are up-to-date on their payments. Economists warn that the combination of demand-boosting measures and inflationary pressures resulting from the U.S. supported?war against Iran has clouded the outlook on monetary policy ease in Brazil. Previously, the central bank of this South American country was expected to make much larger rate cuts in 2018. The annual inflation rate is 4.72% and above the central banks' official 3% target. BTG Pactual expects only one more?25-basis point rate cut next Monday, followed by a pause for the remainder of the year. In a report released this week, the firm estimated that the Lula government's previous stimulus measures would inject 142 billion Reais into the Brazilian economy this year. This is equivalent to 1% of the GDP.
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US EPA sends California emission rules to Congress as a possible reversal
The US Environmental Protection Agency announced on Friday that it would be sending California's landmark vehicle emissions rules to Congress for possible repeal. This is the latest attempt to stop state tailpipe regulations becoming more strict. According to the EPA, waivers of California regulations that were approved by Democratic administrations in the past should have been sent directly to legislators under the Congressional Review Act. California's Advanced Clean Cars I, which allows California to set vehicle emission standards that are more stringent than federal standards, is included in the rules. California has not yet responded to the EPA proposal. The administration of President Donald Trump has launched a multifaceted effort to prevent California from requiring cleaner vehicles and more electric vehicles. The EPA also enacted regulations that make it easier for automakers sell more gasoline powered cars and?trucks while making EVs more expensive. California was granted authority to set its own emission standards for cars, trucks and lawn and garden equipment through the four waivers that were sent to Congress to be reviewed. These rules have prompted companies to "produce cleaner electric versions to reduce emissions." California?won approval for its current vehicle regulations known as Advanced Clean Cars I (ACC I) in 2022, under the then President Joe Biden’s EPA. These rules remain in place. The U.S. Transportation Department filed a lawsuit against the California Air Resources Board in March. It claimed that the rules of the state governing zero-emission vehicles and emissions from tailpipes are illegal. California's regulations require automakers sell an increasing number of electric cars and adhere to?increasingly strict limits on tailpipe emission. These rules are stricter than the ones imposed by Trump's administration, who plans to rollback federal fuel economy regulations. Trump signed legislation in 2017 to "overturn California's Advanced Clean Cars II regulations that aim to phase-out new gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035." California claims that the fuel savings consumers will enjoy from the new rules will far outweigh the initial costs of electric vehicles. Congress revoked California's authority to ban traditional gasoline-powered cars after?2035, after Toyota GM and other automobile manufacturers lobbied Congress for relief from California’s emission regulations. This was after the EPA had sent Congress a waiver for this program to be reviewed. Many Democratic legislators claimed that waivers were not subject to review under the CRA. The White House has also weakened federal tailpipe regulations. Congress passed legislation to stop collecting penalties in 2025 for failing to meet vehicle tailpipe standards. This will save automakers hundreds and millions of dollars. In February, the EPA repealed a scientific conclusion that greenhouse gas emission endangers human health and removed federal tailpipe standards for cars and truck. David Shepardson, David Gregorio (Editing and Reporting)
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EU agrees to continue compensating passengers for delays in flights
Reporters were told that the European Union countries had agreed to maintain the three-hour delay compensation threshold in the EU's upcoming set of airline passenger rights. They also agreed to ask for greater transparency regarding fees for carry-on luggage. The diplomat stated that the 27 member states would now submit their proposals to the Parliament which would evaluate them from Monday. The European Commission and the EU members had been at odds over a package of measures that was first proposed by the EU executive more than a decade ago. The Commission proposed that the compensation threshold be raised to four hours, and the member states wanted to cap it at EUR 500. According to rules in effect since 2004, passengers who are delayed more than three hours on their flight can receive compensation ranging from EUR250 to EUR600 depending on the length of the flight. The member states have decided to maintain the status quo in the controversial issue of compensation for delay. This issue pitted airlines against consumer protection groups, who demanded greater flexibility in order to remain competitive. The member states propose that airlines include the cost of cabin baggage in the basic ticket price. Consumers who choose to opt out can receive discounts. The measure aims to increase price transparency and comparison. These fees were widely criticized by consumer rights associations across the EU. They sparked a battle in 2024 when the Spanish Consumer Rights Ministry fined low-cost airlines EUR179,000,000 for charging them. The airlines have appealed against the fine. The countries have also kept the rules unchanged that allow an adult accompanying a child to sit next to them without having to pay a fee and that require airlines to provide more services when a connection is missed. The law also prohibited airlines from forcing their passengers to download an app on their mobile phones to obtain a boarding card, a practice Ryanair began in November.
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Air India wants to delay hundreds of jet deliveries - sources
Air India wants to delay the delivery of hundreds?of jets ordered from 'Airbus and Boeing' in order to cut costs, according two people familiar with the situation, who confirmed a Bloomberg article. Air India and Boeing did not respond to a request for comment. Air India, under the new majority owners Tata Group, placed a record-breaking order in 2023 for a total 470 Jets. It also leased another 25 jets. Airline faces increasing losses and operational disruptions due to the conflict in Iran, which is compounded by Pakistan's ban on airspace and a crisis following a deadly Boeing 787 crash a year ago. Air India last week?cut?flights from several routes citing airspace restrictions as well as record jet fuel prices. Bloomberg News reported that Air India was looking to postpone plans for expansion, reduce flights and defer deliveries after Tata Group instructed it to concentrate on reducing record losses. Reporting by Tim Hepher. Mark Potter edited the article.
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American Airlines will resume US flights to Haiti by November
American Airlines announced Friday that it would resume flights to Haiti on 1 November after major U.S. airlines ceased service in the Caribbean nation by late 2024. American will resume service in Haiti this fall. It is the first U.S. airline to announce that it would be resuming its service. Since November 2024, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has banned flights to Port-au-Prince in Haiti's capital due to a perceived threat from "armed groups" to civil aviation. Later, the FAA allowed flights to resume at'six other airports located in northern Haiti. But it kept its ban on Port-au-Prince. Haiti is the only Caribbean nation that does not have direct flights from U.S. carriers. American said it also plans to offer a second Venezuelan airport flight option. FAA restrictions in Port-au-Prince will continue until at least September 3rd. The FAA suspended flights to Haiti in November 2024 after three commercial U.S. jetliners were hit by gunfire. The FAA continues to restrict access to Haiti's capital, citing the inability of security forces in Port-au-Prince or surrounding areas to prevent aircraft attacks. U.S. planes are allowed to fly over Port-au-Prince at a height of 10,000 feet (3,048 meters). According to a U.N. Report earlier this year the death toll has risen each year as independent and powerful armed groups have clashed with security forces and local vigilantes. According to the FAA, since September 2025, Haitian groups used small arms fire to 'attack' at least three aircraft in the area where U.S. Civil Aviation is prohibited. The agency permits flights to six airports: Port-de-Paix (Cap-Haitien), Pignon (Jeremie), Antoine-Simon, and Jacmel. (Reporting and editing by Susan Fenton; David Shepardson)
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Pope's return from Spain delayed due to technical issues with the plane
After a technical problem on his plane Friday, Pope Leo had to delay his return to Rome after a seven-day tour of Spain. As the?plane taxiing to the runway with Pope Leo and Vatican staff,?journalists and other passengers was about to take off when the captain announced a problem. Leo was escorted by King Felipe back to the airport after he had already 'boarded' his flight operated by carrier Iberia, following a 'wave-off by King Felipe, and other dignitaries from Spain. A spokesperson for Iberia said that maintenance specialists were checking out a technical issue, but did not provide any further details. The captain announced in a second statement that the engine was probably unable to start due to?the?wind. He said that the plane would be towed so it was facing the wind and they'd try to start the engine again. (Reporting and writing by Joshua McElwee, editing by Sanjeev Mglani).
Australian state reviews drone restrictions after shark attack
A regulator will review restrictions on drones flying above 'Australia's Coogee Beach so that rescuers from New South Wales can monitor for sharks after an attack Saturday left a woman critically injured.
On Saturday morning, emergency services were dispatched to Coogee Beach on the eastern side of Sydney after reports that a woman aged 35 had been bitten about 30 metres from shore by a large white shark.
A spokesperson said that the woman's condition was critical but stable at St Vincent's Hospital after she suffered serious injuries to her left lower leg and arms.
Coogee Beach, as well as other beaches in the Randwick Council area of the city, were closed for 24 hours after the attack. Drones were used to scan the skies for sharks under emergency measures. Tara Moriarty is the minister of agriculture for New South Wales. She said, "It has been a tough summer in Sydney with shark attacks and activity. The NSW government takes this very seriously." Moriarty stated that the NSW government will consider new measures to protect swimmers from shark attacks. This includes using drones and other technology.
Australian lifesavers are using drones to monitor for sharks. However, Coogee Beach is restricted from commercial drone usage because it lies under the flight path at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport.
A Civil Aviation Safety Authority spokesperson said that after the attack they would be looking at how to adapt the existing rules.
PADDLEBOARDER RESCUES
Charlie Verco, 25, a paddleboard champion and lifeguard who was off duty, rescued the woman from the water. He told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation he felt "very afraid" when he saw a three to four metre shark close to a group swimming.
He said: "I looked at the beach and tried to?signal to the lifeguards a large code X to get them to?understand what was happening?outthere, clear the waters if they could, get the power crafts out there."
"She was submerged for a second. I could not see her because she was in a sea of red. She popped up, and the shark let her go. I was able get close enough to catch her.
The woman was then taken to the hospital by ambulance after being greeted by police, lifeguards and medical experts.
This year, Australia has experienced a number of shark attacks.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the majority of shark attacks happen along Australia's east and southeast coasts, with an average of 20 incidents per year.
(source: Reuters)