Latest News
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Oman claims that no one has claimed responsibility for the attacks on its territory
Oman's Foreign Ministry?said Sunday that it?"condemns" attacks on its land, adn that no one has claimed responsibility. Authorities are investigating "sources and motivations" of the attacks, without giving any further details or naming a specific attack. Oman reported on Saturday that a worker had been injured in a drone attack at the Salalah port of the Gulf nation. Danish container shipping company Maersk later announced it temporarily halted operations?at the Salalah port?after the attack. Iranian media reported that Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed on Saturday they had targeted a U.S. Support vessel "considerably" away from Salalah Port. The statement continued, "As we have stated previously, the Islamic Republic of Iran respects Oman's national sovereignty." On March 11, drones ?struck oil storage facilities ?at Salalah port. Masoud Pezeshkian, the Iranian president, told Oman's Sultan in a telephone call that an investigation would be conducted into this incident. (Reporting and editing by David Goodman, Menna Alaa el-Din, Jaidaa taha)
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After being located by the Mexican Navy, two humanitarian aid vessels safely reach Havana
The Mexican Navy reported that two sailboats carrying humanitarian aid from Mexico reached Havana safely on Saturday. They had been delayed by bad weather, and were briefly reported as missing. After authorities watched their final approach, the navy confirmed that the sailboats had docked in Cuba's capital. The Mexican Navy reported earlier that a maritime surveillance plane spotted the sailboats after they were reported missing on Thursday. They were located on 'Friday, about 80 nautical miles (148km) northwest of Cuba. The crews said they were in good shape but that the 'unfavorable' weather conditions, especially winds, had slowed them down. The two boats were part of a convoy that was delivering food, medicine and baby formula to the Caribbean’s largest island. This is despite a U.S. blockade of oil shipments, which has caused power outages to worsen. A spokesperson for Nuestra América Convoy stated that the vessels were continuing their journey towards Havana. The convoy is on track to fulfill its mission - delivering desperately needed humanitarian aid for the Cuban people. The sailboats that were supposed to arrive between March 24 and 25 in Havana, Cuba, have not arrived since they left Isla Mujeres on Saturday. U.S. Coast Guard told French Press Agency AFP that the boats were found on 'Friday but later retracted its statement saying a search is still 'under way. This caused confusion. Nuestra America, or "Our America", is a coalition of nearly 300 organizations, including non-governmental groups and political parties, from over 30 countries. The group has sent approximately 20 tons of aid to Cuba by air and sea, including bicycles, solar panels, food, medicine, and solar panels. (Reporting and editing by Joe Bavier; Alistair Bell; Rod Nickel, Natalia Siniawski. Additional reporting by Dave Sherwood in Mexico City.
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Vice President Vance is the winner of CPAC's straw-poll for 2028 Presidential election.
The 'Conservative Political Action Conference is the top pick?this year? for?the next?U.S. A straw poll conducted on Saturday revealed that the next president of the United States will be Vice President?JD Vance. Vance was chosen by 53% of the attendees at this year's CPAC Convention. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was ranked'second' with 35%, at CPAC. This is a major gathering for Republican lawmakers, activists, and presidential hopefuls. CPAC, who is holding the event this year in Grapevine Texas, attracts a large number of conservative Republicans. The straw poll it conducts each year is not necessarily a reliable indicator of who will be the nominee. The poll is a snapshot into where the 'energy' currently lies in core supporters of Donald Trump's Make America Great Again movement. Trump is not eligible to run again in 2028, as he is currently serving his second term. (Reporting and editing by Sergio Non, David Gregorio, and Nathan Layne from Grapevine Texas)
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Kuwait airport damaged by drones. Radar system damaged. No casualties reported
Kuwait 'International Airport 'was targeted by multiple drone attacks Saturday, causing significant damage to the radar system, but resulting in no injuries, according to state news agency KUNA, citing Kuwait Civil Aviation Authority. Later, the spokesperson for the authority said that the attacks were perpetrated by Iran and its proxies as well as the armed groups it supports. Kuwait's fire department, meanwhile said a??fire? that broke out??? in fuel tanks at an airport on Wednesday after a previous drone assault had been extinguished AFTER 58 CONSECUTIVE HOURS, KUNA reported??on Saturday?. Tehran launched strikes on Israel, as well as on Gulf Arab states that host U.S. military bases. Israel has launched attacks on Hezbollah fighters who are aligned with Iran in Lebanon. The Houthis of?Yemen have started launching missiles against Israel to?support Iran.
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Sources say that Italy's Poste wants to meet with Telecom Italia over the takeover bid
Two sources familiar with the matter confirmed on Saturday that Poste Italiane?has requested a meeting at which the chief executive of the postal services group, Matteo Del Fante, could present its 10.8 billion euro ($12 million) cash and share bid for the former telephone monopoly. Poste, a state-backed conglomerate, announced last Sunday a plan to privatize TIM and create a digital champion in the country. This would strengthen the control of critical data for households and corporations by the government. The offer was not previously agreed upon with TIM. Sources said Del Fante had sent a request to TIM directors asking for an opportunity to present the offer. Poste, which offers services in logistics, payments, broadband, insurance, and financials, forecasts 700 million euro of annual benefits from the merger. Poste would gain control over TIM's network of data centres and its cybersecurity division Telsy. This deal would expand Poste's digital services for consumers, large businesses, and governments. Sources said that TIM's 'directors' will discuss Del Fante’s request during a meeting scheduled for Sunday. They added that the presentation of the bid 'was expected to happen in the next few weeks'. Poste and TIM declined to comment. On Sunday, TIM directors will also be expected to select advisers who will help them assess?Poste bid. Sources said that the TIM board will also decide on a?premature termination of a contract with Inwit for a long term, similar to a move made by Swisscom?s?Fastweb?. Poste is TIM’s?leading shareholder with 27%?of its ordinary share capital. This stake will drop to close to 20% when TIM converts special shares that it has outstanding in ordinary stock.
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The thieves steal 12 tons KitKat bars from Europe
Nestle, a Swiss food giant, said that thieves stole the truck carrying 12 tons of KitKat bars in Europe. Nestle's KitKat said that the truck carrying 413 793 bars of their new chocolate range set out from central Italy to distribute the chocolate across Europe but never arrived at its final destination, Poland. The vehicle as well as the merchandise are still missing. Nestle has not revealed where the truck went missing. In a separate announcement, KitKat said that the bars missing can be traced via a unique batch code. Anyone who scans the batch numbers of?the stolen bars will receive instructions on how?to contact KitKat. KitKat stated that "cargo theft is an escalating issue for businesses of every size." (Writing and editing by Dave Graham)
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Bloomberg News reports that Saudi pipeline bypasses Hormuz and pumps 7 million barrels per day of oil.
Bloomberg News reported that Saudi Arabia's East-West Pipeline, which circumvents the Strait of Hormuz and pumps?oil to its full capacity of 7 million barrels per day, according to a source familiar with the issue. Bloomberg reported that Saudi Arabia exports 5 million barrels of crude oil a day from its Yanbu port, located on the?Red Sea. The country also exports 700,000 to 900,000 barrels per day in oil products. Could not verify the report immediately. Aramco, the Saudi Arabian oil company, did not immediately respond to an inquiry for comment. Aramco CEO Amin Nasser had earlier told reporters on a March earnings call that it was expected the East-West pipe to reach its full capacity 7 million bpd within the next few days as customers reroute. Conflict in the Gulf Region, triggered by U.S. The conflict in the Gulf region,?triggered by?U.S. Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz. This has trapped a fifth of the world's oil supplies and liquefied gas, sending crude oil prices soaring above $100 per barrel. (Reporting and editing by Jan Harvey in Bengaluru, and Joe Bavier.)
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Ford's US carrier arrives in Croatia to repair
The U.S. aircraft carriers Gerald R. Ford and the USS Enterprise, which were deployed to U.S.-Israeli missions against Iran, have anchored at Split, Croatia, for repairs and maintenance. On March 12, the 'Ford', the world's biggest carrier and newest ship, was supporting Operation Epic Fury in the Red Sea when a fire in its laundry room caused three injuries. A?U.S. Officials at the time confirmed that nearly 200 sailors were also treated for smoke-related issues. It took several hours to put out the fire, which affected 100 sleeping berths. The warship was deployed for nine months, and took part in operations against Venezuela in the Caribbean before arriving in the Middle East. During its deployment, it has experienced plumbing issues affecting nearly 650 toilets. The Ford temporarily stopped in Souda bay on the Greek Island of Crete. The U.S.-allied NATO country of Croatia approved the arrival of this Ford earlier in the week. The U.S. Embassy in Croatia released a statement that said, "During its visit, the USS Gerald R. Ford is expected to host a number of?local leaders and 'key officials to reaffirm and strengthen the strong and enduring relationship between the United States and Croatia." The carrier is staffed with more than 5,000 soldiers and has 75 military aircraft, including fighter planes like the F-18 Super Hornet. It also boasts an advanced radar system to control air traffic and navigate. (Reporting from Split by Antonio Bronic; Writing by Aleksandar Vaovic; Editing and proofreading by Joe Bavier).
How Germany's parties say they will restore its anaemic economy
German political celebrations presented their election programmes on Tuesday, a day after parliament backed a noconfidence movement in Chancellor Olaf Scholz's federal government, leading the way for a snap election on Feb. 23.
Arguments over how to conserve Europe's largest economy had been the primary aspect behind the collapse of Scholz's fractious three-party union last month, and the economy is the top issue of German citizens.
Germany has actually gone from being Europe's economic powerhouse to underperforming its significant euro zone peers. The economy is anticipated to agreement in 2024 for the 2nd successive year.
Here is what is understood so far about the celebrations' essential financial proposals and their position on a possible reform of the constitutionally enshrined debt brake:
SPD
Scholz's centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) propose incentivising personal financial investment and modernising infrastructure with an off-budget 100 billion euro ($ 104.90 billion) fund.
The celebration also prepares to present a Made in Germany premium to boost investment. The strategy consists of a direct tax refund of 10% on equipment financial investments by companies.
To incentivise purchases of German-made electrical automobiles, the SPD proposes to use buyers a short-lived tax deduction. Scholz calls for a moderate reform of the debt brake - which limits federal government borrowing to 0.35% of gross domestic product - in order to increase financial investments in defence, however he has not showed how he would do that.
CDU/CSU
The opposition conservatives, an alliance of the Christian Democrats (CDU) and their Bavarian sister celebration the Christian Social Union (CSU), propose extensive financial relief for business and residents.
They wish to cut the corporate tax and propose a uniform rate of 25%. The sales tax for catering need to be reduced to 7%. from 19%. They also want to abolish the national supply chain. law, and promise lower electrical energy charges. They have not said. how they plan to finance the projects, a point criticised by. other parties.
Conservative leader Friedrich Merz, who according to viewpoint. surveys is set to end up being Germany's next chancellor, has actually signified. some openness to a moderate reform of the financial obligation brake however his. celebration's manifesto has actually promised to keep it.
GREENS
Economy Minister Robert Habeck, the Greens' candidate for. chancellor, has actually required reform of the financial obligation brake to permit. greater public costs.
The Greens wish to purchase capital markets to create. more funds for the statutory pension scheme, producing what they. call a people' fund with loans and government resources. The. fund should take sustainability requirements into account and be. lined up with the 1.5 degree Celsius target of the Paris Climate. Arrangement.
Every investment in Germany ought to be subsidised by the. state with a premium of 10%, limited to 5 years and not. including financial investment in buildings, they say.
The election program likewise includes a tax incentive for. small and medium earnings for the purchase of electric vehicles, an. example of their concentrate on targeting subsidy programmes towards. lower earners.
The program also consists of raising the base pay to 15. euros per hour in 2025. It is presently 12.41 euros.
FDP
The neoliberal Free Democrats provide themselves as the. most significant protector of the financial obligation brake. It was the rejection of former. Financing Minister Christian Lindner, the FDP leader, to suspend. the cap on loaning that triggered the collapse of Scholz's. coalition.
In its draft election programme, the party proposes a. decrease of the business tax to below 25% and of the sales tax. for dealing with 7%. It likewise proposes an immediate end to the. so-called solidarity additional charge, which is paid on top of earnings. tax and was presented following German reunification to help. the poorer eastern states.
The FDP is positioning itself versus the federal government's. existing objective of making Germany climate-neutral by 2045, saying. instead that the EU target of 2050 must be utilized as a guide.
The ban on combustion engines for new vehicles signed up. from 2035 onwards must be lifted, and the air traffic tax. eliminated.
The draft program also turns down a wealth tax and any. debt proficiency for the European Union.
AfD
The far-right Option for Germany (AfD), presently in. second place after the conservatives according to viewpoint polls,. looks for Germany's departure from the EU - or Dexit - following a. referendum like the one that occurred in the U.K. in 2016. The. celebration wants the country to ditch the euro and reintroduce the. Deutsche Mark. AfD is committed to the financial obligation brake and proposes. cutting spending on climate defense and contributions to. worldwide institutions.
The other celebrations have actually declined to include the. anti-immigration AfD in any future union federal government talks.
The AfD has currently provided a draft of its own election. programme.
(source: Reuters)