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Boat capsizes near Indonesia's Mentawai Islands, 11 missing
The local search and Rescue agency reported on Tuesday that 11 Indonesians are missing after their boat capsized due to bad weather near the Mentawai Islands, in West Sumatra Province. The rescue agency released a statement saying that eight people were rescued following the incident which occurred on Monday morning at 11 am (0400 GMT). Ten of the 18 people aboard were local officials. The boat was leaving Sikakap in the Mentawai Islands and heading towards Tuapejat, another small town. On Tuesday, dozens of rescuers and two boats were sent to search for the missing. In Indonesia, an archipelago with more than 17,000 islands and bad weather, accidents are common. Lax safety standards also allow for overloaded vessels. A ferry Sank near Bali earlier this month. The 65 passengers and crew members were 18 dead, 30 alive, and 17 still missing. (Reporting and editing by John Mair; Ananda Teresia)
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Study shows European ports are slow to install shore-power before 2030 deadline
A new study revealed that most European ports have not yet installed the electrical infrastructure required to allow ships to switch to cleaner electricity from high-polluting marine fuel while docked. The European Union has set a deadline of 2030 for the installation of infrastructure in maritime ports that will provide onshore power supply. Transport & Environment, a Brussels-based NGO, commissioned a study that covered 31 European ports to assess the rollout. The findings show that only one fifth of the power supply connections required have been installed or contracted to date, and most ports are still lagging behind. Only four of the ports studied have installed or contracted for more than half the required connections by 2030. Residents who live near ports are hoping that the plug-in infrastructure will ease the burden of living with cruise ships. Cruise ships often run their engines in port to power amenities onboard, such as lighting and air conditioning. Sulphur dioxide, harmful particulates and nitrogen oxides are all pollutants from marine fuels. The study also highlights important disparities among ship types. The study also highlights significant disparities between ship types. While 38% are OPS connections are installed for passenger and cruise ships, container vessels have only 11%. The study stated that cruise ships should receive priority for OPS deployment. T&E reports that the ports of Antwerp and Dublin, Gdansk and Lisbon have not yet invested in plug-in electric infrastructure. According to the Portuguese Government, the multi-million euro project of laying cables to connect Lisbon's cruise port with a power plant is expected to be completed by 2029. (Reporting from London by Catarina demony, Corina Rodrguez in Madrid, and Doyinsola Oladipo in New York. Editing by Tomaszjanowski)
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US Senators urge Trump Administration to support older retirement age of pilots
On Monday, a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators led by Senate Majority leader John Thune called on President Donald Trump to support international efforts aimed at raising the mandatory retirement age for pilots. Congress rejected the push in 2023 to raise the mandatory retirement age for airline pilots from 65 to 67. The Air Line Pilots Association is opposed to raising the retirement age. They say that such a move would cause scheduling issues, pilot training problems and require reopening of pilot contract negotiations. Marsha Blackburn, a Republican senator, is leading the group. Thune, a Democrat and fellow Republican senator Marsha blackburn are also members. The letter from Secretary of State Marco Rubio to the. They asked Rubio to lobby the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), an agency of the United Nations for raising the retirement age. "If we cede our leadership position in this area on the international scene, China -- which is currently the world's largest economy and the second-largest country by population -- will take over." The senators said that they would gladly fill the void by actively working with our partners in advocating for a higher retirement age for pilots. The State Department has not yet commented. Since Chesley "Sully Sullenberger", the commercial airline pilot that safely landed a Airbus A320 in New York's Hudson River, in 2009, stepped aside in July 2022, there hasn't been an ambassador for the U.S. Mission to ICAO, Montreal. Former President Joe Biden had nominated Charlie Christ, former Florida Governor to fill the position in 2023. However, he wasn't confirmed. (Reporting and editing by David Shepardson, Chris Reese, and David Gregorio).
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Urals oil differentials hold firm despite softer freight rates
On Monday, the difference between Brent and Urals crudes increased as freight rates for Russian oils fell due to higher vessel availability. However, traders expect that this trend will change in light of new sanctions. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, threatened on Monday to impose sanctions on buyers of Russian goods if Russia does not reach a peace agreement within 50 days. This was a significant shift in policy prompted by frustrations with Moscow. Costs for shipping Urals oil to India from the Russian Baltic Sea port of Primorsk or Ust-Luga dropped to $5 to $5.3 million, per one-way shipment, using an Aframax oil tanker. This tanker can carry up to 730,000 barrels in average, in August. In June, it was between $5.5 and $5.7 millions. PLATTS WINDOW SOCAR tried to sell 650,000 barrels Azeri BTC from Ceyhan between July 24 and 28 at Brent plus $3.20 a barrel but failed to find a buyer. On Monday, there were no bids or offers made on Urals or CPC Blend. * Oil prices fell on Monday as investors considered new threats by Trump to impose sanctions on Russian oil buyers that could affect global supply. (Reporting and Editing by Matthew Lewis).
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Los Angeles seaport imports in June rebound as tariff concerns loom over US Holiday Season
Fears of increased tariffs led retailers to stock up goods in preparation for the holiday season. Last month, the Port of Los Angeles received 470 450 20-foot units (TEUs), after the U.S. and China reached a truce on tariffs. This was an increase of almost 10% over a year earlier and contributed to a record volume for the entire month. Port of Los Angeles Director Gene Seroka. Seroka stated that the June surge "highlights tariff whipsaw effects" caused by U.S. policy. The result for last month was 32% higher than May, when short lived 145% import tariffs on China hammered that trade. He said that the Chinese manufacturers should have already received orders for holiday cargo. What's on the way is what you're going get. "It's too late for you to negotiate an order at this time." U.S. Ocean imports will likely start to drop later this summer due to possible tariff increases and the timing of orders. The National Retail Federation has predicted double-digit percentage drops in U.S. Imports from August to November. Donald Trump threatened on Saturday to impose a 30 percent tariff on imports coming from Mexico and the European Union starting August 1. This is the latest in an escalation in his trade war. Bobby Djavaheri, president of Yedi Houseware in Los Angeles, said that the company has already raised its prices by about 10%. It also absorbed the remaining tariff costs. Air fryers, rice cooks and other kitchen items made in China are supplied to retailers such as TJ Maxx and Ross Dress for Less. It prioritizes products, also known as stock-keeping units (SKUs), that are popular and generate the most profit. Djavaheri stated that "half the SKUs will not be available in this year" when it comes to Yedi small electronics.
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New York governor says World Cup prime target for drone attacks
New York Governor Kathy Hochul demanded on Monday that President Donald Trump boost federal defenses to combat drone attacks. She said events such as the World Cup and U.S.250th Anniversary celebrations were "prime targets." She said that the New York area would be a focal point for many high-profile events next summer. These include the World Cup, the flotillas of Tall Ships and International Naval Review as well as the largest Macy's ever fireworks show. Hochul wrote in a Monday letter to Trump that "we need a comprehensive federal policy which not only improves the detection of drones at a national level, but also offers robust and multi-layered mitigation strategies." She said that the government must do more to protect "critical infrastructure" such as population centers, utilities and military assets. Hochul called on the White House to act, citing several incidents that occurred last year as well as the increasing use of drones during the conflict in Ukraine and in other trouble spots in the world. The White House made no immediate comment. The White House did not immediately comment. The FIFA World Cup Final will take place on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford New Jersey, approximately 13 miles away from New York City. Hochul stated that an attack on New York's strategic military infrastructure and critical infrastructure poses a grave danger to the United States. The federal government is not prepared and is poorly positioned to detect and mitigate drone threats. States are also hampered by a lack in legislative authority, and by actions by the Federal Aviation Administration. Michael Kratsios of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy said last month that Trump is also looking to deal with the "growing threat of terrorists and foreign misuse of UAVs in U.S. airspace." airspace." He stated that the country is "securing its borders from national security threat, including in airspace, with large public events like the Olympics and World Cup on horizon." Los Angeles will be hosting the Olympics during the summer of 2028. (Reporting and editing by David Shepardson)
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Iranian lawmaker: Strait of Hormuz is still being reviewed, and no decision has been made yet about closing it
In comments carried on Monday by Iran's official media, Esmail Kosari, a hardline Iranian legislator, said that any closure of Strait of Hormuz is still being reviewed but that no decision has been made. Kosari was quoted by the Iranian Parliament as saying, "Military actions concerning the Strait of Hormuz are complete, but a decision has not yet been taken regarding its (closure). The matter is still being reviewed." He did not specify what military measures may have been in mind. During the 12-day air conflict between Israel and Iran, speculations were made about the possibility that Iran would close the waterway through which a fifth or so of the world's oil and gas shipments travel. The Strait is located between Oman, Iran, and the Gulf of Oman in the south. It also connects the Gulf to the Arabian Sea. Iran has threatened to shut it down for years, but never actually followed through with that threat. Kosari continued, "We are currently reviewing the situation and can implement whenever necessary." Reporting by Parisa hafezi and Elwely Elwelly, Editing by Toby Chopra & Alison Williams
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Farmers say that more sun is needed to boost the main cocoa crop in Ivory Coast.
Farmers said that although rainfall was below average in the main cocoa-growing areas of Ivory Coast, soil moisture was sufficient to maintain strong flowering. Ivory Coast is the top cocoa producing country in the world. Its rainy season officially runs from April until mid-November. The pace of flowering was described by growers as the fastest in the last three years. The trees were healthy, and the green leaves indicated that they are in good health. However, more sunlight is needed to increase the main crop from October to March. Farmers are expecting a good main crop harvest, but warned that the weather conditions in August and Septembre will be crucial, as cloudy skies, lack of sunshine, or excessive rainfall could cause disease, and reduce yields for harvests from October to March. The trees are in full bloom. "We need more sunlight because the air has a cool temperature," said Kouassi Kouame a farmer in the west. Last week, the area received 3.7 millimeters of rainfall, which is 25.8mm less than the average for the past five years. In the east, Abengourou and Agboville, rains were also below average. Farmers in the region said that enough pods will be harvested by mid-August, and they expect an early start to their next main crop. Farmers in central and centre-western Daloa, Bongouanou, and Yamoussoukro regions, where rainfall is below average, say that more sunlight is crucial to the development of young fruits. Emile Kassi is a farmer near Daloa where last week's rainfall was 16.8 mm less than average, 6.1 mm. The average weekly temperature ranged between 23.6 and 26.6 degrees Celsius. Reporting by Loucoumane Courlibaly, Editing by Ayen deng Bior
Avelo Airlines to close US West Coast base amid backlash over deportation flights
Doyinsola Oladipo
Avelo Airlines is a Texas budget airline that announced on Monday its intention to close its Hollywood Burbank Airport base due to financial struggles. The announcement came amid calls for a boycott of the airline because it operates deportation flights as part of a contract with Trump's administration.
Avelo signed an agreement with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to transport migrants from detention centers in the U.S. and abroad.
The company has announced that it will only operate one aircraft at the airport until December 2, and then shut down the base, which currently services 13 routes.
Avelo stated that the protests, and the contract it has with DHS have had no impact on the decision to close this base. They have also not affected its business.
The company stated in a press release that "we believe that the continued service provided by (Burbank), in the current operating climate, will not provide adequate financial returns against a backdrop of intense competition."
Avelo has made a number of changes to its West Coast operation over the last few years, but these have not produced the results needed to maintain a presence in the area.
Employees and customers have reacted negatively to the company's partnership with DHS. The airline has been the target of protests across the nation, from the Burbank airport to its hub in New Haven, Connecticut. Protesters have called on the airline's customers to boycott it and to end their partnership with DHS.
Nancy Klein from Hollywood, California said that she organized seven protests with the activist groups CA27Indivisible, and East Valley Indivisible, in Southern California. She believes their calls to boycott airline is partly responsible for the decision of the company to end its service at the airport.
Klein stated in a press release that "this change in Avelo’s business operations shows how being on the right-side of history while remaining principled and persistent can make a big difference."
Klein announced that she will be protesting the airline at Burbank Airport, on July 27, 2019.
(source: Reuters)