Latest News
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Fire breaks out in Russia's Ust-Luga Port after drones from Ukraine cause damage
Russian officials reported that the Ust-Luga port, which is one of Russia's largest petroleum export outlets, was damaged by a Ukrainian drone attack on Sunday, which ignited a fire. Ukraine intensified drone strikes on Russia's oil export infrastructure in the last month. These attacks included Novorossiysk, on the Black Sea, and?Primorsk, and Ust-Luga, on the Baltic Sea. These attacks caused severe oil supply disruptions for Russia, which is the second largest oil exporter in the world. They also hit Moscow at a time when oil prices were above $100 per barrel because of?the Iran War. The Governor of Russia's Leningrad Region in the north said that there were waves of Ukrainian drone strikes on the area, and a fire broke out at the port?Ust-Luga which was also attacked by drones Wednesday. According to sources, the port operated by Russian oil monopoly Transneft handled around 700,000 barrels of oil per day. In 2025, it is expected that 32.9 million tons of oil-based products will be shipped. Ukraine's SBU agency for security said that?long-ranged drones hit an oil terminal in Ust-Luga. In a statement, it said that the strike had caused "serious damage" to the port and set off a fire. I was not able to verify the extent of the damages immediately. Reporting by. (Editing by Guy Faulconbridge, Mark Potter and Mark Faulconbridge)
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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.)
As flights to the Middle East cease, governments plan repatriations
Commercial flights have been grounded in some parts of the Middle East due to an escalating conflict after U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran. This has left foreigners stranded and prompted governments to plan for repatriation.
Here is what the governments have said about plans for repatriation:
AUSTRIA Austria’s Foreign Ministry said that it had assisted 117 vulnerable citizens to leave the UAE and Israel through neighbouring countries and had planned for a 170 person?charter flights from Muscat, on March 4, while warning travellers that they would have to take land departures at their own risk.
BULGARIA
GullivAir and Bulgaria Air, along with the State Aviation Operator, planned three flights to'return Bulgarians from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Oman between March 4 and March 5. These included a GullivAir flight of 326 seats from Dubai, a Bulgaria Air Boeing 737 via 'Oman, and a 90-seat Government aircraft from Abu Dhabi.
CZECH REPUBLIC
Petr Macinka, Minister of Foreign Affairs, said that around 1,400 people had arrived in the Czech Republic via repatriation flight.
ESTONIA
On March 4, the Estonian foreign ministry announced that it had organized a 180-seater flight to Muscat for the next day. This flight was available to Estonian citizens living in Oman or the United Arab Emirates.
EUROPEAN UNION As more members request assistance, the European Commission is now coordinating flights for repatriation under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
A statement by the European Commission on March 9 stated that the EU had supported more than 42 flights to date, which brought over 4,100 Europeans back safely to Belgium, Bulgaria Czechia Italy, Cyprus, Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Austria, Portugal Romania, Slovakia and Sweden.
FINLAND
The Finnish foreign ministry announced that Finland would be arranging a single flight to repatriate about 160 Finns stranded on the island of the United Arab Emirates, on 8 March.
Finnair announced on March 6th that it would be operating flights from Muscat to Helsinki in order to transport customers stranded at Dubai home. The first flight will take place on March 10 with additional flights scheduled later in the week.
FRANCE
The French Foreign Minister said that several flights to bring back French nationals who are currently in the area (around 400,000) were being planned as of March 4.
France has deployed consular teams to Israel's border with Egypt and Jordan in order to facilitate the land exit of people so they can continue their journey by air. A similar mechanism has been implemented in the UAE, at the borders with Oman, Saudi Arabia and other countries, where there is no restriction on airspace.
GERMANY
After the first flight landed in Frankfurt on March 5, the German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul announced that two flights, each carrying about 250 passengers, were planned for March 5-6.
GREECE
The Greek Foreign Ministry said that it had repatriated hundreds citizens from Abu Dhabi, Dubai Jerusalem, Oman, and the UAE in the last week.
HUNGARY On March 4, 87 people returned to Hungary from Amman in Jordan. Another flight, carrying 88 passengers, is scheduled for March 5.
A second flight from Sharm-el Sheikh in Egypt was also scheduled for the 6th of March. Hungary rented a Flydubai aircraft for March '5 and '6 to bring Hungarians back from Dubai. On March 7 and 8, Hungary had two separate flights departing from Riyadh in Saudi Arabia.
ITALY The Italian foreign ministry reported that about 25,000 Italians returned from the Middle East via commercial flights facilitated through the ministry.
The consular service has been expanded in Oman, the UAE, and Bahrain. It also coordinates the return of large groups from the UAE, and other groups travelling via land to Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Italians living in Oman and Israel as well as the Maldives, Thailand, and Thailand receive assistance.
Netherlands
The Dutch government said on Friday that it is preparing to use the military to repatriate citizens who cannot leave their countries on their own. The Dutch government did not give any details about specific countries or timing.
POLAND
Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces reported that the first group of Polish nationals evacuated from the Middle East by military airlift arrived in Poland on 6 March.
PORTUGAL
The Portuguese Foreign Ministry is planning to repatriate more of the 139 Portuguese and eight foreigners on board a charter TAP flight that landed at Lisbon, Portugal on March 6.
ROMANIA
The Romanian Foreign Ministry announced on 4 March that FlyDubai had scheduled two flights from Dubai to Bucharest for March 4 and 5. The ministry reported that FlyDubai had scheduled two flights to Bucharest on March 4 and 5.
SERBIA
Air Serbia's flight from Sharm el-Sheikh landed at Belgrade in the early hours of March 4 with 67 passengers. All were?evacuees from Israel.
SINGAPORE
The foreign affairs ministry announced on Facebook that the government would deploy an A330 multi-role air force aircraft to assist Singaporeans in departing Riyadh from the country on March 10. A second flight out of Saudi Arabia is planned for the 12th.
SLOVAKIA
The Slovakian government has conducted six repatriation flight with 248 passengers. 189 of them were Slovaks, and the remainder were foreigners. On Thursday, the Foreign Ministry announced that eight additional evacuation flights from Jordan and Oman would be carried out by the end the week.
SLOVENIA
The prime minister's statement said that Slovenia organized four buses to transport Slovenian citizens, including families with children, from Dubai to Muscat Airport in Oman on March 3.
Two more flights are scheduled for March 4, with the first flight to Slovenia being organised on 3 March.
According to Jose Manuel Albares, the Spanish government began evacuating citizens from?the Middle East? on March 3. More than 175 Spaniards arrived on a flight via Abu Dhabi.
Albares stated that Spain is also strengthening its embassies to the UAE, Saudi Arabia Oman, Bahrain and Bahrain in order to provide further support and facilitate repatriations.
SWEDEN
Sweden chartered a plane on Saturday to bring back 180 Swedes who were identified as vulnerable.
THAILAND
Thailand will?evacuate its nationals by land from Iran to Turkey between March 7 and 10 while those stranded in Iraq, Qatar and Bahrain as well as the UAE, Jordan and the UAE are either returning or will do so once airspace is reopened.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
State news agency WAM reports that the UAE Civil Aviation Authority plans to start operating "special flight" across all of the country's international airports in order to assist some of the tens and thousands of passengers stuck in the region to leave.
UNITED KINGDOM
The British Foreign Office reported that after 130,000 UK citizens registered for presence in the region, British chartered flight left Oman on 5 March after technical delays on 4 March. Priority was given to vulnerable UK nationals who wanted to leave the area.
(source: Reuters)