Latest News
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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).
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Shell pauses its $3 billion share purchase ahead of ARC vote
Shell announced?on Friday that it would suspend its $3 billion share-buyback programme until July 14 due to securities law requirements related to its pending $16.4 Billion acquisition of ARC Resources, and the Canadian Company's upcoming shareholders vote. Shell announced that any shares that are not purchased during the suspension period will be added to the remaining?of its 2026 buyback programs, subjected to board approval. Shell reduced its quarterly share repurchase?programme to $3 billion in May from $3.5 billion, to conserve cash for the balance sheet. This was due to a short-term liquidity squeeze following war-related disruptions to energy supply. Shell announced in April that it would purchase ARC, primarily with shares. In the 'announcement, the British major stated that it would pay ARC shareholders a cash price of?C$8.20 and 0.40247 Shell share for each share. This is around 25% cash plus 75% Shell shares. ARC announced on Friday that the parties reached an agreement on 6 June to discuss technical issues regarding how C$32.80 per ARC'share will be delivered to ARC Shareholders. ARC will host a shareholders meeting on 14th July. A minimum of 66% approval is required for the?deal. Shell has made its?largest acquisition since it?purchased gas giant BG back in 2016. Analysts and Shell had predicted that the aging fields of Shell would require an 'acquisition or exploration breakthrough. ARC's production 'lies near Shell existing Canadian fields' which feeds into the LNG Canada facility, which Shell owns a '40% stake in. Its liquefied gas 'can reach Asian customers more quickly than most other North American LNG. ARC's production is made up of around 60% natural gases and 40% oil-liquids.
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Air India crash: a year after the tragedy, there is still no final report and families are seeking answers
Indian investigators said 'on Friday' that they were still analyzing evidence 'from 'last year's Air India Boeing 787-8 crash' and did not give a timeline for a report's finalization. Families of the 260 people who died pressed for an answer on the first anniversary of the disaster. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau said that it has made "significant progress" in examining aircraft systems and flight recorder data. It also examined engine components, maintenance records, and operational records. The report did not specify a time frame for its release, only saying that it would come out 'only when all the investigative work has been completed and international reviews have been carried out. Some families who had gathered to mourn their loved ones in Ahmedabad, India, were sceptical about the update. "EXTENSIVE RIGOROUS EXAMINATION" "It has been 365?days since the incident. Tanay Gajjar said that the government should have known the cause of the crash. The 'Air India Dreamliner' crashed soon after takeoff in the worst aviation disaster of a decade. Last month, it was reported that the complexity of the investigation would likely delay a final report. Instead, investigators were expected to release only a interim update. Sources said that the delay is due to the completion of an engine analysis. Internationally, a report should be submitted "if possible" in a year after an accident. If this deadline is not met, the authorities are required to issue an interim report on each anniversary. The AAIB stated that it has conducted "an extensive and rigourous examination" of all technical, organizational, and human factors in the last year. MOURNING Over 250 relatives representing more than 100 victims gathered in a hotel near Ahmedabad, India, to share their memories and hold an?a candlelight Vigil. Vihar Parikh, 18 years old, who lost his grandfather Chaitanya in the crash said that the family had yet to receive the phone and other belongings. The cause of the crash has not been determined. The cause of the crash has not been determined. According to an early assessment of U.S. officials, reported last year, a cockpit voice recording confirmed that the captain had cut fuel to the engines. In an interview broadcast by the BBC, Pushkar Raj Sabharwal - father of captain Sumeet Sabharwal - rebuffed suggestions that his son was to blame. He claimed that his son had been flying the aircraft without incident for many years. "How can you fault him?" He said.
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Trump claims that the terms of Iran's deal leaked by leakers are false
Donald Trump, the U.S. president, said that Iran's leaks of comments about a?deal with the United States did not represent what was?agreed in writing. "What they said, including the weak and pathetic statements about a deal is not true. People to avoid. Very dishonorable. There is no such thing with them as a?deal in good faith. "AWESOME!," wrote he on Truth Social. Trump said, "They had better get their act together FAST!" Trump announced on Thursday that he would not be launching any new strikes against Iran due to a recent agreement. The terms of the deal, as described by Iranian officials on Friday, appear to give 'Tehran' much of what it has so far demanded. Trump appears to have won little of what Trump has asked for, other than the reopening of Strait of Hormuz which Iran closed after Trump ordered an attack in February. An Iranian senior source told? On Friday, a senior Iranian source told? Nuclear issues will be left for future talks. Washington wants to ensure that Iran does not develop a nuclear weapon; Iran claims it doesn't want one. Iranians are demanding the lifting of sanctions, unfreezing?of Iranian assets, and an end to Israeli attacks on Lebanon. The source did not mention what Iran could offer in exchange.
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Spain launches new investigation into former PM Zapatero after finding jewellery in his office
The Spanish High Court said that a judge who is investigating the former Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero for corruption suspicions has opened a separate investigation into jewellery found in his office. Zapatero was prime minister between 2004 and 2011 but he remains a prominent figure within the Socialist Party. The allegations of graft, which he has denied, have increased pressure on the government after a "series" of corruption scandals. The Investigating Judge Jose Luis Calama stated that the?jewellery articles seized during the search on May 19 are currently without documented proof of origin. He stated that the possession of high-value assets without clear fiscal tracability could indicate possible tax fraud or smuggling offenses, citing an absence of customs documentation or proof of import duties paid. Zapatero’s lawyer didn’t immediately respond to our request for comment. Luis Arroyo said earlier on Friday that Zapatero's lawyer would discuss the jewellery issue?before a judge. Zapatero will testify in the corruption case on June 17th and 18th. The case centres around an alleged 'influence-peddling network and money-laundering scheme that he led. The network is suspected to have benefited from lobbying authorities on behalf of third parties, mainly the Spanish airline Plus Ultra which received state bailouts in 2021. Reporting by Emma Pinedo, Editing by Helen Popper.
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Sicily By Car founder under police protection after arson attacks
Tommaso Dragotto said in a?interview on Friday that he was given a police escort following a?series of attacks?on?his business. The latest incident that prompted the decision to put the 88 year old under protection was the burning of a car depot for a Sicilian company in Palermo in the early morning hours of Thursday. Eleven vehicles were destroyed. In the past three months there have been two other arson incidents, and in March Italian media reported that shots were fired near the entrance of a company site. "Three (arson attacks) in 80 days is just too much." I didn't want to be escorted because it would have changed my freedom, my movements, and daily life. Dragotto said to La Stampa that he was told he could not refuse the escort. He said that he was never asked to pay money for protection to the mafia and that he refused any such request. "I will never pay and I won't start now", he added. After the attack on Thursday, Palermo's anti-mafia prosecutors, and police, said that eight people were arrested for extortion, and attempted murder, which was aggravated through mafia tactics. The Cosa Nostra Mafia in Sicily, which was a major force during the 1980s and 1990s, lost its influence after arresting their senior leaders. It remains a formidable organisation. Mayor Roberto Lagalla stated that the city had suffered in recent months from "a worrying increase of acts of intimidation and arson attacks against business owners, shopkeepers and citizens." (Reporting and editing by Alvise Armillini and Gavin Jones, with reporting by Mirko Moirelli)
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Channel Tunnel owner threatens to take legal action against UK for tax hike
The Channel Tunnel's owner announced on Friday that it would "challenge" the British government by all means possible after its business rates had tripled in the past three years, resulting in a decision to no longer invest in the UK. Eurotunnel, owned by Getlink of Paris which operates car and lorry trains through the tunnel between England & France. * Yann Leriche, CEO of the FT, told them that they are facing a rise from PS40million a yearly to PS118million a yearly increase in their rateable value. * In a press release, the company stated that it had "no justification" for its near-tripling of its business rates over the past three years, which is a property tax. Leriche, a BBC Radio presenter, said: "We will use all legal options available to us to contest that." The company said, "At the current level of uncertainty we will not invest in the UK." Leriche claims that Getlink, between corporate taxation and business rates, will pay 69 cents for every new pound in revenue generated within the UK. * A number of business and employer groups warned the government that costs are rising and higher taxes would lead to inflation. Rain Newton-Smith, CEO of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), said earlier in June that "business is not like a cash faucet which can be opened?without consequences". The British tax office stated that its methods of valuing properties were well-established and reflected "the specific facts" of each property. A HMRC (tax office spokesperson) said: "If ratepayers believe their valuation is wrong, they can challenge it, and if necessary, appeal to an independent Valuation Tribunal."
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India opens the way for safety cars and self-driving technology to reduce road fatalities
India has removed licensing requirements for radio frequency used in crash-avoidance systems and self-driving cars. This removes a commercial barrier to automakers, as the country seeks safer roads. India, which is the third-largest car market in the world, has reported over 177,000 road deaths in 2024. The government announced on Thursday that it would waive the licence requirements for radar sensor in the frequency range 77GHz-81GHz, allowing businesses to use spectrum without a separate allocation from authorities. Separate notices were issued for systems operating in the 5.9 GHz range, which allow vehicles to 'communicate' with one another and with roadside infrastructure. INDIA ALIGNS ITS STANDARDS WITH GLOBAL STANDARDS This aligns India with the standards in use in the United States. The European Union and India allow carmakers to use standardised hardware instead of building more expensive local versions. This lowers costs and speeds up adoption. Mercedes-Benz, BMW and other luxury carmakers that offer radar-based assistance to drivers abroad can now introduce the same system in India. Maruti Suzuki and Mahindra & Mahindra, domestic players, could introduce advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) more easily. This would allow them to push premium?safety?features into cheaper models. Also, suppliers such as Germany's Bosch, Continental, and Qualcomm chipmaker will benefit. Radar sensors are used to measure safe distances. They also enable features like emergency braking, adaptive cruising control, and blind-spot alerts. This is the foundation for autonomous driving. Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) ?systems warn drivers of hazards beyond their line of sight, such as a car braking around a blind curve or an approaching ?ambulance. According to a 2023 government panel, the majority of traffic problems are caused by these situations. V2X is a good alternative to most sensors in such situations. The panel recommended that V2X be added to India's voluntary Bharat ncap safety ratings, which evaluate crash performance instead of mandating?specific features. India's roads are crowded and drivers face many hazards, from pedestrians to cattle. Lane discipline and speed limits, however, are often ignored and poorly enforced. Reporting by Munsif Vegattil, Aditi Shah. Clarence Fernandez, Mark Potter and Clarence Fernandez edited the report.
There are some flights to the Middle East that have resumed but there is still disruption.
The Middle East is slowly getting back on the map as regional carriers work to rebuild their schedules following the war's disruption. However, the conflict continues disrupting a wider range of traffic. Middle Eastern airlines added capacity following severe disruptions linked to the Iran War, while many carriers outside the Gulf continue to divert Europe-Asia flight to avoid the Middle East.
The latest flight information is listed below alphabetically:
AEGEAN AIRLINES
Thessaloniki-Tel Aviv flights were cancelled by Greece's biggest?carrier until June 26. Dubai flights are cancelled until August 31 and Baghdad and Erbil flights until September 30.
AIRBALTIC
AirBaltic, a Latvian airline, has canceled flights to Tel Aviv and Dubai until the 28th of June.
AIR CANADA
Canadian Airlines has canceled flights to Tel Aviv, Dubai and Abu Dhabi until October 24.
AIR EUROPA
Spanish Airlines has canceled flights to Tel Aviv till June 28.
AIR FRANCE-KLM
Air France suspends Tel Aviv flights through June 21 and Beirut and Dubai flights through June 24.
KLM has suspended flights from Dubai to Riyadh until August 2, and until July 26 to Dammam and Riyadh.
CATHAY PACIFIC
Hong Kong Airlines has suspended its flights to Dubai and Riyadh through August 31.
The U.S. carrier suspended service for the Atlanta-Tel Aviv routes through December 18, 2018. The airline plans to resume New York JFK-Tel Aviv flights starting September 6. However, the launch of its Boston-Tel Aviv flight, scheduled for late October, was delayed.
FINNAIR
Finnair has cancelled all flights to Doha until October 2 and continues to avoid airspace in Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Israel. The airline will resume its Dubai flights in October, which are only operated during the winter.
British Airways, owned by IAG, delayed the return of its flights from Doha to Riyadh to August 8 and until August 1. Flights to Dubai and Tel 'Aviv will be paused for the rest of the summer and resumed on October 25. The airline plans to reduce the number of flights to Dubai, Doha, Riyadh, and Tel Aviv from two to just one when they resume. Jeddah will be dropped as a destination.
JAPAN AIRLINES
Japan Airlines has suspended its scheduled Tokyo-Doha and Doha-Tokyo flight until August 1, as well as Doha-Tokyo until July 31.
Polish Airlines has cancelled all flights to Riyadh and Beirut until 30 June. LOT will begin operating its winter route from Dubai in October.
LUFTHANSA GROUP
Lufthansa has announced that it will resume Tel Aviv flights as soon as July 1. ITA Airways also confirmed they would resume Tel Aviv flights as of July 1. SWISS delayed the return of flights to August, while Brussels Airlines suspended its operations until October 24.
The suspension of Dubai flights by Lufthansa SWISS and ITA Airways continues until September 13th.
Lufthansa and SWISS have suspended flights until October 24 to Abu Dhabi, Amman Beirut, Dammam Riyadh Erbil Muscat and Tehran.
Eurowings, a low-cost airline, has suspended flights from Tel Aviv to Beirut to July 17 and Erbil to June 22. Flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi have also been suspended until October 24.
ITA Airways also extended its suspension of flights to Riyadh through June 30.
MALAYSIA AIRLINES
From July 2, the Malaysian airline will resume limited service to Doha.
NORWEGIAN AIR
The low-cost carrier has delayed the launch of its Tel Aviv, Beirut and other services indefinitely. No new dates have been set.
QANTAS
Australia's flag-carrier is increasing flights to Rome, Paris and other European destinations to meet the increased demand. The number of flights to Paris will rise from three to five weekly return flights, and the Perth to Singapore service will go from daily to 10? per week. A new schedule for flights will be implemented gradually from mid-April until late July.
ROYAL MAROC
Moroccan airline announced that flights to Doha have been cancelled until 30 June.
SINGAPORE Airlines
In response to increased demand, the carrier has extended its Singapore-Dubai flight suspension until August 2 and added services on Singapore-London Gatwick?and Singapore -Melbourne routes between late March and October 24.
TURKISH AIRLINES
SunExpress, Turkish Airlines’ joint venture with Lufthansa has cancelled flights from Dubai to Bahrain, Beirut, and Erbil up until July 14.
WIZZ AIR
Low-cost airlines have suspended flights from Europe to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Amman until mid-September. (Compiled by Josephine Mason and Jamie Freed. Elviira Lioma, Tiago Branao, Agnieszka Olesska, Bernadette HOG, Alexander Klyve Gudbrandsen, Romolo TOSIANI, Boleslaw LaSocki). Matt Scuffham and Alexander Smith edited by Susan Fenton, Milla Nissi-Prussak Jonathan Ananda Joe Bavier, Louise Heavens, Louise Heavens, Louise Heavens, Louise Heavens, Louise Heavens, Louise Heavens, Louise Heaven, Bernadette Hogg, Romolo Tosiani.
(source: Reuters)