Latest News
-
Official Iranian says that the oil spill in Gulf is likely due to tanker dump.
Iran's top environment official stated on 'Tuesday' that the suspected oil spill in the Gulf near Iran’s Kharg Island was likely caused by a tanker dumping waste water, and not an oil leak. Satellite imagery shows a suspected oil spill that covers dozens of square kilometers of sea near Iran’s main oil hub, Kharg Island. Images from Copernicus Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 satellites on May 6-8 showed a likely spill, which appeared as a gray and white slick. State media reported that?Iranian vice-president Shina Ansari stated: "Our results of monitoring show that the spill was caused by ballast water discharged from a tanker from outside Iran, and there have not been any oil leaks reported from Iran's?pipelines or?oil facilities." Louis Goddard said that the images likely showed an oil slick. He said it was the largest slick to occur since the U.S. and Israel war against Iran began 70 days ago. Iran's Oil Terminals Company said on Sunday that inspections had found no evidence of leaks in storage tanks, pipelines or tankers near the island. Reporting by Dubai Newsroom; Editing Cynthia Osterman
-
Source: Ivory Coast officials will be sent to the cocoa farmers' protests in order to quell them.
Sources close to the Coffee and Cocoa Council of Ivory Coast (CCC), have confirmed that officials will be sent to the centre-eastern region to ease tensions between farmers and council members who protested last week about unsold cocoa beans they'say are rotting', despite the council having promised to purchase the beans. Farmers and cooperatives said on Tuesday that they haven't been paid for the beans they sold during their main crop. This has fueled protests and discouragement, which could affect the next harvest. CCC managers are going to M'Batto in the centre-east, where last week police used tear gas on dozens of farmers who blocked roads and demanded payment for their cacao. CCC and agriculture ministry did not respond to requests for comment. The CCC and the agriculture ministry were not immediately available for comment. The government has launched a program to collect unsold beans. However, many farmers and cooperatives claim they have still not received payment for the main crop cocoa harvested between October and March. UNPAID COCOA HAZARDS NEXT FARM The head of the cooperative in the Daloa region, which represents?more? than 300 farmers, said that it still has about 150 metric tonnes of beans left over from the main harvest. He said that the farmers were demoralised by the payment delays and mistrustful of their cooperative. Some farmers have become ill, but lack money to pay for medical care. Albert Konan is a farmer who manages the cooperative. He said that the situation would affect the next main crop harvest, because the growers had been counting on large sums of money for the maintenance of their plantations. The cocoa trader in Europe said that the current situation is not affecting prices or supplies as it is localised. However, there is concern about next season's impact if the issue is not resolved. Farmers may decide to keep their cocoa. In the western regions Soubre and Duekoue several farmers have said that they are resigned to selling the main-crop of cocoa at the lower mid-crop of 1,300 CFA Francs ($2.34) a kilogram. We can't get the main crop price of 2,800 Francs per kilogram. Salif Kone who farms near Duekoue said that the beans in the main crop were going bad so he sold them at 1,300 Francs per kilogram. The Ivorian platform for sustainable cocoa, which advocates farmers and proposes reforms for better cocoa governance said that it was aware of farmers who still hold unsold main crop stocks, but it couldn't estimate the volume involved. "The government has made efforts to reduce inventories (unsold). Despite all these efforts, farmers are still not paid for cocoa that has been bought. Pauline Zei is the manager of this platform. She said, "We understand their distress."
-
Document shows that Vietnam's state oil firm urges the US Navy to allow tankers through Hormuz
PV OIL, the trading arm of Vietnam’s state oil firm, has written to the U.S. Navy urging it to allow an Iraqi crude oil tanker to pass through its blockade in the Middle East Gulf and supply a Vietnamese refinery with critical supplies. The US military has extended its shipping ban on Iran to include contraband cargoes, but has stated that other oil exports are allowed to pass through. Ship tracking data from the MarineTraffic platform revealed on Tuesday that the?Maltese flagged Agio Fanourios I, carrying 2 million barrels of crude, left the Strait of Hormuz and was sailing into the Gulf of Oman on May 10. It then made a U turn on May 11. The US Navy did not confirm whether the vessel was detained or stopped. The?U.S. and Israeli war against Iran has led to the closing of the Strait of Hormuz, leaving hundreds of ships stranded. This critical waterway is where 20% of global energy supply passes. In a letter dated May 12, Petrovietnam Oil Corporation Vice President Hoang Dinh Tung - who was sent to U.S. military and diplomatic missions - said that "this cargo is of great importance to the Nghi Son 'Refinery, to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and to the Vietnamese People." "NSRP feedstock inventories have reached critical levels; any further delay could halt refinery throughput and cause cascading effects for millions of Vietnamese businesses, consumers, public services, and industries." PVOIL confirmed "unambiguously" that the vessel was loaded with Basra crude sold by the Iraqi oil company SOMO between April 10 and 14. U.S. officials didn't immediately respond to an inquiry for comment.
-
Iran flexes its control over the Hormuz Strait as Iraq and Pakistan strike deals to buy energy
According to five sources with knowledge of the situation, both Iraq and Pakistan have signed deals with Iran for the shipping of oil and liquefied gas from the Gulf. This is a demonstration of Tehran’s ability to control the energy flows through Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. and Israeli war against Iran?has slashed the energy exports of a region which normally?supplies 20 percent of crude oil and LNG to the world. In recent weeks, the U.S. blockedaded 'Iranian' ports. Claudio Steuer, of the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, says that although Iran originally sought to stop traffic through the Strait, its stance has now changed. He said that Iran has changed its approach to Hormuz, from blocking it to controlling the access to it. "Hormuz is not longer a neutral route of transit; it is now a controlled corridor." The closure of the Strait has had a major impact on Iraq, whose crude oil exports are typically sent through it. Pakistan, who has been trying to mediate the conflict and is heavily dependent on Gulf energy imports, has seen fuel prices rise. Baghdad and Tehran struck a deal that was not previously reported that ensured the safe passage of two large crude carriers that carried about 2,000,000 barrels each. They passed through this strait Sunday. Iraqi officials familiar with the original deal and the current talks said that the government is working to get Iran to approve more transits. The goal is to protect the 95% of the budget that comes from oil revenue. The official stated that "Iraq was a close ally to Iran and any deterioration of Iraq's economy could also harm Iran's interests in the country." Another official from the Iraqi Oil Ministry and a source in the shipping industry confirmed that talks had taken place with Tehran. The sources requested anonymity because they were not authorized to comment on the subject. A request for a comment from the Iraqi government was not immediately responded to by a spokesperson. QATARI LNG FOR PAKISTAN Two industry sources who are familiar with the situation said that two tankers containing Qatari LNG were also headed for Pakistan, following a bilateral agreement between Islamabad and Tehran. They asked not to be identified as they weren't allowed to speak to media. Pakistan received approximately 10 LNG cargoes about a month prior to the war, and must now meet summer cooling electricity demands. The sources confirmed that neither Iraq nor Pakistan had made any direct payments to Iran, or to its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. (IRGC), in relation to transits. Qatar did not directly participate in the bilateral agreements, according to two sources from the industry, but informed the United States of the shipments before they went to Pakistan. The Pakistani petroleum and information ministers did not respond immediately to comments. Qatar's Foreign Ministry also did not respond to requests for comment. IRAN TIGHTENS IT GRIP Sources familiar with the talks say that other countries are also exploring similar deals as rising energy prices and disruptions in supply have a heavy impact on Asian economies. Saul Kavonic is the head of research at the consultancy MST Marquee. Before the war, around 3,000 ships passed through Hormuz every month. Shipping data shows that traffic is only 5% of what it was before the war. Brent crude has risen by over 50% since the beginning of the conflict in February. Prices of LNG in Europe and Asia are up by about 35% to 50%. Iran wants to keep control of the Strait after the war. As part of any settlement it has demanded reparations, sanctions reduction and access to frozen assets, conditions that U.S. president Donald Trump called "garbage", sapping hopes for a deal ending the conflict. Industry sources say that Iran has formalised its control of the Strait. One of the officials in Iraq's oil ministry said that Iran has requested Iraq to provide documentation for every tanker, to allow transit along designated maritime routes with its naval forces. To avoid any incidents, specialised teams from the Iraqi oil ministry provide detailed information to Iranian authorities on each vessel, including its destination, shipping details, owner and cargo specifications. Pakistani sources familiar with negotiations between Iran and Pakistan over the passage vessels have said that there were some glitches in the process. He said that the IRGC often changes their goals, making it difficult to keep on track.
-
United Airlines flight attendants approve a 31% wage increase and boarding pay
The union that represents United Airlines flight attendants said Tuesday that they voted to ratify a new five-year contract which increases the base pay by nearly a third, and also includes boarding compensation. According to the Association of Flight Attendants - CWA, which represents a group of nearly 30,000 United flight attendants who are covered by this agreement, 82% of them voted for it. Terms of the contract were first announced by the airline in March. They include, among others, a 31% increase in base pay and compensation for the time it takes passengers to board a plane. United and its cabin staff entered into a federal mediation in 2023. The?union had?rejected a previous tentative deal in July 2025 because it fell short of their demands. The union stated that the current agreement was reached with the help of mediator Michael Kelliher at the National Mediation Board. (Reporting by Aishwarya Jain in Bengaluru; Editing by Diti Pujara)
-
UK sends drones, warships and jets to defend Strait of Hormuz
The UK announced on Tuesday that it will contribute 'autonomous mine-hunting gear,' 'Typhoon jet fighters, and a warship HMS Dragon to a multilateral defensive mission designed to secure shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. John Healey, the Defence Minister, announced his commitment at a virtual meeting with over 40 of his counterparts in other nations. He said that the mission would be operational as soon as conditions permitted. In a statement, he stated that "with our allies?this multinational missions will be defensive and independent. The Iran War has severely curtailed the traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. This has disrupted oil exports, and sent energy prices up. Around a fifth (25%) of all oil in the world passes through this strait. The UK's contribution is backed up by a new funding of 115 million pounds (155.53 millions) for?minehunting drones? and counter-drone system?, as London tries to reassure the commercial shipping industry of its commitment towards?freedom? of navigation in light of increased regional tensions. The package includes autonomous systems to detect and clear mines in the sea, high-speed drones, Typhoon jets used for air patrols, and HMS Dragon an air defence destroyer already on its way. Britain has more than 1,000 personnel in the area as part of defensive operations. This includes counter-drone squadrons and fast jet squadrons.
-
Data shows that a second Qatari LNG tanker has successfully crossed the Hormuz Strait to Pakistan, as the Iran war continues.
The second Qatari LNG tanker successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday. This was days after the first cargo, which had been arranged by Iran and Pakistan, did so. It highlights 'how cargoes are being transported case-by-case amid the ongoing conflict risk. Mihzem with a capacity of 174,000 cubic meters left Ras Laffan Monday, and crossed the strait Tuesday. It is headed to Port Qasim, Pakistan, where it will arrive later that day. It is the second time a Qatari LNG tanker has successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz since the beginning of the Iran War. Al Kharaitiyat, a LNG tanker, began crossing Hormuz on Saturday via the Iranian-approved northern route. On Sunday the vessel was able to?cross the strait. According to LSEG, it is currently anchored close to Port Qasim. The LNG is being sold by Qatar to Pakistan - a mediator in the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran - under a government-to-government deal, according to two people familiar with the matter on May ?9. Two people familiar with the matter said that Qatar was selling LNG to Pakistan, a mediator in the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran. Sources said that two more tankers, laden with Qatari LNG, are expected to arrive in Pakistan within the next few days. A source familiar with the agreement said that Pakistan and Iran are in talks to allow a small number of LNG tankers to cross the Strait. Islamabad is 'urgently trying to solve its gas shortages,' the source added. The source said that Iran had agreed to "assist" and the two sides are now coordinating the safe passage of the first vessel carrying gas provided under Pakistan's deal with Qatar, which is its main LNG provider.
-
US LNG ships leave for China following a year-long pause before Trump-Xi Summit
China could receive its 'first direct U.S. liquefied gas shipment to China in over a year' in a possible sign of thawing ties in the energy sector as U.S. president Donald Trump heads this upcoming week to Beijing for a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. According to LSEG, three vessels left U.S. export LNG plants in Louisiana in the last week. They are expected to arrive in China between mid- and late June. Other LNG tankers left U.S. port and claimed to be heading to China in the last year. However, no LNG tanker has gone directly from the United States to China since Trump took office as president in January 2025. China is the largest gas importer in the world, and the United States is its biggest?gas supplier. The trade dispute and the ability to profit from the high global LNG prices has led to several companies in China selling LNG to buyers in other countries. Due to the market disruptions brought on by the Iran War, 'Chinese buyers' were able sell U.S. LNG to other countries at higher margins in recent months. Analysts at EBW Analytics Group stated in a note that China has become more reliant upon pipeline imports from Central?Asia and Russia. China will likely become more interested in receiving U.S. LNG as it reduces its inventories, but the country will still prefer to import cheaper pipeline gas and produce domestically. This is according to Erica Downs of Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy. Downs stated that Beijing likely views the United States of America as a non-reliable trading partner. The White House has not responded to a comment request. According to LSEG, the Umm Al Hanaya ship left Cheniere Energy's Sabine Pass Export Plant on May 5. The Al Sailiya vessel and Id'Asah vessel both left Venture Global's Plaquemines Plant on May 8. The three vessels are expected to arrive at China's Tianjin Port between June 15 and 20. Cheniere and Venture Global, the two largest U.S. producers of LNG, are respectively. According to LSEG, if any of these vessels arrive in China it will be the first LNG vessel from the U.S. to have gone directly to China since?February 20,25 when the Mu Lan discharged a shipment that had been loaded at Cheniere Corpus Christi's plant in Texas, in December 2024. Three other LNG ships arrived directly in China from the U.S., all before Trump began his second term in 2025. They had left in November and December 2024. The U.S. Department of Energy also said that two ships dropped relatively small amounts of U.S. LNG in China, one in 2025 and another in 2026. They had first unloaded most of their cargoes from Bangladesh. The DOE stated that these two vessels left the United States between September 2025 and February 2026. Comparatively, the Department Of Energy (DOE)?said that 64 vessels left the United States by 2024 and dropped off cargoes to China. In 2023 there were 52 vessels, in 2022 30 and in 2021 a record of 131. According to U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) data dating back to 2000, the United States has sold LNG to China at least since 2011.
Britain will bring 10 people into the UK as a precautionary measure after an outbreak of hantavirus
British health officials announced on Tuesday that 10 individuals from remote British islands who are 'contacts' of those involved in the hantavirus epidemic will be brought into the UK to undergo precautionary isolation.
UK Health Security Agency stated that the individuals are already isolated and do not show any symptoms. It was a precautionary measure, it said.
The outbreak is linked to the luxury cruise ship, MV Hondius. It travelled across the South Atlantic and made several stops. The 10 people who are being transferred to Britain come from Saint Helena Island and Ascension Island, two overseas territories.
The cruise company's site states that 32 passengers and one crew member disembarked the ship at Saint Helena, and two other guests were evacuated for medical reasons via Ascension Island.
The British 'government' did not respond immediately to a question about the identifies of the individuals. The agency added that there was a very low risk to the public and said it would continue to monitor and trace people connected to the ship. (Reporting and editing by Cynthia Osterman; Sam Tabahriti)
(source: Reuters)