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).
Militant attacks in Pakistan's Balochistan eliminate 39
Separatist militants assaulted police stations, railway lines, and automobiles on highways in Pakistan's province of Balochistan, eliminating at least 39 people, officials stated on Monday, in the most prevalent attack by ethnic insurgents in years.
Militants have actually fought a decades-long ethnic revolt to require the secession of the resource-rich southwestern province, home to a number of significant China-led jobs including a. strategic port and a gold and copper mine.
The biggest of the attacks targeted cars from buses to. goods trucks on a significant highway, killing at least 23 people,. authorities stated, with ten vehicles fired.
A rail line in between Pakistan and Iran and a railway bridge. linking Quetta, the provincial capital, to the rest of the. country were also struck with dynamites during the attacks,. trains main Muhammad Kashif said, including that rail traffic. with Quetta had actually been suspended.
Authorities said they had discovered 6 bodies that have yet to be. recognized, near the attack on the railway bridge.
Militants also targeted police and security stations in the. sprawling province, officials stated, one of which eliminated at least. 10 people.
Militant group the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) took. obligation in a statement emailed to journalists that. declared a lot more attacks, consisting of one on a significant paramilitary. base, though Pakistani authorities have yet to validate these.
PASSENGERS KILLED
On Sunday night, armed men blocked a highway in Balochistan,. Pakistan's largest province, marched guests off the. cars, and shot them after checking their identity cards, a. senior superintendent of police, Ayub Achakzai, told Reuters.
The armed guys also not just killed travelers but also. eliminated the drivers of trucks bring coal, stated Hameed Zahir,. the deputy commissioner of the location, including that a minimum of 10. trucks had been set on fire after their drivers were killed.
Militants have targeted workers from the eastern province of. Punjab whom they view as exploiting their resources. In the past,. they have also targeted Chinese interests and residents operating. in the province.
China runs the strategic deepwater port of Gawadar in. Balochistan's south, along with a gold and copper mine in the. west.
The BLA stated its fighters had targeted military personnel. taking a trip in civilian clothing, who were shot after being. determined.
Pakistan's interior ministry said the dead were innocent. residents.
STATIONS ASSAULTED
Six security personnel, three civilians and one tribal older. made up the ten killed in clashes with armed militants who. stormed a station of the Balochistan Levies in the main. district of Kalat, authorities official Dostain Khan Dashti said.
Authorities said police headquarters had actually also been assaulted in the. 2 southern coastal towns, but the toll had yet to be. confirmed.
The office of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the. attacks in a statement, promising that security forces would. strike back and bring those accountable to justice.
Balochistan, which surrounds both Iran and Afghanistan, is. Pakistan's biggest province by size, but the least inhabited and. it stays largely underdeveloped, with high levels of poverty.
(source: Reuters)