Latest News
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Sources: Russian oil terminals attacked by terrorists unable to receive shipments for a second week
According to industry sources, Russia's Baltic oil hubs in Ust-Luga, and Primorsk, are unable to process shipments after a series Ukrainian drone attacks. This has prompted the country's refineries?to 'find alternative routes' for 'export'. At least five attacks on Ust-Luga occurred in a span of 10 days, causing damage to the port infrastructure. Sources claim that the restrictions on exports, as well as disruptions in large refineries, could lead to a drop in oil production in Russia. Since March 22, traders said that refineries have been unable?to deliver diesel fuel for export to Primorsk,?leaving them without their most viable export route. One industry source said that diesel fuel hasn't been accepted at Primorsk since the 22nd of March. They have promised to resume receiving deliveries to the system. Refiners are forced to use more expensive rail routes to reach other export terminals, according traders. In the last week, refineries that normally deliver fuel oil to Ust-Luga considered shipping their shipments to 'Vysotsk' further north on the Gulf of Finland coast or to Taman along the Black Sea Coast. Vysotsk, say?traders, has a lower?handling capability and shipping to Taman requires a larger number of rail cars. This week, Finnish maritime officials said that the number of vessels shipping from?Primorsk or Ust-Luga was down sharply to just "individual ships" as opposed to a weekly average between 40 and 50. Mark Porter (Reporting)
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Sweden releases oil tanker suspected to be source of oil spill
The Swedish Coast Guard announced on Friday that they had released an oil tanker, believed to be a part of the Russian shadow fleet. They suspect this is what caused a 12 km long oil spill near the island of Gotland. The tanker was believed to be a part of a fleet shadow tankers which Moscow used to fund their four-year conflict against Ukraine. Sweden and other European nations have intensified their efforts to disrupt this fleet. Russia has branded these actions as hostile. Swedish Coast Guard reported that the tanker Flora 1 was captured off Sweden's southern coast. The tanker had been seized by the Swedish Coast Guard off Sweden's?southern coast. MarineTraffic data shows that a ship departed from Primorsk, Russia with an unknown destination. The coast guard has said that the oil spill will not reach shore. The Swedish Prosecution Authority stated that it had interrogated two crew members and informed them of suspicions of environmental crimes. The individuals had not been arrested. The Prosecution Authority stated that "the spill occurred in Sweden's Economic Zone, meaning the investigative actions we can take are limited." We have done the necessary interviews and will not be taking any coercive action 'due to the suspected crime. The authority announced that it had begun?an investigation?into a possible environmental crime. The authority said that it believed the vessel was listed on the EU sanctions, and added?that the flag status of the vessel is unclear. The 'Russian shadow fleet', which consists of old, poorly-insured tankers that evade the sanctions, is a serious security and environmental concern, said Carl-Oskar Bohlin, Swedish Minister for Civil Defence, on X. He specifically mentioned the?Flora 1 as part of his remarks. The government takes the incident very seriously, even if it's not a major spill.
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Ethiopia announces resolution of debt with China
Ethiopia's Finance Ministry announced on Friday that it had reached an agreement on debt treatment with China, reaffirming both nations' commitment to progress within the G20 Common Framework in order to formalise bilateral deals. Ethiopia is facing mounting legal challenges as bondholders plan to sue the Government following the resistance of bilateral creditors to a preliminary agreement to restructure Ethiopia's $1 billion Eurobond. Ethiopia could be unable to emerge from default on its external debt due to the dispute. In a Facebook post, the finance ministry stated that a resolution was reached at a meeting held in China between?Ethiopian finance ministers and Chinese finance minsters. The discussions included "debt restructure, implementation of existing projects, and financing opportunities" as well as plans to develop a new Bushoftu International Airport. The statement said that the two sides had reached an agreement on debt treatment, and had reaffirmed their commitment?to work constructively within the G20 Common Framework parameters towards signing the?bilateral deal. Ethiopia announced that in 2021 it would restructure its debts under the G20 initiative after its finances had been severely affected by COVID-19 pandemic. The East African nation defaulted in 2023 on its $1 billion Eurobond due to a missed coupon payment of $33 million. Reporting by Nairobi Newsroom; Writing by Elias Biryabarema, Editing by Bate Fels)
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Trump wants to privatize US airport security operations
On 'Friday, President Donald Trump proposed that the Transportation Security Administration, the federal agency created in the wake of 'the September 11, 2001 attacks, begin the process of privatizing the airport security operations. The White House budget proposes to cut the TSA budget of $52 million. Small airports would be required to enroll in a TSA-funded program that pays for private screeners. TSA employs?about 50 000 federal employees to handle screening in nearly all U.S. Airports. Budget documents stated that airports using the program had shown savings when compared with?federal screen operations. Major U.S. Airports have been experiencing massive disruptions in recent weeks after Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security?officers were not paid since mid-February due to a budget dispute. Trump has not nominated anyone to replace David Pekoske as the Transportation Security Administration's head. He fired him on his first official day and never appointed a successor. The White House demanded funding cuts for the TSA of $247 million last year. They claimed that the TSA had consistently failed audits and implemented intrusive screening methods that violate Americans' dignity and privacy. This budget cut represents a 3-4% reduction in?TSA personnel levels, with the majority of the staff being located at the exit lanes. The remaining 2% is for transportation security officers who are spread out across 435 airports. As air travel has increased in recent years, the Biden administration has increased the size and staff of the TSA. It now has more than 60,000 employees. The TSA screened 904 millions passengers in 2024. This was a record and a 5% rise over 2023.
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United Airlines introduces tiered fares for premium cabins
United Airlines announced on Friday its plans to "introduce" a new tier-based fare structure in premium cabins this year. United announced that it would offer base, standard, and flexible fare options in the premium cabins of its long-haul international flights, transcontinental U.S. flights, and selected Hawaii flights. These fares will join United's existing basic, flexible, and standard fares for economy cabins. According to the new tier fare structure, customers can choose from a range of benefits, including free seating and extra checked baggage, in the standard category. Tickets in the flexible category, however, are fully refundable, and include all the same benefits as standard tickets. United Airlines announced last month a "broad aircraft and interior overhaul" centered on premium seating. The airline is pushing forward with its long-term plan, despite warnings that oil prices could remain above $100 per barrel until 2027. It also revealed plans to reduce some flights. Since the COVID outbreak, big U.S. airlines have built their business around corporate accounts, loyalty-program participants, and premium travelers. They bet that these customers will be slower to pull back on fares when they rise. United Airlines said that it would launch the new categories this month in certain markets and expand them to include additional long-haul flights, transcontinental U.S. flights and longer Hawaii routes later this year. Andrew Nocella said that the new tiered options would give customers greater choice, and allow them to find a fare with the benefits they desire - whether it's great value, extra perks or maximum flexibility. (Reporting and editing by Alison Williams in Bengaluru, Sneha S. K. in Bengaluru)
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Canadian Finance Minister discusses supply chain integrity at meeting in China
The Canadian finance minister stated on Friday that he had discussed supply chain integrity with his counterparts in China during a meeting aimed at boosting trade. Ottawa is under scrutiny from the United States over its labour laws. The Finance Minister Francois Philippe Champagne told reporters the meeting was primarily focused on the financial sector, but also included trade in energy and pork. Canada is working to increase its overall exports to China by 50% by 2030. Champagne stated that "Canada places a high priority on the 'integrity of supply chains' and that our trade should be conducted according to 'international standards. The U.S. Trade Representative's Office announced in March that it had launched a second round of Section 301 unfair trading practice investigations of 60 economies including Canada. This was due to the failure to act on what they called forced labor. China is Canada's second-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade worth C$120 billion (US$86.1 billion). According to the official Chinese summary of Champagne's Friday meeting with Vice Premier He Lifeng, the two have agreed to hold a high-level financial and economic dialogue in the second part of this year. Champagne said that Stellantis had not been in contact with the automotive sector, despite reports that they were discussing building 'electric vehicles' in Canada with Zhejiang?Leapmotor Technology. ($1 = 1.3934 Canadian dollars)
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Japanese LNG tanker crosses Strait of Hormuz
Mitsui O.S.K., the co-owner of the tanker, confirmed that a liquefied gas tanker owned by Japan had crossed?the Strait of Hormuz. Lines announced?that a Japanese-owned LNG tanker had crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Friday. Mitsui O.S.K. confirmed that the crew members of the Panama flagged ship "SOHAR LNG" are safe. Lines spokesperson refused to reveal when the ship crossed the Strait or whether any negotiations were required. Asahi reported earlier on the crossing. Until the U.S. and Israel?attacks against Iran began in February, leading to an effective closure of the Strait?, the Strait was the route used by about a fifth?of global oil and liquefied _natural_ gas supplies. Japan was especially dependent, as 90% of its oil imports and 6% of its LNG imports passed through the Strait. DOZENS JAPANESE VEHICLES ARE STANDARDIZED According to the Japanese transport ministry, as of Friday morning, 45 Japanese-owned or operated ships were stranded in the Strait because they couldn't cross it. TBS reported that among the?tankers were 12 crude oil tanks, 12 tankers with chemical or refined products, 9 car carriers, and 6?LNG tanks. Mitsui O.S.K. Lines said last month that one vessel it owns and operates suffered a minor damage in the area. No one was injured and the cause of the incident was not known. The vessel tracking data showed that a container ship belonging to the French shipping group CMA CGM also passed through the Strait on Thursday. Since the beginning of the Iran War, Chinese ships and Indian-flagged tankers have passed through the Strait. (Reporting and editing by Tomasz Januaryowski and Barbara Lewis; Additional reporting and reporting by Katya Glubkova)
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Zelenskiy accuses Russia 'of Easter escalation,' after massive attack kills 2
Officials said that a large-scale daytime Russian strike on Ukraine killed at least two people, as part of a "Easter escalation" as Moscow changes tactics to avoid Ukrainian air defenses. Since the start of the war, more than four-years ago, Russia has carried out most major drone and missile attacks at night. It has sent drones and missiles in the daytime on several occasions over the past few weeks. One strike, which took place on March 24, set a new record for 'the number of weapons that were used. Telegram said that drones killed one person each in the central Zhytomyr region and Kyiv on Friday. Volodymyr Zelenskiy, President of X, said: "Essentially, Russians have only intensified their strikes. They have turned what should have been a silence in the sky into an Easter escalation." Zelenskiy had proposed earlier this week that strikes be halted for the Easter holidays. He also said Ukraine would reciprocate, if Russia stopped its attacks on energy sector. Moscow rejected the idea. The purpose of these strikes during the day is obvious. "Russia is deliberately trying increase the number civilian casualties, disrupt life, cause fear and damage Ukraine's Infrastructure," said Prime Minister Yulia Shvyrydenko on X. VETERINARY CLINIC HIT BY STRIKE Ukraine's Air Force announced on Telegram that it has destroyed 515 of the 542 drones, and 26 of the 37 missiles fired by Russia. Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat told state television on Friday that "we can see the enemy using new routes, drones they are continually modernising and new tactics." The strike in Kyiv's region damaged a veterinary hospital, along with private homes, residential buildings, and administrative buildings. Mykola Kalashnyk, the governor of Kyiv region, said that around 20 animals had been killed. Authorities reported that 18 buildings, including houses, were destroyed in Zhytomyr and more than 100 others were damaged. Poland's military has said that it scrambled its fighter jets despite the fact that there is no evidence of any violation of Polish airspace. According to Oleh syniehubov, the governor of Kharkiv's northeastern region, over two dozen people have been injured in missile, drone and bomb attacks during the past 24 hours. Kharkiv mayor Ihor Terekhov stated that "the current series of strike has been the most intense and heavy since the start the war, if not since the beginning the year."
Taiwan Airlines wants to play a role in the 'whole society' defense with surveillance flights against China
A light aircraft with a powerful U.S. radar mounted under its belly, which tracks Chinese warships and collects data for its operator to give to Taipei security forces, is flying over the blue waters of Taiwan's eastern coast.
Apex Aviation, a small Taiwanese operator better known for training pilots and charter flights is now pitching surveillance flights to the government, which has begun engaging civil firms in developing new technology for its "whole society resilience" initiative.
The government has invited businesses, research groups and other organisations to take on more active roles, including backing up communications and logistics, shoring up cyber defences and, potentially contributing to surveillance and intelligence-gathering. This joint military-civilian strategy is not uncommon in other countries, such as the United States. However, it's new to Taiwan. Its armed forces have a hard time responding to the daily Chinese incursions into the skies and seas around the island. Taipei said that it plans to increase defence spending by 5% of its GDP by 2030, and to introduce a $40 Billion supplementary budget. This will include "significant" U.S. weapons purchases. Apex wants to play a part in this build-up. The airline, unlike other companies who have won contracts in the defence sector, wants to manage its surveillance operations internally, but is open to transferring any equipment to authorities.
The Chinese drills are getting more frequent and closer. This is what gives rise to the sense of urgency. Wilson Kao, Apex Chairman, said: "If we don't act now, we may not have the opportunity later."
Apex refused to provide estimates of potential revenues from a similar deal.
OPEN TO NEW IDEAS
Taiwan's Defence Ministry has been cautious so far about external partners. It has said that it can effectively monitor Chinese activity and does not have any plans to cooperate. It said that it was open for new ideas. In a press release, it stated that the ministry welcomed discussions on "public-private cooperation" to strengthen the national defence buildup.
Taiwan's Coast Guard said that it will prioritize drones and then expand its efforts to include manned aircraft.
Apex spent over T$400,000,000 ($13.07million) to convert a Tecnam P2012 Traveller, an Italian-made propeller plane with 11 seats, into a reconnaissance aircraft. The aircraft is equipped with a synthetic aperture radar made in the United States under its fuselage.
The company is interested in feeding data from its radar system, which can detect objects of as little as 0.09 square meters, to Taiwan’s coast guard and military as they track Chinese vessels around the island.
The opportunity for business goes beyond Taiwan
Apex also said that it could market the relatively inexpensive patrol service to governments friendly in the region who monitor Chinese activities. It added that it can quickly build up a fleet of reconnaissance aircraft and drones.
LEGAL UNCERTAINTIES
Experts say that authorities need to establish a legal base to allow civilian aircrafts to conduct reconnaissance. They also express concern about the possibility of making them vulnerable to Chinese forces.
"Patrol planes involve enforcement." Su Tzu-yun is a researcher at Taiwan's leading military think tank Institute for National Defence and Security Research. The cost of flying a small aircraft for a reconnaissance mission can be less than one tenth that of a military plane.
Although Apex operates only in Taiwanese space, a medical charter flight to Kinmen (which is located near the coast of China) was repeatedly approached by Chinese planes over three consecutive days in late June. Taiwan's government condemned the incident and raised safety concerns for civilian aircraft that are subjected to China's increased "grey zone" harassment tactics.
Kao stated that the board of Apex had carefully considered potential risks prior to taking on the project.
"I just do the right thing." I'm moving steadily forward. "I won't give in to harassment", he told reporters at Taitung Airport on Taiwan's East Coast.
SEA DRONES ARE AT THE FRONT
Apex's success has been boosted by the government's increasing push to encourage companies without or with limited defence experience to develop military products. Thunder Tiger, a remote control model aircraft, boat and car manufacturer that produces remote controlled model cars, has developed a new breed of sea drones.
The SeaShark 800 drone, which can carry explosives up to 1,200 kg and travel 500 km, was a major attraction at the summer beauty show where operators showcased their products to Taiwan's army.
A senior Taiwanese security official stated that the government should take joint military-civilian initiative seriously.
The operational stress on the troops is very high. We must find new ways to combat the Communist military, which is creating new pressures. Reporting by Yimou, Fabian Hamacher, and Ann Wang. Editing and production by Ben Blanchard and Saad sayeed.
(source: Reuters)