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French Railways boss warns heat-vulnerable travellers to avoid trains
On 'Sunday, the SNCF head warned 'vulnerable people not to take the train during France's heatwave. Jean Castex, a reporter at the time, said: "We advise the most vulnerable to postpone or avoid their trip during this heatwave." * Former French Prime Minister?Castex said that a number of incidents were possible due to the high temperatures. Meteo France's latest update stated that 49 departments would be under a "red heatwave" warning starting at noon on Monday. This is 14 more departments than Sunday. The heatwave will intensify, reaching peaks as high as 42 degrees Celsius. It was also stated that "it is likely the heatwave will continue, or even worsen in some areas" for much of the next week. Reporting by Dominique Vidalon Editing By Louise Heavens And David Goodman
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Authorities say that the no-fly zone created by the Iran talks has disrupted flights to and from Zurich Airport.
Aviation authorities confirmed that a technical problem in air 'traffic control', which was triggered by security precautions?for the peace talks between the U.S.A. and Iran?in Switzerland?, caused disruptions? at the Zurich airport?on Sunday. They added that the problem has been resolved. Skyguide, a Swiss air traffic control authority, said that the glitch was caused by the integration of the restricted zone above Buergenstock in radar display systems. This is the Swiss mountain resort, where the negotiations are taking place. According to a statement, the zone was decided only at the last minute as the decision to hold the most recent round of discussions was not finalised until the following Saturday. Skyguide reported that operations have returned to normal. "The systems run smoothly and security is ensured at every time." A spokesperson for the airport said that by midday 12 arrivals had been cancelled and 14 departures. She added that at least 60 departures had been delayed. As outlined in a tentative peace agreement, U.S. Vice-President JD Vance met with Iran on Sunday for peace 'talks' at Buergenstock. However, the diplomacy of the U.S. was overshadowed when Iran announced that it had reimposed a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The Swiss government has promised that the talks will be held in a "reliable and discreet setting". This resort is located just over 50 kilometres south of the Zurich airport. Reporting by Alexandra Schwarz Goerlich; Writing by Rachel More, Editing by Barbara Lewis
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Five people killed in Ukraine attack as Crimea suspends fuel sales
The?Russian-installed 'governor' said that four people had been?killed? and 28 others wounded?in a ukranian drone attack against the russian-controlled peninsula Crimea. Local authorities in Russia's Krasnodar Region said that a Ukrainian drone strike on an oil transportation facility confirmed by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy killed one person on a passenger ship and set a?oil storage terminal on fire. The Russian Defence Ministry reported that 239 Ukrainian drones were shot down over night. Crimean Governor Sergei Aksyonov stated that 'fuel stations across peninsula have suspended sales to the public and businesses. Supplies are restricted to government agencies in charge of essential services and security. Ukraine intensified its drone attacks against Crimea, the home of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. The attack targeted the peninsula's fuel supply routes, which triggered a fuel shortage as the holiday season began. Local power grid operators reported "outages" in several areas due to damage to the electricity networks. Ferry traffic across the Kerch Strait, which separates Crimea from Krasnodar, was also temporarily suspended. The authorities also stopped traffic on the bridge connecting?Crimea and Russia's Krasnodar region for more than 9 hours, leaving 11 train running behind schedule. Louise Heavens (Reporting)
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Minister: Three Indian flagged oil tankers have cleared the Strait of Hormuz
Sarbananda Snowal, the shipping minister said that three Indian-flagged oil tankers with more than 860,000 metric tonnes of 'oil and 94 Indian crew have safely transited 'Strait of Hormuz. They are now en route to India. Sonowal announced on X the Desh Vaibhav?, Desh Vibhor?? and Sanmar Herald have all completed their transit. The United States and Iran have signed a ceasefire agreement, which has led to an increase in oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Gulf producers are preparing to boost?exports regardless of concerns about?conditions that Tehran set for the use of the waterway. Washington and Tehran have released the text for the interim agreement they signed on Wednesday. U.S. president Donald Trump has warned that if the commitments made are not kept, he will resume his attacks against Iranian officials. Thirteen cargoes with Indian flags were stranded at the Strait of Hormuz prior to the?transit of?three cargoes Sonowal said, "Our Ministry is actively working with all relevant agencies in order to ensure 'the safety of the?Bharat seafarers as well as energy lifelines.
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Judge rules that the wife of Spanish PM must face corruption charges
A 'judge' ruled that the?wife of Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez must face corruption charges, and is banned from leaving Spain. Begona Gómez is being investigated over allegations that she abused her position as wife of the Prime Minister to obtain work contracts. She denies all wrongdoing. The far-right groups brought the case. The investigating judge,?Juan Carlos Peinado, ordered Gomez surrender her passport and barred her from leaving Spain. She was also required to appear in court twice per month. Sanchez, Europe's last leftist leader, is weighing down by several corruption cases that are nearing or have already been tried. He hasn't been named in any of these cases, and he has claimed that they are all part of an effort to remove him from his office. The Socialist Party reacted quickly to the ruling of the judge, posting on social media X that "(Begona has been subjected?)to judicial and politcal persecution for two year. The development of today is a step forward in this process." Investigations are underway against several close friends, including the number three of the Socialist Party and Sanchez's ex-transport minister. The cases involve alleged kickbacks in connection with public works contracts, oil and gas deals, and the purchase of masks for the pandemic. They deny any wrongdoing. Separately the Spanish High Court announced that it was investigating ex-prime minister?Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero for allegations he led a?network?that benefited from lobbying government authorities on behalf third parties including airline Plus Ultra. He denies these claims. Reporting by Graham Keeley. Mark Potter edited the story.
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Nine people are still in critical condition following fatal UK train accident
The 'driver' of one of the trains was killed in the crash that occurred on Friday near Bedford, approximately 60 miles (100km) north of London. Around 5.15 pm local time (16:15 GMT), two passenger trains headed for London collided on Friday. One of the drivers of the two trains died at the scene. British Transport Police Chief Constable, Lucy D'Orsi, provided an update of those injured in the crash that occurred on Saturday. She said more than eighty people were hospitalized on Friday evening. She said that as of "this morning", 28 people were still in the hospital and nine are in critical condition. D'Orsi said that investigators were trying to determine what caused the accident. One of the passengers posted a video on Facebook on Friday showing what appeared to be the damaged front of one railcar entangled with another's back, while the carriages remained upright. In a blog post on X, Prime Minister Keir starmer called it a "devastating event". Buckingham Palace, the official residence of King Charles I, also released a statement saying that "His Majesty is deeply saddened by yesterday's rail crash in Bedford and is regularly kept updated on developments." "His thoughts?and sympathies are with the family of the deceased as well as with those who were injured or affected in such a tragic event." (Reporting and editing by William James)
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Judge rules that the wife of Spanish PM must face corruption charges
A?judge's ruling?on Saturday said that the wife of Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will be tried on corruption charges, and is banned from leaving the country. Begona Gomez faces an investigation for allegedly using her position as wife of the Prime Minister to obtain work contracts. She denies all wrongdoing. The case was brought by?far-right groups. The investigating judge Juan Carlos Peinado required Gomez to surrender her passport, bar her from leaving Spain, and require her to "report twice a monthly to court." This case is just one of many corruption?probes that are nearing or have already been tried and weighing down on?Sanchez. He's one of Europe’s last leftist leaders. He hasn't been named in the cases, but has claimed that they are all part of an effort to remove him from his office. Investigations are underway against several?close ally, including the number three of the Socialist Party and Sanchez's ex-transport minister. The cases involve alleged kickbacks in connection with public?works?,?oil contracts?, and the purchase of masks for the pandemic. They deny any wrongdoing. Separately the Spanish High Court announced that it was investigating Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero for allegations that he led a 'network' of lobbyists who profited by lobbying public authorities on behalf third parties including airline Plus Ultra. He denies these claims. Reporting by Graham Keeley. Mark Potter edited the story.
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Business Post reports that Ryanair CEO O'Leary believes fares will remain 'flat' this summer.
Michael O'Leary, Chief Executive Officer of Ryanair Group, told Ireland's Business Post newspaper that: He said: "We believe that?bookings will get a little boost as we move into the summer peak. I would use 'inverted commas' to say 'the peace agreement between Iran and the US.' But spot oil prices have fallen significantly." * "We don't expect prices to rise this summer into the peak. "I'm not sure that prices will drop, volumes are high, but pricing appears to be similar to last year," said he. We're not under pressure to hedge into May, June or July of next year. If prices fell to the low $80s, or even below $80, we would certainly start hedging summer '27. Here is the source text for more company coverage.
Canada seeks ways to boost oil production in order to reduce price spikes caused by the Iran war
Tim Hodgson, Minister of Natural Resources, said that Canada would look for ways to boost its crude production in order to stabilize oil prices globally as a result of the Iran War. Hodgson, a reporter in Ottawa, said that the Canadian government has been talking to oil producers in Canada about delaying planned maintenance at oil sands plants in order to temporarily boost output. The Canadian government is also urging refineries in Canada that use imported oil to switch to domestic oil in order to increase supply to other regions.
The International Energy Agency agreed on Wednesday to release 400,000,000 barrels of oil. This is the largest move in the agency's history. It was made to curb the rise in crude prices caused by the supply shocks caused by the U.S. and Israel war with Iran.
Canada, the fourth-largest oil producer in the world, is a member the IEA but it does not have its own strategic oil reserve as the country is a net oil exporter.
Rory Johnston is the founder of Commodity Context, a newsletter that focuses on commodities. He said it's?highly unlikely? that Canada can make any difference in terms of global supply.
Johnston stated, "Let's face it: Canada has nothing to do."
Johnston explained that Canada's oil sands sites are not able to increase production overnight. Some companies may decide to delay maintenance plans this spring in order to take advantage of higher oil prices. However, Johnston said that they would only do so if the market dictated it, and not if government directives were given.
Johnston stated that it is possible for a higher demand by Asian customers to result in more Canadian barrels being exported overseas via the Trans Mountain pipeline as opposed to moving to U.S. refinery destinations.
He said that?would be helpful since the epicenter of supply loss is Asia. But if this happened, the decision would not have been made by the government, but rather based on the market.
The Iran crisis may not have much impact on Canada in the near future, but it will increase calls for a new crude oil pipeline along the Pacific coast. This would allow Canada to expand its exports and provide the oil sands sector with the ability to plan long-term growth.
Johnston stated that "there is not much we can do right now, but we can prepare more for the next crisis."
Canada Energy Regulator estimates that Canada will produce 5.3 million barrels of crude oil per day on average by 2025. Reporting by Amanda Stephenson, Calgary; Editing and production by Caroline Stauffer & David Gregorio
(source: Reuters)