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Panama Canal downplays $4 million payment for 'line-jumping" auction amid increased traffic
The Panama Canal Authority downplayed on Thursday a report that an LPG ship paid $4 million in order to 'jump the queue.' They said the result was due to temporary market conditions and not a fee set by the canal, as the Iran War drove more traffic through the canal. The authority said in a press release that the recent result of an auction for an LPG ship reflects temporary changes in the market and not a rate set up by the Panama Canal. It did not confirm how much money was paid in the auction. The auction value is influenced by many factors, including the urgency of customers, their commercial priorities, freight costs, bunker prices, and global supply-and demand conditions. The authority said that auctions were only one of many mechanisms available to customers who wanted a last-minute guarantee. Bloomberg News reported on Thursday that a vessel paid $4 million at a recent auction in order to gain faster passage, as the congestion along the waterway worsened. The Iran war has disrupted trade and forced buyers to look for alternative supplies. This has led to an increase in shipments from Asia to the United States. The Canal Authority stated that it continues to operate reliably in spite of?volatility and geopolitical tensions. The authority said that its data on 'waiting time' can also 'overstate actual delays, because it counts ships arriving before their reserved transit window even if they arrive early as waiting. On Thursday, 102 vessels were waiting to transit the Canal, but 25 remained without a reservation. The authority reported that in the first half fiscal 2026 the canal recorded 6,288 oceangoing vessels transits. This is an increase of 3.7% from a year ago. In January, the average daily transits were 34 vessels and in March they reached 37. Peak days saw more than 40 transits. (Reporting and editing by Kyry Madry; Elida Moreno)
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FAA to cap flights at Chicago O'Hare in order to reduce summer delays
The?U.S. The Federal Aviation Administration is limiting the number of flights that can be flown at Chicago 'O'Hare International Airport this summer. This will force airlines to reduce their schedules as a result. According to a Thursday order, the FAA will limit O'Hare operations between May 17th and October 24th to 2,708 arrivals per day and 2,708 departures per day. The agency stated that this would prevent delays from increasing beyond last summer's already stretched performance. This move comes after weeks of heated negotiations with airlines. Airlines had scheduled over 3,000 flights per day for summer peak days, a?nearly 15 percent increase from a year ago -- despite ongoing construction at one of America's busiest airports and operational constraints. ?hubs. FAA stated that last summer's performance highlighted the risks of overscheduling. Only 56% of departures and 58% arrivals at O'Hare were on time during the summer season of 2025, due to construction projects and congestion.
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US law enforcement raids the offices of Houston fuel dealer Ikon Midstream
Two U.S. officials and a Mexican official said that U.S. authorities raided Ikon Midstream's offices in Houston, Texas, to investigate fuel smuggling. Two U.S.-based sources confirmed that the operation?in which law enforcers executed a federal warrant? took place this week at?Ikon Midstream’s Houston headquarters. One source said that the operation targeted documents and computers. The exact reason or materials seized could not be confirmed. The raid was not previously reported. Joseph Slovacek confirmed to the company that "U.S. Customs and Border Protection executed a search warrant at Ikon. He stated that law enforcement cited previous reports about Ikon as the reason for their search. Slovacek responded to a Thursday?request for comments by saying that the warrant was entirely a result of your article from October 2025 and your persistence in trying to get Ikon investigated. He added that "No arrests have been made as Ikon has not committed any wrongdoing." Rhett Kenagy, Ikon Midstream’s chairman and CEO, was not available for comment. Requests for comments sent to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Mexico's Presidency earlier Thursday were not responded to. The FBI declined comment. Ikon Midstream's operations were described in a 2025 investigation into fuel smuggling into Mexico. The report documented, using tanker tracking data and trade records how a shipment from Ikon Midstream to Mexico in March 2025 aboard a tanker named Torm Agnes. According to three Mexican sources of security and a document from the government on security, the shipment ended up with Intanza - a Mexican firm suspected of being an alias for the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. Intanza was unable to be contacted for comment. Intanza could not be reached for comment. According to the U.S. Government, smuggled fuels and stolen crude oils have become Mexico's cartels' second largest source of revenue behind narcotics. The government has increased efforts to crackdown on the illicit trade along with its broader effort to combat drug gangs. In February 2025, the Trump administration designated CJNG a terrorist organization. Reports from October 22 revealed that Mexican cartels make billions in revenue annually by allegedly smuggling gasoline primarily from the U.S. into Mexico. Some U.S. players were complicit, while others were unaware. Smugglers often falsify or complete import-export documentation for these transactions. Mexican authorities say that the scheme is a tax avoidance: diesel, gasoline, and naphtha, are declared as lubricants in trade documents to avoid paying high import duties on these imported fuels. According to a calculation, the savings could be as high as half the value of a shipment. In the case the March 2025 Torm Agnes shipment the amount saved would be $7 million. Torm, the Danish company that manages the vessel, told the media in September 2025 that Ikon Midstream had stopped doing business in April that year, "based on the information that has been revealed." Mexico's government announced that, following the publication of "story" last year, it had expanded its investigations into suspected fuel-smuggling by unspecified officials and companies, including in three Mexican ports, where Ikon Midstream supplied petroleum products in 2025. This was according to a report published on a Senate's website in February. Ikon Midstream has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. It filed for defamation in Texas state courts on?November 14, claiming that the news agency had made "categorically false" statements in the article about its business. Ikon Midstream stated in a?statement dated March 27 that it had "conducted business lawfully," and "we never falsified a U.S. or Mexican Customs document." A spokeswoman for the company said that it stands by its reporting, and denies any attempt to have Ikon investigated by law enforcement.
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Trump may visit Islamabad in the event of an Iran deal
Donald Trump, the U.S. president, said on Thursday that if a deal with Iran was reached and signed in Islamabad to end the war, he would leave. Iran had agreed to "almost everything". Trump spoke to reporters on the White House lawn as he was on his way to Nevada and Arizona. He struck an optimistic tone about Iran. He said that he could extend the U.S. - Iran ceasefire, which expires next week. However, he may not have to. Trump said, "If there is a deal signed in Islamabad, I might go." "They want to me." He also'said, without proving it, that Iran 'has?agreed?to?give up the enriched uranium buried by U.S. and Israeli?airstrikes? last year. Trump is pushing for an agreement with Iran where?Tehran will give up its nuclear program. Reporting by Humerya Pamuk & Steve Holland. Writing by Michelle Nichols, Editing by CaitlinWebber.
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Minister: Slovakia will not accept new EU sanctions against Russia until Druzhba is restarted.
The Slovakian Foreign Minister said that the country is prepared to block the European Union’s?latest package sanctions against Russia?for their invasion of Ukraine, until the Druzhba?oil?pipeline is operational?again. Slovakia and Hungary are in a dispute with Ukraine about the suspension of Russian Oil Supplies through Druzhba following an outage in the line, which Kyiv claims was caused by a Russian Attack in late January. Kyiv has said that repairs will take time. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated?that Druzhba could be operational at the end of this month. TASR reported that Juraj Blanar, the Slovak Minister of Foreign Affairs was quoted as saying during a session in parliament: "If the Druzhba 'oil pipeline' is not operational and if the 20th package (of EU sanctions) has been approved we will not accept it." Blanar stated that Slovakia has "no other tool" to force Ukraine and the European Commission back to the pipeline. A row over the Ukraine loan has led to Hungary blocking a 90 billion euro (106.01 billion dollars) EU loan and imposing new'sanctions' on Russia. Analysts and EU officials expect Hungary's new leader, Peter?Magyar, to remove Hungary's objections on the loan and sanctions once he assumes office, likely in mid-May. Blanar said, according to TASR, that Slovakia would not block the loan.
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The price of Russian gas imported to Bosnia has increased by 4.59%
The price of natural gases in Bosnia's autonomous Bosniak - Croat Federation was raised by 4.59% on April 1, matching an increase made by Russian gas supplier Gazprom export LLC. The government responded to a request from Energoinvest, Bosnia’s largest importer of gas from the Russian state-owned producer Gazprom. Since 2021, Bosnia and Herzegovina has been completely dependent on Russian gas delivered through the TurkStream pipeline and via a route that crosses Turkey, Bulgaria and Serbia. In a press release, the government announced that it had agreed to increase the wholesale gas price to 827.42 Bosnian marks ($519.2) per 1,000 standard cubic meters, excluding VAT. The Federation is the largest gas consumer of the country, where natural gas makes up up to 8% of its energy consumption. In an effort to diversify its energy sources, the Federation?on Wednesday chose a U.S. The company will be the lead investor and main developer of a 'long-delayed' pipeline project that will bring?gas from a terminal for liquefied gas on the Croatian Island of Krk to Bosnia. Reporting by Daria Sucic. Mark Potter (Editing)
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Nigerian Airlines threaten to stop flights due to rising jet fuel prices
Nigerian Airlines will cease all flight operations on April 20 unless the crippling jet fuel prices are brought down. They accused the country's fuel marketers for artificially inflating them. Airline Operators of Nigeria (an industry group composed of around 12 mainly domestic carriers) complained to the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria in a letter dated April 14 that jet fuel had increased by approximately 270% since February. AON's letter, seen by us, called the increase in jet fuel prices in Africa's largest nation "astronomical" and "artificial", saying that it was far greater than global crude oil price increases. The letter stated that "currently, airline revenues do not cover the cost of fuel." As a result of the 'Iran war', rising jet fuel prices have thrown global aviation into turmoil, forcing airlines around the world to increase fares, curtail growth plans, and rethink forecasts. According to the African Airlines Association, African airlines are especially 'vulnerable', since jet fuel accounts for 30% to 40% of their costs of operation, while global averages range from 20% to 25%. MEMAN, in response to AON, disputed the figures of the airlines, saying that the quoted price is more than 40% higher than a "survey-based average" market. They also added that jet fuel distribution requires specialised equipment, and that it's more expensive. AON stated that raising ticket costs to'reflect the fuel cost airlines are facing in Nigeria, could reduce passenger numbers. The Nigerian aviation sector used about 2.1 million litres per day of?jet fuel last month, according to data from the country’s petroleum products regulator. The data showed that the only domestic jet fuel manufacturer in Nigeria, Dangote Petroleum Refinery, did not make any deliveries to the domestic market during March. Data from the?tanker tracking firm Kpler revealed that Nigeria's clean petroleum exports - gasoline and diesel, as well as kerosene, jet fuel, and kerosene - had more than doubled in March. Dangote didn't immediately respond to our request for comment. (Reporting and editing by Joe Bavier; Isaac Anyaogu)
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As tensions over Iran show, Lufthansa grounded planes and easyJet bookings fell.
EasyJet, a British airline, said that its bookings were?lagging behind last year's figures. Lufthansa in Germany was the first major airline to ground aircraft due to high fuel prices as airlines accounted for the cost of the Iran War. Investors have warned easyJet that it may need to revise its outlook for the entire year, as uncertainty about jet fuel supplies, and the impact of war, could lead to other revisions. Wizz Air announced that its net profit would be cut by 50 million euros ($59 million). Air France-KLM will report its first quarter results on April 30 after adding a fuel surcharge to its tickets. Dutch carrier KLM (a subsidiary of Air France KLM) announced on Thursday that it will cut 160 flights due to fuel prices in the next month. Analysts predict that further capacity cuts, grounded flights, and surcharges will be implemented. Markets will closely monitor airline results to get a better idea of how the war is impacting their fragile revenue and profit margins. Nigerian airlines warned on Thursday that they may stop flying because of high jet fuel costs, and the European Union is set to announce measures to increase refinery capacity following warnings from European airports about an impending fuel crunch. The conflict in the Middle East is causing near-term uncertainty about fuel prices and customer demand. EasyJet reported that the booking curve had shortened as expected in recent weeks. This has resulted in a lower than usual forward visibility. EasyJet shares dropped by up to 9%. Ryanair, Wizz Air and other airlines also fell. Lufthansa's shares fell 1.36% by 1416 GMT, shortly after the announcement. Analysts and investors have said that easyJet may need to revise their forecast for the year. However, the strength of the airline's holidays business and its balance sheet could help shield it from the current turmoil. Dudley Shanley said, "We expect the forecast to come back in FY26," adding that lower bookings and yields are contributing to investor scepticism. Later Bookings, More Domestic Travel The Iran War has sent jet-fuel prices soaring. This has upended the global aviation industry, forcing airlines to increase fares, curtail growth plans, and rethink their forecasts. EasyJet CEO Kentonjarvis stated on a press call that travelers are booking closer before their travel dates. There has been a shift in the initial travel patterns to domestic city destinations. We're seeing a shift towards a later booking period. If there's any shift in travel, it is a slight move away from the eastern Mediterranean and a small amount towards the western Mediterranean," Jarvis said, adding that travel was slowly improving to Cyprus, Egypt, and Turkey. Lufthansa launched several new flights into Asia to take advantage of the shifting demand due to war. It promised to continue with its restructuring strategy and promised investors a more cost-efficient, streamlined company. The decision to ground 27 planes for its CityLine subsidiary and four older jets for its core carrier Lufthansa has rattled unions. In recent weeks, pilots and cabin staff at Lufthansa have been involved in costly and disruptive strikes. Summer Fuel Hedged The airlines have stated that it is hard to predict the demand in 2026, as travelers fear price increases and travel chaos. EasyJet's Jarvis stated that 30% of the seats for the July to September fourth quarter were sold. However, load factors (the percentage of seats filled by paying passengers) was uncertain. He said that it would depend on the market conditions in late summer and the outcome of the conflict over the next two weeks. EasyJet had warned that the Iran War would increase ticket prices at the end of the Summer and have impacted bookings. It said it had well hedged fuel volatility, with 70% summer fuel fixed at $706 per ton. Nevertheless, the hedges will start to unwind towards the end the summer. This could result in higher fares. "Pricing will be protected for the short-term." Jarvis told reporters that if the price of fuel continues to rise, it will affect all industries.
Authorities say eight people were killed in a helicopter crash in West Kalimantan in Indonesia.
Authorities?said?that all eight people aboard a helicopter died?when it crashed?in Indonesia's West Kalimantan province?as they tried to recover the bodies and wreckage.
Mohammad Syafii said that the Airbus H130 helicopter had lost contact five minutes after it took off from a plantation in Melawi.
The location of the crash, or the loss of contact, is in an area of dense?forested terrain with steep hills," Syafii stated. He added that'rescuers found debris believed to be the tail from the helicopter about 3 km (2 miles), west of the point where contact was lost.
The cause of the crash is still unknown. The spokesperson for the local rescue agency confirmed that six passengers and two crew members had died in the crash.
On Friday, rescuers including military and police personnel were trying to reach the crash site via land routes. Syafii stated that the plantation area belonged?to an Indonesian palm oil company, Citra Mahkota and the helicopter to Matthew Air Nusantara.
(source: Reuters)