Latest News
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Crimean families line up for hot food as Ukraine cuts power supply
A chef prepared to serve dozens if people who were waiting for a hot meal after Ukrainian attacks had cut off power in their kitchens. Fuel supplies in cities and towns throughout Crimea, the area that Russia annexed as part of Ukraine in 2014, were limited for most of the summer due to Ukrainian attacks on power plants and other infrastructure. Ukraine says that it is "bringing the war home to Russia" through intensified strikes on the territory and deep within the country controlled by its neighbor. Oksana Mdyud, the head of Massandra's town administration, said that her workers serve 200 people a day. She said, "We are preparing hot meals because not everyone can cook food hot on an electric stove." Marina, a local woman, complained that her leg pain made it difficult to descend from her 10th floor?apartment, but her lack of electricity sent her on a 'hunt' for a gas cooker and cylinders. She said that her apartment was empty. "We have an electric cooker, that's all." Alexandra, a resident of a nearby older age, also said that she was lured by the aroma of the food after being without electricity for 10 days. She added that "they turned it back on today at 4 o'clock", but was not sure if the lights would be still on when she got home. Reporting by Lucy Papachristou, Writing by Andrew Heavens
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UKMTO reports two incidents of tanker accidents off Oman
The 'United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations' (UKMTO), a division of the United Kingdom Government, said : "On Saturday we received reports...of two maritime incidents...off Oman. One incident involved a tanker that was hit by an unknown projectile." UKMTO reported that in the first incident a tanker struck by a projectile unknown about 11 nautical miles northeast of Oman’s Lima. The damage to the engine room left the vessel without command. The UKMTO said that there were no reports of casualties or environmental impacts. Later, the UKMTO reported that it received a second report of an incident?21 nautical mile northeast of Oman’s Khasab. The tanker's master reported a large explosion and splash in close proximity to his vessel. However, no damage was reported. Lima and Khasab lie on Oman's Musandam Peninsula, at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz. This is a strategic shipping chokepoint through which a fifth of the world's oil consumption passes. In recent weeks, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz was a risky endeavor. Ships reported security incidents and shipowners took 'additional measures' as hostilities between Iran and the United States escalated. Reporting by Hatem Mahar and Enas Alashray; Editing By William Mallard & Kirsten Donovan
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India's record renewable power generation in July reduces coal's share to a 1-year low
In July, the share of coal in India's power generation mix fell to its lowest level?in an entire year as renewable energy production surged?to a new record high. The data revealed that renewable power has risen to 20% of India's total mix. The data showed that the number of kilowatt hours (kWh) consumed in July was 36.25, a 30% increase from last year. Grid-India, the state-run regulator, calculated that coal-power generation dropped to 65.7% from 69% in July. India's clean energy generation has risen as solar and wind output have exceeded 100 gigawatts. This is the first time that this figure was higher than 42.8%. Manoj Kumar, analyst at the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air said that the majority of peak power demand occurs during the daytime, when solar contributes more. He cited a rising renewable share in the nation's electricity generation. The data revealed that coal-fired electricity generation increased by 12.8% on an annual basis to 119.40 Gigawatt Hours in July. Analysts attribute the rise in coal-power production to a decline in hydropower and due to an El Nino pattern where "searing heat" is driving the demand for cooling at night. El Nino has caused a significant shift in rainfall patterns and elevated temperatures. This is why hydropower generation fell for the second consecutive month. CREA stated that the lower hydro generation due to El Nino combined with increased power demand could result in a gap in power generation of nearly 18 billion kWh. This will lead to an increase in coal-fired energy in India. Data showed that India's electricity production in July increased 10.4% compared to a year ago, reaching 181.79 billion kWh. Sethuraman N.R.; William Mallard, Editor
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In the shadow of the Berlin attacks, thousands are expected to gather in Amsterdam for a boisterous WorldPride.
The WorldPride flagship event will take place on Saturday in Amsterdam, with hundreds of thousands of revellers expected to line the canals. Organisers promise a 'boisterous' LGBT celebration. This is especially urgent following last week's deadly attack at Berlin's Pride. Scores of boats and balloons festooned in 'rainbow' flags will cruise through the city as huge crowds dressed in colorful outfits cheer on the banks. Amsterdam Pride's annual canal parade is a highlight. This year, Pride organizers around the world chose Amsterdam to host WorldPride. The theme of the two-week festival in the Netherlands will be "Unity". Security measures that are visible and covert Femke Halsema, the mayor of Amsterdam, said that Amsterdam would take additional measures without specifying them in response to an attack in Berlin where a van had been driven into a crowd and a suspect was later killed by German police. Dutch police have said that both covert and visible security measures will be deployed. Amsterdam Pride spokesperson said that the preparations were on track and the extra security wouldn't change the focus of the event, which is still inclusiveness. Martijn Albers, spokesperson for the Dutch government, said: "The goal of terrorism is spreading fear. We must not succumb to this." BERLIN ATTACK SHOWS IMPORTANCE PRIDE Julianne van der Hide, 25, who will be on a boat this Saturday, says the Berlin attacks only prove "how necessary and important Pride is still to today". On Tuesday, thousands attended a ceremony to honor the victims of the Berlin attack. They laid?flowers on the "Homomonument" in Amsterdam, a memorial of pink granite triangles that commemorates victims of anti gay oppression. Caspar Pisters, of the Dutch HIV Association said that everyone would be thinking about the Berlin attack. But he added, "As long there are people there will always be LGBTQ+ people. And no amount of violence, not even a thousand bombs, can change that." Mick Groeneveld, from Queer Museum, a group that is working to create a permanent LGBT museum for the Netherlands, stated the attack showed the vulnerability of the LGBT community. "At the Same Time, Making Ourselves Invisible is Not the Answer." (Reporting and editing by Peter Graff. Charlotte Van Campenhout)
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Yemen's Houthis have denied plans to charge ships navigating through the Red Sea fees
Yemen's Houthi-run maritime coordination group denied on Saturday that it intended to impose fees on commercial ships that?transit the strait of Bab?el?Mandeb. It said that no such decision had yet been made and that passage along the strategic waterway was free. The statement comes after a report Wednesday, citing regional sources that Iran-aligned Houthis considered imposing "fees" on ships traveling through the southern Red Sea, just a week following their declaration of a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia. Sources?in the article had stated that?the proposal regarding fees?was discussed by Iranian officials with Houthi officials during their visit to Tehran in July. However, no timeframe had been set for its implementation. The Houthi Humanitarian Operation Coordination?Center's (HOCC) "safe transit" service is a free and voluntary service. The HOCC issued a statement that categorically affirmed that anyone or any entity requesting money to transit the Bab el-Mandeb strait in exchange for the Republic of Yemen -or HOCC- in any capacity, does not'represent the Republic of Yemen -or HOCC. The HOCC urged shipping companies to "not make 'any payments' or give any information to unauthorized persons or entities." (Reporting and editing by Tom Hogue; Mohammed Ghobari)
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Official from the White House confirms that no drones with weapons were seized at the FIFA World Cup
A White House official stated on Friday that among the '700 drones found at U.S. FIFA World Cup venues and fan zones, none were weaponized. Sebastian Gorka, White House Senior Director for Counterterrorism and Deputy Assistant to President Sebastian Gorka, told reporters during a drone conference in Washington, D.C. that "no weaponized drones have been seized." He claimed that the incidents were caused by hobbyists or others who did not know about flight restrictions set forth by the Federal Aviation Administration. Gorka stated, "They are just doing dumb things but we need to mitigate them." Gorka stated that the Trump administration recently held a meeting of senior officials to discuss the seriousness of drone threats. Gorka added that software solutions were key in keeping drones from violating airspace. All aircraft operations including drones were banned on match days of the World Cup within a three nautical mile radius? and up to 3,000 feet (914 m) above ground? around the?soccer?stadiums. This was only allowed if specifically authorized by air traffic control. The FAA has imposed temporary flight restrictions to ban drones near World Cup sites. Drones were banned from fan gatherings within a radius of one nautical mile and up to 1,000 feet above the ground. Gorka stated that the Homeland Security Department will release a report about counter-drones efforts during the World Cup. Reporting by David Shepardson, Editing by Chizu?Nomiyama and Rod Nickel
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WestJet begins parking Boeing 737 aircraft ahead of a looming strike
WestJet Canada announced 'on Friday that it has begun to park Boeing 737 planes as negotiations with flight attendants have failed to result in an agreement. This could lead a labor disruption. Cabin crew could go on strike as early as 12:01 am August 2 for the Calgary-based Onex Corp. The Canadian Union of Public Employees, who represents WestJet flight attendants, said that if negotiations fail to result in a'resolution' over the dispute regarding unpaid work, they will strike at 6:01 AM Mountain Time (6:01 GMT) on August 2. The union wants cabin crew paid from when they check-in to when they clock out. This is not currently the case. WestJet stated in a statement on Friday that it would "remain active" at the bargaining tables to reach a deal as soon as possible. Parking the aircraft also allows WestJet to maintain operational control. WestJet Encore flights ?operated? Codeshare flights and Bombardier Q400 flights operated by partners are not affected, it said. The Canadian Union of Public Employees did not immediately respond to an inquiry for comment. Reporting by Juby?Babu in Mexico City, Editing by Shilpi?Majumdar
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Energy Minister: Serbia has obtained a waiver from US sanctions for its Russian-owned NIS Oil firm
Serbia has received another waiver from the United States to allow its Russian-owned oil firm NIS to continue importing crude until August 28, said energy minister Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic on Friday. The U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control has granted a waiver to NIS which operates Serbia's sole oil refinery. This will give NIS more time as Hungary's MOL oil and gas firm negotiates with the Russian majority share in the company. "Thirty-days is good news. NIS will have enough time to buy and bring in enough crude oil," Djedovic handanovic said during a live broadcast by state television RTS. Aleksandar Vucic, the president of Serbia, said on Friday that he hoped MOL will complete the purchase in the coming days. Vucic, during a visit to southern Serbia, told reporters that he expected the deal to be finalized in the next few days. He said he would likely speak with both (Russian President Vladimir) Putin (and (Hungary’s Prime Minister Peter Magyar). In October, the United States sanctioned NIS as part of wider measures targeting Russia's energy sector due to its involvement in the conflict in Ukraine. They also demanded that Gazprom Neft, which is NIS's Russian majority owner, be divested. NIS's Pancevo?refinery, located just outside of Belgrade's capital, supplies around 80%?of Serbia?s?demand. It imports crude via the Janaf oil pipe in Croatia. The Balkan country's other fuel imports fell to 25% of its monthly target in July due to?record low water levels on the Danube River forcing barges and tanks to operate at only a quarter?of their cargo capacity. MOL signed a provisional contract in January to buy a combined 56% of NIS from Gazprom and Neft. Serbian government holds 29.9%, while the rest is held by employees and small shareholders. (Aleksandar Vasovic; Editing by Sanjeev Miglani)
Iraq is expecting to extend pipeline agreement with Turkey, INA reports
Iraq is planning to sign a?agreement for a year to continue Iraqi crude?flows?through?the Turkish?port of Ceyhan. This was announced by the oil ministry, according to Iraqi News Agency.
The agreement would renew a 'decades long bilateral arrangement which expired on Monday, which allowed the operation of Baghdad’s 'only working export pipeline, the Iraq Turkey Pipeline (ITP).
Salim al Rikabi, INA's spokesman, said that Iraq's Oil Minister is visiting Turkey on Saturday to sign an agreement providing for a daily capacity of 750,000 barallons.
The extension will give time to negotiate a comprehensive agreement. The Turkish government wants the pipeline with its?capacity to transport 1.5 million barrels of oil per day to be fully utilised, and possibly extended to southern Iraqi fields.
According to Turkish data, the pipeline currently carries?170,000 barrels per day.
(source: Reuters)