Latest News
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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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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)
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Spain announces migrants returning to Ceuta following 57 deaths in border rush
Spain announced on Friday that it had stopped a massive influx of migrants to a Spanish?enclave located in North Africa. The majority of the over 50,000 people, who crossed the border via land and water, had already returned voluntarily. According to the representative of the Spanish government in Ceuta, 57 bodies have been found on the Spanish side of the border. There could be more casualties on Moroccan side. Some drowned, and others were crushed as they tried to climb up the breakwater holding the border fence. Spain's Interior Ministry reported that around 50,000 people have crossed the border from Thursday morning. It estimated that 48.300 people returned to Spain by Friday evening at 6 pm (1600 GMT). Juan Jesus Vivas of Ceuta’s local government said that as many as 60 000 people have crossed the border over the last two days. Moroccan forces used tear gas and batons to disperse crowds at the Ceuta gates, in an attempt to stop more people from entering this tiny Spanish territory. Ceuta is a small Spanish territory located on a sandy spit that extends into the Mediterranean. Spain was asked to contain the incident by leaders from other EU countries. Italy announced that it would suspend the European Union's Schengen border-free arrangements with Spain. This measure will affect those travelling by boat or plane between the two countries. Madrid claimed that the move was in violation of?EU Treaties. I'M GOING TO BE BACK Moroccan police wearing riot gear used tear gas on some people gathered near the fences. The water cannon truck was deployed, and charred remains from a bus and 7 cars were visible during clashes. The other side saw Spanish military vehicles lining up along the border while dozens of Moroccan migrants, who were unable to cross, watched from a mountaintop in Morocco. Some people claimed they couldn't find food or shelter at Ceuta, while others said that border posts and holes were the only way to return. A young Moroccan man who claimed to be from Tangier said, "I don't know why I came and now I'm returning." "I haven’t eaten since yesterday’s lunch, even though I had brought some money with me. What we are doing is neither enjoyable nor good." Ayman, the 20-year old hairdresser who gave only one name from Larache, said he crossed on Wednesday, after a five hour swim. He said, "There was no food in Ceuta. We were thrown out by the Spanish army." Unprecedented Scale of Crossings The Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visited Ceuta, Spain on Friday. He was insulted by protesters. He described the mass crossing as a "violation of Spain's sovereignty". The Moroccan authorities also cooperated in the speedy repatriation. Ceuta and Melilla are autonomous Spanish cities located in northern Morocco. They have the only land border between Europe and Africa. The two cities experience surges of migrants trying to cross the border into Europe. But Thursday's rush was unprecedented. Right-wing parties on the continent blamed Spain's lax immigration policies, which included an amnesty given to hundreds of thousands unauthorised migrants in this year. Spain summoned its ambassador to Italy in protest of comments made by Antonio Tajani, the Italian foreign minister who said that Spain's amnesty policies had "encouraged" human trafficking. Donald Trump, the U.S. president and a critic of Spain's Socialist government, said at a cabinet meeting that the Ceuta crossings looked like an invasion. He added: "The same thing will happen to us, only worse, if the Republicans do not get elected." French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said that the police presence at the Spanish border will be quadrupled before Saturday. He also announced an increase in aerial surveillance and train patrols. EU countries are generally prohibited from conducting border checks within the Schengen area, but temporary checks can be implemented in exceptional circumstances. In a posting on X, Spain’s?Guardia Civil Police association AUGC stated that there were too few officers on hand to monitor the fence on Thursday. This meant they could not stop the rush. Angel Victor Torres, Minister of Territorial Policy, said that a recent ruling by the Supreme Court of Spain that migrants intercepted in the sea as they attempted to reach Ceuta and Melilla could not be rejected summarily at the border may have contributed to the surge. Experts claim that this still doesn't prevent their expulsion. Thousands of migrants poured into Fnideq, a town in Morocco, over night despite an increased security presence that thwarted?most of their attempts to cross. Later on Friday, some began to leave again. Despite the fact that the border crossing was blocked, groups of people moved along the coast to find a way around the fence. Brahim, 32 years old, gave only his first name. He claimed he arrived from Tangier, hoping to pass through the gate. However, he found it closed.
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Chevron CEO: CPC pipeline operational, ships loading.
On a Friday earnings call, Chevron's?CEO said that the Caspian Pipeline Consortium is flowing and ships are loading. CPC, as cited by Russian news agency Interfax, announced on Thursday that it had suspended oil loads following a drone strike on a tanker. On Thursday, vessels that were expected to load crude oil at the CPC terminal retreated from the port after CPC announced another tanker was attacked as it loaded?at port. CPC, which exports 2% of the world's?oil is the main route used by Kazakhstan to export oil. It starts at the Tengiz oil field and ends at the Russian Black Sea terminal of Yuzhnaya Ozereyevka, near Novorossiysk. Chevron is 50% owner of Tengizchevroil, the company that operates Tengiz as well as the main exporter through the CPC pipeline. On Friday, two industry sources stated that CPC oil loadings may resume later in the day. One source said that single point mooring number 3 (SPM-3), at the CPC Terminal, will be 'loading a vessel on Friday. CPC refused to comment on the matter. According to the?second source, two more tankers will be loaded on Saturday at the CPC terminal. CPC announced earlier this week that loadings were restored after an one-week suspension. They also said the tankers fixed by Chevron arrived for a?loading. Kazakhstan's daily oil production has been reduced by more than half since the CPC terminal, its main oil export route, was closed.
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)
(source: Reuters)