Latest News
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After days of gridlock, Irish police clear fuel protesters out of central Dublin
Irish police cleared trucks and tractors?on Sunday? that had been 'blocking traffic? in central Dublin? for five days?in protest?against?surging fuel prices?as government moves to minimize the economic fallout of a wave?of blockades? This week, protesters angry by the more than 20 percent increase in diesel prices following the start of the U.S./Israeli war on Iran used tractors and trucks to block an oil refining plant, two ports and fuel terminals, as well as a number roads throughout the country. The protests led to major disruptions in Dublin's?transport system and about a third of?petrol stations across the country were without fuel. Finance Minister Simon Harris called it a "very danger moment" for Ireland. On Saturday, the police cleared the blockade at the only oil refinery in the country. They also announced on Sunday that they have begun an operation to remove a "blockade" of Galway Port. The government refused to negotiate with the protesters who included farmers and drivers. The government is in 'talks' with groups from the agricultural and transport industries about measures to reduce fuel costs. The Sunday Independent published a poll that showed 56% of respondents supported the protesters. However, the majority of supporters of both the ruling parties were against them. Conor Humphries, David Holmes and Conor Humphries are the authors.
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Minister: South Korea is close to securing oil from Kazakhstan
South Korea has a good chance of obtaining crude oil from Kazakhstan, said the Industry Minister on Sunday. The?country is looking for alternative energy sources amid the Middle East war. Kim Jung-kwan, Industry Minister at KBS, said: "There have been (some) significant progresses. We should be able announce specific amounts and detail?early the next week." Kang Hoon Sik, the presidential chief of staff, travelled to Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Kazakhstan with Kim earlier this month to secure supplies of crude oil and naphtha due to disruptions in shipping through Strait of Hormuz. Kim explained that the visit to Kazakhstan was part of a long-term strategy to diversify oil supplies. South Korea is almost completely dependent on importing oil, with 70% of its purchases coming from Middle East. Last month, the United Arab Emirates also pledged to provide 24 million barrels. (Reporting and editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan; Jihoon Lee)
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New Zealand's North Island is ravaged by a cyclone, and hundreds of people are evacuated
On Sunday, a cyclone hit New Zealand's North Island, cutting off power to thousands of residents. Officials warned that conditions would continue to worsen throughout the day. MetService, the national weather provider, reported that Cyclone Vaianu had brought destructive winds exceeding 130 kph 81 mph (and heavy rain) even before it expected to land in the afternoon. The authorities have declared several areas to be in an emergency and issued wind warnings of "red" levels, reserved only for the worst weather conditions. Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell stated that the cyclone was "more towards" the fringes of the North Island and would spare Auckland, the most populous city in the country, from the worst conditions. Mark Mitchell, Minister of Emergency Management, said that stronger winds and waves were expected as the cyclone crossed the coast. "It has moved more towards the edges and to the east. This means that we haven’t seen the intensity we had prepared for, or that we expected to be hit with. Mitchell stated that this is "good news". "What we can expect in the next 12 to 24 hours is a little more intensification as the cyclone begins to descend and gets closer." Mitchell warned that the combination of high tide in the afternoon and the large swells caused by the storm could cause coastal flooding. He said that the most dangerous time was from 2 pm this afternoon, when there were high tides and big swells. He said that the cyclone forced hundreds of residents from their homes and knocked off electricity to 5,000 homes. New Zealand Defence Force personnel and heavy equipment has also been deployed in order to assist with the evacuation. MetService reported wind gusts in excess of 130 kph and rainfall totals exceeding?100 mm (3.92 inches) over the course of 24 hours in Whangarei. Vaianu brings to mind 2023's Cyclone Gabrielle. This storm killed 11 people and caused thousands of New Zealanders to be displaced. It was one of the worst natural disasters in this century. (Reporting from Sydney by Christine Chen; Additional reporting in Wellington by Lucy Craymer; Editing by Thomas Derpinghaus).
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In Haiti, a stampede has killed at least 30 people in the historic Laferriere Citadel
Authorities warned that the death toll may rise. Jean Henri Petit is the head of Civil Protection for Haiti’s Nord Department. He said that the stampede happened at the Laferriere Citadel. This was a?fortress from the early 19th century, built soon after Haiti gained independence from France. The fortess, one of 'Haiti’s most popular tourist attractions was packed - with students and visitors - on Saturday, who came to celebrate the yearly celebration of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, 'Petit said. In a statement, Prime Minister Alix Fils-Aime stated that he had "extended his sincere condolences and assured them of his deep solidarity?during this period of mourning and suffering." The prime minister said that "many youths" were present at the Citadel celebrations. However, he did not provide a death toll estimate. Petit stated that the stampede happened at the site's entrance, and that the rain "further exacerbated" the disaster. Reporting by Harold Isaac from Port-au-Prince in Haiti; writing by Laura Gottesdiener from Monterrey in Mexico; editing by Daina Beth Solon)
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Health officials confirm that Israeli strikes have killed seven people in Gaza
Officials in Gaza's Health Ministry said that two?Israeli airstrikes on Gaza Saturday killed?at least 7 people and injured several others. Officials said that an 'airstrike' hit a police checkpoint at Bureij Camp in central Gaza Strip on Saturday morning, killing six people. A second airstrike was also reported to have killed one person in Beit Lahiya. The number of police officers killed in the first attack was not immediately known. Israeli military claimed that the'strike was carried out in Bureij after Hamas militants approached the yellow line delineating the half of Gaza occupied by Israel. It did not comment immediately on the Beit Lahiya strike. Israel has fired at civilians in the area around the yellow lines several times since the ceasefire agreement was reached in October. They often claim that militants are trying to?cross the line or attack troops. According to medical and police sources, a series of Israeli strikes have killed dozens Hamas-led members of the police force since October. Israeli 'airstrikes' have killed 25 people or more in Gaza over the past week. Last October, Israel and Hamas signed a deal that was brokered by the United States. The agreement was meant to stop violence in Palestinian territory. According to health officials in Gaza, Israeli attacks since then have killed at least 700 people. Israel claims that militant attacks in Gaza have resulted in the deaths of four soldiers. Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi and Hatem Maher; editing by Sam Holmes
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Trump claims US forces have cleared the Strait of Hormuz
U.S. President Donald Trump posted on his social media account on Saturday that the U.S. military had'started to clear a strait of Hormuz and that all of Iran’s minelaying vessels have been sunk. Trump said in a post on social media that he was "starting the process of clearing the?Strait of Hormuz". He added that "all 28 of Iran's mine dropper boats" were also at the bottom of sea. Trump has repeatedly claimed that American forces destroyed the?Irani navy and air force, while crippling their ballistic missiles and nuclear programs. Fear of Iranian attacks against shipping in the last few weeks has closed the 'Strait of Hormuz', an important conduit for oil supplies worldwide. The global energy market has been disrupted by the closing of the?strait. The price of gasoline in the United States has risen despite the fact that most oil flowing through the waterway doesn't go to the United States. On?Saturday, representatives from the U.S.A. and Iran began talks in Islamabad hosted by Pakistan amid a fragile truce. (Reporting and editing by Jan Harvey, Sergio Non, and Jason Lange)
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Libya signs its first state budget unified in over a decade
In a Saturday statement, the central bank of Libya said that two rival legislative bodies in Libya had approved 'the first unified budget for the country in more than a decade'. Since a civil war in 2014, which split the oil-producing country into two administrations in west and east, it has been divided. The country's last unified budget was approved in 2013. Abduljalel Shawesh told a reporter by phone, that the two legislative chambers in Tripoli had reached an agreement on the budget of 190 billion Libyan Dinars ($29,5 billion). Central?bank stated that the approval of budgets by both rival legislative chambers would help to strengthen financial stability. This is an important step towards a?ending of years of financial division. The signing ceremony was held at the headquarters of the central bank in Tripoli. The two legislative chambers in Egypt are the House of Representatives in the east (HoR), which was elected in 2014. And the High Council of State in the west (HSC), which was created as part of a political agreement in 2015 and whose members were selected from the 2012 parliament. Essa Aribi - a representative from the Benghazi HoR - and Shawesh – representing HSC – signed the agreement in Tripoli to approve the budget. Osama Hamid, the head of a parallel HoR government in the east, stated in a press release that the agreement was a cornerstone to launch balanced development programmes across the country "ensuring a faire distribution of resources." Shawesh stated that the internationally recognized Government of National Unity in Tripoli would be responsible for salaries, operational expenditures, and subsidies. A committee of all parties will discuss the priorities for the implementation of development project in the budget, under the auspices of central bank. He said that the HoR would be expected to present legislation for budget. He said that there was also an agreement to allocate 12 billion dinars to the state oil company National Oil Corporation. More than 95% the Libyan economy is dependent on oil. Shawesh stated that 40 billion dinars will be allocated to?development projects, 37 billion for subsides, 73 for salaries, 18 billion for family allowances and 10 billions for operational expenditure. Massad Boulos is the U.S. Senior Adviser on Arab and African Affairs. He said in a post on X he congratulated Libya 'on signing this agreement after months of U.S. facilitation as part of a broader road map toward peace and 'national unification. He said that the new budget will support the development of projects across the country and finance the National Oil Corporation to increase its energy production and revenue.
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Pakistani hotel with five-star rating is unlikely to host US-Iran meetings
The five-star Serena Hotel in Pakistan's capital is now the unanticipated venue for peace talks aimed at ending Iran's war. It has also cemented its reputation as Islamabad's fortified building. The city has been under unprecedented security in the lead up to the talks. Shops and offices were closed for two days before the arrival of U.S. vice president JD Vance who is leading an American delegation and senior Iranian officials. The Red Zone, where embassies and government offices are located, is cordoned off by thousands of security personnel, including paramilitary troops and army soldiers. Serena Hotel may seem like an unlikely?location for the high-stakes meetings, especially since Islamabad's most recent militant attack occurred at a Marriott hotel nearby in 2008. However, its beautiful grounds and Moorish-style architecture conceal a security system that is well-oiled. Former police chiefs and others cited its strategic location near the diplomatic zone, and the years it has been maintaining the safety of high profile guests. Tahir Alam, former Islamabad Police Chief said that the security personnel are well-trained because they are mostly retired security officials. The entry and exit points of the compound are located at a distance that is sufficient to enhance security. ?And?the?most significant factor is its easy access from important places such Prime Minister's House and Parliament House." The 15-acre hotel complex, which includes?more that 400 rooms, banquet halls and conference rooms, can accommodate hundreds of guests. This is ideal for the U.S. delegations and the Iranian delegations?who are over 150 in number. Kaleem imam, a former police chief, said: "It has multi-layered and strict security checks... Finally, it has strong coordination between the state's agencies of security."
Worthington Steel's Plan B in case Kloeckner deal falls through
Worthington Steel's Chief Executive said that if a $2.4 bn deal to buy German metals traders Kloeckner & Co falls through, it would still have a number of options to choose from.
Geoff Gilmore's comments come just two weeks before the deadline for the 'offer expires, on March 12th. Worthington is required to secure at least 65% of Kloeckner shares in order to seal 'the deal'.
Worthington has looked at around 10 targets, including Kloeckner, a German company, and Gilmore, who said he is "highly confident" of achieving his goal. He already secured 53% by Kloeckner's largest shareholder,?Swoctem, as well as other tenders.
Gilmore stated that Kloeckner was the best choice for the job because he brought in the most synergies and positioned us the best strategically.
"But this doesn't mean that options two, four, five, and six aren't good options." "We would then have some good options to pursue if this doesn't happen," he said.
Thyssenkrupp is looking to sell its materials trading division. Ryerson has recently merged with Olympic Steel. (Reporting and editing by Friederike H. Heine, Tom Kaeckenhoff)
(source: Reuters)