Ukraine drones target ethanol plants in Russia, Telegram channels say
Russian channels on Telegram said that Ukrainian drones attacked ethanol plants in Russia’s southern region Voronezh. The regional governor confirmed the report, saying the attack caused two injuries, ignited a fire, and damaged two industries. Alexander Gusev said that the regional governor Alexander Gusev confirmed on Telegram that firefighters had extinguished the fire which injured two workers in the Anninsky District of the region.
Russia claims it has disrupted Ukraine’s power grid and weapons supplies with a massive strike
Russia announced on Monday that it had launched a massive attack on Ukraine, which it claimed had disrupted electricity supplies and rail transport of weapons and ammunition to front-line positions. Ukrainian officials claimed earlier that Russia launched over 100 missiles, and approximately 100 drones of attack at Ukraine during morning rush hour. And striking energy plants nationwide.
Oil Prices Extend Losses After Saudi Pledge
Oil prices retreated about 2% on Wednesday, extending the previous day's declines after Saudi Arabia said it would quickly restore full production following last weekend's attacks on its facilities and as U.S. crude stockpiles rose unexpectedly.Tension in the Middle East remained elevated, however, after the Saudi Defence Ministry held a news conference…
Trump Troubled About Oil Flow into North Korea
U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday said he was "very disappointed that China is allowing oil to go into North Korea" and that such moves would prevent "a friendly solution" to the crisis over Pyongyang's nuclear program. "Caught RED HANDED - very disappointed that China is allowing oil to go into North Korea. There will never be a friendly solution…
Rule Changes to Spur French Wind Power Projects Within Months
France will propose rule changes within six months that will remove administrative hurdles and speed the development of onshore wind power projects, its junior ecology minister said. France, which depends on nuclear power for over 75 percent of its electricity needs, plans to ramp up the development of renewable energies during the five-year term of President Emmanuel Macron so as to reduce its dependence on atomic power.
Gotland Says 'No' to Harbour Deal with Nord Stream
The Swedish Baltic island of Gotland has heeded government security concerns and will reject a request from Russian gas firm Gazprom to rent a harbour to support construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, an island official said on Wednesday. At the same time, the southeastern city of Karlshamn, which had similar plans to lease a harbour to the Russian state-controlled firm, delayed a vote on the contract.
Japan Slams China Over Maritime Issues
Japan has accused China of being assertive over maritime issues, taking actions that effectively amount to a "fait accompli", reports Strait Times. In its 484-page annual defence white paper on Tuesday (Aug 2), the defence ministry said the aggressive actions by China could "cause unintended consequences", referring to past incidents including one where a China naval frigate entered Japan's contiguous zone this year…
China's Navy holds Missile Combat Resupply Drill
China's navy held its first drill simulating the resupply of missiles in a combat environment in the Yellow Sea, the Defence Ministry said on Thursday, the latest sign of the country's growing military prowess. The live-fire exercises, involving ships, aircraft and land-based forces, featured the firing of missiles, torpedoes and shells, some of which were new models, the ministry said in a statement on its website.
China's Air Drills Roil South China Sea Waters
China's air force conducted its first drill above the western Pacific Ocean on Monday, the Defence Ministry said, in a move that could exacerbate tensions with its South China Sea neighbours including Taiwan and the Philippines. People's Liberation Army aircraft conducted exercises over the western Pacific Ocean after they flew over the Bashi Channel, said Shen Jinke, an air force spokesman.
Cyprus: Turkish Vessel Encroaching on its Offshore Gas Areas
Cyprus said on Monday a Turkish research vessel had encroached on an area off its southern coast where it is searching for gas, and it was preparing counter-measures in an escalating row over rights to hydrocarbons in the eastern Mediterranean. Cyprus, a member of the European Union, has become particularly keen to develop offshore gas reserves as a potential…
French Wind Turbines Avoid Radar Interference
Denmark's Vestas to build 1st stealth turbines in France; new blades use surface coatings inspired by warplanes. Vestas studying export potential of the new technology; growing tensions between French army and wind industry. France is building the world's first wind farm with turbine blades designed to minimise interference with radar systems, using technology partially inspired by stealth warplanes.
Greek Warship Evacuates Libya Personnel
Greece safely evacuated embassy staff and more than one hundred Chinese and European nationals from Libya early on Friday with a navy frigate sailing back to the Greek port of Piraeus, its defence ministry said. Athens had sent a frigate and two other vessels to Libya to evacuate workers at its embassy in Tripoli on Thursday. The past two weeks of fighting…
Yemen Oil Flow Resumes After Pipeline Repair
Yemen resumed pumping crude oil through its main export pipeline on Thursday, an oil official said, after repairs took place under army protection and seven people were killed in brief clashes between solders and tribesmen. Tribesmen on July 12 blew up the pipeline in the Serwah area of the central Maarib province, halting crude flows and disrupting a main source of revenue for the impoverished state.
EU Freezes Assets of Two Firms Accused of Supplying Oil to Syria
The European Union on Wednesday froze the assets of two oil- trading firms accused of organizing covert shipments of oil to Syria. They were among nine organizations and three people added to the EU's Syria sanctions list, published in the bloc's Official Journal. Also listed were branches of the Syrian Defence Ministry. The government of Syrian President…
East Ukraine Referendum Raises Fears Of Dismemberment
Rebels pressed ahead with a referendum on self-rule in east Ukraine on Sunday and fighting flared anew in a conflict that has raised fears of civil war and pitched Russia and the West into their worst crisis since the Cold War. Clashes broke out around a television tower on the outskirts of the rebel stronghold of Slaviansk shortly before voters made their way to polling stations through streets blocked by barricades of felled trees…
NATO Experts Advise Ukraine On Nuclear Plant Safety
NATO experts have visited Ukraine to advise authorities there on improving the safety of nuclear power plants, gas pipelines and other critical infrastructure amid growing violence and fears of conflict with Russia, officials said on Wednesday. Ukraine's Ambassador to NATO, Ihor Dolhov, said the NATO civilian experts had visited Ukraine last month to assess critical infrastructure such as nuclear plants…
Mediator Heads To East Ukraine, Seeking Surrenders
A mediator from Europe's OSCE security body headed to eastern Ukraine on Saturday seeking the surrender of pro-Russian separatists as the Kiev government declared an Easter truce following a peace accord with Moscow. Gunmen occupying public buildings in Donetsk and other Russian-speaking border towns refuse to recognise an accord in Geneva on Thursday by which Russia, Ukraine and Kiev's U.S.
Russian Markets Hit as Putin tightens Grip on Crimea
Moscow stocks fall 10 pct, rouble down 2.5 pct over war jitters. Ukraine border guards say build-up of Russian armoured vehicles near Crimea. EU ministers meet but no immediate sanctions expected. Russia took a financial hit over its military intervention in neighbouring Ukraine, with its markets and currency plunging on Monday as President Vladimir Putin's forces tightened their grip on the Russian-speaking Crimea region.
