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U.S. Seizure of Russian-Flagged Tanker Heightens Global Tensions

The ship, currently between Iceland and the British Isles, has been accused of breaking US sanctions and shipping Iranian oil. It has historically transported Venezuelan crude oil. The United States has seized a Russian‑flagged oil tanker linked to Venezuela after a prolonged pursuit across the Atlantic, marking one of the most assertive enforcement actions under Washington’s sanctions program. The vessel, previously known as Bella‑1 and later renamed Marinera , was intercepted after evading an earlier boarding attempt near Venezuelan waters. U.S. military aircraft and naval units tracked the ship for weeks as it traveled across the Atlantic, at times shadowed by Russian naval vessels. Officials say the tanker was part of a network used to transport sanctioned Venezuelan and Russian oil. Its capture underscores Washington’s efforts to disrupt what it describes as illicit energy shipments that help sustain both governments. The operation comes at a delicate geopolitical moment, wit...

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China’s Economic Recovery in 2024: Challenges and Opportunities



China’s economy is expected to face a “slow and bumpy” recovery in 2024, according to a report by Bloomberg News. The report suggests that China is likely to hit its growth goal of about 5% for 2023, but deflation risks, the housing crisis, and a lingering confidence crunch could derail efforts to build momentum in 2024.

The Chinese government has been implementing targeted stimulus measures to boost the economy, but the recovery is expected to be slow and bumpy as these measures trickle through to investment sectors and the property recovery proceeds at a snail-like pace.


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