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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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ECB Maintains Record High Interest Rate Amid Debate Over Timing of Cuts

 

The European Central Bank (ECB) has decided to keep its key interest rate at a record high of 4% . The decision comes amid a growing debate over the timing of cuts, with some economists predicting a policy pivot starting in April and rate cuts of 150 basis points this year .

The ECB’s decision to maintain the interest rate at its current level is aimed at battling inflation, which has been ravaging the economy. The head of the ECB has warned that cutting interest rates too soon could threaten Europe’s progress in battling inflation.


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