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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 Engages WHO Amid Rising HMPV Cases




The Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed on Friday that it has been in close communication with the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding the recent surge in human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases. The Chinese government emphasized its commitment to public health, both for its citizens and foreign nationals within the country.

HMPV, a respiratory virus that has been circulating in humans for over 60 years, typically causes symptoms similar to the common cold or flu. According to the latest report from China's Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HMPV cases remain high, aligning with trends observed in other parts of the northern hemisphere.

Despite the rise in cases, the Chinese government reassured the public that HMPV is not a new or unknown virus. "It is alarmist to exaggerate common viruses as unknown viruses, which goes against scientific common sense," stated Guo Jiakun, a foreign ministry spokesperson.

The WHO has also been in contact with Chinese health officials and has not received any reports of unusual outbreak patterns. Both organizations continue to monitor the situation closely, ensuring that appropriate measures are in place to manage the spread of respiratory diseases.



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