By Katharine Jackson (Reuters) - A U.S. Coast Guard lieutenant accused of amassing a cache of weapons and plotting to attack Democratic politicians and journalists was ordered held for two weeks on Thursday while federal prosecutors consider charging him with more crimes. Chris Hasson, 49, appeared in a burgundy jumpsuit but did not speak during a brief hearing in federal … [Read more...]
Iran Conducts Large Scale 100 Vessel War Game
by Robin Pomeroy (Reuters) - Iran on Friday began large-scale naval drills at the mouth of the Gulf, which will feature its first submarine cruise missile launches, state media reported, at a time of rising tensions with the United States. More than 100 vessels were taking part in the three-day war games in a vast area stretching from the Strait of Hormuz to the Indian … [Read more...]
Despite Putin’s Swagger, Russian Navy Struggles To Modernize
by Andrew Osborn (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin calls improving the Russian navy’s combat capabilities a priority. The unfinished husks of three guided-missile frigates that have languished for three years at a Baltic shipyard show that is easier said than done. Earmarked for Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, the frigates fell victim to sanctions imposed by Ukraine in 2014 … [Read more...]
Maersk Shares Sink As Trade War Looms
by Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen (Reuters) - The world’s largest container shipping company, A.P. Moller-Maersk, warned trade headwinds would slow growth this year, sending its shares down 10 percent on Thursday. Maersk is also moving ahead with spinning off Maersk Drilling, announcing it expected its new listing in Copenhagen to begin trading on April 4. Maersk Line in … [Read more...]
Crews To Abandon Two Venezuelan Tankers Stuck On Portugal
by Catarina Demony (Reuters) - The crew of Venezuelan oil tanker, the Rio Arauca, that has been stuck in the middle of the river Tagus in Lisbon for nearly two years due to unpaid debt, is set to be dismissed, managers Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) said on Thursday. BSM also said in a statement sent to Reuters another Venezuelan tanker, the Parnaso, which is in dry … [Read more...]