2025-08-31 20:59

CAIRO, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Maritime agencies reported on Sunday that they received reports of an incident southwest of Saudi Arabia's Red Sea port city of Yanbu. A vessel reported "a splash in close proximity from an unknown projectile and heard a loud bang", the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said, adding that the vessel's crew were all safe and it was continuing to its next voyage. Sign up here. Shortly after UKMTO's report, British maritime security firm Ambrey also said it was aware of an incident 37.5 nautical miles southwest of Yanbu. Both firms did not identify the party responsible for the incident, but UKMTO said authorities were investigating. Yanbu is a port city located on Western Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast. Since 2023, Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis have been attacking vessels in the Red Sea that they deem to be affiliated with Israel in what they describe as support of Palestinians in Gaza. It was not immediately clear if the Houthis were involved. The Houthis did not immediately comment on the reported incident. Saudi Arabia led a coalition that launched a military campaign in Yemen from early 2015 to support the Gulf-backed government against the Houthis, who had seized the capital Sanaa in 2014. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/maritime-agencies-report-incident-southwest-saudi-arabias-red-sea-port-yanbu-2025-08-31/

2025-08-31 18:30

Aug 31 (Reuters) - The highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus was confirmed in poultry at a premises in southwestern England, the UK government said on Sunday. A 3 km (about 2 miles) protection zone and 10 km surveillance zone have been declared around the premises near Exminster in Devon, the government said, adding that "all poultry on the premises will be humanely culled." Sign up here. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/uk-confirms-h5n1-bird-flu-outbreak-southwestern-england-2025-08-31/

2025-08-31 17:23

Floodwaters sweep into 1,400 villages in eastern province Punjab flooding is province's worst for 39 years More than 800 killed in Pakistan floods since late June India's dam water release worsens floods, officials say Pakistani authorities have evacuated more than a million people from homes in Punjab province this week, officials said on Thursday, as the worst flooding there in four decades caused havoc in hundreds of villages and submerged vital grains crops. Torrential monsoon rain and neighbouring India's release of excess water from its dams swelled three rivers that flow into the eastern province, forcing authorities to breach river banks in some places - causing flooding in more than 1,400 villages, Punjab's disaster management authority said. Sign up here. Residents of villages such as Qadirabad were walking through water up to their chests on Thursday after the River Chenab overflowed, causing sudden flooding. "We spent the whole night awake and frightened," Nadeem Iqbal, 26, a labourer, told Reuters as he waded through the water with one of his children. "Everyone was frightened. Kids cried. Women were worried. We were helpless," he said. Officials say flooding has been worsened in Punjab - home to half of Pakistan's people and a major producer of wheat, rice and cotton - by the release of water into the three rivers, the Ravi, Sutlej and Chenab, from Indian dams that were full. India, which routinely releases water from dams when they get too full, passed on three flood warnings to its arch rival Pakistan this week, calling them a humanitarian measure. Both countries are battling a heavy monsoon season that has unleashed flash floods. At least 60 people have died this month in hard-hit Indian Kashmir, while Pakistan's death toll since late June stands at 819. At least 12 people have died this week in Punjab province, said Marriyum Aurangzeb, a senior minister in the provincial government. 'THREAT EVADED' The waters of the Chenab threatened early on Thursday to burst through a 3,300-foot (1,000-metre) concrete barrage at Qadirabad that regulates flows, siphoning some of the water into a canal irrigation network. A collapse of the barrage would have inundated two nearby towns. To avert the danger, authorities deliberately blew up part of the riverbank at two places to release water onto nearby land before it reached the barrage, the provincial disaster management authority said. By Thursday afternoon, the level was down to 754,966 cusec, having reached nearly 1 million cusec overnight – well over its capacity of 800,000 cusec. A cusec is a flow of volume equivalent to one cubic foot, or 28 cubic litres, every second. "We have evaded the threat," a spokesperson for the authority said. Officials said shifting weather patterns were to blame for the floods in Pakistan, which has repeatedly been battered by flooding in recent years. In 2022, unprecedented flash floods caused by historic monsoon rains washed away roads, crops, infrastructure and bridges, killing at least 1,000 people. The head of Pakistan's National Disaster Management Agency, Inam Haider Malik, said that for the first time, weather systems coming from the east, south and west had converged over Pakistan this monsoon season. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said climate change "is the new normal". "But it isn't unmanageable," he added. On the other side of the India-Pakistan border, Himalayan river levels began to recede after days of downpours and forecasters said they expected the rain to start easing from Thursday. https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/pakistan-evacuates-million-people-farming-belt-hit-by-worst-floods-decades-2025-08-28/

2025-08-31 16:13

MUMBAI, Aug 31 (Reuters) - India is likely to get above-average monsoon rainfall in September after receiving 5% above-normal rains in August, the state-run weather department said on Sunday. Above-normal rainfall could damage India's summer-sown crops like rice, cotton, soybean, corn, and pulses, which are typically harvested from mid-September. Sign up here. All regions, except northeastern states and the southern states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, are likely to receive rainfall equating to 109% of the 50-year average in September, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. The monsoon is the lifeblood of India's nearly $4 trillion economy, delivering almost 70% of the rainfall needed to water farms and replenishing aquifers and reservoirs. Nearly half of India's farmland is not irrigated and depends on the annual June-September rains for crop growth. https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/india-likely-receive-above-average-monsoon-rainfall-september-2025-08-31/

2025-08-31 12:42

Both sides stepping up attacks on energy, power infrastructure Nearly 60,000 without power in Odesa in south, Chernihiv in north Zelenskiy says new 'deep strikes' being prepared against Russia KYIV, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Russian drone attacks on power facilities in northern and southern Ukraine overnight left nearly 60,000 customers without electricity, with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy vowing to retaliate by ordering more strikes deep inside Russia. Three and a half years into the war, Russia and Ukraine have both intensified airstrikes in recent weeks. Russia has targeted Ukraine's energy and transport systems, while Ukraine has been attacking Russian oil refineries and pipelines. Sign up here. "We will continue our active operations in exactly the way needed for Ukraine's defence. The forces and resources are prepared. New deep strikes have also been planned," Zelenskiy said on X after meeting Ukraine's top general, Oleksandr Syrsky, without giving further details of the plans. Ukraine's largest private energy company, DTEK, said Russian drones had attacked four energy facilities in the Odesa region during the night, and local authorities reported that 29,000 people were left without electricity early on Sunday. Hardest hit was the port city of Chornomorsk, just outside Odesa, where homes and administrative buildings were also damaged, said Oleh Kiper, the governor of the wider Odesa region. "Critical infrastructure is operating on generators," Kiper said on the Telegram messaging app. One person was injured in the attack, he said. In waters close to the strategically important port, a civilian bulk carrier flying the flag of Belize sustained minor damage after hitting an unknown explosive device, two sources told Reuters on condition of anonymity. POPE'S CEASEFIRE CALL Russian drones also targeted Ukraine's northern Chernihiv region early on Sunday, damaging energy infrastructure and leaving 30,000 households without electricity, including part of the city of Nizhyn, said local Governor Viacheslav Chaus. The Ukrainian military said Russia had attacked Ukraine with 142 drones overnight and its air defence forces managed to shoot down most of them but the drones struck 10 locations. Russia's Defence Ministry said its forces had hit Ukrainian port infrastructure that it said was used for military purposes. Reuters could not independently verify the reports. The intensified fighting in recent weeks comes as U.S. President Donald Trump leads a push to end the war, which began in February 2022 when Moscow launched a full-scale invasion. The Ukrainian military said on Sunday that despite Moscow's claims of a successful summer offensive, Russian forces had failed to gain full control of any major Ukrainian city and "grossly exaggerated" figures regarding captured territories. "Despite Gerasimov's claims, Russian forces have not gained full control over any major city," the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces said in a statement on social media. The Kremlin said on Sunday European powers were hindering Trump's peace efforts and that Russia would continue its operation in Ukraine until Moscow saw real signs that Kyiv was ready for peace. Moscow has twice launched large-scale attacks in the past week, killing dozens of civilians and destroying their homes and urban infrastructure. "The only one who wants war is Russia. Therefore, we will continue to exert pressure – it is Russia that needs to be pressured," Zelenskiy said in an evening statement. "We are counting on a strong position from the United States of America, Europe and the G20 countries. This war only destabilises global processes. Russia must pay for this. And it will," he added. The U.S. special envoy to Ukraine said Russian attacks undermined Trump's efforts to end the war, while Pope Leo on Sunday called for a ceasefire and dialogue. "It is time for those responsible to renounce the logic of arms and to take the path of negotiation and peace with the support of the international community," Leo said in his Sunday prayer with pilgrims in St. Peter's Square. https://www.reuters.com/world/ukraine-vows-retaliate-after-russian-attacks-power-sector-2025-08-31/

2025-08-31 08:29

E20 fuel lowers mileage by 2%-4%, says automakers body Older vehicles see a larger drop in mileage with E20 fuel India's Supreme Court to hear a public interest litigation on E20 fuel NEW DELHI, Aug 31 (Reuters) - India's roll-out of fuel blended with 20% ethanol will hurt a vehicle's mileage by 2%-4% but is safe to use, a lobby group representing the country's automakers said, aiming to assuage motorists' concerns in the world's third-largest car market. India set a 2025 target years ago for 20% ethanol blending in fuel, called E20, as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's focus on clean energy. But in recent weeks it has become the only choice at nearly all fuel stations, causing furore among drivers over its impact on vehicle performance and durability, especially older vehicles. Sign up here. Using E20 fuel in older vehicles lowers mileage but is not a safety risk, P.K. Banerjee, executive director at the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), told reporters late on Saturday at a news event in New Delhi. "Millions of vehicles are plying on E20 for quite some time now. Not a single vehicle breakdown or engine failure has been reported," said Banerjee, adding that if issues arise, warranty and insurance claims will be fully honoured by companies. SIAM represents India's major carmakers including Maruti Suzuki (MRTI.NS) , opens new tab, Hyundai Motor (HYUN.NS) , opens new tab, Mahindra & Mahindra (MAHM.NS) , opens new tab, Tata Motors (TAMO.NS) , opens new tab and Toyota Motor (7203.T) , opens new tab. More than a dozen executives from auto companies, fuel retailers and industry groups were present on stage, addressing questions from the media at the event on India's ethanol-blended petrol programme. Banerjee said claims of a 50% drop in fuel efficiency are unfounded and misinformed. Scientific studies conducted in a controlled environment show a 2%-4% decrease, putting a number to the reduction for the first time, he said. However, driving in real world conditions can contribute to higher drops in mileage due to a variety of factors. "On road it could be very different because of the way in which the vehicles are maintained and driven so that difference will be there," said C.V. Raman, executive committee member at Maruti Suzuki, India's biggest carmaker. While India has been gradually rolling out E20 fuel since 2023, older blends, like E5 and E10, typically seen as more compatible with older vehicles, were also offered. However, these older fuel mixes have now been removed from nearly all of the country's 90,000 fuel stations, leaving drivers with just one choice - a decision that is unlikely to change. In recent weeks, worried motorists took to social media over concerns about large fuel efficiency drops and confusing statements from carmakers. Carmakers first said E20 fuel had not been tested for compatibility with older vehicles, but backtracked later saying it is safe to use. Automakers, already battling slower sales and shortages of rare-earth magnets, have provided mixed guidance, adding to consumer anger over the lack of choice. Public interest litigation against the move will be heard in the Supreme Court on Monday. https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/indian-automakers-say-ethanol-fuel-hurts-mileage-is-safe-motorists-complain-2025-08-31/