French President Emmanuel Macron held back from linking an oil tanker with mysterious drone flights over Danish airports on Wednesday, but said the ship had committed “serious offences”.
French authorities have been tight-lipped about the vessel, which is currently at anchor near the western city of Saint-Nazaire. The Brest prosecutor said on Tuesday that a probe had been opened after the crew failed to provide proof of the vessel's nationality and failed to comply with orders, but gave no further details.
Mr Macron said on Wednesday it was “a good thing” that France was investigating the oil tanker Boracay, which is suspected of belonging to the so-called shadow fleet involved in the Russian oil trade.
“There were some very serious offences committed by this crew, which justify the current judicial procedure,” Mr Macron said at an EU leaders' summit in Copenhagen.
According to the specialist website The Maritime Executive, the vessel is suspected of being involved in drone flights that disrupted air traffic in Denmark in September.
The publication said the tanker and other ships could have been used either as launch platforms or as decoys.
“I will remain very cautious,” Mr Macron said when asked about a possible link between the ship and drone flights, stressing the operation underlined the importance of European efforts to stop the “shadow fleet” of vessels aiding Russia to circumvent Western sanctions.
Mr Macron said the collective assessment was that Russia's shadow fleet contains 600 to 1,000 ships.
Shadow fleet tankers typically have opaque ownership and insurance and are often more than 20 years old.
The EU has placed sanctions on hundreds of ageing tankers used by Russia to circumvent oil export curbs imposed after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine to sap Moscow's war chest.
Among them is the Boracay, which was blacklisted in February under the name Kiwala. It was detained by Estonian authorities earlier this year for sailing without a valid country flag.
The Kremlin said on Wednesday it had no information about the vessel, but added the Russian military had to act sometimes to restore order when foreign countries had taken what spokesman Dmitry Peskov described as “provocative actions.”
It left the Russian port of Primorsk on September 20, according to MarineTraffic data. It sailed through the Baltic Sea and over the top of Denmark before entering the North Sea and transiting west through the Channel.
Ship tracking data show that the 2007-built tanker was being shadowed by a French warship after it rounded France's north-western tip, before altering course and heading east towards the French coast.
Hybrid war
Danish premier Mette Frederiksen on Wednesday urged Europe to step up its response to Russia's “hybrid war”, as she hosted EU leaders for defence talks held under tight security following mystery drone flights.
Thousands of police were on alert, civilian drones banned and reinforcements deployed from Nato allies to help protect the summit at the grand Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen.
“I hope that everybody recognises now that there is a hybrid war,” Ms Frederiksen said.
Denmark – which holds the EU's rotating presidency – has been rattled in recent days as unidentified drones shut down airports and flew near military sites.
Suspicions have pointed at Russia but so far no culprit has been definitively named.
Nonetheless the drone incidents have sharpened the focus on chinks in Europe's defences, after high-profile air incursions by Moscow in Poland and Estonia.
“We face the greatest security challenge since the end of the Second World War,” Ms Frederiksen said.
EU leaders in the Danish capital were pressing to flesh out details for priority defence projects, including a “drone wall” aimed at countering Russia's threat.
“It's a pattern, and this pattern is coming from Russia,” European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said.
“Russia tries to test us, but Russia also tries to sow division and anxiety in our societies. We will not let this happen.”
The EU says it wants to build a system of defences to detect, and ultimately take down, drones.
The bloc is looking to tap the war-tested expertise of Ukraine, whose President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will join for a broader gathering of European leaders on Thursday.
Confrontation
Wednesday's discussion was the latest step in the EU's efforts to get ready for a potential conflict with Russia by 2030 − as warnings swirl Moscow could look to attack in the coming years.
“We are in a confrontation with Russia,” Mr Macron said, pointing at Moscow's disinformation campaigns, cyber attacks and airspace violations.
He did not rule out downing a Russian fighter jet if it were to breach European airspace.
German daily newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung in an interview asked the French President if he was “in favour of shooting down a Russian fighter jet if it enters European airspace without authorisation”.
“In accordance with the doctrine of strategic ambiguity, I can tell you that nothing is ruled out,” Macron replied.
The 27-nation bloc has already come up with a €150 billion loan scheme to help fund defence spending, with the lion's share being snapped up by eastern countries.
Brussels has proposed countries now club together on four “flagship” projects − the drone wall, securing the eastern flank, missile defences and a space shield.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov criticised European plans for a drone wall. “As history has shown, erecting walls is always a bad thing,” Mr Peskov said.
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Expert advice
“Join in with a group like Cycle Safe Dubai or TrainYAS, where you’ll meet like-minded people and always have support on hand.”
Stewart Howison, co-founder of Cycle Safe Dubai and owner of Revolution Cycles
“When you sweat a lot, you lose a lot of salt and other electrolytes from your body. If your electrolytes drop enough, you will be at risk of cramping. To prevent salt deficiency, simply add an electrolyte mix to your water.”
Cornelia Gloor, head of RAK Hospital’s Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Centre
“Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can ride as fast or as far during the summer as you do in cooler weather. The heat will make you expend more energy to maintain a speed that might normally be comfortable, so pace yourself when riding during the hotter parts of the day.”
Chandrashekar Nandi, physiotherapist at Burjeel Hospital in Dubai
The%20Sandman
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Polarised public
31% in UK say BBC is biased to left-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is biased to right-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is not biased at all
Source: YouGov
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
Tewellah by Nawal Zoghbi is out now.
Company%20profile%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EYodawy%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Egypt%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKarim%20Khashaba%2C%20Sherief%20El-Feky%20and%20Yasser%20AbdelGawad%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHealthTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETotal%20funding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2424.5%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAlgebra%20Ventures%2C%20Global%20Ventures%2C%20MEVP%20and%20Delivery%20Hero%20Ventures%2C%20among%20others%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20500%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The distance learning plan
Spring break will be from March 8 - 19
Public school pupils will undergo distance learning from March 22 - April 2. School hours will be 8.30am to 1.30pm
Staff will be trained in distance learning programmes from March 15 - 19
Teaching hours will be 8am to 2pm during distance learning
Pupils will return to school for normal lessons from April 5
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Ain Dubai in numbers
126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure
1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch
16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.
9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.
5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place
192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Gulf rugby
Who’s won what so far in 2018/19
Western Clubs Champions League: Bahrain
Dubai Rugby Sevens: Dubai Hurricanes
West Asia Premiership: Bahrain
What’s left
UAE Conference
March 22, play-offs:
Dubai Hurricanes II v Al Ain Amblers, Jebel Ali Dragons II v Dubai Tigers
March 29, final
UAE Premiership
March 22, play-offs:
Dubai Exiles v Jebel Ali Dragons, Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Dubai Hurricanes
March 29, final
The specs: 2018 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy
Price, base / as tested Dh97,600
Engine 1,745cc Milwaukee-Eight v-twin engine
Transmission Six-speed gearbox
Power 78hp @ 5,250rpm
Torque 145Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 5.0L / 100km (estimate)
THE%20STRANGERS'%20CASE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20Brandt%20Andersen%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EOmar%20Sy%2C%20Jason%20Beghe%2C%20Angeliki%20Papoulia%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000
Engine 3.6L V6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm
Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Greatest Royal Rumble results
John Cena pinned Triple H in a singles match
Cedric Alexander retained the WWE Cruiserweight title against Kalisto
Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt win the Raw Tag Team titles against Cesaro and Sheamus
Jeff Hardy retained the United States title against Jinder Mahal
Bludgeon Brothers retain the SmackDown Tag Team titles against the Usos
Seth Rollins retains the Intercontinental title against The Miz, Finn Balor and Samoa Joe
AJ Styles remains WWE World Heavyweight champion after he and Shinsuke Nakamura are both counted out
The Undertaker beats Rusev in a casket match
Brock Lesnar retains the WWE Universal title against Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
Braun Strowman won the 50-man Royal Rumble by eliminating Big Cass last
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
Traits of Chinese zodiac animals
Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Dir: R Balki
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor, Radhika Apte
Three-and-a-half stars
