Latest news with #LR
Straits Times
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Iran used drug traffickers to stoke trouble in France, says minister
FILE PHOTO: French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau speaks during an end-of-campaign rally for the presidency of the Les Republicains (LR) party in Boulogne-Billancourt near Paris, France, May 11, 2025. REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq/File Photo Iran used drug traffickers to stoke trouble in France, says minister PARIS - France has evidence that Iran has used intermediaries in the past to hire drug traffickers to carry out activities in France on its behalf and could do so again, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said on Sunday. France is on heightened alert following U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities overnight. "Iran uses proxies that are often linked to drug traffickers. They get a contract and don't even know that the contract is linked to the Iranian regime," Retailleau told LCI television. "But that's the modality used by Iran on (our)national territory." Retailleau did not say what activities had been carried out in France and gave no specific evidence. Iran's embassy was not immediately available for comment. "It's very simple. These are contracts through intermediaries that don't link back to the regime," Retailleau said. Highlighting the heightened security threat, Retailleau also referred to a foiled plot in July 2018 to blow up an opposition rally near Paris where several Iranians were arrested after a joint Franco-German-Belgian operation. The plot was led by Vienna-based Iranian diplomat Assadolah Assadi and three others, according to court documents. Assadi, who French officials said was running an Iranian state intelligence network and was acting on orders from Tehran, was sentenced in Belgium to a 20-year prison term in 2021. He was exchanged in May 2023 for four Europeans held in Iran. Iran has repeatedly denied carrying out destabilising activities in Europe. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
World's first Aframax tanker with wind-assisted propulsion delivered
Classification society Lloyd's Register (LR) has announced the successful delivery of Brands Hatch, which is claimed to be the world's first newbuild Aframax tanker equipped with wind-assisted propulsion. Built by Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding for Union Maritime, the 114,000DWT Brands Hatch vessel features three 37.5m tall WindWings by BAR Technologies. These sails are designed to adjust intelligently for optimal aerodynamic efficiency, offering additional thrust that can reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions. BAR Technologies CEO John Cooper said: 'The WindWings equipped vessel forms part of UML's broader energy transition strategy, and the success of this project paves the way for additional vessels of similar size and configuration under LR Class. 'This includes another with the same owner, ship type and technology that is already underway at Yangzijiang Shipyard, with WindWings again manufactured by China Merchants Energy Tech in Shanghai.' The WindWings system has demonstrated potential daily fuel savings of up to 14.5t and CO₂ emission reductions of up to 45t under ideal conditions. Annually, the tanker is expected to save approximately 12% on fuel, which translates to nearly 5,000t of CO₂ savings. LR provided comprehensive technical services from the design stage to the vessel's delivery. This included Approval in Principle, HAZID/HAZOP processes, and design appraisal. Furthermore, LR ensured the WindWings installation complied with strict safety standards and coordinated with flag authorities. The classification society's involvement continued through to the supervision of installation and sea trials, affirming the system's effectiveness and the vessel's seaworthiness. LR lead specialist Tony Han said: "As the first vessel in China to be equipped with the wind-wing system, LR has provided a comprehensive range of technical services to our clients. 'From drawing approvals to commissioning tests, LR has demonstrated its strong technical expertise in supporting the client. Building on the success of this project, we are looking to expand our collaboration with clients regarding the application of this new technology in the ship industry.' BAR Technologies received the Bureau Veritas Type Approval Design Certificate for its WindWings system in May. This certification endorses the WindWings for fleet integration and affirms its structural integrity, performance reliability, and commercial readiness after a thorough review process. "World's first Aframax tanker with wind-assisted propulsion delivered" was originally created and published by Ship Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
Hans India
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Hans India
Long wait for DLL continues to bug applicants in Hyd'bad
Hyderabad: Motorists are facing inconvenience as the Road Transport Authorities are delaying the application process for the (DLL) drivers' learning licence. For applying learners' licences, the applicants are forced to wait between 15-20 days. According to the transport unions, earlier, for applying for the learners' licence, the slot was booked in a day to two, but now the applicants who were applying the LR were forced to wait more than two weeks to get their slot bookings. However, the transport department cited staff crunch as the reason for the delay. K Akhil, an applicant at Moosarambagh RTO said, 'I applied for a learner's licence online, but my slot is very late. Earlier, it was just a process of days to get LL, but now I received a slot after 23 days.' He said that he had applied on June 4, and received the slot for June 24. The general secretary of the Telangana Auto and Motor Welfare Union, M Dayanand, raised concerns about the transport department's failure in delays in process and issuing LL. 'The delay of the process has irked the applicants, especially the college going students who have turned 18. The process which takes a day or two is now taking 15–20 days just to issue a slot for the applicants, which is considerably lengthening the process of acquiring the driving licence.' Dayanand expressed concern over the shortage of staff, particularly transport inspectors, across all RTAs in Greater Hyderabad. He questioned why the applicant should have to suffer the consequences of this staffing issue regarding transport matters. He said, 'The government has to fill the posts in the transport department to streamline the process in the RTA.' According to sources, daily over 300 such transactions were done in RTA offices in Greater Hyderabad. Though the application process for driving license is online, the applicants hesitate to use the facility, for the delay in slot booking and are taking help of agents and brokers. 'Most people seek the help of agents and brokers to get it done at the earliest, however, it was delayed and they are forced to pay a hefty amount,' said Dayanand.
LeMonde
11-06-2025
- Politics
- LeMonde
Will Macronism outlive Macron?
Euphoria can be a poor adviser. On May 20, two days after Bruno Retailleau's sweeping victory to lead France's conservative party (Les Républicains, LR), government spokesperson Sophie Primas, a member of LR herself, said: "Macronism will probably come to an end in the coming months, with the end of President Macron's second five-year term," provoking outrage among the most zealous Macron supporters. At the end of the following cabinet meeting, Primas, clearly embarrassed, requested a private conversation with the president. She didn't mean to say that Macronism was living out its final days, she told him, she simply wanted to remind people that its champion would not be able to run again in 2027, which would raise the question of "how to rebuild for the future." President Emmanuel Macron proved magnanimous: "We just have to be careful to maintain the balance within the government," which is made up of Macronists, centrists and conservatives.
India Today
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Won't allow Thug Life's release: Protests against Kamal Haasan intensify
After actor Kamal Haasan refused to apologise for his 'Kannada is born out of Tamil' statement, several pro-Kannada groups intensified their protest against the actor in Karnataka. Several videos and photos from the protest surfaced online, in which they were seen burning Haasan's effigies demanding a ban on his latest film 'Thug Life'.Members of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike burnt Haasan's effigy and posters in different parts of the state to add to the anger against the Tamil superstar for his contentious statement. The situation escalated further when Haasan, at an event, refused to issue an apology for his statement, and said, "Love will never apologise. I will apologise only if I am wrong. If I am not, I will not (sic)."SDPI burned Kamal Hasan Effigy, for portraying the truth as the producer in the biography movie Amaran that Major Mukund was killed by an Islamic guys just hate us - PERIOD. Indu Makkal Katchi (off) (@Indumakalktchi) November 7, 2024advertisementOn Saturday, pro-Kannada organisations led by LR Shivarame Gowda, Lok Sabha MP, and activists visited several cinema halls across the city, urging them not to screen 'Thug Life'. "We won't allow the release of this movie," they declared, appealing to theatre owners and the public to join their protest. The groups have demanded a complete ban on the film's release in Karnataka after the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), on Friday, announced a complete ban on the film in the state. Kannada actor Shiva Rajkumar sided with Haasan in the matter, which created trouble for him as protestors also lined up outside his house. His statement in which he appreciated Haasan's body of work, and his 'contribution to Kannada cinema' angered many. Visuals of people throwing stones at his house went viral on social media by Mani Ratnam, the film is scheduled to hit the screens on June InMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Kamal Haasan
