Sweden on Thursday reported a fourth gas leak in the Baltic Sea, widening the scope of the suspected sabotage.
It came as Nato members vowed a "united and determined response" to any deliberate attack against their energy infrastructure.
Germany called on Nato to step in and protect pipelines after the apparent undersea explosions, which Chancellor Olaf Scholz said had closed the door on any imports from Russia for the foreseeable future.
Gas was bubbling to the Baltic surface for a fourth day and was expected to keep pouring out until the two Nord Stream pipelines were empty, which could take more than a week.
Swedish coastguards patrolling the turbulent waters announced on Thursday that a second leak had been found in Sweden’s maritime zone, to add to the two in Danish waters.
The parallel, Russian-controlled Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines each have two known leaks after the latest damage was discovered, Swedish media said.
Nato's 30 members said current information "indicates that this is the result of deliberate, reckless and irresponsible acts of sabotage".
"We, as allies, have committed to prepare for, deter and defend against the coercive use of energy and other hybrid tactics by state and non-state actors. Any deliberate attack against allies’ critical infrastructure would be met with a united and determined response," a joint statement said.
Amid speculation of Russian involvement, German diplomat Miguel Berger said a non-state actor could not have caused the apparent blasts. However, he said investigators would have to wait until the gas has stopped leaking.
“We have to wait until all the gas is out because currently it’s too dangerous to investigate, so that means maybe in another 10 days we will know a little bit more,” Mr Berger, Germany’s ambassador to Britain, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
“I think we need to discuss what has happened within Nato and take conclusions for our critical infrastructure. What about our critical infrastructure, undersea cables, pipelines, telephone networks? All of that, I think, needs now additional surveillance.”
Seismographs in Germany, Denmark and Sweden all reported two separate spikes on Monday near where the leaks were discovered. Danish scientists said the tremors did not appear to be natural earthquakes.
Norway, the biggest gas exporter to Europe since Russia supplies dried up, announced it was increasing security on its continental shelf after the Nord Stream leaks and reports of increased drone activity.
A former Polish foreign minister added to the calls for Nato involvement on Wednesday by saying warships, submarines or military aircraft could be sent to guard the Baltic.
While Russia argued it had no interest in blowing up its own pipelines, some interpreted the blast as a warning from Moscow that it could step up its meddling with Europe’s energy supplies.
"We have to be able to deal with, as the last 24 hours have shown, events happening around us that Russia may be behind, that are hybrid in nature, are not to do with overt military conflict but are testing the alliance and indeed the European Union in different ways," said Angus Lapsley, an assistant secretary general of Nato.
Exports through Nord Stream 1 were drastically reduced over the summer and stopped altogether in September, deepening the European energy crisis. Nord Stream 2 was suspended by Germany in February.
Mr Berger said it was not yet known whether the pipelines could ever be repaired and potentially go back into operation.
Russian officials sought to deflect the suspicion by hinting at American involvement, after the US heavily lobbied its European allies not to go ahead with Nord Stream 2.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the suggestion of Russian involvement and said "many more aircraft and vessels belonging to Nato countries have been spotted in the area".
Russia-friendly accounts recalled a statement by US President Joe Biden in February that Washington would “bring an end” to Nord Stream 2 if Russia invaded Ukraine.
The State Department in Washington described the counter-narrative as Russian disinformation and dismissed the suggestion of US involvement.
“The idea that the United States was in any way involved in the apparent sabotage of these pipelines is preposterous,” said department spokesman Ned Price.
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
Company%20profile
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Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
'The Sky is Everywhere'
Director:Josephine Decker
Stars:Grace Kaufman, Pico Alexander, Jacques Colimon
Rating:2/5
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Results
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About Krews
Founder: Ahmed Al Qubaisi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Founded: January 2019
Number of employees: 10
Sector: Technology/Social media
Funding to date: Estimated $300,000 from Hub71 in-kind support
Sheer grandeur
The Owo building is 14 storeys high, seven of which are below ground, with the 30,000 square feet of amenities located subterranean, including a 16-seat private cinema, seven lounges, a gym, games room, treatment suites and bicycle storage.
A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Company Profile
Company name: Big Farm Brothers
Started: September 2020
Founders: Vishal Mahajan and Navneet Kaur
Based: Dubai Investment Park 1
Industry: food and agriculture
Initial investment: $205,000
Current staff: eight to 10
Future plan: to expand to other GCC markets
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
RESULT
Argentina 0 Croatia 3
Croatia: Rebic (53'), Modric (80'), Rakitic (90' 1)
MATCH INFO
England 241-3 (20 ovs)
Malan 130 no, Morgan 91
New Zealand 165 all out (16.5ovs)
Southee 39, Parkinson 4-47
England win by 76 runs
Series level at 2-2
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
Malcolm & Marie
Directed by: Sam Levinson
Starring: John David Washington and Zendaya
Three stars
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
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
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