A shipment of Iranian fuel is on its way to Venezuela, tracking data showed on Wednesday, despite strong US sanctions against Tehran’s oil exports.
The Iran-flagged medium tanker Clavel had set sail for the crisis-hit South American country, Reuters reported, citing vessel tracking data from analyst Refinitiv Eikon.
The data suggests the tanker loaded fuel at Bandar Abbas port in Iran at the end of March, and passed through the Suez Canal and into the Atlantic on Wednesday at a time of heightened tension between Washington, Tehran and Caracas.
The tanker may be one of several oil shipments that Iran is sending to Venezuela.
Four other vessels of a similar size, sailing under Iranian flags, are following the path from Bandar Abbas to the Atlantic but have not indicated their final destination.
Iran has been helping to restart operations at Venzuela’s 310,000 barrel-per-day Cardon refinery, with several flights carrying vital materials arriving since last month.
Venezuela's refining network has all but collapsed because of under-investment and lack of maintenance in recent years under socialist President Nicolas Maduro, who has overseen an economic disaster.
Last year, the US imposed sanctions on state oil company Petroleos de Venezuela as part of Washington's efforts to remove Mr Maduro.
The US State Department was not immediately available to comment to The National.
Venezuela’s embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for a statement.
The delivery constitutes a double breach of US sanctions on the oil sectors of Iran and Venezuela, which prohibit transactions without certain waivers.
Tension between Washington and Caracas are at an all-time high after Mr Maduro accused the US of attempting “a failed invasion”, after his security foiled a bizarre attempt to overthrow him.
Two US citizens have been arrested and are facing trial for allegedly trying to carry out a coup in the country, but the US administration of President Donald Trump has denied any involvement.
On Wednesday, the US State Department notified Congress that Iran and Venezuela, as well as North Korea, Syria and Cuba, were certified under the Arms Export Control Act as “not co-operating fully” with US counter-terrorism efforts in 2019.
“This is the first year that Cuba has been certified as not fully co-operating since 2015,” it said.
The move blocks the sale or licence for export of defence articles and services to those countries.
$1,000 award for 1,000 days on madrasa portal
Daily cash awards of $1,000 dollars will sweeten the Madrasa e-learning project by tempting more pupils to an education portal to deepen their understanding of math and sciences.
School children are required to watch an educational video each day and answer a question related to it. They then enter into a raffle draw for the $1,000 prize.
“We are targeting everyone who wants to learn. This will be $1,000 for 1,000 days so there will be a winner every day for 1,000 days,” said Sara Al Nuaimi, project manager of the Madrasa e-learning platform that was launched on Tuesday by the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, to reach Arab pupils from kindergarten to grade 12 with educational videos.
“The objective of the Madrasa is to become the number one reference for all Arab students in the world. The 5,000 videos we have online is just the beginning, we have big ambitions. Today in the Arab world there are 50 million students. We want to reach everyone who is willing to learn.”
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)
Visit Abu Dhabi culinary team's top Emirati restaurants in Abu Dhabi
Yadoo’s House Restaurant & Cafe
For the karak and Yoodo's house platter with includes eggs, balaleet, khamir and chebab bread.
Golden Dallah
For the cappuccino, luqaimat and aseeda.
Al Mrzab Restaurant
For the shrimp murabian and Kuwaiti options including Kuwaiti machboos with kebab and spicy sauce.
Al Derwaza
For the fish hubul, regag bread, biryani and special seafood soup.
The%20specs
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
The specs: 2018 Audi RS5
Price, base: Dh359,200
Engine: 2.9L twin-turbo V6
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 450hp at 5,700rpm
Torque: 600Nm at 1,900rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.7L / 100km
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
TALE OF THE TAPE
Manny Pacquiao
Record: 59-6-2 (38 KOs)
Age: 38
Weight: 146lbs
Height: 166cm
Reach: 170cm
Jeff Horn
Record: 16-0-1 (11 KOs)
Age: 29
Weight: 146.2lbs
Height: 175cm
Reach: 173cm
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
Five films to watch
Castle in the Sky (1986)
Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
Only Yesterday (1991)
Pom Poki (1994)
The Tale of Princess Kaguya (2013)
