/article

Special Report: UAE emerges as hub for companies helping Venezuela avoid U.S. oil sanctions | Reuters
▻https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-oil-uae-specialreport-idUKKBN2930Y6

In June, the United States imposed sanctions on half a dozen oil tankers managed by established shipping firms. It was a major escalation of American attempts to choke off Venezuela’s oil trade.

Within weeks, a little-known company based in the United Arab Emirates took over management of several tankers that had been shipping Venezuelan oil. The vessels got new names. And then they resumed transporting Venezuelan crude.

The company, Muhit Maritime FZE, is one of three UAE-based entities identified by Reuters that have shipped Venezuelan crude and fuel during the second half of this year. Their role emerges from an examination of internal shipping documents from Venezuela’s state oil company as well as third-party shipping and vessel tracking data. Tankers managed by the firms have transported millions of barrels of oil produced by state-run Petroleos de Venezuela SA, or PDVSA, since June, according to the internal documents and a publicly available shipping database.

The activity shows how the UAE, one of Washington’s closest allies in the Middle East, is a hub for companies helping Venezuela skirt American sanctions. Washington hopes to topple socialist President Nicolas Maduro by cutting off the oil-rich nation’s crude exports.

The three companies - Muhit Maritime, Issa Shipping FZE and Asia Charm Ltd - did not respond to letters sent to their listed addresses, or to emails sent to their registered email addresses. Reuters was unable to determine the ultimate owners of the three. Their ownership and management details aren’t listed in the UAE’s publicly-available corporate registry.

The role of the three companies in transporting Venezuelan oil underscores how a raft of little-known entities has filled the void as Washington has sought to deter established buyers and shipping companies from facilitating the South American country’s crude exports.

Hitherto unknown companies surfaced this year as major buyers of Venezuelan crude, Reuters reported in November. Most of those buyers were registered this year by a Moscow-based trading firm. Russia is one of Venezuela’s closest allies.

Now, a similar pattern is emerging with companies involved in transporting the oil. The three UAE entities identified by Reuters have built their fleets since early 2019 with vessels that have since made mainly Venezuela-related journeys, according to Refinitiv Eikon vessel tracking data and Equasis, the shipping database. New York-based Refinitiv is part-owned by Reuters’ parent company, Thomson Reuters.

Google violated U.S. labor laws in clampdown on worker organizing, regulator says
▻https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-alphabet-google-labor/google-violated-u-s-labor-laws-in-clampdown-on-worker-organizing-regulat

OAKLAND, Calif. (Reuters) - The National Labor Relations Board issued a complaint on Wednesday accusing Alphabet Inc’s Google of unlawfully monitoring and questioning several workers who were then fired for protesting against company policies and trying to organize a union. The U.S. labor regulator found Google unlawfully placed employees on administrative leave and terminated them for accessing documents related to how the company polices internal forums, according to the complaint. The (...)

#Alphabet #Google #licenciement #surveillance #syndicat #travail

►https://static.reuters.com/resources/r

Amazon, Apple stay away from new French initiative to set principles for Big Tech
▻https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-france-tech/amazon-apple-stay-away-from-new-french-initiative-to-set-principles-for-

PARIS (Reuters) - U.S. tech giants Amazon and Apple have not signed up to a new French initiative to get global tech companies to publicly commit to principles including paying their fair share of taxes, government officials said on Monday. French President Emmanuel Macron has sought for the past three years to cajole tech giants into collaborating with governments on a series of global challenges such as fighting hate speech online, preserving privacy or contributing to state coffers. (...)

#Apple #Microsoft #Google #Amazon #Facebook #anti-terrorisme #écologie #pédophilie #pornographie #fiscalité #violence #GAFAM (...)

##fiscalité ##modération
►https://static.reuters.com/resources/r

Philippine police draw flak for plan to monitor social media on quarantine
▻https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-philippines-social/philippine-police-draw-flak-for-plan-to-monitor-social-media-on-quaranti

MANILA (Reuters) - Philippine police drew criticism from netizens and activists on Sunday for a plan to monitor social media to enforce quarantine rules, with critics accusing the authorities of authoritarianism and double standards. National Police Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar, head of a task force enforcing quarantine protocols, warned of fines and penalties of community service for people violating precautionary measures, while violators of liquor bans will face “additional (...)

#Facebook #COVID-19 #santé #SocialNetwork #surveillance

##santé
►https://static.reuters.com/resources/r

Le Forum Économique Mondial a été repoussé de janvier 2021 à l’été. La décision a été très difficile car, je cite : « Il est urgent pour les dirigeants de se mettre autour de la table pour élaborer le ’Grand Reset’ d’après Covid. »
C’est juste moi ou :
– pourquoi repousser de 6 mois un forum importantissime alors que l’épidémie est terminée (dixit beaucoup de spécialistes), on nous cacherait quelque chose ?
– Euh, c’est quoi, le ’Grand Reset’ ? On en a parlé à la télé ? Suppression du système de création monétaire par la dette et monnaie libre pour tous ? Vous croyez ?
Et d’ailleurs, pourquoi un ’Grand Reset’ serait-il nécessaire ? La faute au Covid-19 ? Mes lecteurs connaissent déjà la réponse.
▻https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-davos-meeting-2021-idUKKBN25M1QH

Facebook election plan patches some holes, creates others
▻https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-facebook-analysis/facebook-election-plan-patches-some-holes-creates-others-idUKKBN25V0M8

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Facebook Inc’s FB.O final policy changes in the lead-up to U.S. elections in November are unlikely to stem a flood of disinformation around the vote, which could suppress turnout and sow confusion about results, election experts said on Friday. Restrictions on paid messaging were a net positive, experts said, but warned such moves did little to address the biggest threat : the organic spread of falsehoods. Some said the new rules may even make it harder for (...)

#Facebook #élections #modération #publicité

##publicité
►https://static.reuters.com/resources/r

EU raises its bet on blood plasma in search for COVID-19 therapy - Reuters
▻https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-eu-plasma-idUKKBN24A1N2

The European Union wants to fast-track funding to treat COVID-19 patients with blood plasma collected from survivors, an EU document seen by Reuters shows, in a sign of the bloc’s growing confidence in the experimental treatment.

The move also highlights the more assertive approach being taken by the 27-nation union in the race to find effective drugs and vaccines against the new coronavirus, after the United States scooped up several promising candidates.

The European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, has invited national blood authorities to apply for possible emergency funding by July 10 to boost their collection of convalescent plasma, which is obtained from people who have recovered from COVID-19, the document seen by Reuters said.

Funds could be used to buy equipment to collect, store and test convalescent plasma, the document said, adding the money could come from the Emergency Support Instrument (ESI), a European rainy-day fund.

The use of the ESI could allow funds to be provided this year. Usually EU funding projects are planned years in advance.

Money from the 2.7-billion-euro ($3 billion) ESI has so far only been used or committed for highly sensitive issues, such as buying scarce face masks at the peak of the pandemic in Europe and advance purchase of potential COVID-19 vaccines.

Over 300 million euros have been spent and about 2 billion is pencilled in to buy possible vaccines, EU officials told Reuters. This leaves some 400 million euros available.

#plasma_sanguin

Google-backed groups criticize Apple’s new warnings on user tracking
▻https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-google-apple/google-backed-groups-criticize-apples-new-warnings-on-user-tracking-idUK

A group of European digital advertising associations on Friday criticized Apple Inc’s (AAPL.O) plans to require apps to seek additional permission from users before tracking them across other apps and websites. Apple last week disclosed features in its forthcoming operating system for iPhones and iPads that will require apps to show a pop-up screen before they enable a form of tracking commonly needed to show personalized ads. Sixteen marketing associations, some of which are backed by (...)

#Alphabet #Apple #Google #microtargeting #profiling #publicité

##publicité
►https://s4.reutersmedia.net/resources/r

Canada’s biggest banks join boycott of Facebook platforms
▻https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-facebook-ads-boycott/canadas-biggest-banks-join-boycott-of-facebook-platforms-idUKKBN24427Y

TORONTO (Reuters) - Canada’s biggest lenders confirmed on Friday they had joined a widespread boycott of Facebook Inc begun by U.S. civil rights groups seeking to pressure the world’s largest social media platform to take concrete steps to block hate speech. More than 400 brands have pulled advertising on Facebook in response to the “Stop Hate for Profit” campaign, begun after the death of George Floyd, a Black man who died in police custody in Minneapolis on May 25. Canadian lenders Royal (...)

#Facebook #racisme #BlackLivesMatter #discrimination #profiling #publicité

##publicité
►https://s2.reutersmedia.net/resources/r

France wants 5G auction in September, junior minister tells Le Figaro
▻https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-france-5g/france-wants-5g-auction-in-september-junior-minister-tells-le-figaro-idU

PARIS (Reuters) - France wants to launch its planned auction of 5G frequencies in September so that the fifth generation mobile network can be deployed by year-end, junior economy minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher said in remarks published on Friday. In February, telecoms regulator Arcep had said it was hoping to award the 5G licences by June, but after France went into coronavirus lockdown mid-March, Arcep postponed the sale and said a new date would depend on the progression of the health (...)

#Bouygues #Free #Orange #SFR #5G #technologisme

►https://s3.reutersmedia.net/resources/r

With Lebanese confined to their homes by the new coronavirus, migratory birds in the Mediterranean country are winging their way into the midst of quieter city life.
Coronavirus lockdown brings Lebanon’s migratory birds up close - Reuters
▻https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-lebanon-birds-idUKKBN21Z2J0
▻https://s1.reutersmedia.net/resources/r/?m=02&d=20200417&t=2&i=1515506756&w=1200&r=LYNXMPEG3G1O1

With Lebanese confined to their homes by the new coronavirus, migratory birds in the Mediterranean country are winging their way into the midst of quieter city life.

#migration#Covid-19#migratory-birds#Lebanon

Amazon says ’appropriate’ executive to be available, as U.S. panel calls on Bezos to testify
▻https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-amazon-com-congress/amazon-says-appropriate-executive-to-be-available-as-u-s-panel-calls-on-

(Reuters) - Amazon.com Inc (AMZN.O) said on Friday it would make an “appropriate” executive available to the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee to testify about allegations related to how the company uses third-party sellers’ data. The panel had called on chief executive Jeff Bezos to testify. Amazon’s blog late on Friday did not commit to a specific person or consideration for who could eventually testify. "We have been working with the Committee in good faith for nearly a (...)

#Amazon #manipulation #procès #domination #BigData

►https://s2.reutersmedia.net/resources/r

Dubai turns world’s tallest building into coronavirus charity box - Reuters
#Covid-19#migrant#migration#Dubai#solidarite#aide

▻https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-dubai-donation-idUKKBN22O1JX
▻https://s3.reutersmedia.net/resources/r/?m=02&d=20200512&t=2&i=1518332631&w=1200&r=LYNXMPEG4B0VP

DUBAI (Reuters) - The world’s tallest building, Dubai’s 828-metre Burj Khalifa, has become a glowing charity donation box, raising money for food for United Arab Emirates residents suffering the economic impact of the new coronavirus pandemic.

Exclusive: U.S. government officials worry about return of dual citizens if Mexico’s pandemic worsens - Reuters
#Covid-19#migrant#migration#US#Mexique#retour

▻https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-usa-mexico-exclusi-idUKKBN22O1L7
▻https://s3.reutersmedia.net/resources/r/?m=02&d=20200512&t=2&i=1518325654&w=1200&r=LYNXMPEG4B0UN

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. government officials are concerned that dual U.S.-Mexico citizens may flee to the United States if the coronavirus outbreak in Mexico gets worse, putting more stress on U.S. hospitals, especially near the border, three officials familiar with the matter said.

Bangladesh garment factories reopen, while India looks to ease its lockdown - Reuters
#Covid-19#Maldives#migrant#migration#travail#diffusion

▻https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-southasia-idUKKCN2290WW
▻https://s3.reutersmedia.net/resources/r/?m=02&d=20200427&t=2&i=1516602702&w=1200&r=LYNXNPEG3Q1DQ

The Maldives also reported a spike in cases, mostly among migrant workers living in packed dormitories in the capital Male. The country has 200 confirmed cases, the government said, a large number of them Bangladeshi migrant workers.

Explainer : How the U.S. is handling immigration enforcement during the coronavirus crisis - Reuters
#Covid-19#migrant#migration#US#expulsion#visa
▻https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-usa-detention-expl-idUKKCN22637D

https://s4.reutersmedia.net/resources_v2/images/rcom-default.png

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump made a hardline immigration agenda central to his 2020 re-election campaign and his administration has pushed ahead with a wide-ranging crackdown even as the United States has become the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak worldwide.

Pastor helps keep Singapore’s migrant workers fed during COVID-19 lockdown - Reuters
#Covid-19 #Singapour #migrant #migration #solidarite#faim#foyer
▻https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-singapore-migrants-idUKKCN22505D
▻https://s4.reutersmedia.net/resources/r/?m=02&d=20200423&t=2&i=1516112246&w=1200&r=LYNXNPEG3M03T

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Pastor Samuel Gift Stephen spends his days trying to ensure migrant workers in Singapore, confined to cramped dormitories due to an outbreak of coronavirus, all remain well fed.

Coronavirus hits migrant hostel as Greece plans to ease lockdown

ATHENS (Reuters) - Dozens of migrants, including many single-parent families, accomodated at a hostel in southern Greece tested positive for the coronavirus on Tuesday as the government prepared for a gradual easing of a broad lockdown from April 27.

Compared with Italy, Spain, France and Britain, Greece’s toll from the coronavirus is low, but concern is mounting over its migrant population.

The hostel has been quarantined since April 16, the third migrant facility in the country to be hit by the virus.

The 497 people who live and work there were tested after a pregnant woman tested positive last week, the migration minister said. Among the migrants, mainly from Africa, are many children, officials said.

On Tuesday, test results showed that 150 people had been infected, although none had developed any symptoms of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, Deputy Civil Protection Minister Nikos Hardalias said.

“There is no reason for panic,” Hardalias told reporters outside the facility. “The measures (we have taken) are adequate to contain the spread of the virus.”

Sotiris Tsiodras, the government’s chief scientific adviser on the virus, said the country verified 156 more COVID-19 positive cases on Tuesday, 150 focused on the hostel in the small town of Kranidi, some 170 km (105 miles) south of Athens.

A U.N. body, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), which managed the facility, said many people at the complex were from Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The majority of them were single parents, it said.

“Until now we have not detected any symptomatic patients who may require further care,” Tsiodras said. He said a field clinic was being created in the area and the regional medical centre would be reinforced.

“It is very important for these people to receive continued support and assistance,” said Gianluca Rocco, IOM Chief of Mission in Greece.

In Athens, Tsiodras said that the ‘R0’ (R-naught) factor, a key gauge of how a virus can multiply, was “significantly” below 1 in Greece, meaning that, on average, less than 1 person could be infected from a person who is already COVID-19 positive.

“That gives us some room to relax the measures, which will be done gradually and carefully,” he said.

Greece, which adopted lockdown measures to try to slow the spread of the new coronavirus on March 23, has registered 2,401 infections since its first case surfaced in late February. The death toll is 121.

Government spokesman Stelios Petsas told reporters the cabinet was working on a transition plan to gradually ease the lockdown. He said that judicial services would start to resume on Monday, April 27, when the lockdown is scheduled to end.

Petsas said that next week Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis would lay out Greece’s transition plan, likely to begin by lifting restrictions for lower-risk groups and business.

▻https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-greece/coronavirus-hits-migrant-hostel-as-greece-plans-to-ease-lockdown-idUKKCN

#Covid-19 #Migration #Migrant #Balkans #Grèce #Kranidi #Hotel #quarantaine

In Spain, asparagus lies unpicked as lockdown shuts out migrant workers - Reuters
#Covid-19#migrant#migration#Espagne#agriculture#travail

▻https://uk.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-spain-asparagus-idUKL8N2C86CE

https://s4.reutersmedia.net/resources_v2/images/rcom-default.png

TORRE DEL BURGO, Spain, April 21 (Reuters) - About half of farmer Jaime Urbina’s asparagus crop lies unpicked in his fields in central Spain as border closures to curb the coronavirus block Eastern European seasonal labourers.

Singapore confirms record jump of 1,426 COVID-19 cases - Reuters
#Covid-19#migrant#migration#Singapour#diffusion#foyer

▻https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-singapore-idUKKBN2220QZ
▻https://s1.reutersmedia.net/resources/r/?m=02&d=20200420&t=2&i=1515697758&w=1200&r=LYNXMPEG3J0I1

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Singapore’s health ministry confirmed on Monday an additional 1,426 cases of the COVID-19 infection, a record daily jump, mainly among foreign workers living in dormitories.