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US seizes Russia-flagged oil tanker in Atlantic after weeks-long pursuit

US authorities have seized a Russia-flagged oil tanker in the Atlantic after a weeks-long pursuit and coordinated enforcement operation.

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US seizes Russia-flagged oil tanker in Atlantic after weeks-long pursuit

The United States has seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker, Marinera, following a prolonged pursuit in the North Sea and the Atlantic, in an operation involving multiple American agencies. The tanker had been under surveillance for over two weeks and was seized for violations of US sanctions.

The operation was confirmed by the US military’s European Command in a statement posted on social media. According to the statement, the tanker was seized by the Justice Department, Department of Homeland Security, and the Defence Department as part of enforcement actions against sanctioned vessels.

The statement said the move was carried out under a presidential proclamation targeting vessels operating in violation of sanctions and threatening regional security, highlighting a coordinated, whole-of-government approach.

‘Ghost fleet’ tankers targeted in coordinated operation

US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the Coast Guard conducted two pre-dawn boarding operations targeting so-called “ghost fleet” tankers. One operation took place in the North Atlantic, while the other occurred in international waters near the Caribbean.

She said the two vessels involved — Motor Tanker Bella I and Motor Tanker Sophia — had either recently docked in Venezuela or were en route there. She added that the actions were aimed at disrupting funding networks linked to criminal and narco-terror activities.

No Russian vessels nearby during boarding

Media reports said there were no Russian naval vessels in the vicinity when the US Coast Guard boarded Marinera, averting the possibility of a direct confrontation between American and Russian forces. Images released by Russian state media showed a helicopter approaching the tanker during the operation.

The tanker, originally named Bella 1, was sanctioned by the United States in 2024. It was later renamed Marinera and had been travelling from Iran to Venezuela before altering its course and heading back into the Atlantic, reportedly in an attempt to evade US enforcement actions near Venezuelan waters.

Vessel monitored closely before seizure

In the days before the seizure, the tanker was under intense surveillance, with multiple aircraft observed monitoring its movement, including flights operating from US bases in Iceland. British assets were also reported to have participated in the monitoring effort.

This was not the first attempt by US forces to stop the tanker. In December, the crew reportedly repelled a boarding attempt near Venezuelan waters. Following that incident, a Russian flag was painted onto the hull, the vessel was added to Russia’s official shipping registry, and Moscow lodged a formal diplomatic protest demanding that the US halt its pursuit.

A later statement described the operation as a pre-dawn action in which a sanctioned, stateless dark fleet tanker was apprehended without incident by US authorities in coordination with homeland security agencies.

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Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang resigns amid affair scandal, Colette Kress takes over

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has resigned amid an affair-related controversy. The company’s CFO, Colette Kress, will serve as interim CEO while the board looks for a permanent successor.

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colette kress

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has resigned from his position, marking a major leadership change at the world’s leading artificial intelligence chipmaker. The company’s board has appointed Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress as interim CEO while it begins the process of finding a permanent successor.

The development comes amid controversy surrounding reports of Huang’s alleged extramarital relationships, including one involving a Chinese businesswoman suspected by US authorities of having links to espionage activities.

Huang’s departure comes after more than three decades at the helm of Nvidia, the company he co-founded in 1993. His leadership helped transform the business from a graphics chip manufacturer into a dominant supplier of processors powering the global artificial intelligence industry.

Colette Kress appointed interim Nvidia CEO

Following Huang’s resignation, Nvidia’s board appointed Colette Kress as interim chief executive officer.

Kress, who has served as Nvidia’s executive vice president and CFO since September 2013, will continue to hold the finance portfolio alongside her interim leadership responsibilities until a permanent successor is appointed.

Before joining Nvidia, she spent nearly 25 years working in finance roles at major technology companies, including Cisco and Microsoft.

The board has said it will consider both internal and external candidates as part of its search for a permanent CEO.

Nvidia has also appointed Harvey C. Jones as the company’s first-ever chairman of the board.

Affair controversy surrounding Jensen Huang

Huang’s resignation follows a series of reports about alleged extramarital relationships that have raised questions about his position at the company.

One of the controversies involves Alice Huang, a Chinese businesswoman whom US intelligence agencies reportedly suspect of involvement in facilitating shipments of Nvidia chips to Chinese companies.

Another report alleged that Huang had a relationship with Kimberly Powell, Nvidia’s vice president of healthcare, who reportedly worked under him.

Huang had earlier acknowledged being unfaithful to his wife in a message to Nvidia employees, taking responsibility for his actions and apologising to his family and colleagues.

The company’s board had also initiated an independent investigation into whether Huang had been targeted as part of a foreign intelligence operation.

Jensen Huang’s departure marks a major change for Nvidia

Huang co-founded Nvidia in 1993 alongside Curtis Priem and Chris Malachowsky. Under his leadership, the company evolved from a graphics processing unit manufacturer primarily associated with gaming into a central player in the global AI industry.

Nvidia’s processors have become critical to companies developing and operating artificial intelligence systems, making the company one of the most influential businesses in the technology sector.

His departure also comes at a crucial time for Nvidia, with investors closely watching the company’s leadership transition and its ability to maintain its position in the rapidly expanding AI market.

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India, Canada discuss trade pact to boost bilateral commerce

India and Canada discussed advancing negotiations on a proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement aimed at expanding trade, investment and market access between the two countries.

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India canada trade pacts

India and Canada discussed advancing negotiations on a proposed trade agreement as the two countries seek to strengthen their economic and commercial ties.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met Canada’s Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu, who is leading a Canadian delegation to India. The discussions focused on advancing negotiations for the proposed India-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

The proposed pact is aimed at creating greater market access and opening up new opportunities for trade and investment between the two countries.

India-Canada CEPA talks

Both sides discussed the importance of a balanced and mutually beneficial agreement that can make use of the complementary strengths of the two economies.

The discussions also focused on deepening commercial engagement and creating new opportunities for businesses in both countries.

Goyal said the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to taking the India-Canada economic partnership to a higher level, with CEPA serving as a catalyst for deeper commercial engagement.

India and Canada are working towards concluding the CEPA negotiations by the end of 2026.

India-Canada trade

The proposed CEPA is aimed at improving market access and creating opportunities across sectors while strengthening the broader economic relationship between India and Canada.

The agreement is expected to provide greater opportunities for businesses in both countries and support deeper trade and investment ties.

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White House put on temporary lockdown after car crashes into signpost

The White House was temporarily placed under lockdown after a car crashed into a signpost near Lafayette Square in Washington, DC. The driver was detained after a confrontation with security personnel.

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The White House was placed under a temporary lockdown on Monday after a car crashed into a signpost at Lafayette Square near the presidential residence in Washington, DC.

The incident triggered a security response in the area, with the US Secret Service directing members of the White House press corps to move indoors and remain there temporarily.

Driver detained after confrontation with security personnel

The driver was detained following a confrontation with Secret Service officers and National Guard personnel, according to reports.

Video footage showed a silver sedan on the paved area at the northern end of Lafayette Square after striking a signpost. Smoke was also seen coming from the vehicle.

Authorities had not immediately disclosed the driver’s identity or established what led to the crash.

White House security restrictions imposed

The security response prompted temporary restrictions around the White House. The incident occurred at Lafayette Square, which is directly across Pennsylvania Avenue from the presidential complex.

At around 10 am local time, Secret Service personnel instructed White House journalists to move indoors while security personnel dealt with the incident.

The White House was under the security restriction while President Donald Trump was at the premises, according to reports.

Motive behind crash remains unclear

It was not immediately known whether the crash was accidental or deliberate. Authorities had also not immediately confirmed whether anyone was injured.

The circumstances surrounding the incident, including the driver’s identity and possible motive, remained under investigation.

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