Iran and US hit tankers in biggest wave of attacks on shipping since war began

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By Enas Alashray, Idrees Ali and Jana Choukeir Reuters Iran said on Wednesday it had attacked 10 ships near the Strait of Hormuz after the U.S. sank five Iranian oil tankers, in the biggest wave of attacks on shipping by both sides since the start of the six-month-old war. The attacks sent the price of ‌oil surging, with benchmark Brent crude futures breaching $100 a barrel for the first time since July. At least one seafarer aboard a tanker was reported killed and another listed as missing. The ‌incidents follow a month of relative calm, during which the U.S. has sought to pressure Iran through economic means. Iran said it had fired ballistic missiles at a U.S. military base in Jordan. Jordan said it intercepted 18 missiles, with the remaining two ​falling harmlessly in unpopulated areas. A U.S. official said all American troops were accounted for. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps said it would sharply escalate its response to any further attacks, and said I...
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Erick weakens to tropical storm over Mexico, leaves trail of damage

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By Aida Pelaez-fernandez and Jose Cortes Reuters

Erick weakened to a tropical storm after making landfall as a major hurricane on Mexico’s southern Pacific coast on Thursday, leaving flooded streets, damaged boats and buildings in Oaxaca as authorities warned of dangerous rains.

Erick made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane near the resort town Puerto Escondido around 5:30 a.m. local time (1130 GMT). By mid-afternoon, it had slowed to a tropical storm as it moved inland, with sustained winds weakening to 50 mph (85 kph).

In coastal towns, residents began clearing debris. “There are many boats sunk here,” said fisherman Eduardo Gonzalez in Puerto Escondido. “We’re here to help our colleagues.”

Officials cautioned that Erick’s intense rains remained dangerous.

“Life-threatening flooding and mudslides are expected, especially in areas of steep terrain,” the U.S. National Hurricane Center said, forecasting up to 8 inches (20 cm) of rain for Guerrero state with up to 4 inches for its neighboring Oaxaca and Michoacan states.

Mexico’s environment ministry also had warned of waves of up to 10 meters (33 feet).

No deaths were immediately reported, Laura Velazquez, the head of Mexico’s civil protection agency, said at a press conference.

Two hospitals had suffered damage and power supply was compromised, she added. State-owned utility CFE reported that more than 123,000 users had lost power in Oaxaca, with service restored to 26% by late morning.

Oaxaca Governor Salomon Jara said roads and highways were significantly damaged.

Erick is the earliest major hurricane to make landfall in the eastern Pacific, meteorologists from AccuWeather said.

“Rapid intensification near coastal cities is a major concern this hurricane season…as water temperatures continue to increase,” said Alex DaSilva, AccuWeather lead hurricane expert.

Areas around Acapulco are especially vulnerable, AccuWeather said, as the beach town is still recovering from the impact of Hurricane Otis which hit in 2023.



from The Times Of Earth https://ift.tt/WVz6HUw

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