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Ukraine’s halt of Russian gas transit raises supply, price concerns

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Valletta, Jan 2: The halt in Russian gas transit through Ukraine has sparked fears of supply shortages and soaring energy costs, particularly in landlocked European nations like Slovakia.

Both Ukraine and Russia announced the stoppage on Wednesday, pushing some EU countries to resort to costlier energy alternatives.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico on Wednesday said that stopping gas transit through Ukraine to Europe will have “severe consequences for all of us in the European Union (EU), but will not harm Russia.”

The stoppage follows Ukraine’s decision not to renew a 2019 gas transit agreement between its state-run Naftogaz and Russia’s Gazprom, which expired on December 31, 2024.

“At 07:00 a.m. (0500 GMT), in the interests of national security, the transportation of Russian natural gas through the territory of Ukraine was stopped,” the Ukrainian Energy Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday. Similarly, Gazprom confirmed that it has stopped gas supply due to expiration of key agreements and Ukraine’s refusal to renew them.

In a letter to the European Commission (EC) on Sunday, Fico condemned Ukraine’s gas transit halt as irrational and warned it would heighten tensions and harm the EU more than Russia. He also indicated his government might consider measures such as cutting electricity supplies to Ukraine.

Slovakia, heavily dependent on Russian gas, is among the worst-hit countries. It imported approximately 3 billion cubic metres of natual gas from Russia through Ukraine annually, accounting for two-thirds of its demand.

However, the EC has downplayed the potential impact, with a spokesperson saying that the European gas infrastructure is “flexible enough” to provide gas of non-Russian origin to central and eastern Europe via alternative routes, and that it has been reinforced with significant new liquefied natural gas (LNG) import capacities since 2022.

Mark Cigoj, editor-in-chief of the Croatian weekly 7 Dnevno, has said that Slovakia, Austria, and Hungary are particularly vulnerable, given their reliance on Russian gas and lack of direct access to LNG imports.

Slovakia’s Regulatory Authority for Network Industries, the country’s energy regulator, has forecasted household gas price increases of 15-34 per cent in 2025 without state energy assistance.

To cushion the impact, the Slovak government has allocated around 235 million euros ($244 million) for energy aid, further straining the country’s already tight budget.

SPP, Slovakia’s state-owned gas utility, on Wednesday assured continued supply but acknowledged the increased costs of alternatives. Moldova, which imports approximately 2 billion cubic metres of gas annually from Russia via Ukraine, has enacted measures on Wednesday to cut electricity usage by at least 30 per cent.

The measures include limiting street lighting, stopping escalators in some public and commercial buildings, and changing the working hours for high-energy-consuming areas.

In 2023, roughly 15 billion cubic metres of Russian gas were transported via Ukraine to Europe, accounting for around 5 per cent of Europe’s needs. Following the halt of Ukraine transit, the TurkStream pipeline under the Black Sea becomes the sole remaining route for transporting Russian gas to Europe.

According to the EC, the share of Russia’s pipeline gas in EU imports has plummeted from over 40 per cent in 2021 to about 8 per cent in 2023.

However, Cigoj noted that the EU must develop a clear plan for coordinating gas purchases among member states, warning that higher margins and transport costs will drive up gas prices, further fueling inflation.

While many European countries have significantly reduced their reliance on Russian gas since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, nations like Slovakia, Hungary, and Austria remain dependent on it.

Slovak Vice Premier and Economy Minister Denisa Sakova said on Tuesday that Slovakia is technically well-prepared for the stoppage of gas supplies, as the country has sufficient gas reserves and alternative gas supplies for the year of 2025.

However, she warned of challenges if the issue persists into the winter heating season next year.

Obviously, European countries will have to organise themselves to purchase significantly more expensive gas from other sources in the future, Cigoj said.

Markus Krug, deputy head of the gas department at Austria’s energy regulator E-Control, has said that Russian gas would likely continue to flow through Turkey, supplying Hungary.

He estimated that Slovakia’s gas supply could primarily come from Hungary, the remainder from Austria, the Czech Republic and Poland.

The TurkStream gas pipeline, with an annual capacity of 31.5 billion cubic metres, offers limited capacity to absorb increased demand. To address the shortfall, the EU will have to rely more heavily on LNG imports, which come at a significantly higher cost.

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Iran warns it will target Israel’s ‘secret nuclear sites’ if attacked

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Tehran, June 10: Iran’s top security body warned that its armed forces would immediately target Israel’s “secret nuclear facilities” if the Islamic Republic comes under military attack, following claims it has obtained “sensitive Israeli intelligence.”

The Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) issued the statement days after Intelligence Minister Esmaeil Khatib said Iran had acquired a “significant cache” of Israeli documents through intelligence operations, Xinhua news agency reported.

According to the council, months of intelligence gathering had enabled Iran’s armed forces to identify high-value Israeli targets for potential retaliatory strikes, should Israel initiate military action against Iranian interests.

“This forms part of a broader strategic initiative aimed at countering disinformation by hostile actors and reinforcing Iran’s deterrent capabilities,” the SNSC said.

Tehran’s access to Israeli intelligence would allow it to swiftly target “concealed nuclear sites” in the event of an Israeli strike on Iranian nuclear infrastructure, the council said, adding that the information also supports proportionate retaliation against attacks on Iran’s economic or military assets.

Israel is believed by many to possess nuclear weapons, though it has never officially confirmed or denied this, maintaining a longstanding policy of strategic ambiguity.

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‘True spirit of friendship’ between India and Iran hailed after rescue of kidnapped citizens

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Tehran, June 4: India on Wednesday thanked the Iranian government for its swift and effective efforts in securing the release of three kidnapped Indian citizens, emphasising that the timely support reflects “true spirit of friendship” that exists between the two nations.

“The three kidnapped Indian citizens have been safely rescued and are now under the care of the Embassy of India, which is facilitating their early repatriation. We sincerely thank the Government of Iran for their swift and effective efforts in securing their release,” the Embassy of India in Iran posted on X.

“Your support reflects the true spirit of friendship between two nations,” it added.

Late Tuesday, the Embassy of Iran in India confirmed that Tehran police had freed the missing individuals, citing a report from Media.

“Three missing Indian citizens freed by Tehran police. Local media in Iran say police have found and released three Indian men who had gone missing in Iran,” the Iranian Embassy stated.

The trio was reportedly rescued following a police operation targetting the hostage-takers in Varamin in south Tehran, Media reported.

According to reports, the three Indian men – all hailing from Punjab and identified as Jaspal Singh, Hushanpreet Singh, and Amritpal Singh – had disappeared shortly after landing in Tehran on May 1.

They were reportedly on their way to Australia after being promised lucrative jobs by a local travel company.

The Indian Embassy in Tehran had issued a statement on May 28, following an approach by the family members of the missing men, who expressed serious concern over their relatives’ sudden disappearance.

The statement read, “Family members of three Indian citizens have informed the Embassy of India that their relatives are missing after having travelled to Iran. The Embassy has strongly taken up this matter with the Iranian authorities and requested that the missing Indians should be urgently traced and their safety should be ensured. We are also keeping the family members regularly updated on the efforts being made by the Embassy.”

Reports also suggested that the families received ransom demands of Rs one crore from unknown individuals, with the threatening calls originating from Pakistani phone numbers.

The details raised serious alarm, prompting swift diplomatic engagement from both sides.

The Iranian Embassy in India, responding to the developments, stated that the case was being closely followed by the Consular Affairs Department of Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Embassy also issued a warning to Indian citizens, advising them “not to be deceived by the promises of unauthorised individuals or illegal Indian agencies offering travel to other countries.”

India has also previously issued travel advisories for its nationals travelling to Iran, urging them to exercise caution, remain in contact with the Indian Embassy in Tehran and consulates, and avoid engagement with unverified travel agents or intermediaries.

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Indian Hajj mission deploys assisting teams for pilgrims’ Mina journey

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Riyadh, June 4: Indian Hajj pilgrims are assisted by ‘Team India’ officials as the movement to Mina from Mecca begins, marking the start of the Five-Day Core Hajj Period in Saudi Arabia.

The team, in coordination with Saudi Authorities, is facilitating a smooth journey for all the pilgrims, underscoring India’s commitment to ensuring the well-being of all its citizens.

“Movement of Hajj pilgrims to Mina started today! ‘Team India’ officials are on duty to facilitate the movement of Indian Hajj pilgrims to smoothly avail the transport services to reach their designated camps in Mina,” the Indian Hajj Pilgrims office posted on X on Wednesday.

Indian officials were assisting vulnerable Hajj pilgrims in catching buses to Mina.

Union Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju extended wishes to the Indian pilgrims performing Hajj and ensuring assistance to them as the journey to Mina begins.

“My heartfelt wishes to all Indian pilgrims performing Hajj this year. Our Hajj Mission, led by officials & teams, is fully prepared in coordination with Saudi authorities. Admin and medical teams will be present in all Mina camps. For any assistance, use the Hajj Suvidha App or toll-free numbers. May your Hajj be smooth, blessed and spiritually fulfilling,” Rijiju posted on X.

Earlier on Monday, India’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Suhel Ajaz Khan, addressed the Indian Hajj pilgrims ahead of the core rituals.

He extended his best wishes and assured them of full support, highlighting the presence of administrative and medical deputationists to assist pilgrims throughout the journey.

Meanwhile, India’s Consul General of Jeddah Fahad Ahmed Khan Suri chaired a briefing on arrangements for medical care and assistance in the Mashaer Region (Tent city of Mina and plains of Muzdalifah & Arafat) for Indian Hajj Pilgrims.

The session was attended by the Indian Consul (Hajj), Muhammed Abdul Jaleel, and officials, doctors and nurses from ‘Team India’ deployed in Hajj 2025.

Last week, Indians who embarked on Hajj pilgrimage appreciated the arrangements and quality of facilities offered by the Indian government to ensure a smooth and seamless journey for all in Saudi Arabia.

“Indian pilgrims who went for Hajj 2025 through the Hajj Committee of India are very happy with the management of the Government of India and the facilities being provided there. It is the constant endeavour of the Ministry of Minority Affairs to ensure a comfortable and dignified journey for every Hajj pilgrim,” the Ministry of Minority Affairs posted on X.

Additionally, Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs, George Kurian also highlighted the dedicated efforts of the Centre in ensuring a smooth and successful Hajj for pilgrims.

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