US troops in Middle East; Australia petrol prices continue to soar; Pakistan hosts talks with Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt; Israel’s attack on Lebanon, Hezbollah continue

The United States is allowing a Russian tanker full of crude oil to reach Cuba in an effort to ease Washington’s de facto oil blockade of the island nation. New York Times It was reported, citing a US official briefing on the matter.

Washington effectively blocked all oil shipments to Cuba in an effort to pressure the government in Havana. Times The report stated that it was unclear why the Trump administration allowed the shipment to pass.

Meanwhile, the United States temporarily lifted sanctions on Russia to help improve the flow of oil restricted by U.S. and Israeli military strikes against Iran.

LSEG ship tracking data also showed that the US-certified tanker Anatoly ⁠Kolodkin was headed for Cuba. The ship set sail from the Russian port of Primorsk carrying approximately 650,000 barrels of crude oil. Times The report stated that there were 730,000 barrels.

Either way, that much oil would provide significant relief to Cuba, which has had no oil imports for three months, according to President Miguel Diaz-Canel, which would lead to strict oil rationing and worsen the energy crisis that has led to numerous power outages across the Caribbean island nation.

Reuters