LE FIGARO : Le gouvernement américain, qui a récemment assoupli ses sanctions contre le pétrole russe, a souligné jeudi qu’il interdisait toujours la livraison à Cuba d’hydrocarbures venant de Russie.
Le Kremlin a affirmé vendredi discuter avec Cuba, pays allié de Moscou, des moyens d'aider l'île soumise à un blocus pétrolier américain, se refusant néanmoins à commenter des informations sur une livraison secrète de gazole d'origine russe. « Nous sommes en contact constant avec les autorités cubaines, avec nos amis cubains et nous discutons avec eux des moyens d'aider Cuba dans la situation difficile dans laquelle elle se trouve », a déclaré le porte-parole de la présidence russe, Dmitri Peskov, lors de son point presse quotidien.
Cuba n’a plus importé de pétrole depuis le 9 janvier
« C'est tout ce que je peux dire sur le sujet », a-t-il ajouté. Selon le service de suivi maritime Windward, un pétrolier s'apprête à livrer clandestinement « d'ici quelques jours » du gazole d'origine russe à Cuba s'il parvient à atteindre l'île. Le Sea Horse, battant pavillon de Hong Kong et qui n'est pas visé par des sanctions, transporterait selon Windward environ 190.000 barils de gazole russe, chargé depuis un autre navire au large de Chypre début février. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | vendredi 20 mars 2026
Related article in English here.
The Shrewd Economist
Democracy is an illusion! It’s become a political system fostered by the élite, for the élite, in order to fool the people that they have a stake in the system. In actual fact, they have virtually none. The whole political system in the modern era, despite having noble beginnings, is now used to benefit the few at the expense of the many. – Mark Alexander, June 29, 2018
March 20, 2026
What the Attacks Oil & Gas Facilities in the Middle East Mean for Global Energy Security | DW News
Labels:
energy security,
Iran War
Steve Rosenberg: In Russia "Restrictions Are Tightening, Self-censorship Increasing."
Labels:
Russia,
what the papers say
Is Russian Oil Headed for Cuba, Testing the U.S. Blockade?
THE NEW YORK TIMES: A Russian oil tanker is being closely tracked to see if it will challenge the Trump administration’s blockade on Cuba.
A Russian tanker full of oil is moving through the Atlantic Ocean and drawing scrutiny to see if it is heading to Cuba, a potential test of the U.S. oil blockade of the island, according to shipping data and industry analysts.
The ultimate destination of the tanker is still unknown. But if Russia is attempting to send oil to Cuba, as some analysts suspect, it could represent a critical lifeline for the Cuban government — and a new potential showdown between two superpowers over the small island nation.
Cuba has not received a significant shipment of fuel since Jan. 9, soon after the United States captured Venezuela’s president and took control of its oil exports, which once largely powered Cuba.
That is causing a severe crisis for Cuba. The Trump administration has threatened other nations not to send fuel, hoping to choke Cuba’s government into submission.
The tanker, called the Anatoly Kolodkin and owned by the Russian government, is carrying an estimated 730,000 barrels of crude oil, which analysts estimate could buy Cuba weeks of energy. » | Christiaan Triebert and Jack Nicas | The reporters analyzed ship-tracking data and satellite images and spoke to oil-shipping analysts for this article. | Thursday, March 19, 2026
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A Russian tanker full of oil is moving through the Atlantic Ocean and drawing scrutiny to see if it is heading to Cuba, a potential test of the U.S. oil blockade of the island, according to shipping data and industry analysts.
The ultimate destination of the tanker is still unknown. But if Russia is attempting to send oil to Cuba, as some analysts suspect, it could represent a critical lifeline for the Cuban government — and a new potential showdown between two superpowers over the small island nation.
Cuba has not received a significant shipment of fuel since Jan. 9, soon after the United States captured Venezuela’s president and took control of its oil exports, which once largely powered Cuba.
That is causing a severe crisis for Cuba. The Trump administration has threatened other nations not to send fuel, hoping to choke Cuba’s government into submission.
The tanker, called the Anatoly Kolodkin and owned by the Russian government, is carrying an estimated 730,000 barrels of crude oil, which analysts estimate could buy Cuba weeks of energy. » | Christiaan Triebert and Jack Nicas | The reporters analyzed ship-tracking data and satellite images and spoke to oil-shipping analysts for this article. | Thursday, March 19, 2026
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March 19, 2026
Iran Says It Will Show ‘Zero Restraint’ If Energy Infrastructure Is Targeted Again
THE GUARDIAN: Foreign minister issues warning after Israeli attack on South Pars gasfield and as Qatar reels from retaliatory strike
Iran said on Thursday it would show “zero restraint” if its energy infrastructure was targeted again as Qatar revealed that almost a fifth of its liquefied natural gas export capacity had been knocked out in an Iranian strike that is likely to have a years-long impact.
The warning, delivered by the Iranian foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, followed Israel’s attack on Iran’s massive South Pars gasfield – which it shares with Qatar – which triggered Iranian retaliatory strikes on Qatar’s Ras Laffan gas complex and other Gulf neighbours, sending stock markets tumbling globally and triggering sharp increases in gas prices.
Ras Laffan supplies about 20% of the world’s liquefied natural gas. Israel also confirmed on Thursday that the Bazan Group refinery in Haifa had been hit and damaged in a claimed Iranian strike.
Araghchi said in a post on X: “Our response to Israel’s attack on our infrastructure employed FRACTION of our power. The ONLY reason for restraint was respect for requested de-escalation. ZERO restraint if our infrastructures are struck again.” » | Peter Beaumont, Lorenzo Tondo in Jerusalem and Hannah Ellis-Petersen in Dubai | Thursday, March 19, 2026
Iran said on Thursday it would show “zero restraint” if its energy infrastructure was targeted again as Qatar revealed that almost a fifth of its liquefied natural gas export capacity had been knocked out in an Iranian strike that is likely to have a years-long impact.
The warning, delivered by the Iranian foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, followed Israel’s attack on Iran’s massive South Pars gasfield – which it shares with Qatar – which triggered Iranian retaliatory strikes on Qatar’s Ras Laffan gas complex and other Gulf neighbours, sending stock markets tumbling globally and triggering sharp increases in gas prices.
Ras Laffan supplies about 20% of the world’s liquefied natural gas. Israel also confirmed on Thursday that the Bazan Group refinery in Haifa had been hit and damaged in a claimed Iranian strike.
Araghchi said in a post on X: “Our response to Israel’s attack on our infrastructure employed FRACTION of our power. The ONLY reason for restraint was respect for requested de-escalation. ZERO restraint if our infrastructures are struck again.” » | Peter Beaumont, Lorenzo Tondo in Jerusalem and Hannah Ellis-Petersen in Dubai | Thursday, March 19, 2026
Iran War: Trump White House at ‘Panic Stations’ over Strait of Hormuz Crisis
Mar 19, 2026 | Saudi Arabia is warning it may retaliate against Iran after fresh threats to oil and gas infrastructure as Donald Trump’s administration desperately tries to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
With strikes hitting key energy facilities across the Gulf, this conflict is no longer just military - it’s an economic war with global consequences.
So how far could this escalate? And what does it mean for energy prices, inflation and the world economy?
On this episode of The Fourcast Matt Frei is joined by The Economists defence editor Shashank Joshi and Channel 4 News’ economics editor Helia Ebrahimi.
With strikes hitting key energy facilities across the Gulf, this conflict is no longer just military - it’s an economic war with global consequences.
So how far could this escalate? And what does it mean for energy prices, inflation and the world economy?
On this episode of The Fourcast Matt Frei is joined by The Economists defence editor Shashank Joshi and Channel 4 News’ economics editor Helia Ebrahimi.
Labels:
Donald Trump,
Iran War,
Strait of Hormuz
Iran War Energy Crisis Panics Government: ‘The Genie Is Out of the Bottle’ | Steven Swinford
Mar 19, 2026 | “The genie is out of the bottle and it’s really hard to get it back in now.”
The government is “extremely worried about the cost of living”, especially energy bills in June, as the Iran war causes “huge levels of uncertainty” for UK energy, says The Times’s political editor Steven Swinford.
The government is “extremely worried about the cost of living”, especially energy bills in June, as the Iran war causes “huge levels of uncertainty” for UK energy, says The Times’s political editor Steven Swinford.
The End of the Petrodollar? How Iran War Is Reshaping the Global Economy: Author Laleh Khalili
Democracy Now! can be supported here.
Labels:
Iran War,
petrodollar,
world economy
Trump Threatens to ‘Massively Blow Up’ Major Iranian Gas Field after Strikes in Qatar | BBC News
Mar 19, 2026 | US President Donald Trump threatened to “massively blow up” a major Iranian gas field, after Iran attacked Qatar's Ras Laffan in retaliation to an Israeli attack on its South Pars gas field.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the US "knew nothing" of Israel's strike, and threatened an escalation if Iran attacks Qatar again.
If Iran does strike Qatar again, Trump said the US will "will massively blow up the entirety of the South Pars Gas Field at an amount of strength and power that Iran has never seen or witnessed before".
Iran's South Pars is part of the world's largest natural gas field, with both Qatar and Iran operating facilities in the area - Israel is yet to comment.
The price of gas has risen sharply in the UK and Europe following the attack on Qatar's Ras Laffan.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the US "knew nothing" of Israel's strike, and threatened an escalation if Iran attacks Qatar again.
If Iran does strike Qatar again, Trump said the US will "will massively blow up the entirety of the South Pars Gas Field at an amount of strength and power that Iran has never seen or witnessed before".
Iran's South Pars is part of the world's largest natural gas field, with both Qatar and Iran operating facilities in the area - Israel is yet to comment.
The price of gas has risen sharply in the UK and Europe following the attack on Qatar's Ras Laffan.
Labels:
Donald Trump,
gas fields,
Iran,
Iran War,
Qatar,
UAE
March 18, 2026
Cuba Abandoned by Allies as Trump Considers Takeover
Mar 17, 2026 | “They’re all hamstrung.”
Cuba’s neighbours Brazil, Mexico and Colombia, as well as it’s traditional allies in China and Russia have been quiet as the US has stopped Venezuelan oil going to Cuba, leading Trump to consider whether he could ‘take’ Cuba, says Jon Bonfiglio, Latin America correspondent.
Cuba’s neighbours Brazil, Mexico and Colombia, as well as it’s traditional allies in China and Russia have been quiet as the US has stopped Venezuelan oil going to Cuba, leading Trump to consider whether he could ‘take’ Cuba, says Jon Bonfiglio, Latin America correspondent.
Labels:
Cuba,
Donald Trump
Iran Threatens Gulf Energy Facilities after Israeli Attack on Its Largest Gasfield
THE GUARDIAN: Revolutionary Guards say they will strike infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar after South Pars field hit
Iran has threatened to attack energy infrastructure across the Gulf region in retaliation for Israeli strikes on its largest gasfield, the first targeted attacks on its fossil fuel production since the war began.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have threatened counterstrikes on several energy facilities across Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar “in the coming hours” after state media reports that missiles had targeted its gas facilities at the giant South Pars field, the largest gas reserves in the world.
The strikes on Iran’s South Pars gasfield, which it shares with Qatar, were widely reported in Israeli media to have been carried out by Israel with the consent of the US.
The attack against the heart of Iran’s gas infrastructure marks a key escalation in US and Israeli military operations. The two countries have until now largely spared Iran’s oil and gas sector and helped to keep a lid on the global oil price surge. » | Jillian Ambrose | Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Iran has threatened to attack energy infrastructure across the Gulf region in retaliation for Israeli strikes on its largest gasfield, the first targeted attacks on its fossil fuel production since the war began.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have threatened counterstrikes on several energy facilities across Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar “in the coming hours” after state media reports that missiles had targeted its gas facilities at the giant South Pars field, the largest gas reserves in the world.
The strikes on Iran’s South Pars gasfield, which it shares with Qatar, were widely reported in Israeli media to have been carried out by Israel with the consent of the US.
The attack against the heart of Iran’s gas infrastructure marks a key escalation in US and Israeli military operations. The two countries have until now largely spared Iran’s oil and gas sector and helped to keep a lid on the global oil price surge. » | Jillian Ambrose | Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Labels:
Iran,
Iran War,
Israel,
Persian Gulf States
Chris Murphy Exposes Trump's Family Corruption on Prediction Markets, Introduces Bill amid Iran War
As I have said many times before, Trump has turned a once decent and admired nation into a SHITHOLE! If the powers-that-be had had the SPUNK, Trump, the Felon- and Sex Offender-in-Chief, would have been sent to prison and locked up for good! Just think of how many innocent lives would have been saved in America and around the world had someone in high office had the SPUNK, the COURAGE, to act WISELY on behalf of the NATION! Wars, chaos, corruption, and a probable impending serious downturn in the world economy could have been avoided. An old, cruel, corrupt man with galloping dementia is really NOT the right man to lead the most powerful nation on earth. When America F***S UP, the rest of the world is SCREWED! — © Mark Alexander
Labels:
corruption,
Donald Trump,
Trump family,
Trump regime
March 17, 2026
Iran Challenges US Dollar, Demanding Oil Be Sold in Chinese Yuan, as It Targets US Corporations
Mar 17, 2026 | In response to the US-Israeli war, Iran shut down the Strait of Hormuz, the most important oil chokepoint on Earth, causing energy prices to skyrocket.
However, Tehran is allowing Chinese tankers through, and says other ships can pass if they agree to sell oil in China's currency, the renminbi (aka yuan).
Iran is also targeting offices of major American corporations, and wants to force them out of the Middle East (West Asia), while trying to expel US military bases.
Ben Norton explains how this war affects the petrodollar system, and the dominance of the dollar as the global reserve currency.
INVESTOPEDIA: Yuan vs. Renminbi: What’s the Difference? »
However, Tehran is allowing Chinese tankers through, and says other ships can pass if they agree to sell oil in China's currency, the renminbi (aka yuan).
Iran is also targeting offices of major American corporations, and wants to force them out of the Middle East (West Asia), while trying to expel US military bases.
Ben Norton explains how this war affects the petrodollar system, and the dominance of the dollar as the global reserve currency.
INVESTOPEDIA: Yuan vs. Renminbi: What’s the Difference? »
Labels:
Chinese Yuan,
Donald Trump,
Iran,
Iran War,
oil,
Strait of Hormuz,
US dollar
Trump Says He Will Have the ‘Honor’ of ‘Taking Cuba’
THE NEW YORK TIMES: President Trump’s words came amid a nationwide blackout and as a top Cuban official said his country would move to open the economy to foreign investors.
President Trump raised the possibility of the United States “taking” Cuba on Monday, telling reporters at the White House, “I do believe I will be having the honor of taking Cuba.”
“Taking Cuba. I mean, whether I free it, take it. I think I can do anything I want with it,” he said. “They’re a very weakened nation right now.”
The president’s words came on the same day as Cuba experienced a nationwide blackout, amid diminishing fuel supplies. On Monday evening, Cuban officials had also planned to announce that the country’s Communist government would open itself to foreign investment, including from the United States, Cuba’s deputy prime minister, Oscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga, told NBC News.
“Cuba is open to having a fluid commercial relationship with U.S. companies, also with Cubans residing in the United States and their descendants,” the deputy prime minister said in a clip of an interview posted by the network on Monday morning.
It is unclear how widely Cuba intends to open its economy, or how the moves compare with those made a decade ago under President Barack Obama. But the scheduled announcement coincides with a severe humanitarian and energy crisis, with some experts saying the island could run out of fuel within weeks because of a de facto blockade by the Trump administration. » | Annie Correal, Jack Nicas and Frances Robles | Reporting from Mexico City and Florida. | Published: Monday, March 16, 2026. Updated: Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Watch the NYT video here.
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President Trump raised the possibility of the United States “taking” Cuba on Monday, telling reporters at the White House, “I do believe I will be having the honor of taking Cuba.”
“Taking Cuba. I mean, whether I free it, take it. I think I can do anything I want with it,” he said. “They’re a very weakened nation right now.”
The president’s words came on the same day as Cuba experienced a nationwide blackout, amid diminishing fuel supplies. On Monday evening, Cuban officials had also planned to announce that the country’s Communist government would open itself to foreign investment, including from the United States, Cuba’s deputy prime minister, Oscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga, told NBC News.
“Cuba is open to having a fluid commercial relationship with U.S. companies, also with Cubans residing in the United States and their descendants,” the deputy prime minister said in a clip of an interview posted by the network on Monday morning.
It is unclear how widely Cuba intends to open its economy, or how the moves compare with those made a decade ago under President Barack Obama. But the scheduled announcement coincides with a severe humanitarian and energy crisis, with some experts saying the island could run out of fuel within weeks because of a de facto blockade by the Trump administration. » | Annie Correal, Jack Nicas and Frances Robles | Reporting from Mexico City and Florida. | Published: Monday, March 16, 2026. Updated: Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Watch the NYT video here.
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阅读简体中文版
閱讀繁體中文版
Labels:
Cuba,
Donald Trump
March 16, 2026
Kuba will Kubanern im Ausland Investitionen und Firmenbesitz auf der Insel ermöglichen
BERLINER ZEITUNG: Erstmals sollen im Ausland lebende Kubaner offiziell Firmen auf der Insel gründen und besitzen dürfen. Doch es gibt Zweifel an der Wirksamkeit der Pläne.
Kubas Regierung will im Ausland lebenden Kubanern – darunter Hunderttausende in Miami –, künftig erlauben, auf der Insel Unternehmen zu besitzen und in den Privatsektor zu investieren. Das kündigte der stellvertretende Ministerpräsident Oscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga in einem Interview mit NBC News in Havanna an.
„Kuba ist offen für fließende Handelsbeziehungen mit US-Unternehmen“ sowie „mit in den Vereinigten Staaten lebenden Kubanern und deren Nachkommen“, sagte Fraga, der zugleich Außenhandels- und Investitionsminister ist. Die Öffnung gehe über den reinen Handel hinaus und umfasse auch Großinvestitionen, insbesondere in die Infrastruktur, so Fraga gegenüber NBC News. » | Lea Brüggemann | Montag, 16. März 2026
Kubas Regierung will im Ausland lebenden Kubanern – darunter Hunderttausende in Miami –, künftig erlauben, auf der Insel Unternehmen zu besitzen und in den Privatsektor zu investieren. Das kündigte der stellvertretende Ministerpräsident Oscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga in einem Interview mit NBC News in Havanna an.
„Kuba ist offen für fließende Handelsbeziehungen mit US-Unternehmen“ sowie „mit in den Vereinigten Staaten lebenden Kubanern und deren Nachkommen“, sagte Fraga, der zugleich Außenhandels- und Investitionsminister ist. Die Öffnung gehe über den reinen Handel hinaus und umfasse auch Großinvestitionen, insbesondere in die Infrastruktur, so Fraga gegenüber NBC News. » | Lea Brüggemann | Montag, 16. März 2026
Labels:
Kuba
Britain Before WWI: The Empire Built by Workers I SLICE History | Full Documentary
Feb 27, 2026 | Edwardian Britain was the richest empire in the world. But behind the power of the crown stood millions of workers.
For the first time, rare archival footage from 1901–1914 has been carefully colorized, revealing the real faces of miners, dockworkers, factory girls, market porters, and children whose labour built modern Britain. From Queen Victoria’s funeral to the mills of Lancashire, from London’s docks to Blackpool’s seaside resorts, this is the story of a nation at its industrial peak — just years before the First World War would change everything.
Documentary: Edwardian Britain in Colour EP:1
Directed by: Alison Grist
Production: MAKE WAVES Ltd production for channel 5 [London & Singapore] [MW]
For the first time, rare archival footage from 1901–1914 has been carefully colorized, revealing the real faces of miners, dockworkers, factory girls, market porters, and children whose labour built modern Britain. From Queen Victoria’s funeral to the mills of Lancashire, from London’s docks to Blackpool’s seaside resorts, this is the story of a nation at its industrial peak — just years before the First World War would change everything.
Documentary: Edwardian Britain in Colour EP:1
Directed by: Alison Grist
Production: MAKE WAVES Ltd production for channel 5 [London & Singapore] [MW]
Labels:
documentary,
Edwardian Britain
Steve Rosenberg: Russian Media Continue to List Benefits for Moscow from Iran War
Labels:
Russia,
what the papers say
March 15, 2026
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