UK to Sanction Russian 'Shadow Fleet' of Oil Tankers in Crackdown on Sanctions Evasion

Hadisur Rahman, JadeTimes Staff

H. Rahman is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Business

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Image Source: Havariekommando

The UK government is preparing to impose new sanctions on a fleet of Russian oil tankers allegedly used to bypass existing international restrictions on Russian energy exports. The action targets up to 100 vessels believed to have transported more than £18 billion worth of oil and gas since the beginning of 2024.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is set to announce the measures at a summit of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) in Oslo, Norway a coalition of ten northern European countries including Denmark, Norway, and the Netherlands. The UK has pledged to take decisive steps to dismantle what it describes as President Vladimir Putin's "shadow fleet operation," which it accuses of financing Russia’s war in Ukraine.

"Every step we take that increases pressure on Moscow and supports peace in Ukraine is also a step toward greater security and prosperity for the UK," Starmer said ahead of the summit.

The so-called “shadow fleet” was assembled by Moscow following sweeping sanctions imposed after Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. These measures limited Russian oil imports and enforced price caps on its crude exports. In response, Russia turned to obscure shipping arrangements, utilizing vessels with murky ownership structures and opaque navigation routes to continue exporting oil undetected.

Downing Street has described the sanctioned ships as "decrepit and dangerous," citing their involvement in “reckless seafaring” and possible links to damage sustained by an undersea cable in the Baltic Sea.

The new UK sanctions will ban these vessels from entering British ports and expose them to detention within UK waters. The move builds on previous sanctions targeting 133 similar vessels during a JEF summit in December 2024.

The government says the expanded measures are aimed at severing a critical financial lifeline for the Kremlin. “We are determined to starve Putin’s war machine of oil revenues and protect vital subsea infrastructure,” a Downing Street spokesperson said.

Further announcements from JEF member states are expected to reinforce support for Ukraine's military efforts and collective European security.

Second FAA Outage in Two Weeks Disrupts Newark Air Traffic, Highlights Aging Infrastructure

Hadisur Rahman, JadeTimes Staff   

H. Rahman is a Jadetimes news reporter covering the USA

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Image Source: REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch/File Photo

A new telecommunications outage at a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) facility temporarily disrupted air traffic at Newark Liberty International Airport early Friday morning, marking the second such incident in two weeks and reigniting concerns over the aging infrastructure of the U.S. air traffic control system.

The outage occurred at approximately 3:55 a.m. ET and lasted around 90 seconds. It impacted both communications and radar displays at the Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON), the facility currently responsible for managing air traffic in and out of Newark.

According to a recording cited by The New York Times, an air traffic controller informed a FedEx pilot during the incident: “Our scopes just went black again,” indicating a sudden loss of radar visibility.

The latest disruption follows a similar incident on April 28, when air traffic controllers lost contact with aircraft for up to 90 seconds. Since then, operations at Newark have been hampered by a combination of FAA equipment failures, runway construction, and staffing shortages.

United Airlines, the largest carrier at Newark, confirmed its operations were affected by the outage but did not provide further details. The airline has been calling for the FAA to limit flights at the airport to alleviate persistent delays. “Decades of failing to properly invest in the system has prevented good-faith efforts to make technology upgrades and bolster the staffing of our nation’s hard-working air traffic controllers,” United CEO Scott Kirby wrote in a Fox News op-ed.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy addressed the growing concerns on Thursday, announcing a multi-billion dollar proposal to modernize the air traffic control system over the next three to four years. The FAA also stated it is taking immediate steps, including adding three high-bandwidth telecom connections, deploying a temporary backup system at the Philadelphia TRACON, and increasing controller staffing.

Although the FAA claimed that two redundant communication lines were operational, it has not yet explained why the most recent outage was not prevented.

Flight tracking service FlightAware reported nearly 300 flight delays and 135 cancellations on Friday. In response, lawmakers are increasing pressure on the FAA to expedite reforms and secure additional funding to stabilize operations at one of the nation’s busiest air travel hubs.

The Rise of Afrobeat: Africa’s Global Music Phenomenon

Khoshnaw Rahmani, JadeTimes Staff

K. Rahmani is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Culture.

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Image Source: Joseph Okpako

How Afrobeat Took Over the World

Once a regional sound rooted in West Africa, Afrobeat has now conquered global music charts and become a defining force in modern pop culture. With its infectious rhythms, distinctive beats, and deep cultural roots, the genre has evolved beyond Africa and gained massive popularity worldwide.

From humble beginnings in Nigeria’s underground music scene to collaborations with international superstars, Afrobeat’s rise has been fueled by digital streaming, social media influence, and global award recognition. But how did Afrobeat reach such heights? And what does its future hold?

The Origins and Evolution of Afrobeat

Afrobeat was pioneered by Nigerian musician Fela Kuti in the 1970s, blending traditional African sounds with jazz, funk, and percussive elements. His politically charged lyrics and socially conscious themes resonated deeply, making Afrobeat a symbol of African identity and resistance.

As the genre evolved, artists modernized the sound, giving birth to Afrobeats (with an “s”), a more commercial version incorporating hip-hop, electronic music, and R&B influences. The introduction of Afrobeats allowed African music to penetrate international markets, appealing to wider audiences through dance-friendly rhythms and genre fusion.

Today, artists like Wizkid, Burna Boy, Tems, and Davido have propelled Afrobeat into mainstream success, securing record deals, global tours, and top-charting singles.

How Afrobeat Became a Global Sensation

Several major factors contributed to Afrobeat’s worldwide rise:

International Collaborations

African artists have partnered with Beyoncé, Drake, Justin Bieber, and Ed Sheeran, blending Afrobeat elements into Western pop hits. These collaborations introduced Afrobeat’s unique sound and style to new audiences, boosting its global reach.

Streaming & Social Media Influence

The digital revolution played a pivotal role in Afrobeat’s success. Platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube enabled African artists to reach global listeners without relying on traditional record labels. Viral TikTok trends and dance challenges further amplified the genre’s visibility, making Afrobeat an essential part of pop culture.

Award Recognition & Industry Validation

Afrobeat’s presence in major award shows solidified its impact. Burna Boy’s Grammy-winning album "Twice as Tall" and Wizkid’s Grammy nod for collaborations with Beyoncé proved that Afrobeat is not just a regional trend but a global movement.

Music Festivals & International Concerts

Massive music festivals such as Afro Nation, Coachella, and Glastonbury have placed Afrobeat artists on their main stages, further validating the genre’s mainstream status. Sold-out concerts in London, New York, and Paris reflect Afrobeat’s growing international fanbase.

Afrobeat is set to continue expanding its influence across music, fashion, and film. The genre is expected to:

• Shape new musical trends, fusing Afrobeat with electronic and Latin sounds.

• Strengthen Africa’s position in the global entertainment industry, creating more opportunities for African talent.

• Establish deeper collaborations with Hollywood and fashion brands, integrating Afrobeat into mainstream culture.

With its rich history, dynamic beats, and cross-cultural appeal, Afrobeat is positioned to remain a dominant force in global music for years to come.

Afrobeat’s Legacy in Modern Music

Afrobeat’s journey from local African sound to global sensation represents more than just a musical evolution—it’s a cultural movement that has reshaped the industry. With every hit song, viral dance challenge, and international festival appearance, Afrobeat reinforces Africa’s creative brilliance and artistic resilience.

This genre is no longer confined to Africa—it belongs to the world, influencing generations of artists and setting new standards in modern music.