© Miguel Gutierrez/EPA
Investors who buy idle sanctioned tankers and refit them could put the ships back into legal oil trade, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said on 19 October, Bloomberg reported. He laid out the plan five days after a US official described it to Reuters.
That official said the aim was to cut record tanker freight rates. The Energy Department added that any relief would not help Russia move its oil. The plan comes weeks before the 3 November midterms, with voters worried about fuel costs after gasoline and diesel prices surged in the Mideast conflict. Yet the shadow fleet is also how Russia sells oil past sanctions, and those sales fund its war against Ukraine. In December 2025, Ukraine’s foreign intelligence counted more than 1,100 tankers serving Russia alone, 226 of them under US sanctions.
Many sanctioned tankers sit idle, Wright told Bloomberg’s Annmarie Hordern, and buyers keep approaching the administration offering to fix them up and carry only legal oil.
“We’re going to move some of the ships from what I call the ‘bad-guy fleet’ to the ‘good-guy fleet,’” he said. “They will not carry sanctioned oil anymore.”
The ships must go through an approval process, Wright said, but he gave no criteria. He insisted “there is no removing of sanctions.”
He put the global dark fleet at about 1,600 ships, a count covering vessels that hauled Venezuelan, Iranian, and Russian oil. Dozens or even hundreds could turn legitimate, he said. The ships are no longer needed for Venezuelan oil, Wright said, and no Iranian oil is moving. Russian oil exports, he added, “are certainly not growing.”
Earlier, on 9 October, the Treasury issued General License 135, allowing some deals in Russian diesel until 7 April 2027. On 16 October, US President Donald Trump waived sanctions and tariffs under the Graham Act, leaving earlier sanctions intact. That law had directed him to review and sanction shadow-fleet vessels. Trump defended the waiver as a way to keep Moscow at the negotiating table.
House Speaker Mike Johnson told Fox News host Larry Kudlow on 18 October that he had asked the White House team to “carefully consider the unintended consequences,” The Hill reported. He added that he thought “the right decision will be made” in the end.
Managua, 22 oct (Prensa Latina) El Centro Educativo Comandante Fidel Castro Ruz, que funciona hoy en Ciudad Sandino, constituye un homenaje permanente al legado del comandante en jefe, y a los lazos de hermandad entre Nicaragua y Cuba.
The post Centro educativo en Nicaragua honra legado de Fidel Castro first appeared on Noticias Prensa Latina.
Con un par de asesinatos truculentos comienza Una tumba en Al Ándalus (Tusquets), la tercera entrega del escritor que, con el seudónimo de Lorenzo G. Acebedo, novela al poeta medieval Gonzalo de Berceo como investigador de crímenes y dotado de un humor sarcástico. Aparentemente, se trata de muertes perpetradas por gente de baja estofa, pero en realidad orbitan sobre ellas los más altos poderes de la época. Así sucedió ya en los títulos precedentes de esta serie, La taberna de Silos (2023) —un éxito de crítica y ventas—, y La Santa Compaña (2024). Dos thrillers que cuentan con el atractivo de retratar la vida de los monjes medievales peninsulares e ilustrar sobre el arte románico.
© Biblioteca Virtual Miguel de Cervantes
Las delegaciones del chavismo y la oposición venezolana concluyeron este martes su tercera ronda de negociaciones políticas en Caracas sin que se hicieran públicos acuerdos definitivos entre ambas delegaciones. El anuncio de los resultados de esta tercera ronda, que se esperaba para la tarde, terminó demorando varias horas, y fue formalizado sobre las nueve de la noche. Con el fin de esta jornada se ha dado término a una intensa agenda de 10 días de trabajo. La próxima sesión, la cuarta, ha quedado prevista para el mes de noviembre.
© Miguel Gutiérrez (EFE)
Caracas, 21 oct (Prensa Latina) El tercer ciclo de diálogo entre representantes del Gobierno venezolano y exdiputados de la extinta Asamblea Nacional (parlamento) concluyó hoy en Caracas con importantes acuerdos de carácter político, económicos y sociales.
The post Con importantes acuerdos cerró tercer ciclo de diálogo en Venezuela first appeared on Noticias Prensa Latina.
Venezuela needs a competent supreme court, truly independent political parties, the freedom of its political prisoners, and the restored trust of its people for a democratic transition to successfully take place, Dinorah Figuera, the leader of the opposition delegation negotiating that transition, told Breitbart News.
The post Exclusive — Dinorah Figuera, the Woman Leading Venezuela’s Road to Elections: ‘The Interests of the Country Come First’ appeared first on Breitbart.
Caracas, 21 oct (Prensa Latina) La presidenta encargada de Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, hizo pública hoy en Instagram una carta enviada el 11 de octubre a Su Santidad el papa León XIV.
The post Presidenta encargada de Venezuela revela carta enviada a León XIV first appeared on Noticias Prensa Latina.
Caracas, 21 oct (Prensa Latina) Dos nuevos vuelos con 369 migrantes deportados de Estados Unidos arribaron hoy a Venezuela a través de la Gran Misión Vuelta a la Patria.
The post Repatriados a Venezuela 369 migrantes deportados de EEUU first appeared on Noticias Prensa Latina.
The European Commission has called on Malta to accelerate judicial reforms and strengthen safeguards for journalists, nine years after the assassination of investigative reporter Daphne Caruana Galizia, as the European Parliament revisited concerns over corruption and institutional accountability on Wednesday, 21 October.
European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection Michael McGrath told MEPs in Strasbourg that Malta had made progress in certain areas but had yet to implement several outstanding recommendations concerning judicial independence, high-level corruption and media freedom.
The debate followed the controversial acquittal of businessman Yorgen Fenech, who had been accused of involvement in Caruana Galizia’s murder. Maltese prosecutors appealed the verdict in September, leaving the criminal proceedings subject to further judicial consideration.
The European Commission’s 2026 Rule of Law Report, published in July, assessed Malta’s progress in reforming its justice system, anti-corruption institutions and protections for the media.
The report acknowledged certain improvements, including additional resources allocated to judicial and prosecutorial authorities.
However, it found that progress remained limited on several recommendations.
These include reducing delays in judicial proceedings, improving the investigation and prosecution of high-level corruption and ensuring greater judicial involvement in the appointment of the Chief Justice.
The Commission has also expressed concern about the effectiveness of existing anti-corruption arrangements.
Although investigations and prosecutions have increased in some areas, Brussels continues to seek a stronger record of final judgments in major corruption cases.
Court delays and pressure on judicial resources remain significant difficulties.
McGrath told Parliament that the Maltese authorities must continue implementing reforms to address these shortcomings.
Caruana Galizia was killed by a car bomb near her home in Bidnija on 16 October 2017.
The 53-year-old journalist had investigated corruption, money laundering and political connections involving prominent figures in Malta’s business and political establishment.
Her assassination prompted international condemnation, widespread demonstrations and investigations into the circumstances surrounding the killing.
Several men have subsequently been convicted for participating in the murder or supplying the explosives.
However, the criminal proceedings concerning the alleged commissioning of the assassination have remained contentious.
On 2 September 2026, a nine-member jury acquitted businessman Yorgen Fenech of complicity in the murder and criminal association. The verdict was reached by eight votes to one.
Fenech had denied ordering or financing the killing.
The acquittal prompted criticism from Caruana Galizia’s family and organisations campaigning for press freedom.
On 22 September, Malta’s Attorney General formally appealed the verdict, challenging legal decisions made during the trial.
The appeal does not overturn Fenech’s acquittal or establish criminal responsibility.
The Court of Criminal Appeal must determine whether the legal grounds presented justify further proceedings, potentially including a retrial.
The criminal case remains separate from the broader political debate over Malta’s institutional reforms.
Wednesday’s parliamentary debate exposed sharp disagreements between representatives of Malta’s opposition Nationalist Party and governing Labour Party.
Nationalist MEPs Peter Agius and David Casa criticised the authorities’ record on corruption and institutional accountability.
Agius argued that repeated European Commission assessments had failed to produce sufficient improvements and questioned whether Malta’s institutions were effectively addressing allegations of wrongdoing.
Casa referred to the findings of the independent public inquiry into Caruana Galizia’s assassination, which concluded in 2021 that the state had contributed to circumstances in which a climate of impunity enabled the killing.
He argued that significant recommendations arising from that inquiry remained outstanding.
Labour MEP Alex Agius Saliba rejected the criticism, maintaining that Malta had implemented reforms and that its judicial institutions should be allowed to perform their functions independently.
He pointed to the prosecution’s appeal against Fenech’s acquittal as evidence that the judicial process was continuing.
Labour MEP Thomas Bajada concentrated on the protection of journalists and the need to counter misinformation while preserving independent reporting.
The disagreements subsequently prompted a response from Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela, who accused opposition MEPs of damaging Malta’s reputation through their interventions.
Media freedom featured prominently in the Commission’s concerns.
Malta has introduced legislation addressing certain abusive legal proceedings against journalists, including transposing EU protections against strategic lawsuits intended to discourage public participation.
However, the existing measures principally concern civil proceedings with cross-border implications.
The Commission has urged Malta to extend comparable protections to domestic cases.
Other concerns include journalists’ access to official information, protection from intimidation and the need for more comprehensive legislative safeguards.
McGrath indicated that the Maltese government intended to present additional media legislation in the coming weeks.
The Commission has called for consultations with journalists, media organisations and civil society before the measures are adopted.
European institutions are also examining Malta’s implementation of wider EU requirements under the European Media Freedom Act.
The European Parliament’s proceedings form part of the continued scrutiny of Malta’s institutional record following Caruana Galizia’s assassination.
The Commission’s annual rule-of-law assessments provide a mechanism for identifying outstanding problems and monitoring governments’ responses.
However, the implementation of many recommendations remains the responsibility of national authorities.
For Malta, the immediate issues concern the government’s promised media legislation, outstanding judicial reforms and the progression of the appeal in the Fenech case.
The Commission has made clear that further improvements are required, while the Maltese government maintains that substantial institutional changes have already been introduced.
The next assessment will depend on legislative measures actually adopted, their implementation and progress through the relevant judicial proceedings.
Caracas, 21 oct (Prensa Latina) El Partido Socialista Unido de Venezuela (PSUV) rechazó hoy de manera firme la nueva orden de arresto emitida por un tribunal de la Florida, Estados Unidos, contra el líder de la Revolución cubana, General de Ejército, Raúl Castro.
The post Venezuela: PSUV rechaza orden de arresto contra Raúl Castro first appeared on Noticias Prensa Latina.
O grupo de lesados de uma alegada burla imobiliária em Palmela, no distrito de Setúbal, que afetou cerca de 145 compradores, reclamou hoje do Governo e do parlamento medidas legislativas para proteger os adiantamentos pagos na compra de habitação.
Em comunicado divulgado hoje, o Grupo de Lesados por Burlas Imobiliárias de Palmela, que estima em cerca de 15 milhões de euros os prejuízos sofridos pelos compradores, defende que o Governo e o parlamento devem criar de mecanismos de proteção dos sinais e reforços de pagamento entregues aos promotores imobiliários antes da escritura.
As cinco medidas propostas pelo grupo de lesados da burla imobiliária em Palmela passam pelo “registo eletrónico obrigatório dos contratos-promessa com identificação única e alertas para promessas de venda sobrepostas”, “registo da titularidade do bem, dos poderes de quem vende e da situação urbanística do imóvel” e a “proteção dos sinais e reforços, através de meios como seguros-caução”.
“O cruzamento de informação entre registos, autarquias e outras entidades competentes, criando o BI do Imóvel, um registo único, de livre acesso” e a “fiscalização e responsabilização reforçadas de promotores e mediadores imobiliários”, são as outras medidas exigidas pelo grupo de lesados de Palmela.
No comunicado, o grupo recorda que a lei já prevê o registo de contratos-promessa com eficácia real a partir do momento em que haja aprovação de propriedade horizontal”, mas defende que é preciso conseguir “uma proteção equivalente para os contratos de bens futuros, que permitam contribuir para o financiamento da obra, mas com proteção integral do dinheiro investido por promitentes compradores”.
“Não bastam as alterações do Regime Jurídico da Urbanização e da Edificação (RJUE), é preciso ver também aspetos no Código Civil e no regime do registo predial”, sublinha o grupo de lesados de Palmela.
Na nota, o grupo de lesados lembra que já deu conhecimento destas propostas à Presidência da República, primeiro-ministro, Procuradoria-Geral da República, Provedoria de Justiça, Instituto da Habitação e Reabilitação Urbana (IHRU), Instituto dos Mercados Públicos do Imobiliário e da Construção (IMPIC), Banco de Portugal e outras entidades públicas, mas ainda não recebeu qualquer proposta de medidas concretas.
Os lesados da burla imobiliária que afetou cerca de 145 compradores de empreendimentos habitacionais previstos para o concelho de Palmela, dos quais resultaram apenas 21 moradias e um edifício com cinco frações, todos inacabados, entendem que a legislação atual não assegura uma proteção financeira eficaz a quem compra imóveis em planta ou em construção, deixando os compradores expostos ao risco de perderem as poupanças em caso de incumprimento ou fraude.
Sustentam ainda que a simplificação administrativa deve ser acompanhada de maior segurança jurídica e financeira para os compradores.
Recorde-se que foi noticiado em janeiro deste ano que mais de 120 famílias que entregaram quantias avultadas como sinal para aquisição de moradias à Sociedade Comercial Diagramamotriz, entretanto declarada insolvente, em negócios que tiveram a intermediação de imobiliárias como a Remax Expogroup Trust e a Bluecoast.
No processo, em investigação pela Polícia Judiciária (PJ) de Setúbal, está em causa o incumprimento dos contratos-promessa de compra e venda de imóveis nos empreendimentos Palmela Dreams, Alcaide Villas, Urbanização de Santa Teresinha (lotes 14/15/16), Aires Dreams Living e Ferra Cinta, no concelho de Palmela, distrito de Setúbal.
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