The Viking Sky cruise ship sent out a mayday call on Saturday after encountering engine problems amid high seas and strong wind.
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A cruise ship off of Norway's western coast was evacuating its 1,300 passengers after losing power and issuing a mayday call on Saturday.
Helicopters and boats were helping with the evacuation process that's expected to continue for many hours, The Associated Press reports.
The Viking Sky, operated by Viking Ocean Cruises, was experiencing engine problems, the Norwegian newspaper VG reports. At the time, the cruise ship was also encountering high seas and strong winds, the newspaper said.
The ship is in Hustadsvika Bay, an area that, as Reuters reports, is known "for its fierce weather" where "shallow waters are dotted with reefs."
The Norwegian government is studying whether to "build a giant ocean tunnel through a nearby mountain to improve safety" in the bay, according to the news agency.
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After the crew was able to restart one engine, police say the Viking Sky moved farther offshore and dropped anchor. So far, only about 100 people have been evacuated, according to the AP.
LECHERIA, Venezuela (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s administration has reached its final stage and there will soon be a change in government, opposition leader Juan Guaido said, adding that his allies have spoken with high-ranking military members about changing sides.
In an interview with Reuters on Friday, Guaido said Maduro had lost the ability to “finance political blackmail” to retain power thanks to pressure brought by foreign governments who have recognized him as the South American country’s rightful leader in the midst of a hyperinflationary economic collapse.
“They are isolated, alone, they are falling apart day by day,” Guaido, the president of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, said in Lecheria, a city in northeastern Anzoategui state, where he held several rallies with supporters over the weekend.
“The citizens do not like them, they reject them, they hate them, because that is what they have received from them: hate.”
Venezuela plunged into a deep political crisis in January, when Guaido invoked the constitution to assume an interim presidency, arguing Maduro’s May 2018 re-election was illegitimate. He has been recognized by most Western countries, including the United States, as Venezuela’s rightful leader.
Maduro, a socialist, says Guaido is a puppet of the United States and is attempting to lead a coup against him to wrest control of the OPEC nation’s oil reserves, the largest in the world. He retains control of state functions and the loyalty of the military top brass.
But Guaido said that hold was slipping thanks in part to pressure from abroad. The United States slapped sanctions on state oil company PDVSA in January, and on Friday sanctioned several state-run banks in Venezuela. Guaido has also taken control of U.S. refiner Citgo, a PDVSA subsidiary and the country’s most important overseas asset.
“The diplomatic pressure has worked, the economic pressure and the pressure on assets have worked,” Guaido said.
Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, who many nations have recognized as the country's rightful interim ruler, poses for a photograph after an interview with Reuters in Caracas, Venezuela March 22, 2019. REUTERS/Carlos Jasso
‘WHAT’S MISSING?’
Shortly after assuming the interim presidency, Guaido offered amnesty to members of the military who took his side. While hundreds have deserted, with many fleeing to neighboring Colombia, the top brass has stood by Maduro’s side.
Guaido estimated that between 80-85 percent of military members were “convinced of the need for a change in Venezuela,” and that his team has been meeting with higher-ranking members.
“What’s missing? That the leadership, the high command of the armed forces, take the side of the constitution,” he said.
The 35-year-old engineer, who had a low profile before assuming the presidency of the National Assembly this year, said he was prepared for more members of his team to be detained after his chief of staff, Roberto Marrero, was arrested on Thursday under accusations of terrorism.
Venezuela’s Supreme Court has initiated an investigation of Guaido on the grounds that he had helped foreign countries interfere in internal matters. During a prolonged blackout this month, the chief prosecutor has asked that he be probed for alleged involvement in “sabotage” of the country’s electrical system.
Guaido said Maduro’s aim was “to generate fear.”
“The risk of participating in politics in Venezuela is your life, your freedom, and the persecution of those closest to you,” Guaido said.
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He added that his team is evaluating “all the options” to possibly make a payment of some $72 million on PDVSA bonds that come due in April. The bonds have shares in Citgo as collateral, and a failure to make payment could allow creditors to seize part of the company.
Guaido said his team has also been in touch with companies whose Venezuelan assets were expropriated by the late former President Hugo Chavez, Maduro’s mentor and predecessor, about returning to the country should Maduro leave power.
Reporting by Diego Ore; Writing by Luc Cohen; Editing by Robert Birsel
The cruise ship Viking Sky lays at anchor in heavy seas, after it sent out a Mayday signal because of engine failure in windy conditions, near Hustadvika, off the west coast of Norway.AP
Police say a cruise ship with engine problems has sent a mayday call off Norway’s western coast and is making plans to evacuate its 1,300 passengers and crew.
Norwegian newspaper VG said the Viking Sky cruise ship ran into propulsion problems as strong winds and heavy seas hit Norway’s coastal regions Saturday.
Police in the western county of Moere og Romsdal said Saturday the ship has managed to moor in Hustadsvika Bay, between the western Norwegian cities of Alesund and Trondheim.
Rescue teams with helicopters and boats have been sent to help and evacuate the vessel, a process expected to take several hours.
The Viking Sky was delivered in 2017 to operator Viking Ocean Cruises.
Hundreds of thousands of marchers filled London streets Saturday to demand a second Brexit referendum as pressure builds on Prime Minister Theresa May to resign.
The massive demonstration--one of the city's largest protest gatherings in years-- took place with May unable to convince Parliament on a plan for the U.K. to leave the European Union--despite two attempts in the House of Commons.
Several British newspapers, including the London Times and The Daily Telegraph, have reported that pressure is growing on May to resign.
The "Put It To The People" demonstrators planned a rally in front of Parliament after marching from Park Lane to Parliament Square.
Demonstrators carry posters and flags during a Peoples Vote anti-Brexit march in London, Saturday.
(AP)
“I would feel differently if this was a well-managed process and the government was taking sensible decisions. But it is complete chaos,” demonstrator Gareth Rae, 59, told Reuters. “The country will be divided whatever happens and it is worse to be divided on a lie."
A 2016 referendum to leave the EU passed by 1.3 million votes.
A demonstrator wears a hat decorated with the EU and British colors during a Peoples Vote anti-Brexit march in London, Saturday.
(AP)
London Mayor Sadiq Khan tweeted a video of himself with demonstrators holding up a 'Put it to the People' banner at the front of the march as it began.
Joining him was Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable, who tweeted that there was a "huge turnout of people here from all walks of life."
The embattled May wrote to lawmakers Friday night saying she would only bring the European Union withdrawal plan back to Parliament if there seems to be enough backing for it to pass.
“If it appears that there is not sufficient support to bring the deal back next week, or the House rejects it again, we can ask for another extension before 12 April, but that will involve holding European Parliament elections,” she said.
The Associated Press interviewed 63-year-old Edmund Sides, who spent the last three weeks walking from Wales to London in order to take part in the demonstration.
A puppet character depicting British Prime Minister Theresa May is brandished among Anti-Brexit campaigners, during the People's Vote March in London, Saturday.
(Yui Mok/PA via AP)
He expressed worry about the vicious tone that arguments have started to take and worries about national cohesion.
Demonstrators carry posters and flags during a Peoples Vote anti-Brexit march in London, Saturday.
(AP)
Hundreds of thousands of marchers filled London streets Saturday to demand a second Brexit referendum as pressure builds on Prime Minister Theresa May to resign.
The massive demonstration--one of the city's largest protest gatherings in years-- took place with May unable to convince Parliament on a plan for the U.K. to leave the European Union--despite two attempts in the House of Commons.
Several British newspapers, including the London Times and The Daily Telegraph, have reported that pressure is growing on May to resign.
The "Put It To The People" demonstrators planned a rally in front of Parliament after marching from Park Lane to Parliament Square.
“I would feel differently if this was a well-managed process and the government was taking sensible decisions. But it is complete chaos,” demonstrator Gareth Rae, 59, told Reuters. “The country will be divided whatever happens and it is worse to be divided on a lie."
A 2016 referendum to leave the EU passed by 1.3 million votes.
A demonstrator wears a hat decorated with the EU and British colors during a Peoples Vote anti-Brexit march in London, Saturday.
(AP)
London Mayor Sadiq Khan tweeted a video of himself with demonstrators holding up a 'Put it to the People' banner at the front of the march as it began.
Joining him was Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable, who tweeted that there was a "huge turnout of people here from all walks of life."
The embattled May wrote to lawmakers Friday night saying she would only bring the European Union withdrawal plan back to Parliament if there seems to be enough backing for it to pass.
“If it appears that there is not sufficient support to bring the deal back next week, or the House rejects it again, we can ask for another extension before 12 April, but that will involve holding European Parliament elections,” she said.
The Associated Press interviewed 63-year-old Edmund Sides, who spent the last three weeks walking from Wales to London in order to take part in the demonstration.
A puppet character depicting British Prime Minister Theresa May is brandished among Anti-Brexit campaigners, during the People's Vote March in London, Saturday.
(Yui Mok/PA via AP)
He expressed worry about the vicious tone that arguments have started to take and worries about national cohesion.
Defying Allies, Italy Signs On to New Silk Road With China
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Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte of Italy and President Xi Jinping of China inspecting the honor guard during a welcome ceremony in Rome on Saturday.CreditCreditRiccardo Antimiani/EPA, via Shutterstock
ROME — Italy resisted the entreaties and warnings of its European Union and American allies on Saturday by officially joining China’s vast new Silk Road at a signing ceremony with President Xi Jinping of China, a move that crystallized shifting geopolitical balances and the populist Italian government’s willingness to break with its traditional partners.
The agreement will “build a better relationship” between China and Italy, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte of Italy said.
Italy became the first of the Group of 7 nations that once dominated the global economy to take part in China’s “One Belt One Road” project, which makes enormous infrastructure investments to move Chinese goods and resources throughout Asia, Africa and Europe.
The Trump administration, which tried and failed to stop the deal, focused in the days leading up to Mr. Xi’s visit on blocking any Italian use of 5G wireless networks developed by the Chinese electronics giant Huawei, which Washington warned could be used by Beijing to spy on communications networks.
Against the backdrop of Italian, Chinese and European flags, a host of Chinese and Italian ministers and business leaders signed 29 separate agreements at the Villa Madama, marking the culmination of Mr. Xi’s visit to Rome, where he was welcomed as a prized ally and, critics said, conqueror.
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Crowds waiting to welcome President Xi on Friday. Italy became the first of the Group of 7 nations to take part in China’s “One Belt One Road” project.CreditAlessandra Tarantino/Associated Press
The memorandum of understanding formalized on Saturday provides a framework agreement for billions of euros in business deals between Italian and Chinese-state backed companies. But analysts said that what mattered more was its political symbolism, as it signaled waning American influence, a rising China and tensions among the founding partners of the European Union.
Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, Italy’s most powerful politician, was notably absent from the signing ceremony. In the weeks leading up to the agreement, he publicly assumed a more American-aligned and skeptical posture toward the deal, though he did not try to stop it. After the deal was done, he again ridiculed the notion that China was a “free market,” but said that as long as the deal served Italian interests, he was satisfied.
By contrast, his coalition partner, Luigi Di Maio, the leader of the anti-establishment Five Star Movement, championed the deal and made several visits to China in recent months. On Saturday, he beamed at the Villa Madama as he signed the first several agreements with Chinese counterparts, including those explicitly declaring Italy’s participation on new economic and maritime Silk Roads.
“Like someone in the United States said ‘America first,’” Mr. Di Maio said, “I continue to repeat ‘Italy first’ in commercial relations.”
The Chinese leader punctuated the signings by shaking the hand of Mr. Conte before flying off to the Sicilian capital, Palermo, a port city that hopes to benefit from Chinese investment, tourism and orange exports to China.
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From left, President Xi, the chairman of China’s National Development and Reform Commission, He Lifeng; Italy’s labor and industry minister, Luigi Di Maio; and Mr. Conte during the signing ceremony on Saturday.CreditAlberto Pizzoli/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
Mr. Xi, who was celebrated by the Italians with a state dinner and cavalry escort, is likely to get a less-festive greeting on Sunday when he visits Nice, France. President Emmanuel Macron, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany and representatives of the European Union will meet with him there and present a united front against what they consider China’s aggressive, and troubling, economic expansion into Europe.
This past week, as Mr. Xi met with Italian leaders, Mr. Macron announced an end to “the period of European naïveté” with regard to China and sought to strengthen rules protecting strategic economic sectors. They insisted on more reciprocity and transparency from China and sought to convince Mr. Conte that he was making a critical error by joining the One Belt One Road project.
Italy, which is saddled with crushing debt, hopes to lift its lagging economy by exporting goods to China and inviting more Chinese investment.
But opponents of the project in the Trump administration and in the European Union worry that Italy has turned itself into a Trojan Horse, allowing China’s economic — and potentially military and political — expansion to reach into the heart of Europe.
The Italians say their allies are exaggerating.
Michele Geraci, the chief Italian negotiator of the deal and an under secretary for economic development, said that Italy would avoid China’s debt traps and that its laws prevent foreigners from taking control of its ports, as China has done in Piraeus, Greece. He also argued that Italy’s European partners, who do billions of dollars more business every year with China, had already let them in.
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Mr. Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, arriving at the Quirinale Palace on Friday. The Chinese president was celebrated by the Italians with a state dinner and cavalry escort.CreditGiuseppe Lami/EPA, via Shutterstock
“China uses the European Union as 28 Trojan doors,” he said, referring to the number of member states in the bloc. Italy, he said, had expanded its legal powers to defend against Chinese predatory acquisitions, especially in sectors of national security.
“We are the country in Europe and probably the world that would least fear a Trojan effect,” said Mr. Geraci, adding that because he had lived in China for a decade, “I know China very well, and we are more able than others to spot any risks.”
Even critics of the government argued that the agreement gave Italy a chance to catch up to Germany and France, which had much more business with China than Italy did.
“It’s a positive thing,” said former Prime Minister Romano Prodi, who attended the state dinner for Mr. Xi on Friday night. “It’s a competition between the countries of Europe.”
China also sees positive opportunities in Italy’s ports, which are connected to railways that run into the heart of Central Europe. But that is not new: The difference now is the willingness of the Italians to let them in.
Zeno D’Agostino, the president of Trieste’s port authority, who signed one of the agreements in Rome on Saturday, said it was only natural that Italians would be looking to China because the Trump administration had withdrawn from the world.
China, he said, “is opening because it feels strong,” and a port had to do business with those who engaged in the world.
