UK Marines Intercept Russian Shadow Fleet Oil Tanker in English Channel, PM Announces British armed forces conducted a six-hour operation on Sunday morning to board a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in the English Channel, according to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Royal Marine Commandos and National Crime Agency officers, supported by RAF aircraft, intercepted the vessel, which will be detained and monitored off the south coast of England as investigations proceed. The Ministry of Defence confirmed the move, emphasizing its significance in countering Russia’s efforts to circumvent sanctions. The intercepted vessel, named Smyrtos, is registered under a Cameroon flag and is currently anchored off the coast of Weymouth. Tracking data from MarineTraffic reveals the ship began its journey on June 5 from Russia’s Ust-Luga port, an oil terminal near St. Petersburg, before entering the English Channel on Saturday. The MoD stated the vessel was sanctioned in July 2025, prompting it to change its name from Myrtos to Smyrtos and switch flags twice. This aligns with Russia’s broader strategy of operating a "shadow fleet" of over 700 tankers to evade international sanctions on oil exports. The Smyrtos is part of a network responsible for transporting 75% of Russia’s sanctioned oil, providing a critical lifeline for the Kremlin. The UK’s sanctions prohibit sanctioned vessels from entering UK ports and bar British entities from offering financial, insurance, or brokerage services to ships involved in Russian oil trade. The MoD noted that more than 500 vessels have been sanctioned under these measures, underscoring the scale of the effort to disrupt Russia’s oil revenues.#prime_minister_keir_starmer #ministry_of_defence #royal_marine_commandos #national_crime_agency #smyrtos
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Retains Title of World's Most Popular Leader with 68% Approval Rating Prime Minister Narendra Modi has once again been named the world's most popular leader, according to the latest global survey conducted by the American data analytics firm Morning Consult. The survey, which was carried out between March 2 and 8, 2026, awarded Modi a 68% approval rating, significantly outpacing other global leaders. Switzerland’s President Gisela von Pfluger and South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol came in second and third, respectively, with 62% approval ratings. Other leaders, including the Czech Republic and Argentina’s presidents, received 57% and 56% approval ratings, respectively. In contrast, U.S. President Donald Trump received only 39% approval, missing the top 10 rankings. Among European leaders, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer secured 24% approval, while French President Emmanuel Macron ranked near the bottom with 17%. The rankings are based on the seven-day moving average of opinions from adults in various countries. This latest survey comes at a time when Modi has recently become one of the longest-serving leaders in India’s history, combining his tenure as Gujarat’s chief minister with his role as prime minister. His extended period in public life has solidified his position as a prominent political figure both domestically and internationally. The survey highlights the sustained public support for Modi, despite ongoing challenges in the country. His leadership has been marked by initiatives in economic growth, technological advancement, and global diplomacy, which have contributed to his high approval ratings.#prime_minister_narendra_mod #morning_consult #president_gisela_von_pfluger #president_yoon_suk_yeol #prime_minister_keir_starmer
