Hundreds Feared Dead in Mediterranean Crossing Attempt During Cyclone
As many as 380 people are feared to have drowned while attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea last week, according to the Italian coastguard. The perilous journey coincided with Cyclone Harry, which battered southern Italy and Malta, generating massive waves. Maltese authorities confirmed one shipwreck resulted in the loss of 50 lives, with only one survivor who was hospitalized in Malta, as reported by The Guardian.
The tragedies occurred as Cyclone Harry lashed the region, creating treacherous conditions for those attempting the crossing. The Italian coastguard's estimate of 380 potential fatalities underscores the scale of the disaster.
In other news, parcel delivery giant UPS announced it would cut up to 30,000 jobs this year as it continues to reduce shipments for Amazon. According to BBC Business, UPS described these shipments as "extraordinarily dilutive" to its profit margins. The job cuts would be implemented through buyout offers to full-time drivers and by not replacing staff who leave voluntarily. Despite the job cuts, UPS reported earnings of $24.5 billion for the final three months of last year and forecast a surprise increase in revenue to $89.7 billion for the year ahead.
Meanwhile, EasyJet was warned by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) to stop claiming that carry-on baggage fees were available "from £5.99." The ASA stated that EasyJet failed to provide evidence that passengers could stow luggage in a cabin at that price. The claim on EasyJet's website was flagged by consumer group Which?, which noted that airlines often advertise low fares but have additional fees, according to BBC Business. EasyJet responded by stating, "We always aim to provide clear information to our customers on pricing."
In the technology sector, TikTok US denied claims that it is censoring content after users reported glitches on the video streaming platform. A spokesperson for TikTok US told the BBC that the issues were due to technical problems since it became a separate American entity last week. "We've made significant progress in recovering our US infrastructure with our US data center partner," the spokesperson said. "However, the US user experience may still have some technical issues, including when posting new content."
Finally, Mexico's president, Claudia Sheinbaum, confirmed the cancellation of an oil shipment to Cuba, but insisted the decision was a sovereign one and not a response to pressure from the US, according to The Guardian. Fuel shortages are causing increasingly severe blackouts in Cuba, and Mexico has been the island's biggest oil supplier since the US blocked shipments.
Discussion
Join the conversation
Be the first to comment