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Malaysian Reserve
6 days ago
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
IATA: Global air cargo demand up by 5.8% y-o-y in April
KUALA LUMPUR — The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has reported a year-on-year (y-o-y) increase in global air cargo demand for April 2025. Total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres (CTK), rose by 5.8 per cent in volume, building on March's solid performance, IATA said in a statement today. International operations saw an even stronger increase of 6.5 per cent, while in terms of capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometres (ACTK), ticked up by 6.3 per cent globally and 6.9 per cent for international routes. In April 2024, the total demand for international operations was 6.5 per cent higher. In terms of capacity, measured in ACTK, increased by 6.3 per cent, compared with April 2024 of 6.9 per cent for international operations. IATA director general Willie Walsh said seasonal demand for fashion and consumer goods, front-loading ahead of the United States tariff changes, and lower jet fuel prices have combined to boost air cargo. 'With available capacity at record levels and yields improving, the outlook for air cargo is encouraging. While April brought good news, stresses in world trade are no secret. 'Shifts in trade policy, particularly in the US, are already reshaping demand and export dynamics. Airlines will need to remain flexible as the situation develops over the coming months,' he said. Several economic indicators supported the uptick in air cargo performance, including the increase in global industrial production, which rose 3.2 per cent y-o-y in March. It also noted that jet fuel prices declined by 21.2 per cent from the previous year and 4.1 per cent compared with March, marking the third consecutive month of falling fuel costs. Besides, global manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rose to 50.5 in April, signalling continued expansion for the fourth month in a row. 'However, there are also signs of caution. The Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for new export orders dropped 2.8 points to 47.2, remaining below the 50-point benchmark that indicates growth,' it said. In terms of regional performance in April, Asia-Pacific airlines saw 10.0 per cent y-o-y demand growth for air cargo, while capacity increased by 9.4 per cent y-o-y. On trade lane growth, IATA said all international routes experienced growth in April, except for Middle East-Europe, Africa-Asia, and intra-European routes. Overall, the data reflect a robust air cargo sector buoyed by economic and seasonal tailwinds, though the potential for policy-driven shifts remains a key risk in the months ahead. The IATA represents some 350 airlines comprising over 80 per cent of global air traffic. In terms of total cargo traffic measured by CTK, the Asia-Pacific region holds the largest market share at 34.2 per cent. North America follows with 25.8 per cent, while Europe accounts for 21.5 per cent of the global share. The Middle East contributes 13.6 per cent to the total cargo traffic, whereas Latin America and Africa represent smaller portions, with 2.9 per cent and 2.0 per cent, respectively. These figures highlight the dominant role of Asia-Pacific, North America, and Europe in global air cargo movement. — BERNAMA
DW
28-05-2025
- Politics
- DW
Czech-Slovak relations chill to glacial – DW – 05/28/2025
Czechia and Slovakia have been independent states for over 30 years. Until recently, the bond between them was extremely close. But among other things, the subject of Ukraine has driven a wedge between the two neighbors. Relations between the Czech Republic and Slovakia since the peaceful dissolution of Czechoslovakia in 1992 have been consistently good, close and characterized by mutual trust. The governments of the two neighboring countries have supported each other and cooperated on defense. Their respective languages are understood in both countries, and tens of thousands of young Slovaks study at Czech universities, which have a reputation for offering higher-quality education. The first foreign trip for a newly elected Czech or Slovak president has always been to the other country, and joint cabinet meetings are held at least once a year. And in surveys, the citizens of each country consistently rank the other as their favorite country. Or at least they used to. The end of an exceptional relationship? Since Robert Fico became prime minister in Slovakia for the fourth time in October 2023, relations between these two next-door neighbors have deteriorated and chilled significantly. Czech PM Petr Fiala said in March 2024 that his government did not consider it appropriate to conduct meetings with the government of the Slovak Republic in the coming weeks or months Image: Michal Krumphanzl/CTK/IMAGO Fico's nationalist, pro-Russian government, which models itself on that of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, has repeatedly clashed with the pro-Ukrainian Czech government of Petr Fiala. So much so that Prague actually canceled the traditional meeting of both governments in March 2024. The message from the Czech capital was that the "exceptional relationship" was terminated indefinitely. "We do not consider it appropriate to conduct governmental meetings with the government of the Slovak Republic in the coming weeks or months," Fiala told journalists at the time. "There is no hiding that there are considerable differences of opinion on several important foreign policy issues." Differences over Ukraine Fico, who had ordered a halt to military aid for Ukraine from the Slovak government and re-established relations with Moscow, responded by accusing Fiala's government of warmongering. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (left) and his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban (right) are close allies Image: Omar Havana/AP Photo/picture alliance "We note that the Czech government has decided to risk our relationship just because it is interested in supporting the war in Ukraine, while the Slovak government wants to speak openly about peace," Fico posted on social media. Although cooperation on practical projects continued at a low level, the warmth and mutual understanding of the previous three decades has dissipated entirely, particularly as Slovakia's rapprochement with Russia continues. The culmination of this rapprochement was Fico's participation in the May 9 Victory Day Parade in Moscow. He was the only head of government in the European Union to attend. Growing distance between the two populations Domestic developments in Slovakia, where the government has been taking action against independent public media and cultural institutions, making the fight against political corruption more difficult, are also not going down well in the Czech Republic. The cooling of relations between the two governments is now starting to impact attitudes in society, too. Slovak PM Robert Fico (eyes closed, center) and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic (to the right of Fico) attended the May 9 Victory Parade in Moscow Image: Yuri Kochetkov/Pool Photo via AP According to the annual survey conducted by the Czech polling institute STEM, which was published just a few days ago, Slovakia has slipped from its traditional No. 1 spot on the list of Czech citizens' favorite countries to No. 10 in the ranking. A 'clear drop' in Slovakia's popularity "The attitude of the Czech public towards other countries and foreign politicians remains largely stable in 2025. However, the current survey registers a clear drop for Slovakia and the United States," notes the institute on its website. "It is highly probable that the clear decline in positive attitudes after the downward trend of the last two years is linked to the current political situation in the country, where relations with the Czech Republic cooled after the Fico government came to power in fall 2023," STEM analyst Silvia Petty told the media. The chill in relations was accelerated when the clearly pro-Western Slovak President Zuzana Caputova, who was hugely popular in the Czech Republic, was succeeded by Fico's minister and preferred presidential candidate Peter Pellegrini. "Pellegrini has an approval rating of 38% among Czech men and women, which is much lower than that of his predecessor, Caputova. She had an approval rating of 68% among Czechs in the final year of her presidency," said Petty. One in five Slovaks supports Russia But it is apparently not only the governments of both countries that disagree on Ukraine, so too do their respective citizens. According to a survey conducted by the institute CVVM dated April 2025, 58% of Czech citizens support military aid for Ukraine. According to an IPSOS survey from early 2025, only 16% of Slovaks do. The Progressive Slovakia party led by Michal Simecka (pictured here at an anti-government rally in December 2023) is ahead in the polls in his country Image: Patrik Uhlir/CTK/picture alliance Indeed, one-third of those who voted for Fico's Smer party and 20% of Slovaks overall would welcome a Russian victory. In the Czech Republic, only 7% would. The Slovak weekly magazine Tyzden noted that Czech President Petr Pavel received Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Prague Castle just days before Fico visited Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. The photos from Prague Castle and the Kremlin defined the character of two opposing worlds, noted the magazine's editor-in-chief, Stefan Hrib. Slovak opposition welcome in Prague Members of the ruling coalition in Bratislava are trying to play down the gulf between the two neighbors. "The basic message should be that despite some differences of opinion at government and sometimes even presidential level, our common foundation still exists," Richard Rasi, spokesperson of the Slovak parliament and deputy chair of the coalition party Hlas, told DW. Rasi went on to say that while a joint meeting of the two governments before the parliamentary election in the Czech Republic in October is unthinkable, he believes that "we will return to the negotiating table after the elections." Ivan Korcok told DW that PS would 'bring Slovakia back from the periphery to the center of Europe and restore our wonderful Czech-Slovak relations' Image: Petr David Josek/AP The Slovak opposition, which is led by the Progressive Slovakia (PS) party, has good relations with Prague. PS politicians such as party leader Michal Simecka and former foreign minister and former Slovak ambassador to Berlin, Ivan Korcok, are received at the highest levels in the Czech capital. What does the future hold? Korcok narrowly lost the Slovak presidential election last year and joined PS in late 2024. Speaking to DW during his recent visit to Prague, he said: "I would like to say this to the Czechs: Believe me, there is a political alternative in Slovakia in the form of the opposition and Progressive Slovakia. It will bring Slovakia back from the periphery to the center of Europe and restore our wonderful Czech-Slovak relations." Since the start of the year, Progressive Slovakia has been ahead in all polls. Were an election to take place now, it and other opposition parties would win a parliamentary majority. In the Czech Republic, however, the ANO movement led by Czech oligarch Andrej Babis, is ahead in the polls. Babis makes no bones of his support for both Fico and Hungary's Viktor Orban. So, if the polls are right, the political leadership of both countries could change, but the current political ice age would continue. This article was originally published in German.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Czech president ends probe of soldiers over Afghanistan torture claim
The Czech Republic has dropped criminal investigations against four soldiers in connection with serious allegations of torture of an Afghan man during a mission in Afghanistan in a move ordered by President Petr Pavel. By closing the investigations, Pavel - himself a former NATO general - was making use of a constitutional provision, the presidential office said in Prague on Wednesday. The president had acted in response to the defendants' pleas for clemency, it added in a statement. The Czech Republic was involved in the NATO mission in Afghanistan from 2002 to 2021. The allegations date back to 2018, when an Afghan man shot and killed a Czech soldier at a military base and seriously injured two others. After his arrest, he was interrogated by four members of a Czech special unit and by US soldiers, according to the CTK news agency. Shortly afterwards, he was taken to a field hospital, where he died. The Czech public prosecutor's office filed charges against the four military personnel in April. It accused two of them of coercion and insubordination and two others of failure to render assistance and neglect of their duties as soldiers. A spokesman for the president justified the decision, citing among other things the "exceptional nature of the war situation," the "difficult international context" and the length of the investigation.
Economic Times
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
HIT 3 box office collection: Hits Rs 100 cr mark. Nani scores hat-trick in USA
Rs 100 crore in just 4 days $2M milestone in the US About HIT 3 After the blockbuster success of Saripodhaa Sanivaaram, Nani is riding high once again — this time with HIT: The Third Case , which has quickly emerged as a major box office sensation. Released on May 1, the gritty, A-rated crime thriller is making waves globally, raking in massive collections both in India and abroad. The film has achieved several milestones in record time, firmly cementing Nani's standing as one of Telugu cinema's most bankable stars to HIT 3 has grossed a staggering Rs 101 crore worldwide in just four days, a phenomenal feat for a franchise-driven thriller. The film has already reached its break-even point, delivering handsome profits to its producers and distributors. In key territories like Nizam, Uttarandhra, and the overseas markets, HIT 3 is now a certified money-spinner. More regions are expected to follow suit in the coming days, adding to the film's roaring a major achievement on the international front, HIT 3 has entered the prestigious $2 million club at the North American box office — Nani's third film in a row to do so. The film's breakeven target in the US was set at $2.3 million, and it is well on track to surpass that by the end of Sunday. With solid word-of-mouth and strong occupancy, the thriller is showing no signs of slowing and co-star Srinidhi Shetty have been on an aggressive promotional tour across several major US cities, which seems to be working wonders for the film's overseas collections. Their fan interactions, premieres, and Q&A sessions have generated significant buzz, drawing Telugu audiences to theatres in large by Sailesh Kolanu, HIT: The Third Case is the latest instalment in the successful HIT franchise. Produced jointly by Nani and Prashanti Tipirneni, the film combines intense crime storytelling with gripping performances. Kannada actress Srinidhi Shetty plays the female lead and has been widely appreciated for her story is centred around SP Arjun Sarkaar, who is imprisoned for a mysterious crime and recounts his journey to a fellow inmate. Assigned to Vishakapatnam's HIT unit, Arjun shockingly investigates murders, targeting pedophiles, to infiltrate a deadly dark web cult called CTK. As he gains their trust, Arjun uncovers a horrifying conspiracy involving organ trafficking and psychological torture. With help from his team and undercover officer Mridula, Arjun sets out to dismantle the organisation from within.
Al-Ahram Weekly
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Zelensky visits staunch supporter Czech Republic - War in Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Prague on Sunday for a two-day visit, Czech politicians said. Czech news agency CTK said a plane carrying Zelensky and his wife Olena landed in Prague before midday (1000 GMT). Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky posted a picture on X of him welcoming Zelensky with a handshake. President Petr Pavel's office said he would receive the Ukrainian first couple at Prague Castle on Sunday afternoon. The Czech Republic -- a member of the European Union and NATO -- has provided Ukraine with substantial humanitarian and military support since it was invaded by Russia in February 2022. It has received over half a million war refugees and supplied the Ukrainian army with equipment including tanks, armoured vehicles and helicopters. Prague also backs a European drive to supply artillery ammunition to Ukraine, financed largely by NATO allies. This is designed to make up in part for the EU's not meeting its promise to supply one million shells to Ukraine. Pavel, a former NATO general, last received Zelensky in Prague in 2023. Prime Minister Petr Fiala and the speakers of both parliament chambers said they would meet Zelensky in Prague on Monday. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
