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Russia has been using civilian cargo vessels in order to transport military equipment and suspected undercover intelligence operatives to Africa, with 28 persons believed to have traveled under fabricated identities aboard vessels carrying supplies for Russian military operations. According to a joint investigation published on Oct 19, 2026, by the Dossier Center, Follow the Money, Süddeutsche Zeitung, Danwatch, and Delfi, the suspected operatives sailed aboard on the whole seven Russian cargo vessels with military equipment, which was primarily intended for Russia’s Africa Corps, a Defense Ministry-controlled formation that replaced the Wagner mercenary group. The names, dates of birth, and identity document numbers of these people could not be found in publicly available records or leaked databases. They were likely Russian intelligence personnel operating under cover identities. The investigation found that the passengers used Russian passports without biometric chips. Several documents differed only in their final digits, while two carried consecutive numbers, suggesting they may have been issued together as part of a coordinated operation. The documents displayed characteristics associated with passports used in intelligence operations. Analysts at US-based security research organization C4ADS also concluded that the passengers’ personal information appeared to have been fabricated. One of the shipments involved the 'Sabetta' (IMO: 9347061), which arrived at the port of Conakry on March 19 and delivered approximately 50 military and support vehicles, including armoured vehicles and fuel tankers. The equipment was subsequently transported overland to Mali, where Russia’s Africa Corps maintains a military presence. Four passengers aboard the 'Sabetta' had identity details that investigators could not verify through other available records. The vessel is owned by Severny Proekt, a Russian company involved in state defense contracts and special projects for the state nuclear corporation Rosatom. The investigation also identified three roro vessels, the 'Adler' (IMO: 9179854), 'Ascalon' (IMO 9198226) and 'Baltic Leader' (IMO: 9220639, which were operated by the MG-Flot, a Russian shipping company sanctioned by the USA and European Union over activities linked to Iran and supplies supporting Russian drone production. Three additional cargo vessels, the 'Mikhail Britnev' (IMO: 9081370), 'Mys Zhelaniya' (IMO: 9366110) and 'Siyanie Severa' (IMO: 9250385), were also identified as part of the maritime network. The 'Siyanie Severa' had previously transported grain from temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories. The vessels frequently switched off their AIS transponders during voyages to Africa, making their movements more difficult to track. Russia may have deployed personnel from the Federal Security Service (FSB) or military intelligence agency (GRU) to accompany the shipments because of the sensitive military cargo. The suspected intelligence operatives could have been tasked with monitoring crews and preventing vessels from complying with potential orders to stop issued by European authorities. Approximately 15 Ukrainian drone specialists have been operating in Mali, providing training and operational support to local forces fighting Russia’s Africa Corps. Ukrainian personnel have also conducted drone operations in Sudan and Libya, targeting Russian-linked military and maritime activities. Report with photos: https://united24media.com/world/russia-caught-shipping-weapons-and-suspected-undercover-spies-to-africa-aboard-civilian-vessels-23571

The 'Emerald Princess' has failed a routine US public health inspection after officials identified numerous food safety and sanitation problems, including mouldy produce, contaminated kitchen equipment and failures in food temperature controls. on Oct 16, 2026. The ship received a draft score of just 78 out of 100 following an inspection by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Long Beach, California, as part of the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program, which assesses hygiene and public health standards aboard cruise ships operating in US waters. The inspectors deducted a total of 22 points across eight categories, with the most significant concerns involving food preparation, storage, cleanliness and the effectiveness of onboard food safety management. The findings also included failures involving drinking-water monitoring equipment following a power outage aboard the vessel. One of the more concerning discoveries involved the ship’s crew dining facilities, where inspectors found three visibly mouldy or rotten oranges on the serving line during lunch. Additional spoiled produce was discovered elsewhere aboard the vessel, including mould on peppers, a cucumber and several avocados that had already been washed. The inspectors also identified several instances where raw or partially cooked food had been stored incorrectly, creating potential cross-contamination risks. Raw pork chops were positioned above thawed hot dogs, while partially cooked roast beef was stored above cut boiled eggs. In another refrigerated area, sushi containing raw tuna had been placed above ready-to-eat food. The pork chops were moved to an appropriate location while the inspectors were aboard. Several plates, bowls, pans and other kitchen utensils remained visibly dirty after being washed. The inspectors also documented blocked or contaminated spray nozzles in dishwashing equipment. Meanwhile, ice machines contained accumulations of black, brown and pink debris in their water trays. The findings raised concerns about the effectiveness of routine cleaning procedures and the checks intended to ensure equipment was suitable for use. Food temperature management was another major issue, accounting for five of the 22 points deducted. On the portside buffet lines, inspectors discovered that almost all cold food items were missing the required coloured time-control markers. These markers are used to establish when food displayed without temperature control must be discarded. Affected items included deli meats, cheeses, sandwiches, grilled vegetables, salads and dressings.According to the inspection findings, all affected food was discarded. The inspectors also observed problems with the cooling of prepared sandwiches. Several trays had been covered while their contents were cooling, potentially preventing food from reaching safe temperatures quickly enough. Ham and cheese sandwiches dropped by only 3°F over three hours, while tomato and mozzarella sandwiches cooled by just 5°F over 2,5 hours. Further concerns emerged at the International Café, where mortadella and cheese sandwiches were found at temperatures exceeding 41°F, approximately 5°C. Crew members provided conflicting information about when the sandwiches had been prepared, with some indicating they had been made that day and others suggesting they were from the previous day. The inspectors also identified an entry in a cooling log written in different ink. The chef confirmed that he had not reviewed the entry. Together, these issues contributed to the inspectors’ concerns about the reliability of food safety monitoring and the level of understanding among crew members responsible for handling food. The inspection also identified a problem involving the ship’s drinking-water monitoring system following a blackout on the morning of Oct 16. A chlorine analyser had stopped recording measurements, while an alarm was sounding in the engine control room. The relevant crew members had not been informed about the problem. Separate manual testing confirmed that chlorine was present in the water supply. The finding therefore concerned the failure of monitoring and communication procedures rather than evidence that the water lacked disinfectant. The CDC’s assessment highlighted weaknesses in managerial oversight and crew knowledge as contributing factors to several of the more significant deficiencies. In addition to the five-point deduction for food temperature controls, inspectors removed three points each for inadequate food safety management, improper storage and cross-contamination, dirty food-contact surfaces and utensils, and pest control failures. A further two points were deducted for problems with dishwashing equipment and washing facilities, while another two were lost over staff knowledge and the response to drinking-water monitoring problems. The remaining point was deducted for deficiencies involving the condition and cleanliness of floors, walls and ceilings. Some issues were addressed before the inspectors left the vessel.

Russia has been using civilian cargo vessels in order to transport military equipment and suspected undercover intelligence operatives to Africa, with 28 persons believed to have traveled under fabricated identities aboard vessels carrying supplies for Russian military operations. According to a joint investigation published on Oct 19, 2026, by the Dossier Center, Follow the Money, Süddeutsche Zeitung, Danwatch, and Delfi, the suspected operatives sailed aboard on the whole seven Russian cargo vessels with military equipment, which was primarily intended for Russia’s Africa Corps, a Defense Ministry-controlled formation that replaced the Wagner mercenary group. The names, dates of birth, and identity document numbers of these people could not be found in publicly available records or leaked databases. They were likely Russian intelligence personnel operating under cover identities. The investigation found that the passengers used Russian passports without biometric chips. Several documents differed only in their final digits, while two carried consecutive numbers, suggesting they may have been issued together as part of a coordinated operation. The documents displayed characteristics associated with passports used in intelligence operations. Analysts at US-based security research organization C4ADS also concluded that the passengers’ personal information appeared to have been fabricated. One of the shipments involved the 'Sabetta', which arrived at the port of Conakry on March 19 and delivered approximately 50 military and support vehicles, including armoured vehicles and fuel tankers. The equipment was subsequently transported overland to Mali, where Russia’s Africa Corps maintains a military presence. Four passengers aboard the 'Sabetta' had identity details that investigators could not verify through other available records. The vessel is owned by Severny Proekt, a Russian company involved in state defense contracts and special projects for the state nuclear corporation Rosatom. The investigation also identified three roro vessels, the 'Adler' (IMO: 9179854), 'Ascalon' (IMO 9198226) and 'Baltic Leader' (IMO: 9220639, which were operated by the MG-Flot, a Russian shipping company sanctioned by the USA and European Union over activities linked to Iran and supplies supporting Russian drone production. Three additional cargo vessels, the 'Mikhail Britnev' (IMO: 9081370), 'Mys Zhelaniya' (IMO: 9366110) and 'Siyanie Severa' (IMO: 9250385), were also identified as part of the maritime network. The 'Siyanie Severa' had previously transported grain from temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories. The vessels frequently switched off their AIS transponders during voyages to Africa, making their movements more difficult to track. Russia may have deployed personnel from the Federal Security Service (FSB) or military intelligence agency (GRU) to accompany the shipments because of the sensitive military cargo. The suspected intelligence operatives could have been tasked with monitoring crews and preventing vessels from complying with potential orders to stop issued by European authorities. Approximately 15 Ukrainian drone specialists have been operating in Mali, providing training and operational support to local forces fighting Russia’s Africa Corps. Ukrainian personnel have also conducted drone operations in Sudan and Libya, targeting Russian-linked military and maritime activities. Report with photos: https://united24media.com/world/russia-caught-shipping-weapons-and-suspected-undercover-spies-to-africa-aboard-civilian-vessels-23571

Due to the serious unrests in France, P&O Cruises has changed the itinerary of the 'Iona' at short notice: The planned call to Le Havre on Oct 18 has been cancelled aninstead the ship had a day at sea. The stay in Vigo has been brought forward by one day to oct 19, and A Coruña became an overnight stop on Oct 20 until Oct 21. Those who have booked an excursion in Le Havre through P&O will have it canceled and refunded. Tours in Vigo and A Coruña were also adjusted. The Shore Experiences team contacted affected guests.

The 'Kraken', which was sunk as an artificial reef in January 2017, was now flooded with fishes 42 metres deep, 65 miles off the coast of Galveston, Texas, in the Gulf of Mexico. The vessel is now encrusted with marine organisms and surrounded by clouds of fishes including mackerel and red snapper. Many of these animals have made their home here purely because of the presence of the ship’s structure. Before the ship was scuttled, the team surveyed the area to check what was already living in these waters. They found a couple of sharks and not much of anything else. The new ecosystem supports marine life also attracts tourism through diving and fishing. The whole area benefitted from the added habitat and species diversity.