An explosion in the desert of the United Arab Emirates helps make way for a critical new pipeline.
This 370km conduit, which opened Sunday, will pump oil to a new terminal on the Indian Ocean.
The facility will allow Emirati oil to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran - locked in a bitter diplomatic row with the West - has threatened to block.
The US ambassador to the UAE welcomed the new pipeline.


[Interview : Michael Corbin, U.S. Ambassador to UAE] "This is extremely important from a strategic point of view to allow Abu Dhabi's oil exports to go out directly to the Indian ocean to reduce the congestion in the Straits of Hormuz and increase the flow of oil."

Until Sunday, the UAE, like oil-rich Kuwait and Qatar, had been entirely dependent on the Strait of Hormuz for exports.
The new pipeline will be able to handle 75 percent of the UAE's production - or up to 1.8 million barrels a day.
Andrew Raven, Reuters

In France, thousands of troops paraded down the Champs Elysees while helicopters and jets flew overhead to mark Bastille Day --- the first one since President Francois Hollande took office.
After presiding over the very public celebrations, Hollande fielded questions about simmering tensions between his partner Valerie Trierweiler and his children.
France's First Lady ignited a firestorm last month when she weighed in on a political race in the western city of La Rochelle. She tweeted her support for a candidate who happens against the mother of Hollande's children.
Asked about his journalist partner's tweet, Hollande had this to say.


[Interview : Francois Hollande, French president] "There is no statute. Valerie wants to continue with her professional activity, I am not against that. She will be present by my side, as protocol demands."

Since the tweet, Hollande's children have cut off contact with the First Lady.


[Interview : Francois Hollande, French president] "I make a clear distinction between private life and public life and so I consider that private matters should be sorted out in private. I have said this to those close to me so that they scrupulously agree to respect this principle."

The family feud coupled with car maker Peguot's proposal to lay off 8,000 workers could overshadow the president's first few months in office.
Deborah Gembara, Reuters.

Reporter : sojungpark@arirang.co.kr