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Peru protests strand hundreds of tourists near Machu Picchu
The country's Tourism Minister said that at least 900 tourists had been stranded in the vicinity of Peru's ancient Inca citadel, Machu Picchu, on Tuesday after a passenger rail service was suspended because of a protest. The train operator PeruRail announced that service was suspended Monday due to "rocks of different sizes" blocking the route through Peru's Cusco region, which is a mountainous region. Local residents and bus companies clashed over this issue. Protesters claim that there is a lack in transparency and fairness when it comes to replacing Consettur, the tourist bus operator, after their concession has expired. This will allow other local businesses to profit from this vital industry. Tourism Minister Desilu Leon said on local radio that 1400 tourists were evacuated Monday, but 900 still remained in Aguas Caientes. This is the nearest town to the most visited cultural site of the country. The protest started last week, after Consettur lost its concession to ferry tourists from Aguas Caientes up to the entrance of 15th century Inca citadel. Aguas Caientes protesters prevented the bus company from operating. PeruRail’s local unit also said that "third parties" excavated a part of the rail route. This affected the track’s stability, and slowed the evacuation of tourists. New7Wonders is a group that promotes global cultural sites. In a statement released over the weekend, the group said it had written to the Peruvian government, warning that the credibility of Machu Picchu as one of the New Wonders of the World may be compromised if the conflict escalates. In 2007, a global poll conducted by the group selected Machu Picchu alongside the Great Wall of China and Mexico's Chichen Itza.
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US traffic fatalities fell by 8.2% in the first half of 2025 - lowest number since 2020
Officials announced on Tuesday that the number of traffic fatalities in the United States has fallen by 8.2% since the beginning of 2020. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 17,140 people died in car crashes between June 30 and July 31, down from 18,680 during the same period last year. The number of road deaths in the United States increased dramatically during the COVID pandemic 2020 and continued to rise for many years, prompting calls for action. The first half of this year saw the lowest fatality rate since 2014. NHTSA Chief Counsel Peter Simshauser stated that the preliminary numbers are encouraging. These numbers, even though we are seeing progress, are still too high. We remain committed to reducing traffic deaths even further. In 2024, traffic deaths dropped by 3.8% to below 40,000, the lowest level since 2020. Experts said that as the roads in the United States became less congested during this pandemic, some drivers perceived police to be less likely than usual to issue tickets. This led them into more risky driving. Experts said that some drivers also drove more dangerously when they were impaired by alcohol and drugs taken at home. The U.S. death rate was much higher during the pandemic than other developed countries. The Congress has approved $5 billion in five-year installments as part of the $1 trillion infrastructure law for 2021 to address road safety. U.S. traffic fatalities Jumped 10.8% in 2021 The number of pedestrians and cyclists killed on American roads has risen to the highest level in more than four decades. The number of pedestrians and cyclists who were killed on American roadways has risen to its highest level in over four decades. In 2023, a NHTSA report found that crashes cost the taxpayers directly $30 billion and society in general $340 billion. The total cost of crashes to society was $1.37 trillion, or 1.6% of the U.S. economy. (Reporting and editing by Chris Reese, Richard Chang, and David Shepardson)
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Trump names board to mediate New York rail dispute
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump signed an executive directive to create an emergency board that will conduct mediation in order to prevent a strike at the Long Island Rail Road. The rail road serves more than 300,000 passengers each day. Five unions claimed to have asked Trump for intervention on Monday. The unions threatened to strike the New York commuter railroad this week. A spokesperson for the White House said that Trump had acted on the unions' requests "to bring both parties back to the negotiation table and prevent an strike which could have crippled New York City and disrupted upcoming Ryder Cup in Long Island." The union leaders stated that the White House Board would be appointed and a 120-day period would begin during which it would make its recommendation. During this time, no work stoppages could take place. The White House can name a second panel with a cooling off period up to May 2026 if no agreement is reached. The White House stated that the National Mediation Board, which consists of two Democrats and one Republican, voted in August to release MTA and LIRR workers unions from negotiation. This opened the door for a possible strike. This action does not mean that a strike will never happen. Gil Lang, the general chairman of BLET's LIRR Engineers, said that it is unlikely to happen in the near future. The LIRR is the largest commuter rail system in the U.S. The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) criticized unions on Monday. If these unions really wanted to protect riders, they would settle or agree to binding arbitral... This cynical delaying serves no one." New York Governor Kathy Hochul says both sides need to resume talks. She said, "There's a fair deal on the table and I have instructed the MTA that they are ready to negotiate anywhere, anytime." Both sides must continue to negotiate and work around the clock until it is resolved. (Reporting and editing by David Shepardson)
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Drone attacks on Russia could lead to a reduction in oil production, as Russia's output is expected to remain stable.
Industry sources say that the differential between Urals crude and Brent crude dated Tuesday remained unchanged, but Russia is on its way to cutting oil production due to drone strikes. Transneft, the monopoly Russian oil pipeline company, has warned that oil producers may be forced to reduce oil production following Ukraine's drone strikes on key export ports and refineries. Oil prices rose by over $1 a barrel Tuesday as traders assessed the risk that Russian oil supplies could be disrupted if Ukrainian drones attack its ports and refineries. They also awaited Federal Reserve's interest rate decision. PLATTS WINDOW On Tuesday, there were no bids or offers made on Urals, Azeri BTC Blend or CPC blend in the Platts Window. Ship tracking data from LSEG/Kpler revealed that the sanctioned tanker Spartan discharged Russian crude at India's Mundra Port despite a restriction by Adani Group to the entry of ships on the blacklist at the terminal. Data released on Tuesday showed that Kazakhstan's condensate production rose 13.6% from January to August 2025. Richard Chang (Reporting)
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Administrator says construction of the LPG pipeline under the Panama Canal could begin in 2027.
The Panama Canal's head said that construction of a pipeline for moving liquefied gas (LPG), across Panama, could begin in 2027. The Canal Chief Ricaurte Vasquez stated that initial bidder interest could be received as early as the first quarter next year. The process will continue until 2026. He said that the canal was looking at the pipeline for moving U.S. LPG bound to Asia from one end of the canal the other. Vasquez estimated that the total investment for completing a "corridor" of energy, which would include pipeline segments for moving different types gas, ranges between $4 billion to $8 billion. After the expansion of its territory in a Supreme Court ruling The waterway offers different projects to companies so that it can provide more services to its clients. Vasquez's presentation showed that the pipeline would, once operational, represent a boost to Panama's GDP of 3.6%. (Reporting and writing by Elida Moreno; Editing and proofreading by Marguerita Chy)
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United Airlines CEO rejects bid for Spirit Airlines
Scott Kirby, CEO of United Airlines, said that his company will not bid on the assets of bankrupt Spirit Airlines if those assets become available. Spirit Airlines filed for bankruptcy last month, for the second consecutive year. A previous restructuring failed to improve its financial standing. Discount carrier will be restructuring its fleet and network, which could lead to a number of assets being offered for sale by competitors. Kirby said that Spirit's aircraft, slots, and routes just "don't work" with the Chicago-based carrier. United Airlines would be "unpractical" if it took two to three year to reconfigure Spirit's fleet. He added that there were not enough gates in key Spirit markets, such as Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Kirby stated in an interview that "it's not our wheelhouse." "We're not going try to do this." Reporting by Doyinsola Oladipo, writing by Rajesh Kumar Singh and editing by Chizu Nomiyama.
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India's Dreamfolks stop domestic airport lounge service
Dreamfolks Services announced on Tuesday that it has discontinued its airport lounge service in India. However, the company's other domestic services, as well as global lounge business, will continue to operate as normal. The company did not provide any further details, but said that the move would have an impact. Dreamfolks began to face challenges when airport operators decided to directly offer lounge access. In August, three of the company's customers -- Encalm Hospitality Adani Digital, and Semolina Kitchens - had been notified that they were going to be unable to continue their business. They would terminate their contracts It is also expanding its focus on the global lounge business. Dreamfolks announced earlier in July that it would be discontinuing some programs for Axis Bank clients and ICICI Bank customers. Dreamfolks said on Tuesday that its contracts with customers are active, and that there are ongoing discussions to explore alternatives services for clients. In 2025, its shares will be down by 65%.
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The U.S. restores Hungary to full status under the visa waiver program
Trump's administration announced on Tuesday that the United States had fully restored Hungary’s status as a visa-free country after the Hungarian Government took steps to address its security vulnerabilities. This decision is one the first tangible evidences of improved relations between President Donald Trump and the Hungarian government. Hungarian Prime Minster Viktor Orban is a long-time Trump ally. Visa Waiver Program allows citizens of about 40 countries to visit the United States without a Visa for a stay up to 90 Days. In 2021, U.S. Homeland Security Department revoked all electronic approvals already issued to Hungarian passport holders who were born outside Hungary, and continued to reject new applications from Hungarian applicants. The Biden Administration reduced, in August 2023 the validity period of Hungarian travellers from two to one year. They also limited electronic approvals to only one use. The restrictions placed by the previous administration on Tuesday have been lifted, DHS stated. "Now that Hungary has taken the actions requested by the U.S. Government to address security weaknesses, the restrictions imposed from the previous administration are no longer in place," DHS added. Orban and Trump may have a good personal relationship, but the relations between their countries are not free of friction. Orban's country, which is a member of the European Union, had hoped to have a broad-ranging Economic agreement It has yet to materialize. The U.S. On July 27, a framework agreement that imposed a 15 percent import tariff on the majority of EU goods was signed, averting an even bigger trade war. The deal was not without its flaws. Hungary, because its auto exports had previously been subject to a 2.5% tariff. Hungary is also heavily dependent on Russian crude and gas supplies. Trump's policies are not helping. Pressuring The EU should accelerate its efforts to stop all energy imports coming from Russia. Orban's antiimmigration policy has also earned the admiration of MAGA circles within the United States. Orban welcomed Trump's earlier decision to close USAID, which is the U.S. main foreign aid agency.
Can Trump "take back" the Panama Canal
Donald Trump has repeatedly said that he wants "to take back" the Panama Canal, but hasn't given specifics on how he will do it. This article explains the history of the canal and the laws that govern it. Why is the Panama Canal important?
The Panama Canal is located in the narrowest part between North and South America. It is one of most important waterways around the globe. The canal recorded 11,240 crossings in 2014, totaling over 235.5 million tonnes of cargo.
More than two thirds of the cargo that passes through the canal comes from the U.S. or is headed there.
Ships would have to travel around the southern tip South America in order to reach the Pacific Ocean if the Panama Canal was blocked.
In response to pressure from Panama and the unrest there over U.S. ownership, the U.S. signed treaties in 1977 to hand the canal over to Panama.
WHAT HAS TRUMP COMMENTED ON THE CANAL?
Trump says Panama charges excessive tolls to U.S. vessels to pass through the Canal, calling them "ridiculous", and "very unfair".
Fees are based on the type and size of vessels, plus an auction for vessels arriving without reservations. There is also a variable surcharge and water surcharge. The U.S. military ships are given priority for passage but commercial vessels do not get lower rates.
Trump also said that the U.S. must retake the canal from China, who controls it and may use the waterway for American interests.
This claim is not supported by any evidence, despite the fact that Chinese companies have invested significant amounts of money in Panama. Some U.S. legislators and maritime experts believe this could give Beijing influence over the operation of the canal.
A group supported by U.S. Investment Company BlackRock agreed to purchase a controlling interest in ports on both sides of the canal, from a Hong Kong based conglomerate. Trump hails this deal as a first step towards reclaiming canal.
Trump said to the U.S. Congress in March that "my administration will reclaim the Panama Canal and we've started doing it."
In a post on social media, Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino stated that "the Panama Canal was not being reclaimed."
What are the laws that govern the canal?
Panama Canal Authority is an autonomous agency under the supervision of the Panamanian Government that owns and operates the Panama Canal.
Panama has pledged that it will charge all nations "just, reasonable, and equitable" transit charges under the Treaty Concerning the Neutrality of the Panama Canal. The three-page treaty does not provide any further explanation of these terms or a mechanism for enforcement.
Although the U.S. judiciary has a ambiguous authority to interpret treaties, it is not standardized.
Both nations could take their disputes to the United Nations International Court of Justice. However, that court does not have any way of enforcing it's decisions.
Trump is unlikely to ask for UN assistance, after repeatedly criticizing it as ineffective, weak and unfair to the U.S.
What if a country tries to take the canal by force?
A foreign power that attempted to forcefully take over the canal would be in violation of international law.
Both the U.S.A. and Panama have signed treaties requiring them to defend their canals against any threats to neutrality. They are allowed to act unilaterally to achieve this.
A treaty amendment clarifies the U.S.'s inability to interfere with Panama's internal affairs, or to undermine its territorial integrity or political independence.
To prepare for possible attacks against the canal, the U.S. Southern Command conducts regular military exercises in conjunction with Panama and other regional countries.
The exercises don't include scenarios in which the U.S. invades Panama. (Reporting from Jack Queen in New York; additional reporting by Sarah Morland, Marianna Pararaga and Nick Zieminski. Editing by Noelee Walder and Nick Zieminski.
(source: Reuters)