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IATA: EU's purchase of green fuel from outside the region is not a good idea
Willie Walsh, Director-General of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), said that it is not logical for the European Union to buy sustainable aviation fuel from outside their region in order to meet its carbon emission targets. Walsh told a Singapore media roundtable on Wednesday that the idea of buying sustainable fuel, then transporting it across Europe to be used in Europe was not the best way to go. The transportation costs increase the carbon footprint. SAF can be used as a low carbon jet fuel replacement. Walsh stated that "mandating a product which is not available does not lead to any benefit for the environment and what we see in Europe are fuel companies who must produce the fuel," Walsh added. He added that some airlines use SAF in anticipation of costs. According to his assessment, these costs are way above the real cost of limited sustainable fuel supplies. At least five SAF-related projects outside China have begun production or are scheduled to begin this year. These projects will be exported to Europe and the rest of Asia. Singapore is now a major exporter of green fuels to the EU. Reporting by Jun Yuan Yong, writing by Trixie Yong and editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman & Sonali Paul
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IATA: Tariff uncertainty may cause airlines to delay aircraft deliveries.
Willie Walsh, Director General of the International Air Transport Association said that airlines may not be willing to accept aircraft deliveries due to ongoing uncertainty about U.S. Tariffs and the impact they have on the price of the planes. It's going to affect all aspects of the aerospace industry, not just Boeing and Airbus. He said that it would affect all aspects of aerospace and most, if no all, airlines. Walsh spoke at a Singapore media roundtable. Embraer's CEO, who warned Tuesday that the U.S. President Donald Trump will impose a 50% tariff on Brazilian exports beginning in August, could have a similar impact on the company's revenue as the COVID-19 pandemic. Francisco Gomes Neto, a reporter for Embraer, told reporters that the tariffs would be equivalent to a trade ban on regional jets Embraer supplies to U.S. Airlines. This could lead to order cancellations and deferred delivery and harsh consequences for Embraer’s U.S.-based suppliers.
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Brazilian coffee traders rush to the US before Trump's tariff of 50%
On Tuesday, commodity traders said that they are in a race against time to sell as much Brazilian coffee into the United States as possible before Trump's new tariff of 50% on Brazilian products takes effect on August 1. The cost of Trump's tariffs was being passed onto consumers, and this included coffee cups. Some traders divert vessels mid-journey and cancel stops in other port so that containers full of Brazilian coffee can be entered U.S. ports with no tariff. Some send the Brazil-origin beans they had in Canada or Mexico that were meant to be used there instead, on the U.S. Market. Importers based in the United States have already posted wholesale prices which include the additional 50% charge for shipments arriving after August 1. Jeff Bernstein is the managing director of coffee trader RGC Coffee. He said, "We redirected freight that was heading to a longer trip to land earlier in the U.S. "But we couldn't speed up for other cargos." There are no workarounds for coffee that has not yet left Brazil. Brazil is the source of a third all of the coffee consumed in the U.S. It's used both as an individual origin and the base for most blends. Only 1% of all the coffee consumed in the U.S. is produced there. The price of coffee has already increased sharply in the U.S. after a 70% increase in the market in last year, triggered by shortages in production. Market players claim that if the new tariff of 50% on Brazilian imports announced last week is implemented, it will lead to a price increase. "It's a taxation that hurts American businesses. Nobody else. Not Brazil. Not Brazilian President Lula. Steve Walter Thomas (CEO of U.S. importer Lucatelli Coffee) said that the new 50% tariff was a threat to all importers. Expocacer, a Brazilian coffee cooperative that increased its U.S. sales by 15% in the past year, has said there is no possibility of renegotiation for any deals that are delivered after August 1. "It's a tax that is paid by the importer, and passed on to the consumer," said Expocacer president Simao Pedro de Lima. He added that after Trump's announcement, no export agreements had been signed with U.S. buyers. If the tariff is upheld, traders said, the coffee flow on the global market would be reordered. Brazilian beans will go to Europe and Asia and the U.S. will buy more from Africa and South and Central America. They said that this change will be difficult and cost importers more. A trader who requested anonymity said that Brazilian coffee is used in a third blend sold by Dunkin Donuts, Tim Hortons and other coffee chains. He also said that Starbucks uses it widely. Three companies have not responded to requests for comments. The U.S. National Coffee Association refused to comment on this tariff but stated that "coffee plays a major role in Americans' lives and their economy", noting two-thirds (67%) of American adults consume coffee every day. The association has requested that the Trump administration exempt Brazil's coffee from tariffs.
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Sources: GAIL India wants a 5-to-10-year LNG contract
Four sources familiar with the inquiry have confirmed that GAIL (India) Ltd, a state-owned company, is looking to purchase liquefied gas (LNG) from 2027 as part of a five-to-10 year deal tied to Brent crude oil. They said that the Indian company wants to purchase six cargoes (of super-cooled gas) in 2027 and eight in the second year. GAIL wants to purchase one cargo per month from the third year, according to their statement. Two sources confirmed that the deadline for submission of offers is July 24. GAIL, India's largest distributor of gas, is looking for a long-term contract after it began operating its Dabhol terminal all year round following the installation of breakwater. The facility is capable of handling 5 million metric tonnes per year (tpy). GAIL plans on increasing the capacity of Dabhol by 12.5 million tonnes per annum by 2031 and 6.3 millions tonnes per annum by mid-2027. GAIL's spokesman said that no comments were available on the investigation. (Reporting from Nidhi in New Delhi, and Emily in Singapore. Editing by Christian Schmollinger.
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Canada's First Nations challenge constitutional legislation
The Canadian First Nations have launched a constitutional challenge against laws recently passed that would expedite approval of infrastructure projects such as mines and oil pipes. They claim the measures violate government obligations towards Indigenous people. According to a Monday notice filed at Ontario Superior Court, the two new laws - one in Ontario and the other federally - "represent a clearly and present danger to Applicant First Nations’ self determination rights" and violate government obligations to reconcile Indigenous peoples. Nine First Nations are involved in the case, and they are spread across Ontario. They include Alderville First Nation and Apitipi Anicinapek Nation. The federal legislation was passed quickly by the Parliament late last month. The government would be able to select infrastructure and resources projects that are in the "national interests" and decide whether certain laws apply. Mark Carney, the Liberal Prime Minister, wants to see this law fulfill his campaign promise of speeding up approvals for what he called nation-building projects such as mines and oil pipes. The Ontario law passed early in June allows the government declare "special economies zones" which exempt certain projects from provincial laws. Both laws are opposed by environmentalists who say they circumvent legislation intended to mitigate ecological harms. Indigenous groups, on the other hand, claim they violate their right to self-determination as well as the duty of consultation owed to them by government. The court document states that the national law allows Canada to "unilaterally push through projects without meaningful engagement" with First Nations. A spokesperson from Canada's Privy Council Office said in an email that Canada was committed to meeting its obligations and commitments to Indigenous peoples. Carney is scheduled to meet with First Nations Inuits and Metis over the next few weeks. The email stated that "Canada's aim is to pursue projects of national importance in partnership with Indigenous Peoples." This initiative is focused on ensuring that Indigenous equity participation in major project development is at the forefront. The Ontario government has said that it will continue its consultations with First Nations this summer. (Reporting and editing by Aurora Ellis, Cynthia Osterman and Anna Mehler Paperny)
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US Senator calls for safety reforms following fatal crash between Army helicopter and regional jet
Ted Cruz, the chair of the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee, said Tuesday that he would propose broad air safety measures after a January collision between an Army helicopter near Reagan Washington National Airport and an American Airlines regional plane killed 67. Cruz, a Republican, said that the legislation would mandate the use of ADS-B by U.S. Army aircraft near civilian planes. It would also require a review of helicopter route across the country, and the Army Inspector General to examine "systemic failures" which may have led to the fatal crash. Both parties of Congress have asked why the Federal Aviation Administration has not acted for years in response to close calls that involved helicopters near Reagan. The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a three-day investigation on the collision in late this month. Cruz stated that "Radar blindspots, telecommunications failures, capacity bottlenecks and radar blindspots expose the vulnerability of a system built for an earlier era." A group of seven Democratic Senators introduced legislation last month that would mandate new FAA safety assessments after fatal passenger airline crashes and require ADS-B. Senators and regulators are concerned about close calls with Army helicopters. Since 2021, the NTSB reported that there have been more than 15,000 close calls near Reagan involving commercial aircraft and helicopters, with a lateral separation of less 1 nautical mile, and a vertical separation of less 400 feet. In early May, the FAA barred the Army's training and priority transport flights near the Pentagon following a close call on May 1, which forced two civilian aircraft to abort their landings. Last month, the FAA announced that it was in negotiations with the Army regarding future military flights around Reagan. Cruz's bill also requires that all aircraft operating in the same airspace as ADSB Out must use ADSB In. The FAA has placed permanent restrictions on helicopters that are not essential around Reagan Airport to reduce mixed helicopter-passenger jet traffic. This includes closing a key route. In April, the FAA announced that it would take action to prevent helicopter and passenger plane collisions near Las Vegas' busy airport.
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Tesla's robotaxi service expands as Alphabet Waymo gains speed
Alphabet’s Waymo roboticaxis have driven over 100 million miles with no human driver, double the mileage in six months. The company is accelerating deployment in U.S. city amid increasing competition. Tesla, a rival company, is expanding its self driving taxi service following a trial last month with a few Model Y SUVs. Waymo's service has been growing slowly for years, despite Elon Musk's statement that Tesla would launch the service in multiple U.S. Cities by 2025. It is currently available in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix and Austin. Saswat Pantigrahi, Waymo’s chief product office, said: "Achieving 100 million fully automated miles represents years' worth of methodical progress that is now accelerating to rapid, responsible scale-up." As we continue to expand our service, we will face new challenges. Waymo had driven 71 million autonomous kilometers (114.3 millions miles) by March. This is up from 50,000,000 miles at the end 2024, and 25,000,000 miles until July 2024. It completed its first mile in January 2023. D.A. Gil Luria, Davidson analyst. The commercialization of autonomous vehicles is more difficult than expected. High costs, strict regulations, and federal investigations have forced many to close down, including General Motors Cruise. Amazon's Zoox is one of the few remaining competitors. It is testing a vehicle that does not have manual controls, such as a pedal or steering wheel, and is planning to launch its commercial services in Las Vegas in this year. Waymo, the U.S. company that operated driverless taxis for paying passengers before Tesla launched its robotaxi last month was the only one. After collisions, federal agencies have launched investigations into Waymo and Tesla as well as recalling Zoox and other vehicles. Musk, despite multiple traffic problems and driving errors as Tesla teetered into the robotaxi industry after years of broken promises, expanded the service area to Austin and announced last week that it will roll out its services in the San Francisco Bay Area in two months. Waymo announced in March that it plans to launch fully automated ride-hailing services in Washington, D.C., next year. It also applied for a New York permit to operate autonomous cars, with a specialist driving the vehicle in Manhattan. Last month, it said it would start manually driving the vehicles until the permit is granted. Robotaxis, which began as a small Google project for self-driving cars in 2009, and were spun off seven years later, cover over two million miles per wk autonomously. By May, the company had completed 10 million autonomous trips compared to 5 million trips by the end of 2024.
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Farmers criticize US renewable energy transmission project
U.S. Farmers on Tuesday attacked a project which received a loan guarantee of up to $4.9 billion from the former president Joe Biden's Administration to transmit electricity generated by wind and solar farms from the Midwest to urban areas. Grain Belt express transmission project, backed by Invenergy, would send power from Kansas to Midwest and East cities. Invenergy claims that the second-longest line in U.S. History would serve as a "national energy security backbone", connecting four grid areas, including the PJM Interconnection (the largest U.S. Grid), which covers states ranging from Illinois to New Jersey. The project may also help President Donald Trump achieve his "energy dominance" goal of increasing energy output. On May 9, the White House praised Invenergy's $1.7 billion investment in the project as part of a "list" of successes that boost the U.S. economic system and improve national security. Garrett Hawkins of the Missouri Farm Bureau said that the project would violate the rights of farmers because it filed dozens of petitions for eminent-domain, or compulsory acquisitions, against state landowners. Hawkins stated that the "single purpose" of the company was to profit from the farmers and landowners, who will have to house the infrastructure they need for many decades. His comments followed Senator Josh Hawley's post on X, a Missouri Republican. Hawley said that he spoke with Trump and Energy Sec. Chris Wright and that Wright told him "he would be putting a halt to the Grain Belt Express scam." Invenergy sent Wright a letter a day after saying that Hawley, and Missouri Attorney-General Andrew Bailey who had opened an investigation on the project, were declaring a "open season" for America's capability to build necessary energy infrastructure. Invenergy requested that Wright "put aside this unfounded noise and affirm a dedication" to the line. Requests for comments were not immediately responded to by the White House or Department of Energy. The project was in the works for over a decade, and received the conditional guarantee of loan from the Department of Energy’s Loan Program Office last November.
Two Kenya protesters die from gunshot wounds, hospital director says
Aaron Shikuku, director of Eagle Nursing Home, said that two Kenyans died on Monday from gunshot injuries in a Nairobi suburb, following a wave of anti-government protests across the country.
A reporter who was on the ground said that earlier in the day police fired to disperse an advancing crowd of protesters in Kangemi as demonstrators attempted to mark the 35th Anniversary of pro-democracy rally.
In the wake of the recent demonstrations in Kenya, a man was seen motionless and bleeding on the road. This is the first time that the public has been unrest since the death in police custody of blogger Albert Ojwang last month.
A request for comment from the police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga on the deaths of two people was not responded to immediately.
Since youth-led demonstrations in Nairobi in June 2024, which initially focused on tax increases but expanded to include issues such as graft and police brutality, and unexplained disappeared of government critics. (Reporting and writing by Humphrey Malalo, editing by Mark Heinrich).
(source: Reuters)