Latest News
-
Waymo will expand its robotaxi service in Las Vegas, San Diego, and Detroit by next year
Waymo announced on Monday that it will launch its robotaxi services in Las Vegas, San Diego, and Detroit, Michigan, next year. This is its largest geographic expansion to date. It added that Alphabet will begin driving its new Zeekr-built cars this week alongside its Jaguar I-PACE Fleet. The new Zeekr models, developed in conjunction with Chinese automaker Geely are specifically designed for robotaxi applications and will be gradually rolled out as the service expands. Waymo and Tesla, as well as Amazon's Zoox, are investing billions in self-driving technologies. Tesla launched its robotaxi service, which was long overdue, earlier this year. Waymo, meanwhile, already offers driverless services to customers in Phoenix, San Francisco and Los Angeles. It has also completed more than ten million trips. Waymo is planning to launch its service in Las Vegas in the summer of next year, and in San Diego it has been working with local officials to obtain deployment permits. The company in Detroit said that its winter weather testing in Michigan's Upper Peninsula strengthened its ability year-round to operate where it has maintained engineering operations for many years.
-
US exports 10 million tonnes LNG in a single month
According to preliminary data provided by financial firm LSEG, the U.S. is now the first country in history to export 10,000,000 metric tons (mmt) or liquefied gas in a month. LSEG data show that the U.S. exported a new record of 10.1 mmt liquid fuel in October. This is up from a revised 9.1 mmt figure in September. The U.S., already the largest LNG exporter in the world, has been increasing sales by setting four records a month for 2025. Data showed that the surge was primarily due to the start-up and ramp-up at Cheniere Corpus Christi Stage 3 and Venture Global's Plaquemines Export Plant. Data showed that the Louisiana-based Plaquemines plant sold 2.2 million tons last month. This was a record high, exceeding its previous peak of 1.6 million tons in September. Cheniere Corpus Christi's export facility also set a record by shipping 1.6 mmt. The company has sold 4.2 mmt of LNG, or 42 % of the total LNG exported from the U.S., since Sabine Pass exported 2.6 mmt of LNG in October. The Corpus Christi Stage 3 will enable Cheniere to export over 50 million metric tons per year in 2026 when completed. CEO Jack Fusco stated this in a recent earnings conference. LSEG data revealed that Venture Global and Cheniere accounted for 72% the total country's exports in October. EUROPE IS THE LARGEST CUSTOMER Last month, 6.9 mmt of U.S. exports - or 69% - went to Europe. LSEG data on ship tracking showed that this figure was down from 6.22 mmt last September as Europe filled up storage in preparation for winter. The ship tracking data revealed that U.S. exports of LNG to Asia in October were 1.96 mmt, compared with 1.63 mmt for September. U.S. exports of LNG to Latin America dropped to 0.57 mmt in October, from 0.63 mmt in September, as South America prepares for warmer summer months. LSEG ship tracking data shows. Egypt bought five cargoes totaling 0.43 mmt. This is less than the 0.5mmt that it purchased in September. According to LSEG ship tracking data, two cargoes went to Senegal, totaling 0.1 mmt. Two others were awaiting orders for 0.1 mmt. Gas traded in October at the European benchmark Dutch Title Transfer Facility for $10.88 per 1,000,000 British Thermal Units, down from $11.13 last September. The Japan Korea Marker benchmark price in Asia was $11.11 in October, compared with $11.32 in Septembre. The TTF price and JKM price were so close, that it provided little incentive to U.S. LNG suppliers to switch from the European market to a more distant Asian market. Reporting by Curtis Williams, Houston; Editing and rewriting by Nathan Crooks & Paul Simao
-
Ford's US sales for October rose on the demand for pickup trucks, despite EV decline
Ford reported Monday a 1.6% increase in U.S. sales for October as the demand for pickups offset a decline in electric vehicle volumes. The U.S. tax and spending bill signed by President Donald Trump last month ended the $7.500 tax credit for new EVs, causing a temporary spike in sales. Experts in the industry had predicted a drop in EV sales for later this year. Ford's electric vehicles, including the Mustang Mach-E, F-150 Lightning and F-150 Lightning, saw a drop of nearly 25% in sales from last year to 4,709 units. The demand for Ranger, Maverick and other models helped to boost pickup truck sales by nearly 5%, reaching 105,771 vehicles. Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis have scaled back their ambitious plans to introduce EVs into the U.S. They are now focusing on their gasoline-powered vehicles. Ford's total sales for the month increased to 175,584 vehicles, compared with 172,756 units one year earlier. (Reporting from Nathan Gomes, Bengaluru. Editing by Sahal Muhammad)
-
Duffy said he would shut down US airspace if it were unsafe
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated Monday that the Trump administration will shut down the U.S. Aviation System if it is deemed too dangerous to travel due to the ongoing government shutdown. If we think it's unsafe, we will shut down the entire airspace. We will not allow people to travel. At this stage, we're still not there. Duffy told CNBC that "significant delays" were the result of the shutdown. He added, "absolutely, there is more risk." United CEO Scott Kirby stated last week that the ongoing shutdown is impacting on flight bookings. Airlines are also concerned about the approaching holiday travel season. The shutdown forced 13,000 air traffic control officers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers to work for free and disrupted tens thousands of flights. Duffy said that he does not plan to fire air traffic control operators who call in sick. He explained that they are "trying to feed their families." I'm asking them all to come in." The 34-day government shutdown has led to dramatic delays in U.S. airports due to an increasing number of air traffic control absences. In recent days, the absence of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security officers has led to long lines at San Diego airport and Houston airport. Houston Bush airport had a security line that lasted more than three hours on Sunday. FlightAware (a website that tracks flights) reported on Friday that the Federal Aviation Administration had said there were shortages in air traffic control at nearly half of America's busiest airports. This led to over 6,200 flight delays and 500 cancellations. The agency reported that in New York, 80% of air traffic control officers were absent on Friday. Duffy reported that 65% of the delays on Friday were due to controller absences. There were 4,600 flight delays on Saturday and 173 flights canceled. On Sunday, there were 5,800 delays with 244 flights canceled. As of Monday morning, 9 a.m. There were 750 delayed flights and 54 cancelled as of 9 a.m. ET on Monday. Airline companies urge Congress to end shutdown Delta Air Lines and United Airlines have called for Congress to pass a temporary funding bill so that the government can reopen while talks continue over the healthcare policy. The shutdown of the federal government began on 1 October and has continued ever since, as Congress is unable to pass a federal funding measure. Airlines have repeatedly called for an end to this shutdown, citing safety concerns. The shutdown has worsened the existing shortage of staff, and threatens to cause widespread disruptions like those that ended a 35-day shutdown in 2019. Even before the shutdown, many air traffic controllers were working six-day weekends and mandatory overtime. (Reporting and editing by Ros Russell, Hugh Lawson, and David Shepardson)
-
Attackers attack a tanker near Somalia in suspected pirate strikes
Sources from the maritime industry said that armed assailants fired at a commercial oil tanker Monday off the coast of Mogadishu after they attempted to board it. This was the first incident of suspected Somali piratery of this kind since 2024. Maritime sources reported that if confirmed, it would be the first Somali pirate attack on a merchant vessel since May 2024. This could pose a risk to the vital energy and goods being transported through this region. In a report, British maritime risk group Vanguard stated that the vessel was about 332 nautical mile (615 km), off the coast of Somalia when four armed attackers in a skiff approached from the starboard and opened fire. The crew raised the alert, increased speed and performed evasive manoeuvres. The armed security team aboard responded quickly, deterring any attack and preventing damage or injury. Vanguard and an anonymous source in maritime security said that the vessel targeted is the chemical tanker Stolt Sagaland, which flies the Cayman Islands flag. Stolt-Nielsen, the vessel's operator, confirmed that there was a failed attempt to attack the Stolt Sagaland early on November 3. The company stated that "our crew is all safe after responding quickly and professionally to the accident." The European Union's Naval Mission said that it was investigating this incident. The naval force reported on October 28 that it received an alert regarding the possible presence of pirate action groups around the Somali coast. The EU force warned that ships required to pass through the area should exercise extreme caution and maintain full vigilance. Since November 2023, when the Houthi militia, a Yemeni group with Iranian ties, first attacked commercial ships to show solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, the number of sailings through the Red Sea has plummeted. Many shipping companies are still hesitant to resume voyages in those waters, despite the Houthis' agreement on a ceasefire. (Reporting and editing by Conor Humphries; Jonathan Saul)
-
Bloomberg News reports that Sinopec is in negotiations to purchase China's largest jet fuel distributor.
Bloomberg News reported that the world's biggest refiner in terms of capacity, Sinopec Group, is in negotiations to purchase China National Aviation Fuel Group, the country's dominant distributor of jet fuel. The report cited people familiar with the talks as saying that the talks are still ongoing. There is no deadline or certainty about a deal. However, if the negotiations were to be completed, Sinopec will take over the assets and operations of CNAF. China Aviation Oil (Singapore), CNAF’s Singapore-based unit responsible for importing jet fuel into China, announced last week that its parent company CNAF would be undergoing a restructuring of the corporate structure with another conglomerate. China's demand is decreasing for gasoline and diesel due to the electrification of trucks and the use cheaper natural gas. However, demand for aviation fuel has grown significantly as a result of passenger and cargo traffic. Sinopec's spokesperson declined to make any comments. CNAF didn't immediately reply to an email request for comments sent after office hours. Could not confirm the Bloomberg story immediately. (Reporting and editing by David Goodman, Louise Heavens, and Dagmarah Mackkos)
-
A man charged with attempted murder on 10 counts after a knife attack on a UK train
British police announced that a British man, 32 years old, was charged on Monday with 10 counts for attempted murder in relation to a knife attack which occurred on a train last Saturday. The incident was already not treated as terrorist-related by the officers. In the stabbing incident on the train, eleven people were injured. One of them is a member from the train crew. He remains hospitalized in a critical condition but in stable health. This person was injured while trying to stop those accused of stabbing other people. The attack on a London bound train that stopped in Huntingdon, about 80 miles north-east of London, shocked and angered the nation. Both Prime Minister Keir starmer and King Charles sent their condolences to those who were affected. The Crown Prosecution Service in Britain said Anthony Williams, 32 was charged with eleven counts of attempted killing, one count for assault causing actual bodily injury and two counts for possession of a knifed article. British Transport Police reported that ten of the attempted murder allegations were related to the attack on the train, and the eleventh was linked to an incident in a London station earlier the same day. Williams, a native of Peterborough, in eastern England will appear before Peterborough Magistrates Court on Monday evening, according to the police. They added that the charges had been brought following a review, amongst others, of CCTV footage taken from the train. The Transport Minister Heidi Alexander confirmed Monday that the man had not been known by security services. She refused to comment whether the mental health services knew him. By late Sunday, five of the injured were discharged from hospital. (Reporting and editing by Kate Holton, William James and Sarah Young)
-
Statnett, a Norwegian company, will invest up to 20 billion dollars in the power grid by 2030
Statnett, Norway's transmission systems operator (TSO), announced on Monday that it will invest more than twice as much in the next 10 years to meet the growing demand for electricity and protect the grid from climate and security threats. Statnett plans to invest 150-200 billion Norwegian crowns (15-20 billion dollars) over the next 10 years. This is more than twice the amount it spent in the previous 10 year period. Elisabeth Vardheim, CEO of the company, said that investments are driven by a need to upgrade current lines, as well as plans for electrification and business development, as well as new industries driving applications for grid connection. She added, "We'll build more than ever before, but we can't do everything at once." NEED TO PROTECT AGAINST EXTREME WEATHER, MILITARY THREATS Vardheim stated that the cost inflation, lack of resources to complete planned works, and a strained supplier market all require strict prioritisation. Statnett has published its ten-year plan for system development twice since 2023. The latest version gives greater attention to security and preparedness, according to the company. Statnett stated that extreme weather conditions, digitalisation, and an older grid have all contributed to a more fragile power system. Statnett said that it was also considering measures to ensure supply in the event of a more serious scenario, such as a war on Norwegian soil. The Norwegian Crown is worth $1. (Reporting and editing by Terje Solsvik).
Haj deaths show obstacle of shielding pilgrims from scorching climate
Hundreds of the pilgrims who passed away in intense heat at this year's haj were not formally signed up with the Saudi authorities, with the result that lots of had no access to crucial services like airconditioned buses and cooloff tents.
The deaths highlight a looming challenge for organisers as climate modification takes hold in the region: the practice of needing official permits for such services is stirring concern that unregistered pilgrims could increasingly be exposed to lethal temperatures.
At the same time, high costs for official haj packages are driving some Muslims to take more affordable informal routes to the routine, even though these lack the essential permits, and to make use of an easing of curbs on some other sort of Saudi visas.
The unregistered pilgrims' lack of a license made it difficult to supply them with services and care, the security spokesperson for Saudi's Ministry of Interior, Colonel Talal bin Shalhoub, stated in an interview on Saudi television channel al-Arabiya.
Critics of the federal government state all pilgrims, whatever their status, must be safeguarded from heat, and allege the authorities this year cracked down on unauthorised attendees.
This concentrate on signed up see versus unregistered is a red herring ... If you exist and you need assist, you need to get access to it, stated Khalid al-Jabri, a physician who worked for the Saudi security agency that supervises haj and is currently part of the Saudi opposition in exile.
Saudi Arabia's global media office did not instantly react to an ask for comment.
Saudi Arabia's health minister, Fahad Al-Jalajel said in a. declaration that health authorities offered services to. unregistered pilgrims on 141,000 celebrations during the haj.
HEAT STROKE THREAT
But he acknowledged that unregistered pilgrims strolled long. ranges under direct sunlight without sufficient shelter or. convenience, and added that 83% of the 1,301 deaths were among. unregistered pilgrims.
Pilgrims stated those without authorizations had to walk sometimes in. temperature levels above 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit), while. most signed up pilgrims had the ability to make much of the journey. by air-conditioned bus.
A witness said he saw thousands walking on the. highway near Mina, a vast tent city en route to Mecca, rather. than utilizing buses like a lot of signed up pilgrims. Pilgrims informed. that Saudi officials routinely examined buses before. departure to guarantee just signed up pilgrims were aboard.
Almost two million pilgrims made their way to Capital this. year to perform haj rites as taught by the Prophet Mohammad to. his followers 14 centuries earlier.
It is not understood how big the increase of unauthorised pilgrims. was. But Saudi Director of Public Security Mohammed bin Abdullah. al-Bassami stated this month the kingdom had actually deported 171,587. people who were not locals of Capital, in evident recommendation to. people captured attempting to carry out haj without a license. Heat-related deaths along the haj are not new, however environment. modification has made haj significantly hazardous.
A 2021 research study found that if the world warms by 1.5 C (2.7 F). above pre-industrial levels, heat stroke threat for pilgrims on. the haj will be 5 times higher. The world is on track to. reach 1.5 C of warming in the 2030s.
It's a scenario that is just getting worse with time,. stated Elfatih Eltahir, co-director of the Jameel Observatory and. a professor at MIT, who released a paper on the threats of heat. stress for pilgrims in 2019.
LOOKING FOR RELIGIOUS TRAVELERS
In spite of such stressing climate forecasts, Saudi Arabia has. said it wishes to expand the varieties of religious tourists,. intending to invite 30 million pilgrims for haj and the year-round. trip umra each year by 2030, as part of its more comprehensive. strategy to wean the economy off oil.
In 2019, Saudi Arabia made about $12 billion each year from. haj and umra, according main information.
Haj trips can cost from $5,000 to $10,000 per person, and. the price is part of the reason numerous take informal plans.
Financial resources are ... a big aspect, stated Khaled El Sherbini, the. owner of an Egypt-based tour agency. He stated an Egyptian could. do haj unregistered for 30,000 or 40,000 EGP ($ 622-$ 829), a. fraction of a main bundle costing about 300,000 EGP. ($ 6,222.78). In 2018 a haj bundle would have cost about $3,000.
The kingdom is figured out to safeguard official haj bundles. Ahead of the expedition, its interior ministry said those caught. transporting an unregistered pilgrim would confront six months. in jail and a fine of as much as 50,000 riyals ($ 13,000).
An Egyptian crisis unit tasked with examining the deaths. of Egyptian pilgrims stated on Saturday it suspended licences of. 16 tourism companies and referred them for prosecution.
Pilgrims who purchased lower-end plans informed they. were loaded into congested camping tents with 80 to 200 people and limited. cooling. Alia Asma, an Indian pilgrim, said that she had to walk. longer ranges than those who bought more expensive trips.
The abundant can manage glamorous homes and the bad come. into the tents, stated Irhan al-Alawi, the executive director of. the Islamic Heritage Research Study Structure.
(source: Reuters)