Latest News
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Indonesia searches for missing surveillance aircraft with 11 onboard
Officials?said that Indonesian rescuers searched on Saturday for a missing ATR 42500 fisheries monitoring aircraft with 11 people aboard. Andi Sultan, a local rescue official, said that the Indonesia Air Transport plane had lost contact with air traffic control at around 1:30 pm (0530 GMT), in the Maros area of South Sulawesi Province. Sultan stated that the aircraft was heading towards Makassar (the capital of South Sulawesi) after leaving?Yogyakarta Province before contact was lost. He added that there were eight crew members and three passengers aboard. Sultan stated that around 400 personnel including military and law enforcement units were deployed to search for the aircraft and its passengers, but the effort was hampered by bad weather. Sultan declined to make any comments on the 'possible cause' of -the incident. We suspect that the plane crashed near the summit of Mount Bulusaraung. He said that our personnel had been deployed there. Pung Nugroho Sasono, a ministry official who works for the Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MoMAF), told the state news agency Antara that this plane was chartered. The three passengers, according to Marine Affairs and Fisheries minister Sakti Wahyu Trnggono, were staff of the ministry conducting air surveillance for?fisheries. The ATR 42 500 is a regional turboprop capable of carrying 42 to 50 passengers. Flightradar24 has unconfirmed data that an aircraft matching this description flew eastward at 11,000 feet over the Java Sea before rapidly losing altitude and dropping tracking systems. ATR, a Franco-Italian aircraft manufacturer in France, said that it was notified of an accident occurring in Indonesia. Its specialists are assisting the local authorities with their investigations. Reporting by Ananda Teresia from Jakarta, Tim Hepher from Paris and Rajveer S. Pardesi from Bengaluru. Toby Chopra, Mark Potter and Toby Chopra edited the story.
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US rail regulator finds merger application between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern incomplete
The U.S. Surface Transportation Board sent Union Pacific's $85 billion merger proposal with Norfolk Southern back to be revised on Friday, saying that it was missing required information. This is part of an ongoing review by the U.S. The STB rejected the application in December, citing a lack of projections on market share and competition impacts. The board denied the application without prejudice and allowed the railroads to re-file once they addressed the deficiencies. Donald Trump publicly supported the merger proposal. The administration tends to 'approve large transactions or impose remedy rather than blocking them outright. A merger of this magnitude was considered unthinkable during the Biden administration's broader crackdown against consolidation. This is the first major proposed?merger of railroads to be reviewed using the more stringent framework that was put in place over?two decades ago. The stricter framework?requires applicants?to prove their transaction will enhance competition, not just preserve it?while delivering demonstrable benefits to the public?interest? The board stated that the railroads had projected growth in traffic and divertions from the proposed coast to coast railroad, but only provided data for 2023, not the projections required showing how the combined carrier’s?share could evolve several years after the merger. The decision follows a filing in January by Canadian National. It argued that there were critical 'competitive disclosures' missing from the application, including a methodology to identify routes where two rails feed into one another and complete lists of 'potentially affected shippers'. Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern submitted their nearly 7,000-page application to the Federal Communications Commission on December 19. They claimed that this combination would increase?service reliability?, divert truck freight onto rails, maintain shipper options, and provide broad public benefits, while protecting union jobs. The STB stated that the ruling it issued should not be interpreted as a guideline for how it would ultimately determine whether a revised application was admissible.
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PJM announces plan to combat AI-driven surge in power demand
Grid operator PJM Interconnection unveiled a plan on Friday to manage'surging power 'demand from data centres that are required for Big Tech’s artificial intelligence expansion. This comes after the White House urged immediate action to avoid potential blackouts. PJM Interconnection announced that it plans to require large power users?to either bring their own generation or?enter a connect-and-manage framework subject to an early curtailment. The White House had earlier in the day urged the largest U.S. power grid to conduct an emergency auction to prevent rolling blackouts, as the energy demand for data centers is growing faster than the nation can build new generation facilities. PJM controls a large part of the 'power flow' in 13 states, mainly in the Mid-Atlantic region, including the 'largest concentration in data centers, in Virginia. Other?states are also becoming hubs for server storage. PJM’s board stated that its plan 'would focus on bringing a new?power generator online quickly, and would be coupled to options for new load customers whose energy demand can be curtailed if necessary. Reporting by Laila Mukherjee and Anushree Mokherjee from New York; Editing by Leroy Leo, Lisa Shumaker
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White House wants to auction off the largest US electric grid in an emergency
The White House urged on Friday the largest 'U.S. The electric grid should conduct an auction for emergency power to prevent rolling blackouts, as the energy demand from?data centres? is growing faster than new generation plants can be built. The Trump Administration initiative calls for PJM Interconnection, a company that serves 67,000,000 customers across 13 states, including Washington, D.C., and conducts an emergency auction to address escalating prices of electricity and increasing reliability risks in the mid-Atlantic area of the United States. PJM announced its own plan on Friday, urging big data centers that they bring in their own generation to avoid having their power supply curtailed at peak demand times. Grid operator PJM also called for a faster interconnection track to be created for state-sponsored projects. At a White House meeting, U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, and Secretary of Interior Doug Burgum, joined by several state governors, discussed initiatives to accelerate the construction of new?power generators worth more than $15 billion on PJM. PJM has been criticized as being too slow in building a cushion to prevent rotating blackouts when demand increases. The rapid expansion of data centres to power artificial intelligence and other things has stretched PJM's resources, as well as those of other regional U.S. electrical grids. Donald Trump wants to fight consumer price inflation, which could undermine Republican support ahead of the November midterm elections. The White House wants to cap the amount that existing power plants are allowed to charge on the PJM market. The recent PJM auction for the capacity market set new records for power generators, with prices more than 800% above those of last year. This increased electricity prices in homes and businesses. Data centers would be required to pay for new power generation, whether or not they use it. This agreement would require them to do this regardless of whether the data center shows up. BYOG is the concept, which stands for "bring you own generation." PJM said it was reviewing the principles laid out by the White House, and the governors. A PJM spokesperson confirmed that PJM had not been invited to the event. PJM forecasts that grid peak usage during the summer will increase by?about?70 gigawatts up to 220 gigawatts in the next 15years. PJM's record summer peak was 165 Gigawatts. PJM claims that it has?processed more than 170 gigawatts in new generation requests since 2023. Nearly 60 gigawatts have been completed by PJM and either signed generation interconnection agreements or have been offered. RISE IN POWER BILLS HAS?LED TO BACKLASH The rising cost of electricity in PJM region has led to a political backlash and threats from some governors that they will abandon the regional grid. Nine state governors sent an open letter last summer to the PJM Board of Managers criticizing the grid operators for not doing enough 'to address the escalating energy affordability crisis. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro told the White House on Friday that PJM had been "too damn slow" to allow new generation onto their grid, at a time when energy demand was increasing. Burgum said PJM was lucky to have avoided widespread blackouts so far. Reporting by Jarrett Renshaw, Tim McLaughlin and Timothy Gardner from Philadelphia; editing by Liz Hampton and Matthew Lewis
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Florida road added to Trump's list
The U.S. president Donald Trump renamed a road near his private club in Palm Beach in Florida. This is the latest addition to the 'growing list' of programs, initiatives, and buildings that bear?his? name since he took office in January. The state legislature approved a new honorific name for a part of Southern Boulevard. This road connects Palm Beach International Airport with Mar-a-Lago - Trump's residence and private club. The president's motorcade frequently uses this road to travel between the airport, and Trump's property. Trump described himself as "tremendously honoured" by the recognition. He said: "I will remember this amazing gesture forever." County commissioners have told local media that the name change will not affect official addresses, emergency response system, or government maps. Since re-entering office a year ago, his name has appeared on high-profile Washington structures, a new proposed class of Navy warships and a website for prescription drugs run by the government. Washington is home to many monuments and buildings named after presidents. These honors are often national tributes and authorized by Congress. Trump received the Nobel Peace Prize Medal from Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado at a White House Meeting on Thursday. The White House said that Trump intends to keep his medal. However, the Norwegian Nobel Committee stated that the prize could not be transferred, shared or revoked. Some historians see it as an?overficial attempt of the president to cement a legacy that could prove short-lived. Several performers have withdrawn in protest over the renaming Washington's premier performing arts venue to the Donald J. Trump Memorial Center for the Performing Arts and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.
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FAA warns airlines flying to Central and South America about possible military actions
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration issued a series warnings on Friday to airlines to be cautious when flying over Central America and parts of South America. It cited the risk of possible military activities and GPS interferance. The FAA has issued Notices to Airmen for Mexico, Central America, Ecuador, Colombia, and certain portions of the eastern Pacific Ocean. The agency said that the warnings will begin on Friday and last for 60 days. These warnings are coming amid increased tensions in the region between the United States, and other regional leaders, after the Trump administration?mounted a large-scale buildup of military forces in the southern Caribbean and attacked Venezuela, and captured the country's President, Nicolas Maduro, in a military action. Donald Trump raised the 'possibility of other military action? in the region, including against Colombia. Trump warned last week that drug cartels controlled Mexico, and that the U.S. would strike land targets in order to combat them. This was part of a series threats to use military force to fight against cartels. The FAA curbed flight throughout the Caribbean after the attack on Venezuela. This forced major airlines to cancel hundreds of flights. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said earlier this week that there was good coordination between the FAA and the U.S. Military before the Venezuela operation. Last month, JetBlue's (JBLU.O), a passenger jet headed for New York, took evasive action to avoid colliding with a U.S. military plane in mid-air. Air Force tanker plane near Venezuela. JetBlue Flight 1112 was departing Curacao and flying approximately 40 miles (64km) off the coast Venezuela when an Airbus plane, (AIR.PA), reported that it had encountered the Air Force jet. The Air Force jet's transponder wasn't activated.
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European regulator warns airlines against flying in Iranian airspace
After simmering tensions arose over the 'deadly crackdown' on Iranian protests, and U.S. threats of 'intervention', the European Union's aviation regulator recommended that airlines in its bloc'stay out' of Iran's 'airspace'. In a bulletin, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency stated that "the presence and potential use of a variety of weapons and air defence systems combined with unpredictable responses from states... creates high risks for civil flights at all levels and altitudes." The protests began in Iran on December 28 due to economic hardships. They grew into large demonstrations demanding the end of the clerical regime, which culminated in violence last week. Crackdown on the crackdown It is a verb that means to have Residents said that the protests have been largely quelled for the time being, while state media reported more arrests, in light of the repeated U.S. threat to intervene should the killings continue. EASA's warning said that due to the ongoing tensions, and the possibility of U.S. military intervention, Iranian air defence forces are on high alert. This has increased the likelihood of misidentification in Iranian airspace. Reopened After a nearly five-hour-long closure due to fears of military action, airlines were forced to cancel or delay flights. According to flight tracking data, European airlines such as Wizz Air and British Airways, Lufthansa, and British Airways, continued to avoid Iran and Iraq despite the re-opening of airspace on Thursday. A surface-to air missile fired by Iran in January 2020 brought down a plane. Ukrainian passenger plane All 176 victims were killed abroad. The Iranian authorities blamed human error for the incident, which occurred amid tensions between Iran's military and that of the United States. Reporting by Gursimran K. Kaur, Editing by Mark Potter & Cynthia Osterman
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Musk and Ryanair CEO clash about cost of Starlink Wi-Fi
Elon Musk called Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary on Friday an "utter idiot", who should be fired. The spat began when?the airline chief refused to install Musk's Starlink?internet on Ryanair planes. O'Leary dismissed on Wednesday the idea of equipping Ryanair's 600+ jets with Musk's Starlink. Citing the fuel cost impact from the drag caused by the antenna, O'Leary estimated that the service could cost the airlines as much as $250 million per year. Musk replied on his social media platform X by claiming that O'Leary had been "misinformed", and arguing Ryanair didn't know how to measure?fuel consumption of Starlink equipment. During a later interview with Irish?radio Station Newstalk, he said that Musk knew "zero", about drag and aviation, and called the U.S. millionaire "idiot." He also described X as a 'cesspit'. Musk, whose SpaceX company operates Starlink on Friday, responded. "Ryanair's CEO is a complete idiot." Fire him." Musk?posted a message on X. Musk responded, "Good idea." When a fan suggested Musk buy Ryanair to replace O'Leary with himself. Starlink is a network that uses thousands of satellites in low-Earth-orbit to deliver faster and more reliable WiFi onboard aircraft. Starlink is being rolled out by more than a dozen airlines, including United Airlines and Qatar Airways. Analysts believe that Starlink is a premium offering, which will appeal to full-service and long-haul airlines. Financial terms are not disclosed. (Reporting and editing by Alistair Bell; Reporting by Joe Brock)
Brazil's farmers defend forest record at COP30
Brazil exports 40% of its agricultural products
Environmental groups document links to deforestation
Native protests against infrastructure for exports
By Andre Cabette Fabio
The group of cattle, soybean and grain farmers, who host news conferences in front of a global audience rails against the trade barriers erected by the European Union as a way to protect the Amazonian rainforest and other sensitive lands.
EU and US are taking measures to limit Brazilian agricultural exports citing deforestation concerns.
Next month, a new anti-deforestation law will come into effect. This will prevent companies from around the world selling commodities such as coffee and beef that are associated with deforestation to the EU.
Environmental groups in Brazil such as Greenpeace have documented the links between biofuels, beef, soybeans and cotton, and deforestation of the Amazon rainforest, and other biodiverse eco-systems like the Atlantic rainforest, and Cerrado tropical woodland.
Agribusiness says that deforestation occurs because of illegal logging, land grabbing and gold mining. It also claims that trade barriers hurt farmers and ranchers who use sustainable farming practices.
Roberto Rodrigues said, Brazil's Special Envoy for Agriculture at COP30: "We must show the world that criminals are the ones who deforest the forest... not farmers."
Rodrigues said, "We have a serious problem with our European and North American competitors. We are better, and they know it", at a panel discussion for COP30.
He said, "They confuse what is illegal in Brazil with ours, they blame agriculture for illegal deforestation and land invasions, but that's not true."
DRIVER DEFORESTATION
Brazil's agribusiness is politically influential, since agriculture represents about 8.4% GDP and 40% exports according to the 2025 World Bank report.
According to government statistics, soybeans will account for 13%, or Brazil's exports in 2024. Only oil will be higher.
Deforestation can be caused by the clearing of land to make way for vast soybean fields and cattle pastures.
The World Resources Institute reports that despite recent data showing a decline in Brazil's deforestation rate, Brazil was responsible for 42 percent of the record-breaking global loss of tropical forests in 2024.
Last month, government data showed that deforestation rates in Brazil's Amazon rainforest dropped 11% from the previous year to July. This is the lowest level in 11 years.
According to the Emissions Database of Global Atmospheric Research, the European Union, Brazil is the sixth biggest carbon emitter in the world.
Brazilian JBS SA was awarded a Sustainable Business Award at COP30, alongside 47 initiatives from the private sector, for a program that helps ranchers to comply with environmental regulations.
Gilberto Tomazoni is the CEO of JBS. He said, "There's an agribusiness narrative against Brazil."
He said: "We must show transparency... so that consumers can make their decisions."
Brazil's National Confederation of Agriculture has urged the team to attend COP30 to fight the "stigmatization of farmers in the country" and to push for the access to carbon credits and climate funds to pay for forest restoration project.
Confederation of German Industries (Gi) said that it wanted to make sure discussions on a just and sustainable transition "does not legitimize unilateral climate-justified trade measures," saying these measures have "disproportionate impacts" on developing nations.
Environmental groups protested against agribusiness companies outside the AgriZone area, which was dedicated to the COP30.
Barbara Loureiro is an environmental coordinator at the Landless Workers' Movement. The group advocates land reform.
She said, "This sustainable agribusiness presented at the COP doesn't deter... large estate agribusiness which burns and destroys forests."
TRADE BARRIERS
After a one-year delay, the EU regulation that was agreed in 2022 for blocking deforestation products from the European Market will take effect on January 1st. This is good news for large farmers.
Some EU states are hesitant to implement the measure, saying it's too expensive and unworkable logistically.
Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Relations also said that the rules impose a "significant burden and disproportionate burden" on countries like Brazil, where tropical agriculture is managed responsibly and sustainably.
Deforestation concerns have been used to delay the signing of a deal between Mercosur and the European Union, a South American political bloc and trade block.
The European Commission hopes to sign the deal this year. It would lower tariffs for the EU with Argentina, Brazil Paraguay, and Uruguay. This would create one of the largest zones of free trade in the world.
A caucus of agribusinesses in Congress opposes the Climate Plan, which is yet to be launched by the Brazilian government and establishes a strategy for reducing emissions. They claim that it could pose a trade barrier.
The caucus - a powerful political force that controls majorities both in the Senate and Congress - has criticised what it considers an excessively high share of emissions attributable to the sector, by linking agribusiness with illegal deforestation.
Environmentalists claim that Brazil's farmers have been a powerful lobby in the deforestation of forests. This is because agribusiness caucuses on both local and national level have passed amnesty legislation to legalize land which has been illegally deforested and invaded.
Recently, they passed rules to make it easier for farmers who wish to deforest their land to obtain formal approval.
Rodrigues defended himself by saying: "If the agribusiness industry has benefited in the past, then that is something we must look forward to."
Agribusiness is also pushing infrastructure projects that will ship beef and grain through the Amazon rainforest. This was a major target of protests led by forest and indigenous communities who live near the proposed routes of roads, railways, and waterways.
(source: Reuters)