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US withdraws appeal of order blocking Trump's plan to tie state transport funds to immigration enforcement
The U.S. Justice Department asked on Tuesday a federal appeals?court to dismiss its appeal against a lower court order that blocked President Donald Trump from requiring 20?Democratic?states?to cooperate with immigration enforcement in order to receive billions of dollar's worth of grant funding for transportation. A U.S. Judge in Rhode Island decided that the U.S. Department of Transportation did not have the authority to force the states to work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for transportation funding and that the condition was against the U.S. Constitution. California Attorney General Rob Bonta led the legal challenge which included also the District of Columbia. He said that the "Trump Administration tried to use vital transportation funds as a 'bargaining chip' for its political agenda." He pointed out that California receives billions in federal funding for transportation every year. Bonta said he was "pleased" that the Trump Administration had accepted defeat and dropped its appeal. California "is not playing around when it comes vital transportation dollars which support our public infrastructure and we will continue to take the President to court every time he uses federal funding to bully communities." Last year, the judge found that USDOT did not provide any plausible link between cooperating with immigration and the purposes Congress intended for funding highways, bridges, and other transportation projects. USDOT declined to comment immediately on Tuesday. USDOT withheld $160 million from California last week for failing to cancel 17,000 commercial driver's licences issued by non-U.S. nationals. California has said that it fully complies with federal and state regulations. A spokesperson for the state said this. They also strongly disagree with the decision of the 'federal government to withhold funding vital for transportation in California. California filed a lawsuit against USDOT last month for withholding federal funding of more than $33 million dollars because USDOT claimed that the state had not met rules requiring English language proficiency for truckers. California dropped its separate lawsuit in December, which it filed in response to USDOT's revocation of $4 billion in funding for high-speed rail. (Reporting and editing by Tom Hogue, Christopher Cushing, and David Shepardson from Washington)
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According to the military, a Russian drone attack caused power cuts in Ukraine's Kryvyi Rih.
Oleksandr vilkul, the head of the military administration, said that Russian drones had struck Kryvyi rih in central Ukraine on Wednesday, forcing power outages for over?45,000 people and disrupting heat supply. If you can, please charge your mobile devices and fill up with water. Vilkul told Telegram users that it was going to be a difficult day. The water pumping stations in the system could have pressure problems. It was not possible to determine the exact scale of 'the attack immediately. Russia has not commented on the?strike. Russia repeatedly attacked Ukraine's power plants, substations, and transmission lines with drones and missiles to disrupt electricity, heating, and industry in the four-year conflict. Kyiv claims that the campaign has caused rolling outages in cities throughout the country. Repair crews are working under fire, and Ukraine is relying on electricity imports and air defences to stabilize the grid. Kryvyi Rih is a steel and mining hub in the Dnipropetrovsk Region and home to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Strikes have repeatedly killed civilians, damaged homes and industries, and caused other damage. It is close enough to the southern frontlines to be within striking distance, and its factories, logistic links, and workforce make it a vital rear-area support centre for Ukraine's war efforts. (Reporting and editing by Stephen Coates in Melbourne, Lidia Kelly from Melbourne)
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UK commits 45 billion pounds rail project in Northern England
Britain committed Tuesday to a new rail-infrastructure programme for the North of England worth up to 60 billion pounds (45 billion pounds), a region that has been held back by a lack of investment. The government pledged that it would deliver Northern Powerhouse Rail over three phases. Then, a new rail line will run between Liverpool and Manchester via Manchester Airport. Finally, improved connections will be made between Manchester and Yorkshire. The OECD has identified outdated and insufficient transport links as a major factor in the productivity gap between British cities outside of the capital. Rail lines in the north of England, which is home to three out of the five largest metropolitan areas, are plagued with bottlenecks that date back to Victorian times. The Labour Government of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, which is far behind the Reform Party UK on the right in the 'opinion polls', has stated that reducing the regional?inequality? between London and the remainder of the UK, is a priority. Investment and renewal are the answer to the economic growth challenge. "We are reversing decades of chronic underinvestment" in the North, said Finance Minister Rachel Reeves. The majority of the expenditure - which is capped at 45 billion pound in constant price - will occur in 'the 2030s and '2040s. No dates will be set for the opening of the high-speed rail system. This is a lesson learned from the HS2 project, which was cut short due to soaring costs. Rishi Sunak was the Conservative Prime Minister at the time. He canceled the northern leg of the HS2 project in October 2023 because costs were soaring and infrastructure watchdogs warned that Britain had a fundamental issue with its?ability? to manage large projects. The government announced on Tuesday that it 'intended' to build a new rail line between Manchester and Birmingham, the central English city after Northern Powerhouse Rail was completed. However, it would not constitute a reintroduction of previous HS2 plans. It said that it had learned from the failures of HS2, which will now only run between London and slightly to the north of Birmingham, and open some time beyond the original 2033 target date. Reporting by Andy Bruce, Editing by Alison Williams. $1 = 0.7448 pounds
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CANADA-CRUDE-Discount on Western Canada Select widens slightly
The difference between the West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures and North American benchmark West Canada Select crude oil has widened slightly on Tuesday. WCS for Hardisty, Alberta delivery in February settled at $14.40 per barrel below WTI benchmark, according to brokerage firm?CalRock. This compares with $14.35 on Monday. The discount on Canadian Heavy Crude?remains a dollar or more wider than last month. The market is watching for the potential for an increase in Venezuelan heavy oil barrels in the U.S. Gulf Coast to compete against Canadian heavy oil of similar quality over the long term. Some analysts believe the market has overreacted because it will be years before Venezuela can significantly increase its oil production. Oil prices jumped?by over 2% on Tuesday, as the 'prospect of disruptions in Iranian crude exports trumped possible increases from Venezuela. (Reporting from Amanda Stephenson, Calgary; Editing and proofreading by Cynthia Osterman).
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US seeks warrants for the seizure of dozens more Venezuelan-linked oil tanks, sources claim
Four sources said that the U.S. government has filed court warrants for the seizure of dozens of more tankers connected to the Venezuelan trade. Washington is consolidating control over oil shipments into and out of this 'South American country. In recent weeks, the U.S. Coast Guard and military seized five vessels that either carried Venezuelan oil in international waters or had done so previously. The seizure was part of Washington’s campaign to remove Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from power, which culminated with U.S. troops capturing him on Jan. 3. The administration of Donald Trump has stated that it intends to continue controlling Venezuela's oil reserves indefinitely, as it attempts to?rebuild the country's dilapidated petroleum industry. In December, Trump implemented a blockade on tankers sanctioned for shipping Venezuelan crude oil. This brought the exports to a near-standstill. This week, under U.S. oversight, shipments resumed. CONFISCATIONS CAN BE GENERATED BY ACTIONS Sources said that the U.S. Government has filed civil forfeiture cases in district courts, mostly in Washington, D.C., which allows the seizure and confiscation oil cargoes, and ships, involved in the trade. The sources declined to identify themselves due to the sensitive nature of the issue. Sources said that it is not possible to know the exact number of seizure orders the U.S. filed and how many they have already received because the legal orders and filings are not public. They added that dozens of seizure warrants had been filed. The Department of Justice didn't immediately respond to an inquiry for comment. The vessels intercepted so far were either subject to U.S. sanction or part of an unregulated "shadow fleet" that hid their origins in order to transport oil from major sanctioned producers such as Iran, Russia and Venezuela. Many tankers are currently at sea, either carrying Venezuelan crude oil to China's top buyer or have done so in the past. The U.S. imposed sanctions against many of these vessels because they facilitate oil trade with Venezuela or Iran. SEIZURES ARE NOW OFFICIALLY SUSPENDED SINCE FRIDAY. SOURCES Sources said that the United States has halted its actions to seize ships since Friday. They said that the United States could resume its action against vessels and cargoes it has not authorized. Sean Parnell, Pentagon?spokesperson, said Friday that the Department of Defense, along with other U.S. government agencies, will "hunt down and intercept ALL dark fleet ships transporting Venezuelan crude oil at a time and place we choose". In recent seizures, the United States targeted both vessels and cargoes. Shipping industry sources say that this is an increase from previous seizures between 2020 and 2023 of Iranian?cargoes. In the earlier cases, U.S. authorities confiscated only the oil cargo and not the vessel. U.S. attorney general Pam Bondi stated on social media that the Department of Justice "monitored several other vessels" for similar enforcement actions. This was after the Bella-1, a tanker seized by the U.S. Military on January 7th. The vessel was empty and had no cargo. It was the first time since recent times that the U.S. Navy has seized an American-flagged ship. Russia, as Venezuela, depends on the shadow fleet for oil that is subject to sanctions. The Russian Foreign Ministry called the U.S. military's action "an illegal use of force," adding that sanctions imposed by the U.S. were "without legal basis." Reporting by Jonathan Saul, Andrew Goudsward and Rod Nickel; Editing by Simon Webb & Rod Nickel
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Canadian oil tycoon suggests US aid in Venezuela's oil revolution
The Canadian oil tycoon, who is the head of one of North America’s fastest growing?oil firms, wants his country to offer its expertise in heavy-oil to the United States to help rebuild Venezuela’s?oil sector. Adam Waterous is one of Canada's most active oil industry dealmakers, and executive chair of Strathcona Resources. His comments show a surprising willingness for him to support Donald Trump, despite the trade war he has with Canada, and the possibility that Venezuelan crude could displace some Canadian petroleum on the U.S. oil market. Canada is the fourth largest oil producer in the world. It is also the world's top producer of heavy oil that is similar to Venezuelan crude, which it extracts from its oil sands. Waterous said Canada is uniquely qualified to help Venezuela because of its decades of experience in extracting crude oil from the oil sands. It also has something to offer Trump before expected trilateral trade negotiations later this year. Waterous stated in an interview that "we are better positioned than any other country to help rebuild." "I'd expect, but don't really know, that a request for assistance would be welcomed." Waterous stated that Strathcona does not intend to invest in Venezuela. Waterous said that Canada could help the United States by helping rebuild Venezuela's petroleum industry at a time where Trump's trade policies have strained relations. STRATHCONA IS WILLING TO SEND A TECHNICAL TEAMS Trump invited U.S. oil executives to the White House last week to discuss Venezuela. The event was not attended by any Canadian companies. "I wasn't invited and it is not the Canadian industry's job to call Donald Trump and ask, "Do you want some assistance?" Waterous added, "I do believe there is an opportunity." Waterous, who studied at Harvard University and has U.S. connections through Henry Hager (son-in law of former President George W. Bush), who is Strathcona’s managing director, said that he would immediately assemble a team from his firm to go to Venezuela when asked. He said, "I am sure that no heavy oil company would refuse to do so." Strathcona, Canada's largest oil producer was built by Waterous, a former banker and founder of the private equity firm Waterous Energy Fund. The company extracts heavy oil using steam-assisted technologies in Cold Lake, Alberta and Lloydminster. He is known for his aggressive deal-making Waterous, a billionaire with a fiery personality, shook Canada's oil patch by taking on Cenovus in a heated battle for MEG Energy. Waterous, who was unsuccessful in his attempt to purchase MEG, announced that he would more than double Strathcona’s production by 2035 to 300,000 BPD -- a rate which would be far greater than any of Strathcona’s competitors. TRADE REVIEW PENDING This year, the Canada-United States Mexico Agreement, which shielded Canada's exports against U.S. Tariffs, will be reviewed jointly. Some investors have suggested that an increase in Venezuelan crude oil flowing to the United States may weaken Canada’s leverage. Mark Carney, the Canadian Prime Minister, raised the possibility of reviving a Keystone XL The oil pipeline from Alberta into the United States was discussed during a meeting earlier this year with President Trump as he sought to find a solution to the painful U.S. Tariffs On steel, autos and many other products. Waterous said Canada now should?try to utilize its heavy crude expertise. He said that the long-term risks of the U.S. purchasing Venezuelan crude increases Canada's need to diversify markets and build a new pipeline to the Pacific. Canada exports 90% of its crude oil to the U.S. but analysts say that a large increase in Venezuelan crude production could directly compete with Canadian barrels refined along the U.S. Gulf Coast. A spokesperson from Canada's Natural Resources Ministry said that the ministry has not offered Trump any help in Venezuela's oil industry. Last week, the discount between heavy Canadian crude and U.S. crude widened to 14%. Meanwhile, shares of Strathcona as well as other Canadian heavy oil producers dropped on investor concerns about the revival of Venezuela's petroleum sector. (Reporting and editing by Caroline Stauffer in Calgary, Rod Nickel and Nick Zieminski.)
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Black Sea war insurance prices jump after tanker attack, sources claim
Five industry sources reported that the cost of war insurance for ships sailing into the Black Sea almost doubled after two Greek-managed tankers were struck by unidentified drones on their way to load crude oil at a terminal on 'Russian coast. Black Sea is vital for shipping grain, oil and petroleum products. Bulgaria, Georgia and Romania, as well Russia and Ukraine, share its waters. Sources said that the latest incidents raised concerns about the safety of ships heading to Russian and Ukrainian terminals. The cost of war insurance for Black Sea terminals has risen from 0.6% to 0.8% in late December to 1%. Early December, rates rose to the highest level since 2023 - after a series drone attacks on Russian tankers. "Rapid risk escalation with few indicators or warnings has become a trademark of the Black Sea, according to Munro Anderson, marine war insurance specialist at Vessel Protect. Ships entering Russian or Ukrainian Black Sea terminals or ports around the Sea of Azov need additional war-risk coverage. The policy is typically for a period of seven days, and its terms are reviewed each 24 hours. Last month, policies were reviewed on average every 48 hours. David Smith, the head of marine at insurance broker McGill and Partners said that Black Sea war rates are extremely volatile and change on a daily basis. Smith said that "Right Now, they're spiking due to a few incidents. We wouldn't be surprised if we were quoted more than 1% depending on the vessel value, owner or proposed port of call." The cause of Tuesday's strike, which affected a terminal serving as a loading port for approximately 80% Kazakh oil bound for international markets, was not immediately known. (Reporting and editing by Jan Harvey; Jonathan Saul)
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WestJet reviews non-reclinable seat policy in response to passenger complaints
WestJet Airlines will review its non-adjustable seats in economy class as soon as this week. This is after a backlash from passengers who complained about the lack of leg room, according to an internal message seen by?. Samantha Taylor, the Chief Experience Officer of Air Canada, told her employees that the carrier was reviewing data and feedback from passengers to determine the best way forward in rolling out the seats onto more aircraft. Taylor wrote: "While originally we planned to make a decision by February, we are now working to accelerate that process and arrive at a 'plan forward aligned as early as this week." WestJet has not yet made a decision on the reconfigured seats. They are in a fixed-reclining configuration. The airline was not available to comment on Tuesday. WestJet's introduction of reconfigured seats last year on?some Boeing 737 -?planes - was widely viewed as a test to the limits of addon culture. The option to upgrade to adjustable economy seats is still available but at a cost. WestJet, backed by Onex Corp, halted the rollout last month. However videos of passengers with cramped leg space appeared on social media in January. The space between rows of seats (also known as pitch) was reduced from 30 inches to 28 inches in order to accommodate an additional row of seating. Taylor's message thanked frontline team members, such as cabin crew, who "managed our guests' frustrations"? over the seating. WestJet pilots and flight attendants also voiced concerns about the new configuration, warning that it could have a negative impact on health and safety. WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech and other executives from the carrier tried the new seat during a flight in November from Calgary to Toronto. Von Hoensbroech asked to sit in the middle "so he could see the entire cabin layout," according to the memo. Transport Canada, the federal regulator, said that WestJet’s seat modifications were "compliant" with federal regulations. (Allison Lampert, Montreal)
Claudette Colvin, a pioneer in civil rights for the United States, has died at 86.
Claudette Colvin died at the age of 86. She was arrested in Montgomery, Alabama at 15 years old for refusing to surrender her seat on a bus to a 'white woman.' This happened nine months before Rosa Parks committed a similar, but arguably more famous act of defiance.
Colvin was a relatively unknown figure in the civil right movement, but her act of rebellion in 1955 inspired Parks and other activists and formed the basis of the federal lawsuit which outlawed segregation on U.S. public transport.
Ashley Roseboro confirmed her death in hospice care, Texas, as a spokesperson for the Claudette Colvin Foundation and her family.
In one of the earliest publicized acts against Jim Crow laws governing city bus seats by race in Montgomery,?Colvin refused her seat to a white woman as ordered by the bus driver and remained seated until she was dragged from the bus by police.
Colvin, in her court testimony, recalled that she studied anti-slavery abolitionists in school and felt she had Harriet Tubman on one shoulder and Sojourner Truth the other. "History had me glued on the seat," she said.
Parks, a?seamstress older than Parks who was the secretary of the local NAACP, was seen by many as a dignified and sympathetic figure. She was viewed as the ideal person to rally around as civil rights leaders planned what would become the year-long boycott of buses that propelled the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was thrust onto the national stage.
Roseboro says that in the months leading up to the boycott which began in December 1955, civil rights leaders were concerned about the "colorism" of Colvin, who was from a lower class background and had lighter skin than Parks. They also feared the teenager would be a bad representative for the movement.
Around a year after being arrested, she became pregnant from a man she had met in an encounter she described later as statutory rape.
Colvin was one of the plaintiffs in Browder v. Gayle, a lawsuit that challenged the Jim Crow policies on city buses. The case led to a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 1956 that declared segregation on public transportation unconstitutional.
Colvin lived in obscurity for many decades, as she worked as a nurse's assistant and caregiver, and struggled as a single mother. However, historians have brought to light her pivotal role in the early civil right movement.
Fred Gray is the lawyer behind Browder. Gayle credited Colvin for helping ignite the fight against segregation.
"I'm not trying to belittle Mrs. Parks but Claudette's courage gave us all the motivation to act as we did, Gray told the Washington Post.
Roseboro stated that Colvin has been able to expunge her juvenile arrest record in recent years.
(source: Reuters)