Latest News
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New York City's major power line goes offline for the second time this July
The $6 billion transmission system that was designed to bring Canadian hydropower to New York City has been shut down a second time in the last month. This disrupted a clean energy project that was meant to reduce New York City's dependence on dirty fossil fuel generators. The 1,250 megawatt Champlain Hudson Power Express transmission line (CHPE) can provide up to 20% New York City electricity. Hydro-Quebec announced on Monday that the transmission line is offline because of a cable problem. Hydro-Quebec and private-equity company Blackstone Inc. developed the project. New York ISO's data, which controls the flow of electricity in the state grid, shows that the shutdown is expected to last until at least Friday. Hydro-Quebec has confirmed that the current cable problem with?CHPE is not related to a shutdown on July 1. The line began operation in May after a 15-year planning and development period. The energy demand in New York is expected to increase this week as temperatures reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit. According to federal data, the city's reliance on generators that have?the best pollution controls will be 6 times higher than those with the most advanced emissions controls due to CHPE's power outage. The 339-mile (546km) 'power line' stretches along the length of New York State from the Canadian border up to Astoria in Queens where the?energy is fed into the New York City grid. New ISO stated that its energy demand planning studies didn't assume CHPE was available to meet summer peak demand. "That's one of the reasons why the grid worked reliably during this heatwave earlier in August." While reserves were tight, we had enough generation and reliability resources to meet the demand regardless of CHPE status," New York ISO spokesperson Kevin Lanahan stated. (Reporting by Tim McLaughlin, Editing by Chizu Gregorio and David Gregorio).
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Sources say that Riyadh Air is looking at ordering 25-30 Boeing 787s as well as more Airbus.
Industry sources say that Riyadh Air is looking at acquiring between 25 and 30 additional Boeing 787 Dreamliners, by utilizing its contractual rights with the U.S. aircraft manufacturer. It may also increase its Airbus order list. The airline, which last week conducted 'its first commercial revenue flight', has ordered up to 72 Boeing Dreamliners by 2023. This includes 39 definitive orders and options for another 33. Sources said that Riyadh Air could announce its intention to convert the majority of these options into outright purchase as soon as next week at the Farnborough Airshow. However, they warned that details are still being discussed. Riyadh Air and Boeing declined to comment. Riyadh Air has also placed an order for?25 Airbus A350 - 1000 long-haul 'jets, with options to purchase another 25. Industry sources claim that some of those?orders may also be turned into firm orders. Airbus declined comment. (Reporting and editing by Louise Heavens, Tim Hepher)
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Hapag-Lloyd's outlook for the year is raised on the back of strong demand and freight rates
Hapag-Lloyd, the German'shipping company', raised its financial -year outlook on Monday. It cited strong market -demand and positive freight rate developments. Hapag-Lloyd now expects its earnings before interest tax, depreciation, and amortisation for the full fiscal year to range from $2.7 billion to $3.7 billion. This is up from the previous forecast of between $1.1 billion to $3.1 billion. The company has also increased its group's?earnings prior to interest and taxes (EBIT), for the year, to a range of $100 million to $1 billion. The forecast was subject to high uncertainty due to the volatility of freight rates, as well as major geopolitical issues. Hapag-Lloyd & Maersk will resume some sailings through the Suez Canal. This Asia-Europe trade route was abandoned by most shippers after Yemeni Houthi rebels destroyed vessels in 'the Red Sea. Shippers were forced to use the much longer route around Africa's Cape of Good Hope. However, firms are considering returning to the Red Sea Route. Shipping rates increased as a result of the longer trips?around Africa.
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US lawmakers debate whether to end twice-yearly clock switching
The U.S. House of Representatives will vote this week on a measure to extend daylight saving time year-round. Another group of legislators wants standard 'time to be permanent. The House Rules Committee will meet at 4:00 p.m. Monday, the House Rules Committee will meet to determine if any amendments are needed before the House takes up the measure this week. The House Energy and Commerce Committee approved the Sunshine Protection Act 48-1 on May 1. In March 2022, the U.S. Senate voted to permanently extend?daylight savings time but the House did not take up the issue due to opposition. Hawaii and Arizona don't observe daylight saving time. The supporters of the measure claim that the time change causes sleep disruptions, increased workplace injuries and car crashes. They believe that brighter evenings will also spur more economic activity in winter. Since the 1960s, daylight saving time has been implemented in the United States. This involves moving the clocks one hour forward during the summer months. Two lawmakers introduced the Sunshine for Our Kids Act last week. The act makes standard time the default time for all states, but allows them to opt in for daylight saving time if that is what they prefer. Reps Pat Harrigan, Mary Gay Scanlon and others argue that standard time is better for mornings to be in sync with the natural light?and circadian rhythms. Donald Trump has been aggressive in his push to end the?bi-annual clock-?switching. The U.S. Senate will need to decide again if it wants to consider the measure, which is opposed by U.S. Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas, a Republican, and others. Cotton said that it would lead to absurdly late winter dawns and force many children to attend school in darkness. In World War II, the United States implemented a year-round daylight savings time. They did it again in 1975 to reduce energy consumption. It was unpopular, and Congress repealed the law later that same year. (Reporting and editing by Nick Zieminski.)
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Canada's Oil Sands Alliance signs agreement to advance Pathways Carbon Capture and Storage Project
The Oil Sands Alliance, the Alberta government and the federal government of Canada announced on Monday that they had reached an agreement for the 'Pathways carbon capture and storage 'Project. This was a condition set by the government to'move forward with the new West Coast oil pipe. The Oil Sands Alliance said that the Pathways Project, when operational, will be able to transport and safely store approximately 6 million metric tonnes of CO2 per year by the mid-2030s. Early July, Canada announced plans to build a pipeline from Alberta to the Pacific Coast. This would allow the fourth largest oil producer in the world to have greater export capacity to Asia. It would also reduce its dependence on the United States. Mark Carney has tried to strike a balance between Alberta's goal of increasing oil production and?environmental concerns. He has said repeatedly that federal support for the new crude pipeline in Canada depends on oil sands producers in Canada implementing a large-scale project to capture and store carbon emissions. This would reduce emissions from Canada's most polluting sector. The biggest Canadian oil sands companies -- Suncor Energy and Canadian Natural Resources, Cenovus Energy Imperial Oil, ConocoPhillips Canada, ConocoPhillips Canada, Cenovus Energy -- proposed the Pathways Project in 2022 but refused to assume?the cost of its construction. The initial estimate was C$16.5 billion. However, the companies and the government have agreed to scale down the project and build it in phases. The government-owned Trans Mountain ?Corp will build a new 1-million-barrel-per-day pipeline in coordination with Pembina Pipeline Corp PPL.TO. Pembina will have a 10% stake during construction and the opportunity to increase that up to 10% after the project is operational. The government of Premier Danielle Smith has stated that construction could begin as soon as September 2027.
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First time in Brazil, container ship is refueled with ethanol
The container carrier, operated by CMA CGM, refuelled?with the ethanol during a port stop in Santos, Brazil. This is the first time this type of fuel has been used to move the engines of deep-sea vessels in Brazil. CMA CGM IRON received 650,000 liters anhydrous alcohol from Brazilian ethanol and Sugar merchant Copersucar in a refueling service provided by Danish marine services group Bunker One. The CMA vessel, one of the 12 vessels operated by the group, is equipped with a trifuel engine. This engine can run on any combination of bunker fuels or methanol. The CMA vessel is a tiny part of the 700-vessel fleet, but it's used to test lower-carbon fuels. "We view bioethanol as an additional solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Santos test facility shows that bioethanol can be used in a safe and efficient manner under real commercial conditions, said Christine Cabau Woehrel. "We want to demonstrate with this operation that the ethanol is already available as a solution to decarbonize maritime industry", said Copersucar?Chief executive Tomas Manzano. Copersucar manages the Evolua Etanol distributor, which is owned by dozens of sugar and ethanol producers in Brazil. The company estimates that ethanol reduces carbon emissions from a vessel by 70% compared to bunker fuel derived from oil. However, they said that the price was higher. The companies believe this could be offset by creating and selling carbon credits. Marine?transportation is one of those sectors that are harder to reduce carbon emissions. The International Maritime Organization has a?net-zero carbon goal for 2050. The IMO has not yet reached an agreement with companies on legally binding measures. This makes any initiative like CMA's a voluntary one. Reporting by Marcelo Téixeira, Editing by Chizu Nômiyama
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UN shipping agency opposes any fees in the straits after Trump plans Hormuz fee
The?U.N. The 'U.N. Trump stated in a post on Truth Social that the process would start immediately. He did not elaborate. A spokesperson for the United Nations said, "We're aware of this post and are awaiting more details." International Maritime Organization. "We've always maintained a consistent stance against fees - IMO is opposed to charging fees for the passage through straits that are used for international navigation." There is "no legal basis" to introduce tolls for transiting through a strait. Officials from the shipping industry expressed their concern at?the newest development. They added that, in their opinion, such a move would violate international law. "How will this make it safer for people to travel through the water and what guarantees will this provide?" One official who declined to be named said about Trump's position. (Reporting and editing by Sharon Singleton, Susan Fenton, and Jonathan Saul)
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Residents say that gunmen have killed at least 18 people, in the state of Benue, Nigeria.
Residents and local officials reported that gunmen had killed at least 18 people in Nigeria's northern state of?Benue in a weekend assault. This prompted a protest march by angry locals, who blocked the roads to protest against the violence. Benue is a frequent site of conflict between farming communities, cattle?herders and armed groups. These conflicts are often fueled by competition for land and resources. Udeme Edet, Benue Police spokesperson, gave a lower toll of deaths for the attack that took place in the early hours of Sunday morning. He said: "Eight people were killed and five others wounded." Residents in Otukpo Nobi, a community within the Otukpo Local Government Area said that armed men who were suspected by the?locals as Fulani herders opened fire between 3:30 and 4:30 a.m. Maxwell Ogiri, the local government chair, 'linked the violence to the murder of the head of the herders association two weeks ago. The attack was not immediately claimed by any group. Women and youths protested in 'the town of Otukpo. Reporting by Ahmed Kingimi and Hamza Ibrahim; Writing by Chijioke Ahuocha; Editing Helen Popper
Pilots who hide their mental health issues to continue flying are more likely to be successful.
Annie Vargas saw her son slip away and begged him to get help. Her son Brian Wittke (a 41-year old Delta Air Lines Pilot and father of three) resisted, fearing that seeking treatment for depression could cost him his license.
Vargas said that the drop in air travel caused by the pandemic affected Wittke's mental health.
Vargas sent Wittke a text message on the morning of 14 June 2022. However, his location information was not available. When the text reappeared in 2022, Wittke was dead by suicide near his home in the Utah Mountains outside Salt Lake City.
Interviews with over 30 commercial airline pilots, industry officials and medical experts, along with a review medical studies, revealed that many pilots hide mental health issues for fear of losing their license if they disclose therapy, medication or seek help. This puts themselves and their passengers in danger.
In order to write this article, I spoke with at least 24 commercial airline pilots from the U.S. as well as foreign carriers. They said they were reluctant about disclosing mental health problems, even if minor or treatable, for fear of immediate grounding, and a costly, lengthy medical review which could lead to their career ending.
Pilots cited a variety of reasons why they did not come forward about mental health issues, including airline policy, regulatory requirements, and social stigma.
REAL PEOPLE REAL PROBLEMS
Vargas stated that "real people have real problems." "They shouldn't be punished for dealing with their problems."
Vargas told the reporter that she spoke to the media because she wanted the tragedy of the family to challenge the mental health culture in the aviation industry. Details of Vargas' account were confirmed by Wittke’s wife.
Delta described Wittke as a valuable team member, and referred to his death as "tragic and heartbreaking". The pilot community is stigmatized against seeking mental healthcare, according to the report. Delta, like many other major U.S. carriers offers confidential peer-support programs and counseling for its staff. Delta recently launched an employee assistance program for its pilots. It offers access to coaching and therapy, and takes into consideration medical certification requirements.
The airline stated that it would continue to strive to provide additional solutions.
In many industries, employees or regulators such as the Federal Aviation Administration do not need to be involved in seeking medical or psychological care.
Pilots are subject to stricter standards in aviation. They must maintain their FAA medical certificate by meeting rigorous physical and mental criteria. In some cases, they may be required to undergo medical examinations every six months. Pilots who have anxiety or depression could be grounded. Mild cases can be resolved quickly. Severe conditions, however, require an FAA review which can take up to one year.
In a press release, the FAA stated that it was committed to prioritizing mental health for pilots. It is constantly updating its approach in line with the latest medical research.
Interviews reveal that stigma and the fear of being grounded remain a major obstacle to addressing mental health in pilots.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has increased the oversight of medical examiners. It also requires that airlines offer pilots peer support programs.
The FAA in the United States has expanded its list of antidepressants approved for mental health conditions. The FAA has created a path for pilots to disclose an ADHD diagnosis. Airlines and pilot unions expanded confidential peer-support programs.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Australia allows pilots who suffer from depression or anxiety to maintain their medical certification if they manage safety risks. This is done on a case by case basis, even while they are receiving treatment. Kate Manderson said that her team usually completes certification reviews within 20 days.
The gap between perception and policy is still wide. A 2023 study of 5 170 U.S. pilots and Canadians found that more than half avoided healthcare due to concerns of losing their flying status. A morbid pilot saying captures the feeling: "If you're not lying, you're not flying." Pilot unions, industry groups and advocacy groups are calling on the FAA adopt the recommendations made by its Aviation Rulemaking Committee. These recommendations will protect pilots who report issues and expedite their return to duty. The U.S. House of Representatives voted in September to require that the FAA implement these changes within two year.
WAITING TO be cleared to fly
Elizabeth Carll is a 36-year-old commercial airline pilot in the United States. She believes that reforms are needed now. She was grounded in 2021 during her training as a pilot after she revealed she was taking a low dosage of anti-anxiety medicine. She waited for six months to get an appointment with a mental health specialist approved by the FAA after a six-month mandatory waiting period. After spending more than a full year reviewing the report, the regulator decided that it was outdated and ordered a new examination.
Carll did not experience financial hardship while she was in training as a flight attendant, but any change to her medication could result in the same long and costly process.
"The joke is that you ignore it and pretend that it doesn't occur because people are scared of losing their livelihood." A spokesperson for the FAA said that it is updating its mental-health policies and has approved more medication. When asked about Carll's situation, the spokesperson declined to comment and refused to disclose how long it usually takes for medical reports of pilots who are undergoing mental health treatment.
The FAA spokesperson stated that "we encourage pilots to seek early help if they are suffering from a mental health condition, since the majority of these conditions, when treated, will not prevent a pilot's ability to fly." In June, the safety of pilots was brought to light when Air India Flight 171 crashed shortly after takeoff and killed 260 people. In a preliminary report, it was found that both fuel shutoff switches were manually operated. This ruled out mechanical failure. The final report will be released in a few months.
The Indian government reported that Air India had a slight rise in sick leave among all its fleets after the crash. The airline directed pilots to an app that promotes mental health.
Air India did not provide a comment. Former Alaska Airlines pilot Joseph David Emerson, who was riding off-duty in the cockpit in 2023 when he tried to shut down a passenger aircraft's engines in November of that year, received a sentence for time served as well as three years probation. In court documents, Emerson admitted to police that he had a nervous break down and was on psychedelic mushroom therapy.
He refused to be interviewed by this article.
"A BETTER PIPET TODAY"
The financial impact of a pilot being grounded due to a medical concern can be severe. After using their sick leave, pilots are often put on disability which can drastically reduce their income. Troy Merritt is a 33-year old U.S. commercial pilot who voluntarily grounded himself on December 20, 2022, and began taking medication when he realized that depression and anxiety were affecting his ability to safely fly.
To get back into the cockpit, he had to take stable medication for six months and undergo a series psychological and cognitive testing -- some of which was not covered by his health insurance. The process, he said, cost him around $11,000.
This figure could not be independently confirmed.
Merritt had been grounded 18 months before he was able to return to flying. He lived off disability insurance. He said that pilots shouldn't have to wait for six months before reapplying for a medical certification if they responded well to treatment. The FAA should also review such applications in 30 days.
Avoiding mental health care opens the door for pilots to avoid taking care of themselves. Merritt, speaking from his home near the Los Angeles International Airport, said that this is when cockpit problems can occur. Merritt said that he is living proof of the benefits that mental health treatment can have on pilots. He spoke under the condition that his employer not be identified.
After his recovery, he began to train to fly in larger aircraft to destinations such as Shanghai and Hong Kong - long-haul flights that he had previously found intimidating.
He said, "I am a better pilot than I used to be." Reporting by Rajesh K. Singh in Salt Lake City, Chicago, Dan Catchpole, Erica Stapleton, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Joe Brock, Los Angeles. Doyinsola Oladipo, Lisa Barrington, Aditya Kahra, Abhijith Ganapavaram, and Suzanne Goldenberg contributed additional reporting from New York City and Seoul.
(source: Reuters)