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FAA announces buffer zones at two airports in the Washington DC area
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration announced on Thursday that it would modify helicopter routes at two airports in the Washington area. This comes months after an American Airlines plane collided near Washington with an Army Black Hawk helicopter. The FAA has confirmed that the changes will affect Washington Dulles Airport and Baltimore/Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport. The FAA stated that "These changes will increase separation between helicopters, airplanes, and aircraft operating in and out of airports." The FAA also said that it would be making changes to the traffic around Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The FAA was criticized by lawmakers, the National Transportation Safety Board, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy because it failed to act on near-miss reports before the mid-air collision that killed 67 people on January 29, 2013. The FAA banned the Army in May from helicopter flights near the Pentagon following a close call on May 1, which forced two civilian aircraft to abort their landings. At the time of the accident, the Army Black Hawk helicopter had exceeded the maximum altitude allowed. In March, the NTSB reported that there have been 15200 incidents of air separation near Reagan Washington National Airport involving commercial aircraft and helicopters since 2021. This includes 85 close calls. The FAA announced Thursday that it has reduced the boundary of zones around Reagan and added notes on the Reagan helicopter chart to "improve clarity regarding altitude and operation instructions." In April, the FAA has imposed new restrictions in order to prevent The collisions of helicopters with passenger planes at the busy Harry Reid International Airport, Las Vegas have raised serious safety concerns. The FAA also examined the flow of traffic around Hollywood Burbank Airport, Van Nuys Airport and other airports in Los Angeles. These are all less than 10 miles away and have a variety of aircraft that arrive and depart at close intervals. (Reporting and editing by David Shepardson, Jasper Ward)
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Venezuela accuses US combat planes of flying near its coast
Venezuelan Defense Minister General Vladimir Padrino announced on Thursday that five fighter planes were detected near Venezuela's coast. He described this as an American threat. Padrino, speaking from an airbase, said that the imperialist planes were close enough to the Venezuelan coastline to be considered a threat. The comments were broadcast on the state television. He added that the information had been provided to a control center by a carrier. Padrino said that the presence of these planes near our Caribbean Sea was a vulgarity and a provocation, as well as a threat to national security. The Pentagon didn't immediately respond to an inquiry for comment. The government released a statement later stating that the Colombian flag carrier Avianca had reported the planes to be approximately 75 kilometers away from the Venezuelan coastline. Avianca didn't immediately respond to an inquiry for comment. Venezuela "urges U.S. Sec. of War Peter Hegseth immediately to cease his reckless and thrill-seeking posture," which disturbs the peace in the Caribbean. Washington claims to be fighting drug trafficking by sending a fleet warships across the Caribbean. The U.S. also killed those on board several boats that it claimed were transporting drugs from Venezuela. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro claims the U.S. wants regime change but also offers to talk with U.S. Envoy Richard Grenell. Trump has downplayed suggestions of regime changes, but has accused Maduro repeatedly of leading drug trafficking network, which the Venezuelan President denies.
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US Court of appeals to review airline fee decision
On Thursday, a federal appeals court said that it would reconsider its recent ruling that the U.S. Department of Transportation was authorized to require airlines fully disclose all fees upfront when customers book flights. In a short order, the Fifth U.S. The 17 judges of the New Orleans Circuit Court of Appeals will review a decision made by a three judge panel on January 28, "en bloc". Several major airlines have challenged a rule that was issued to protect consumers in April 2024, during the Biden Administration. The rule required ticket agents and airlines to disclose "ancillary charges" like baggage fees during the booking process. Alaska Airlines, American Airlines Delta Air Lines JetBlue United Airlines and three industry groups, including Airlines for America, objected to the rules, claiming that federal law did not give the Transportation Department any power to make such rules. The rule was put on hold by the appeals court in July 2024. In a January ruling, the court ruled that the Transportation Department has the authority to create fee disclosure rules that address the "unfair or misleading practices" of airlines. The agency was criticized for not allowing airlines to comment on the study that it used to evaluate the potential impact of the new fee rule. Instead of canceling the rule, the appeals court sent the case back to the Transportation Department. The airlines stated that adopting this rule would "upend how airlines interact with customers at great cost and without any demonstrated benefit." The Transportation Department opposed the rehearing stating that the appeals court had "properly used its discretion" by remanding this rule. The lawyers of the airline did not respond immediately to comments. Airlines for America refused to comment. Requests for comment were not immediately answered by the Transportation Department or the U.S. Department of Justice. The 5th Circuit is a conservative federal appellate court. It has not announced when it will hold oral arguments. Airlines for America et al v Department of Transportation is the case. Circuit Court of Appeals No. 24-60231. Reporting by Jonathan Stempel, New York; editing by Jamie Freed
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Bloomberg News reports that Boeing 777X will be delayed until 2027.
Bloomberg News, citing sources familiar with the situation, reported Thursday that Boeing's 777X aircraft will begin commercial flights in 2027, not next year. The report cited a source as saying that Deutsche Lufthansa AG is preparing to take a step back and will not include the 777X until 2027 in its fleet plan. Boeing did not respond immediately to a comment request. When the program launched in 2013, the company had expected to deliver its first 777X aircraft in 2026. This was already six years behind schedule. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg stated last month that Boeing was behind schedule with the certification of the jet. She said a "mountain" of work needed to be completed. He said, however, no new technical issues had been discovered. Boeing announced the plane in 2013 at the Dubai Airshow.
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NTSB and FAA will investigate crashes of two Amazon drones
Two U.S. agencies announced Thursday that they would investigate the collision between two Amazon Prime Air drones and the boom of an Arizona crane in Tolleson. Both the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have said that they will both investigate the incident which occurred on Wednesday. Amazon announced in November 2024 that it would begin drone deliveries to the West Valley in Arizona's Phoenix Metro Area from its same-day location in Tolleson. It also said on Thursday that it had temporarily paused Prime Air drone operation in Arizona. Amazon's Terrence Clark, a spokesman for the company, said that the company had been made aware of the incident. "We are currently working with relevant authorities to conduct an investigation." Amazon has announced that customers living near Tolleson can buy an item weighing less than 5 pounds and have it delivered in under an hour by drone. Amazon started delivering prescription medication by drone in 2023 in College Station, Texas, in partnership with Amazon Pharmacy. The U.S. Transportation Department announced new rules in August to accelerate the deployment of drones outside the line of sight for operators. This is a crucial change to help commercial applications like package delivery. Sean Duffy, Transportation Secretary, said: "It will change the way people and goods move through our airspace... you might get an Amazon package or a Starbucks coffee by a drone." Amazon wants to deliver 500 million packages per year by drones by 2030. (Reporting and editing by David Shepardson)
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Premier: Alberta and Canada have 80% agreement on pipeline proposal
Premier Danielle Smith said on Thursday that Canada and Alberta were not far apart in terms of the terms of an agreement which would set the conditions for the construction in Alberta, in exchange for environmental commitments. on Wednesday The main oil producing province of Canada will take the lead in early planning for a new pipeline. Smith stated in an interview that "we're approximately 80% in accord on most aspects." The ball is in the court of (Canadian prime minister) Mark Carney now. The federal government didn't immediately respond to our request for comment. Smith stated that her government does not intend to build the pipeline directly from Alberta's oilsands up to the Northwest Coast of British Columbia. According to Smith, Canadian pipeline companies Enbridge and South Bow, as well as government-owned Trans Mountain, have agreed to offer advice and technical assistance to Alberta in developing its proposal. Smith is confident that if the Canadian government approves Alberta's pipeline project, a private company will step forward to build it. Greg Ebel, CEO of Enbridge, said in a speech delivered to an audience of businessmen on Thursday that Canada would have to lift its ban on oil tanks off the coasts of B.C. Before any pipeline company will commit to Alberta's proposal, it is important that they first listen to the coast. Ebel stated that "no company would build a pipe to nowhere". B.C. Premier David Eby stated on Wednesday that his province has been in support of the ban since its inception. He is adamant about the law remaining in place. South Bow and Trans Mountain are yet to comment on the proposal. Carney's government was reported to be in talks in September with Alberta and energy companies about removing a federal cap on emissions for Canada's oil & gas industry in exchange for reducing the carbon footprint of the province and industry in other ways. The federal government also made it clear that a pipeline proposal from Alberta would only be considered if the proposed Pathways project for carbon capture and storage was approved. Smith refused to reveal what additional commitments the federal Government may ask Alberta to make. Alberta's government stated that the proposed pipeline would be able to carry up 1 million barrels of oil per day. Canada reached record oil production levels in 2024, as completion of the Trans Mountain expansion pipeline boosted the ability of oil companies to deliver their product. Analysts have predicted that Trans Mountain would be full by 2027 or 2028, as Canada seeks to diversify its oil exports.
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US public power sector evaluates data center customer risks and rewards
Data centers are a major source of electricity for U.S. power utilities. Some requests exceed the energy consumption by their entire customer base, according to CEOs and investors from the non-profit sector. The data center power demands of Big Tech have created an opportunity for the long-stagnant US power industry to grow revenue and investment. But the record-breaking build-outs of energy-intensive servers warehouses come with new risks, according to market participants at the Large Public Power Council Financial Conference held in New York. Dan Sullivan, CEO of the Grand River Dam Authority in Oklahoma, said that "we're experiencing exponential growth." He said that there were about 2,000 Megawatts in demand, mainly from data centers. They wanted to connect to the roughly 2,000 Megawatt system of his utility. "They will scale as fast as they are allowed to or as quickly as their capabilities allow them." Kirk Hudson, the general manager of Chelan PUD in Washington, said that there is a demand for about 1,400 Megawatts, mostly from data centers, to be connected to their system. The utility averages around 200 Megawatts. Hudson, the Chelan PUD's spokesperson, said that there is significant hydropower surplus, but they are figuring out how to support data centres while maintaining low rates, assuring system reliability and preserving local authority. The data center market is a fast-moving one, and public power utilities that have contracts for 40 years with their municipal customers face a unique challenge in adapting. Data centers are becoming more and more prevalent. Some of them consume as much electricity as an average-sized U.S. town. This has raised concerns over power shortages or excessive construction. Public utilities can issue municipal bonds that are tax-exempt to finance infrastructure. They also explore how to structure data center agreements to avoid stranded cost - the risk associated with building capacity to serve customers who then leave. John Murphy, Director at PFM Financial Advisors, said that the demand from hyperscalers is unlike anything seen before in public power or utility markets. How these projects are funded will be the key to managing risks. OLD RULES, NEW ISSUES In general, public power groups cannot enter into long-term power contracts for data centers, which are commonly used in the power sector that is profit-driven, without compromising the tax status of the entire portfolio. This has led to public utilities issuing short-term contracts that can complicate infrastructure planning in the long term, according to industry executives. They are also seeking clarification from the U.S. Treasury on rules that govern private use contracts. Javier Fernandez is the CEO of Omaha Public Power District. He said, "These rules need to be updated." In order to protect my residential customers from price shock, I must have a contract that is long-term with these data centres. Jason Pollack is the executive director for government and institutional banks at Wells Fargo. He said that utilities also face uncertainty about costs and waiting times of equipment needed to build infrastructure. Reporting by Laila K. Kearney, New York. Editing by Ni. Williams
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UK Jews already facing rising antisemitism
The attack on the synagogue on Thursday in northern England sent a shiver down the spine of a Jewish community that is already experiencing a rise in antisemitic incidents. It prompted warnings to avoid gatherings in communal areas and keep doors closed. This was the latest attack on British Jews in response to Israel's military offensive against Gaza. Vicky, a woman who refused to give her name, said near the scene of the attack at the Manchester synagogue: "I am Jewish and I'm absolutely terrified." "I don't feel secure." ANTISEMITIC INCIDENTS ON THE RISE IN BRITAIN The number of antisemitic incidents reported in Britain last year was second highest ever. The Jewish charity that advises communities about security stated that the Hamas attacks and wars had contributed to thousands of incidents including violent attacks and threats. The attack took place in Manchester, in an area with a large Jewish population. A journalist on the scene said that two cars with Palestinian flags were seen driving past and that some men in balaclavas appeared hours after the attack. They could be heard saying "Jews" as they drove by. Simon Cassel, who was a Jewish student living near the synagogue and heard about the attack, said: "I don't understand how you can come to try and antagonize people, victims of it." The Community Security Trust, the charity that coordinates safety measures for Jewish institutions, has urged Jews to stay away from communal buildings or synagogues and keep their doors shut on Thursday. In the 2021 census, nearly 290 000 people were identified as Jewish. The British police announced that they will be increasing patrols in and around synagogues. "I'm clear: UK police is mobilizing." Laurence Taylor is the head of British counter-terrorism police. "Police forces are increasing patrols throughout the country at synagogues, Jewish sites and other places to provide reassurance for all affected communities." Increased funding to protect the Jewish Community The incident took place less than one week before the anniversary of Hamas' attack on Israel, which will take place two years from now, on Oct. 7, 2023. The Israeli Embassy in London described the incident as "abhorrent" and "deeply distressing". According to CST data, in Britain, antisemitic incidents were more than twice as many in 2024 compared to the same time period two years earlier. 201 incidents (or about 6%) of the 3,528 incidents reported involved assaults or other physical attacks. CST stated that about half of these incidents involved inciting speech regarding the Israel-Hamas Conflict, along with explicit expressions of antisemitic language, motivation or targetting. In February of last year, the government pledged 70 million pounds (94 million dollars) for a fund to provide security measures like security guards and CCTV systems. Last month, feces were reported to have been smeared on synagogues in Golders Green (a district of north London that has a large Jewish community). Dina, 46 years old, was at a Golders Green synagogue when the attack occurred. She said that after the incident, she would tell both her sons not to wear their Jewish caps, or kippots, in public areas like the London Underground and buses. She said, "I will tell them to remove any signs that are indicating."
Armenians are increasingly worried about war with Azerbaijan due to escalating ceasefire violations
Khnatsakh residents are anxious at nightfall.
Locals claim that every evening, around 10 pm, Azerbaijani soldiers fire into the night skies from their positions high above.
Villagers say that bullets have been hitting houses regularly, but no one has been injured so far. Azerbaijan has denied that its troops are firing across the border and accused Armenian forces of violating ceasefire.
Karo Andranyan (66), a retired mechanic, said, "It is very tense at home because we have children, little ones and elderly."
Azerbaijani flags and a military position on a hillside are only 100 metres away from his door. This is a reminder that Armenia's bitter enemy is close by. Since the early 1990s, the heavily militarized 1,000-km border is closed.
Two major wars have been fought in the last 40 years. This has destabilised the Caucasus, a region which is important for Russia, Iran, and Turkey because it contains major oil and natural gas pipelines towards Europe.
Experts say that the rising tensions along the border increase the likelihood of a new conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as the two countries approach a crucial juncture in their tortuous peace process.
In March, both sides announced that they had reached an agreement on the outline of a treaty of peace to be signed by 2026. This raised hopes for reconciliation. The draft envisages both sides delineating their shared borders, but requires Armenia to amend the constitution before Azerbaijan can ratify the deal.
After months of relative calm, the reports of ceasefire breaches along the border are now soaring.
Andranyan believes the gunfire at night is meant to intimidate both the local villagers and the small garrison Armenian troops that are stationed in the village. He said that the village, which according to census data had 1,000 residents, was emptying because locals were afraid of a return to war.
What are we to do?
Despite the fact that there has been no death on the border in over a year, cross-border gunfire is reported frequently. Azerbaijan has made the majority of accusations against Armenia since March. These include cross-border gunfire, and damage to property.
Both sides have denied claims of ceasefire violation.
Since 2020, the simmering conflict has decisively shifted in Azerbaijan’s favor. The oil and gas producer regained territory lost during the 1990s. It also progressively reestablished control over Nagorno Karabakh where ethnic Armenians established de facto autonomy since the collapse the Soviet Union. It retook Karabakh in 2023, causing 100,000 ethnic Armenians from the region to flee to Armenia.
Marco Rubio, the U.S. secretary of state, told a hearing of Congress last month that there was "a real risk" of war. He stated that the U.S. wished Azerbaijan to "accept a peace accord that doesn't cause them to invade a neighboring nation, Armenia."
Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev has been in power since 2003. He said that in January, Armenia was a "fascist menace" that must be eliminated.
Laurence Broers is an expert in Armenia and Azerbaijan from London's Chatham House. He said that a full-scale conflict was possible but more localised clashes are more likely.
He said Azerbaijan's population, which is 10 million, is three times that of Armenia. It has little incentive to sign a peace agreement quickly and could instead use smaller scale escalation to force its neighbor to make further concessions during the talks.
Ilham Aliyev's strategy of escalation and militarization was a great success, he said.
The Armenian authorities have insisted that there will not be a war. Nikol Pashinyan, the Prime Minister of Armenia, said in a speech delivered last month that "despite all arguments and all provocations", the two countries will not fight again.
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry responded to questions regarding the tensions along its border by referring to previous comments.
In a May statement, Baku said it was committed to peace and had no territorial claims against Armenia. In a statement in May, it said that Yerevan’s actions "call Armenia’s commitment to peace into question".
The Azerbaijani Defence Ministry has denied Armenian reports that cross-border gunfire had taken place.
Tensions in the South
The conflict is centered in Armenia's southernmost region of Syunik, where the majority of ceasefire violations have been reported.
Syunik divides Azerbaijan's main body to the east and the Azerbaijani enclave of Nakhchivan in the west. It is also a crucial trade route between Armenia and Iran, with which it shares a border to the south.
Azerbaijan demands that Armenia build a route through Syunik and Nakhchivan since 2020. Baku said the passage would be Armenian territory, but with minimal control from Yerevan.
Azerbaijani officials also claim that the southern part of Armenia was historically Azerbaijani land, but they haven't made a formal territorial claim.
Armenia has closed its border with Azerbaijan and its frontier with Turkey, a close ally to Baku. This makes its border with Iran the lifeline of trade. Syunik's corridor could cut off the country's access to its remote mountainous border.
Armenia and Iran share a warm relationship, despite Armenia’s Christian faith and its increasingly pro-Western orientation. Iran was Armenia's largest importer in 2022. Tehran's Defence Minister visited Yerevan in May. Iranian media reported that he expressed Iran's opposition against redrawing borderlines in the region.
Armenia's tensions with its traditional ally Russia are a major problem. Russia opposes Armenian efforts to move closer to the west and has strengthened its ties with Azerbaijan.
"Armenia has open borders with Georgia and Iran. "This keeps the country moving," said Tigran Grizaryan, director at the Regional Centre for Democracy and Security, a think tank in Yerevan.
Grigoryan stated that Azerbaijani demands for the corridor may be the spark to future military escalation. He said that the ceasefire violation could be an attempt to force Armenia to make concessions over the issue.
He said: "If Armenia lost its border with Iran that would be a disaster."
Requests for comments from the Iranian and Russian Foreign Ministries were not answered.
The Iranian connection is evident throughout Armenia's south.
Iranian road workers work to widen a mountainside road that is clogged by lorries coming from the south, headed north toward Georgia and Russia.
Some locals are selling red wine in plastic bottles to newly-arrived truckers from Iran where alcohol is prohibited.
Meghri is the historic town at the southernmost point of Armenia, and the gateway to Iran.
Bagrat Zakaryan, Bagrat's deputy mayor, said that the town, which is only 16 km from Azerbaijan and has a population of 4,000, had its everyday life overshadowed due to tensions with Baku.
He said that "given the recent events of Karabakh and what President Azerbaijan says, there's this feeling of terror."
Opportunity for Peace
Some people are more optimistic than others about the prospects of peace.
Armen Davtyan, who was deputy director at Meghri railway station from 1993 to 1993, sat on a crossroads that connected Yerevan with Baku and Iran with the Soviet Union until its dissolution in 1991.
After the Karabakh War of 1988-1994 and the closing of the border, Davtyan began working as a borderguard.
A derelict train with an emblazoned Soviet emblem lingers in the parking lot of the station, just metres away from the Iranian border.
Davtyan said that he remembered fondly the days before the war, when Armenians worked with Azerbaijanis on the railways. He hopes to see cross-border trains again arrive at Meghri Station one day.
He said: "I understand that some people fear that the Azerbaijanis may return if the rail reopens."
"But if people in 2025 are still afraid of us opening up transport links, that seems a bit absurd." (Reporting and editing by Daniel Flynn; Felix Light)
(source: Reuters)