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Israel orders Boeing aerial refuelling tanks worth $500 million from the US
Israel will buy two Boeing KC-46 aerial refueling tankers for $500 million, which will be financed by U.S. military assistance. The Israeli Defence Ministry announced this on Wednesday. The Israeli government said that it would sign a contract with the U.S. Government once the Israeli Ministerial Committee for Defence Procurement gives its approval. The U.S. oversees the foreign military transfers and sales to other countries. In a recent statement, the Ministry of Defence said that four Boeing-made KC-46 aircraft are already in service. Amir Baram, Director General of the Ministry, said that the aircraft will strengthen the military’s long-range tactical capabilities. This will allow it to operate further afield and with greater force. Israel used aerial refueling tankers such as these during its 12-day airwar against In June, The statement stated that the contract included equipping the aircraft with Israeli systems. It did not specify. Washington gives Israel, a close Middle East ally, billions of dollars yearly to buy American weapons and equipment. The contract is worth approximately US$500 million and funded by U.S. Aid, according to a statement from the Ministry. Recent questions from Republicans and Democrats in the United States have raised concerns about whether the government should give Israel military aid. They cited Israel's war in Gaza, and questioned whether taxpayer dollars could be better spent on domestic priority. (Reporting and editing by Mark Heinrich; Alexander Cornwell)
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French company partners with JetZero to develop hydrogen-powered aircraft
On Wednesday, a French technology startup announced plans to work with JetZero, a clean-aircraft venture to explore the possibility of a hydrogen-powered version of its futuristic design. The SHZ Advanced Technologies' move is likely to reignite a debate about the possibility of zero-emission flights, six months after Europe’s Airbus halted plans to develop the first hydrogen-powered aircraft in the world. JetZero, a California-based company, aims to compete with the duopoly that is Airbus and Boeing. It has developed a blended wing-body plane which claims to be able reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions by half. JetZero, SHZ and NASA are now planning to collaborate on a NASA-funded research programme in order to develop systems for storing and dispensing liquid hydrogen fuel. This could eliminate all carbon emissions and lead to a JetZero Z4 variant. Hydrogen is valued for its low carbon emissions and high energy per mass ratio, making it lighter than regular fuel. It also occupies a larger volume and has to be cooled down to -253 degrees Celsius. This makes storage difficult. JetZero’s blended wing-body features a V shaped fuselage which acts as a wings and reduces air friction, instead of the familiar wings with cylindrical fuselage. The wider fuselage allows the aircraft to be compatible with liquid hydrogen fuel tanks, without having to sacrifice passenger seating as would a tube and wing airplane. Airbus announced in February that it would slow down its efforts to produce a regional hydrogen-powered plane, and had dropped the target date of 2030. It blamed a lack supporting infrastructure. Boeing has been sceptical about the commercial viability and safety of hydrogen-powered aircraft. Boeing and NASA conducted a research project in the X-48 design, which was based on the concept of a wing-body blend dating back to the 1940s. JetZero revisits such designs, as the aviation sector struggles to reach a net-zero emission target by 2050. Airbus claims that it would be overly ambitious to combine such radical changes in the shape of an aircraft with a completely new propulsion system. Instead, they are focusing on hydrogen-based cells within a tubular aircraft configuration. Eric Schulz, co-founder of SHZ Advanced Technologies and former executive at Rolls-Royce & Airbus, said JetZero will approach the task in phases. The first phase will focus on a conventionally-powered all-wing aircraft. He said that any hydrogen-based version would be in the second step. The French company claims to have developed hydrogen tanks which save space because they do not need the cylindrical shape of pressurised vessels. They can also fit into the contours of Z4 fuselage's flowing contours. JetZero's backers, including United Airlines, announced in June that it was on schedule to fly a prototype full-scale of its revolutionary 250-passenger aircraft in 2027. (Reporting and editing by Mark Potter.)
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According to traders, the amount of gasoline exported by Russia to Afghanistan dropped sharply in July.
The traders said that Russia's gasoline exports to Afghanistan and Turkmenistan dropped in July, even before Moscow restricted the exports to ensure affordable supplies on the domestic market. According to data from traders, Russia's gas exports to Afghanistan dropped to 9,500 tons last month, down from 33,950 tonns in June. Turkmenistan's imports also decreased to 19,800 tonns from 39,700 tonns. The data revealed that Belarus increased its supply to Afghanistan at the same time to counteract the Russian decline. Russia implemented official export restrictions for gasoline producers towards the end of July in order to boost domestic supply during the period of high seasonal demand. The drone attacks by Ukraine on Russian oil refineries have made it more difficult for Russia to meet its demand. According to traders the gasoline transit from Belarus into Afghanistan increased in July from 8,100 to 29,000 tonnes. Turkmenistan's shipments to the country from Belarus fell from 51,000 to 31,540 tonnes in July, a trend that was not repeated. The traders added that the gasoline supply from Russia and Belarus into Afghanistan and Turkmenistan in June reached a record of 132,700 tonnes due to possible disruptions by Iran, which is a major fuel exporter due to its conflict against Israel. Helen Popper edited the report.
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United Airlines Ventures invests into aerospace startup Astro Mechanica
United Airlines' venture-capital arm announced on Wednesday that it had invested in Astro Mechanica. The company develops supersonic airframes and propulsion systems. This investment signals renewed interest in ultrasonic jets. The Trump administration is pushing for the lifting of a 1973 ban on supersonic flight over land. It has directed the FAA that the supersonic speed limitation will be lifted as long as the aircraft does not create an audible boom on the ground. After 27 years, the Concorde was retired by Air France and British Airways in 2003, ending an era of commercial supersonic flight. Environmentalists have criticized supersonic aircraft for consuming more fuel per passenger compared to subsonic planes. United Airlines, which had placed an order in 2021 for 15 Boom Supersonic "Overture" aircraft, was a proponent of supersonic flight. United Airlines Ventures has not disclosed the size of their investment in Astro Mechanica. (Reporting and editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri; Parth Chandna)
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Davie, Canada's Davie, believes that US shipyards are key to winning the icebreaker contract
Owner of Canadian company Davie Shipbuilding, said on Wednesday the key to winning the contract to build icebreakers in the United States was to develop local shipbuilding capability there. Davie announced in June that it would be acquiring Texas shipyards located in Galveston, Port Arthur and British Inocea Group. On Wednesday, Alex Vicefield CEO of Davie’s holding company British Inocea Group revealed for the first-time that the shipbuilder was bidding for a contract with the U.S. government. Vicefield said that the U.S. is still discussing how to proceed, but the most important thing to do would be to improve the shipbuilding capabilities of the United States. He spoke at Davie's Helsinki Shipyard where the company began construction on a $3.25-billion, 139-metre Polar Max icebreaker destined for Canada. Canada and Finland have renewed their icebreakers fleets. Last month, U.S. President Donald Trump allocated more than $8.6 Billion for similar plans to counter Russian and Chinese dominance. Last year, the three nations signed an Ice Pact to develop their Arctic capabilities together. But its future is uncertain because Trump's chaotic policies have sent U.S. and Canadian relations into a downward spiral. Trump claims that his trade levies are bringing jobs back to the United States. The U.S. Coast Guard wants to increase its fleet of three icebreakers by eight or nine Arctic-ready vessels, and Canada ordered two heavy icebreakers in March from Canadian Seaspan Shipyards & Davie. In a speech, Davie CEO James Davies stated that Canada and Finland were determined to rebuild and revive the Western shipbuilding industries. The Canadian Coast Guard has 18 icebreakers. This is the second largest fleet in the World after Russia's 40. Melanie Joly, Canada's Minister of Industry, said that the new vessel would help secure Canada's northern trade routes as well as advance its strategic interests in an important region of the world. Finland will be replacing its eight icebreakers in the next few years. Construction of the first one is scheduled to start in 2026. Davie purchased the Helsinki Shipyard from its former Russian owners in 2023 following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. There's no doubt that Finland, Helsinki is the world leader in icebreakers. "America has an older fleet of icebreakers and it's very difficult to learn how to build these specific, hard-to-build vessels," Davies said. Reporting by Anne Kauranen, Helsinki; editing by Kirsten Doovan
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Hertz and Amazon Autos partner to sell used cars online
Hertz Global Holdings announced on Wednesday that its car sales division was partnering Amazon.com’s automotive retail platform Amazon Autos to sell used vehicles. The car rental company's stock rose 7% at the opening of trading. Avis Budget Group shares fell 6%. Carvana's shares dropped 4.2%. CarMax lost 1.4%. Hertz stated that the collaboration is a result of Amazon Autos recent expansion into used vehicle sales. Amazon Autos was launched last year by the company to extend its online retail platform to include pre-owned and used vehicles. The program has dealers participating in over 130 U.S. Cities. Hertz Car Sales and Amazon will offer their service within 75-miles of Dallas, Houston Los Angeles, and Seattle. They plan to expand this to all 45 Hertz Car Sales locations in the United States. Hertz Global, based in Estero, Florida, operates its car rental businesses through its Dollar and Thrifty vehicle-rental brand across 160 countries. It also operates a business for car-sharing in Europe. Hertz Car Sales, a brand of Hertz Car Sales, offers used vehicles for sale both online and in locations throughout the U.S. Hertz was forced to reduce its electric vehicle fleet by a large amount in recent years due to a fluctuating rental demand. Some customers have complained that the AI-powered sensors used to inspect returned vehicles for damage often misfired. Bill Ackman, the hedge-fund billionaire, increased his stake in Hertz to almost 20% earlier this year through his investment company Pershing Square. He expressed confidence in management's efforts over the next few years to reduce costs and improve profit margins despite continued tariff pressures. Reporting by Aatreyee dasgupta, Bengaluru. Editing by Pooja desai.
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Air Canada's labor agreement could reshape the pay of North American airline crews
The latest blow to airline compensation systems that do not pay fully for cabin crew's hours of work is a crippling strike by Air Canada Flight Attendants that halted thousands of flights due to unpaid wages and unpaid overtime. The union representing more than 10,000 Air Canada Flight Attendants announced on Tuesday that they had reached a tentative agreement to end unpaid work. Analysts believe that any gains made could have a positive impact on upcoming contract talks in North America. According to a union representative, the agreement would pay flight attendants an hour before narrowbody jet flights and 70 minutes for larger widebody planes, at half their normal hourly rates in year one. This rate will rise to 70% by year 4. Air Canada had previously offered to pay half the fare for 45 minutes of travel time for narrow-body jets and 60 minutes of travel time for wide-body aircraft. The deal may also increase structural costs in an industry that is cyclical. The second largest operating cost for airlines is labor. The four-day walkout that stranded over 500,000 passengers reflects unrest among U.S. carriers where flight attendants are not allowed to leave their jobs until the National Mediation Board gives permission. Last year, cabin crews from American, Southwest and Alaska Airlines rejected contract agreements because they didn't address their concerns over unpaid work. United Airlines flight attendants voted against a tentative labor agreement worth $6 billion last month, because it did not include compensation for the time spent on the ground prior to and after flights. Before returning to negotiations in December, the union of Chicago's airline is conducting a survey among its members. United and the union didn't immediately respond to comments. Cabin crews are paid for a certain number of hours. However, the majority of their compensation is given when planes are moving, ignoring important tasks such as boarding, deplaning and other ground operations. The unions claim that this is a significant amount of unpaid work. In the past, airline workers were able to secure concessions in contract negotiations because the industry was suffering due to economic downturns and pandemics. Flight attendants are resentful due to a rise in inflation, stagnant salaries, and an increased workload. This has fueled their demands for pay reform. The Air Canada strike is a positive for all negotiations. "It defined the problem of unreasonable expectations for flight attendants working without pay", said Sara Nelson. She is the international president of Association of Flight Attendants - CWA, which represents over 55,000 flight attendants on 20 airlines including United. The striking flight attendants inspire workers everywhere. Nelson spoke to Wesley Lesosky on Monday, the head of Air Canada’s flight attendants' union, in order to coordinate positions. Representatives of both unions confirmed this. Shanyn Elliott is an Air Canada Rouge flight hostess who said that when she began her job in 2017, she would take long-haul flights for extra money as the C$23 (16.60) per hour wage she earned did not cover living expenses. Elliott, the head of the strike committee of Air Canada flight attendants in the Canadian Union of Public Employees, added that frequent delays following the pandemic resulted in longer working hours. Michael Rousseau, CEO of Air Canada, said that the industry must review its compensation model. In an interview he stated that the Canadian carrier had accepted the concept for ground pay and added other airlines would likely examine their own models. Rousseau said, "I think that the industry needs to look more closely at this in time." "We should all be open to changes." American and Alaska compensate their attendants for the time spent boarding in their new agreements. American's flight crews are now compensated for the time between flights. These gains were made after Delta Air Lines - whose flight attendants do not belong to a union - instituted boarding compensation for cabin staff at half their hourly wage in 2022, when they tried to organize. COSTS ARE RISING The cost of operating airlines would be increased if passengers were charged for time spent on the plane and for boarding. American Airlines' new contract with flight attendants is estimated to cost an additional $4.2 billion in five years. Last month, the company blamed its underperformance on margins in part to increased labor costs. Matthew Lee, an analyst at Canaccord Genuity, estimates that the proposed wage increases at Air Canada could result in additional costs of up to C$140 millions. Air Canada's wages have increased by about 26% in the past year. A weak passenger flow to the U.S. is a problem for the airline, as are the strained relations between Canada and America. This has led to a 40% drop in profit quarter-over-quarter. Analysts warn that if you hold the line with costs, it could lead to industrial peace. John Gradek is a McGill University lecturer on supply networks and aviation. He said, "The movement has begun."
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Urban farmers in the U.S. use vacant buildings to grow crops
Vertical farmers offer hyper-local food Locales are increasing their incentives to encourage operations Urban revitalization can be achieved by using smaller, modular systems By Carey L. Biron Localized food production is a way to produce food close to people, rather than shipping it in from far away. "Rather than move food around the globe, we'll simply move farms," said Falkowitz. Falkowitz is CEO and cofounder of Area 2 Farms in Arlington, Virginia, a vertical farm operation located outside the U.S. capitol. He said, "Our goal is to build many small organic farms for people within 10 miles of these farms." This would be a significant change for a country in which fresh produce is produced on average 1,500 miles away from where it will be consumed. Climate change is expected to put pressure on these patterns. Small-scale vertical agriculture can increase the nutritional value of the produce by controlling the environment and providing fresh food in areas that are poor. It also reduces the carbon footprint associated with the transportation system. Arlington's Area 2 Farms operation is partially automated with containers filled with soil rotating 18 feet up to the ceiling. The crops receive artificial LED lighting, water, and nutrients according to a schedule. A few workers are responsible for inspecting the crops, planting new containers, and harvesting. The company has moved into an old paper warehouse two years ago, where they have been growing dozens and dozens of different crops, including herbs, greens and root vegetables, for distribution each week to 300 families. Officials in Washington, Chicago, Baltimore, Maryland, Virginia, California, and Missouri have all created tax incentives and other incentives. Arlington's Area 2 Farms benefitted from a zoning change in 2023 that aims to increase access to fresh produce and reduce the carbon footprint, as well as provide "an additional tool for occupying vacant office space", said Rachel LaPiana. She is the communications manager at the county's Planning Department. The company plans to test out the model at an abandoned gas station located in Fairfax County. Vertical farming operations at a large scale are facing financial difficulties, due to unrealistic expectations and an overreliance on technology. This is according to Christine Zimmermann Loessl of the Association for Vertical Farming. She said that the small-scale method is essential as urban farmers learn how to produce food richer in protein and create successful financial models. She said. Vertical farming is a great way to grow food. POTENTIAL MULTI BILLION DOLLAR MARKET According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, vertical farming is part of an indoor "controlled-environment" trend that has doubled in size between 2009 and 2019. In 2023, the U.S. market for vertical farms was estimated at $735 million. It is expected to reach $2.5 billion in the next decade. Some questions have been raised about the approach's resource usage. The researchers of a Dutch study conducted last year were skeptical about the "climate-smartness" of the operation, despite its water efficiency. David Kopsell, horticulture prof at Illinois State University, says that urban farming may be an important resource for the future, given climate change and resource scarcity. He said: "You'll be able bring food production to areas where there could be problems due to soil type, contamination of the soil, or temperatures." Kopsell finished the vertical farm in July to grow herbs and teach students for the campus dining services. Sarah Stevens a graduate student in Agricultural Business who helped to set up the system said that seeing its potential was dramatic. "When you are a gardener you plant a small seed and harvest 80 days later. Stevens said, "You plant a little seed and harvest within five weeks." Tackling FOOD DESERTS Mike Johnson, an urban farmer, said that he saw an opportunity in a low-income area of Washington, across the Potomac River, to address the issue of food deserts. In these areas, there are no grocery stores selling fresh produce. In some Washington neighborhoods only one grocery store, with limited selections of fresh fruits and veggies, serves tens or even hundreds of thousands of residents. Johnson said that vertical farming can help but that the start-up costs, which may reach hundreds of thousands of dollar are an obstacle. In a shipping container at a local homeless services non-profit, his company, Our Farm DC produces about 100 pounds per week of fresh food, which is then made into salad kits and sold locally. The company is also working on small hydroponics systems that can be placed in public spaces like schools and office atriums. He said that these systems could occupy a lot of space. It democratizes this and allows us to have more growing space.
China and Afghanistan hold discussions on belt and Road participation, mining
The Afghan Taliban Foreign Ministry reported that China informed Afghanistan on Wednesday of Beijing's interest in exploring and mining mineral deposits in Afghanistan and its desire for Kabul to join the Belt and Road Initiative.
The Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Kabul on Tuesday and met with Afghanistan's Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. According to a ministry statement, both countries want to expand their cooperation in various areas.
According to an Afghan statement, Wang stated that both countries are working together to remove barriers in the trade of agricultural products and to increase Afghanistan's imports from China.
It said that Wang Yi had also stated that China intended to begin practical mining activities in this year.
Beijing has not yet released its summary of the discussions.
China appointed the first ambassador to Afghanistan during the Taliban regime and sought to strengthen its relationship with the hardline Islamists who took over the war-torn nation in 2021.
Analysts say that the impoverished country is rich in mineral deposits such as copper, iron, and lithium. This could help Beijing improve its supply chain security. (Reporting and writing by Mohammad Yunus Yawar, editing by YPrajesh).
(source: Reuters)