Latest News
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Openreach uses Google AI to accelerate fibre rollout and reduce emissions
Openreach, a BT-owned network provider, said that it has 'expanded' its partnership with Google Cloud to use artificial intelligence in order to speed up fusing broadband and reduce emissions from one of Britain’s largest commercial vehicles fleets. Openreach runs the largest broadband network in the UK. The partnership was first reported by and uses Alphabet's Google data tools to analyse routes, idling, and fault patterns on its 24,000 van fleet. This covers over 200 million miles (322 millions km) per year. James Tappenden said that Openreach's managing director, James Tappenden, was able to see measurable and practical benefits by applying Google Cloud's technology. The company claimed that the system already reduced unnecessary travel and fuel consumption, as well as supporting a quicker shift to electric vehicles. It said this had saved around 10,000 tonnes CO2 equivalent annually. The network builder also said that it was?using Google AI models to map 35,000,000 homes and national transport corridors. This would allow planners to identify if full-fibre cables could be installed faster. Openreach will invest 20 billion pounds (15 billion pounds) in the roll-out of its fibre network to 25 million premises before 2026. Sam Tabahriti, Alex Richardson and Sam Tabahriti report on the $1 = 0.7459 pounds.
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As war disrupts Asia's second-car market, Lamborghinis are stranded on the island of Sri Lanka
Umar Ali Hyder Ali, who runs a used car business in Japan, has been plagued by headaches since the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran last month. Hyder Ali has lived in Japan for 20 years. He ships his used cars to South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. The vehicles are sought after for their relative good condition and durability, thanks to the strict Japanese regulations which require regular inspections and maintenance. He woke up days after the start of the war to find out that one of his shipments, which included more than 500 vehicles, was stuck at sea. The vessel couldn't get into Sri Lanka as the port was full of cargo diverted from Dubai. He said that the cars we had already sent to Sri Lanka sat in the ocean waiting to be loaded because there wasn't enough space. The vehicles were finally offloaded last week at the Hambantota Port, more than ten days late. Hyder Ali's troubles illustrate how the Middle East Crisis and the Near Closure of the Strait of Hormuz is upending the business of used-car dealers in Japan and South Korea. These are mostly small businesses, but together they make up a global industry. Hyder Ali stated that PORT CONGESTION CAUSES "PANIC" The port congestion caused "panic", among Japanese shipping companies. Some of them cancelled shipments. Other companies suggested diverting cargo into ports in Pakistan and China. One company asked for $5,000 on each vehicle. He said that some of his cars may be brought back to Japan. Kobe Motor in Yokohama ships 18,000 cars a month, mainly to Sri Lanka where small Toyotas and Hondas are popular. He has 50 used luxury cars, including Rolls-Royces and Lamborghinis, that he is currently offloading in Sri Lanka and China, because his ships were unable to reach Dubai, where Middle East customers were waiting. He said that air freight was an option for certain clients but only the wealthy could afford it. Japan and South Korea export used cars worth $19 billion in total last year. Japan accounted for slightly more than half. Trade data revealed that more than a third of the 883,000 second-hand cars South Korea exports last year were shipped to the Middle East. According to data from the finance ministry, the UAE was Japan's top destination for used vehicles last year. It accounted for 224,000 units or 15% of all used car export volumes. Dubai is at a bottleneck due to the Strait of Hormuz. This narrow shipping lane connects Iran and Oman. Exporters will face increasing pressure if the war continues, including higher oil costs, currency fluctuations, lower auction prices, and even possible shipping route cuts. SHIPMENTS FROM SOUTH KOREAN HALTED The conflict in South Korea has stopped shipments in what is normally the busiest time for used car dealers. Demand usually peaks between March and September due to construction and travel in the Middle East. Kang Tae Yang, an official with a shipping firm, revealed that activity at a complex for storing vehicles in Incheon has dropped sharply. Around 80% of the cars stored there are usually destined for the Middle East. Kang Tae-yang, a shipping company official, said that more than 70% of the vehicles he owns are currently in storage. He added that vessels at sea have either paused or diverted their voyages rather than continue to their intended destinations. The vehicles parked in storage facilities at Incheon were unable to move due to disruptions to the transportation system, and those loaded on ships did not reach their intended destinations. Some ships are planning to unload their cargo in alternative locations, such as the Middle East, or even further away to avoid the Strait of Hormuz. Dealers stated that this was a decision largely made by shipping companies, and dealers were in discussions with them to understand contingency plans. "We have no other choice than to wait and hold mode whenever war breaks out," said Jin Jae Woong, president of the used car dealership Automobile International. Middle Eastern buyers are fond of models such as Hyundai Motors' Avante MD and Kia K3? Jin stated that the conflict began just when prices would usually begin to increase. He added that his company paid about 40 million won per month to "store" vehicles purchased in South Korea. He plans to buy cars in advance during the recession, assuming that demand will increase once the conflict is over. Exporters have limited options when it comes to finding alternative markets. Ventus Auto's president Yun?Seung hyun said that Africa and Latin America lack the demand to absorb more sales. Containers that his company sent in late January should have arrived at Dubai's Jebel Ali port in early march, but are still delayed. Ships operated by South Korea’s HMM are stuck near Mumbai in India's west. He said that rising oil prices also increased freight rates. Ventus Auto, which generates annual revenues of 6.6 billion won, is largely dependent on the UAE. The disruption is a serious risk because it's impossible to know where the cargo will be shipped. "There is no solution at this time," Yun said.
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The Trump administration is temporarily allowed to unfreeze Chicago Transit Funding by a judge
A U.S. Judge on Tuesday ordered President Donald Trump’s administration to temporarily unfreeze approximately $3 billion in funding in Chicago for rail projects. On Friday, the?Chicago Transit Authority filed a lawsuit against?the U.S. Transportation Department's Federal?Transit Administration. The suit claimed that federal officials had refused to reimburse at least $9.5 millions in grants approved by former Democratic President Joe Biden. The city called the funding suspension a political act of retaliation. U.S. district judge Thomas Durkin granted CTA's request to issue a temporary restraining?order?to demand the funding, but put his decision on hold until this Friday in order to give federal government the time?to appeal. The ruling is a part of an ongoing legal battle between the Trump Administration and Democratic-governed Cities over?the withholding billions of dollars of previously approved federal funding for transit. Similar lawsuits have been filed in New York. The CTA called the ruling on Tuesday "a massive step towards restoration of funding for this historical project." Durkin's decision noted that the Transportation Department only applied concerns about compliance with anti-discrimination law to major projects in Chicago, New York and other cities. This indicates that reviews are "a pretext for some interest unrelated to compliance." Chicago is the second largest U.S. city for public transportation, with a daily average of about one million trips. Transit agency said the frozen grants were crucial for modernizing and expanding the "L," Chicago’s system of elevated and underground trains. The funding had been frozen to upgrade a century-old rail structure and extend a rail line by 8 km (5.5 miles). Chicago requested an "emergency" order, warning that if funding was not provided by Friday the project would be halted. The lawsuit claimed that the federal government was trying to "hold hostage billions of dollar in federal grants for vital infrastructure projects in Chicago." The Department of Transportation did not comment immediately, but last week said it would "fight" to ensure federal dollars are not used for discriminatory, illegal and wasteful contracts. New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority sued the administration in the last week after the government refused to pay nearly $60 million towards a $7.7-billion subway project. A federal appeals court decided earlier this month that the government must continue to make payments for the $16 billion New York Hudson Tunnel Project, after the Department of Transportation had suspended over $200 million in payments. (Reporting and editing by Franklin Paul, Lisa Shumaker, and David Shepardson)
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MercadoLibre will invest $11 billion this year in Brazil
MercadoLibre, an e-commerce company, said that it would invest?57 billion reais (about $10.9 billion) in?its main market Brazil this coming year. This is a 50% increase from 2025. MercadoLibre stated that the money, which includes operating costs and expenses will primarily be used to expand its logistics, strengthen its ecommerce marketplace platform, and?increase its credit portfolio for its fintech Mercado Pago. The company, based in Uruguay, but relying on Brazil for more than half of its revenues, plans to expand 14 fulfillment centers in Brazil this year. This will bring the total number up to 42. MercadoLibre said it would 'create 10,000 jobs by 2026 in Brazil, focusing on financial services, technology and logistics. By the end of the year, the 'total number of workers in the country will be more than 70,000. The company announced earlier this month that it would invest $3.4 billion in Argentina this year, its third-largest revenue market behind Mexico and Brazil. ($1 = 5,2546 reais). (Reporting and editing by Kyra Madry.)
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The US is working with Canada to permit a partial Keystone XL revival
A White House official revealed on Tuesday that the Trump administration was working with Canada to obtain the permits required for a proposed revival part of Keystone XL's oil pipeline. If the pipeline is built, it could increase Canada's crude oil exports to America by over 12%. Keystone XL, the project that was cancelled under the administration of?former President Joe Biden', is permitted in Canada, but a Presidential permit will be required for the pipeline to cross Canada-U.S. borders. The state regulatory permits are also required. The official stated that "the President's energy team worked diligently with our Canadian partners to work through the permit process." Canada's Natural Resource?Minister Tim Hodgson and Canada's ambassador to the U.S. Mark Wiseman discussed the proposed project with U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and U.S. Sec? of the Interior Doug Burgum at a meeting on Monday in Houston. Hodgson, in an interview at the CERAWeek conference by S&P Global on Tuesday, said that Canada frames the prospect of a cross-border pipeline as a means to help the U.S. maintain energy security despite the disruptions in supplies caused by the war in Iran and the rising prices for consumers. "Yes, the U.S. is the largest oil producer in the world. They produce 12-13 million barrels of oil per day. Hodgson stated that the U.S. consumes 20 barrels per day. "And they know that Canada makes up about 63% of the difference," Hodgson said. Donald Trump's tariff wars and threats of annexation have caused tensions with Canada. Trump has repeatedly called for lower oil prices, and many U.S. refining companies depend on Canada's roughly 4.4 millions bpd exports. Hodgson stated that he made 'clear' during the meeting, that Canada is actively working to increase its oil exports to non-U.S. market by completing the planned 300,000.bpd extension of the Trans Mountain Pipeline that runs from Alberta up to the Pacific Coast. In an effort to reduce Canada's dependence on the U.S. energy market, Prime Minister Mark Carney has traveled the world courting new customers. We need to sell more to other people, not less, as Prime Minister Harper has stated. Hodgson stated that we need to sell to more people. (Reporting and editing by Ni Williams in Houston, Amanda Stephenson from Houston)
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UPS pulls its latest driver buyout program in the central region states
The union reported that United Parcel Service informed the International Brotherhood of Teamsters on Tuesday of its decision to withdraw their latest "driver buyout" scheme in the central region states. The decision comes after the delivery giant announced that it would proceed with its plan to?offer $150,000 buyout packages for its drivers, after a federal judge rejected the union’s bid to stop?its workforce cutting program based on concerns about contract violations. Teamsters sued UPS on February 9 for its January 27 announcement that it would cut up to 30 000 jobs and close 24 facilities in order to move away from millions low-profit deliveries made for Amazon.com. Its largest customer. The latest buyout program, called the Driver Choice Program by UPS, asked drivers to accept an 'unique lump-sum' payment in exchange for a legal commitment to never work again for UPS. The Teamsters Central Region is comprised of?13 U.S. States and has more than 68,000 unionized rank-and-file UPS employees. Reporting by Aatreyee dasgupta from Bengaluru, and editing by Shailesh Kuber
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Canada talks Keystone XL revival to Trump Administration officials
Canada's Natural Resource Minister Tim Hodgson revealed Tuesday that Canadian officials met with Trump administration representatives in Houston to discuss a?"proposed revival" of a canceled Keystone XL pipeline. Hodgson and Canada's ambassador to the 'U.S.', Mark Wiseman discussed the project proposed by Canadian Pipeline Company South Bow and their U.S. Partner Bridger Pipeline, which could increase Canada’s crude exports into the U.S. Hodgson, in an interview given at the CERAWeek conference by S&P Global, said that Canada is framing the prospect for a new oil pipeline across the border as a means to help the U.S. maintain energy security despite the fact that the war in Iran has disrupted supplies and raised prices for consumers. "Yes, (the ?U.S.) They produce 12-13 million barrels of oil per day. "But they consume 20",?Hodgson stated. They know that Canada makes up about 63%. Donald Trump's tariffs wars and threats of annexation have caused tensions with Canada. Trump has repeatedly called for lower prices of oil, and many U.S. refining companies depend on the approximately 4.4 million barrels per day of Canadian exports sent south of the border. Hodgson refused to confirm whether or not the Trump administration had indicated that it would support the South Bow/Bridger Project, or make any attempts to speed up the U.S. regulatory clearances required. Hodgson said, "I'd say that they (Wright & Burgum) are thoughtfully examining all the options in order to ensure the world has enough oil for it to function." The White House didn't immediately respond to an inquiry for comment. Hodgson also said that he made it clear at the meeting,?that Canada aggressively works to expand its oil sales to non-U.S. market by completing a planned expansion of the Trans Mountain Pipeline which runs from Alberta up to the Pacific Coast. Mark Carney, the Prime Minister of Canada, has been traveling around the world to court new customers for Canadian energy. This is an attempt to reduce the country's dependence on the U.S. We need to sell more to other people, not less, as Prime Minister Harper has stated. Hodgson stated that we need to sell to more people. (Reporting and editing by Ni Williams in Houston, Amanda Stephenson from Houston)
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US claims more than 450 TSA agents have resigned since funding standoff
Since the beginning of the partial government shutdown on February 14, more than 450 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers have resigned, causing massive delays at?U.S. airports. The Department of Homeland Security announced on Tuesday that massive delays have occurred at airports across the United States. Around 50,000 TSA agents are not being paid and will miss their second full pay on Friday. On Monday, hundreds of U.S. Immigration agents and Homeland Security Investigations officers deployed to 14 U.S. Airports in order to assist with?security screening. This includes airports that have seen wait times exceeding three or four hours. DHS reported on Monday that nearly 11% or 3,200 TSA officers nationwide did not show up to work. ICE and DHS law enforcement personnel are paid during the shutdown. DHS reported that on Monday, over 30% of TSA employees were absent from New York JFK Airport, Baltimore, Houston Hobby airport, Atlanta, and New Orleans. On Monday, ICE agents were seen walking through the New York LaGuardia terminal and not doing any of the duties that TSA officers would normally perform. In other airports, social media posts showed ICE agents standing next to TSA officers checking ID. DHS rushed to dispatch?ICE agents following a weekend statement by?President Donald Trump that they would be stationed at airports if Democratic legislators?didn't reach a funding agreement. Democrats are 'holding up funding for DHS, while demanding changes to the rules that govern its immigration operations, following the shooting of U.S. citizens Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis, sparking outrage from the public. Republicans rejected Democratic proposals for funding TSA as they negotiate ICE reforms. (Reporting and editing by David Shepardson, Rod Nickel; Chizu Nomiyama)
Libyan security forces recovered projectiles that exploded from a damaged Sharara crude oil pipeline
Libyan security authorities recovered two exploded munitions from a damaged crude oil pipeline at the Sharara oilfield on Tuesday, according to a Tripoli-based interior ministry.
In a'statement,' the ministry stated that two exploded projectiles were an M-62 - a russian missile weighing about 250 kg - and fragments of a rocket 130 mm.
After a fire broke at the pipeline last week, the National Oil Corporation, the state-owned oil company, redirected flow from the Sharara Oilfield via the El Feel Pipeline?to Mellitah Port and through the Hamada Pipeline to storage tanks in Zawiya.
The ministry posted pictures on its verified page on Facebook showing remnants of the exploded projectiles near what looked like a damaged pipeline.
The ministry stated that "the projectiles were handled in accordance with approved security and technical procedures. The site was completely secured and all necessary measures taken to ensure safety and prevent potential risks." According to two engineers, the incident has forced El Feel to shut down completely since Thursday.
One engineer said that production is expected to resume in El Feel within a week or 10 days.
Since the 2011 uprising, Libyan oil production has been repeatedly closed for a variety of political and technical reasons.
Sharara, one of Libya's biggest oil production areas, has a capacity between 300,000.00 and 320,000.00 bpd. The field is connected to the country's 120,000 bpd Zawiya refining plant, located about 40 km (25miles) west of Tripoli.
A joint venture between NOC and Repsol, TotalEnergies OMV, Equinor, is responsible for the field's operation.
Mellitah Oil and Gas is the joint venture between NOC and Italy’s Eni that operates El 'Feel.
(source: Reuters)