Latest news with #LukeSharrett
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Newsweek
Amtrak Shares Plans for 'Extreme Heat' on US Trains
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Amtrak has unveiled a suite of operational and engineering strategies as summer approaches, which brings with it the potential for severe extreme heat events. Why It Matters Amtrak is the nation's leading high-speed rail operator, transporting more than 30 million passengers each year. It receives state and federal subsidies, much of which goes toward maintaining its busiest route, the Northeast Corridor. Amtrak's update comes as swathes of the U.S. are expected to experience dangerous heat this weekend, according to forecasters. Amtrak's "California Zephyr" passenger train departs Chicago Union Station on March 2, 2022. Amtrak's "California Zephyr" passenger train departs Chicago Union Station on March 2, 2022. Luke Sharrett/AFP via Getty Images What To Know The national passenger rail service outlined its approach in a fact sheet published ahead of summer 2025. According to the sheet, Amtrak enacts heat restrictions when ambient temperatures exceed 95 degrees Fahrenheit or when rail temperatures reach 128 degrees. These restrictions often require trains to reduce speed. Overhead power lines—called catenary wires—are especially susceptible to temperature swings. Amtrak trains operating on the Northeast and Keystone Corridors rely on this electrified catenary system, and heat-related tension can sometimes cause components to fail. Any resulting damage may lead to shutdowns until repairs are completed, Amtrak said. Bridge infrastructure is also affected. The company states that movable bridges, such as drawbridges, can cause delays for marine or other traffic when the structures are moved in high heat. Amtrak's response plan, should a train lose power or air conditioning, includes identifying passengers with special needs and ensuring access to water. Conductors may also open doors for airflow and request emergency support if needed. The firm added that train crews provide updates through announcements, text, email, and the Amtrak mobile app. What People Are Saying Amtrak's fact sheet said: "Our goal is to safeguard customers and employees to ensure our trains are moving with minimal delays. Amtrak takes a proactive approach to notify our customers of heat-related delays. Customers will receive direct notifications on their day of travel if their departure cities are within the heat advisory area." The National Weather Service Weather (NWS) Prediction Center said on X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday: "Numerous daily record highs and warm lows are anticipated Sunday into early next week. This level of heat can be dangerous to anyone without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration." What Happens Next Heat alerts covered 21 U.S. states on Thursday, with the NWS warning of "dangerously hot conditions" in certain areas. Extreme heat warnings, issued by the NWS when "a period of very hot temperatures, even by local standards, will occur," were in effect across parts of California, Nevada and Arizona. Triple-digit temperatures were forecast for parts of New Mexico and West Texas, and extreme heat watches were issued for a large swath of the Midwest.
Toronto Sun
06-06-2025
- General
- Toronto Sun
American Airlines plane that caught fire had part placed backward
Published Jun 05, 2025 • 2 minute read An American Airlines aircraft on the production floor. Photo by Luke Sharrett / Bloomberg An American Airlines Group Inc. plane engine that caught fire in March had a fractured fan blade and another component installed backward, federal safety investigators said Thursday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, which has been investigating the March 13 incident, said in the preliminary report that the fan blade was damaged and another component attached to a part used to control airflow inside the engine was loose — and installed in the wrong direction. Both were on the right engine of the two-engine craft, the agency said. The engines were built by CFM International Inc., a joint venture between General Electric Co. and Safran SA of France. American said it was cooperating with the NTSB investigation. GE declined to comment and Safran didn't immediately reply to a request for comment. The NTSB report did not specify when the part, the lockwire of a fuel fitting on the variable stator vane, was installed or how recently it had been inspected prior to the March incident. No serious injuries were incurred, but 12 passengers sustained 'minor' injuries, it said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. American Airlines Flight 1006, which was scheduled to fly from Colorado Springs to Dallas, was diverted to Denver International Airport after the flight crew reported engine vibrations. The fire occurred after the plane had landed and both engines were shut down, according to the NTSB. The agency said video footage showed a trail of fluid leaking from under the right engine as the airplane taxied to its gate. 'Soon after arriving at the gate, flight attendants heard passengers yelling 'fire' and 'smoke' and saw smoke start to the fill the cabin,' according to the report. Passengers were evacuated using one of the aircraft's slides and exits over the wings. A second slide got jammed in the door and wasn't able to be used, the NTSB said. Videos shared on social media after the incident showed people standing on the wings of the plane as emergency crews approached with ladders. There were six crew members and 172 passengers aboard the flight, the agency said. — With assistance from Mary Schlangenstein. World Olympics Toronto & GTA Columnists Music
Forbes
04-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Choice Bumps Hyatt From Best Hotel Program, New Study Says
Choice Privileges, a rewards program for guests at Comfort Inn & Suites and other Choice hotel brands, is named the best program in a new study. (Photo: Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg) Choice Privileges has knocked World of Hyatt out of the No. 1 ranking for best hotel rewards program, according to a new study released Wednesday. The study by personal-finance website WalletHub compared the nine most popular hotel rewards programs based on 21 metrics, including point-earning and redemption polices and rewards value. Choice Privileges, which finished 6th in WalletHub's study last year, captured the top ranking this year 'by delivering unmatched value for travelers,' says Chip Lupo, WalletHub's writer and analyst. 'The most significant driver was its massive increase in rewards value, rising from $10.87 to as much as $14.49 per $100 spent. That's the best return of any major hotel loyalty program this year.' Choice Hotels International has 22 hotel brands and franchises more than 7,400 hotels with nearly 570,000 rooms in more than 40 countries and territories. Its brands include Radisson, Comfort, Cambria, Quality Inn, Ascend, EconoLodge and Clarion. Other factors that contributed to the No. 1 ranking of Choice Privileges were improved earning policies and membership perks, Lupo says. 'While some limitations remain, such as uneven award night availability and volatile redemption rates, Choice's strategic focus on maximizing member value clearly paid off,' he says. The World of Hyatt rewards program didn't drop far in WalletHub's ranking, falling to No. 2 Hyatt's World of Hyatt rewards program ranks No. 2, according to a new study. (Photographer: Michaela Nagyidaiova/Bloomberg) 'The slight drop can be attributed to a few key changes in performance metrics, particularly a noticeable decline in rewards value,' Lupo says. 'Hyatt's average rewards value fell from $12.68 to $11.65 per $100 spent year-over-year, which pushed it down to third place in that category.' World of Hyatt, though, 'maintained strong scores in critical categories like redemption options, blackout policies and brand inclusivity,' Lupo says. Other hotel rewards programs 'gained ground by offering wider geographic coverage and better perks for moderate and light travelers—areas where Hyatt continues to trail,' Lupo says. 'While Hyatt remains a top-tier program, the competition simply narrowed the gap and, in some cases, surpassed it in key categories.' Besides the Choice and Hyatt programs, WalletHub evaluated Marriott Bonvoy, Wyndham Rewards, Hilton Honors, Sonesta Travel Pass, IHG One Rewards, Best Western Rewards and Drury Rewards. Best Western Rewards is the only program in which points do not expire because of inactivity. Six of the nine programs allow point redemptions at all of their hotels, according to the WalletHub study. Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors and IHG One Rewards are the exceptions. 'This is typically because of franchise agreements that let certain hotels opt out, especially in the luxury property segment where owners may be reluctant to accept points for high-value stays,' Lupo says. 'It's a reminder that not all loyalty points offer equal flexibility, so travelers should check the rewards program's rules carefully beforehand.' What should travelers take away from the new WalletHub hotel program study? 'Travelers should definitely take these results as a useful guide but not as a one-size-fits-all approach,' Lupo says. 'Choice Privileges tops the list this year, because it offers the highest rewards value across light, moderate and heavy travelers. However, loyalty programs vary a lot, depending on your travel habits, preferred locations and budget.'
Business Mayor
12-05-2025
- Business
- Business Mayor
The aluminum sector isn't moving to the U.S. despite tariffs — due to one key reason
HAWESVILLE, KY – May 10 Plant workers drive along an aluminum potline at Century Aluminum Company's Hawesville plant in Hawesville, Ky. on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Luke Sharrett /For The Washington Post via Getty Images) Aluminum The Washington Post | The Washington Post | Getty Images Sweeping tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump on imported aluminum are reshaping global trade flows and inflating costs for American consumers. But they are falling short of their primary goal: to revive domestic aluminum production. Instead, rising costs, particularly skyrocketing electricity prices in the U.S. relative to global competitors, are leading to smelter closures rather than restarts. The impact of aluminum tariffs at 25% is starkly visible in the physical aluminum market. While benchmark aluminum prices on the London Metal Exchange provide a global reference, the actual cost of acquiring the metal involves regional delivery premiums. This premium now largely reflects the tariff cost itself. In stark contrast, European premiums were noted by JPMorgan analysts as being over 30% lower year-to-date, creating a significant divergence driven directly by U.S. trade policy. This cost will ultimately be borne by downstream users, according to Trond Olaf Christophersen, the chief financial officer of Norway-based Hydro , one of the world's largest aluminum producers. The company was formerly known as Norsk Hydro . 'It's very likely that this will end up as higher prices for U.S. consumers,' Christophersen told CNBC, noting the tariff cost is a 'pass-through.' Shares of Hydro have collapsed by around 17% since tariffs were imposed. Stock chart icon The downstream impact of the tariffs is already being felt by Thule Group , a Hydro customer that makes cargo boxes fitted atop cars. The company said it'll raise prices by about 10% even though it manufactures the majority of the goods sold in the U.S locally, as prices of raw materials, such as steel and aluminum, have shot up. But while tariffs are effectively leading to prices rise in the U.S., they haven't spurred a revival in domestic smelting, the energy-intensive process of producing primary aluminum. What will it take to revive smelters in the U.S.? The primary barrier remains the lack of access to competitively priced, long-term power, according to the industry. 'Energy costs are a significant factor in the overall production cost of a smelter,' said Ami Shivkar, principal analyst of aluminum markets at analytics firm Wood Mackenzie. 'High energy costs plague the US aluminium industry, forcing cutbacks and closures.' 'Canadian, Norwegian, and Middle Eastern aluminium smelters typically secure long-term energy contracts or operate captive power generation facilities. US smelter capacity, however, largely relies on short-term power contracts, placing it at a disadvantage,' Shivkar added, noting that energy costs for U.S. aluminum smelters were about $550 per tonne compared to $290 per tonne for Canadian smelters. Recent events involving major U.S. producers underscore this power vulnerability. In March 2023, Alcoa Corp announced the permanent closure of its 279,000 metric ton Intalco smelter, which had been idle since 2020. Alcoa said that the facility 'cannot be competitive for the long-term,' partly because it 'lacks access to competitively priced power.' Similarly, in June 2022, Century Aluminum , the largest U.S. primary aluminum producer, was forced to temporarily idle its massive Hawesville, Kentucky smelter – North America's largest producer of military-grade aluminum – citing a 'direct result of skyrocketing energy costs.' Century stated the power cost required to run the facility had 'more than tripled the historical average in a very short period,' necessitating a curtailment expected to last nine to twelve months until prices normalized. Competition with the tech sector The industry has also not had a respite as demand for electricity from non-industrial sources has risen in recent years. Hydro's Christophersen pointed to the artificial intelligence boom and the proliferation of data centers as new competitors for power. He suggested that new energy production capacity in the U.S., from nuclear, wind or solar, is being rapidly consumed by the tech sector. 'The tech sector, they have a much higher ability to pay than the aluminium industry,' he said, noting the high double-digit margins of the tech sector compared to the often low single-digit margins at aluminum producers. Hydro reported an 8.3% profit margin in the first quarter of 2025, an increase from the 3.5% it reported for the previous quarter, according to Factset data. 'Our view, and for us to build a smelter [in the U.S.], we would need cheap power. We don't see the possibility in the current market to get that,' the CFO added. 'The lack of competitive power is the reason why we don't think that would be interesting for us.' While failing to ignite domestic primary production, the tariffs are undeniably causing what Christophersen termed a 'reshuffling of trade flows.' When U.S. market access becomes more costly or restricted, metal flows to other destinations. Christophersen described a brief period when exceptionally high U.S. tariffs on Canadian aluminum — 25% additional tariffs on top of the aluminum-specific tariffs — made exporting to Europe temporarily more attractive for Canadian producers. Consequently, more European metals would have made their way into the U.S. market to make up for the demand gap vacated by Canadian aluminum. Read More Ørsted tapos Errboe as deputy CEO, chief commercial officer Scrap metal 'indirectly' hit by tariffs The price impact has even extended to domestic scrap metal prices, which have adjusted upwards in line with the tariff-inflated Midwest premium. Hydro, also the world's largest aluminum extruder, utilizes both domestic scrap and imported Canadian primary metal in its U.S. operations. The company makes products such as window frames and facades in the country through extrusion, which is the process of pushing aluminum through a die to create a specific shape. 'We are buying U.S. scrap [aluminium]. A local raw material. But still, the scrap prices now include, indirectly, the tariff cost,' Christophersen explained. 'We pay the tariff cost in reality, because the scrap price adjusts to the Midwest premium.' 'We are paying the tariff cost, but we quickly pass it on, so it's exactly the same [for us],' he added. RBC Capital Markets analysts confirmed this pass-through mechanism for Hydro's extrusions business, saying 'typically higher LME prices and premiums will be passed onto the customer.' This pass-through has occurred amid broader market headwinds, particularly downstream among Hydro's customers. RBC highlighted the 'weak spot remains the extrusion divisions' in Hydro's recent results and noted a guidance downgrade, reflecting sluggish demand in sectors like building and construction. — CNBC's Greg Kennedy and Silvia Amaro contributed reporting.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Yahoo
Arlington PD first in state with expanded drone program
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways The Brief Arlington PD has received a waiver to fly drones outside an officer's "line-of-sight." The department says they are the first in Texas to be granted the waiver by the FAA. They hope the expanded drone program will decrease response times and protect officers. (Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg via Getty Images) ARLINGTON, Texas - The Arlington Police Department is elevating its use of drone technology. According to Chief Al Jones, the department is the first in the state to obtain a "line-of-sight" waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration. Jones says this expanded permit allows them to operate drones without a visual observer. The chief says the program will help police perform their job safely. 'Drones as a First Responder' program The new operation is called the "Drone as a First Responder" program, or DFR. The department has been designing, tweaking and trying out its use to enhance the response to calls. They say the program will never replace officers' response. The DFR program began two months ago, though drones have been in use by the department for years. The drones are launched from two docks in separate locations. What they're saying Jones tells us the program may be able to reduce response times drastically. "We have about an eight-minute response, but with our drones within our radius, we could do it within a minute or two," the chief said. "This program is really going to ramp up how we are using drones and take us to the next level." According to Jones, their ability to fly the drones at long range from their officers will help to keep law enforcement out of harm's way. "Our officers respond, not knowing whether a person has a gun or not, but our drones can fly to that location, get real-time intelligence, being able to identify whether the person has a gun or not, and provide that intelligence to our officers," said Jones. "Our job is to deliver to those officers the best information that we can as quickly as we can so they can do their job better and safer," said Sgt. Eric Borton. "This role becomes even more complicated when those officers respond to more serious calls such as burglaries or assaults in progress." The plan going forward What's next As the program progresses, the department says their goal is to add more drones to their force. The Source Information in this article was given by the Arlington Police Department.
