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☆ The world's most powerful passports in 2024, ranked
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Zoe Rosenberg | Mykenna Maniece | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The Henley Passport Index ranks the most powerful passports in the world for visa-free travel. Passports from 23 other countries provide more global access than a US passport. US passport holders can access 189 countries globally without a visa, putting it in sixth place among world passports on the global mobility spectrum, according to the 2024 Henley Passport Index. AdvertisementPassports from 23 other countries provide more global mobility than a US passport, seven more countries than 2023's ranking. Below are the countries with the most powerful passports, ranked by ascending number of visa-free travel options, based on the 2024 Henley Passport Index.

Persons: —, it's Organizations: Service, International Air Transport Authority, US Locations: Japan, China, India, Venezuela, Finland, Sweden, South Korea, Netherlands, Canada, Poland, Czech Republic

☆ The Dali, the ship that brought down the Baltimore bridge, ran into a problem with its propulsion system months before the crash
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The ship that struck a key bridge on Tuesday was reported to have an issue with its propulsion in June. The Dali lost propulsion on Tuesday, but it's unclear if this was related to the June issue. AdvertisementThe 984-foot container vessel that lost power and crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Tuesday had issues with its propulsion system just months before, records show. AdvertisementClay Diamond, the executive director of the American Pilots' Association, told The Washington Post that the Dali lost power at around 1:20 a.m., around eight minutes before the crash. AdvertisementThe Francis Scott Key Bridge was Baltimore's biggest bridge, and the loss of such critical infrastructure will likely cause supply chain issues across multiple industries.

Persons: Dali, —, Francis Scott Key, Wes Moore, it's, Clay Diamond, Diamond, We've, BI's Dominic Reuter, BI's Erin Snodgrass Organizations: Service, Port Authority, Synergy Marine, American Pilots ' Association, Washington Post, USA, REUTERS Authorities, Business, Maryland Transport Authority, Port, Maersk Locations: Singapore, Patapsco, Baltimore, Maryland, Asia Pacific, San Antonio, Chile, Harford County, Antwerp, Port, Port of Baltimore, Danish, Copenhagen

The Ver.di service workers' union called for a “warning strike,” a common tactic in German contract negotiations, on Monday. Its deputy chair, Christine Behle, said that “the time has now come to exert more pressure on employers” as talks on new pay contracts for about 90,000 people employed by over 130 local transport operators have failed to make progress. In Berlin, workers with the local transport authority walked off the job until 10 a.m.; in Hamburg, Cologne, Hannover and elsewhere, the strike was to last all day. The dispute centers on demands for better working conditions, such as a shorter working week and extra compensation days for shift and night work. Coinciding contract negotiations in the rail, airport and local transport sectors have made for a frustrating few weeks for German travers and commuters.

Persons: Christine Behle, ”, German travers, Ver.di Organizations: BERLIN, — Locations: Germany, Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Hannover, Bavaria

☆ The most powerful passport in the world? Six countries tie for top spot
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-11 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Six countries have earned the title of the most powerful passports in 2024 — with all of them granting visa-free travel to 194 out of 227 destinations. Four EU member states now share crown with Singapore and Japan as the number one passport in the quarterly Henley Passport Index. The two Asian countries have dominated the index in the past five years. In second place are countries like South Korea, Finland and Sweden with visa-free access to 193 destinations. Australia and New Zealand took sixth place, while the U.S. retains its 7th place, according to Henley's rankings.

Organizations: Henley, New Zealand, International Air Transport Authority Locations: Singapore, Japan, Spain, Germany, France, Italy, South Korea, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Ireland, Netherlands, Austria, Australia, New, U.S

☆ Tesla scores court win in Sweden in month-long battle with unions
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Hanna Ziady | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

London CNN —Elon Musk has notched a victory against Swedish workers as a court ruled that Tesla can collect license plates for its cars from the country’s transport authority after postal workers refused to deliver them. Postal workers stopped delivering them to the company last week in sympathy with Tesla’s mechanics who began an ongoing strike in late October. Musk called the postal workers’ actions “insane” in a post on X last week. “Swedish wages and working conditions should apply to all workers in Sweden,” the body said in a statement on its website earlier this month. A company that comes to Sweden must adapt to what applies here.”Musk, the world’s richest man, has been vocal about his opposition to unions.

Persons: London CNN — Elon, Tesla, Musk, ” Tesla, dockworkers, ” Musk, — Olesya Dmitracova Organizations: London CNN, CNN, Sweden’s Transport Agency, Reuters, Transport Agency, Tesla, IF Metall, Swedish Trade Union Confederation, National Labor Relations Board, IG Metall Locations: Norrköping, Sweden’s, Sweden, Swedish, “, Tesla, Berlin, Germany

The commission said it needed to review the impact on competition of the proposed acquisition in greater detail. "This means that Trans-cab drivers will continue to have the flexibility to earn through multiple ride-hailing platforms and pick up streethail rides," the Grab spokesperson added. The Grab spokesperson said both Grab and Trans-cab were committed to ensuring the benefits of an acquisition to commuters and they would help raise the overall standards of the industry. "Digitalising Trans-cab's fleet will improve driver productivity and taxi availability so that consumers can get a ride more easily," the Grab spokesperson said. The proposed acquisition comes as Singapore saw M&A activity fall 69% year-on-year in the first nine months of this year, according to LSEG data.

Persons: CCCS, Himanshi, Varun, Robert Birsel Organizations: Consumer Commission of Singapore, Transport Authority, Nasdaq, Trans, Thomson Locations: Southeast, Singapore, Bengaluru, Yantoultra

☆ Singapore: In this expensive city, the right to own a car costs $76,000. And that doesn't include the car
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Owning a car in Singapore, one of the world’s most expensive countries, has always been something of a luxury. Those who want something bigger or flashier – like an SUV – will have to fork out $106,630 (146,002 Singapore dollars) for the Category B license – up from $102,900 (140,889 Singapore dollars). It has put cars out of reach for the average resident of Singapore, where the median monthly household income in 2022 was $7,376 (10,099 Singapore dollars), according to the Department of Statistics. Those who can’t afford a Certificate of Entitlement can also make use of Singapore’s extensive public transport system they point out. Failing that, there is the option of getting a motorbike – permits for which are a relative snip at $7,930 (10,856 Singapore dollars).

Persons: Ricky Goh, “, ”, Wong Hui Min, ” Wong Organizations: CNN, Transport Authority, Department of Statistics Locations: Singapore, Bangkok, Jakarta, Hanoi

☆ Dubai to start robotaxi trials next month in major autonomous push
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Aimee Look | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Dubai hopes to become the first Middle Eastern city to introduce driverless taxis, Bahrozyan said. Autonomous taxis currently operate in several cities around the world, mostly in the US and China. Bahroyzyan said he foresees autonomous vehicles eventually making up the majority of the Middle East tourist hub’s taxi fleet. Selling and buying autonomous cars was also regulated. WeRide, a Chinese autonomous car technology company began trialing robotaxis in the UAE’s capital, Abu Dhabi, in 2022.

Persons: Ahmed Bahrozyan, Bahrozyan, ” Bahrozyan, “, Cruise, Bahroyzyan, GM’s Cruise, trialing, WeRide Organizations: UAE CNN —, General Motors, United Arab Emirates, Transport Authority, Cruise, CNN, RTA, ”, WeRide, Saudi Artificial Intelligence Company, Authority Locations: Abu Dhabi, UAE, UAE CNN — Dubai, robotaxis, Jumeirah, Dubai’s Roads, Dubai, Eastern, China, San Francisco, Dubai …, California, ” Dubai, robobuses, WeRide, Mecca

☆ Mercedes-Benz threatened with recalls of Euro 6 cars over defeat devices
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The logo of Mercedes-Benz is seen outside a Mercedes-Benz car dealer in Brussels, Belgium June 1, 2023. In the letter published on DUH's website, the KBA referred to three devices found in cars produced under the Euro 6 standard, the most recent and stringent limits for harmful tailpipe emissions from petrol or diesel-powered vehicles. Mercedes-Benz was obliged to take remedial measures or face an order to remove the cars from the road, it said, based on a ruling by the European Court of Justice that deemed such devices illegal in certain driving conditions. In a statement, Mercedes-Benz said it was co-operating fully with the KBA and that it believed it had already developed the technology required to tackle the issue via software updates. Reporting by Victoria Waldersee; Editing by Rachel More and Clarence FernandezOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Yves Herman, Benz, carmaker, Victoria Waldersee, Rachel More, Clarence Fernandez Organizations: Mercedes, Benz, REUTERS, Companies Mercedes Benz Group, Deutsche, European Court of Justice, Thomson Locations: Brussels, Belgium

☆ London's contentious clean air zone ULEZ extends to entire city
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( Sachin Ravikumar | Thomson Reuters | Sachin Ravikumar Is A Correspondent For Reuters In London Covering General News Across The Uk. Over Nine Years At Reuters | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] Signage is seen along the existing boundary of London's Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) zone ahead of proposed upcoming expansion, in London, Britain, August 22, 2023. The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) was introduced in 2019 in a small part of central London and was further expanded in 2021. London Mayor Sadiq Khan says the expansion will reduce deaths from illnesses linked to air pollution and help to curb climate change. Khan told the BBC on Tuesday that introducing the expanded zone was difficult but necessary. Protesters have taken out their ire on ULEZ enforcement cameras, with London's Metropolitan Police recording 164 stolen and 185 damaged cameras as of Aug. 1.

Persons: Toby Melville, Sadiq Khan, Khan, ULEZ, Sachin Ravikumar, Kylie MacLellan, Sharon Singleton Organizations: REUTERS, London, BBC, Reuters, London's Metropolitan Police, Labour Party, Labour, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Europe, Brussels

☆ Expansion to London clean-air zone to go ahead after court rejects challenge
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( Sam Tobin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Five affected Conservative-led local authorities argued the decision to expand ULEZ was unlawful, but their legal challenge was rejected on Friday. "This landmark decision is good news as it means we can proceed with cleaning up the air in outer London," Khan said in a statement following the ruling. Britain's green agenda has been in focus over the past week after the governing Conservative Party won an election in former Prime Minister Boris Johnson's old seat just outside central London, in part by attacking the ULEZ expansion. Judge Jonathan Swift rejected all three grounds of challenge to the expansion of ULEZ, including that the public consultation on the proposed expansion was unlawful. ($1 = 0.7809 pounds)Reporting by Sam Tobin, Editing by Kylie MacLellan and Tomasz JanowskiOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Sadiq Khan, Khan, Boris Johnson's, Keir Starmer, Conservative – Johnson, Jonathan Swift, Sam Tobin, Kylie MacLellan, Tomasz Janowski Organizations: London's Labour, Conservative, Transport, Conservative Party, Labour Party's, London, Thomson Locations: British, Greater London, leafier, London

☆ NYC is now using AI at some subway stations to track when and how fare evaders are getting through
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Kylie Kirschner | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

NYC's MTA has started using AI software to track fare evasion in the subway system. The system tracks both when fare evasion spikes and the methods fare evaders use. The city's subway system is now using AI surveillance technology to track fare evasion. has been grappling with how to deal with fare evasion after it lost $690 million to fare evasion last year, according to a May report. Leonardo Munoz/VIEWpress via Getty Images"It helps us just measure the amount of fare evasion happening," the spokesperson told Insider.

Persons: AWAAIT, Leonardo Munoz, VIEWpress, it's, That's, It's Organizations: MTA, New York City, NYC's Metropolitan Transport Authority, Barcelona Locations: New York, NYC's, Spanish, Barcelona, NYC

☆ Dubai invites pitches for IPOs of taxi, parking assets
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Hadeel Al Sayegh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The RTA is targeting the first of the two potential public share sales, in the Dubai Taxi Corporation, to take place around December or January, said the sources, declining to be named as the matter is not public. It has appointed Rothschild & Co to advise on a strategic review of its assets, which include its taxi and public parking businesses, Reuters reported on July 7, citing sources familiar with the matter. Dubai raised nearly $8.5 billion from five IPOs last year, fuelled by a government privatisation plan to list 10 state-linked companies to boost stock market activity. Companies in the region raised $21.9 billion through IPOs last year, more than half the total for the wider Europe, Middle East and Africa region, Dealogic data shows. Reporting by Hadeel Al Sayegh; Editing by Jan Harvey, John Stonestreet and Emma RumneyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Rothschild, Hadeel Al Sayegh, Jan Harvey, John Stonestreet, Emma Rumney Organizations: Transport Authority, Reuters, RTA, Dubai Taxi Corporation, Co, Nol, Dubai, Emirates, Companies, Thomson Locations: DUBAI, Dubai's, Dubai, Europe, Middle East, Africa

☆ Singapore’s passport is now the most powerful in the world. Here's how other countries ranked
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | Lisa Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Singapore has overtaken Japan to boast of the world's most powerful passport, the Henley Passport Index showed. What it means is that the Singapore passport allows holders visa-free entry to 192 destinations out of 227 in the world. Germany, Italy and Spain tied in second place, with their citizens being able to visit 190 global destinations. Japan, which topped the list last year, slipped to third place — its passport allowing visa-free access to 189 destinations, down from 193 in 2022. Other passports that tied with Japan to rank third place are Austria, Finland, France, Luxembourg, South Korea and Sweden.

Organizations: Singapore, International Air Transport Authority, Japan Locations: Singapore, Japan, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, Finland, France, Luxembourg, South Korea, Sweden

DUBAI, July 7 (Reuters) - Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has selected Rothschild & Co (ROTH.PA) to advise on the strategic review of its assets, two sources close to the matter said on Thursday. The transport regulator is considering an initial public offering of Dubai Taxi Corp and its public parking business, said the sources, who declined to be named as the matter is not public. The authority is expected to appoint Emirates NBD for the potential IPOs, two sources with knowledge of the matter said. Dubai raised nearly $8.5 billion from five IPOs last year, fuelled by a government privatisation plan to list 10 state-linked companies to boost stock market activity. The authority was also looking at potential options for its public parking assets and the Nol card, which passengers use to pay for public transport across the emirate.

Persons: Rothschild, Emirates NBD, Nol, Hadeel Al Sayegh, Yousef Saba, Jonathan Oatis, Josie Kao, Louise Heavens Organizations: Transport Authority, Co, Dubai Taxi Corp, RTA, Rothschild, Emirates, dnata, Reuters, Companies, Thomson Locations: DUBAI, Dubai's, Dubai, Europe, Middle East, Africa

☆ London fights legal challenge over expanding clean-air zone
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-04 | by ( Sam Tobin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Signage indicates the boundary of London's Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) zone along the North Circular Road ahead of proposed upcoming expansion, in London, Britain, June 26, 2023. The British capital's Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) levies a 12.50 pound ($16) daily charge on drivers of non-compliant vehicles, in order to tackle pollution and improve air quality. London's transport authority - Transport for London (TfL) - had launched a public consultation on the plan, which said 91% of vehicles driven in outer London would not be affected. However, the local authorities' lawyers argue that TfL provided no detail on how it calculated the 91% figure, which they say was fundamental to justifying the expansion. The local authorities are also challenging Khan's decision to not extend a 110 million pound scrappage scheme to those living just outside the expanded ULEZ.

Persons: Toby Melville LONDON, Sadiq Khan, Khan, Sam Tobin, Devika Organizations: REUTERS, London, London's, Transport, TfL, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, British, Greater London, leafier, Europe, Khan

If Mayor Sadiq Khan's plan goes ahead, London's Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) will become one of the world's largest to tackle air pollution, encompassing 5 million extra people in the capital's leafier and less-connected outer boroughs. London's transport authority says only one in 10 cars in outer London are not ULEZ-compliant. But Khan, who was diagnosed with asthma and wrote a book this year on air pollution and climate change, says he is determined to face down his critics. "But the further away from the city centre you go, the less you can improve air quality," Verbeek added. "It's absolutely critical that even in a cost-of-living crisis we do not kick the can of air pollution down the road and let more children grow up unhealthy and unwell," she said.

Persons: Toby Melville, Sadiq Khan's, Carl Cristina, Cristina, Khan, Thomas Verbeek, Verbeek, Jemima Hartshorn, Teresa O'Neill, I've, Gavin Jones, William James, Andrew Heavens Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, Delft University of Technology, Thomson Locations: Marble, London, Britain, Europe, Rome, Netherlands

☆ Elon Musk's lawyer sent a letter to Microsoft accusing it of misusing Twitter's data after retrieving 26 billion tweets in a year
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The Verge's copy of the letter shows a dispute over Microsoft's use of Twitter's API. The lawyer said Microsoft had retrieved over 26 billion tweets in 2022 alone. Elon Musk's lawyer sent a letter to the Microsoft CEO on Thursday accusing the company of misusing Twitter's data, The New York Times first reported. He wrote that Twitter therefore requests an audit of Microsoft's API use, describing all the Twitter content that was retained and how it was used. Microsoft told The New York Times it no longer pays for Twitter's data.

☆ Fact Check-New York City Subway poster of Jordan Neely and Daniel Penny is a digital creation
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The Metropolitan Transport Authority (MTA) did not authorize a poster showing Daniel Penny placing Jordan Neely in a chokehold, with text that reads “This could be you. Quit f***ing around on the New York Subway.” Some social media posts appear to think the digitally created ad, which bears an MTA logo, is a real sign. The purported poster circulated widely on Twitter (here) and Facebook (here), and (here). The HIV-prevention advertisement was created by healthcare providers in New York City. The poster with Jordan Neely and Daniel Penny is not authentic and was created by editing an HIV prevention campaign advertisement.

☆ Foster + Partners has designed a flying taxi 'vertiport' for Dubai
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Flo Cornall | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

The design was developed in collaboration with advanced air mobility (AAM) company Skyports Infrastructure, and endorsed by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai, according to Foster + Partners. It would be located next to Dubai International Airport (DXB) and integrate with existing airport networks, as well as surrounding transport hubs. Foster + PartnersSky-bound taxisSheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum tweeted in February that air taxi stations will start operating in Dubai within the next three years. The Emirate has long planned for a flying taxi service. RELATED: Driverless flying taxi service set to launch in DubaiIn 2022, the Chinese XPeng X2 successfully completed the first public test flight of its two-seater flying car at Dubai’s GITEX technology expo.

☆ Tesla is discounting its cars in Singapore by $3,000 to $3,800 to make them 'more affordable' — but they still cost upwards of $57,000
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-14 | by ( Marielle Descalsota | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Tesla recently slashed the prices of its cars in Singapore — but not by much. According to the press release, Model 3 and Model Y cars are now between 4.35% to 5% cheaper. This means that it's likely that a Tesla car's COE is more expensive than what it actually retails for. But Tesla cars still enjoy some discounts from the Singapore government, as local authorities are trying to incentivize the ownership of electric cars. The cost of Tesla cars can be rebated up to SG$45,000 in the EV Early Adoption Incentive and Vehicular Emission Schemes, Tesla said in the press release.

☆ Fact Check-New York subway ad urging welfare recipients to join Ukraine war is not authentic
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-11 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

An advertisement seeking to recruit U.S. citizens on the welfare scheme to the International Legion of Ukraine, purportedly seen on New York underground trains, is not an official poster. A spokesperson for the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington told Reuters that the poster is not real. The text on the poster which carries the logo of Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) reads: “Tired of living on welfare? Join the International Legion for the Defence of Ukraine.”The International Legion for the Defence of Ukraine was formed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, and recruits foreign citizens to fight for Ukraine in the war (fightforua.org/). The poster calling on welfare recipients in the U.S to join the war in Ukraine is not authentic.

EV made up almost 12% of all car sales in Singapore last year, up from almost 4% in 2021, according to the Land Transport Authority. Still, EVs represented just 1% of cars on the road, a Reuters analysis of ownership data found. In Singapore, a small island with an extensive public transport system, only about 12 cars are owned per 100 people. Over the past decade, the number of Ferraris (RACE.MI) in Singapore has grown by 67% and Lamborghinis by 38%. ($1 = 1.3264 Singapore dollars)Reporting by Xinghui Kok; additional reporting by Kevin Krolicki; Editing by Jamie FreedOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ The 10 most powerful passports in the world in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-21 | by ( Zoe Rosenberg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The Henley Passport Index ranks the most powerful passports in the world for visa-free travel. US passport holders can access 186 countries globally without a visa, putting it in seventh place among world passports on the global mobility spectrum, according to the 2023 Henley Passport Index. The US shared its seventh place ranking with Belgium, the Czech Republic, New Zealand, Norway, and Switzerland. Of the top 50 best passports for international travel in 2023, only eight countries offer citizenship-by-investment programs, in which applicants can obtain passports in exchange for an approved investment within the country, Insider reported. Below are the countries with the most powerful passports, ranked by ascending number of visa-free travel options.

Protests in major French cities, including Paris, Marseille, Toulouse, Nantes and Nice, brought transport services to a standstill. Eight of the biggest unions had called for a “first day of strikes and protests” against pension reforms unveiled by President Emmanuel Macron’s government. Train lines across France were seeing “severe disruption,” according to French rail authority SNCF. Macron’s proposed pension reforms come as workers in France, as elsewhere, are being squeezed by rising food and energy bills. The French government has said that raising the retirement age is necessary to tackle a pension funding deficit.

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