Threatened by US, Canada hugs France and Britain close

CANADIENS ARE HUGGERS


By AFP
March 17, 2025


Canada's new prime minister, Mark Carney, will hold meetings in Paris and London on only his second week in office - Copyright AFP Dave Chan

Anne-Marie PROVOST

With Canada’s economy and even sovereignty under unprecedented threat from its southern neighbour the United States, its new leader has embarked on a trans-Atlantic trip to strengthen ties with traditional friends France and Britain.

Just days into his mandate, Prime Minister Mark Carney faces threats on three fronts: A trade war with the Washington, US President Donald Trump’s threats to annex his country, and looming domestic elections.

But, despite the tension at home, he is expecting warm welcomes on three days of visits to Paris, London and Iqaluit in Canada’s northernmost territory, Nunavut.

“Canada was built upon a union of peoples –- indigenous, French, and British,” Carney said, in a statement released before he set off from Ottawa on Sunday, two days after he was sworn in, replacing 10-year veteran prime minister Justin Trudeau as leader of the G7, NATO and Commonwealth power.

“My visit to France and the United Kingdom will strengthen trade, commercial, and defence ties with two of our strongest and most reliable partners, and my visit to Nunavut will be an opportunity to bolster Canada’s Arctic sovereignty and security, and our plan to unlock the North’s full economic potential.”

Carney did not say why Canada might be in need of “reliable partners”, but he didn’t need to — Trump’s imposition of an escalating raft of import tariffs on Canadian goods has threatened to trigger a recession, and his scorn for Canadian sovereignty sent jitters through the former ally.

Opinion polls show a large majority of Canadian voters reject Trump’s argument that their country would be better off as the “51st state of the United States,” but the trade war is a threat to the economy of the vast country of 41 million people, which has long enjoyed a close US partnership.

On Monday, 60-year-old Carney will be in Paris for a working dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron and discuss how to, according to the Canadian leader’s office, “build stronger economic, commercial, and defence ties.”

According to the Elysee, the two leaders “will discuss Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, international crises, and projects at the heart” of the “strategic partnership” between Paris and Ottawa.



– ‘Security and sovereignty’ –



Canada, France and Britain are among the NATO members that have maintained strong support for Ukraine’s beleaguered government and military since Russia’s all-out invasion in February 2022, even as Trump’s US administration has bullied Kyiv to make concessions to Moscow.

London and Paris are putting together plans for a coalition security force in Ukraine and looking for allies.

France is Canada’s 11th-largest trading partner and Britain its third at a time when Trump’s tariffs and Canadian retaliatory measures are threatening trade with its huge southern neighbour — destination of three-quarters of Canada’s exports.

But Canada also has a “Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement” with the European Union, which includes France, and is a member of the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which now also includes Britain.

After Paris, Carney heads for London, where he once worked as governor of the Bank Of England, for talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles III, the monarch who is head of state in both Britain and Canada.

In his first speech as prime minister, Carney said: “Security is a priority for this government, reinforcing our security, as is diversifying our trading and commercial relationships, of course, with both Europe and the United Kingdom.”

On his return leg, Carney will touch down in Iqaluit, in Nunavut, the Canadian territory closest to the Danish autonomous country of Greenland — another Trump target for annexation — to “reaffirm Canada’s Arctic security and sovereignty.”

Canada boosts funding for innovation networks to strengthen key industries


By Jennifer Kervin
March 17, 2025

DIGITAL JOURNAL


Photo by Redd Francisco on Unsplash

The federal government is making a strategic push to strengthen Canada’s innovation ecosystem, investing in industries that have already shown strong potential for growth and job creation.

Announced by former Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne, five business-led networks will receive additional funding from the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) to attract large-scale investments, help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) scale, and bolster Canada’s competitiveness in emerging technologies.

(Note: François-Philippe Champagne served as minister of innovation, science and industry under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who resigned from his position in January. Champagne has been appointed minister of finance under the new Prime Minister Mark Carney, while Anita Anand takes over the innovation, science and industry portfolio.)

“Our government has long valued the expertise of the private sector and research institutions, which is why we launched SIF to drive innovation and strengthen the Canadian economy,” Champagne said in a statement.

“By boosting investments in areas with a high performance record and with strong growth potential, we’re securing high-paying Canadian jobs and positioning our industries to thrive in the rapidly evolving technology landscape.”
Targeting high-growth sectors

Since its inception, SIF has committed nearly $1.1 billion to 14 networks across emerging technology sectors. These networks have leveraged more than $1.7 billion in additional funding, attracted 17,000 members, and funded nearly 650 collaborative projects.

The latest round of funding focuses on networks that have demonstrated impact and scalability:Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN) will receive $8.6 million to accelerate research and development in food processing and production technologies. Since 2021, CFIN-supported companies have created 350 new jobs and secured $21 million in private-sector investment.
Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network (CAAIN) will receive $8 million to support AI-driven automation in agriculture, helping producers improve efficiency. Since 2019, CAAIN has backed the creation of more than 500 jobs and leveraged $67.6 million in investment.
Clean Resource Innovation Network (CRIN) will receive $10 million to fund technologies aimed at reducing the oil and gas sector’s environmental impact. CRIN has already supported 200 jobs and attracted $150 million in private investment since 2020.
Natural Products Canada (NPC) will get $5 million to advance biotechnology innovations that support human, animal, and plant well-being. Since 2021, NPC has helped create 130 jobs and leverage nearly $15 million in private investment.
Mining Innovation Commercialization Accelerator (MICA) will receive $5 million to modernize mining operations, strengthen supply chains, and boost export sales. Since 2021, MICA has supported more than 435 jobs and mobilized $170 million in private investment.

According to Marc Serré, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, this funding is about more than just dollars — it’s about strengthening Canada’s foothold in key industries and creating long-term opportunities:

“Investing in innovation means investing in good jobs, economic growth, and a more competitive Canada. This additional funding for SIF networks will strengthen key industries, drive technological advancements, and create new opportunities for businesses and workers across the country.”
Strengthening Canada’s innovation ecosystem

In addition to this latest funding, a wide range of networks in key emerging tech sectors are actively shaping Canada’s innovation landscape. For example, the Centre of Excellence in Next Generation Networks (CENGN) is helping to enhance digital connectivity; the Canadian Medical Isotope Ecosystem (CMIE), which plays a role in advancing medical treatments; and the Initiative for Sustainable Aviation Technology (INSAT), which is pushing for greener air travel.

The new funding aims to build on that momentum, ensuring Canada remains competitive in a rapidly evolving global economy. Whether in clean tech, advanced manufacturing, or life sciences, the goal is to turn promising research into commercial success stories — and create lasting economic opportunities along the way.

This article was created with the assistance of AI. Learn more about our AI ethics policy here.


Written By  Jennifer Kervin
Jennifer Kervin is a Digital Journal staff writer and editor based in Toronto.

New blow to German auto sector as Audi announces job cuts


By AFP
March 17, 2025


Audi is among the German brands importing to the United States that could face higher tariffs under President Trump's 'reciprocal' trade strategy. — © AFP Frederic J. BROWN

Premium carmaker Audi said Monday it will cut 7,500 jobs by 2029 in Germany, citing “immense challenges” as the country’s auto industry battles slowing electric vehicle demand and rising Chinese competition.

The cuts — amounting to about eight percent of Audi’s global workforce — were aimed at boosting “productivity, speed and flexibility” at its factories in its home market, the manufacturer said.

“The economic conditions are becoming increasingly tougher, competitive pressure and political uncertainties are presenting the company with immense challenges,” Audi, a subsidiary of Volkswagen, said in a statement.

It is the latest bad news from the ailing auto sector in Europe’s biggest economy, which has been hit hard by a stuttering shift to electric cars, fierce competition in key market China from local rivals and weak demand.


Audi is the latest German automaker to face turbulence – Copyright AFP Eric BARADAT

Audi, headquartered in the Bavarian city of Ingolstadt, said the cuts would be in areas like administration and development and be carried out in a “socially responsible” manner, meaning there would be no compulsory redundancies.

The automaker employs about 88,000 people worldwide, including 55,000 in Germany.

The job cuts are part of a series of measures, which also includes slashing bureaucracy, that Audi said were aimed at saving it one billion euros ($1.1 billion) a year.

The carmaker however also said it was planning to plough about eight billion euros into its two biggest sites, Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm in Germany, in part to help in the transition to electric vehicles (EV).

This would include investments in producing another electric model in the entry-level segment as well in artificial intelligence.

Audi has been hit hard by slowing EV demand, and in February closed a plant in Belgium that employed about 3,000 people and manufactured high-end electric vehicles.

The carmaker’s deliveries of fully-electric vehicles slid eight percent year-on-year in 2024, to some 164,000.

Deliveries in the Chinese market, accounting for nearly 40 percent of the global total, slipped by about 11 percent.

Audi’s parent company Volkswagen — which makes 10 brands in total — announced in December it would cut 35,000 jobs at its namesake VW brand in Germany by 2030.

DEI

Historic fantasy ‘Assassin’s Creed’ sparks bitter battles


By AFP
March 18, 2025


Ubisoft, maker of the 'Assassin's Creed' series of video games, mixes historical accuracy with artistic licence in its latest offering, 'Shadows' - Copyright AFP Raul ARBOLEDA

Kilian FICHOU with Caroline GARDIN in Tokyo

The “Assassin’s Creed” series of video games is adored for painstaking historic accuracy, but also sparks controversy with heavy use of artistic license — most recently with a black samurai in the latest instalment, “Shadows”.

Released on Thursday, “Shadows” takes place in 16th-century feudal Japan, replete with imposing fortified cities and tranquil temples crafted by developers.

“They’ve done a really fantastic job with very accurate recreations,” said Pierre-Francois Souyri, a historian among a dozen French and Japanese experts consulted for the game in a bid to weed out cliches and anachronisms.

Since being tapped in late 2021, Souyri says he has answered “a hundred or more questions” from the development team, ranging from how salt was produced to how puppet shows were staged.

Souyri adds that within the carefully crafted setting, “it’s not too hard to come up with characters who find themselves having adventures” in “a very eventful period” marked by intense conflicts.



– Black samurai –



But one foundational choice by the creative team has provoked fierce debate online and beyond: casting a black samurai, Yasuke, as one of the two playable protagonists. The other is a young female ninja, Fujibayashi Naoe.

Irritation that an African character was depicted with the rank of samurai prompted a Japanese petition against the move, receiving more than 100,000 signatures.

The text blasted “lack of historical accuracy and cultural respect” by game developers.

Souyri was unimpressed by the criticism.

“It’s the game’s conceit to call him a samurai, it’s not a doctoral thesis,” he said.

Like other historians who have weighed in, he pointed out that Yasuke “is a person who really existed” — although the historic evidence on his status “can be difficult to interpret”.

Yuichi Gozai, assistant professor at the National Centre for Japanese Studies in Kyoto, disagreed.

“Nothing proves that Yasuke had such qualifications” making him a samurai, medieval history specialist Gozai said.

In surviving documents, “Yasuke stood out above all for the colour of his skin and his physical strength”.

His patron, warlord Oda Nobunaga, likely “kept Yasuke by his side to show him off”, Gozai believes.

Erupting even before “Shadows” had been released, the controversy over the black character’s inclusion has been the fiercest surrounding any “Assassin’s Creed” game.

The series has been attacked in the past, including by hard-left French politician Jean-Luc Melenchon for how firebrand Robespierre was depicted in “Assassin’s Creed Unity”, set during the French Revolution.



– Culture war battleground –



In a February report, the European Video Game Observatory noted that Ubisoft’s announcement of Yasuke immediately “sparked a heated controversy amplified by social media”.

The outfit blamed most of the uproar on “an American conservative moral crusade” waged by a hard core of “at least 728 interconnected accounts”.

That group made up “only 0.8 percent of speakers on the topic of ‘Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ in the US (but) account for 22.1 percent of all related coverage”, the Observatory added.

The researchers said the behaviour “suggests an astroturfing campaign” that piggybacked on the broader culture-war battles going on during the US presidential election campaign.

“Our use of Yasuke has been instrumentalised by certain people to get their own message across… but that’s not the message of the game,” said Marc-Alexis Cote, executive producer of the “Assassin’s Creed” franchise.

Nevertheless, within Japan depictions of the country’s history remain a sensitive issue — as shown by reactions to images showing a “Shadows” player damaging the interior of a temple.

“I understand France’s secularist principles, but it’s important to acknowledge that ill-considered insults about religion can spark strong reactions,” Gozai said.

“This risk should have been foreseen.”

Ubisoft itself had resisted for some time fans’ demands to see an “Assassin’s Creed” game set in Japan.

But recent successful games set in the feudal period, such as 2019’s “Sekiro” or 2020’s “Ghost of Tsushima”, may have helped overcome the publisher’s reticence.

“There’s a combined effect of exoticism and familiarity which fascinates Westerners,” historian Souyri said.

Many young people, especially in Western countries such as France and the United States, devour Japanese mangas and anime series.

But Gozai argues that “these depictions become counterproductive if they reinforce discrimination and prejudice towards Japan”.

He calls “Shadows” a “clear example of these concerns being realised”.

Japan victims voice fears 30 years after sarin subway attack


By AFP
March 17, 2025


Shizue Takahashi's husband Kazumasa Takahashi was killed in the sarin gas attack in 1995 in Japan

 - Copyright AFP Richard A. Brooks

Hiroshi HIYAMA

Three decades since Shizue Takahashi’s husband and a dozen others were killed with a nerve agent on Tokyo’s subway, she fears Japan could see a repeat of the doomsday cult attack.

Takahashi, whose husband worked for the metro system, told AFP it was “unbelievable” that successor groups to Aum Shinrikyo, the sect that carried out the attack, remain active today.

“In this volatile society, in Japanese society where it is not so easy any more to make a living, some say people are more prone to be attracted to cults,” the 78-year-old said.

“I feel, with a real sense of crisis, that the same thing could happen again.”

Aum members released sarin on five trains during morning rush hour on March 20, 1995 — killing 13 people while a 14th victim, who suffered severe brain damage, died in 2020.

More than 5,800 others were injured in the attack, for which the wild-haired, nearly blind cult leader Shoko Asahara was executed in 2018 along with 12 disciples.

On the day, five men, one on each train, dropped bags of sarin on the floor and pierced them with umbrellas.

The assailants quickly disembarked but the carriages filled with deadly fumes as the trains drove on.

Passengers first noticed a smell that irritated their eyes and nose. Then they began to gasp for air and some collapsed, convulsing or foaming at the mouth.

As people scrambled to escape, Takahashi’s husband Kazumasa, then 50, was seen carrying a bag of sarin away by hand and wiping the floor with newspapers, before keeling over.

When Takahashi arrived at hospital, “I saw so many people suffering that I could tell something disastrous had happened,” she said.

“The doctors had tried very hard to resuscitate my husband… but his body was already cold. He was dead.”



– Memories ‘fading’ –



Aum’s leader Asahara, whose real name was Chizuo Matsumoto, preached that the apocalypse was coming and that murders could elevate souls to a higher realm.

Disaffected young people in Japan, including doctors and engineers who later manufactured toxins, took solace in his doctrines.

At the height of its influence, the cult counted more than 10,000 followers, mostly in Japan but also in Russia, the United States and elsewhere.

Aum has since disbanded, but its hanged guru is still worshipped in Japan by an estimated 1,600 members of successor groups.

Experts warn that the groups are reaching young recruits in secret both in person and through social media and messaging apps, where they are also spreading posts saying that Aum’s crimes were misportrayed.

“It’s concerning that memories of the series of heinous crimes committed by Aum Shinrikyo are fading, and that the dangers of the group are not properly understood,” Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki told reporters recently.

“This is not a story from the past. It is a present problem.”



– Flashbacks –



Authorities believe Asahara ordered the subway carnage in an effort to deflect investigators who were closing in on Aum facilities.

He and several followers had stood for public office in 1990 but none were elected, something that may have pushed him to militarise the group.

Two months after the sarin attack, Asahara was arrested and later convicted of 13 major crimes including the train strike and another using VX nerve agent.

Survivors of the subway attack say they still have vision problems, flashbacks and nightmares, with some too afraid to approach stations.

On one of the targeted trains was architect Manabu Takeda, then a 31-year-old father of two small children.

“I noticed some liquid oozing out from a package wrapped in newspaper. The liquid was seeping out on the floor, which started to worry me,” he told AFP.

Takeda moved down the carriage and soon got off at Kasumigaseki station in central Tokyo.

“I was incredibly fortunate” to suffer no major injury, Takeda said.

Even so, his pupils temporarily contracted and he felt his vision became darker, as if he were wearing sunglasses.

“I want people to remember the attack,” said Takeda, who describes himself as now “very aware of my surroundings”.

“I want to say: Are you OK with just looking at your phone, and not paying attention to what’s happening around you?”

China EV giant BYD soars after 5-minute charging platform unveiled


By AFP
March 17, 2025


BYD has unveiled a new battery and charging system, called "Super e-Platform", that allows cars to travel up to 470 kilometres (292 miles) after being plugged in for just five minutes - Copyright AFP/File Pedro PARDO

Shares in Chinese EV giant BYD surged to a record high Tuesday after it unveiled new battery technology it says can charge a vehicle in the same time it takes to fill up a petrol car.

The company said the battery and charging system, called “Super e-Platform”, boasted peak speeds of 1,000 kW, allowing cars to travel up to 470 kilometres (292 miles) after being plugged in for just five minutes.

The new technology aims to “fundamentally solve users’ charging anxiety”, according to BYD founder Wang Chuanfu.

“Our pursuit is to make the charging time of electric vehicles as short as the refuelling time of fuel vehicles,” he said at Monday evening’s launch.

Hong Kong-listed shares in BYD jumped more than six percent to hit a fresh peak at one point Tuesday morning before paring some of the gains.

The announcement positions BYD ahead of arch-rival Tesla, whose Superchargers currently offer charging speeds of 500 kW.

BYD introduced the Super e-Platform alongside two new EV models that will be the first to feature the system: the Han L sedan and the Tang L SUV.

The Shenzhen-based company also unveiled plans to build more than 4,000 ultra-fast charging stations nationwide to support the new technology.

The ambitious expansion comes on the heels of remarkable growth, with February sales soaring 161 percent to more than 318,000 electric vehicles.

Meanwhile, Tesla experienced a steep 49 percent sales decline in the Chinese market during the same period.

Accessibility of EV charging infrastructure: How is the UK doing?


By  Dr. Tim Sandle
March 17, 2025
DIGITAL JOURNAL

Nissan is likely to invest in Renault's new electric vehicle business as the pair reshape their alliance - Copyright AFP/File Kazuhiro NOGI

EV infrastructure refers to the combination of structures, machinery, and equipment necessary and integral to support a EV, including battery chargers, rapid chargers, and battery exchange stations.

How is the UK faring with building the necessary support structure for EVs? A new survey finds that Coventry tops the list, with 842.02 public chargers per 1,000 ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs).

This ranking was determined by comparing the number of publicly available chargers to the number of ULEVs in each area, coming from the firm Beck Evans. The company analysed the ratio of public charging points to ULEVs across every local authority in the UK, calculating the total per 1,000 vehicles. The results were ranked from the highest ratio to the lowest.

The top ten were found to be:Coventry
Southwark
Hammersmith and Fulham
Wandsworth
Hackney
Waltham Forest
Watford
Na h-Eileanan Siar
Kensington and Chelsea
Blaenau Gwent

The number of ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs) was sourced from the Home Office, while data on publicly available charging points was obtained from the UK Parliament.
To ensure accuracy, the data was filtered to include only ‘battery electric’ vehicles and the total number of chargers.

The next ten were:Dumfries and Galloway
Islington
Richmond upon Thames
Merton
Lambeth
Ceredigion
Lincoln
Brent
Liverpool
Reading

As indicated above, Coventry tops the list with 2,084 publicly available charging points, resulting in a ratio of 842.02 per 1,000 vehicles. With 2,475 registered ULEVs, the West Midlands city is leading the charge on electric vehicle infrastructure.

Southwark, in South London, ranks second with a ratio of 554.09 chargers per 1,000 ULEVs. The district has 1,844 public chargers, serving 3,328 ULEVs. In third place, Hammersmith and Fulham in West London has a ratio of 467.51 chargers per 1,000 ULEVs, with 2,662 public chargers for 5,694 vehicles.

Wandsworth, also in South London, follows in fourth place with a ratio of 458.16 chargers per 1,000 ULEVs, offering 1,451 chargers for its 3,167 vehicles. Rounding out the top five, in Northeast London, Hackney has a ratio of 426.84 chargers per 1,000 ULEVs, providing 598 chargers for 1,401 vehicles.

In sixth place, Waltham Forest in outer London has a ratio of 423.46 chargers per 1,000 ULEVs, with 686 public chargers for 1,620 vehicles. Watford in Hertfordshire follows in seventh place with a ratio of 352.20 chargers per 1,000 ULEVs, offering 392 chargers for its 1,113 vehicles.

Na h-Eileanan Siar, otherwise known as the Western Isles, places eighth with a ratio of 350.65 chargers per 1,000 ULEVs. Kensington and Chelsea follow in ninth place with 315.46, and Blaenau Gwent rounds out the top ten with 310.10.

Some areas are rising above others to combat significant charging infrastructure shortages and here the densely populated London boroughs dominate the top ten, but other areas stand to compete with them, like Coventry which topped the list.

More than half of businesses want an electric vehicle


By Dr. Tim Sandle
DIGITAL JOURNAL
PublishedMarch 17, 2025


A Lotus Eletre being charged at the Shanghai Auto Show. The proliferation of EV products in China is 'changing the entire market', according to Lotus executive Mike Johnstone. — © AFP

More than half (52 percent) of businesses are now prioritising electric vehicles (EVs) when selecting company cars and fleet vehicles, according to new data from the firm Leasing.com. Such a trend highlights a significant shift towards sustainability and long-term cost savings.

While SUVs remain the most in-demand body type for business users, the all-electric Lotus Eletre has emerged as the most popular business vehicle in the UK, surpassing well-established models from Tesla, BMW, and Polestar.

Cost Savings and Regulation Drive Business EV Adoption

The sharp rise in business interest in EVs reflects changing regulatory landscapes, with low-emission zones and tax incentives making electric vehicles a more financially viable choice for companies.

Mike Fazal, CEO at Leasing.com, tells Digital Journal: “The increase in business EV enquiries reflects a broader shift towards cost efficiency, sustainability, and regulatory compliance. With more cities introducing clean air zones, businesses are proactively transitioning to electric fleets to avoid additional charges and future-proof their operations.

Fazal adds: “Government incentives, lower Benefit-in-Kind tax rates, and long-term savings on fuel and maintenance are all making EVs a more attractive proposition. As technology improves and charging infrastructure expands, we expect even more businesses to accelerate their shift to electric—ensuring they stay ahead of regulations while boosting their sustainability credentials.”

SUVs and Electric Vans: The Vehicles Businesses Are Choosing

Beyond powertrain choices, vehicle type remains a key factor in business leasing decisions. SUVs account for 60 percent of all business leasing enquiries, reflecting their versatility and suitability for professionals who travel frequently.

Among commercial vehicles, electric vans are gaining traction, particularly for logistics and trade industries. Models such as the Volkswagen ID. Buzz and Renault Kangoo rank among the most popular, as businesses look to reduce fleet emissions and long-term operational costs.

“Leasing plays a crucial role in this transition,” adds Fazal. “Many businesses are still evaluating the financial and operational impact of going electric, and leasing allows them to trial EVs without the risk of outright ownership. This flexibility is key as businesses prepare for stricter emissions regulations over the coming years.”

What Businesses Look for in a Vehicle

Theanalysis also examined how vehicle priorities vary by sector:

Tradespeople (Electricians, Plumbers, Builders): Cargo space and reliability are key. The Nissan Townstar ranks highest for meeting trade business needs, while the Ford Ranger remains a top choice for carrying heavy loads.

Couriers & Delivery Services: Low-emission zones are driving demand for electric vans, with the Renault Kangoo and Volkswagen ID. Buzz scoring highest for courier suitability.

Property & Sales Professionals: A balance of brand image and practicality is crucial. The BMW iX is the most popular choice for estate agents and sales professionals, with growing interest in the Polestar 2.

Veterinary & Agricultural Services: All-weather capability is essential. The Ford Ranger is the top choice for rural professionals, with the Land Rover Defender also proving popular.

Healthcare & Medical Services: Efficiency and low emissions are key for frequent city travel. The Nissan Qashqai is the preferred option for healthcare professionals.

The Future of Business Vehicles

With over half of business leasing enquiries now for electric models, and SUVs maintaining their dominance, the data indicates that businesses are actively shifting towards more cost-efficient, sustainable vehicle solutions. These trends to continue shaping the corporate fleet and business vehicle landscape in 2025 and beyond.

Hong Kong leader says concerns over Panama ports deal warrant ‘attention’


By AFP
March 18, 2025


The business empire of Hong Kong's richest man, Li Ka-shing, sold its Panama Canal port operations to a US-led consortium following pressure from US President Donald Trump - Copyright AFP/File MARTIN BERNETTI

Hong Kong leader John Lee on Tuesday said criticism of city conglomerate CK Hutchison’s sale of its Panama Canal ports deserved “serious attention”, after Beijing authorities repeatedly slammed the deal.

The business empire of Hong Kong’s richest man, Li Ka-shing, sold most of its port operations — including those in the canal — to a US-led consortium this month following pressure from US President Donald Trump.

But Beijing has upped pressure on the firm since, with two Chinese government offices managing Hong Kong affairs republishing newspaper articles last week blasting the transaction and questioning whether CK Hutchison sided with the United States over China.

“There have been extensive discussions in society about the issue and this reflects society’s concern over the matter,” Lee, the chief executive of the largely autonomous Chinese city, told reporters.

“These concerns deserve serious attention.”

Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday, citing unnamed sources, that senior Chinese leaders have ordered several government agencies — including the State Administration for Market Regulation — to scrutinise the deal.

This examination by Beijing does not necessarily result in follow-up action, the sources told Bloomberg, asking not to be identified to discuss private deliberations.

Shares of CK Hutchison in Hong Kong fell nearly four percent on Tuesday morning.

For months, Trump has complained that China controls shipping in the Panama Canal, which was built by the United States more than a century ago to link the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.

The US president repeatedly threatened to “take back” the canal, which was handed over to Panama in 1999.


– ‘Bullying tactics’ –

Before the sale, CK Hutchison’s subsidiary in Panama had managed two of the five ports at the canal — one on the Cristobal, Atlantic, side and the other on the Balboa, Pacific, side — via a government concession since 1997.

CK Hutchison, one of Hong Kong’s largest conglomerates, said the deal was unrelated to recent political news.

Lee on Tuesday urged foreign governments to “provide a fair and just environment” for Hong Kong enterprises, without calling out the United States by name.

“We oppose the abusive use of coercion, of bullying tactics in international economic and trade relations,” he said.

Lee said any transaction must comply with legal and regulatory requirements, adding that Hong Kong would “handle it in accordance with the law and regulations”.

The Hong Kong and Macao Work Office — an office in Beijing overseeing Hong Kong affairs — republished a newspaper article last Thursday asking CK Hutchison “which side it stands on”.

Two days later, it ran another piece critical of the deal, which was later republished by the Liaison Office, the top Beijing authority based in Hong Kong.

AFP has contacted the conglomerate for comment.

Outspoken Hong Kong ex-leader CY Leung added to the chorus of criticism, saying “some Hong Kong businesspeople mistakenly believe that ‘businesspeople have no homeland'”.

“American businesspeople can and will do only things aligned with US interests… the same applies to China,” Leung wrote on Facebook on Monday.

Hong Kong’s Hutchison under fire again for Panama ports deal


By AFP
March 15, 2025


View of the Port of Balboa, which was managed by CK Hutchison Holdings - Copyright PERUVIAN NAVY/AFP Handout

Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison is under renewed pressure from Beijing after selling its Panama Canal ports, with Chinese authorities publishing newspaper criticism of the deal for the second time in three days.

Last week the business empire of Hong Kong’s richest man, Li Ka-shing, sold most of its ports operations — including those in the canal — to a US-led consortium following pressure from US President Donald Trump.

In a statement, CK Hutchison Holdings said it would offload a 90-percent stake in the Panama Ports Company and sell a slew of other non-Chinese ports to a group led by giant asset manager BlackRock for $19 billion in cash.

On Saturday, the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office — the Beijing-based authority in charge of Hong Kong affairs — reposted a newspaper editorial titled “Great entrepreneurs have always been outstanding patriots”.

The article, originally published by the Beijing-backed newspaper Ta Kung Pao in Hong Kong, said many Chinese people have questioned “how so many important ports can be so easily handed over to ill-meaning American forces”.

“If (entrepreneurs) fail to see the true nature of American politicians… and choose to dance with them, perhaps they can do a mega-deal and get rich for a while, but in the end they have no future and will be scorned by history,” the piece read.

The same article was also republished in full on Saturday by the Liaison Office, the top Beijing authority based in Hong Kong.



– ‘Choose a side’ –



CK Hutchison stocks in Hong Kong plunged more than six percent on Friday after Chinese authorities republished an op-ed telling the company to choose “which side it stands on”.

That older article appeared in the commentary section of Thursday’s Ta Kung Pao, which is owned by a subsidiary of the Liaison Office.

In contrast, Saturday’s editorial was excerpted on the front page and its full text ran on page three.

The paper’s website published three more opinion pieces by outside contributors on Sunday morning, all critical of the deal.

CK Hutchison has not responded to AFP’s request for comment.

For months, Trump has complained that China controls the Panama Canal and that American vessels were overcharged for using it, even refusing to rule out a military invasion of Panama to “take back” the vital waterway.

Before the sale, CK Hutchison’s subsidiary in Panama had managed two of the five ports at the canal — one at Cristobal and the other at Balboa — via a government concession since 1997.

The ports transaction was “purely commercial… and wholly unrelated to recent political news”, co-managing director Frank Sixt said when the deal was announced.

China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian declined to comment on the deal earlier this month.

The Hong Kong government has said it “never interfered in the commercial operation of Hong Kong companies”.

CK Hutchison Holdings is one of Hong Kong’s largest conglomerates, spanning finance, retail, infrastructure, telecoms and logistics.

Data shows patchy Chinese economy in first two months of the year


By AFP
March 17, 2025


China's economy charted an uneven trajectory in the first two months of the year, a slew of key indicators showed Monday. — © AFP HECTOR RETAMAL

Peter CATTERALL

China’s economy charted an uneven trajectory in the first two months of the year, a slew of key indicators showed Monday, muddying Beijing’s drive to boost flagging consumption.

Officials have looked in recent months to revive confidence in the world’s second-largest economy, which has been beset by persistent property sector woes and is now under increasing pressure from fresh trade tensions with the United States.

Data from Beijing’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Monday offered some positive signs, showing retail sales — a key measure of consumer sentiment — increased four percent year-on-year during January and February combined.

However, data also showed that unemployment rose, while housing prices continued to fall in most major cities.

“In the first two months, with the sustained effects of macro policies, the national economy maintained the new and positive development,” the NBS said in a statement.

But, it warned, “domestic effective demand is weak, (and) some enterprises face difficulties in production and operation”.

“The foundation for sustained economic recovery and growth is not strong enough,” it said.

The surveyed urban unemployment rate — China’s main metric for measuring how many are out of work — rose to 5.4 percent in February, the NBS said, up 0.2 percentage points from the previous month.

That was above the 5.1 percent forecast by Bloomberg and was the highest recorded in two years.

And, in a worrying sign for the property sector, an NBS price index for new commercial homes decreased year-on-year in 68 of 70 large and medium cities during February.

– ‘Mixed messages’ –

China’s statistics authorities combine many economic indicators for the first two months of the year to account for potential distortions caused by the annual Lunar New Year holiday.

Industrial production in January and February also rose 5.9 percent year-on-year, data showed, slowing from the 6.2 percent growth in December.

Beijing said this month it is targeting total growth this year of five percent — the same as last year and a goal considered ambitious by many economists.

Faced with an intensified trade war under US President Donald Trump, Chinese officials are now under pressure to boost domestic consumption to reduce the economy’s traditional reliance on exports.

Since taking office in January, Trump has slapped tariffs amounting to a 20 percent hike on Chinese overseas shipments, which last year reached record levels.

“The international environment will become more complex and severe in the next stage,” NBS spokesman Fu Linghui told a news conference after Monday’s data release.

“But the general trend of international cooperation and common wins will not change,” Fu said.

The government released an action plan on Sunday it hopes can overcome low consumer demand, including measures such as property reform and childcare subsidies.

“The macro data released today show mixed messages,” said Zhiwei Zhang, president and chief economist at Pinpoint Asset Management.

Activity data on industrial production and retail sales showed “consistent signals and beat expectations”, he wrote, although the rise in unemployment to its highest level in two years was “unexpected”.

“Unemployment is often a lagging indicator, hence it may improve if more proactive fiscal policy helps to keep the activity buoyant in coming months,” Zhang said.

“The risk to the economy is the damage from higher US tariffs on China’s exports which will likely show up in the trade data over the next few months.”

Ivory Coast’s epochal prehistoric finds pass unseen


By AFP
March 18, 2025


Archaeologist Francois Guede Yiode keeps the prehistoric stones in his home 

- Copyright GETTY IMAGES/AFP Anna Moneymaker

Marietou BÂ

In the streets of Anyama, children play and braziers smoke on corners. There is little to show that the ground of this everyday Ivory Coast neighbourhood conceals seminal prehistoric treasures.

Near the local storefronts lies the site of an excavation that unearthed stone tools from 150,000 years ago — the earliest sign ever of humans inhabiting a tropical forest.

“That’s interesting,” said Ruth Fabiola Agoua, 25, who keeps a shop with her mother yards from the spot, north of the Ivorian economic capital, Abidjan.

“You cannot live without knowing your history.”



– Ages of man –



Homo sapiens emerged in Africa 300,000 years ago but were once thought to have colonised tropical forests only 70,000 years back at the most.

After dating the findings from Anyama, researchers from Ivory Coast and several other countries concluded in a study that humans were living in such an environment at that spot 150 millennia ago.

By analysing biological traces and sediments, the study revealed the place was “a wet forest environment” at the time when the tools were deposited there.

“The results represent the oldest yet known clear association between humans and this habitat type,” they wrote in their paper, published in the journal Nature last month after years of research.

“The secure attribution of stone tool assemblages with the wet forest environment demonstrates that Africa’s forests were not a major ecological barrier” for homo sapiens at that stage.



– Tool boxes –



Among the study’s authors was retired Ivorian archaeologist Francois Guede Yiode, 77 — considered by colleagues to be the only qualified prehistory specialist in the country.

He started excavating on the privately owned land in 1982 after being alerted to the remains by a geologist.

Eventually, he and the study’s co-authors got several metres below the surface, finding tools from the pleistocene epoch, which stretched from some 2.5 million to 12,000 years ago.

“The picks were used to cut up materials,” he said. Other tools, dubbed “choppers”, had a sharp edge for cutting through animal skin.

Today, despite the findings they inspired, the tools themselves lie hidden in boxes stacked in a small room in Guede Yiode’s modest house — a sign of what he bitterly calls the state’s “lack of will” to help.

Despite a growth in research over the past 15 years, here “archaeology is a science that is slow in publishing findings because it is not funded”, he said.

The artefacts and biological remains found in Anyama were analysed in German laboratories and part of the research was funded by European universities and institutes.

The Ivorian archaeologist said he provided 15 million Central African francs (currently $25,000) from his own pocket to fund the first few years of excavations at Anyama.



– Past and present –



Now Guede Yiode and his colleagues hope the finds will boost archaeology in Ivory Coast.

“There are several sites in Ivory Coast where you could perform archaeological excavations and studies on the palaeolithic period,” said another of the study’s authors, Eugenie Affoua Kouame, a researcher at Ivory Coast’s Institute of African History, Art and Archaeology.

Guede Yiode said he has been trying in vain to have the cache of tools displayed in a museum for public and researchers to see.

“I don’t feel comfortable having it all in my house.”

A local anthropology undergraduate, Akissi Diane Guebie, said she hoped the Nature study would “encourage students to specialise in these subjects”.

Walking to work in Anyama, local security guard Basile Sawadogo, 51, seemed unmoved by the closeness of prehistory, however.

“We live in the present,” he said.

Wind-powered mast to cut emissions sets sail to Canada


By AFP
March 17, 2025


The experimental sail uses wind to help power the cargo ship to reduce fuel use - Copyright AFP Paul ELLIS
Pol-Malo LE BRIS

A pioneering rigid shipping mast has set off on its first journey, harnessing the wind to propel a cargo ship from England to Canada and using less fuel to help reduce emissions.

After a night of work and a short nap, George Thompson, the founder of GT Wings — the startup that produced this 20-metre-high mast — was back on the ship’s main deck.

“We haven’t had much sleep over the last few days,” Thompson told AFP, as he looked out onto the shipyard workers in white helmets and fluorescent vests, still making adjustments a few hours before departure.

“This is very high-tech,” said GT Wings product manager Martin Harrop, pointing to the imposing white and red structure on the bow of the cargo ship in Hull, northeastern England.

Like several other wind propulsion systems, this one works like a vertical aeroplane wing. It harnesses the wind that hits its surface to propel the ship.

However, its internal fans set it apart. They accelerate the air passing through it to speed up the ship, Harrop explained.

– America’s Cup and Formula 1 –

“There was a gap in the market for a new type of technology,” said Thompson, a sailing enthusiast. “One that was able to produce a lot of thrust but from a much smaller, much more compact size.”

Since it was set up three years ago, GT Wings has attracted funding from private investors as well as the British government, which has invested £3.7 million ($4.8 million) as part of its maritime decarbonisation programme.

It now has nine employees, including those who have taken part in the America’s Cup, a high-level sailing competition, and those from the Formula 1 racing world.

“The aerodynamics and all the science behind the America’s Cup really plays a big part in what we’re doing,” Thompson said, adding the same was true for motor sports and Formula 1.

But building the project within 12 months was a challenge.

It required modifying the ship’s structure using an additional nine tonnes of steel, installing over 7.5 kilometres (4 and a half miles) of electric cables and finding space for the AirWing.

“We had a very small footprint on the bow of the ship to install the wing, where it wouldn’t impact on the ship’s operation,” said Simon Merritt from Carisbrooke Shipping, which owns a fleet of vessels including the cargo ship, Vectis Progress.

To overcome the lack of visibility, the company had to fit navigational cameras, a radar system on the bow and navigation lights, Merritt explained, squinting his eyes in the winter sun.

– Fuel savings –

During the first phase of the project, the company managed to use eight percent less fuel.

It now hopes to target up to 10 percent fuel savings on the vessel.

“This ship trades on transatlantic voyages between Europe and Canada, and we hope to harness more wind on these longer voyages with stronger wind conditions,” Merritt said.

Depending on the price of fuel, Carisbrooke estimates that it could save nearly $1,000 per day in fuel costs.

The project is one of only around 80 ships globally that use this type of propulsion system, Thompson said.

He hopes that new European legislation — that requires a reduction of the carbon intensity of ships — could make technology like the AirWing more appealing.

The International Maritime Organization hopes to achieve carbon neutrality in the maritime sector by 2050 — and is expected to present measures in April to support this aim.

“The industry was a bit slow to start,” said Lise Detrimont, who runs the Wind Ship association, a specialist maritime wind power group.

“But the number of wind-related installations is expected to double every year in coming years.”

PRIVATISED WATER

Court upholds £3 bn lifeline for UK’s top water supplier


By AFP
March 17, 2025



A UK court on Monday upheld an emergency loan granted to Thames Water, allowing Britain’s largest such supplier to keep a financial lifeline as it drowns under massive debt.

The High Court in London last month authorised the £3 billion ($3.9 billion) loan, allowing Thames to stay afloat and stave off a costly public bailout.

However, it was subject to an appeal last week by some of the company’s smaller creditors displeased at the terms of the package.

Thames serves 16 million customers, or a quarter of the UK population, in London and surrounding areas.

“We are pleased that the Court of Appeal has today decisively refused the appeals and upheld the strong High Court decision,” chief executive Chris Weston said in a statement.

“We remain focused on putting Thames Water onto a more stable financial foundation as we seek a long-term solution to our financial resilience,” he added.

The company said it expects to receive the first half of the loan over coming months.

The funds are seen as only a short-term solution for the company, which already had £16 billion of debt, as it looks to attract takeover bids.

A court has upheld a £3 billion emergency loan recently granted to Thames Water – Copyright AFP HECTOR RETAMAL

Thames is scrambling to find fresh sources of funding, including appealing to the UK water regulator to be allowed to hike bills more than granted.

The company’s customers are set to see average annual water bills rise to £588 by 2030 following a decision by British regulator Ofwat — falling short of the 59-percent hike requested by the troubled group.

Thames and other British water companies, privatised since 1989, are meanwhile under fire for allowing the discharge of large quantities of sewage into rivers and the sea.

This has been blamed on under-investment in a sewage system that dates back largely to the Victorian era.