## New York becomes first US city with congestion charge

Authored by bbc.com

New York becomes first US city with congestion charge.

The congestion zone covers an area south of central park, taking in well known sites such as the Empire State Building, Times Square and the financial district around Wall Street.

The first congestion charge scheme for vehicles in the US has come into effect in New York City.

New York state Governor Kathy Hochul made the case for a congestion charge two years ago, but it was delayed and revised following complaints from some commuters and businesses.

Most drivers will be charged $9 once per day to enter the congestion zone at peak hours, and $2.25 at other times.

Congressman Mike Lawler, who represents a suburban district just north of New York City, asked Trump in November to commit to "ending this absurd congestion pricing cash grab once and for all".

Last year, New York City was named the world's most-congested urban area for the second year in a row, according to INRIX, a traffic-data analysis firm. »

### Slovak Prime Minister Fico disappears after visit to Kremlin and is found in a luxury hotel in Vietnam

Authored by uatv.ua

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico disappeared from the public eye for two weeks after a trip to the Kremlin, raising numerous questions in the public and media.

The video messages he posted on social media did not allow us to identify the country in which the prime minister was staying.

It turned out that Fico was probably staying in a room at the luxury Capella Hanoi hotel in the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi. »

### Germany hits 62.7% renewables in 2024 electricity mix, with solar contributing 14%

Authored by pv-magazine.com

Germany generated 72.2 TWh of solar power in 2024, accounting for 14% of its total electricity output, according to Fraunhofer ISE.

Wind power remained Germany's largest source of electricity in 2024, generating 136.4 TWh.

PV generation set a production record of 72.2 TWh in 2024, despite less favorable weather, due to the rapid expansion of solar capacity. »

### Bat poop used to grow cannabis kills 2 in New York in unusual cases

Authored by livescience.com

Two men in New York state have died of a rare fungal lung infection that they caught from bat poop — specifically, poop they were using or planned to use as fertilizer to grow cannabis.

The first man, who was 59-years-old, had purchased guano online to use as fertilizer for his cannabis plants.

The other man, 64, was intending to fertilize his cannabis plants with guano he'd found in his attic following a "heavy" bat infestation. »

### Elon Musk Pushes For Britain’s King Charles To Dissolve Parliament—As Lawmakers Say Tesla CEO Is ‘Misinformed’

Authored by forbes.com

The world’s richest man is “misjudged and certainly misinformed” about the British government’s ... [+] handling of “grooming gangs,” officials say.

Musk shared a post on X saying he has called on King Charles to dissolve parliament, writing, “It is my earnest hope that [King Charles] considers this matter in the interests of his subjects.”

Musk has spoken about political affairs in other countries, including Germany, where Musk has supported the far-right Alternative for Deutschland party. »

## In pictures

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