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Severe weather strikes the Midwest and South of the US, killing two people in Oklahoma
Police said that at least two people including a child died after their vehicle became stranded on flood waters in Oklahoma, during the Easter weekend, when severe weather and flooding affected parts of the U.S. South, Midwest and Midwest. In a press release, police in Moore (Oklahoma), about 11 miles south-southeast of Oklahoma City, stated that the weather was "historic". "One (of the vehicles) was swept underneath the bridge. All but two of the occupants were saved at the time. "It is with deep sadness that we announce that two people, an adult male and a 12-year old boy, were found dead later," the statement said. The police in Moore, Oklahoma have urged residents to stay home. They responded late Saturday to more than a dozen calls by residents who were stuck in their vehicles because of high water. Oklahoma was covered by flood warnings that indicate a flood may be imminent or has already occurred. National Weather Service stated on Sunday that severe thunderstorms are expected to occur from east Texas through far southeast Iowa, Illinois and into central Arkansas. A strong tornado with damaging winds is also possible from central Arkansas and central Missouri. The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for certain parts of Arkansas and Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri and Oklahoma. A deadly spring storm that swept across the U.S. from Texas to Ohio caused tornadoes, heavy rains, and even a few deaths in the South and Midwest. (Reporting and editing by Mary Milliken, Chris Reese and Kanishka Singh from Washington)
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Russia-Ukraine War: US welcomes extension of ceasefire
The U.S. State Department announced on Sunday that it would be happy to see the one-day ceasefire declared by Russian president Vladimir Putin for Easter extended beyond Sunday, despite the Kremlin's earlier statement that there had been no extension order. Both Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of violating the ceasefire. Putin declared a ceasefire for one day in Ukraine, until Sunday midnight Moscow time (2100 GMT). KEY QUOTES "We've seen that President Putin announced a temporary truce due to Easter. In an email statement sent on Sunday, a spokesperson for the State Department said that they remain committed to achieving full and comprehensive peace. As we evaluate their seriousness, we welcome the extension of this punishment beyond Sunday. Why it's important U.S. president Donald Trump Has repeatedly warned about the risk of escalation in the three-year old war that was started by Russia's full scale invasion of its neighbor, and has said he wants the war to end. The U.S. secretary of state has said that the war should be ended. Marco Rubio Washington said that it will abandon efforts to broker a deal for peace if there are no clear signs of progress in the near future. Trump announced that he would sign a mineral deal with Kyiv within a week after the U.S.A. and Ukraine signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Thursday. A failed attempt in February was the result of Zelenskiy and Trump's clash in the Oval Office. CONTEXT Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the Ukrainian president, said that Russia pretended to respect the Easter ceasefire but in reality, it had continued hundreds of artillery assaults Saturday night and more on Sunday. Russia's Defence Ministry claimed that Ukraine violated the ceasefire and caused damage to civilians and infrastructure. Putin wants Ukraine to give up its NATO ambitions and permanently cede the four lost regions to Russia. He also wants to limit its army size. Kyiv claims that these demands amount to a demand for its capitulation.
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Congo suspends the former President Kabila's Political Party
The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has suspended the political party of former President Joseph Kabila and ordered the seizure of his assets over allegations that he supported rebels in eastern Congo backed by Rwanda. The 53-year old, who ruled the country from 2001 to 2019 and only stepped aside after violent protests against him, said that he wanted to return to Congo in order to find a resolution to the conflict. In a statement issued late Saturday, the interior ministry stated that his party had been suspended for assisting the M23 rebels. The justice ministry also said assets of his and other leaders would be confiscated after acts deemed high treason. In both statements, prosecutors were instructed to begin proceedings against him. However, no specific accusations were made. Kabila did not respond immediately. In a letter to the editor, Ferdinand Kambere (secretary of his Party for Reconstruction and Democracy) called the suspension of its members a flagrant breach of Congo's Constitution and Laws. Since the beginning of this year, the M23 has taken control of two major cities located in the mineral rich east. The conflict in this region dates back to the Rwandan genocide of 1994 and the struggle over minerals. Kabila took power in the aftermath of his father's death and refused to leave when his term ended in 2016. Since then, he has lived in several African countries. (Writing Jessica Donati Editing Sofia Christensen, Andrew Cawthorne and Andrew Cawthorne).
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Shenghe, a Chinese rare earths processor, sees a minimal impact of the US feedstock ban
Shenghe Resources, a Chinese company, said that the suspension of shipments from its U.S. partners of rare earth raw concentrator will not have a significant impact on production because of the company's diverse supply chain. MP Materials, the owner of the U.S.'s only rare earths mine said that it has stopped shipping these vital minerals to China due to the 125% tariffs Beijing imposed on U.S. imports as a retaliation against U.S. tariffs imposed on Chinese goods by President Donald Trump. Rare earths is a grouping of 17 metals which are used in the production of magnets for electric cars, mobile phones and other electronic devices. China, the dominant producer in the world, halted this month exports of rare earths that were added to an export control list as a form of retaliation. MP Materials, which is a major player in the rare earths industry, imports large quantities of concentrate from other countries to feed its processing plants. Shenghe stated in a press release that "we have created a diversified channel of supply for rare earth raw materials. We use monazite as an alternative to Sichuan, and we also supply other countries." "The supply agreement with MP remains valid." Shenghe did not provide details. In January 2024, the company and MP Materials renewed a offtake agreement through Shenghe’s subsidiary in Singapore. The agreement will remain in place for two years but can be extended by another year. Customs data show that China's imports from the U.S. of rare earth raw material have declined for the past two years. They fell by 13.7% last year and 16.9% in 2023.
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VEB, a Russian copper mining company, will invest $13.4 billion in the country's Far East
The Russian government announced on Saturday that the state-owned development bank VEB would invest over 1.1 trillion Russian roubles (about $13.40 billion) in order to develop a mine of copper in Chukotka, in the extreme east of the nation. A government press release stated that the development of Baimskaya, which was discovered in 1972, will create 6,000 jobs, and generate tax revenues in excess of three trillion roubles. Chukotka, the easternmost federal subject in Russia, is a mountainous area. Around half of the region is above the Arctic Circle. Once operational, the deposit will increase Russia's gold production by 4% and copper production by 25%. "We continue to build not just a mining and processing plant, but a powerful and technologically-advanced industrial complex that will strengthen Russia's position in the global market and become a new point of growth in the Arctic," said Georgy Fotin, general director of the Baimskaya Management Company LLC. Vladimir Putin named the Arctic region as one of Russia’s most important economic interests. He has also increased commerce through the Northern Sea Route, as Moscow has shifted trade away from Europe and towards Asia due to Western sanctions. The government announced on Saturday that the development of the Baimskaya deposit would increase the annual cargo traffic along NSR by two million metric tonnes. $1 = 82.1000 Russian Roubles (Reporting and editing by Kirby Donovan; Lucy Papachristou)
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At least 17 people killed in Nigeria by suspected herders
Police said that at least 17 people died when suspected cattle-herders attacked Benue State in central Nigeria on Thursday. This was amid an increase of violent clashes between farmers, herders and others. Food supplies in north-central Nigeria have been disrupted by years of conflict. This is a major agricultural area. Two days earlier, 11 people had been killed in Otukpo in Benue. A week before that, gunmen killed over 50 people when they attacked villages in Plateau State. According to SBM Intelligence, since 2019, more than 500 people have died in the region as a result of the clashes. 2.2 million others were forced to flee their homes. Police said that a separate group of suspected cattle herders killed five farmers early Friday morning in the Ukum Local Government Area of Benue, near Gbagir. Police spokesperson Sewuese Aene stated that the attackers fired as police moved in to confront them. Police said that while officers were engaged in the attack at Ukum another 12 people died in an attack 70 km away in Logo local council. (Reporting and writing by Camillus Eboh, Ben Ezeamalu and Andrew Heavens; editing by Andrew Heavens).
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Toronto FC wins rare road game at Real Salt Lake
Toronto FC hasn't beaten Real Salt Lake in Utah for nearly 18 years. Real Salt Lake is 10-0-2 against Toronto FC at home since their first ever meeting. They will look to add to that record when they meet in Sandy, Utah on Saturday. Toronto defeated Real Salt Lake 2-1 on July 4, 2007, in a match held on the University of Utah's campus in Salt Lake City. RSL has dominated home matches since then with an unbeaten streak, which includes a win in the 2010 CONCACAF Champions League. Toronto's first-year coach Robin Fraser stated, "It is a difficult place to play." They have played well there in the past. Toronto's results there haven’t been great over the years because it’s a difficult place. Toronto FC hasn't had a good season so far (0-4-4, four points). Toronto was 0-4-1 in its first five games before it played three consecutive draws. The club was held scoreless at Minnesota United last week. Deandre Kerr, a Toronto player, will miss his third consecutive game due to an injury to his ankle. Federico Bernardeschi and Deandre Kerr are tied with two goals each for the team's lead. Fraser believes Kerr will be out for at least another month. Real Salt Lake (3-5-0, 9 points), has lost three of its last four matches. The result last week was a painful one. Nashville's Sam Surridge scored in the first minute after the second half's stoppage time the decisive goal that sent visiting Salt Lake down 2-1. Diego Luna, who scored three of the team's best goals, sees a team in progress that is yet to find its full stride. "We're playing well," Luna said. The team is improving, we are growing, and the chemistry is developing, but there are still little things to fix to bring it all together. RSL coach Pablo Mastroeni said: "We made some good progress in the past couple of weeks and played good stuff in our last game." We want to dial in some moments where we were a little naive. Salt Lake's Javain Brown has retired from the league after having surgery on Wednesday to repair an ACL tear and meniscus damage to his left knee. Brown injured his knee during a training session. Field Level Media
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Indonesian woman uses mangroves to fight rising tides
Pasijah is a 55-year old housewife from Indonesia's Central Java Province. She wakes every morning with the sound of waves. It's not as idyllic as it sounds. It is the last remaining house in this area of Rejosari Senik. This small village, located on Java's north coast, was once dry land and is now under water. Pasijah and her family are not planning to leave. She said in February that she had "every intention" to remain at the house and her feelings towards it remained. Pasijah, who has lived in her house for 35 years, is soaked by water when she steps out. The floor inside has been raised above the water level by using a power pole and bamboo arranged in haphazardly. Demak is 19 km away. The closest land is 2 km (1.24 miles). Only by boat can you get to the island. Indonesia is an archipelago made up of thousands of islands with a coastline of 81,000 km. This makes it vulnerable to erosion and rising sea levels. Kadarsah, an official with Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency, said that sea levels along the coasts of the country rose by 4.25 millimetres per year on average between 1992 and 2024. However, the rate increased in recent years. He said that rising sea levels were a sign of climate change, and added that small islands had vanished. Kadarsah pointed out that increased pumping has also exacerbated the land subsidence along Java’s northern coast. Jakarta, Indonesia's largest city, is especially affected by the problem. It is home to 10 million people. Indonesian authorities are turning to mega-projects for a solution. One of these is a 700-kilometre sea wall along the northern coastline between Banten province and East Java. Pasijah, her family and friends have also turned to the natural world. Over the last two decades, she has planted around 15,000 mangroves trees per year. She paddles in a boat that is made of a blue barrel every day to plant saplings and tend to bushes. Pasijah explained that the flood waters came in waves and not at once. "I realized that I had to plant mangroves after the water began rising. They would spread and protect my house from the wind and waves. Her family and she survive by selling fish that her sons have caught in the market closest to them. They said they would stay until the tide was held back. Pasijah explained, "I don't care about my feelings about being isolated here anymore since I've decided to stay. We'll just take one obstacle at a time." (Reporting and writing by Ajeng dinar Ulfiana; Budi Purwanto and Johan Purnomo. Additional reporting and writing by Stanley Widianto. Editing and editing by Gibran peshimam and Kate Mayberry.
Plunging solar capture rates to test nerve of Europe's policymakers: Maguire
Wholesale power costs coming under pressure from rising solar output is not a brand-new concept in power markets, but looks set to become a. possibly dissentious concern across Europe as widespread expansions. in solar output overthrow market prices patterns.
Power produced by photovoltaic panels is the most inexpensive source of. electrical energy in a number of regions, and tends to drive down the. cost of wholesale power throughout peak solar output durations,. wearing down margins for power manufacturers.
The phenomenon, referred to as the renewables cannibalization. result, is especially severe in Europe's electrical power system. which prioritizes clean electrical energy products and where. politicians have set enthusiastic decarbonization objectives developed to. minimize dependence on imported fossil fuels.
Renewables-driven cost disruptions have gained extensive. attention in the United States due to the development of a. so-called 'Duck Curve' in Californian power rates, where. enormous volumes of solar output during the middle of the day. flood the marketplace simply as total power need is at a lull.
To accommodate that surplus power load, power rates tend to. plunge in such a way that resembles the shape of a duck's tummy,. before increasing again later on as solar output decreases.
Europe's integrated power markets need to brace for comparable. durations of rate disruption, following quick growths in solar. capacity throughout the continent.
These disruptions have the prospective to temporarily. undermine the economics of power production from all sources,. and might therefore discourage financial investments in more local. generation capacity at an important time.
For policymakers who support a rapid transition of energy. systems far from fossil fuels while guaranteeing ongoing power. sector stability, bouts of potentially loss-making power prices. due to surplus solar output might be unnerving.
But authorities can take heart from the reality that energy. consumers are currently seeing the benefits of higher renewables. output in the type of lower costs.
And in the longer term, consumers will also be much better. secured from future fuel cost shocks once the construct out of. home-grown sustainable power capability is complete.
But over the nearer term, policymakers, energy customers and. power producers alike need to get ready for further swings in power. costs as the generation mix in Europe continues to evolve from. mostly fossil fuel-based to being extremely operated on clean. fuels.
FAST LANE
After Asia, Europe has actually been the fastest growing market for. new solar capacity for the previous years, adding 172 gigawatts. ( GW) of capability in between 2012 and 2022, according to energy. believe tank Cinder.
That compares to nearly 600 GW of capability additions across. Asia, and around 110 GW of capacity growth in North America over. the very same period.
Capability information for 2023 has yet to be verified, but. eco-friendly industry analysts and experts approximate that Europe. will have set a brand-new installation record once again in 2015.
That fast growth speed has actually permitted solar energy to get a. growing share of Europe's overall electricity generation mix,. which has actually doubled from around 5% throughout the summertime of 2019 to. just under 11% last summer season, and the greatest of all areas.
On the other hand, solar's share of electrical power generation in Asia. topped out listed below 7% last summertime, while in North America peaked. at around 6.37%, Cinder information shows.
CAPTURING THE PRICES IMPACT
The effect of such a fast climb in solar output has currently. distorted Europe's power markets, and has led to energies. making shrinking profits from renewables.
As extra solar capacity has actually been brought online in. several nations, regional power prices responded by trending. broadly lower, particularly throughout high solar output periods.
Rate forecasting designs have actually likewise needed to be updated to. represent the growing share of sustainable power in generation. systems, with so-called capture costs and capture rates being. utilized to measure the impact of eco-friendly cannibalization.
The capture price is a weighted average cost during which. the power generation possession produces electricity, and is. revealed relative to the baseload agreement rate paid to fossil. fuel-based power manufacturers.
The capture rate is a procedure of the capture price divided. by market value readily available for the power produced, expressed as a. portion.
In the case of a natural gas plant that only produces power. during peak need periods, the common capture rate can be. 100%, as the plant can despatch maximum volumes to fulfil need. requirements at peak rates, and then lower or stop output when demand. and costs decline.
For renewables properties, the capture rate is generally less. than 100%, and can be far lower for solar possessions that just. produce electrical energy when the sun shines and typically struck peak. output simply when demand and rates may be near their lowest. throughout a normal day.
GERMANY AND SPAIN FEEL THE DISCOMFORT
Power price models in Germany and Spain clearly show the. impact of declining capture prices and rates due to broadening. solar output.
Due in part to rapidly increasing electrical power from solar farms,. the wholesale power cost from solar assets in Germany declined. to the most affordable in almost 4 years this month, according to. rates designs assembled by LSEG.
In turn, the lower solar-driven rates have actually dragged the. general German wholesale price lower.
The capture rate for German solar possessions has likewise declined. this month, plunging to as low as 50% of the baseload power. agreements, LSEG information shows.
The capture rate is even lower in Spain, where abundant. sunlight leads to a rise in solar output that can typically far. exceed system demand requires throughout the day.
Spain's solar capture rates are anticipated to typical around. 85% for the rest of 2024, however decline gradually over the coming. years to around 60% by 2030 and 45% by 2035.
Power designers concerned about the profit effect of such. capture rate erosion could slow their advancement pace, and. thereby potentially threaten nationwide or local energy. transition momentum.
However if policymakers keep a long-lasting view in mind of the. gain from a completely developed renewable resource system,. appropriate incentives for power developers might be produced to. make sure the speed of the area's energy shift is maintained.
<< The opinions revealed here are those of the author, a. writer .>
(source: Reuters)