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At least 13 people have died and 20 others are injured in a bus crash that occurred in Bolivia
Local police reported that at least 13 people died and another 20 were injured after a bus veered from the road and crashed into a stone in Bolivia's western Potosi Region, they said. They attributed the deaths to heavy rains across the region. The crash on Wednesday is the latest in a string of fatal road accidents in South America. According to the Bolivian traffic police, at least 127 deaths and more than 200 injuries have been reported in 2025. The Transit Operative Unit recorded more than 15 000 accidents in 2024. This resulted in 1,480 fatalities, an average of four deaths per day. (Reporting and editing by Sarah Morland, Mark Porter and Monica Machicao)
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Brazil is mulling over all possible actions, but will not immediately retaliate to US steel tariffs
Brazil's Finance minister said on Wednesday the country will not immediately retaliate to tariffs imposed on imports of steel and aluminium by the United States, but instead seeks talks. The government noted that it would consider all options. The U.S. President Donald Trump increased tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, which took effect on Tuesday. This accelerated a campaign of reordering global trade to the U.S.'s benefit and drew swift retaliation by Canada and Europe. The Brazilian government issued a statement in which it expressed regret for the "unjustifiable' move of the U.S. citing the history of economic and political integration between the U.S. and Brazil. Brazil, the country that imports the most steel from the United States, has said it will take all measures possible to react in the coming weeks, including through the World Trade Organization. After a meeting in Brasilia with local steel industry members, Fernando Haddad, the Finance Minister told reporters that President Luiz-Inacio Lula Da Silva had ordered his economic team on Wednesday to engage the Trump administration. Haddad stated that "President Lula said to stay calm and noted that we have previously negotiated in conditions even less favorable than these current ones." Last week, Brazil's Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin held a call that his office described as "positive" with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick about U.S. Tariff Policy. The two governments agreed to continue the dialogue. Brazil agreed in 2018 to a quota-system deal with the former U.S. Trump Administration, allowing the country to export semi-finished steel up to 3.5 millions tons to the U.S. Aco Brasil, the lobby for Brazil's steel industry, defended in a statement the system of quotas that was abolished on Wednesday when the new tariffs came into effect. Rui Costa said that Brazilian and U.S. officials will meet on Friday to try and reach an agreement on tariffs. Costa said that "reciprocity" is the standard diplomatic procedure, but that a decision final would only be taken after Friday's summit. Brazil's steel industry maintains a "mutually advantageous complementary" relationship with the United States. It is the third-largest importer of U.S. coal for steelmaking and the biggest exporter of semifinished steel to the United States.
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EPA tightens up regulation on US waterways
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on Wednesday it would narrow the definitions of waters that could be federally regulated in order to comply with 2023 Supreme Court ruling. Republican legislators from agricultural states applauded this move. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin stated that the agency would work to create a simple definition "that will stand the test of time and be durable." He said that the previous administration's definition "waters of the United States" placed unfair burdens on American citizens and increased the cost of doing businesses. This announcement is part of what Zeldin called a "ping-pong" of policy changes around the regulation and protection of "waters in the United States", which are protected by the 1972 Clean Water Act against pollutants such as fertilizers, pesticides, and mining waste. The EPA tried to expand its regulatory authority over wetlands and streams under the Obama and Biden Administrations. However, this was met with opposition from the industry, agriculture and Republican legislators who deemed it to be an overreach. The Sackett vs. EPA 2023 case established a standard that limits the ability of EPA and Army Corps of Engineers to regulate certain types of wetlands which do not connect to navigable waterways and streams. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, the chairwoman of the Senate Environment Committee, said: "By delivering a framework which is both clear, and legally sound and refining key terms and rescinding previous vague and inconsistent guidelines, we bring predictability to all those who depend on clear, and workable, water regulations." Environmental groups have warned against a narrowing of the definition of waterways that are regulated. This would negatively impact on wetland conservation. Stacy Woods said that the Trump EPA has given the green light to industrial agriculture in order to pollute and drain valuable wetlands, which provide significant benefits to communities including flood protection and safe drinking water. Farm groups have supported a rollback of what they consider to be costly and burdensome regulations on water. Glenn "G.T." Thompson, chair of the House Agriculture Committee, said in a statement that this EPA action is "a crucial step to correct years of regulatory overreach, which has created uncertainty and confusion for rural communities, farmers and ranchers." Thompson, the chair of House Agriculture Committee said in a press release. Zippy Duvall said that the American Farm Bureau Federation had listened to the concerns of farmers in a press release.
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Continental Resources, a US-based producer, will help Turkey develop its shale gas fields
On Wednesday, Turkish Energy minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced on the social media platform X that TPAO, Turkey's national oil company, had signed a joint-venture agreement with U.S. producer Continental Resources for the development of shale deposits in Diyarbakir Basin. This cooperation will contribute greatly to our goal to bring Turkiye’s oil and natural gas resources into our economy. "I hope that this agreement will benefit all parties, as it opens up a new phase in Turkiye's exploration," he wrote in the blog. The Turkish oil and gas industry is not very large. Continental Resources CEO Doug Lawler stated in an email that "we recognize significant opportunities to further develop both in the U.S. We are very excited to work with TransAtlantic, Turkey Petroleum and other energy companies to develop innovative solutions to unlock the full potential of Turkey's resources. TransAtlantic Petroleum is developing the Selmo Field in Turkey, and executing a drilling program horizontally in eastern Turkey. Harold Hamm, founder of Continental Resources, warned on Wednesday that U.S. crude oil production was beginning to plateau. Reporting by Arathy S. Somasekhar, Writing by Liz Hampton and Editing by Marguerita C. Choy and Ni. Williams
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EPA to eliminate over 20 US air and water regulations
On Wednesday, the Trump administration announced regulatory rollbacks that included a repealing of emission limits for power plants, a reduction in protections for waterways, and a rollback on tailpipe pollution curbs. This was an attempt to meet President Trump's goals. Donald Trump Energy dominance agenda The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is unwinding 31 Biden-era rules that were intended to boost industries from agriculture, electric utilities, oil, petrochemicals, and automobiles. This aligns with Trump's pledges to cut red tape. However, they will also weaken the core environmental protections in U.S. water and air. In a video posted on X by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, he said that today is the "most consequential day in American history" of deregulation. He added that he was carrying out Trump's executive orders aimed to eliminate red tape in industry. Zeldin had announced on Wednesday morning that he would be attending the upcoming TEDxZeldin event. Reduce the number of waterways The Clean Water Act would regulate this activity, a move that was urged on by the agriculture and petroleum industries. He later announced that the agency will reconsider the Biden era Clean Power Plant Rule that seeks reduce carbon emissions from electricity plants and rollback greenhouse gas emission standards of heavy- and lightweight vehicles for model years 2027 and beyond. Zeldin has already been established Expected to take steps To undo a 2009 scientific finding that greenhouse gas emission endanger the public health, which underlies all of EPA's regulations on greenhouse gases. (Reporting and editing by Chris Reese; Valerie Volcovici)
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Trump mentions positive messages about a possible ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine
Donald Trump announced that U.S. officials would be heading to Russia to discuss a U.S.Ukraine agreement regarding a proposed 30 day pause in combat and a path to peace talks. Trump said that it was up to Russia now after Ukraine agreed to ceasefire for more than eight hours. Tuesday, with U.S. officials from Saudi Arabia Trump told reporters at the Oval Office: "I hope we can get a truce from Russia." "I have received some positive messages but they mean nothing. This is a serious situation." The Kremlin On Wednesday, the US was waiting for details about a proposed ceasefire in Ukraine. Senior sources from Moscow said that any deal must take into account Russia's advancements and its concerns. Trump said that a ceasefire for Russia would be logical, but also said that there were "a lot downsides for Russia as well," without providing any further details. "On one side we have pretty much resolved a complex situation. He said that we've discussed land, and the other issues associated with it. "We know what areas of land are being discussed, whether we should pull back or keep it." When asked if he'd do anything to put pressure on Russia, Trump replied: "I could do things financially. That would be very bad. I don't do it because I want peace. (Reporting and writing by Andrea Shalal, Katharine Jackson and Doina Chiacu. Editing by Diane Craft).
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Trump administration wants to exempt dirty US coal plant from soot regulations
According to sources familiar with the situation, the Trump administration plans to reverse pollution rules that reduce soot emission from U.S. power plants. This is a move to keep some of America's dirtiest coal-fired plants operating. Because they are small enough to enter the bloodstream, soot particles have a negative impact on health. The plan is in line with Trump's executive orders of January 20, which directed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to review measures that affect energy reliability. They also declared a National Energy Emergency to increase government powers for boosting fossil fuels and electricity production. The White House did not respond to a request for comment immediately. Three people who have been briefed about the issue say that one of the targets is the Biden-era rule for 2024, which lowers the limits on particulate matter emissions from coal plants by almost 70%. Federal regulatory filings reveal that the EPA of former President Joe Biden said it thought it was reasonable to adopt a stricter standard because 91% existing coal plants already met it. The Trump administration said that it hopes to keep coal plants operating and restart those that have been shut down in order to meet the expected increase in demand for electricity in the coming years. The EPA has not responded to messages seeking comments. BENEFITS FOR THE BIGGEST EMITTERS About 200 coal-fired power plants remain in the U.S. They generate about 16% of electricity for the country. Rolling back the soot limit would benefit the country's most polluting coal plants. The EPA claims that the only coal plant in the United States without pollution controls is the Colstrip Power Plant in Montana. Talen Energy is the minority owner and operator of the plant. They have joined with more than 20 other states to challenge Biden's stricter regulations in Washington D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. According to court documents, Trump's EPA administrator Lee Zeldin requested that the court postpone the oral arguments scheduled for the 27th of March to give the new leadership time to review the underlying regulation. "EPA intends closely to review the 2024 Rule." The agency's prior positions on the 2024 rule might not reflect the final conclusions it comes to after the review. Talen did not return a message seeking comment. NorthWestern Energy Group Inc. estimates that complying with Biden’s stricter limits could cost plant owners at Colstrip between $350 and $665 million. NorthWestern, after acquiring the interests of Avista Corporation and Puget Sound Energy, will be the majority owner of Colstrip by the end of the year. The utility will use the 1,500 megawatt plant that ran at about 80% last year to feed electricity to Montana's data centers, and to a 3,000 megawatt transmission line, 415 miles long, between Colstrip, North Dakota, and Bismark. NorthWestern didn't respond to a request for comment. The plant is known to have exceeded even the lowest federal limits of particulate matter. EPA disclosures reveal that in 2018, the plant's soot pollution was out of control and forced it to shut down for over two months. Talen Energy has agreed to pay $450,000 in fines to settle these air quality violations. The Biden-era limitations, if the Trump administration does not act, will require compliance by 2027. (Reporting by Tim McLaughlin, Editing by Richard Valdmanis & Nia Williams).
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Trump warns EU of retaliatory duties, saying Irish tax policies attracted US firms
Donald Trump, the U.S. president, promised to act on Wednesday in response to the European Union’s threat to impose counter-tariffs on U.S. products worth 28 billion euros (26 billion dollars) from next month. This comes after Trump implemented tariffs blanket on steel and aluminium imports. Trump said to reporters, "Of Course I Will Respond," at the beginning of a meeting in the Oval Office with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Mart. He said Ireland was a member of Europe and that it took advantage of America. Trump claimed that Ireland's tax policies had been used to lure pharmaceutical companies and other businesses from the United States. However, reciprocal tariffs by the United States would help rebuild U.S. Manufacturing. He said that the U.S. tax policies were to blame for allowing U.S. companies to relocate to Ireland. He said: "I have great admiration for Ireland, but the United States should not have allowed it to happen." Trump's increased duties on all U.S. imports of steel and aluminum took effect on March 21, escalating a global economic war. Canada and Europe retaliated swiftly. Trump's decision to increase protections for American producers of steel and aluminum restores 25% tariffs on all metal imports, and extends duties to hundreds downstream products. Canada, which is the largest foreign supplier of aluminum and steel to the United States announced 25% retaliatory duties on these metals, along with computers, sporting equipment, and other products totaling C$29.8 Billion. Canada's central banks also cut interest rates in order to prepare for the economic damage. The European Commission announced that it will impose counter-tariffs on U.S. products worth up to 28 billion dollars (26 billion euros) next month.
Tariffs on green EU products could hurt coal-dependent Western Balkans
EU CO2 tax targets imports that are carbon-intensive
Import tax on coal-powered electricity
Western Balkan countries seeking exemptions from impact
Joanna Gill
The EU's carbon border adjustment mechanism will cover coal-fueled electricity, one of the Western Balkans most carbon-heavy products. This will impose a tax on imports that have a high carbon footprint.
Janez Kopac - former director of Energy Community Secretariat - explained that the region's economic and geographical ties to the EU were "so immense" that it would be difficult for them to avoid the tariffs. The Energy Community Secretariat brings together the EU, its neighbours and other countries to create a pan-European integrated energy market.
Coal accounts for 60% to 95% of electricity generation in the Western Balkans depending on which country you are looking at, and 60% of its exports.
Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), North Macedonia (Nord Macedonia), Montenegro and Serbia are located in Southeast Europe and share borders with six EU member states, making them the bloc's main trading partner.
Energy analysts believe that the impending eco tariff will encourage the region to invest more in clean energy as it moves towards EU membership.
If they don't, the financial consequences could be severe.
Kopac said, "They'll adapt sooner or later but it will be rough for them."
CARBON CURTAIN
The new eco-tariff is going to affect countries in different ways depending on their carbon footprint. CBAM fees on imports to the EU would make electricity exports by Western Balkans costlier.
Albania relies mainly on hydropower to limit its exposure. However, Bosnia and Herzegovina could lose over 220 million euro ($231,99 million) per year in revenue due to the sale of electricity to the EU. This is according to CEE Bankwatch - a network consisting of nongovernmental environmental organisations from central and eastern Europe.
According to the CBAM readiness tracking tool of the Energy Community, Western Balkans countries' efforts to decarbonise are largely stagnant.
Analysts claim that a lack investment in renewable energies and the continued subsidies by governments for coal plants, which are getting older, is preventing a green transition. This has led to governments seeking delays or exemptions under CBAM.
The CBAM will not be implemented until the CBAM is fully implemented. This means that countries are unable to implement reforms prior to the CBAM's implementation.
She said that there was a growing awareness among countries to decarbonise in order to "escape from the worst impacts."
BRACKET FOR IMPACT
The social and economic cost of switching from coal to cleaner energy is high.
The German clean energy think-tank Agora Energiewende estimates the energy transformation of the Western Balkans to be around 40 billion Euros. This figure does not include retraining and severance payments for approximately 30,000 coal miners.
Christian Egenhofer is a senior researcher at CEPS, a Brussels-based think tank, who specializes in energy policy. He said that eco-tariffs, rather than encouraging emigration from coal, could stymie the green transition of the Balkans by removing the cash required to finance the transition.
He said, "These people don't need such incentives. They just need money."
The EU has a Just Transition Fund worth 17,5 billion euros to protect workers and regions against the economic impact of energy transitions, such as plant closures. Western Balkans does not have such dedicated funding.
The EU has provided up to 9 billion Euros to support the green and digital transformation and up to 20 Billion Euros of investment via the Western Balkan Guarantee Facility. This will cover all the reforms required to join the EU, not just the modernisation of energy sectors.
Gallop, from CEE Bankwatch, said that the funds "were not enough in volume" to match investment required for a just and fair transition. Kopac said that no matter how much funding the EU provided, the Western Balkans states would still have to provide some of the impetus needed for change.
"Perhaps, this is no longer a question that the European Union can answer," he said.
(source: Reuters)