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Exxon sues California over climate disclosure laws
Exxon Mobil filed a lawsuit against California on Friday challenging two state laws requiring large companies to disclose their greenhouse gas emission and climate-related risks. Exxon filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of California arguing that Senate Bills 261 and 253 violated its First Amendment rights because they force Exxon "to serve as a mouthpiece" for ideas it does not agree with. The company asked the court to stop the state of California enforcing these laws. Exxon claims that the Californian frameworks for reporting climate change are misleading and counterproductive. The oil giant claims it reports climate risks and emissions voluntarily and is opposed to California's frameworks. California, a state ruled by Democrats, has had some of strictest environmental regulations in the past in areas such as vehicle fuel efficiency standards and policy planning. This is after it passed a climate law in 2006. California passed two laws that will require companies to report publicly their greenhouse gas emission and climate-related risks in 2023. Apple, Ikea, and Microsoft supported the California laws, while other major companies such as the American Farm Bureau Federation, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and others called them "onerous". SB 253 mandates that public and private companies active in the State and generating revenue greater than $1 billion per year publish an extensive account regarding their carbon emissions beginning in 2026. The law requires that companies disclose their own emissions as well as indirect emissions from suppliers and customers. SB 261 mandates that companies operating in the state and with revenues exceeding $500 million disclose financial risks related to climate change, as well as strategies to mitigate those risks. Exxon also claimed that SB 261 is in conflict with federal securities laws which regulate what publicly-traded companies are required to disclose about financial and environmental risk. Exxon Mobil said that the First Amendment prohibits California from pursuing its policy of stigmatization, which would force it to describe the activities of its non-California businesses using the state's preferred framing. California Department of Justice or California Air Resources Board didn't immediately respond to our request for comment. Reporting by Chandni in Bengaluru, and Mike Scarcella from Washington. Editing by Deepa and Matthew Lewis.
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Exxon sues California over climate disclosure laws
Exxon Mobil filed a lawsuit against California on Friday challenging two state laws requiring large companies to disclose their greenhouse gas emission and climate-related risks. Exxon filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of California arguing that Senate Bills 261 and 253 violated its First Amendment rights because they force Exxon "to serve as a mouthpiece" for ideas it does not agree with. The company asked the court to stop the state of California enforcing these laws. Exxon claims that the Californian frameworks for reporting climate change are misleading and counterproductive. The oil giant claims it reports climate risks and emissions voluntarily and is opposed to California's frameworks. After passing a climate law in 2006, the Democrat-ruled California had long been known for its strict environmental regulations in areas such as vehicle fuel efficiency standards. California has passed two laws that will require companies to report publicly their greenhouse gas emissions as well as climate-related financial risk. Apple, Ikea, and Microsoft all supported the California laws, while other major companies, such as American Farm Bureau Federation, Chamber of Commerce and American Farm Bureau Federation, opposed them, calling them "onerous." SB 253 mandates that public and private companies active in the State and generating revenue greater than $1 billion per year publish a detailed account of their carbon emission starting in 2026. The law requires that companies disclose their own emissions as well as indirect emissions from suppliers and customers. SB 261 mandates that companies operating in the state and with revenues exceeding $500 million disclose financial risks related to climate change, as well as strategies to mitigate those risks. Exxon argued SB 261 is in conflict with federal securities laws that regulate what publicly-traded companies are required to disclose about financial and environmental risk. California Department of Justice or California Air Resources Board didn't immediately respond to our request for comment. (Reporting from Chandni in Bengaluru, and Mike Scarcella at Washington; editing by Deepa Babyington)
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Protesters call on regional Spanish leader to resign after deadly floods
On Saturday, tens of thousands marched in Valencia, a city located in eastern Spain. They demanded that conservative regional leader Carlos Mazon resign for his handling of the flash floods which killed 229 people last year. Protesters gathered in the center of Valencia, Spain, for the 12th consecutive time, since the flash flooding occurred exactly one year earlier. They displayed banners with messages like "Mazon, to prison", and chanted, "They did not die, they were murders." "I've lost everything but what really matters is the human loss, not the material." Cristina Guzman Trabero, 71, a flood survivor from the city of Trabero said: "They could have been prevented." "And we are here demanding justice. "We don't want any other thing." Residents in the affected area accuse the regional authorities of having issued an alert too late, after many buildings had already been submerged and people drowned in the worst floods in Europe since 1967. An investigation by the court is underway into emergency response. The court summoned on Thursday a local reporter who had lunched with Mazon the day after the floods, October 29, 2024. The Spanish authorities announced on Thursday that a 56 year old man's body was found buried under mud, a full year after it had been swept by water. Climate change is believed to be increasing the frequency of this destructive weather pattern, locally known as DANA. This system occurs when cold and warm air collide and create powerful rain clouds. Reporting by Miguel Gutierrez and Guillermo Martinez; editing by Leslie Adler
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Tunisia's capital Tunisia witnesses a large protest against the worsening pollution crisis
On Saturday, hundreds of Tunisians marched in the Tunisian capital to protest the severe environmental crisis that has been caused by the pollution from the state chemical plant at Gabes. Protests began outside the southern city. This protest is part of a growing series of demonstrations that highlight the frustration of the public over the government’s handling of pollution, and the worsening of the state of the public services. It marks the biggest challenge for President Kais Saied ever since he took power in 2021. Residents in Gabes report an increase in respiratory diseases, osteoporosis, and cancer. They blame toxic gases released by the state chemical group’s phosphate factories, which discharge thousands of tons waste daily into the sea. This month, dozens of Gabes schoolchildren were affected by breathing problems caused by toxic fumes coming from a plant which converts phosphates to phosphoric acids and fertilizers. Tunisian protesters carried banners and shouted slogans to show solidarity with Gabes residents, calling the authorities' response "repression." The government claimed it had arrested people who were violent. Hani Faraj is a protester with the "Stop Pollution campaign" who said, "It's as simple as that, the people of Gabes just want to breath." "Gabes's slowly dying... We won't remain silent." We will intensify our peaceful protests." Saied's government fears that protests in Tunisia's capital will spark unrest in other parts of the country, adding to its pressures as it battles a prolonged economic slump and political instabilities. Saied blames the criminal policies of a former government for the "environmental assassination" in Gabes. To quell protests, he called for immediate repairs to industrial units in order to stop leaks. Mustapha Ferjani, the Health Minister, said that this week that the government will build a new cancer hospital in Gabes due to an increase in cases. The protesters, however, reject the temporary fixes and demand that the polluting facility be permanently closed and relocated. Environmental groups have warned that Chatt Essalam is dumping tons of industrial waste into the ocean every day, causing severe damage to marine life. Local fishermen report a steep decline in fish stock over the last decade, which threatens a vital income source for many in the area. (Reporting and editing by Deepa Babyington, Tarek Amara)
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First Export Cable Laid at Scotland’s 1.1GW Offshore Wind Farm
Enshore Subsea has installed the first of two offshore export cables at Inch Cape offshore wind farm, using the CMOS Installer cable laying vessel.Operating from the Port of Blyth, the vessel installed the first of two 85-kilometre export cables for the 1.1 GW offshore wind farm, being built off the east coast of Scotland.The 220 kV, three-phase export cable was installed in three 28-kilometre sections.Once operational, the cable will transmit power from the offshore wind farm to the project’s new onshore substation under construction at Cockenzie, East LothianThe cable required two offshore joints which were completed using North Sea Giant and will shortly be buried in the seabed.Manufactured by Ningbo Orient Wires & Cables (Orient Cable), the 2000 mm2 cable is among the largest AC export cables in the world. The second 85-kilometre export cable will also be installed by Enshore Subsea in three 28-kilometre sections during a later campaign in 2026.Inch Cape is well into its offshore construction phase with both the offshore substation platform and the first export cable installed, and the first of its XXL monopiles delivered to the Port of Leith.In 2026, the plan is to install monopile and jacket foundations along with the first of 72 Vestas 15MW turbines and to complete the onshore substation, according to developers.The project is on track for first power in late-2026 and full commercial operations in 2027.Inch Cape is owned in a 50-50 equal joint venture by ESB and Red Rock Renewables, and once complete will generate almost 5 terawatt hours (TWh) of energy each year or enough to power half of the homes in Scotland.
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Equinor Grants Contracts for Offshore Crew Transportation Services
Equinor has awarded new contracts for crew transportation services to CHC Helikopter Service and Lufttransport RW, to serve its oil and gas installations offshore Norway.The two companies will operate a total of five helicopters, serving such as Troll, Gullfaks, Oseberg, Martin Linge, Statfjord, Kvitebjørn, and Valemon installations. The contracts have an estimated total value of $428 million, including options, and will take effect in early May 2026.The fixed term runs until December 31, 2028, with the possibility of extension until the end of 2030.”The safety of everyone traveling to and from offshore work is always our highest priority. CHC and Lufttransport are experienced operators we already work with, and they know the crew transportation service and safety requirements on the Norwegian continental shelf. With these contracts, Equinor’s helicopter base in Bergen will have a safe and robust solution,” said Ørjan Kvelvane, head of Operations Support at Equinor.CHC will operate three Sikorsky S-92 helicopters. Two of these are already under contract with Equinor and will be relocated from Sola to Bergen. The relocation is made possible by the introduction of AW189 helicopters at Sola. In addition, CHC will add one more S-92 helicopter - also currently flying on the Norwegian continental shelf - to the Bergen base.Lufttransport will operate two AW139 helicopters. These will later be replaced by two AW189 helicopters, scheduled for factory delivery in 2027. Lufttransport is approved by the Civil Aviation Authority Norway to operate both helicopter types and has experience flying AW139 for Equinor as a passenger transport helicopter to Troll from Bergen in 2024.Equinor and its operators transport approximately 320,000 passengers annually to and from installations on the Norwegian continental shelf. This corresponds to more than 24,000 flight hours per year.In 2024, Equinor carried out a total of 10,934 passenger flights from Stavanger, Bergen, Florø, Kristiansund, Brønnøysund, and Hammerfest.The Bergen helicopter base at Flesland handles the highest traffic, with nearly 5,000 flights in 2024.
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US orders Talen Power Plant in Maryland to exceed limits until end 2025
Energy Secretary Chris Wright issued an order on Friday allowing a part of Talen’s oil-fired Wagner plant in Maryland to operate above its limits until the end of 2025. He said it would improve the grid's reliability. On the first day he was in office, Donald Trump declared "energy crisis". He has, however, taken a number of steps to reduce tax breaks and support for renewable energies and he has also favored the use of fossil fuels in aging power stations. Wright approved a request from the PJM Regional Grid Manager to allow the 400 megawatt unit to operate above its limits in July. The unit was one of many at Wagner which were set to close permanently in May, but federal energy regulators decided that it could remain open until 2029. The Energy Department stated on Friday that the "growing concern about resource adequacy" PJM cited as part of their July request, "still exists today." Wright has ordered a Michigan Coal plant A Pennsylvania plant that runs off of natural gas or petroleum will remain open.
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Brazil's Petrobras announces record oil exports for the third quarter, as production rises
Petrobras, the state-run Brazilian oil company, reported record exports in the third quarter of 814,000 barrels per day, thanks to a surge in production and the start of 11 new wells, the firm announced on Friday. This was a 36% rise in oil exports over the same period last year. China received 53% of the company's shipments during the period. This is an increase of 14 percentage points compared to a year earlier. Asia, excluding China received 19%, an increase of 5 percentages. The share of Petrobras oil exported to the United States fell to 3%, and the share to Europe to 15%. Petrobras' output and sales report attributed the change to a decrease in demand from the U.S. and an increase in sales to India and South Korea. The Brazilian company's total exports including derivatives of gas and oil reached 1,04 million barrels. This is a 29% increase compared to July-September last year. Petrobras produced 2,52 million bpd in Brazil during the third quarter, an increase of about 18%. The firm also said that the increase in output was due to a floating production vessel achieving peak production, another increasing its capacity, and four ramping-up. The company's total production of oil, gas, and gas liquids was 3.14 million barrels per day. This is an increase of almost 17% year-over-year. The total sales of oil, natural gas, and oil derivatives increased by nearly 10% during the period to 3,26 million bpd. Petrobras will release its third quarter earnings on November 6, 2018. Reporting by Fabio Téixeira and Marta Nogueira, with additional reporting from Andre Romani in Sao Paulo. Editing and production by Natalia Siniawski, Rosalba Brien and Natalia Siniawski.
QUOTES-Reactions to the death of Iran's president in a helicopter crash
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, a. hardliner long viewed as a possible follower to Supreme Leader. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in a helicopter crash in. mountainous surface near the Azerbaijan border, authorities and. state media said on Monday.
The helicopter was likewise bring Foreign Minister Hossein. Amirabdollahian and 6 other guests and team, all of whom. died.
Here are reactions to the news:
SAUDI ARABIA'S KING SALMAN BIN ABDULAZIZ AND CROWN PRINCE. MOHAMMED BIN SALMAN:
They used acknowledgements to the acting head of the executive. authority, Mohammad Mokhber, on the death of Ibrahim Raisi,. president of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and his companions.
MARYAM RAJAVI, PRESIDENT-ELECT OF PARIS-BASED NATIONAL. COUNCIL OF RESISTANCE OF IRAN OPPOSITION GROUP:
This represents a huge and irreparable strategic blow. to the mullahs' Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the entire. routine, infamous for its executions and massacres.
It will set off a series of consequences and crises within. theocratic tyranny, which will spur rebellious youths into. action.
Menstruation of moms and those looking for justice for the. executed, together with the damnation of the Iranian individuals and. history, mark the tradition of Ebrahim Raisi, the well-known. wrongdoer of the 1988 massacre of political prisoners.
UNITED STATES SPECIFY DEPARTMENT:
The United States expressed its main condolences for. the death of Raisi and other authorities in a helicopter crash,. the State Department said.
As Iran picks a new president, we declare our assistance. for the Iranian people and their struggle for human rights and. fundamental freedoms, department representative Matthew Miller said. in a declaration.
US DEFENSE SECRETARY LLOYD AUSTIN:
Austin said he had no insight into the cause of the. helicopter crash.
I can't hypothesize on what might have been the cause, he informed. press reporters.
AFGHANISTAN'S ACTING PRIME MINISTER MULLAH MOHAMMAD. HASSAN AKHUND:
We share in the grief of the Islamic Republic of Iran and. its individuals and extend our acknowledgements to all the households of the. victims, the country, and the federal government of Iran.
In these hard times, we stand together with the people of. Iran and wish forgiveness for all the victims of this. incident and for perseverance for their families.
CHINA'S FOREIGN MINISTRY REPRESENTATIVE:
President Xi Jinping has actually already sent out a direct message to. Iran's very first vice president, Mohammad Mokhber.
Xi stated President Raisi made crucial contributions towards. Iran's security and stability, and towards establishing the. thorough strategic partnership between China and Iran.
PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT MAHMOUD ABBAS, IN A STATEMENT:
We extend our genuine acknowledgements and compassion to the. brotherly Iranian people for the passing of the late President. Ibrahim Raisi and the Foreign Minister, hoping to Almighty God. to bestow His huge mercy upon the departed Iranian President and. the others, and to give patience and solace to their families,. affirming the uniformity of the State of Palestine and its. people with the Iranian leadership and people in this great. condition.
PAKISTAN PRIME MINISTER SHEHBAZ SHARIF, ON X:
The great Iranian country will overcome this catastrophe with. customary nerve.
Pakistan will observe a day of grieving and the flag will. fly at half mast as a mark of respect for President Raisi and. his companions and in uniformity with brotherly Iran.
INDIAN PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODI ON X:
Deeply saddened and stunned by the awful death of Dr. Seyed Ebrahim Raisi, president of the Islamic Republic of Iran. His contribution to strengthening India-Iran bilateral. relationship will always be remembered.
My wholehearted condolences to his family and the people of. Iran. India stands with Iran in this time of sorrow.
RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN:
Seyed Ebrahim Raisi was an impressive politician whose. entire life was dedicated to serving the Motherland.
As a real pal of Russia, he made an important personal. contribution to the development of good neighbourly relations. in between our countries and made fantastic efforts to bring them to. the level of strategic collaboration.
OPEC SECRETARY GENERAL HAITHAM AL GHAIS:
In these difficult times, on behalf of myself and all the. personnel at the OPEC Secretariat, I extend my acknowledgements and. sympathy to the esteemed management and individuals of the Islamic. Republic of Iran and the families of HE President Raisi and. other officials.
IRAQ PRIME MINISTER MOHAMMED SHIA AL-SUDANI:
We extend our wholehearted acknowledgements and compassions to the. Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, Ali Khamenei, and to. the nation of Iran, its government and individuals.
We reveal our uniformity with the brotherly Iranian individuals. and the authorities of the Islamic Republic throughout this painful. disaster.
TURKISH PRESIDENT TAYYIP ERDOGAN:
As a coworker who personally saw his efforts for the. peace of the Iranian people and our area throughout his time in. power, I remember Mr. Raisi with regard and gratitude, Erdogan. composed on X.
In a phone call with acting Iranian President Mohammad. Mokhber, Erdogan said Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein. Amirabdollahian's contributions to Turkey-Iran ties will always. be remembered, according to Erdogan's workplace.
LEADER OF YEMEN'S HOUTHIS ABDUL MALIK AL-HOUTHI:
It is with fantastic remorse and sorrow that we received the. news of the unfortunate incident of the President of the Islamic. Republic, Mr. Ibrahim Raisi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs,. Dr. Hussein Amir Abdullahian, and their companions.
HAMAS DECLARATION:
The statement communicated Hamas' deepest condolences ... for. this immense loss.
It applauded the deceased Iranian leaders for supporting the. Palestinian cause and resistance versus Israel and expressed. confidence that Iran's deep-rooted institutions will enable it. to overcome the repercussions of this fantastic loss.
THE PALESTINIAN IRANIAN-BACKED ISLAMIC JIHAD GROUP:
The martyrdom of the President and his Foreign Minister is. a fantastic loss for the Islamic Republic.
It stated his loss was an excellent one for the Palestinian individuals. in these tough circumstances, as they played a prominent and. clear function in supporting and assisting the struggle of the. Palestinian individuals.
NECHIRVAN BARZANI, PRESIDENT OF THE IRAQI KURDISTAN AREA:
The passing of President Raisi is a tremendous disaster and a. extensive loss for the Islamic Republic of Iran, its people, and. its buddies.
Nonetheless, we have faith that the noble individuals of Iran. and the Islamic Republic will conquer this enormous loss. May. God Almighty offer assistance and protection to all, and may. the memory of the departed be blessed.
ARAB LEAGUE PRIMARY AHMED ABOUL GHEIT, IN A DECLARATION:
We hope to God to shower them with mercy and forgiveness. and to motivate their families with perseverance and solace.
SUDAN'S SOVEREIGN COUNCIL HEAD ABDEL FATTAH AL-BURHAN, IN A. STATEMENT:
While the President of the Sovereign Council extends his. genuine condolences and compassion to the friendly Iranian people,. he prays to God Almighty that he may have mercy on the President. and his buddies, and give their families patience and. solace, revealing the solidarity of the Government of Sudan and. its individuals with the leadership and the Iranian individuals in this. excellent loss.
MALAYSIAN PRIME MINISTER ANWAR IBRAHIM, ON FACEBOOK:
President Raisi exhibited a deep commitment to the. welfare of his people and the self-respect of his nation, which. represents a proud and rich civilisation rooted in the. concepts of Islam.
His commitment to justice, peace, and the uplift of the. ummah was really inspiring.
ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER GEORGIA MELONI ON BROADCASTER CHANNEL. 5 TELEVISION:
I see in these hours that the Iranian authorities are. crediting the thesis of the mishap and not conspiracy. theories.
I do not see any modifications in the internal order in Iran, we. remain in consistent contact with our European and G7 allies since. we are speaking about an occurrence that is part of an especially. intricate local structure.
I hope that the future Iranian leadership wants to devote. itself to the stabilisation and pacification of the region.
CHARLES MICHEL, PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL, ON X:
The European Union expresses its genuine acknowledgements for. the death of President Raisi and Foreign Minister Abdollahian,. in addition to other members of their delegation and team in a. helicopter mishap. Our ideas go to the households.
EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT ABDEL FATTAH EL-SISI:
The president of the Arab Republic of Egypt ... prays that. the deceased Iranian President and the departed might rest in God. Almighty's mercy, and give their families persistence and solace,. expressing the uniformity of the Arab Republic of Egypt with the. Iranian management and individuals in this awful incident.
LEBANON'S IRAN-BACKED HEZBOLLAH GROUP, IN A STATEMENT:
It applauded the battle of the martyrs in defending the. causes of the nation and their service to Iran, getting in touch with God. to bless them with his mercy, to protect Khamenei, and to approve. Iran the capability to conquer the ordeal with patience and. determination.
JORDAN'S KING ABDULLAH, ON X:
My inmost acknowledgements to the bros, leadership,. federal government and people of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the. death of Sibling President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister. Bro Hossein Amir Abdullahian and those accompanying them,. might God have grace on them all.
We stand in uniformity with our siblings in Iran in this. tough circumstance
UAE PRIME MINISTER SHEIKH MOHAMMED BIN RASHID AL-MAKTOUM:
Our hearts are with you in this challenging time. Our prayers. are that God will cover them with His large grace and stay them. in His roomy Paradise.
SYRIAN PRESIDENT BASHAR AL-ASSAD, IN A DECLARATION:
Assad affirmed Syria's uniformity with the Islamic Republic. of Iran and the families of the dead.
Assad added that Syria had worked with the late president to. ensure strategic ties in between Syria and Iran remained. flourishing, recalling Raisi's important see to Syria as part. of enhancing ties for the benefit of both countries.
QATAR'S EMIR SHEIKH TAMIN BIN HAMAD AL-THANI, ON X:
Sincere acknowledgements to the government and individuals of the. Islamic Republic of Iran ... asking God Almighty for grace and. forgiveness for them and for their households with perseverance and. solace.
JAPAN'S FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE YOSHIMASA HAYASHI:
Japan expresses its deepest condolences to the government. and individuals of Iran over the death of President Raisi and the. foreign minister.
VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT NICOLAS MADURO, ON X:
Deeply saddened to have to bid farewell to an excellent. person, an amazing leader of the world as our sibling. Ebrahim is, and will constantly be, an exceptional human being,. protector of the sovereignty of his people and genuine. friend of our country..
(source: Reuters)