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China reduces the death toll of Shanxi coal mining disaster to 82
Local officials announced at a press conference held late Saturday that the death toll had been revised to 82. The explosion at the Liushenyu mine in China's north province of Shanxi on Friday night killed 82 people. Initial reports from state media said that at least 90 people had been killed. Even if the number is lower, it remains China's most deadly mining accident since 2009 when a gas exploding at the Xinxing Mine, in Heilongjiang Province, killed 108. At a press conference, local officials stated that the initial death count reported by state media was incorrect. Guo Xiaofang said that the situation was chaotic after the incident, and the company had a difficult time calculating the number of employees, leading to the inaccurate initial number. At the time of explosion, there were 247 workers underground. Guo reported that two people were still missing, 128 had been injured and were hospitalised, and 35 were not hurt. Local officials stated at the press conference that Shanxi Tongzhou Coal Coking Group owns Liushenyu Mine and that all four mines of this company have been closed, and executives detained. The People's Daily, a state-run newspaper, published an editorial about the accident on its front page Sunday morning. It called for more?attention to safety?in production as well as to "completely revert the tendency to prioritize development over safety." Xinhua reported that President Xi Jinping had on Saturday called for authorities to "spare nothing" when it came to treating the injured, and executing search and rescue operations. He also ordered a probe into the incident. Officials stated at the press conference that the mine has a production capacity of 1,2 million tons of coal annually. Last year, China mined 4,83 billion tons of coal. This fuel is the foundation of its energy sector. (Reporting and editing by Christian Schmollinger; Luoyan Luu, Colleen Howe)
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California chemical tank igniting after evacuation in LA suburban suburb, fire official
The incident commander reported on Saturday that firefighters trying to prevent a chemical explosion in Southern California discovered overnight that the tank, which was failing, was "heating up" internally despite attempts to cool it. The evacuation orders were still in effect for a?area that covered tens and thousands of residents in the Garden Grove suburb in Los Angeles. California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in Orange County, and his office asked residents to evacuate. Craig Covey said that crews returned to the danger zone overnight in Garden Grove after drone readings suggested on Friday that water sprayed onto the tanks helped stabilize the situation. Covey explained in a Saturday morning video that the drones only measured the exterior of the vessel and not the chemical within. The crews found that the temperature inside the tank was 90 degrees Fahrenheit, or 32 degrees Celsius. This is up from the 77 degrees Fahrenheit or 25 degrees Celsius when the responders pulled back. He said that the temperature was increasing by one degree per hour. Covey told Covey, "That is the bad news." Since Friday, officials have warned that the tank containing methyl methacrylate (a flammable chemical commonly used in plastics and manufacturing) could rupture, spilling up to 7,000 gallons of toxic material, or explode, endangering nearby tanks. Covey, a firefighter from Covey Fire Protection Services, said that firefighters were investigating whether a large flow of cooling water could?slow down the curing inside the tank to the point where it would reduce pressure and stop an explosion. Covey stated that "we cannot allow this to fail and explode." "Our goal is to not let that happen." The incident started on Thursday, at the GKN Aerospace plant in Garden Grove. This city has a population of 172,000 and is located about 30 miles (50km) south of Los Angeles. According to the site's website, it specializes in manufacturing and testing windows and canopies of commercial and military aircraft. GKN stated that it was working with "all the relevant experts" to resolve the problem. GKN's spokesperson issued a statement on Saturday apologizing for the inconvenience caused to local residents and business owners who were forced to evacuate. On Friday, officials expanded evacuation orders after the explosion risk increased. According to Amir El-Farra, Garden Grove Police chief, about 15% of the people living in the area covered by the order refuse to leave. Covey stated that crews switched from a defensive to offensive operation over night with the help of chemists in the emergency response team from the manufacturer. The goal was to neutralize the nearby 15,000-gallon storage tank and reduce its potential explosiveness if it failed. Covey stated, "We put people in danger last night." Garden Grove, Anaheim, and Cypress are all nearby cities that have been evacuated. Officials from the Department of Health have expressed concern that prolonged exposure to vapor could lead to severe respiratory problems. As of the last health update, air-quality monitors did not detect vapor. "You're safe so long as you stay out of the area that was determined as an evacuation zone," said Dr. Regina Chinsio Kwong, of the Orange County Health Care Agency on Friday. Covey stated that crews were also prepared for a potential spill, looking at ways to dike, dam, and divert liquids into a holding zone on the commercial site rather than allowing them to reach storm drains or river channels, or the ocean. Covey stated, "We will not give up." (Reporting from Rodrigo Campos, New York; additional reporting by Dan Catchpole. Editing by Sergio Non & David Gregorio).
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Trump tells media that negotiators have made progress on the Iran deal
According to CBS News, President Donald Trump stated 'on Saturday that the United States and Iran were 'getting closer to finalizing a peace agreement. CBS reported that he said the final agreement would stop Iran from getting a nuclear bomb and would ensure that Iran's highly enriched uranium was "satisfactorily" handled. Trump was reported as saying, "I'll only sign a contract where we get everything we want." Iran, the United States, and?mediator Pakistan said that progress had been made in talks to end almost three months war. Trump told Axios that he will discuss the latest Iran draft deal with his advisers on Saturday, and may make a decision by Sunday on whether or not to continue the "war". According to Axios, Trump said: "Either we get a good deal or I will blow them up to a million hells." Trump has vacillated?between the two poles?of diplomacy?and a military strike?since a ceasefire?was?declared?six weeks ago?to allow the parties to reach an agreement?on Iran?s nuclear program?and?on reopening?the Strait?of Hormuz?, a vital oil and gas route?now controlled by Tehran?. Reporting by Doina chiacu, Washington; Editing and proofreading by Matthew Lewis
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Charlton promoted to WSL following shoot-out victory over Leicester
Sophie Whitehouse, the goalkeeper for Charlton Athletic, saved four of five penalties in the shootout that saw them beat Leicester City 2-1 on Saturday. This win earned Charlton Athletic promotion to the Women's Super League's top tier. Charlton finished 'third' in the WSL 2 division this year, earning a playoff match against Leicester who came in last in the top tier. After 120 minutes of goalless play, the game was decided by penalties. Whitehouse, who is a shot-stopper, saved the first two kicks from Emily van Egmond, and Shannon O'Brien, to give her side the advantage early in the shoot-out. Olivia McLoughlin's goal gave Leicester hope. But?the 29 year old Whitehouse, who has been a standout between the sticks for Charlton this season, capped her superb season by denying Leicester's Noemie Mouchon and Heather?Payne to earn promotion for her team.
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Zelenskiy, Zelenskiy: 'Unfair' proposal for associate EU membership
In a letter sent to EU leaders, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated that the German proposal to grant Ukraine a "associate membership" of the European Union is "unfair", as it would leave Kyiv with no voice within the bloc. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz proposed earlier this week that?Ukraine could participate in EU institutions and meetings without voting as an "interim" step toward full membership. He said it would help facilitate a settlement to the four-year war started by Russia's invasion. Zelenskiy responded in a late-Friday letter, which was reviewed by, that Ukraine is pressing forward quickly with the necessary reforms for full EU membership, while also acting as an bulwark for the entire 27-nation block against Russian aggression. "We defend Europe fully, not in parts, and we do not use half measures," said the 48 year-old leader. He accused Russia of attempting to destabilize the continent and destroy European unity. "It is unfair that Ukraine should be in the European Union but have no voice." The letter was addressed to the Presidents of the European Council, Antonio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen, as well as the President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides. Zelenskiy expressed his gratitude to the leaders of Europe for their support in this war, Europe's biggest conflict since World War Two. After months of delays, EU states approved a 90 billion euro (104.42 billion dollars) loan for two years to fund Ukraine's military efforts. Zelenskiy stated that there was an opportunity to make substantive progress in the accession talks following the removal of Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban. Orban had been a staunch enemy of Ukraine's EU Membership who lost April elections. Zelenskiy stated in his message that "the time is now to move ahead with Ukraine's full and meaningful membership." "Ukraine is entitled to a fair approach and equal rights in Europe." EU Officials say that MEMBERSHIP will take time. Analysts say that a clear path into the EU would help Zelenskiy sell any peace agreement to Ukrainians. This is especially true if, as many expect, a "settlement" does not give Ukraine full control over its territory or membership in NATO. Many European officials, however, say that it is unrealistic to expect Ukraine to become a full member of the EU in the next few year, despite the fact that a date 2027 had been penciled in a 20 point peace plan which was discussed between the United States and Russia. The EU requires that each of its 27 members ratify the accession, which could pose significant obstacles. Merz's plan was described as a compromise between Ukraine's status as a country that is currently a candidate and its current position as a country. Ukraine hopes to begin negotiations in two months on six areas of EU accession, known as "clusters". A German government spokesperson said Berlin was "aligned" with Zelenskiy's desire to begin these negotiations as quickly as possible, and that it saw itself as paving a path to EU membership for Kyiv. The spokesman added that Merz's suggestion was intended to start a candid discussion. The focus is on practical intermediate steps towards full membership. Full membership remains the ultimate goal. In his letter, Zelenskiy stated that despite the war pressure, Ukraine is making progress in the reforms needed to meet EU democratic standards and economic standards. He said: "We understand that European integration does not happen over night." "But previous rounds have shown that it is possible to give countries time to integrate into the EU without limiting their right inside." Merz, in a letter sent to EU officials and reported on by, said he would discuss his idea of an "associate membership" for Ukraine with other European leaders. He suggested creating a taskforce to finalise details. The proposal included "a political commitment" to apply to Ukraine the mutual assistance and defense clause of the EU, as well as giving Ukraine a nonvoting associate member of the European Commission, nonvoting representatives in the European Parliament and gradual access the EU budget. Some diplomats in Brussels responded with 'caution' to Merz’s proposal. They noted that the status of a "sociate member" does not exist and would require a change to EU Treaties. Some diplomats in Brussels reacted with?caution to Merz's proposal, noting that the status of "associate" member does?not exist and could require changes to EU treaties. Some diplomats say that the German proposal can be viewed as a simple effort to accelerate Ukraine's progress. One EU diplomat who requested anonymity said: "If the German plan accelerates integration without hindering full membership or preventing it, then it's worth a closer examination." Reporting by Daniel Flynn, Additional reporting by Markus Wacket (Berlin) Editing by Susan Fenton & Tomaszjanowski
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Zelenskiy, Zelenskiy: 'Unfair' proposal for associate EU membership
In a letter sent to EU leaders, Ukrainian?President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated that the German proposal to grant Ukraine a "associate membership" of the European Union is "unfair", because it would leave Kyiv with no voice within the bloc. The German Chancellor Friedrich Merz proposed earlier this week that Ukraine be allowed to??participate without voting in EU meetings and institutions as an interim measure toward full membership of Europe. He said it could facilitate a deal for the end of the four-year war, triggered by Russia’s invasion. Zelenskiy responded in a late Friday letter, which was reviewed by, by saying that the election of Viktor Orban, the Hungarian prime minister who is a staunch enemy of Ukraine's EU Membership, had opened the door for substantive progress to be made on the accession talks. In his message, Zelenskiy stated that it would be unfair to have Ukraine in the European Union but not be able to speak. "Now is the time to make a meaningful and full move towards Ukraine's EU membership." The letter was sent to the Presidents of the European Council, Antonio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen, as well as the Presidents of the European Commission, Nikos Christodoulides (Cypriot) who currently holds the rotating EU Council chair. Zelenskiy expressed his gratitude to European leaders for their assistance during this war, Europe's biggest conflict since World War Two. He also said that Ukraine acted as a buffer against Russian aggression on behalf of the entire 27-nation block. "We defend Europe fully, not in parts, and we don't do it with half measures," said the 48 year-old leader. He accused Russia of trying undermine?European development and unity. "Ukraine deserves an equal approach to Europe and a fair treatment. EU Officials say that MEMBERSHIP will take time. Analysts say that a clear path into the EU would help?Zelenskiy sell any peace agreement to Ukrainians. This is especially true if, as many expect, a settlement doesn't give Ukraine full control over its territory, or membership in NATO. Many European officials, however, say that it is unrealistic to expect Ukraine to become a full member of the EU in the next few year, despite the fact that a date 2027 had been penciled in a 20 point peace plan which was discussed between the United States and Russia. The EU requires that each of its 27 members ratify the accession, which could pose significant obstacles. Merz's plan was described as an effort to find a compromise between Ukraine's current candidate status and a rapid accession. Ukraine hopes to begin negotiations in two months on six areas of EU accession, known as "clusters". Zelenskiy stated that despite the war pressure, Ukraine is making progress in reforms needed to meet EU democratic standards and economic standards. "We understand that European Integration does not happen over night," he said. "But previous rounds have shown that countries can be given time to 'integrate' without limiting their rights within the EU." Merz, in a letter sent to EU officials and reported on by the Daily Telegraph, said he would share his idea with other European leaders. He suggested the formation of a taskforce?to work out the details. The proposal included "a political commitment" to apply to Ukraine the mutual assistance and defense clause of the EU to provide a?security guarantee, as well as giving Ukraine a nonvoting associate member of the European Commission, nonvoting representatives in the European Parliament and gradual access the EU budget. Diplomats in Brussels have reacted cautiously to Merz’s proposal. They noted that the status of “associate” member doesn't exist and it could require?changes in EU treaties. Some diplomats in Brussels reacted cautiously to Merz's proposal, noting that?the status of "associate" member does not exist and could require?changes to EU treaties. Some diplomats have noted that the German proposal can be viewed as a simple effort to accelerate Ukraine's development. If the German proposal accelerates integration without delaying or hindering full membership, it's worth a closer examination, said an EU diplomat who requested anonymity. (Reporting and editing by Susan Fenton; Daniel Flynn, Reporting)
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Global plant species are threatened by climate change as habitats shrink
Scientists say that climate change is a major factor in the loss of species. It is reshaping habitats and shrinking them, which plants require to survive. Researchers modeled future ranges of 'numerous' species of vascular plant, a group that includes 'almost all plants in the world - those which have water- and nutrients-carrying tissue. They?looked? at over 67,000 species. This is about 18% the known vascular plant species in the world. The researchers found that between 7% and 16% of species could lose over 90% of their range. This puts them at a high risk of extinction. Catalina Ironwood or Island Ironwood is a rare California tree that dates back 400 million years. Blueish spike-moss, which comes from a lineage of plants dating back over 400 millions of years, and approximately one third of Eucalyptus, one of Australia’s most recognized plant groups, are also examples. Researchers came up with their estimates by analyzing millions of records about plant locations and greenhouse-gas emission scenarios for the years 2081-2100. The habitat of a plant is more than just a location on a map. It includes all the conditions that it requires: soils, temperature, rainfall, land use, and other landscape features like shade. Imagine plants following a moving "climate envelope". Many species will move northwards or upwards to keep cool as temperatures rise. Temperature is not the only factor, Junna Wang, a Yale University Postdoctoral Researcher, and Xiaoli Dong, a Professor of Environmental Science and Policy at the University of California Davis, stated in a joint statement. Wang and Dong were involved in the study that was published in Science. Climate change has reduced the number of places where all conditions necessary for a species are still present. Plants move or disperse via seeds and spores that are carried by animals, wind, water or gravity. Researchers found that extinction rates were similar when they compared realistic movement to a scenario where plants could reach any new suitable habitat. If slow movement was the main problem then allowing for unlimited dispersal would dramatically reduce the risk of extinction. Wang and Dong stated that this was not the case. What matters to conservation? If dispersal limitations were the primary driver, strategies such as assisted migration -- physically helping species to move to new regions -- could solve a lot of the problem. If climate change is reducing habitats, it may not be sufficient to help species migrate. The projected impacts differ by region. As extreme cold climates decrease, plants adapted to the Arctic could lose their habitat. Dry regions, including parts of the western United States and Mediterranean-climate regions, face risk from stronger drought, lower soil moisture and more frequent wildfires. The coasts of southern and eastern Australia may be able to limit poleward shifts. Researchers found that local plant diversity can increase across 28% of Earth’s surface as species migrate to newly suitable areas. This includes parts of the tropics and the subtropics, where an increase in rainfall, rather than just temperature, could create conditions for additional species. The scientists described it as a global reshuffling. Some species are disappearing from their historic range while others have moved into new areas. However, they said that local gains did not mean the plants were doing better in general. The shifts in climate could also lead to the creation of "novel community" - a grouping of plants who have never lived together before but will now be interacting for the first. What would happen if these interactions took place? Researchers said they did not know. Most terrestrial ecosystems are supported by plants. Plants are important because they store carbon, stabilize the soil, provide wildlife with food and medicine, and also produce timber. Changes in plant diversity have a cascading effect on both nature and humans. If climate change reduces the vegetation cover, ecosystems could absorb less CO2 from the air, which may intensify further warming. This creates a negative feedback loop where climate change damages plants and decreased plant cover/productivity worsens the climate change, Wang and Dong explained. They said that "protecting plant diversity" is about more than just conserving nature. It is about preserving the ecological systems which support human societies.
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Pope Leo condemns 'dizzying profits' made by polluting companies
Pope Leo, who was visiting an area in Italy that is known for its illegal dumping toxic waste, called out firms that seek to make "dizzying profits" at the cost of pollution. The first U.S. Pope, on a trip to Acerra (about 220 km south of Rome), urged people to "reject the temptations of wealth and power linked to practices which pollute land, air, water and social coexistence." Leo wanted to go to the area near Naples, known as "Land of Fires", in which the European Court of Human Rights found last year that authorities had failed to protect residents against waste dumping at least since 1988. He said he was going to "gather tears" of the families who lost loved ones due to illnesses related to the waste dump. Leo, arriving by popemobile on a sunny day in spring, was welcomed by people wearing yellow hats and waving small Vatican flags. Some were holding posters with photos of deceased family members. Leo, a man who has been more assertive in recent months and who will release his first major document Monday, stated that "unscrupulous individuals and organizations were allowed to act without consequence for far too long". In his four-hour Acerra visit, Leo also spoke of "the dizzying profit of a few who are blind to the needs and future of others, their work, and their livelihood". He met with victims. In southern Italy, the collection, treatment and disposal of waste was mostly in the hands a small group private owners. Contracts were sometimes tied to the Camorra - a mafia gang based in Naples. The European Court found in January 2025 that the Italian authorities repeatedly failed to stop illegal dumping, a practice known as "Triangle of Death" due to the abnormally high cancer rates among local residents. The court ordered the Italian government to create a database of toxic waste sites and to communicate to the public the risks. In February 2025, Prime Minister Giorgia meloni appointed an Italian General to lead a taskforce aimed at?helping victims and pursuing clean-up of the environment. Leo will issue his first Encyclical on Monday, a significant?text to the 1.4 billion Catholics around the world. The encyclical is expected to discuss the rise of AI, how it is used in war and challenges workers' rights. (Reporting from Ciro DeLuca in Acerra, and Joshua McElwee at Rome; Editing done by Susan Fenton).
California searches for novel solution to chemical tank heating up and threatening catastrophe
The incident commander revealed on Saturday that firefighters were bringing in outside experts from other countries to prevent a disaster. This was because some shelters nearby had run out of space to accommodate evacuees.
The evacuation orders were still in effect for an area covering tens and thousands of residents in the Garden Grove suburban Los Angeles.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared an emergency in Orange County. His office has urged residents to evacuate. Craig Covey said, in a social media video, that "we brought in subject-matter experts from across the state to help us think outside the box. We had some very productive conversations today." He did not elaborate on potential solutions.
As the risk grows, shift to offensive from defensive
Anaheim, Fountain Valley La Palma, and Huntington Beach all reported full evacuation shelters. Covey had earlier stated that crews returned to the danger zone over night after drone readings suggested on Friday that water sprayed onto the tanks helped stabilize the situation. When crews arrived at the gauge of the tank, they discovered that the temperature inside was 90 degrees Fahrenheit. (32 degrees Celsius) This is up from the 77 F (25 C), when responders pulled back. He said that the temperature was rising by one degree per hour. "That's bad news."
Since Friday, officials have warned that the tank containing methyl methacrylate (a flammable chemical commonly used in plastics and manufacturing) could rupture, spilling 'up to 7,000 gallons of toxic material or explode, endangering nearby tanks.
Covey, a firefighter from Covey Fire Protection Services, said that on Saturday they were investigating whether a large flow of cooling could slow down the curing inside the tank to the point where it would reduce the pressure and prevent an explosive explosion.
Covey stated that it was unacceptable for him to let the device blow up and fail.
The incident occurred on Thursday, at the GKN Aerospace plant in Garden Grove. This city has a population of 172,000 and is located about 30 miles (50 kilometers) south of Los Angeles. According to its website, the site is specialized in manufacturing and testing windows and canopies of commercial and military aircraft. GKN stated that it was working closely with "all relevant specialists" to resolve the issue. GKN apologized for the inconvenience caused to local residents and businesses.
Covey stated that crews switched from a defensive to offensive stance overnight, with the help of chemists in the manufacturer's emergency response teams. The aim was to neutralize the 15,000-gallon nearby tank and reduce its potential explosiveness if it failed.
Covey said, "We put people in danger last night."
Officials from the Department of Health have expressed concern that prolonged exposure to vapors could lead to severe respiratory problems. Air-quality monitors did not detect vapor at the time of the last health update, according to officials.
Dr. Regina Chinsio - Kwong, of the Orange County Health Care Agency, said that Friday: "You're safe so long as you stay out of the area that has been designated as an?evacuation zone".
Covey stated that crews are?also prepared for a potential spill, by looking at ways to dike, dam, and divert liquid into a holding zone at the commercial site rather than allowing it to reach storm drainage, river channels, or the ocean.
Covey stated, "We will not give up." (Reporting in New York by Rodrigo Campos, with additional reporting by Dan Catchpole, and editing by Sergio Non. David Gregorio, William Mallard, and Sergio Non.
(source: Reuters)