Amid the Russia-Ukraine war and all the ruckus about Russian energy imports, the West is emerging as a champion in doublespeak. Even as it wished for India to not buy Russian oil at a discount, the West has vacillated on the issue of buying Russian energy itself, leading to an increase in imports. The European Union is in a particularly hypocritical position, divided by Russia’s ‘blackmailing’ tactics. Not only is it far from weaning off Russian energy imports, but the EU is also on its way to complying with Russia’s ruble payment condition. If media headlines are anything to go by, if at one moment the EU is imposing sanctions on Russian gas imports so as to not bankroll Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in the next moment, it is scrambling to circumvent the same sanctions and bankroll Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Indeed, the bloc is divided over how far its boycott of Russian gas can go and Putin’s “pay in ruble” curveball did the rest of the damage. But after hoodwinking EU countries … [Read more...] about Putin is Winning the Energy War as Europe’s Paradoxical Drama on Russian Gas Imports Rages on
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A new plan allows electric vehicles to charge using 100% renewable energy
Electric vehicle charging station operator Electrify America has entered into a 15-year virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) with Terra-Gen. The contract makes Electrify America, a subsidiary of Volkswagen Group, is the largest open network in North America to enter into a VPPA. The agreement will see the parties build a solar photovoltaic renewable energy generation project in San Bernardino County, California. The deal may be extended at the option of Terra-Gen to include a co-located battery energy storage system that would be designed to store energy during lower requirement times, then deliver it to the grid at a later time. According to the California Energy Commissions, solar PV and solar thermal power plants produced 29,450 Gita watt-hours (GWh) of energy in 2021. This was 15.42 percent of California's in-state generation portfolio. There were 771 operation solar power plants tabulated for that year, with an installed capacity of about 14,060 MW. The project, called … [Read more...] about A new plan allows electric vehicles to charge using 100% renewable energy
EU rushes out $300 billion roadmap to ditch Russian energy
BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union’s executive arm moved Wednesday to jump-start plans for the 27-nation bloc to abandon Russian energy amid the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine, proposing a nearly 300 billion-euro ($315 billion) package that includes more efficient use of fuels and faster rollout of renewable power. The European Commission’s investment initiative is meant to help the 27 EU countries start weaning themselves off Russian fossil fuels this year. The goal is to deprive Russia, the EU’s main supplier of oil, natural gas and coal, of tens of billions in revenue and strengthen EU climate policies. “We are taking our ambition to yet another level to make sure that we become independent from Russian fossil fuels as quickly as possible,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in Brussels when announcing the package, dubbed REPowerEU. With no end in sight to Russia’s war in Ukraine and European energy security shaken, the EU is rushing to align its geopolitical … [Read more...] about EU rushes out $300 billion roadmap to ditch Russian energy
Economic Headwinds Mount as Leaders Weigh Costs of Confronting Russia
BRUSSELS — The world economy is heading into a potentially grim period as rising costs, shortages of food and other commodities and Russia’s continuing invasion of Ukraine threaten to slow economic growth and bring about a painful global slump. Two years after the coronavirus pandemic emerged and left much of the globe in a state of paralysis, policymakers are grappling with ongoing challenges, including clogged supply chains , lockdowns in China and the prospect of an energy crisis as nations wean themselves off Russian oil and gas . Those colliding forces have some economists starting to worry about a global recession as different corners of the world find their economies battered by events. Finding ways to avoid a slowdown while continuing to exert pressure on Russia for its war in Ukraine will be the primary focus of finance ministers from the Group of 7 nations who are convening in Bonn, Germany, this week. At a news conference on Wednesday, Treasury Secretary Janet L. … [Read more...] about Economic Headwinds Mount as Leaders Weigh Costs of Confronting Russia
2022 is the year of all-inclusive travel, and here’s why
The hotel name Zoetry (in Zoetry Montego Bay Jamaica) has an umlaut mark over the letter “e.” For some travelers, all-inclusive hotels conjure up images of flavorless food served under a heat lamp in lush and vibrant destinations where guests never actually leave the resort grounds. Lower-tier liquor flows freely (the good stuff will cost you more), as the few overindulgers put a damper on the trip. That image is changing, as hotel companies expand their offerings, while redefining what all-inclusive means. HOTELS ARE GROWING THEIR ALL-INCLUSIVE BRANDS Many hotel companies are rapidly adding all-inclusive resorts to their portfolio. Hyatt’s acquisition of Apple Leisure Group in November 2021 made it one of the largest owners of luxury all-inclusive resorts in the world. That acquisition included the luxury-focused AMR Collection, which has beachfront properties in Mexico and Central America. That means there are now more than 100 new resorts for visitors (and where World of … [Read more...] about 2022 is the year of all-inclusive travel, and here’s why
Covid supremo Jonathan Van-Tam misses his own knighthood ceremony – due to Covid
Popular Covid expert Jonathan Van-Tam missed the ceremony to mark his own knighthood - due to catching the very disease that catapulted him to popularity. Sir Jonathan was awarded a knighthood in the New Year Honours list for his services to public health after leading dozens of No10 press conferences. The former deputy chief medical officer for England became a cult figure for his creative analogies about the Covid pandemic - often involving football. He was supposed to receive his knighthood from the Duke of Cambridge at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on Tuesday, but could not attend due to getting Covid-19 . Sir Jonathan will instead collect his gong at a later date. A spokesperson for the University of Nottingham said that Prof Sir Jonathan was isolating at home and is "almost completely recovered". Sir JVT became a cult figure for his creative analogies about the Covid pandemic - often involving football ( Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images) … [Read more...] about Covid supremo Jonathan Van-Tam misses his own knighthood ceremony – due to Covid
Stefanik, Mullin introduce House resolution to expunge second Trump impeachment
close Video Biden brands 'MAGA crowd' the 'most extreme political organization' Former Trump advisers Mark Meadows, Kellyanne Conway and Reince Priebus join 'Hannity' with reaction. NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles! FIRST ON FOX: House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik and more than two dozen of her colleagues are supporting a resolution to "expunge" former President Donald Trump's second impeachment – as pro-Trump Republicans push to rally voters ahead of the midterms. Rep. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., is leading the resolution, which would apply to Trump's 2021 impeachment in the wake of the attack on the Capitol by a mob of Trump supporters. It's similar to a previous resolution Mullin introduced on Trump's first impeachment, which concerned him allegedly withholding military aid from Ukraine in exchange for political favors. The Daily Beast first reported on the existence of the more recent resolution. But the support … [Read more...] about Stefanik, Mullin introduce House resolution to expunge second Trump impeachment
‘Buffalo killer was motivated by murderous prejudice of extreme far right’
The US white supremacist who shot dead 10 people and called for London Mayor Sadiq Khan to be killed is a terrorist using the internet for an international platform. Deranged, bigoted teenager Payton Gendron’s racist killing spree in Buffalo, New York state was motivated by the murderous prejudice of the extremist far right. Calling for the killing of African American, Jews and Muslim Khan, one of three people labelled high profile enemies by Gendron, illustrates the global danger posed by fanatics. Ranting, unhinged Donald Trump regularly targeted London’s Mayor and it’s easy to guess why the racist then President picked out Khan. Gendron focusing on specific cases in Britain underlined both why we must discuss crimes here sensitively and why there are zealots around the world who exploit cases here for their own evil ends. Decent folk everywhere have lots in common. We must never let terrorists divide us. Shame on you Keir Starmer’s party is on the side of families … [Read more...] about ‘Buffalo killer was motivated by murderous prejudice of extreme far right’
Live updates | Report: Turkey lists Sweden, Finland demands
By The Associated Press ANKARA, Turkey — A pro-government Turkish newspaper says Turkey has drawn up a list of 10 demands it will reportedly ask Sweden and Finland to meet before it can approve their NATO membership. The list published by Sabah newspaper on Wednesday calls on the two countries to stop any financial support to groups linked to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party as well as to Syrian Kurdish fighters whom Ankara views as extensions of the banned group. There are also demands that these countries halt contacts with members of the Syrian Kurdish group. Sabah said Turkey furthermore wants the two countries to “expedite” extradition proceedings for suspects wanted by Turkey on terror charges. The list also includes a demand that Sweden clamps down on what Sabah called a “disinformation” campaign against Turkey led by followers of Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, who Ankara claims was behind a coup attempt in 2016. Many followers of the Gulen movement have fled to Sweden. … [Read more...] about Live updates | Report: Turkey lists Sweden, Finland demands
Foreign dignitaries, heads of int’l organizations congratulate CCPIT on 70th anniversary
BEIJING, May 18 (Xinhua) -- A number of foreign dignitaries and heads of international organizations on Wednesday congratulated the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) on its 70th anniversary. Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who attended a video summit marking the anniversary, said Indonesia and China have a lot in common as trade cooperation has developed rapidly, and investment in various sectors, particularly in mining and metallurgy, electricity and infrastructure, manufacture, agriculture, and fishery, reflects common interests. Today, the world needs greater collective actions and inclusive collaborations between developed countries and developing economies, he said. Indonesia will optimize its G20 presidency for the matters, the president said. Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso said that looking to Asia is looking to the future of the world, and that is why Ecuador has made joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for … [Read more...] about Foreign dignitaries, heads of int’l organizations congratulate CCPIT on 70th anniversary