Snohomish County Public Utility District announced it is abandoning plans to develop the 600-kW Admiralty Inlet Pilot tidal project in Washington's Puget Sound.

California Governor Jerry Brown proposed spending $59 billion to fix crumbling roads and raising the state’s renewable energy mandate to 50 percent.

Sweden and Norway agreed to boost their target for renewable energy production amid concerns the additional capacity will exacerbate a power glut and strain the region’s electricity grid.

Executives from 13 major U.S. corporations are announcing at least $140 billion in new investments to decrease their carbon footprints as part of a White House initiative to recruit private commitments ahead of a United Nations climate-change summit later this year in Paris.

Companies including Apple Inc., Berkshire Hathaway Energy Co., and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. will join Secretary of State John Kerry and top administration officials at the White House for the announcement. In addition to pledges to cut emissions, provide financing to environmentally-focused companies, and reduce water consumption, the companies have said they will procure at least 1,600 MW of new, renewable energy. The White House said in a statement that it expects to announce a second round of similar pledges later this fall from additional companies.

The commitments are being announced as President Barack Obama is looking to build momentum toward a legacy-defining global climate accord in Paris. In addition to company-specific commitments, the corporate leaders on Monday will signal their support for a strong climate agreement out of the United Nations talks. They administration is using the pledges to set an example for companies to find ways to eliminate their carbon emissions.

Climate Talks

“As the world looks toward global climate negotiations in Paris this December, American leadership at all levels will be essential,” the White House said in a fact sheet detailing the announcement.

The administration’s actions are pushing the issue into the 2016 presidential debate. Hillary Clinton, the front-runner for the Democratic nomination, released an energy strategy saying she would both defend and go beyond Obama’s efforts. Republican candidates have criticized the administration’s initiatives as costly to the economy and unnecessary.

Among the pledges, aluminum manufacturer Alcoa Inc. has agreed to reduce emissions by 50 percent from its 2005 levels, while agricultural giant Cargill Inc. says 18 percent of its total energy use will come from renewable sources.

Coca-Cola Co. said it would drive down the carbon footprint of its beverage production by 25 percent over the next five years, while Google says it plans to triple its purchases of renewable energy over the next decade. Berkshire Hathaway says it plans to invest up to an additional $15 billion in the construction and operation of renewable energy generators, while Bank of America Corp says it will increase its environmental business initiative by $75 billion over the next decade, according to the White House

Other participating firms include Wal-Mart, United Parcel Service Inc., PepsiCo Inc., Microsoft Corp., General Motors Inc.

The corporate commitments won’t be the administration’s only major climate announcement in the next few weeks. The Environmental Protection Agency is set to present final regulations that aim to reduce carbon emissions from power plants by 30 percent from 2005 levels by 2030 later this week.

While visiting Kenya over the weekend, Obama repeatedly praised the country for its efforts to address climate change, saying its efforts tor educe emissions “has put it in the position of being a leader on the continent.” And next month, the president will travel to Alaska for an international summit on Arctic climate issues.

©2015 Bloomberg News

For more, see Big Companies, Big Renewable Investments.

Chile's Schwager Energy and China-based Shenyang Yuanda Commercial & Investment Co. signed a memorandum of understanding on Nov. 3 to build the 3-MW Los Pinos run-of-the-river hydroelectric plant in southern Chile's Lagos region, according to BN Americas.
 

California Governor Jerry Brown proposed spending $59 billion to fix crumbling roads and raising the state’s renewable energy mandate to 50 percent.

Sweden and Norway agreed to boost their target for renewable energy production amid concerns the additional capacity will exacerbate a power glut and strain the region’s electricity grid.

Executives from 13 major U.S. corporations are announcing at least $140 billion in new investments to decrease their carbon footprints as part of a White House initiative to recruit private commitments ahead of a United Nations climate-change summit later this year in Paris.

Companies including Apple Inc., Berkshire Hathaway Energy Co., and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. will join Secretary of State John Kerry and top administration officials at the White House for the announcement. In addition to pledges to cut emissions, provide financing to environmentally-focused companies, and reduce water consumption, the companies have said they will procure at least 1,600 MW of new, renewable energy. The White House said in a statement that it expects to announce a second round of similar pledges later this fall from additional companies.

The commitments are being announced as President Barack Obama is looking to build momentum toward a legacy-defining global climate accord in Paris. In addition to company-specific commitments, the corporate leaders on Monday will signal their support for a strong climate agreement out of the United Nations talks. They administration is using the pledges to set an example for companies to find ways to eliminate their carbon emissions.

Climate Talks

“As the world looks toward global climate negotiations in Paris this December, American leadership at all levels will be essential,” the White House said in a fact sheet detailing the announcement.

The administration’s actions are pushing the issue into the 2016 presidential debate. Hillary Clinton, the front-runner for the Democratic nomination, released an energy strategy saying she would both defend and go beyond Obama’s efforts. Republican candidates have criticized the administration’s initiatives as costly to the economy and unnecessary.

Among the pledges, aluminum manufacturer Alcoa Inc. has agreed to reduce emissions by 50 percent from its 2005 levels, while agricultural giant Cargill Inc. says 18 percent of its total energy use will come from renewable sources.

Coca-Cola Co. said it would drive down the carbon footprint of its beverage production by 25 percent over the next five years, while Google says it plans to triple its purchases of renewable energy over the next decade. Berkshire Hathaway says it plans to invest up to an additional $15 billion in the construction and operation of renewable energy generators, while Bank of America Corp says it will increase its environmental business initiative by $75 billion over the next decade, according to the White House

Other participating firms include Wal-Mart, United Parcel Service Inc., PepsiCo Inc., Microsoft Corp., General Motors Inc.

The corporate commitments won’t be the administration’s only major climate announcement in the next few weeks. The Environmental Protection Agency is set to present final regulations that aim to reduce carbon emissions from power plants by 30 percent from 2005 levels by 2030 later this week.

While visiting Kenya over the weekend, Obama repeatedly praised the country for its efforts to address climate change, saying its efforts tor educe emissions “has put it in the position of being a leader on the continent.” And next month, the president will travel to Alaska for an international summit on Arctic climate issues.

©2015 Bloomberg News

For more, see Big Companies, Big Renewable Investments.

In our previous e-briefing, we discussed the advent, from 1 December 2008, of rules on abnormal rent increases. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has acknowledged that the current rules do not work fairly and, in some cases, do not work at all. It is...

A landlord is able to hold a tenant to an informal agreement to renew its short-term leases. Recent cases have brought to people's attention that leases for short periods - up to three years - do not need to be executed under seal. In fact, they do...

Two recent cases involving easements highlight the risks of leaving part of the arrangement undocumented. Two recent cases raised the doctrine of derogation from grant in relation to the grant of an easement - one successfully and the other not. A ...

...

Ben Igbakpa, a member of the House of Representatives, representing Ethiope East and Ethiope West Federal Constituency of Delta State, in this interview, speaks on the intendment of the controversial Infectious Disease Control Bill, saying sponsors mean well for Nigeria.

The post Disease Control Bill: Some people are working on voodoo theory — Rep Igbakpa appeared first on Vanguard News.

The World Health Organization, WHO, Regional Office for Africa in Brazzaville, Congo, has said that the number of Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Africa has risen to over 56,000 in the past 24 hours. The UN health agency gave the update on its official Twitter account on Saturday. According to the tweet, COVID-19 has killed 2,100 […]

Coronavirus: WHO releases list of African countries with highest cases, deaths

Today ACAS has issued what it hopes will be the final version of its Code of Practice on Discipline and Grievance. Although amendments have increased its length slightly (to ten pages from eight), the code remains short and concise in comparison to ...

Details have just been published of the annual uprating of compensation limits for tribunal claims and other amounts payable under employment legislation. The new amounts will apply where the relevant event occurs on or after 1 February 2009. For un...

After a delay of some two months from the usual release date, the National Minimum Wage (NMW) hourly rates that will apply from 1 October 2009, have been announced today, as follows: Workers aged 22 and over: £5.80 (up from the current &pou...

Parents frustrated at mixed COVID-19 school messages

ISLAMABAD: The country registered a sharp increase in the number of coronavirus confirmed cases and fatalities on Saturday with the ease of lockdown.Majority of people, especially those who were out to do the Eid shopping, had least regard for and adherence to the safety protocols set by the...

ISLAMABAD: The country registered a sharp increase in the number of coronavirus confirmed cases and fatalities on Saturday with the ease of lockdown.Majority of people, especially those who were out to do the Eid shopping, had least regard for and adherence to the safety protocols set by the...

LONDON: Boris Johnson will reveal on Sunday the Government’s “road map” on how it will lift restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic.While the Government has stressed it wants all parts of the UK to move together in easing the measures, decisions in Scotland, Wales and...

At least four persons have died while a staggering 1,080 new COVID-19 cases have emerged in Sindh during the last 24 hours, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said on Saturday

With the new advances, fertility doctors will be able to hand-select the healthiest and quality sperm for artificial insemination, in effect increasing a woman's chance of becoming pregnant.

The United States has ramped up its military operations in waters close to China this year as the risk of confrontation between the two nations continues to grow.So far this year, aircraft from the US armed forces have conducted 39 flights over the South China Sea, East China Sea, Yellow Sea and the Taiwan Strait – more than three times the number carried out in the equivalent period of 2019.Two of the flights passed closed to Hong Kong, a rare move that indicated their proximity to mainland…

1. Tere Bina teaser: Salman Khan romances Jacqueline Fernandez in his ‘cheapest production’. Watch  Hindustan Times
2. Tere Bina Teaser: Salman Khan And Jacqueline Fernandez Redefine Romance  NDTV
3. Salman Khan and Jacqueline Fernandez share the inspiration behind their upcoming track 'Tere Bina' in the  Times of India
4. Inside Salman Khan's Panvel farmhouse: Actor bonds with Jacqueline, Iulia Vantur, and Waluscha - entertainment  Mid-Day
5. KBC 2020 Registrations Begin, Iulia Vantur Reacts to Marriage Rumours with Salman Khan  News18
6. View Full coverage on Google News

Salman Khan also extended wishes to all the mothers on Mother’s Day.

RIYADH: Coronavirus restrictions have been eased in some Madina neighbourhoods allowing residents to leave their homes between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., according to the Ministry of Interior.The move...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

LAHORE: Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar has warned that if the number of coronavirus-positive patients increased in the country, more stringent measures and lockdown may be imposed in the...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

RIYADH: Coronavirus restrictions have been eased in some Madina neighbourhoods allowing residents to leave their homes between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., according to the Ministry of Interior.The move...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Measures should be taken to help small businesses and industries in case the lockdown is eased so that they can resume their operations.Karachi Mayor Wasim Akhtar said this as he met a delegation of the Akbar Road Market shopkeepers at his office on Saturday. He told the delegation that business...

MONROVIA: Liberian President George Weah has said he will partially lift restrictions on praying in mosques and churches aimed at curbing coronavirus, while extending a lockdown in the capital Monrovia. In a statement on Friday, the former international footballer said emergency measures announced...

MADRID: Spanish Prime Minster Pedro Sanchez warned Saturday that the coronavirus pandemic remains a threat, lying in wait as the country moves towards easing its strict lockdown. One of the worst-hit countries, Spain plans a phased transition through to end-June, with around half of the 47 million...

People across Pakistan crowded markets on Saturday after a nationwide coronavirus lockdown was eased, despite the country recording its second-highest daily infection toll.

The government has allowed businesses to reopen in phases from the weekend, citing the economic havoc the virus restrictions have wreaked on citizens.

In Rawalpindi, thousands of shoppers were preparing for Eidul Fitr, with many flouting social distancing rules and advice to wear masks.

In Karachi, shopkeepers set out their wares of shoes, clothes, bangles and fabrics, while in the capital Islamabad shoppers stood in tightly-packed queues as they waited for stores to open.

Similar scenes were played out in Lahore, Quetta and Peshawar.

Omar Shirazi, a banker shopping for clothes with his daughter in Rawalpindi, welcomed the move.

“Eid is approaching,” he said. “We have to buy new garments for our children. It's the responsibility of people to comply with rules and wear safety gear.”

Tehmina Sattar, who was shopping with her sister and sons, was more cautious.

“We are happy with this decision but at the same time I have a fear in my heart that if this disease spreads it could be devastating. People here are not taking preventative measures.”

Information Minister Shibli Faraz warned earlier in the day that the lockdown on businesses would be reimposed if safety guidelines were not followed, after authorities reported more than 1,700 new cases in the past 24 hours.

Infections have been rising steadily as testing has increased, with more than 28,000 cases and more than 600 deaths recorded.

The easing comes as many across the country have openly ignored restrictions on gatherings in public during the past month, especially during the evenings as people observe Ramazan.

Schools will remain closed until mid-July however, while there are no immediate plans to restart public transportation or domestic flights.

Australia's most populous state, home to Sydney, will allow restaurants, playgrounds and outdoor pools to reopen on Friday as extensive testing has shown the spread of the coronavirus has slowed sharply, New South Wales state's premier said on Sunday.

The British government wants to slowly and cautiously restart the economy, housing minister Robert Jenrick said on Sunday ahead of a televised address from the prime minister to set out plans to begin easing the coronavirus lockdown measures.

Transport Minister Grant Shapps said at the government's daily news briefing on Saturday that more Britons should cycle or walk to work when the country's coronavirus lockdown is eased to take the pressure off limited public transport capacity under social distancing requirements.

Apex Legends might finally be getting a mobile version, at least that's what EA's latest financial briefing seems to suggest

A WB Games leak that has so far proved accurate suggests Injustice 3 will introduce even more extended universe characters

A Chinese push to include support for the World Health Organization in a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for a global ceasefire is  putting the entire text in limbo – after strong U.S. opposition to the Beijing effort. 

A long list of broken dreams.

This takes 'dream home' to an all new level. Wow.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warned against any early reopening of economies, noting Canada is still in the emergency phase.

Australia's most populous state, home to Sydney, will allow restaurants, playgrounds and outdoor pools to reopen on Friday as extensive testing has shown the spread of the coronavirus has slowed sharply, New South Wales state's premier said on Sunday.

The British government wants to slowly and cautiously restart the economy, housing minister Robert Jenrick said on Sunday ahead of a televised address from the prime minister to set out plans to begin easing the coronavirus lockdown measures.

Victoria only state to retain strict rules, as cafes, playgrounds and pools set to reopen across country

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Victoria is the only state not to have announced an easing of coronavirus restrictions as New South Wales signals it will relax its laws from Friday and Western Australia declares most people will be able to return to work from Monday week.

NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian announced the easing of restrictions on Sunday, increasing the number of visitors permitted in private residences from two to five, allowing outdoor gatherings of up to 10, and up to 10 dine-in patrons at cafes and restaurants, provided each patron has 4 sq metres of space. The use of outdoor pools, gym and play equipment will also be permitted.

Cafes and restaurants will reopen for limited numbers of people as part of a relaxation of Covid-19 rules in both states. Follow all the latest news, live

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• Coronavirus Australia maps and cases: live numbers and statistics

9.01am BST

We will leave our live Australian coverage there for the day. You can follow our rolling global coverage here or read a summary here.

Here’s how things stand in Australia:

8.22am BST

South Australia has established a rapid response team to deal with any coronavirus outbreaks in nursing homes.

Twenty-seven of the 97 people to die in Australia after testing positive to Covid-19, died in nursing homes.

The dedicated SA Pathology team has been assembled to provide greater protection for some of the state’s most vulnerable citizens.

If an outbreak occurs, the team will immediately test everyone in the facility, helping to quickly identify cases, limit the spread and protect both residents and staff.

In a country where even kissing has been rarely shown on screen, Amazon series garners attention for its frank portrayals of progressive Mumbai women and sex.

The Kansas City Chiefs will open defence of their Super Bowl championship by hosting Houston on September 10 (Sept. 11 AEST) in the NFL’s annual kick-off game — pending developments in the coronavirus pandemic, of course.