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Five things to know about EU’s big plan to cut Russian fossil fuels

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Five things to know about EU’s big plan to cut Russian fossil fuels

The European Union is going through a once-in-a-lifetime dilemma: minimize its heavy and expensive dependency on Russian power whereas maintaining the lights on for residents and companies throughout the continent.

The sudden reckoning has been prompted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a large-scale navy operation that’s partly bankrolled by the Kremlin’s worthwhile gross sales of fossil fuels, of which the EU is the primary shopper.

Final yr, the bloc spent virtually €100 billion on Russian power, a determine that has been haunting the 27 because the warfare broke out. As stress from Kyiv and different worldwide allies intensifies, the necessity to slash imports from Moscow turns into a geopolitical technique of utmost urgency.

With this in thoughts, the European Fee has unveiled an formidable and far-reaching plan, aptly coined “REPower EU”, to attain full power independence from Russia by 2027.

The plan is “basically political”, mentioned a senior Fee official, and responds to the pledge that EU leaders made on the Versailles summit in March, once they vowed to “scale back our power dependencies.”

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However it’s also transformative: for a bloc that has for many years grown accustomed to a budget and dependable provides from Russia, a complete halt in imports will entail monumental challenges to diversify suppliers, redesign infrastructure, mitigate worth hikes, enhance effectivity, increase renewable options and, above all, guarantee households and factories stay powered with out interruption.

“Putin’s warfare is disrupting the worldwide power market,” mentioned Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Fee, whereas presenting the plan on Wednesday afternoon.

“It exhibits how dependent we’re on imported fossil fuels. And the way susceptible we’re to counting on Russia for importing our fossil fuels.”

All eyes on LNG

As Russian coal has already been sanctioned and oil is within the strategy of being so, the massive power swap hones in on gasoline, probably the most politically delicate gas.

Russia is the EU’s prime gasoline supplier, accounting for 45% of complete gasoline provides – 155 billion cubic metres (bcm) – in 2021.

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Brussels is properly conscious that this large quantity of gasoline won’t disappear in a single day or get replaced by inexperienced merchandise, so the highest precedence is to seek out gasoline elsewhere to fill within the hole.

Liquified pure gasoline (LNG) emerges as probably the most available answer to this quandary. LNG is gasoline that has been cooled down and is transported by ships, which then unload the tanks in refined terminals that flip the liquid again into gasoline.

This presents an ideal benefit for coastal states which have terminals in place, like Spain, Italy and the Netherlands, and might enhance their purchases with relative ease. The EU has been breaking information of LNG imports because the begin of 2022, reaching 12.4 bcm in April.

Nonetheless, LNG is pricey and the worldwide market is very aggressive, with Asian consumers providing massive cash for the tanks. It additionally places landlocked international locations at an obstacle as a result of they do not have entry to ports and are compelled to acquire their gasoline provides via pipelines, most of that are Russian-operated.

REPower EU means that as much as two thirds of Russian gasoline – round 100 bcm – may very well be slashed by the tip of this yr. Half of this – 50 bcm –  would get replaced by LNG diversification, whereas 10 bcm would come from non-Russian pipelines, together with these from Norway, Azerbaijan and Algeria.

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The EU is now centered on signing offers and partnerships with the main LNG producers. A latest political settlement with the US is about to supply the bloc with an additional 15 bcm of America-made LNG.

Brussels can also be engaged with Qatar, Egypt, Israel and Australia to safe further provides and needs to discover the potential of African international locations like Nigeria, Senegal and Angola.

“The Fee is simply trying to find new fires to stay its palms in,” mentioned Silvia Pastorelli, power campaigner at Greenpeace EU. “These plans will additional line the pockets of power giants like Saudi Aramco and Shell, who’re making file earnings on the again of the warfare, whereas individuals in Europe wrestle to pay the payments.”

27 shopping for as one

So as to break via the fierce competitors for LNG world wide, Brussels would love the 27 member states to purchase as one single shopper and exploit their leverage because the world’s largest single market.

The bloc has already arrange the EU Vitality Platform, a voluntary scheme to pool demand and coordinate imports that met for the primary time in early April.

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Brussels goals to take this a step additional and create a “joint buying mechanism”, a collective enterprise to barter gasoline contracts on behalf of member states.

The mechanism can be voluntary and construct upon the teachings realized from the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines, which the Fee spearheaded to acquire hundreds of thousands of doses at reasonably priced costs whereas avoiding a race-to-the-bottom.

The thought of joint purchases of gasoline raised to prominence final yr, when an influence crunch started sending electrical energy payments hovering. France, Spain, Italy, Greece and Romania had beforehand voiced their assist for centralised procurement, arguing it could convey down costs and strengthen power safety.

“It is crucial for all member states, beginning with the massive international locations to be on board,” Simone Tagliapietra, a senior fellow at Bruegel, instructed Euronews.

“This isn’t going to be good only for the small international locations, specifically within the East, that may have downside to obtain gasoline in case of a Russian interruption flows. It can safeguard general power safety in Europe.”

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Chopping (inexperienced) purple tape

As gasoline is a restricted, in-demand commodity, the EU wants to seek out different assets that may compensate for the lack of Russian fuels.

REPower EU is taken into account an additional layer of the European Inexperienced Deal and has a marked give attention to renewable power. The Fee proposes to hurry up the deployment of wind and photo voltaic techniques with the goal of changing over 20 bcm of Russian gasoline earlier than the tip of the yr.

However this purpose faces the good wall of forms: on common, wind farms take 9 years to be accomplished whereas photo voltaic panels require from 4 to 5 years to be put in. The method is extremely complicated and entails quite a few authorisations associated to building, power, setting and structure requirements.

In a brand new suggestion, Brussels asks member states to considerably velocity up the method and set up binding most deadlines for all related phases. Renewable power turns into an “overriding public curiosity” that justifies quicker allowing.

“Dashing up allowing is a good suggestion,” mentioned Alex Mason, head of power coverage on the WWF EU workplace. “However the way in which to do that is to repair inefficient bureaucratic procedures, not weaken environmental laws. Indiscriminate exemptions from nature legal guidelines for renewable power initiatives may hurt biodiversity and fire up public opposition –  inflicting conflicts and additional delays.”

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On the identical time, the Fee proposes to replace the EU’s renewable goal for 2030, from 40% to 45% of all complete power produced throughout the bloc, and to make photo voltaic panels necessary in all new public and residential buildings by 2027.

The query of ‘behavioural adjustments’

Independence from Russia power would require greater than LNG and photo voltaic panels: the good goal can even want “behavioural adjustments” in the way in which Europeans devour electrical energy.

Among the many options: use extra public transport, scale back the velocity on the freeway, flip down the heating and air conditioning, make money working from home and select households home equipment which can be extra environment friendly.

“Saving power is the most cost effective, most secure and cleanest option to scale back our reliance on fossil gas imports from Russia,” the Fee’s doc reads.

None of those options are legally binding and echo earlier calls made by the Worldwide Vitality Company (IEA).

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Brussels estimates the adoption of those measures will convey down electrical energy demand and erase the necessity for 13 bcm of Russian gasoline within the quick time period.

However because the proposals lacked legislative weight, it is unclear how a lot European households and corporations, who’re coping with sky-high payments and hovering inflation, can be keen to contribute on their very own volition.

The Fee intends to work with the IEA, nationwide governments and native authorities to develop data campaigns in a bid to advertise energy-efficient attitudes.

A hefty price ticket

The magnitude of the transformation envisioned by REPower EU comes, as anticipated, with a hefty and attention-grabbing price ticket: turning into unbiased from Russian power will price an additional €210 billion between 2022 and 2027, the Fee estimates.

Over €110 billion will go to the deployment of renewables and hydrogen techniques.

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In an train of monetary repurposing, Brussels has proposed the majority of the cash ought to come from the unused loans of the COVID-19 restoration fund.

When EU leaders agreed to step up the novel instrument in 2020, they break up the funds into €312.5 billion for grants and €360 billion for low-interest loans. Since loans had be progressively repaid, nearly all of member states forsook them and requested solely their allotted share of grants.

This has left €225 billion in untouched loans that may now be tapped into to finance the redesign of power grids. Revenues obtained from the Emissions Buying and selling System may convey an additional €20 billion in grants.

“The mixture of recent grant cash with unused loans can grow to be very enticing,” mentioned a senior Fee official, noting the financial challenges posed by the warfare inevitably require extra financing.

Notably, the Fee’s price estimation foresees €2 billion to revamp oil infrastructure.

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As a part of a brand new package deal of sanctions, member states are presently discussing a ban on Russian oil, however the proposal stays caught as Hungary, a rustic related to the Russian-operated Druzhba pipeline, calls for an extended phase-out and copious financial assist.

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Memes, Jokes and Cats: South Koreans Use Parody for Political Protest

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Memes, Jokes and Cats: South Koreans Use Parody for Political Protest

As South Koreans took to the streets this month demanding the ousting of their president, some found an unexpected outlet to express their fury: jokes and satire.

They hoisted banners and flags with whimsical messages about cats, sea otters and food. They waved signs joking that President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law had forced them to leave the comfort of their beds. Pictures of the flags spread widely on social media.

The idea was to use humor to build solidarity against Mr. Yoon, who has vowed to fight his impeachment over his ill-fated martial law decree on Dec. 3. Some waved flags for nonexistent groups like the so-called Dumpling Association, a parody of real groups like labor unions, churches or student clubs.

Video by Yu Young Jin/The New York Times

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Photos by Weiyi Cai/The New York Times

“I just wanted to show that we were here as part of the people even if we aren’t actually a part of a civic group,” said Kim Sae-rim, 28, who waved the flag of the dumpling group at a recent protest she went to with friends. Some groups referred to other local favorites like pizza and red bean pastries.

Kwon Oh-hyouck, a veteran protester, said that he had first seen such flags emerge during demonstrations in 2016 and 2017 that ultimately resulted in the removal of President Park Geun-hye. Mr. Kwon said that satire was part of the Korean spirit of protest.

“People satirize serious situations, even when those in power come out with guns and knives,” he said. “They are not intimidated.”

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In the past month, protesters have come up with a wide range of unorthodox groupings. Some were self-proclaimed homebodies. Still others came together as people who suffered from motion sickness.

Video by Chang W. Lee/The New York Times

Photos by Weiyi Cai/The New York Times

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Video by Weiyi Cai/The New York Times

Photo by Chang W. Lee/The New York Times

Lee Kihoon, a professor of modern Korean history at Yonsei University in Seoul, said that he believed the flags at this month’s protests were an expression of the diversity of people galvanized by the president’s attempt to impose military rule.

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“They’re trying to say: ‘Even for those of us who have nothing to do with political groups, this situation is unacceptable,’” he said. “‘I’m not a member of a party or anything, but this is outrageous.’”

Some held signs ridiculing Mr. Yoon, saying that he had separated them from their pets at home and disrupted their routine of watching Korean dramas. One group called itself a union of people running behind schedule, referring to the idea that the need to protest over martial law had forced them to reschedule their appointments.

Photo by Weiyi Cai/The New York Times

Photo by Chang W. Lee/The New York Times

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And of course, there were animals, both real and fake.

Photos by Weiyi Cai/The New York Times

South Koreans have shown that protests for serious causes — like the ousting of a president — can still have an inviting, optimistic and carnival-like atmosphere.

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“I don’t know if the protesters realize it, but even though they’re angry, they haven’t gotten solemn, heavy or moralistic,” Mr. Lee said. “The flags have had an effect of softening and relaxing the tension.”

On the day that lawmakers voted to impeach Mr. Yoon, protesters who were K-pop fans brought lightsticks to rallies and danced to pop songs blasting from speakers. “Even though this is a serious day,” said Lee Jung-min, a 31-year-old fan of the band Big Bang, “we might as well enjoy it and keep spirits up.”

Video by Chang W. Lee/The New York Times

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Two US Navy pilots shot down over Red Sea in apparent 'friendly fire' incident: US military

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Two US Navy pilots shot down over Red Sea in apparent 'friendly fire' incident: US military

Two U.S. Navy pilots were shot down Sunday over the Red Sea in what appeared to be “friendly fire”, the U.S. military said.

The pilots were found alive after they ejected from their aircraft, with one suffering minor injuries.

The incident demonstrates the pervasive dangers in the Red Sea corridor amid ongoing attacks on shipping by the Iranian-backed Houthis, even as U.S. and European military coalitions patrol the area.

The U.S. military had conducted airstrikes targeting Yemen’s Houthi rebels at the time, but U.S. Central Command did not elaborate on what their mission was.

US NAVY SHIPS REPEL ATTACK FROM HOUTHIS IN GULF OF ADEN

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A fighter jet maneuvers on the deck of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in the Red Sea, June 11, 2024. (AP)

The military said the aircraft shot down was a two-seat F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet assigned to the “Red Rippers” of Strike Fighter Squadron 11 out of Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia.

The F/A-18 shot down had just flown off the deck of the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier, according to Central Command. On Dec. 15, Central Command said the Truman had entered the Mideast, but did not specify that the carrier and its battle group were in the Red Sea.

“The guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, which is part of the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, mistakenly fired on and hit the F/A-18,” Central Command said in a statement.

It is unclear how the Gettysburg had mistaked an F/A-18 for an enemy aircraft or missile, particularly since ships in a battle group are linked by radar and radio communication.

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US MILITARY CONDUCTS SUCCESSFUL AIRSTRIKES ON HOUTHI REBEL FORCES IN YEMEN

USS Gettysburg

The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64) steams in the Mediterranean Sea, Dec. 15, 2024. (AP)

Central Command said that warships and aircraft earlier shot down multiple Houthi drones and an anti-ship cruise missile launched by the rebels. Fire from the Houthis has previously forced sailors to make decisions in seconds.

The U.S., since the Truman arrived, has ramped up its airstrikes targeting the Houthis and their missile fire into the Red Sea and the surrounding area. But an American warship group in the region may lead to additional attacks from the rebels.

On Saturday night and into Sunday, U.S. warplanes conducted airstrikes that shook Yemen’s capital of Sanaa, which the Houthis have held for a decade. Central Command said the strikes targeted a “missile storage facility” and a “command-and-control facility.”

Houthi-controlled media reported strikes in both Sanaa and around the port city of Hodeida, but did not disclose details on any casualties or damage.

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USS Harry S. Truman

Aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman is moored near Split, Croatia, Feb. 14, 2022. (AP)

The Houthis later acknowledged the aircraft being shot down in the Red Sea.

Since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October of last year, the Houthis have targeted about 100 merchant vessels with missiles and drones.

The rebels say that they target ships linked to Israel, the U.S. or the U.K. to force an end to Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza, which began after Hamas’ surprise attack against Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, although many of the ships the rebels have attacked have little or no connection to the ongoing war, including some headed for Iran.

The Houthis also have increasingly targeted Israel with drones and missiles, leading to retaliatory airstrikes from Israeli forces.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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AfD party calls for big rally after Germany's Christmas market attack

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AfD party calls for big rally after Germany's Christmas market attack

Leading right-wing figures in Europe have also weighed in, criticising the German authorities for failing to take stronger preventative action.

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German far-right political party Alternative for Germany (AfD) is calling for a major rally following the attack at a Christmas market in Magdeburg which left several people dead and hundreds injured.

At a memorial site for the victims, AfD co-leader Tino Chrupalla called on Interior Minister Nancy Faeser to take stronger action to ensure the safety of the German public.

“I am now demanding answers from the interior minister: What is actually going on here in this country? What is actually happening in this country? We put up with it week after week, we put up with attacks, we put up with murders of our own people. This has to be cleared up now, and these phrases from politicians that things can’t go on like this, which I’ve heard again today, are actually upsetting,” Chrupalla told the press at the site.

Experts are now raising concerns that far-right groups could exploit the tragedy to fuel their anti-immigration rhetoric after police identified the assailant as a doctor from Saudi Arabia.

“Magdeburg is in eastern Germany where the support for the AfD is quite high. So, in elections usually, they have in the region more than one-third of the votes. So about 30% of the votes in the city, not as much as in the rural areas around,” says Matthias Quent, Professor of Sociology at Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences.

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“The region in general, eastern Germany, is a hotspot of far-right mobilisations. And we are facing election campaigns until the federal elections in February. And so this is not just a critical time because of Christmas and the trust that gets destroyed by such an attack but, also, regarding questions of disinformation and polarisation and the spread of hate that will and could happen over these kinds of attacks now,” he added.

Leading right-wing figures in Europe have also weighed in, criticising the German authorities for failing to take stronger preventative action.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán drew a direct link between immigration and Friday’s deadly attack in Germany, telling a news conference on Saturday, “These phenomena have only existed in Europe since the start of the migration crisis. So there is no doubt that there is a link between the changed world in Western Europe, the migration that flows there, especially illegal migration and terrorist acts.”

However, Quent explains that this particular case becomes more complex as further details emerge on the background of the attacker.

Investigators have found that the perpetrator had tried to build connections to far-right organisations in Germany and the UK, including Germany’s far-right AfD party as well as Tommy Robinson, the founder of the far-right English Defence League.

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“So it’s a very complicated case we are facing here. And it’s not an Islamist attack. It’s quite sure, a kind of anti-Islam. More like far-right attacks than any other, if you want to search a kind of context on the political radar,” Quent says.

Identified by local media as 50-year-old Taleb A., a psychiatry and psychotherapy specialist, authorities said he had been living in Germany for two decades.

Taleb’s alleged X account is filled with tweets and retweets focusing on anti-Islam themes and criticism of the religion while sharing congratulatory notes to Muslims who left the faith.

He also described himself as a former Muslim.

He was critical of German authorities, saying they had failed to do enough to combat the “Islamism of Europe.”

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