Iraq plans to build 10 gigawatts of solar projects over 10 years
Iraq, the second-biggest producer in the OPEC, is seeking to generate 20% of its total power production capacity from renewable sources.
Bloomberg
PUBLISHED ON FEB 21, 2021 09:09 PM IST
Iraq awarded seven projects to generate solar power as part of a plan to produce 10 gigawatts of solar energy by the end of 2030, Iraq Oil Minister Ihsan Abdul Jabbar said in a statement.
The solar power projects are located across the country and will generate a total of 750 megawatts, according to the ministry statement that did not disclose the names of the companies which won the contracts.
The biggest plant will be located in Karbala province, with a designed capacity of 300 megawatts. The other plants will be in the provinces of Babel, Muthanna and Wasit, it said.
Iraq, the second-biggest producer in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, is seeking to generate 20% of its total power production capacity from renewable sources to help ease the pressure on the country’s hydrocarbon-powered electricity plants. Iraqis continue to experience several hours of power outages every day.
Iraq is in discussions with international companies such as Total SA and some Norwegian developers to build more renewable energy projects in the country, Abdul Jabbar said. Total has expressed readiness to work on renewable energy projects in Iraq, according to the statement.
Threats to lawmakers spur request for more National Guard help
Posted by Prashasti Singh | Bloomberg
PUBLISHED ON MAR 05, 2021 06:30 AM IST
About 5,000 National Guard troops still on deployment in Washington since the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol were set to return home by March 12.
Capitol riot: Trump can return to YouTube after 'risk of violence' falls
AFP, San Francisco
PUBLISHED ON MAR 05, 2021 06:30 AM IST
- YouTube in late January suspended Trump's channel, joining other social media platforms in banning his accounts following the deadly January 6 Capitol riot.
Dallas police officer charged with arranging 2 killings
Posted by Prashasti Singh | AP, Dallas
UPDATED ON MAR 05, 2021 06:28 AM IST
Bryan Riser, a 13-year veteran of the force, was arrested Thursday morning and taken to the Dallas County Jail for processing, according to a statement from the police department.
WHO investigators plan to scrap interim report of Covid-19 origin probe: Report
Reuters
UPDATED ON MAR 05, 2021 06:24 AM IST
No further information was immediately available about the reasons for the delay in publishing the findings of the WHO-led mission to the central Chinese city of Wuhan, where the first human cases of Covid-19 were detected in late 2019.
Florida governor under scrutiny after Covid-19 vaccine favoritism charges grow
AP, Miami
PUBLISHED ON MAR 05, 2021 06:03 AM IST
The revelations were the latest example of wealthy Floridians getting earlier access to coronavirus vaccines, even as the state has lagged in efforts to get poorer residents vaccinated.
House OKs George Floyd Act as Democrats avoid 'defund' clash
Posted by Prashasti Singh | AP, Washington
PUBLISHED ON MAR 05, 2021 05:50 AM IST
Approved 220-212 late Wednesday, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act is named for the man whose killing by police in Minnesota last Memorial Day sparked demonstrations nationwide.
Mass evacuations as large quakes spark Pacific-wide tsunami alert
Posted by Prashasti Singh | AFP
PUBLISHED ON MAR 05, 2021 05:45 AM IST
Warning sirens sounded across Noumea as authorities ordered evacuations amid fears that waves of up three metres (10 feet) were headed towards the French territory.
Ready to sit in Oppn: Pak PM before key vote
PUBLISHED ON MAR 05, 2021 12:56 AM IST
- The opposition currently has 53 seats in the 100-member Senate, while Khan’s ruling alliance has 47 seats.
US Capitol: Law enforcement on alert after warning of likely breach
AP, Washington
PUBLISHED ON MAR 05, 2021 12:49 AM IST
- The threat appears to be connected to a far-right conspiracy theory, mainly promoted by supporters of QAnon, that former president Trump will rise again to power on March 4 and that thousands will come to Washington, DC, to try to remove Democrats from office.
UN tells military: Stop murdering protesters
Agencies
PUBLISHED ON MAR 05, 2021 12:45 AM IST
- At least 700 people were detained on Wednesday alone, with many of them reportedly swept up as forces conducted door-to-door searches.
Joe Biden pledges deeper ties in Indo-Pacific in national security plan
By Yashwant Raj
PUBLISHED ON MAR 05, 2021 12:42 AM IST
- It has been taken to a different level by the Biden administration, accorded the same significance as Europe, which has dominated US diplomatic and military thinking and spending for more than a century now, starting with World War I.
EU reviews Russia’s jab amid fresh spike
Agencies, Moscow
PUBLISHED ON MAR 05, 2021 12:36 AM IST
- The regulator said the review is based on results from research in adults, which suggests the vaccine may help protect against the coronavirus.
Italy blocks Astra Covid vaccine export, risks backlash against EU
Posted by Harshit Sabarwal | Bloomberg
PUBLISHED ON MAR 04, 2021 11:03 PM IST
The decision comes after Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi called during an EU summit last week for a tougher approach against companies that don’t respect their delivery commitments.
UK police won't probe journalist over 1995 Princess Diana interview
Posted by Harshit Sabarwal | AP
PUBLISHED ON MAR 04, 2021 11:00 PM IST
The Metropolitan Police force said “no further action will be taken” over allegations journalist Martin Bashir used illegal subterfuge to get the interview.
World’s first space hotel with artificial gravity expected to open in 2027
By hindustantimes.com | Edited by Kunal Gaurav
PUBLISHED ON MAR 04, 2021 10:43 PM IST
- With over 11,600 square metres of habitable space, the commercial station will have many features expected in a cruise ship.