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Hip-hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs has been denied bail as he awaits a sex trafficking trial, by a judge who cited evidence showing him to be a 'serious risk' of witness tampering. Lawyers for Combs argued that a $50 million bail package would be sufficient to ensure he doesn't flee and doesn't try to intimidate prospective trial witnesses. US District Judge Arun Subramanian concurred with two previous judges that the Bad Boy Records founder was a danger to the community if he was not behind bars. "There is compelling evidence of Combs's propensity for violence," Subramanian wrote. Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to charges that he coerced and abused women for years, aided by associates and employees. An indictment alleges that he silenced victims through blackmail and violence, including kidnapping, arson and physical beatings. Subramanian said he took a fresh look at all the bail arguments and the evidence supporting them to make his decision. Prosecutors say that even in a federal lockup in Brooklyn, Combs has orchestrated social media campaigns designed to influence prospective jurors and tried to publicly leak materials he thinks can help his case. They say he also has contacted potential witnesses through third parties. Lawyers for Combs say any alleged sexual abuse described in the indictment occurred during consensual relations between adults and that new evidence refutes allegations that Combs used his "power and prestige" to induce female victims into drugged-up, elaborately produced sexual performances with male sex workers known as "Freak Offs." Subramanian said evidence shows Combs to be a "serious risk of witness tampering," particularly after he communicated over the summer with a grand jury witness and deleted some of his texts with the witness. The judge also cited evidence showing that Combs violated Bureau of Prisons regulations during pretrial detention at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn when he paid other inmates to use their phone code numbers so he could make calls to individuals who were not on his approved contact list. Subramanian said Combs "willingness to skirt" jailhouse rules to conceal communications was "strong evidence" that any conditions of release would not prevent similar behaviour.
SoundHound AI Skyrockets! See Why Investors Are BuzzingNEW DELHI: Indian billionaire Gautam Adani’s feverish push to expand his global energy and infrastructure empire has been knocked by US bribery charges, but analysts believe the tycoon will bounce back. The bombshell indictment in New York on Wednesday accusing Adani and his associates of paying more than $250 million in bribes to secure lucrative government contracts sparked a frenzied sale of stocks. Within hours, India’s opposition leader Rahul Gandhi demanded Adani’s arrest and Kenyan President William Ruto scrapped airport and electricity deals worth about $2.5 billion. The Adani Group dismissed the bribery charge as “baseless” but Shriram Subramanian, founder of corporate governance advisory firm, InGovern Research Services, said it has “huge” implications. “They will defend themselves by appealing, or go for a settlement,” Subramanian told AFP from Bengaluru. “It is a big blow to their reputation and corporate governance practices,” he added. The meteoric rise of Adani, once the world’s second-richest man, has been dogged with controversies — and allegations he benefited from his close ties to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The conglomerate weathered previous allegations of impropriety that wiped $150 billion from its market value in 2023, after a report by US short-seller Hindenburg Research accused it of “brazen” corporate fraud. “Given Adani’s clout, his resources, and his access, he has the capacity to bounce back, (and) we saw that the last time around,” Michael Kugelman, South Asia Institute Director at The Wilson Center told AFP. Adani’s empire spanning coal, airports, cement, and media has interests in countries ranging from Australia to Bangladesh, Bhutan, Israel, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Nepal. But Kugelman warned that this time the challenge is “unprecedented”. “If you’re indicted by the US justice system, the seriousness and the scale is altogether different”, Kugelman said. “Hindenburg pales in comparison to what he is facing right now”. The bribery charges are a huge hurdle for key investors, and sparking grassroots demands for greater scrutiny of major projects. In neighboring Sri Lanka, activists opposing a $442 million wind power project by Adani Green Energy have demanded the deal be stalled. “The tolerance for risk among the investors who stuck with him during Hindenburg would be much lower,” Kugelman said. Adani is India’s largest private port operator, and operates key airports including in the financial capital Mumbai and Ahmedabad, the biggest city in Modi’s home state of Gujarat. The group is also involved in vast coal and renewable energy projects across the world’s fifth-largest economy. In October, Gautam’s nephew and board member Sagar Adani—also named in the indictment—told AFP there was “no political connection” between Adani Group and Modi’s government. Hemindra Hazari, a Mumbai-based markets research analyst, said that the conglomerate, a relatively new player in key infrastructure sectors, was backed by large investors who would otherwise have been cautious because it “was considered to be close to the ruling dispensation”. “Most of them invested despite the group’s limited managerial bandwidth and experience... precisely because... it was seen to be getting highly remunerative terms... which, in any normal market-based economy, would not have been possible,” he told AFP. A “significant component” of Adani debt was raised from foreign sources, including banks and institutional investors, he said, and “everything will slow down for them for now”. India’s government is yet to comment. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi however was swift to demand Adani be arrested—but telling reporters he knew that would not happen, alleging that “Modi is protecting him”. Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hit back saying the alleged bribery was linked to Indian states led by opposition parties. Subramanian believes it is just “a dent” to Adani’s reputation and that they will “continue to seek out and win projects across India and rest of the world”. But Kugelman warned the “reputational blows”, not only to the Adani Group but to India, were “severe”. As for the future, how the charges will influence incoming US president Donald Trump remains an “unknown”, Kugelman said. “I don’t think it’d really affect the broader India-US relationship”, he said. But he noted that Trump may eye a wily businessman like Adani “favourably”, or “leverage it for more favorable policies on tariffs”. — AFPHenan Minmetals East Industrial Co., Ltd.: Pioneering Advanced Materials Solutions For Global Industry
’Unsinkable Mrs. Brown’ was Hannibal native
AUSTIN, Texas — When the Texas Longhorns take on the Texas A&M Aggies on Saturday for the first time in 13 seasons, fans will pay a hefty price to go to the game as it will be the most expensive ticket of this college football season. According to the ticket website TickPick, the average ticket cost to get into the game in College Station is $1,027, making it the most expensive college football game ever. The cheapest ticket available on SeatGeek cost about $430, for one seat in the stadium's upper level. The record applies to both college football and NFL games. The previous record for ticket prices in the NFL regular season was when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers visited the New England Patriots in 2021 for Tom Brady's first game back at Gillette Stadium since leaving the Patriots in 2019. Those tickets went for an average of $912. With demand high and tickets scarce or hard to find, it creates an opportunity for scammers to capitalize. "They'll create fake websites, fake resale shops and fake tickets," Jason Meza, the Senior Director Of Media Relations & Community Engagement for the Better Business Bureau, said. "If you buy a ticket without verifying it or with a reseller that's unverified or just a nonlegitimate option, then there's a chance you run the risk of not having that ticket valid." As Longhorn and Aggie fans scramble to secure tickets for this weekend's rivalry matchup, authorities are warning of online scams and fraudsters who pose as legitimate sellers but deliver fake tickets or no tickets at all. During the season, Texas A&M Police said they have dealt with multiple ticket scams that have cost fans thousands of dollars. One such scam came just before the team's game against Notre Dame in August. At the time, Texas A&M Police recommended fans purchase tickets from either the 12th Man Foundation or Seat Geek . "We see reports of fake tickets for every year for the popular sporting events," Meza said. "If they're not buying through a legitimate seller or reseller, their risk increases dramatically going through a nonlegitimate means." The Better Business Bureau (BBB) recommends that people buy directly from the university, but when that's no longer doable, many turn to third-party websites. However, the BBB says that not all of these websites can be trusted. Meza said people should be careful when purchasing tickets from third-party sellers. "They can just create a ticket out of nowhere with a barcode that looks legit, but it's copied and pasted," Meza said. "They could be one character, number or letter off and you might not see. It'll have an actual valid barcode, but it's a ticket for a future event, so when you scan that, it checks out, but you missed the date." Scammers often use fake ads on platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. Meza said buyers should be suspicious of deep discounts on tickets that usually command high prices or if there is any sense of immediate urgency to pay up. "If a profile or an account is saying we can't go last minute, we're selling them, do your research, do your homework, and double check that that account is real. That social media profile could be a day old, which should indicate that it might not be a real person," Meza said. "If they don't have any pictures, it's simply trying to create that demand and sense of urgency or panic so you might fall into that trap of offering money." The BBB also suggests using payment methods that come with protection, like credit cards. Usually, debit cards, wire transfers and cash transactions are riskier because getting your money back is harder. "Peer-to-peer payment systems should only be used for family and friends, and when you go outside of that circle, you're really risking it because it's also a one-way ticket to your bank account since most of these are tied to a checking or banking account," Meza said. Meza said information obtained during the sale, like names, addresses and dates of birth, could lead to more severe consequences than financial loss, including identity theft. "The ramifications are very severe," Meza said. "There could be people mimicking you, creating new personas and profiles with your information, simply by needing your credit card details and date of birth. If you provide additional information on top of your payment information, that could lead to ID theft." Meza said if you're using a third-party site, it's best to use a reputable source like StubHub . But even when searching through a reputable source, watch out for copycats. The BBB also advises you to look for a lock symbol in the web address. That indicates a secure purchasing system. Meza also said to trust your gut. Don't buy anything if you visit a website and something feels off. If you fall victim to a scam, you should report it to law enforcement. Doing so increases the chances that those responsible will be caught, and it could prevent it from happening to someone else.
platform X has plummeted in popularity with Brits. A deep dive into the nation’s by Ofcom revealed it reached 8% less people in May 2023 compared to May 2024. That was by far the biggest drop of any social media platform. The tech app has refused to release its own data but it is worth nearly 80% less than when the mogul bought it for £34 billion, according to reports. is getting more popular, reaching 263% more people in September compared to August this year. Gen Z women spend a whopping 100 days of the year scrolling the internet with the study revealing stark differences between the two sexes. Females aged 18-24 are on the web for an average of 6 hours 36 minutes each day, more than an hour longer than men the same age. The most popular apps for women are Pinterest, Snapchat, Instagram and while men prefer Quora, X, Reddit and LinkedIn. The report also revealed Brits are increasingly turned off by porn, with visits to x-rated sites falling by 11% in the first half of 2024 compared to 2023. Men still massively make up the majority of adult site users at 72%. Fellas are also more likely to use dating websites, with Hinge the only service where women outnumber males. Chat GPT is the most popular generative AI tool with almost a third of 8-15yr olds using it - but just 18% of people aged over 16 think it is reliable. Two thirds of women are worried about using bots compared to just over half of men. In terms of nasty experiences online, men are more likely fall prey to scams or fraud while women suffer more harassment and dodgy friend requests. Teen girls are more likely to see harmful content about eating disorders while boys see more dangerous stunts. An Ofcom spokesperson said: “From next month, tech firms will have to start acting to protect adults and children online - starting with tackling the most harmful, illegal content.” Kids and young adults are also racking up more time watching YouTube on the telly, rather than on phones or other gadgets, the report found. The Daily Star is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join us! Through the app, we'll send you the sassiest showbiz stories, some naught headline and a seismic smattering of aliens...along with the latest breaking news of course. To join our community, all you have to do to join is , select 'Join Chat' and you're in! No one will be able to see who has sign up and no one can send messages except for the Daily Star team. We also treat our community members to competitions, special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you’re curious, you can read our .
Shedeur Sanders hurt by brutal 'cheap shot' in Colorado game as fans fume at officials
Australia has one of the highest skin cancer rates globally, with nearly 19,000 Australians diagnosed with invasive melanoma – the most lethal type of skin cancer – each year. While advanced melanoma can be fatal, it is highly treatable when detected early. But Australian clinical practice guidelines and health authorities do not recommend screening for melanoma in the general population. Given our reputation as the skin cancer capital of the world, why isn’t there a national screening program? Australia currently screens for breast, cervical and bowel cancer and will begin lung cancer screening in 2025. It turns out the question of whether to screen everyone for melanoma and other skin cancers is complex. Here’s why. The current approach On top of the 19,000 invasive melanoma diagnoses each year, around 28,000 people are diagnosed with in-situ melanoma. In-situ melanoma refers to a very early stage melanoma where the cancerous cells are confined to the outer layer of the skin (the epidermis). Instead of a blanket screening program, Australia promotes skin protection, skin awareness and regular skin checks (at least annually) for those at high risk . About one in three Australian adults have had a clinical skin check within the past year. Why not just do skin checks for everyone? The goal of screening is to find disease early, before symptoms appear, which helps save lives and reduce morbidity. But there are a couple of reasons a national screening program is not yet in place. We need to ask: 1. Does it save lives? Many researchers would argue this is the goal of universal screening. But while universal skin cancer screening would likely lead to more melanoma diagnoses , this might not necessarily save lives. It could result in indolent (slow-growing) cancers being diagnosed that might have never caused harm. This is known as “ overdiagnosis ”. Screening will pick up some cancers people could have safely lived with, if they didn’t know about them. The difficulty is in recognising which cancers are slow-growing and can be safely left alone. Receiving a diagnosis causes stress and is more likely to lead to additional medical procedures (such as surgeries), which carry their own risks. 2. Is it value for money? Implementing a nationwide screening program involves significant investment and resources. Its value to the health system would need to be calculated, to ensure this is the best use of resources. Read more: Yes, you still need to use sunscreen, despite what you’ve heard on TikTok Narrower targets for better results Instead of screening everyone, targeting high-risk groups has shown better results . This focuses efforts where they’re needed most. Risk factors for skin cancer include fair skin, red hair, a history of sunburns, many moles and/or a family history. Research has shown the public would be mostly accepting of a risk-tailored approach to screening for melanoma. There are moves underway to establish a national targeted skin cancer screening program in Australia, with the government recently pledging $10.3 million to help tackle “the most common cancer in our sunburnt country, skin cancer” by focusing on those at greater risk. Currently, Australian clinical practice guidelines recommend doctors properly evaluate all patients for their future risk of melanoma. Looking with new technological eyes Technological advances are improving the accuracy of skin cancer diagnosis and risk assessment. For example, researchers are investigating 3D total body skin imaging to monitor changes to spots and moles over time. Artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms can analyse images of skin lesions, and support doctors’ decision making. Genetic testing can now identify risk markers for more personalised screening. And telehealth has made remote consultations possible, increasing access to specialists, particularly in rural areas. Check yourself – 4 things to look for Skin cancer can affect all skin types, so it’s a good idea to become familiar with your own skin. The Skin Cancer College Australasia has introduced a guide called SCAN your skin , which tells people to look for skin spots or areas that are: 1. sore (scaly, itchy, bleeding, tender) and don’t heal within six weeks 2. changing in size, shape, colour or texture 3. abnormal for you and look different or feel different, or stand out when compared to your other spots and moles 4. new and have appeared on your skin recently. Any new moles or spots should be checked, especially if you are over 40. If something seems different, make an appointment with your doctor. You can self-assess your melanoma risk online via the Melanoma Institute Australia or QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute .KISS PR Brand Story Leads Innovation: Now Accepting Bitcoin Payments for Press Release Services
Hungary welcomes wanted Polish politicians
Walmart is selling an 'amazing' $150 office chair for only $52 ahead of holiday shopping
It’s not about how you start, it’s about how you finish. But, as the Ottawa Senators arrived at the quarter-mark of the National Hockey League schedule on Saturday with Game No. 20 of the season against the Vancouver Canucks at the Canadian Tire Centre, there was a lot of concern about their 8-10-1 record in 19 games. They’re trying to make the playoffs for the first time in eight years, but the results thus far have been similar to what has led the Senators to miss the post-season in the recent past. Consistency is the key and they need to find it. To a man they swear that, with the roster assembled by Steve Staios, the team’s president of hockey operations and general manager, and head coach Travis Green behind the bench, this time it’s different and they’re making strides that will lead to success. “We’ve had our ups and downs already,” centre Shane Pinto told Postmedia on Saturday before faceoff against the Canucks. “We can’t get caught up in the trap of this is the same as the last couple of years. “We’re playing better hockey than the last couple of years and the results haven’t shown, but I don’t think we’ve been playing bad. It’s a results-driven business, and we have to do better than that aspect. I don’t think it’s been as bad as it seems, but we have to win, so there are no excuses.” What feels different about this? “Just the way we’re handling it,” Pinto said. “The older guys in the room are really emphasizing that we’ve got to stick together through this, rather than distancing ourselves from each other. “You can tell on a day like today. We’re in a good mood, we’re together, and that’s the only way we’re going to get out of this. It’s up to us, and the people are in this room.” The margin between winning and losing in the NHL is small. Pinto noted it was about those “little inches, and I just don’t feel like we’ve gotten the bounces, but we have to better in certain areas as well.” The Senators are trying desperately not to look at the big picture. They woke up on Saturday in 15th place in the NHL’s Eastern Conference and four points out of the final playoff spot. “It’s corny to say, but (Green) has emphasized sticking with that process,” Pinto said. “We can’t worry about the results because, if we play our game, the results will take care of themselves. If we look at the standings, that will just be a distraction the whole year. “If we play process-driven hockey ... You see the talent in this room. We’ll score, and it’s just a matter of defending a bit better to clean up those mistakes. We just have to be better at keeping an even keel because there are going to be momentum switches in games. “We go up and down a bit too much. Our biggest challenge is to stay even. We have good players. It’s all mental for us. The fans want better from us. If we can go on a little winning streak, everybody will be happy.” This Senators club is built around the core that includes Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle, Thomas Chabot, Drake Batherson, Josh Norris, Ridly Greig, Jake Sanderson and Pinto. The additions of Michael Amadio, Nick Jensen, David Perron and Linus Ullmark haven’t had the desired effect thus far. The Senators paid a big price to acquire Ullmark from the Boston Bruins only hours before Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final in June. They sent goaltender Joonas Korpisalo, centre Mark Kastelic and a first-round pick (No. 25 overall) to the Bruins for Ullmark, who had split duties in Boston with Jeremy Swayman. Two years removed from winning the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s top goalie, Ullmark was brought to Ottawa to stabilize the situation in net. He was then a year away from unrestricted free agency, but Staios opted to sign Ullmark to a four-year, $33 million U.S. extension that will kick in at $8.25 million per season. So far, Ullmark hasn’t performed up to expectations, though. He went into the game against the Canucks with a 4-6-1 record, a 3.00 goals-against average and a save percentage of .887. Those numbers just aren’t good enough, and, if they don’t improve, the Senators have no chance of making the post-season. “His track record proves that he gets this turned around,” Staios said. “He’s a quality goaltender with a long track record of being a quality goaltender. There are times in a season where a player isn’t at his best and it gets magnified when you’re a goaltender. “We have full belief that Linus will get back to form. There is a lot that has been put on this player in particular. Every player has things they have to deal with when they come in. But a trade, a new contract and an emotional game in Boston. I haven’t talked to Linus about this, but we know he’s going to settle in.” Backup Anton Forsberg hasn’t been a whole lot better, but he has recorded two shutouts in his eight appearances and he’s ahead of Ullmark with his 3-4-0 record, 2.76 goals-against average and .903 save percentage. It’s paramount that Ullmark gets back to form, which was why he started against the Canucks, with the Senators trying to help him dig his way out of this. Social media has been alive and kicking with the decision by Green to sit defenceman Jacob Bernard-Docker regularly. Bernard-Docker was back in the press box against the Canucks because the Senators wanted veteran Travis Hamonic back in the lineup. It was the third pairing on defence, which wouldn’t make a big difference in the grand scheme of things. It should be noted Jensen, acquired from the Washington Capitals in the deal for Jakob Chychrun last summer, has been solid with Chabot. What’s most concerning is the play of top defenceman Jake Sanderson, whose struggles have been real. The 22-year-old Sanderson started Saturday’s game against the Canucks with a plus/minus rating of minus-12. He has yet to be on the ice for an even-strength goal by the Senators. Making $8.05 million as the Senators’ defenceman with the highest salary-cap hit, Sanderson’s one goal and 10 assists have all come on special teams. He plays an average of 24 minutes 22 seconds per game for a club that needs more offence from its defencemen. The Senators only have three goals from their blue-line group, though, tied for the fewest in the 32-team league. Chychrun has outscored Ottawa’s defence by himself this season, with five goals for the Capitals. Trying to make the roster for the United States at the Four Nation’s tournament in Montreal and Boston in February, Sanderson has looked like someone who is feeling the weight of the pressure to impress U.S. team general manager Bill Guerin. One thing we’ve learned about Staios is that he’s patient and leaves no stone unturned before making a move. NHL executives told Postmedia on Saturday that Staios was kicking tires to see if there were any upgrades he could make to the Senators roster. That’s part of his responsibility. “Every general manager is doing their job by looking and seeing if there’s anything they can do,” Staios said. “But I can’t see one major area with this group because they’ve shown how they can play in a majority of the games this year that need to be addressed.” Ideally, Staios would like the answers to come from within. But people around the league wonder if Staios will make a move to get the players’ attention. He doesn’t want to make a change but, if this group doesn’t get its act together, he might have to do something. We’re getting to the point where many believe the time has come for Staios to strike at the core of the Senators. Let’s get this out of the way immediately, though: The Senators won’t trade Tkachuk because they’re trying to build this team around him. Other candidates in the core could be moved, however. Many fans want Chabot dealt, but that wouldn’t happen without Ottawa eating part of his $10-million salary this season — it’s a charge of $8 million against the salary cap — and he has improved while playing with Jensen. NHL executives say one name to keep an eye on is that of Norris. He’s off to a strong start this season with eight goals and five assists for 13 points going into the gamea against the Canucks. He was moved to play with Perron and Amadio on the third line because Green felt Norris might be able to help those two players produce more offensively. With a cap hit of $7.95 million through the 2027-28 campaign, Norris has struggled to stay healthy and is coming off a third shoulder surgery. Before he had surgery last season, there was talk he may be moved and that chatter has surfaced again. “His lack of durability and his contract make sense that he would be a guy that they may think about moving,” a league executive said Saturday. If Pinto continues to progress and makes the strides the organization expects, he’ll want a healthy raise from the $3.75 million he will make next season. That means the Senators may have to get another big contract off the books. We’ve learned through 20 games that Greig isn’t ready to be a top-six forward. Maybe the answer is to use him as the third-line centre with Norris on the wing. Anything is possible and there’s a lot of hockey left to be played. Staios is confident that, if he stays the course, this ship will steady itself, and he has to hope that’s indeed the case. The Senators’ record after 20 games in the past seven seasons they’ve missed the playoffs. 2017-18: 8-6-6 for 22 points 2018-19: 9-8-3 for 21 points 2019-20: 8-11-1 for 17 points 2020-21: 5-14-1 for 11 points 2021-22: 4-15-1 for nine points 2022-23: 7-12-1 for 15 points 2023-24: 10-10-0 for 20 pointsBeneath the azure waves of the Aegean Sea, researchers are delving into the mysteries of Kolumbo, an underwater volcano near Santorini. Recent investigations led by the University of Athens and the Hellenic Center for Marine Research (HCMR) have uncovered groundbreaking insights into this volatile giant. Through two pioneering research programs, Santory and Thira, scientists deployed sophisticated equipment into Kolumbo’s 500-meter-deep crater to monitor its activity and create detailed time series data, a first for this volcano. The studies confirmed Kolumbo’s high activity levels. State-of-the-art tools, including sensors measuring temperature, pressure, pH, CO2, hydrogen sulfide, and turbidity, recorded significant findings. Cameras captured vivid visuals of hydrothermal chimneys venting fluids at a scorching 230C, rich with carbon dioxide. Active hydrothermal systems like this demand constant monitoring, as changes in emissions could signal eruptive behavior, according to Professor Evi Nomikou, head of the Santory project. The work also included seismographs and inclinometer measurements that allowed scientists to track underwater currents and tectonic shifts. A parallel mission and in cooperation with Santory, Multi-Marex, backed by German funding, is set to deploy 26 underwater seismographs in the heart of the volcano. At the same time, a 3D seismic imaging will be carried out on the Amorgos fault, which caused a catastrophic 1956 earthquake. The findings are not confined to scientific circles. The Thira initiative brought volcanic awareness into Santorini’s schools, fostering a deeper understanding of volcanic hazards in a community living near Kolumbo. While municipal funding has lapsed, researchers advocate continued support to ensure the data flow aids long-term volcanic monitoring. Kolumbo exemplifies how cutting-edge technology, international collaboration, and local engagement can converge to illuminate the complexities of the Earth’s volatile undersea landscapes, safeguarding both knowledge and lives.
Beijing, China, Dec. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In the heart of Rift Valley, located about 10 kilometers from Nakuru county in west Kenya, the country's first geothermal power plant built with 100 percent Chinese technologies, the 35-megawatt (MW) Sosian geothermal power plant, has been running for more than a year. During the period, the plant has generated an average annual power output of 38.5 MW. The electricity has been fed into Kenya's national grid and provided tens of thousands of households and companies in Nakuru - Kenya's 4th largest urban centre with a population of 570,674 - with reliable, clean and affordable electricity, the Global Times learned. Only 250 meters away from the Sosian plant, work on another 35-MW geothermal power plant, the Orpower 22 Geothermal Power Plant, is rapidly advancing since October. To be implemented in 17 months, the Orpower 22 power plant is believed to serve as a boost to Kenya's green energy switch, enhance climate resilience and stimulate the country's green economic growth. The two plants are part of the 105-megawatt Menengai geothermal project that consists of three modular power plants. The project, after completion, is expected to benefit around 500,000 households of which 70,000 in rural areas, 300,000 small businesses, according to a Word Bank report. A sustainable energy source Geothermal power harnesses heat from the earth's crust to convert groundwater into steam, which then drives turbines to generate electricity. The 6,400-kilometer East African Rift System (EARS), one of the largest rifts in the world, not only creates a magnificent landscape in Kenya, but also provides abundant geothermal resources with a power potential of 10,000 MW, according to the Xinhua News Agency. Kenya has been exploring its geothermal potential since the 1950s. The country now is the sixth largest geothermal power producer in the world, with geothermal energy accounting for over 50 percent of the national power mix followed by hydro power and thermal power, according to Xinhua reports. Geothermal energy is a clean and sustainable energy source. It is abundant in Kenya and more stable than wind and hydro energies. The commissioning of the Sosian geothermal power plant and the commencement of construction of the Orpower 22 geothermal power plant will have a profound impact on Kenya's efforts to promote the transition to green energy and address climate change, Li Haitao, a project manager from Kaishan Group, the contractor of Sosian and Orpower 22 plants, told the Global Times. 'Chinese technology is trustworthy' In recent years, the increasing electricity demand driven by the rapidly developing economy and the eagerness for green development transformation have compelled the country to accelerate its development of geothermal resources. Kenya is in urgent need of more efficient methods and technologies to expand its geothermal power generation capacity. It is under this circumstance through which the country has joined forces with its Chinese partners, who, although new to Kenya's geothermal energy market, however have rich experience and advanced technology in the renewable energy sector, to seek a solution. "The construction cycle of geothermal power generation projects that use traditional technologies is long, and the costs are high, with limited average operating time. However, our independently developed technology effectively addresses these issues," Li said. According to Li, it only took about 17 months to complete the Sosian plant, while traditional average construction cycle is more than 20 months. The technologies and equipment used in the construction of the Sosian and Orpower 22 plants are 100 percent developed by China. Compared to the equipment of enterprises from other countries, Chinese equipment also requires shorter downtime for maintenance each year, with the total annual power generation time exceeding 8,000 hours, reaching a world-leading level. The generation time of geothermal power plants built by traditional leading companies in the field, for example Fuji, Toshiba, and Mitsubishi from Japan, is normally 6,000 hours, requiring longer maintenance hours, according to Li. The Chinese company's cost-effective price also proved a crucial advantage. Kaishan unveiled on its website that its contracts with the Sosian and Orpower 22 plant were valued at less than $70 million. In contrast, the contract with the third plant of the Menengai project using Japanese technologies is a staggering $108 million. The price difference is rooted in innovative technology. The Global Times learned that, instead of traditional steam turbines, the Sosian's 35-MW plant employs steam screw expanders and a bottom cycle to handle the saturated steam discharge, reducing the steam to atmospheric levels throughout the entire process while eliminating the parasitic power typically consumed by vacuum systems. The overall efficiency compared to a traditional steam turbine is a huge game changer for this site. The project only needed a guarantee of 33.25 MW, and the target was 35 MW, but we're actually generating 38.5 MW per year, Li said. According to Li, the electricity generated by the Sosian plant is integrated into the Kenyan national grid at the price of $0.07 per kilowatt hour. While the electricity price in Kenya is about 28 Kenyan shilling (KES) ($0.22) per kilowatt hour, which is more than three times the highest level of electricity price in Beijing. "Chinese companies have brought new technologies for the development of geothermal resources [in Kenya], and the stable and efficient operation of the Sosian geothermal power station fully demonstrates that Chinese technology is trustworthy. Chinese technology will continue to support Kenya in accelerating the development of geothermal resources, promoting the country's energy transition and green development," Sosian Energy Ltd project leader Moses Rotich told the People's Daily. From power to empower China is not only bringing about electricity to Kenyans, but also helping cultivate a group of technical talents. Huang Hongwei, a manager at the PowerChina Fujian Engineering Co., Ltd. (POWERCHINA Fujian) Menengai geothermal project, told the Global Times that there have been several Kenyan employees who stayed in the POWERCHINA Fujian construction team for more than five years, and they have become close family with their Chinese colleagues. POWERCHINA Fujian is the constructor of Sosian and Orpower 22 plants. A Kenyan employee in the construction team named Duncan Maina told the Global Times that "I initially worked as an electrical site engineer, responsible for on-site supervision. Later, I was promoted to project engineer and took charge of safety and environmental protection. I recently joined the project management team. I am very happy to have this job, which shows the Chinese company trusts and values Kenyan employees." Another engineer in the team Vazira Dennis said, "This is my first job in the energy development field. With the help of my Chinese colleagues, I have learned a lot of technical knowledge and gained considerable project management experience. This will be very helpful for my future involvement in related work." In the operation team at the Sosiyan Power Station, the ratio of Chinese employees to Kenyan employees is 1:1, and the proportion of foreign employees will gradually increase in the future, according to Li. Kenya has laid out an ambitious Vision 2030 to generate 100 percent of its electricity from clean energy sources by 2030, among which geothermal power accounts for 60 percent, according to Xinhua. The country is committed to decarbonizing the national grid and accelerating progress toward achieving net-zero targets, guided by progressive regulatory and policy tools alongside targeted investments, Kenyan President William Ruto said at the launch ceremony of the Orpower 22 plant on October 24. Currently, Kenya has only tapped 950 MW out of the country's 10,000-MW geothermal potential, the president revealed, stressing that Chinese investors are pivotal in the sustainable exploitation of this clean source of energy. Starting from the Sosian geothermal plant, Chinese companies' cooperation with Kenyan partners have expanded far further to help foster comprehensive zero-carbon industrialization and directly benefit more people in the country. At the ceremony of Orpower 22 plant, Kaishan also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen), outlining their cooperation in the production of sustainable green ammonia and green fertilizers, according to Li. Once completed and operational, the project will promote agricultural development in Kenya and East Africa, help reduce fertilizer imports, alleviate the financial burden of fertilizer subsidies on East African countries, and provide farmers with affordable, high-quality local green fertilizers, according to Xinhua. View original content: https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202412/1325756.shtml Company: Global Times Contact Person: Xie Wenting Email: xiewenting@globaltimes.com.cn Website: https://www.globaltimes.cn/ Telephone: 18605648116 City: Beijing Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of KISS PR or its partners. This content is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. KISS PR makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, correctness, suitability, or validity of any information in this article and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.