ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) — Croatia’s incumbent President Zoran Milanovic has a sweeping lead in Sunday’s election and could win the five-year presidency in the first round, according to an exit poll released immediately after the voting. The poll by the Ipsos polling agency and released by the state HRT television showed Milanovic winning over 50% of the votes, while his main challenger Dragan Primorac, a candidate of the conservative HDZ ruling party trailed far behind with 19%. Milanovic thanked voters in a post on social networks. The first official results are yet to be published. Pre-election polls predicted that the two would face off in the second round on Jan. 12, as none of all 8 presidential election contenders were projected to get more than 50% of the vote. Left-leaning Milanovic is an outspoken critic of Western military support for Ukraine in its war against Russia. He is often compared to Donald Trump for his combative style of communication with political opponents. The most popular politician in Croatia, 58-year-old Milanović has served as prime minister in the past. Populist in style, he has been a fierce critic of current Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and continuous sparring between the two has lately marked Croatia’s political scene. Plenković, the prime minister, has sought to portray the vote as one about Croatia’s future in the EU and NATO. He has labeled Milanović “pro-Russian” and a threat to Croatia’s international standing. “The difference between him and Milanović is quite simple: Milanović is leading us East, Primorac is leading us West,” he said. Though the presidency is largely ceremonial in Croatia, an elected president holds political authority and acts as the supreme military commander. Milanović has criticized the NATO and European Union support for Ukraine and has often insisted that Croatia should not take sides. He has said Croatia should stay away from global disputes, though it is a member of both NATO and the EU. Milanović has also blocked Croatia’s participation in a NATO-led training mission for Ukraine, declaring that “no Croatian soldier will take part in somebody else’s war.” His main rival in the election, Primorac, has stated that “Croatia’s place is in the West, not the East.” His presidency bid, however, has been marred by a high-level corruption case that landed Croatia’s health minister in jail last month and featured prominently in pre-election debates. During the election campaign, Primorac has sought to portray himself as a unifier and Milanović as divisive. “Today is an extremely important day,” Primorac said after casting his ballot. "Croatia is going forward into the future. Croatia needs unity, Croatia needs its global positioning, and above all Croatia needs peaceful life.” Trailing a distant third in the pre-election polls is Marija Selak Raspudić, a conservative independent candidate. She has focused her election campaign on the economic troubles of ordinary citizens, corruption and issues such as population decline in the country of some 3.8 million. Sunday’s presidential election is Croatia’s third vote this year, following a parliamentary election in April and the European Parliament balloting in June.As energy giant AES Corp. pitches its ambitious solar and battery storage development known as Rancho Viejo Solar south of Santa Fe, it continues to draw scrutiny amid concerns about fires from lithium-ion battery storage. The massive project's supporters say it could play a role in the state's efforts to slow climate change and would be an economic win for the region. But people who live in neighborhoods south of the city — fearing the possible effects on their property values and the potential for dramatic fires that local first responders might be unable to contain — remain vocally opposed. Experts, meanwhile, say the risk of such fires is low as battery storage technology improves, with incidents occurring only rarely at facilities in the U.S. and no reported fatalities. At a meeting earlier this month, residents of Eldorado and San Marcos assailed the proposed development as they relayed often-repeated concerns about the risk of "thermal runaway" — a chemical reaction causing a quick rise in temperature and pressure — as well as fires. They cited problems reported at comparable solar power storage facilities in other states, including one at an AES development that injured several firefighters. Some have labeled Rancho Viejo Solar a "power plant" in terms of its size. "To me, it's ludicrous to consider something like this in the middle of all of this fire risk, groundwater risk, the air quality [risk]," said Camilla Brom, who lives near the proposed AES site. "It's a wildlife corridor; that's going to be messed up." The response to the AES project underscores the challenges of getting clean energy projects on the power grid as climate change worsens. One of the owners of the 800-acre property eyed for the development, Warren Thompson, observed the busy scene of a Santa Fe County land use hearing Dec. 4 at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center, as 100 people registered their opposition to the project. "If we're going to meet these energy goals, we need to build these types of facilities," said Thompson, a resident of the Rancho Viejo subdivision, which lies several miles north of the project site. "We've been working on this, I think, for 11 years now. They are not easy to get done." The project's opponents frequently note three fires in recent years at facilities associated with AES in Chandler and Surprise, Ariz., and Escondido, Calif. Lithium-ion batteries contain a large amount of energy in a very small space, converting chemical energy to electrical energy under normal operation, according to EV Fire Safe, an Australian group that researches electric vehicle battery fires and emergency response. "These lithium cells can experience thermal runaway which causes them to release very hot flammable, toxic gases," the Federal Emergency Management Agency's website notes. While there are reports of lithium-ion battery storage facilities smoking, researchers say they are safe. "Failure rates for 18650 cells are less than 1 in 10 million," Ray Byrne, manager of the energy storage technology and systems department at Sandia National Laboratories, wrote in an email. "Because large numbers of cells are used in grid energy storage systems, there will be some failures. Fortunately, codes and standards combined with design techniques address the problem of thermal runaway ... and limit the potential for spread to adjacent cells." According to the American Clean Power Association, no deaths have resulted from incidents at energy storage facilities in the United States. Recently, there have been two to four incidents annually in the U.S., Byrne wrote. An April 2022 fire at an AES facility in Chandler smoldered for days, prompting evacuations and road closures, with the local fire department recommending businesses within a quarter-mile evacuate, Fox 10 Phoenix reported . The April 2019 explosion in Surprise was one of the most serious incidents related to lithium-ion battery storage facilities, causing injuries to firefighters and a police officer. KNXV-TV, an ABC affiliate in Arizona, reported that eight firefighters were rushed to a hospital. Family members arrived with "tears streaming down their face," the news station reported. Four firefighters from Peoria, Ariz., were the most seriously injured, the Arizona Republic reported , sustaining chemical burns and chemical-inhalation burns . They were all eventually discharged from the hospital. AES developed the Surprise facility for Arizona Public Service, the state's largest utility, which in 2020 released a report about the explosion at the McMicken Battery Energy Storage System. According to the report, the storage system was commissioned and integrated by AES and assembled with lithium-ion batteries manufactured by LG Chem, a chemical company headquartered in South Korea. The report says a fire was reported first and then an explosion several hours later that injured the firefighters. "On April 19, 2019, 25 months after the [battery energy storage system] was placed into service, a suspected fire was reported at the BESS. At 17:48 local time (PST), first responders arrived to investigate," the report states. "Several hours later, at approximately 20:04, an explosion occurred from inside the BESS. The explosion injured several firefighters and essentially destroyed the BESS and its container." The fire was "actually an extensive cascading thermal runaway event, initiated by an internal cell failure within one battery cell" in the energy storage system caused by "an internal cell defect," according to the report. It outlines five factors that contributed to the explosion: Today’s standards better address hazard assessment and training for first responders, the report concludes, although it states, "the industry expectation should go even further and require that hazard assessments and training take place before and during the commissioning of energy storage systems." A Sept. 5 fire in San Diego Gas and Electric’s Northeast Operations Center in Escondido, Calif., was limited to one of 24 battery storage containers and caused no injuries, according to NBC 7 San Diego . It prompted the evacuations of more than 500 businesses and 1,500 homes. While the facility was operated by the utility, it was developed by AES, said Joshua Mayer, senior development manager for AES. "At no time during the incident did the levels of Oxygen deviate from 20.9 percent which is considered normal atmospheric level," states a report from the city of Escondido . Mayer maintains internal estimates on the probability of a fire at one of AES' battery storage facilities is "less than one in every 3,000 plant lifetimes." "None of these incidents are in any manner desirable or acceptable for the industry, and the industry and AES [have] taken lessons learned from them," he said. He cited "increased standards of code, including a new testing regime that is making projects safer. He called the regime, known as UL9540, "a substantial evolution" in code and requirements and design features. "You actively test your facility for all failure possibilities prior to its installation and determine that you can successfully prevent and ultimately mitigate any occurrence of thermal runaway," Mayer said. But opponents still worry the technology poses a risk to their communities. Groups like the Clean Energy Coalition of Santa Fe County also worry about the county's ability to respond to a large hazmat incident. "More than 20 minutes from adequate fire response and hazmat personnel, the worst-case consequences of locating a utility-scale battery facility here are terrifying," the coalition's website states. “Nobody is against solar, but if you put industrial facilities like this with faulty technology — because a lot of accidents happen — this close to residential areas, it’s a time bomb waiting to go off,” Selma Eikelenboom, who lives about a quarter-mile from the proposed facility, said earlier this month. Residents also have voiced concerns about the potential use of firefighting foams containing PFAS to battle any chemical fire that might emerge at the proposed battery storage facility. These per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — often called "forever chemicals" because they break down so slowly in the environment — already have been detected in residential wells in La Cienega and La Cieneguilla. The chemicals, used in a wide range of household products, pose health risks. Mayer downplayed the threat of PFAS contamination from AES' development. "We do not believe there is a justifiable PFAS concern with this project," he said.
Gourmet Market sets out expansion plansIn a season full of surprises, the Dallas Mavericks have found a new star within their midst. Kyrie Irving, known for his exceptional ball-handling skills and jaw-dropping finishes, has been crowned as the Mavericks' undisputed one-on-one king. The 29-year-old point guard has taken the team by storm with his scoring prowess and clutch performances, solidifying his status as a force to be reckoned with on the court.
The record-breaking sale of the ruby slippers is a testament to the enduring legacy of The Wizard of Oz and the impact it continues to have on audiences of all ages. For many, the ruby slippers represent more than just a piece of film memorabilia – they are a symbol of childhood nostalgia, cinematic magic, and the timeless appeal of a classic story.Local Blizzard Alert! These Places Are About to Get Snowed In as Cold Air Sweeps In
South Korea’s Fertility Rate Ticks Up for First Time in Nine YearsThe fake news suggested that Tianjin would be implementing a program to provide free education assistance to students in need, covering various expenses such as tuition fees, school supplies, and other educational resources. This announcement quickly gained traction and sparked hope among many families and students in Tianjin who are facing financial difficulties in pursuing their education.
In a world filled with hustle and bustle, it is important to pause and appreciate the beauty and wonder of new life. Wu Jin Yan's decision to stop work and focus on awaiting her baby's arrival is a powerful reminder of the importance of taking care of ourselves and cherishing the precious moments in life. As she dances gracefully in the snow, she reminds us of the magic and joy that come with bringing new life into the world, and the importance of celebrating and embracing this special time.
One of the key highlights of the Pura 70 Series is its stunning display. Featuring a vibrant OLED screen with high resolution and rich color reproduction, the Pura 70 Series offers an immersive viewing experience for media consumption, gaming, and productivity. Whether you are watching your favorite movies, browsing social media, or editing photos, the Pura 70 Series delivers crisp and vivid visuals that bring content to life.
In the world of football, injuries can often be a harsh reality that players must face. And for Real Madrid’s star player, a 15-day period of rest and recuperation was necessary to ensure that he would be able to return to the pitch at full strength. ( MENAFN - AzerNews) By Qaiser Nawab COP 29, held in Baku, Azerbaijan, was not just another chapterin the climate discourse; it was a game-changer for global climatepolicy. This year, the spotlight was on two intertwined issues thatare crucial for a sustainable future: the global shift to renewableenergy and the urgent need to address the escalating loss anddamage caused by climate change. These discussions weren't justabout policies-they were about justice, equity, and securing afuture that doesn't leave the most vulnerable communities in thedust. One of the key takeaways from COP 29 was the establishment of aglobal climate fund for loss and damage, marking a historic stepforward. For decades, developing nations-many of which contributethe least to global emissions-have been bearing the brunt ofclimate disasters, from extreme floods to prolonged droughts. Atthe same time, they have often lacked the resources to cope andrecover. The new fund is a lifeline, providing financial support tothese nations, enabling them to rebuild and adapt in the face ofmounting challenges. While this step was monumental, it's importantto remember that this fund is only one part of the equation.Stronger commitments from developed nations to curb emissions andinvest in renewable energy are equally essential to prevent furtherdamage. Here's where the renewable energy revolution comes in. As theclimate crisis accelerates, the need for clean, resilient energyinfrastructure has never been more urgent. Renewable energy sourceslike solar, wind, and hydropower are not only the key to reducingglobal carbon emissions, but they also offer a robust solution tothe energy crises exacerbated by climate change. According to theInternational Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), transitioning torenewable energy could cut global carbon emissions by 70% by2050-an ambitious but achievable goal. However, for this transitionto succeed, we need more than just technological innovations-weneed policies that foster global cooperation, break down tradebarriers, and facilitate access to affordable clean energyworldwide. At COP 29, significant strides were made in these areas. A keyfocus was the reduction of tariffs on renewable energy technologieslike solar panels and wind turbines. Such tariffs, often imposed byhigh-emission countries, hinder the global spread of clean energytechnologies, particularly in developing nations. The InternationalTrade Centre estimates that reducing these tariffs could open up a$1 trillion market for clean energy over the next decade. Thisshift is critical because as renewable energy costs plummet-solarphotovoltaic prices have dropped by over 80% in the lastdecade-trade barriers remain a significant bottleneck. Reducingthese barriers would allow technologies to flow freely acrossborders, bringing down costs and accelerating the global transitionto clean energy. But renewable energy is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Manydeveloping countries are still grappling with the infrastructureneeded to harness these resources. COP 29 discussions emphasizedthe importance of integrating renewable energy with broader climateresilience efforts, ensuring that the most vulnerable nations cantap into these technologies. Investment in local infrastructure,financial incentives, and knowledge transfer programs will becrucial in making this a reality. Only by building local capacityand reducing energy poverty can we ensure that no nation is leftbehind in the renewable energy revolution. Another exciting development at COP 29 was the vision for aglobal clean energy grid. Imagine a world where energy generated bysolar and wind farms in sun-drenched deserts and windy coastalregions can be transmitted across borders to power cities andindustries far beyond. This idea isn't just a pipe dream-it's afeasible solution that could transform the global energy landscape.According to the World Bank, renewable energy could account for 40%of global energy needs by 2030 if governments commit to reducingtrade barriers and increasing investment in clean energyinfrastructure. This interconnected grid would help ensure energysecurity, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and provide clean,affordable power to all. But the clean energy transition isn't just about poweringhomes-it's about decarbonizing sectors that have long been heavyemitters, such as transportation, industry, and agriculture. Apivotal discussion at COP 29 was the need to decarbonizehigh-emission sectors, starting with transportation. TheInternational Transport Forum estimates that transportationaccounts for 14% of global emissions. By electrifyingtransportation systems and coupling them with renewable energysources, we can dramatically reduce this figure. Meanwhile, greenhydrogen-the clean fuel that could revolutionize sectors like steeland cement-has been gaining traction, with investment in thissector expected to grow rapidly in the coming years. Ultimately, the conversation at COP 29 boiled down to oneessential message: the energy transition cannot happen inisolation. It must be paired with a recognition that those who havecontributed the least to the climate crisis are often the onessuffering the most. The loss and damage fund is a step in the rightdirection, but it's only part of the solution. While renewableenergy plays a vital role in mitigating future climate impacts, wemust also ensure that financial flows, technological innovation,and international cooperation are aligned to create a trulysustainable future. The road ahead is clear. By breaking down trade barriers,investing in renewable energy infrastructure, and supportingvulnerable communities through the loss and damage fund, we can setthe stage for a cleaner, more equitable world. But it's not justabout energy; it's about global cooperation, shared responsibility,and climate justice. COP 29 has shown that we have the tools tobuild a sustainable future, but now it's up to us to act. The worldis watching, and the time to act is now. MENAFN22122024000195011045ID1109021816 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. 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