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Hyderabad Walk Demands Closure of Jamshoro Coal Power Plant

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Protesters in Hyderabad call for the immediate closure of the Jamshoro coal power plant, citing severe environmental and health impacts, and demand a shift to renewable energy sources.
HYDERABAD, SEPTEMBER 14: Participants in an awareness walk on Friday called for the immediate retirement of the Jamshoro coal power plant, citing severe environmental and social impacts. The walk, organized by the Indus Climate Forum (ICF), began at the Old University Campus and ended at the Hyderabad Press Club, drawing a diverse crowd including local residents, environmental activists, academics, and students.

The demonstrators, holding banners and chanting slogans, voiced their opposition to coal power and advocated for a transition to renewable energy. They raised alarms about the Jamshoro Power Generation Project (JPGP), which they claim is contributing to air pollution, land degradation, biodiversity loss, and the contamination of the Indus River through wastewater discharge. The pamphlet distributed by ICF underscored that these issues pose significant threats to the health and livelihoods of communities in Jamshoro and Hyderabad.

A major point of contention was the role of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Protesters criticized the ADB for financing the JPGP despite its broader commitment to promoting energy transition in Asia. They urged the bank to reconcile this discrepancy by retiring the coal plant and shifting its investment focus towards green energy projects in Pakistan. The demonstrators called on the ADB to uphold its commitments to a sustainable and equitable energy future.

The protesters also highlighted shortcomings in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the JPGP. They pointed out that promised environmental safeguards, such as the construction of a coal ash pond and the rehabilitation of affected soil and water channels, were not implemented. Additionally, the EIA’s failure to address the impacts of coal mining on Thar’s communities and ecosystems was criticized.

Concerns were also raised about the potential disruption of the region’s ecological balance and the health impacts of increased air pollution. The protesters warned that the plant’s wastewater could exacerbate issues like waterlogging, salinity, and land degradation, while further polluting the Indus River. They emphasized that continued reliance on coal threatens to marginalize renewable energy efforts and undermine global climate goals outlined in the Paris Agreement.

The Indus Climate Forum and its supporters concluded the march with a unanimous call for the early retirement of the Jamshoro coal power plant, urging a swift shift to cleaner, sustainable energy sources to avert further environmental damage.

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A billion laser points helped bring Notre Dame back to life

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After a catastrophic fire five years ago, the Notre Dame Cathedral de Paris reopened this month looking almost the same as it did when it was first constructed in 1163.

The massive reconstruction project was a testament not just to the hard work of the French people – but also to the lasers, drones and other advanced technology that gave rebuilders a window into the building’s past.

“The time frame wouldn’t have been possible without the record of what existed,” Amy Bunszel, executive vice president of architecture, engineering and construction at 3D-software company Autodesk, told CNN. Her company was a major part of creating a model of the building as it existed before the fire, giving the reconstruction effort a sort of guide for what to do. “It would’ve required a lot more guesswork. Imagine taking millions of tourist photographs (as a reference point) versus having one consolidated perfect representation.”

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Inflation was the cause, not the result, of the ‘hot’ labor market, research shows

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Back in 2022, when the labor market was so hot that Beyoncé even released a song about it, Americans were job hopping in large numbers, boosting their salary in the process.

The Great Resignation was in full swing.

That fueled fears of a “wage-price spiral” — where wages and prices perpetually rise and feed off each other.

But what appeared to be a hot job market was actually a symptom — not the cause — of the recent bout of inflation, according to new research that explored the consequences of unexpected rising prices on the labor market.

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The Container Store files for bankruptcy

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The Container Store has filed for bankruptcy. It is the latest well-known retailer to fall victim to customers cutting back on discretionary spending.

The 46-year-old company said in a statement late Sunday that filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection will help it “bolster its financial position, fuel growth initiatives, and drive enhanced long-term profitability.” The Container Store revealed in court documents that it has about $230 million in debt and just $11.8 million in cash on hand, but will receive $40 million in fresh financing.

The chain’s 102 locations and website will remain open for orders during the process, which is expected to take 35 days to complete.

“The Container Store is here to stay,” said CEO Satish Malhotra in a statement. “Our strategy is sound, and we believe the steps we are taking today will allow us to continue to advance our business, deepen customer relationships, expand our reach, and strengthen our capabilities.”

Payments to vendors and suppliers will be made as normal and all customer deposits and orders will be honored and delivered, the company said. The Container Store plans to emerge as a private company when the Chapter 11 process is complete.

The company’s Sweden-based Elfa brand, described as a “premium customizable storage system,” isn’t included in the bankruptcy.

The filing comes a few weeks after a deal with Beyond, the parent company of Bed Bath & Beyond and Overstock.com. The Container Store was expected bring Bed Bath & Beyond-branded products to some stores, but that deal appears to be in jeopardy. Beyond previously said that the financing deal was in doubt because the Container Store was struggling to reach an agreement with its lenders.

The Container Store’s stock has already been delisted by the New York Stock Exchange because it failed to meet the exchange’s financial standards.

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