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India, Qatari royals, China and ecologists have their own, very different, views on Assumption Island's future.

- Agenda / Région parisienne, Grèce

Ma tartották a "0"-ponton az ADHU25 bemutatónapját, ami jó alkalmat szolgáltatott ismert dinamikus témák újabb telefotós megközelítésére és a statikus részletfotózásra egyaránt.

Végre sikerült! A7-es Leo oszló tűzgömbje.

A Lynx 30-as ágyújából kilőtt airburst lövedék imitált C-UAS szerepkörben. A szárazföld meglévő automatizált lövegtornyainak, RCWS-einek ilyen célú alkalmazása, továbbfejlesztése a téma kezelésének egyik lehetséges és persze részleges megoldása lehet.

Dolgozik Rosy...

...melyet betöltve, közelről ma láttunk először...

...ahogy az elhasznált 40-es ködgránátok hüvelyeinek eltávolítását is.

Spike LR2 indítás a bal szárnyon a távolban, az alacsony dekkre tekintettel alacsony röppályán. A tipikus jóidős lövés nem férne rá egy ilyen lapos képre.

Édzsforszos H225M huszáros alacsonytámadás utáni kifordulás közben veti a 118-asokat, az MTV zavarótöltetek szépen megvilágítják a lapátvégi vortexcsíkokat.

Zord

The complexity of the Brazilian electricity system has evolved from a model based on hydroelectricity supplemented by thermoelectricity to a combination of diverse sources, without planning and with little control, whose excess intermittent generation threatens to cause blackouts. Credit: Mario Osava / IPS

By Mario Osava
RIO DE JANEIRO, Sep 25 2025 (IPS)

Wind and solar power sources, essential for the energy transition to mitigate the climate crisis, have become a risk of power outages in Brazil.

It is a remedy that, in excess, becomes poison. The rapid and unplanned growth of these alternatives has created operational difficulties for the Brazilian electricity system, which is nationally interconnected.“Brazil has one of the most complex electricity systems in the world. No other country has such a diversity of sources”–Luiz Barata.

A blackout on August 15, 2023, which affected 27% of the supply throughout most of the country, was a major wake-up call about insecurity. It began with the transmission of wind and solar power plants in the state of Ceará, in northeastern Brazil.

It almost happened again in April and August of this year due to excess generation, according to the  National System Operator (ONS), a private organization that represents consumers and all sectors involved, which coordinates and controls supply nationwide.

A functional electrical system requires surpluses; energy must be available at all outlets for eventual consumption. But “too much excess causes problems,” said Luiz Barata, former director general of the ONS and current president of the non-governmental National Front of Energy Consumers.

The proliferation of solar and wind power plants in Brazil has created imbalances between supply and consumption that caused operational difficulties in effective distribution, such as power outages in 25 of Brazil’s 26 states on August 15, 2023. Credit: Fotos Públicas

Renewables in question

The intermittent nature of wind and solar power, which have grown the most in the last decade, exacerbates the risks due to their uncontrollable origin. This type of energy depends on nature, on when there is wind and sun.

The plot thickens with distributed generation, also known as decentralized generation, which turns consumers into producers of their own electricity in 3.8 million residential micro-plants or groups of individuals or small businesses.

This dispersed generation already exceeds 43 gigawatts of power, according to data from the National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel), the sector’s regulatory body.

This amounts to 18% of the country’s total generating capacity, with solar photovoltaic power dominating the segment with a 95% share.

“In addition to being uncontrollable, because it depends on the sun, distributed generation cannot be interrupted, as it is beyond the control of the ONS,” warned Barata, an electrical engineer.

What the ONS does is curtail the contribution of some generating sources when excess supply threatens the system. In general, the interruption affects wind and solar generation, which are further away from the area of highest consumption.

The Northeast, favored by strong and regular winds and solar radiation, concentrates most of these sources, while the highest electricity consumption occurs in the Southeast, Brazil’s most populous and industrialized region.

Wind farms occupy hills and mountains throughout the Northeast region of Brazil, which has become a supplier of electricity for the entire country. The intermittency of this source, with generation concentrated at night, contributed to the risk of blackouts in the country. Credit: Mario Osava / IPS

Uncertain future

The trend is for operational problems in the electricity system to worsen because distributed generation continues to expand, due to the legal incentives it enjoys, and without planning, as it is the result of individual decisions.

From January to August 2025, the ONS discarded 17.2% of the country’s potential wind and solar generation, which corresponds to 7% of the country’s monthly consumption. This tripled the cuts compared to the same period in 2024, according to an analysis by Volt Robotics, an energy consulting firm.

In August, the rejection reached 57% of new renewable generation due to excess supply.

“Brazil has one of the most complex electricity systems in the world. No other country has the diversity of sources that we have,” Barata told IPS by telephone from Brasilia.

Of a total of 236 gigawatts of installed capacity at the end of 2024, hydroelectricity continues to account for a majority, with 46.5% of the total, according to the state-owned Energy Research Company. But it is no longer as dominant as it was in 2000, when it accounted for 89%.

Solar energy, with 20.5%, wind energy with 12.5% and thermal energy, which consumes fossil fuels and biomass, with 18.6%, already exceeded hydroelectricity in 2024, with a trend towards further growth.

Necessary reform

There has been a change in the electricity matrix, which has shifted from hydrothermal, basically hydroelectric and supplemented by thermal power plants, to a growing incorporation of new renewable sources, given the lower cost of their implementation and distributed generation, Barata pointed out.

However, legislation and regulations have not kept pace with this transformation, said the expert, who believes the sector needs a comprehensive structural reform in order to reduce risks and restore better operating and planning conditions.

“It is a complex system that cannot be solved with simple measures,” he said.

Joilson Costa, coordinator of the non-governmental Front for a New Energy Policy for Brazil and also an electrical engineer, considers it “incorrect” to attribute systemic risks solely to excess wind and solar generation.

“Excess supply is only part of the problem, not the only one. Another cause is the deficiency of the transmission system, which makes it impossible to transport the energy generated in the Northeast to other regions at certain times. This then necessitates a cut in generation,” he argued.

Nor can it be said that distributed generation is outside the scope of planning. The Energy Research Company, part of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, does consider this modality in its plans because “its studies and simulations allow it to make estimates,” even though it cannot control the expansion of microplants, Costa noted.

Electricity distribution companies also monitor the evolution of distributed generation in their networks and can update their data monthly, he told IPS by telephone from São Luis, capital of the northeastern state of Maranhão.

Distributed generation, which is small-scale and generally consists of photovoltaic panels on residential or commercial roofs, already accounts for 43 gigawatts of installed capacity in Brazil. There are 3.8 million plants benefiting seven million consumer units, without the necessary control over the operation of the national electricity system. Credit: Mario Osava / IPS

Daily asynchrony

The major risk factor, however, is the lack of synchrony between the generation and consumption of new sources of electricity in their daily cycles.

Solar generation occurs during the day, peaking around noon, when consumption is low. It declines just as consumption increases at the end of the day and beginning of the night, when lights and household appliances are turned on, especially electric showers, which are widely used in Brazil.

Wind farms, concentrated in the Northeast, generate electricity mainly late at night, when consumption drops again.

Pericles Pinheiro, director of New Business at CHP, a gas generation equipment and solutions company in Rio de Janeiro, identifies a trend toward crisis in the Brazilian electricity system in his ongoing analysis of the sector. “Every summer, new emotions,” he jokes.

In previous years, he identified a risk in the proliferation of diesel generators that many companies used to avoid the higher cost of electricity during peak consumption hours in the early evening.

But they abandoned this resource because they migrated to the free market, which has expanded in Brazil in recent years, lowering energy costs for large consumers by allowing them to choose their supplier.

Diesel generators, which helped reduce the upward curve of consumption during peak hours, disappeared or declined, exacerbating daily fluctuations in demand, in cycles opposite to those of wind and solar sources, Pinheiro told IPS.

Distributed generation reduces demand on the grid and the share of electricity managed by the system operator, in a trend that exacerbates insecurity, he added.

The ONS estimates that by 2029 it will control less than half of the country’s installed generation capacity, increasing the operational uncertainty of the national interconnected system.

The proliferation of digital data centers in Brazil, which the government is trying to promote, is seen as a way to balance electricity consumption and supply in the country.

But these huge energy sinks would consume the excess during the day but increase demand at night, as they operate 24 hours a day, warned Pinheiro, who identifies another risk in electric vehicles whose batteries consume the electricity of several homes when recharging.

Following anonymous tip-offs, the European Prosecutor's Office, which began an administrative inquiry in March, has now escalated the case further

Promoting sign language and Deaf culture is not only a constitutional mandate, but also an international legal requirement.

By Timothy Egwelu
KAMPALA, Sep 25 2025 (IPS)

Every Last week of September the Deaf community in Uganda and the rest of the world celebrates sign languages and the rich identity of Deaf people and Deaf culture. The day is also an opportunity to advocate for the enforcement of sign language laws and policies.

In Uganda, despite the legal recognition of sign language in the 1995 Constitution of Uganda as amended, the Persons with Disabilities Act of 2020, and the ratification of the African Disability Protocol, the UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disability and other international laws, significant implementation gaps remain the major issue in the promotion of sign language.

For instance, the Public Service Ministry announced in the approved staffing structure shared to local governments last year that sign language interpreters must be posted in general and referral hospital service structures.

Acknowledging and fostering sign language enhances society's comprehension of the Deaf community's needs and rights, supporting the pursuit of equal opportunities and inclusion

However, more than a year later, no tangible updates have occurred. Ministry of Health’s lack of compliance may be potentially due to the non availability of funds allocated in their budgets – and yet the same structures were already approved by the Ministry of finance.

Previously, no hospitals employed interpreters, making it increasingly critical that this mandate is fulfilled.

Under Section 7(1) of the Persons with Disability Act, 2020 there is a clear stipulation against discrimination in the provision of health services on the basis of one’s disability, highlighting the urgency for compliance and action to support individuals who rely on these sign language interpreting services.

As another example, the Uganda Communication Commission as mandated under section 31 and schedule 4 of the Uganda Communications Commission Act of 2013 also issued a suspension of broadcasting licence for broadcasters that don’t meet the requirements of the law under section 12(4) of the Persons with Disability Act of 2020 which stipulate that “An owner or a person in charge of a television station shall, provide or cause to be provided sign language insets in all newscasts.”.

However, many broadcasters have been in breach without interpreters at newscasts and no licence has been suspended as a punishment. What is the point of inclusive policies if they are not enforced?

In addition, the absence of sign language-trained teachers and adequate funding for assistive technology such as computers and screens for visualisation in electronic classrooms, means the average Deaf student continues to be excluded from important educational and career opportunities.

Is it any wonder that they annually have consistent poor performance in national exams countrywide? A major shortcoming of the state is the lack of a Policy to Streamline early childhood education for Deaf children.

Of course, promoting sign language and Deaf culture is not only a constitutional mandate, but also an international legal requirement. There is urgent need for Uganda sign language policy to operationalize its promotion and usage.

The Agenda 2030 of the Sustainable Development Goals hinges on leaving no one behind. This is a salient feature of promoting sign language rights and zero discrimination towards the Deaf community.

Sign language interpretation available is an issue of the Deaf community’s human rights. Indeed, sign language acts as an essential instrument for advocating for Deaf rights. Acknowledging and fostering sign language enhances society’s comprehension of the Deaf community’s needs and rights, supporting the pursuit of equal opportunities and inclusion.

In South Africa is an example of a country that is making more strides, and Uganda should follow suit. The long-awaited recognition of sign language as the 12th official language is gaining momentum following parliamentary approval to amend the constitution.

This landmark decision marks the culmination of over thirty years of advocacy aimed at empowering the deaf community throughout the nation. By granting official status to sign language, South Africa acknowledges its role as a vital medium for communication and administration in public affairs, thereby enhancing accessibility for the country’s deaf citizens.

The inclusion of South African Sign Language (SASL) in policy discussions is indicative of a broader commitment to inclusivity and accessibility there.

This policy shift not only elevates SASL to a status comparable to other official languages but also lays the groundwork for its integration in educational, legal, and governmental frameworks.

With dedicated initiatives aimed at teacher training, public awareness campaigns, and resources development, South Africa demonstrates a proactive approach in fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of sign language.

This commitment not only serves the deaf community but enriches South African society as a whole, emphasizing the importance of linguistic diversity and human rights.

In contrast, in Uganda, systematic corruption has critically redirected essential resources away from initiatives aimed at enhancing the livelihoods of Deaf individuals, particularly within key sectors like the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development.

This ministry’s budget for the Special Island Grant and Youth Livelihood Program experienced staggering cuts of 80% and 79%, respectively, in the previous financial year.

Such drastic reductions reflect a troubling indifference towards minorities and , as the current regime, characterized by radicalization and self-enrichment, perpetuates a culture where the needs of Deaf persons and other marginalized groups are deemed non-essential.

Political figures, including leaders like Speaker Anita Annet, often downplay the importance of including sign language in public services, viewing it as a minimal concern amidst their pursuit of wealth and power. This disregard for minority rights breeds an environment where advocacy is stifled, and the rule of law is undermined.

To address this injustice, it is crucial to advocate for a Uganda sign language policy that focuses on sign language education and iIt’s accessibility in public sectors.

Efforts should include creating advocacy coalitions that highlight the economic and social benefits of integrating Deaf individuals into the Public service, thereby demonstrating their value to society.

Engaging in public campaigns to raise awareness and support for sign language programs can also shift perceptions among policymakers, reminding them that inclusivity fosters a stronger democracy. Furthermore, pressure needs to be applied on governmental bodies to prioritize budget allocations that support Deaf communities, ensuring the development of robust programs tailored to their needs.

Through the various ministries, the government must as a matter of urgency lead in promoting, respecting, implementing the sign language rights of deaf people and provide adequate and timely funding to meet the public need of sign language in major sectors such as health, education and Justice.

Timothy Egwelu is a lawyer and disability policy and an inclusion consultant.

L'armée béninoise à travers la Direction de la participation des armées au développement et aux tâches d'intérêt public (DPADTIP), a lancé ce mercredi 24 septembre 2025, une campagne de consultations médicales gratuites au centre de santé de Kalalé, cible d'une attaque de groupes armés le 10 septembre dernier.

L'armée béninoise marque sa solidarité aux populations de Kalalé, et redonne vie au centre communal de santé, victime d'une attaque de groupes armés le 10 septembre dernier. La Direction de la participation des armées au développement et aux tâches d'intérêt public, appuyée par l'équipe médicale de la garnison de Parakou, a procédé au lancement d'une campagne de consultations médicales gratuites ce mercredi 24 septembre.

L'opération selon une publication du gouvernement, consiste en des consultations, traitements et distribution de médicaments gratuits, dans le cadre du programme de renforcement des liens Armée-Nation et de co-production de la sécurité. « L'action se concentre essentiellement sur la médecine générale, avec un accompagnement particulier pour les cas graves référés au centre de santé de Nikki », lit-on dans la publication.
Les populations de Kalalé et ses environs, notamment les habitants Gawessi, Banabasso, Zambara, Kidarou Kperou ou encore Bassola ont effectué le déplacement du centre de santé pour bénéficier des soins de qualité.
D'autres initiatives sociales et communautaires visant à renforcer durablement la relation Armée-Nation et consolider la résilience des populations face au terrorisme sont prévues après les consultations médicales gratuites.

F. A. A.

Ukraine is considered a leader when it comes to anti-drone technology because of its war against invading Russian forces

L'Association Main d'Espoir a procédé à la distribution de kits scolaires aux enfants orphelins à Porto-Novo et à Toffo en ce mois de septembre 2025.

L'Association Main d'Espoir poursuit son engagement en faveur de l'accès à l'éducation des enfants. À Porto-Novo le 12 septembre, 150 enfants orphelins ont bénéficié de kits scolaires complets. Cette initiative, renouvelée dans la ville, témoigne de la constance de l'association dans ses efforts en faveur des plus vulnérables. Les bénéficiaires ont reçu un kit de fournitures soigneusement préparées pour répondre aux besoins de l'année scolaire : sac à dos, uniforme cousu, boîte à dessin, stylos, cahiers, cahiers TP et paire de chaussures.

Dans la commune de Toffo, c'est dans l'arrondissement d'Agué, que la deuxième distribution a eu lieu le mercredi 17 septembre 2025. Pour cette première action dans la localité, 100 kits scolaires ont été remis à des orphelins issus de plusieurs écoles.

L'intervention à Toffo s'inscrit dans un engagement plus large de l'association dans la région. Main d'Espoir est présente à Toffo dans le domaine agricole. Pour Gaëlle Hazoumé, responsable de Main d'Espoir, chaque kit scolaire distribué est bien plus qu'un simple don. « L'une de nos batailles est de permettre aux enfants d'avoir accès à l'éducation », a-t-elle déclaré.

Active depuis 10 ans, l'association mène des actions en faveur des enfants. À Malanhoui, ‘'Main d'Espoir'' a mis en place une cantine. Elle permet aux écoliers de bénéficier de repas chaud chaque jour, un soutien essentiel pour favoriser la réussite scolaire. La distribution de kits scolaires a été rendue possible grâce à l'appui des parents marraines des orphelins, mais aussi du soutien du supermarché Super U Erevan et de deux entreprises françaises.

Quelques photos

A travers une note de service en date du lundi 22 septembre 2025, la ministre de l'Enseignement Supérieur et de la Recherche Scientifique dévoile le calendrier universitaire 2025-2026 des Universités Publiques et des Etablissements Privés d'Enseignement Supérieur du Bénin.

Ethiopian runner Shewarge Alene dies aged 30, the organiser of the Stockholm marathon confirms.

Helping Ukraine in this way would "systematically and massively raise the costs of Russia's aggression," wrote German chancellor Friedrich Merz

The Committee on Industry, Research and Energy is trying to regain exclusive competence over several articles and shared competence for many others

"We would like to improve efficiency and coordination across the entire anti-fraud cycle," said Serafin, presenting the Commission's review of the EU's anti-fraud architecture in Parliament

Jeudi 25 septembre, la Commission a fermement rejeté la demande des eurodéputés de saisir 200 milliards d’euros d’avoirs de la Banque centrale de Russie immobilisés dans l’UE, avertissant que leur confiscation contreviendrait au droit international et risquerait d’entraîner des représailles de la part de Moscou.

The post La Commission rejette les appels à saisir les avoirs russes gelés appeared first on Euractiv FR.

When you parse the Paramount Leader’s video message to world leaders, any vestige of optimism begins to melt away

Mohammad Shtayyeh called on Berlin and other EU countries to formally recognise Palestine, arguing it would align with their support for a two-state solution

Event Video 
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IPI, in partnership with The Elders, cohosted a policy forum on “The UN at 80: Charting a Path for the Future of Multilateralism” on September 25th.

The multilateral system is facing its greatest crisis since World War II, creaking under the strain of disordered global power dynamics. The UN has long struggled with a host of threats to multilateral cooperation, including growing disregard for the rule of law, nuclear proliferation, the rise of nationalist policymaking, and backtracking on global climate action and efforts to promote gender equality. Now, in the face of unprecedented funding cuts, the UN is being forced to reduce costs while seeking to retain relevance and improve efficiency across its three pillars. Bold thinking and action are urgently needed for a fairer, more effective, and more responsive UN to emerge from this crisis.

At the event, The Elders introduced their new policy paper, speaking to the failures of the existing multilateral system and calling for bold reform. The paper advocates for renewing the international peace and security architecture, overhauling the international financial architecture, accelerating investment in global public goods, and selecting a woman as the next UN secretary-general. The Elders shared nine “calls to action” to drive forward the process of reform.

Read The Elders’ report>>

Opening Remarks:
H.E. Juan Manuel Santos, Chair of The Elders; former President of Colombia; and Nobel Peace Laureate

Speakers:
H.E. Mary Robinson, Member of The Elders; former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights; and first woman President of Ireland
H.E. Helen Clark, Member of The Elders; former Prime Minister of New Zealand; and former Administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP)
Nudhara Yusuf, Co-Chair of the Coalition for the UN We Need

Moderator:
Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, President and CEO, International Peace Institute

The post The UN at 80: Charting a Path for the Future of Multilateralism appeared first on International Peace Institute.

Le gouvernement a autorisé, ce mercredi 24 septembre 2025, la réalisation des études techniques, économiques et financières, topographiques, environnementales et sociales relatives au développement de la filière bovine.

La filière bovine du Bénin est considérée comme un pilier stratégique de développement rural, de création d'emplois et de sécurité alimentaire. Le gouvernement béninois envisage donc de structurer une nouvelle organisation afin de faire face aux difficultés rencontrées dans l'expression de son plein potentiel. Il s'agit entre autres de la faible productivité du cheptel et les rendements limités, l'insuffisance d'infrastructures modernes d'engraissement, d'abattage, de transformation et de distribution ainsi que la fragmentation de la chaîne de valeur.
C'est dans cet élan qu'une société brésilienne spécialisée en la matière a été identifiée comme partenaire pour la réalisation des études techniques et économiques sur le site de la ferme d'élevage de l'Okpara.
« Les études topographiques quant à elles, sont confiées à l'Institut géographique national tandis que celles d'impact environnemental et social, qui s'étendront sur un premier périmètre de 20 000 hectares, seront conduites par une autre entreprise qui en a l'expertise », précise le gouvernement.

Marina HOUENOU (Stag)

La commission des Budgets du Parlement cherche à prendre la tête de dossiers clés liés au budget 2028-2034 de l’UE. La bataille s’annonce intense, car plusieurs commissions et groupes politiques veulent peser sur les discussions autour de cette enveloppe de 2 000 milliards d’euros.

The post Au Parlement européen, les commissions prêtes à s’affronter pour peser sur le prochain budget de l’UE appeared first on Euractiv FR.