Elon Musk's SpaceX fined for worker safety violations in US

SpaceX has been fined $50,836 over last 10 years

ByDwaipayan Roy

Feb 15, 2024

What's the story

SpaceX, Elon Musk's aerospace company, has been fined $3,600 (roughly Rs. 3 lakh) by US worker safety officials.The step comes after a mishap at its Redmond, Washington facility resulted in a "near amputation," according to inspection records obtained by Reuters.The incident took place when a heavy material roll fell and crushed an employee's foot.Washington state's Department of Labor and Industries did an inspection following worker complaints and discovered safety violations.

Discovery

Inspectors found inadequate safety measures

During the inspection, it was revealed that the facility lacked proper communication of work rules, a comprehensive safety program, and a system to address violations.Inspectors also found that workers were not urged to wear steel-toe shoes, despite the fact that the rolls of materials being handled had increased in weight from 36.3kg to 136kg, each.An agency spokesperson described the violation as serious due to the risk of injury.

Claim

Worker claimed that safety was overlooked for production

A worker informed inspectors that "safety can get overlooked" as the company's main objective is to "make as much as we can in a short amount of time."The injured employee stated that the machine where the rolls were loaded "had been deliberately set up incorrectly to increase the production rate during the material loading phase."He also alleged that the firm's safety officials lack "reading comprehension and overall competency to implement a safety plan at the Redmond site."

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Problem

SpaceX has a history of injuries and regulatory issues

SpaceX has experienced multiple injuries and regulatory issues, highlighting the limitations of worker safety regulations.Reuters has documented at least 600 previously unreported worker injuries since 2014.Experts in US worker safety argue that fines are limited by law and offer little deterrence for major companies. Additionally, federal and state regulators face a chronic shortage of inspectors.To note, in the last 10 years, SpaceX has been fined a total of $50,836 (around Rs. 42.2 lakh) for various violations.

Silence

NASA refrains from commenting on SpaceX's safety record

NASA, which has awarded SpaceX over $11.8 billion in contracts as a private space contractor, has consistently declined to comment on the company's safety record.Instead, they have only stated that they reserve the right to enforce contract provisions requiring SpaceX to maintain "a robust and effective safety program and culture."

Greece legalizes same-sex marriage despite opposition from Orthodox Church

BY LAUREN IRWIN - 02/15/24 

Supporters of same-sex marriage bill take part in a rally, at central Syntagma Square, in Athens, Greece, Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Varaklas)

Greece legalized same-sex marriage after the Parliament passed legislation to do so Thursday, despite pushback from the Orthodox Church.

The country became the first Orthodox Christian country to pass a law legalizing same-sex marriage and equal parental rights for same-sex couples, The Associated Press (AP) reported.

Of the 300 members in Parliament, 176 lawmakers from different parties voted in favor of the bill drafted by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Seventy-six members rejected the bill, while two abstained from voting and 46 were not present at voting, the AP noted.

“The vote has passed: as of tonight, Greece is proud to become the 16th EU country to legislate marriage equality,” Mitsotakis posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. “This is a milestone for human rights, reflecting today’s Greece — a progressive, and democratic country, passionately committed to European values.”

Supporters and protestors of the bill gathered outside Parliament on Thursday as lawmakers debated, the AP reported.

“People who have been invisible will finally be made visible around us. And with them, many children [will] finally find their rightful place,” the prime minister told lawmakers earlier Thursday, the outlet reported.

While the bill provides same-sex couples full parental rights, it does not allow couples full rights through surrogate mothers. Advocates have pushed back on the limitation and the lack of provisions for transgender people.

Same-sex marriage is largely supported by residents. Former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras from New Democracy, a conservative governing group, opposes the bill.


He told Parliament that same-sex marriage is “not a human right” and that it is not an obligation for the country to legalize it.

The Church of Greece is the main voice of opposition against the bill, as it disapproves of same-sex marriage. Church officials have argued that the bill could impact traditional family values, and the surrogacy limitation could one day be extended to same-sex couples.

The Associated Press contributed.

Greek Parliament To Vote On Legalising Same-Sex Marriage In First For An Orthodox Christian Country

 By PTI 

| Published: Thursday, February 15, 2024, 

 Greece's parliament is set to vote on Thursday to legalise same-sex civil marriage, in a first for an Orthodox Christian country and despite opposition from the influential Greek Church. Opinion polls suggest that most Greeks support the proposed reform, and the issue has failed to trigger deep divisions in a country more worried about the high cost of living. 

The landmark bill drafted by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis ' centre-right government is backed by four left-wing parties, including the main opposition Syriza. That would secure it 243 votes in the 300-seat parliament.

 Several majority and left-wing lawmakers are expected to abstain or vote against the reform - but not enough to kill the bill.

Three small far-right parties and the Stalinist-rooted Communist Party have rejected the draft law. 

State Minister Akis Skertsos stressed at the opening of the two-day debate Wednesday that most Greeks already accept the idea of same-sex marriages. "We are not deciding on change in this chamber," he said. "It has already happened ... Society changes and develops without requiring parliament's permission." 

The bill would confer full parental rights on married same-sex partners with children. But it precludes gay couples from parenthood through surrogate mothers in Greece - an option currently available to women who can't have children for health reasons.

 Governing New Democracy lawmaker Maria Syrengela said the reform would redress a long-standing injustice for same-sex couples and their children. "And let's reflect on what these people have been through, spending so many years in the shadows, entangled in bureaucratic procedures," she said. 

Polls show that while most Greeks agree to same-sex weddings they also reject extending parenthood through surrogacy to male couples.

 Same-sex civil partnerships have been allowed in Greece since 2015. But that only conferred legal guardianship to the biological parents of children in those relationships, leaving their partners in a bureaucratic limbo. 

The main opposition to the new bill has come from the traditionalist Church of Greece - which also disapproves of heterosexual civil marriage. 

Church officials have centred their criticism on the bill's implications for traditional family values, and argue that potential legal challenges could lead to a future extension of surrogacy rights to gay couples.

The head of the Orthodox Church of Greece, Archbishop Ieronymos, suggested Wednesday that the ballot should be held by roll call. This would enable constituents to see exactly how their lawmakers voted. That's going to happen anyway, following motions later in the day by far-right parties and - independently and for different reasons - Syriza.

 The main opposition leader, Stefanos Kasselakis, who is gay, has threatened disciplinary action against any Syriza lawmaker who doesn't back the bill. 

Church supporters and conservative organizations have staged small protests against the proposed law, and members of far-right groups have called for a demonstration outside parliament later Thursday. 

Politically, the same-sex marriage law is not expected to harm Mitsotakis' government, which won easy re-election last year after capturing much of the centrist vote. 

A stronger challenge comes from ongoing protests by farmers angry at high production costs, and intense opposition from many students to the planned scrapping of a state monopoly on university education. Nevertheless, parliament is expected to approve the university bill later this month, and opinion polls indicate that most Greeks support it.

Families of hostages demand Netanyahu immediately continue hostage negotiations

BY LAUREN IRWIN - 02/15/24 

Liz Hirsh Naftali, great aunt of Abigail Mor Edan, joined by other relatives of people held hostage by Hamas in the Gaza Strip speaks during a bipartisan press conference by lawmakers on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on January 17, 2024. Some 250 people were taken to Gaza by Palestinian militants during the October 7 attack by Hamas on southern Israeli communities. Israeli officials say 132 of them are still being held captive in the territory, including 27 who are believed to have been killed, according to an AFP tally.

 (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP) 

The family members of hostages taken by Hamas demanded Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu immediately continue negotiations Thursday, as efforts for a cease-fire have stalled.

“We want a deal. As members of hostage families, we want our family members home immediately. If there’s not a deal immediately, then we want to see the people who need to be at the negotiating table come back to the table,” Abbey Onn, the cousin of one of the hostages, said in a statement. “We need to see Israel at the table with their partners and trying to make diplomacy work.”

Onn and other family members gathered for a virtual press conference Thursday to press Netanyahu after he rejected Hamas’s response to secure the release of hostages in exchange for a pause in fighting.

Netanyahu accused Hamas of dragging the negotiations by having “delusional” demands.

His remarks came after reports that he ordered his Israeli delegation to stop negotiations in Egypt. Israel did not receive a new proposal from Hamas militants in Cairo and called for them to change their proposal, The Associated Press (AP) reported.

Of the more than 200 hostages taken on Oct. 7, there are about 130 remaining, and about a fourth of them are said to be dead, the AP noted.

Family members are concerned that Netanyahu isn’t listening to their demands and argued they must speak with the war Cabinet, as Israeli soldiers prepare to enter the southern city of Rafah in Gaza, which is sheltering more than 1.5 million Palestinians.

Netanyahu has consistently called for Hamas to release hostages and vowed to use military force to demolish Hamas in order to get the remaining hostages back, but relatives are questioning his motives. Since Israel launched its counteroffensive, more than 28,000 Palestinians have died, the Gaza Health Ministry reported.

“If the Prime Minister was committed to releasing the hostages, there would be a team in Cairo negotiating,” Liz Naftali, the great aunt of a former hostage, said in a statement.

Health Minister: Gaza's Dogs and Cats Pose Risk to Israelis!

  February 15, 2024, Thursday 

Israel's Ministries of Agriculture and Health have issued a stark advisory, urging citizens to refrain from adopting dogs and cats originating from territories under Palestinian Authority rule, including Gaza, as well as from areas along the northern border. The move comes amidst growing concerns over the potential health risks associated with unregulated pet importation.

The introduction of dogs and cats into Israeli territory without proper authorization poses a significant threat of disease transmission, including the spread of rabies, Echinococcus, leishmania, and scabies, among others, warn health officials. The Ministries of Agriculture and Health emphasize the importance of adhering to legal protocols and adopting pets only through regulated channels to mitigate these risks.

In the event of exposure, scratches, or bites from suspicious animals, individuals are advised to promptly cleanse the affected area with soap and water and seek immediate medical attention from the nearest health bureau. Preventive treatment may be necessary to mitigate the potential effects of exposure to infectious diseases.

Highlighting the plight of animals in need, the Ministry of Agriculture underscores the importance of adopting pets from authorized kennels, local authorities, and animal welfare associations. This not only saves animals from distressing conditions but also alleviates overcrowding in kennels, allowing for better care and accommodation of rescued animals.

The Ministries of Agriculture and Health advocate for adopting pets that have undergone comprehensive medical examinations, treatment, and vaccination against prevalent diseases. By prioritizing adoption through regulated associations, individuals can ensure the welfare of both the adopted pet and the broader community.

Amidst ongoing tensions, it is estimated that thousands of dogs have crossed into Israel from Gaza since the onset of the Iron Swords War. While the plight of these animals elicits compassion, authorities stress the importance of prioritizing public health and adhering to established protocols to mitigate potential risks associated with unregulated pet adoption practices.

Bulgaria and Romania to revive €6bn Danube hydropower project
Bulgaria and Romania are updating old plans to build a major new hydropower plant on the Danube. / bne IntelliNews

By bne IntelliNews February 14, 2024

Bulgaria’s National Electricity Company (NEK) and Romania’s Hidroelectrica are reviving a project to build a joint hydropower plant (HPP) on the River Danube between the cities of Nikopol in Bulgaria and Turnu Magurele in Romania, Bulgarian Energy Minister Rumen Radev said on February 14 as quoted by Investor.bg.

The project dates from 50 years ago and was drafted in the 80s and 90s, NEK’s director Martin Georgiev said. It also includes the construction of a second bridge on the Danube that would connect the two countries. It is estimated that the construction would cost the two countries €6bn.

“This is a cross-border project where the hydropower plant is just a small part of the benefits – it is an important infrastructure project, which will secure an important connectivity between the two countries – of roads, rails, energy networks, as there will be a substation and the floating will be improved, as well as the management of flood risks,” Georgiev said.

He added that currently the two countries are updating the old projects, revising them technically and from an environmental point of view. The HPP should generate 800 MW of electricity annually.

However, environmentalists strongly object to the project, saying it poses risks to biodiversity. Between Nikopol and Turnu Magurele there are several islets that are reservations and could be destroyed by the construction work.

Countries along the Danube already exploit the river to produce hydropower. As countries along the Danube seek to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and boost energy security, there are ongoing discussions and plans for the construction of new hydropower plants both on the Danube and its tributaries.

There are around 60 dams along the first 1,000 kilometers of the Danube alone. The upper reaches of the river are particularly suitable for the construction of hydropower facilities, thanks to its natural incline.

In Austria, nearly 60% of the annual electricity production comes from hydropower, with about 20% generated directly along the Danube. In Slovakia, hydropower contributes around 16% to the overall energy mix.

The biggest hydropower infrastructure on the Danube is the Iron Gates system in the Djerdap Gorge, consisting of two dams operated by Serbia and Romania. This generates roughly 37% of Serbia's energy and 27% of Romania's.

 

Food crisis grips northern Nigeria sparking protests

By

 AFP

Desperate Nigerians have been protesting against soaring food prices as an economic crisis forces people to skip meals and eat poor-grade rice used as fish food.

To feed their children, women in northern Nigeria have even resorted to digging up anthills in search of grain stored by the insects, according to videos shown on social media.

Since coming to office last year President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ended a fuel subsidy and currency controls, leading to a tripling of petrol prices and a spike in living costs as the naira slides against the dollar.

Nigeria’s inflation rate hit a three-decade high above 28 percent in December, according to the national bureau of statistics.

Dire conditions have sparked protests in several northern cities including Suleja near the capital Abuja, Minna in Niger State, and the economic hub of Kano.

On Monday, the influential traditional emir of Kano Aminu Ado Bayero warned that Nigerians faced “economic hardships, hunger and starvation” and called on the president to take urgent action.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf said this month he would ask the president “to intervene and check the prevailing hunger situation in Kano State, so as to save our people from starvation.”

“We know that other parts of the country are experiencing the same thing,” he said.

At least 63 percent of Nigeria’s 220 million population lives in extreme poverty, the statistics bureau says.

Many poor Nigerians have had to give up products considered a luxury, such as meat, eggs, milk and potato.

In Kano, residents have turned to cheap ‘afafata’ rice. The word means ‘let’s slug it out’ in the Hausa language and refers to its use in hard times.

In 2015 Nigeria banned the import of rice in a drive to boost domestic production.

But the price of locally-produced rice has spiralled, pushing the staple out of reach for many. The cost of maize flour, millet and sorghum has also shot up.

Eighty percent of Nigeria’s grain is produced in the northwest and northeast, but violence in these regions has increased pressure on supplies.

Deadly raids and kidnapping for ransom by criminal gangs in the northwest and a jihadist conflict in the northeast have displaced many farming communities.

In a report this month the World Bank warned of acute food shortages in seven states due to the violence. 

Nigeria has also shut its northern border with Niger following a military coup that toppled President Mohamed Bazoum last year, preventing millet and cowpea from reaching northern Nigerian markets. 

Hoarding –

Nigerian authorities face increasing pressure to ease the hardship.

On Monday agriculture minister Abubakar Kyari told parliament national food security had suffered since the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 and devastating floods the following year.

But Ya’u Tumfafi, an official at Dawanau grain market on the outskirts of Kano, said hoarding was also to blame.

“Wealthy people have joined the grain business and continue to mop up grains and store them in warehouses,” Tumfafi told AFP at Dawanau, the largest grain market in West Africa.

To address growing discontent, President Tinubu has ordered the release of 102,000 tonnes of grain from the strategic reserve for sale at a subsidised rate to force down food prices.

He also vowed to tackle hoarding, while Kyari told parliament the government intended to boost irrigation farming to help ramp up production.

In Kano, authorities have raided warehouses where traders are suspected of hoarding food supplies.

Yobe state government this month banned bulk purchases of grain from local markets to stop hoarding and exports across Nigeria’s borders saying it was to “stem the tide of food scarcity and high cost of grains”.

Niger state governor Mohammed Umar Bago has announced a ban on the mass purchase of foodstuffs from local markets. He ordered security forces to confiscate trucks carrying products in bulk and “share the food to the people”.

But grain trader Tumfafi said these were “just stop-gap measures that cannot solve the food problem we are facing.”

“What impact can 102,000 tonnes make for 220 million people?” he said.

“Let the government secure our villages in the northwest and northeast for people to return and cultivate their farms. Nothing short of this will work.”

WW3.0
Philippines deploys warship in western waters to 'safeguard maritime interests'

A general view of Tagburos village, the fishing community visited by U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines, on Nov 22, 2022.
PHOTO: Reuters

FEBRUARY 15, 2024 


MANILA - The Philippines has deployed a warship off the waters of Palawan island facing the South China Sea to "protect its maritime interests", a senior navy official said, in a move that may irk China.

Amid simmering tensions in the disputed waterway, Commodore Edward Ike De Sagon said the ship's presence in Palawan "will serve as a reminder to all who would dare challenge our sovereignty that we stand ready and vigilant."

It will also "bolster efforts of safeguarding the maritime domain and interests in the country's western frontier," De Sagon added in a written statement dated Tuesday (Feb 13) but sent on Wednesday.

The deployment of patrol corvette BRP Emilio Jacinto or the PS35 came days after the Philippines and the United States conducted joint maritime exercises in the South China Sea, where Manila and Beijing have traded blame over a spate of run-ins over territory.

Palawan is also home to one of four additional bases that the United States military was given access to last year under the Philippines' Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with its treaty ally. The province has rich fishing grounds and pristine beaches that are popular with tourists.

China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of commercial shipping annually, including parts of the exclusive economic zones of the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei.


In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague said China's claims had no legal basis, a decision Beijing has rejected.

Turkish authorities restrict access to disaster-hit province, detain activists

ByTurkish Minute
February 14, 2024

Activist Sedat Cezayirlioğlu

The Tunceli Governor’s Office in eastern Turkey has imposed a five-day ban on outgoing travel to neighboring Erzincan, where on Tuesday a landslide at a gold mine left nine workers trapped, the Stockholm Center for Freedom reported, citing Turkish media.

Law enforcement has detained several members of the Human Rights Association (İHD) who were on their way to the scene, the report said.

Sedat Cezayirlioğlu, a local environmental activist known for his years-long advocacy against gold mining in the region, was also detained due to his remarks in videos he posted on social media in reaction to the incident.

Cezayirlioğlu had warned that the mass of earth contains large amounts of cyanide, which could impact the wider region if it contaminates nearby dams and reservoirs.

The police set up barricades on the main route connecting the provinces and intercepted local politicians from the Peoples’ Democracy and Equality Party (DEM) and the Socialist Party of Oppressed (ESP) as well as members of a local environmental association who were on their way to Erzincan.

“This obstruction has the same goal as in similar events, to hide from the public the consequences of environmental plunder aimed at growing the wealth of pro-government financiers,” said Özcan Gürtaş, a provincial executive from the DEM Party.

Turkish authorities commonly impose gag orders, restrict social media and ban gatherings following natural disasters that are likely to draw criticism to the government’s crisis management.

In the aftermath of last year’s devastating earthquakes of February 6, Turkey temporarily restricted access to X, formerly Twitter, and detained scores of social media users over their commentary.