Coal needs to be consigned to history to limit global warming, says PM Boris Johnson, describing a UN report on climate change as “sobering”.
He said the world must shift to clean energy and provide finance to help countries at risk from changing climates.
The landmark study found it was “unequivocal” that human activity was responsible for global warming.
Green campaigners said the UK must halt planned new fossil fuel projects.
Despite the call to end the use of coal, the UK is considering plans for a new coking coal mine in Cumbria, as well as proposals to tap a new oil field near Shetland.
The report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) – the UN group on the science of climate change – said climate change was already here and causing chaos in some places.
Its authors said some of the changes, including rising sea levels, would not be reversed for hundreds or maybe thousands of years.
The publication comes less than three months before the UK hosts a key climate summit, known as COP26, in Glasgow.
Mr Johnson said: “Today’s report makes for sobering reading, and it is clear that the next decade is going to be pivotal to securing the future of our planet.
“We know what must be done to limit global warming – consign coal to history and shift to clean energy sources, protect nature and provide climate finance for countries on the frontline.”
The UK government, which has adopted a 2035 deadline for a 78% emissions cut, is due to publish its strategy on cutting UK emissions to zero overall by 2050 this autumn.
Net zero means cutting carbon emissions as far as possible then balancing out any remaining releases, for example by tree planting.
“The UK is leading the way, decarbonising our economy faster than any country in the G20 over the last two decades,” the prime minister said.
“I hope today’s IPCC report will be a wake-up call for the world to take action now before we meet in Glasgow in November for the critical COP26 summit.”
The UK has already drastically reduced the use of coal, with consumption falling from 61 million tonnes in 2013 to eight million tonnes last year. But the country remains dependent on other fossil fuels such as natural gas, which provides most home heating and about 40% of electricity.
The Climate Change Committee, the UK’s independent adviser on tackling global warming, says the UK has adequate policies for only two of 21 key areas in eliminating carbon emissions.
Oil prices fell more than 2% on Monday, extending last week’s steep losses on the back of a rising U.S. dollar and concerns that new pandemic curbs in Asia, especially China, may set back the global recovery in fuel demand.
Brent crude futures slid by $1.52, or 2.2%, to $69.17 a barrel by 0657 GMT, after having slumped 6% last week, their biggest weekly loss in four months.
U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures fell $1.64, or 2.4%, to $66.64 a barrel, after having slumped nearly 7% last week in their steepest weekly decline in nine months.
ANZ analysts pointed to new restrictions in China, the world’s second largest oil consumer, as a major factor clouding the outlook for demand growth.
The curbs include flight cancellations, warnings by 46 cities against travel, and limits on public transport and taxi services in 144 of the worst hit areas.
Adding to the gloom, data released over the weekend showed China’s export growth slowed more than expected in July following outbreaks of reported COVID-19 cases and floods, while import growth was also weaker than expected.
“Both (benchmark crude) contracts look vulnerable to more bad news on the virus front, focusing on Mainland China. Markets will be sensitive to headlines suggesting that China’s economic recovery is peaking as well after the weekend trade data,” OANDA senior market analyst Jeffrey Halley said in a note.
China’s crude oil imports dipped slightly on a daily basis in July to 9.71 million barrels per day (bpd), a fourth month in a row of imports below 10 million bpd and sharply down on a record 12.94 million bpd in June 2020 when refiners were stocking up on cheap crude, data released on Saturday showed.
A rally in the U.S. dollar to a four-month high against the euro also weighed on oil prices, after Friday’s stronger-than-expected U.S. jobs report spurred bets that the Federal Reserve may move more quickly to tighten U.S. monetary policy.
A stronger U.S. dollar makes oil more expensive for holders of other currencies.
The market cap of Bitcoin gained $220.24bn in 30 days according to analysis of data on CoinMarketCap.
On July 8, 2021, BTC opened trading at $33,889.61. It had a high of $33,907.91, a low of $32,133.18 and closed trading at $32,877.37. Its market cap was $616,492,852,697 and it closed with a trading volume of $29,910,396,946.
On August 7, 2021, BTC opened trading at $42,832.80, had a high of $44,689.86, a low of $42,618.57, and closed trading at $44,555.80. Its market cap was $836,730,623,772 and it closed with a trading volume of $40,030,862,141.
Higher trading volumes mean more positive activity in the BTC market, which indicates greater investor security.
The resurgence of BTC prices has been sustained since August 8, with BTC trading at sustained levels beyond $40k.
BTC prices began to dip in May, after Elon Musk said that Tesla wasn’t going to accept it as a form of payment again. China’s continued crackdown on BTC mining also affected the market.
Musk has since said Tesla would begin accepting BTC again once mining of the digital currency becomes more environmentally friendly.
Wildfires are continuing to rip through the Greek island of Evia, prompting residents to flee to safety by sea.
More than 2,000 people have been evacuated, with elderly residents carried on to ferries.
Local officials said more help was needed to fight the fires that have destroyed parts of the island.
The EU said it was mobilising one of its biggest responses to tackle the wildfires affecting Greece and a number of other European nations.
Greece and neighbouring Turkey have been battling devastating blazes for nearly two weeks as the region suffers its worst heatwave in decades. Temperatures have risen to 45C (113F) in Greece.
A number of wildfires have struck the country in recent days. One blaze in the northern suburb of Athens is said to have subsided.
Heatwaves such as this are becoming more likely and more extreme because of human-induced climate change. The subsequent hot, dry weather is likely to fuel wildfires.
On Evia, a large island to the north and east of Athens, two fire fronts have destroyed thousands of hectares of land, along with a number of houses and businesses.
Egypt’s Cabinet Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC) has denied news about reduced budget allocations for the health and education sectors in 2021-2022.
The IDSC said in a statement that it had contacted the Finance Ministry to verify the news.
The Ministry stressed that claims of reduced allocations to the health and education sectors in the 2021-2022 state budget are baseless.
The Ministry made it clear to the IDSC that allocations for the two sectors have increased above constitutional entitlements in the new state budget.
The Ministry explained that allotments for the health sector have risen by 6.6 percent to reach 275.6 billion pounds in 2021-2022, while the education sector got a 6.8 percent increase in budget allocations to 388.2 billion pounds.
The Finance Ministry urged all media outlets to verify any information from official sources to avoid confusion of public opinion.
The executive secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote, has disclosed that the promotion of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, STEM, education in Nigeria, would impact the nation’s 10-Year Strategic Road Map.
The Road Map is targeted at the retention of over $14 billion out of $20 billion estimated industry spends in-country, creation of over 300,000 direct and indirect jobs for Nigerians and growing Nigerian Content from 27 per cent from 2017 to 70 per cent by 2027.
Speaking at the commencement of the training of teachers, championed by Siemens Energy Nigeria, NCDMB, and Empowering Africa through Education Initiative, EATEI, which commenced in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state, Wabote, said over 11,000 Nigerians have benefited from human capital interventions in various disciplines, skills, and competencies championed by the Board and in collaboration with stakeholders in the oil and gas industry and its linkage sectors since its inception in 2010.
Wabote, who was represented by Chukwuma Ama, General Manager, Capacity Development, NCDMB stated that the oil and gas industry is technology-intensive and innovation-driven adding that the board is aware of the rapidly changing global technology and smart innovations, which is largely driven by STEM education and the increasing desire to create value for humanity and the global society.
Wabote emphasized on the value of STEM education, including research and development and development of local technology, innovations and solutions.
Similarly, the head of business development, Siemens Energy, Oladayo Orolu, said improving education and vocational training structures are crucial for creating individual prospects and economic growth with sustainable productivity.
He said the training is part of Siemens’s strategy towards building human development capacity in Nigeria.
Orolo, who noted that the intention is to stimulate the minds of young Nigerians, as well as provide them with the tools to work with, said: “We want to expose Nigerian children to develop a keen interest in STEM education, not just to learn employable skills, but also to enable them to develop, innovate and create their own designs, which can compete with some of the best in the world.
Nigerian Army says participants of Army War College Nigeria (AWCN) Course 5/2021, have embarked on a Geo – Strategic tour to the Republics of Liberia and Niger.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said in a statement that the tour which began on August 8 would end on August 14.
He said the tour was an important component of the module on national security which also constituted a vital part of the college’s programme for the participants.
According to him, the tour is designed to expose the participants to the geo-strategic environment and afford them the opportunity to appreciate the link between geo-strategic mechanisms and Nigeria’s foreign policy posture in the West African sub-region.
Nwachukwu disclosed that Brig.-General IU Akpan, would lead the team to the Republic of Liberia while the Director of Studies, Brig.-Gen. B.A Alabi would lead the team to Niger Republic.
Eating balanced lunches that include vegetables, a lean protein source, and other health-promoting foods can aid weight loss.
We understand that having a healthy lunch is not always easy, especially if you’re busy at work or on the go during the day.
That’s why it’s important to have a list of go-to lunch ideas on hand. This way, you can stay prepared and avoid skipping meals or relying on fast food and other less healthy options.
Here are 17 healthy lunch ideas for weight loss, including choices for plant-based, low carb, diabetes-friendly, and paleo diets.
Plant-based lunches for weight loss
Plant foods, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seeds, are full of fiber and beneficial nutrients. They tend to be filling, and many of them are lower in calories than certain animal products and highly processed foods.
Thus, plant-based diets like vegan or vegetarian diets have been associated with weight loss in some people. Below are just two examples out of the numerous choices
Garden veggie chickpea salad sandwiches
Chickpeas are a versatile vegetarian protein. Some research suggests that chickpeas aid weight management, likely due to the vitamins, minerals, fiber, and variety of beneficial compounds they contain.
The texture of chickpeas makes them very easy to smash with a fork to create a chickpea “salad” filling for sandwiches.
This recipe for garden veggie chickpea salad sandwiches is a delicious lunch option if you’re trying to lose weight and eat a plant-based diet. If you follow a vegan diet, swap out the mayo for a vegan substitute.
Veggie wraps
A healthy wrap is a great lunch choice, especially if you need something that you can make ahead of time to eat at your desk or in between meetings.
Fortunately, it’s really easy to make plant-based wraps. To ensure that they’re filling, delicious, and help you lose weight, choose whole wheat wraps (or use lettuce) and add a protein source, healthy sauce or spread, and plenty of vegetables.
This veggie wraps recipe uses whole wheat tortillas, hummus, carrots, cucumbers, and other veggies. The edamame and hummus provide protein, while the avocado contributes healthy fats that help you feel full.
Low carb lunches for weight loss
Many people find that a low carb or Keto diet helps them lose weight. This style of eating involves limiting high carb foods and increasing your intake of fats and proteins.
Some research backs the potential role of low carb eating to help you lose weight, suggesting that limiting your carb intake may improve your blood sugar regulation in a way that promotes weight loss.
That said, these diets may also lead to weight regain when discontinued. Also, high carb, fiber-containing whole grains may help keep you feeling fuller for longer, so a lack of carbs at lunch may cause you to feel unsatisfied soon after meals. Here are a few ideas
Tuna egg salad stuffed peppers
Tuna and eggs are two affordable, high protein foods that will keep you full long after lunch.
In fact, eating eggs instead of a higher carb meal may help reduce hunger and the number of calories you consume later in the day, which can help promote weight loss.
While egg and tuna salads are usually served on bread, you can stuff them into bell peppers for a low carb meal instead. Try out the easy recipe for tuna egg salad stuffed bell peppers.
Low carb eggplant pizza
Eating more non-starchy vegetables like eggplant often helps people lose weight. Eggplant is low in calories but high in fiber.
Using it in place of pizza crust is a great way to enjoy the flavors of pizza without consuming too many refined carbs at lunch.
Good plant-based, low carb options can be hard to find, as low carb eating often includes animal products — another great reason to keep this recipe on hand.
If you work from home or have a little time for lunch meal prep, give this easy recipe for low carb eggplant pizza a try. The recipe provides options to add more protein.
Diabetes-friendly lunches for weight loss
If you are overweight or obese and diabetic, a healthcare professional may have advised you to lose weight to improve or help manage your condition.
Eating a healthy diet and maintaining a healthy weight are both important for good blood sugar regulation.
Many people with diabetes pay attention to their carb intake at meals, as carbs can increase blood sugar levels. They may limit overall carbs or try to keep the number of carbs consistent at each meal. Below are a few recipes you can try.
Avocado toast with cottage cheese and tomatoes
A diabetes-friendly lunch resembles a balanced plate, containing fiber from non-starchy vegetables and complex carbs, protein, and healthy fat.
Pairing carbs with these other macronutrients is key to preventing your blood sugar from spiking, helping maintain good blood sugar and energy levels throughout the day.
Avocado toast on whole grain bread can be a great base for this type of lunch. This diabetes-friendly version features protein-packed cottage cheese and fresh tomatoes to complete the meal.
Black bean soup
Black beans are a high fiber, high protein food. Eating them can help people with diabetes trying to lose weight.
They’re also a good source of folate, a B vitamin that’s necessary for healthy blood cells and fetal development.
Making a soup with black beans is an easy and affordable lunch option. This black bean soup recipe uses veggies, canned black beans, and lots of seasonings.
Paleo lunches for weight loss
A Paleolithic (paleo) diet emphasizes vegetables, fruits, animal proteins, nuts, seeds, and healthy fats while eliminating sugar, grains, beans and legumes, most dairy, vegetable oils, and alcohol. It’s intended to resemble the diet of hunter-gatherers.
Since the paleo diet includes lots of nutritious foods and limits foods that may contribute to weight gain, some people find it useful for weight loss.
It may also have other beneficial effects on health, such as improving blood sugar and reducing blood pressure.
Egg roll in a bowl
If you love the taste of takeout egg rolls, you can easily mimic the flavors by making a deconstructed version for lunch.
Plus, eggs roll bowls can be made with filling, lean protein like ground turkey or chicken. They’re also usually loaded with cabbage, a rich source of vitamin K.
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble nutrient that’s essential for proper blood clotting.
This egg roll in a bowl recipe is a healthier twist on a takeout favorite and is suitable for those following a paleo diet and wanting to lose weight.
Paleo chicken curry
Chicken curry is made with a variety of seasonings that may provide health benefits. For example, turmeric has anti-inflammatory compounds that help protect against disease development.
A paleo version of chicken curry made with cauliflower rice instead of white rice is a healthy lunch option for weight loss.
This chicken curry recipe is suitable for a paleo diet and features flavorful spices and filling ingredients like coconut milk and veggies.
Takehome
If you’re looking to lose weight, there are lots of filling, delicious lunch ideas to try.
Whether you focus on plant-based, low carb, diabetes-friendly, or paleo recipes, make sure to choose dishes that contain mostly whole foods and place an emphasis on lots of fruits and non-starchy vegetables.
Many of the dishes above are perfect for making ahead of time. You can batch cook several servings on the weekend to enjoy for lunch throughout the week.
The West African Examination Council (WAEC) has reopened its office in Calabar after it was destroyed by hoodlums who hijacked the #EndSars protest on Oct. 24, 2020.
Speaking today in Calabar, Patrick Areghan- the Head of National Office {WAEC}, said that the examination body received the news of the destruction in Lagos with sadness.
According to Areghan, the destruction on the examination body is condemnable, coming at a period when the pandemic had affected the world economy and also disrupting the academic calendar.
He maintained that the complete renovation, rehabilitation and equipping of the Calabar office was to give it a facelift with a view to continue to render service to the people of the state.
He said that the concern of WAEC was the safety of its staff during the destruction, adding that the examination body places premium on the welfare and safety of its staff.
“The hoodlums attacked the premises of WAEC on Oct. 24, 2020. They destroyed the building and furniture, vandalised vehicles and carted away valuables.
“After the destruction, some government officials from the state and other stakeholders visited the place and made some promises, but, we are yet to see the fulfilment of those promises made.
“As a body of examination, we exist to serve the Nigerian child and satisfy the interests of other stakeholders.
“The pandemic disrupted the academic calendar; hence the 2021 May/June WAEC did not hold as usual. The 2021 WAEC examination has been scheduled to start on Aug. 16 in Nigeria,” he said.
He thanked members of the All-Nigerian Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPPS) and other stakeholders for their support for the examination body in the state.
Oladele Ezekiel, Branch Controller of WAEC in Cross River, said that after the destruction on Oct. 24, Gov. Ben Ayade visited the office on Nov. 3.
He said that the governor, while assuring the council of his support to get back to business, promised the office two Hilux pick-up vehicles and the renovation of the damaged buildings.
“The office followed up the promises rigorously but all to no avail.
“With great difficulty, the office relocated its operations to the Uyo zonal office for the safe custody of all security materials and the provision of our services to meet the needs of the Cross River residents and other clients.
“The journey to and from Uyo was not a pleasant one as it was stressful and risky while the road was in serious state of despair with attendant effects on our operations.
“The management heard our groaning and sent us a coaster bus to alleviate our transportation problems.
“Furthermore, the management came and saw our pitiable state and the head of national office gave us hope that the office would be renovated before the next examination in 2021, here we are today,” he said.
He thanked the head of the national office and his management team for their profound interest and genuine concerns for the entire staff and the office at large.
The Secretary of ANCOPPS in Cross River, Dermot Tawo, in his goodwill message, condemned the destruction on WAEC office and gave the assurance that they would continue to partner with the council to promote service delivery in the state.
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