Traditionally, the international energy majors that partner big Arab firms have hesitated to do business with Israel. But as Israel and Persian Gulf states find common cause against Tehran, this seems to be changing. But to complicate matters, the Palestinian Authority also claims rights to Israel's gas deposits 30 kilometers (19 miles) off its shore. "The fields are entirely within Palestinian territorial waters, as defined by the Oslo Accords," Tareq Baconi, Crisis Group's analyst for Israel/Palestine and Economics of Conflict, told DW. "So in international law, Palestinians should have full sovereignty in determining how they use their own natural resources." DW contacted the Israeli energy ministry for comment but has received no reply. An Israeli soldier patrols near the Gaza Strip border with Israel. Gaza relies on Israel to meet almost all its energy needs The finds The discovery of a large gas field, Tamar, off the coast of Israel in 2009 opened up a new era … [Read more...] about Israel-Hamas undersea gas spat in full swing
Cornish homes take part in trial to supply clean power to grid
Hundreds of homes and businesses in Cornwall have started selling electricity to their local energy network and the national energy system in a pioneering move. The trial is the first time that traditional energy users – such as homes, hotels and businesses – have acted as suppliers in a microcosm of a full energy system. The trial harnessed together 100 Cornish homes, fitted with batteries and solar panels, to act as a mini virtual power plant for the local energy network, Western Power Distribution, and the UK’s energy system operator, National Grid. During sunny spells when homes generate more than enough electricity from solar panels they can store the power to use later, or supply the energy system with clean extra power. The homes took part in the trial alongside 150 local businesses, which were prepared to adjust how much energy they used depending on the balance of energy supply and demand on the grid. If wind and solar power output dropped the companies could … [Read more...] about Cornish homes take part in trial to supply clean power to grid
Thousands of UK workers’ pay to rise as living wage increases
More than 210,000 workers in Britain are to receive a pay rise after the charity behind the living wage increased the national minimum hourly rate by 30p to £9.30. The Living Wage Foundation, which sets the voluntary measure, said London workers’ basic hourly rate will also rise, by 20p to £10.75, compared with the government’s “national living wage” of £8.21 for workers aged 25 years or older. The charity said the difference between its own living wage and the government minimum will be more than £2,000 a year nationally and almost £5,000 a year in London. This year, the Living Wage Foundation has accredited about 1,500 employers, taking the overall total to just under 6,000. Employers that have joined the initiative include the FTSE 100 insurer Hiscox, Crystal Palace football club, Leeds Building Society, City airport in London and Newcastle University. In September, Capita, the outsourcing company that operates the London congestion … [Read more...] about Thousands of UK workers’ pay to rise as living wage increases
No more two-hour lunch breaks: the slow death of Spain’s menú del día
Food is at the heart of Spanish culture. From social life to business deals, everything revolves around food – above all, lunch. How did Mariano Rajoy, then prime minister, react last year when faced with an unprecedented vote of no confidence? He went to lunch. For eight hours. The three-course menú del día has been the cornerstone of Spanish cuisine and social life for generations. Consequently, the restaurants serving these menús – generally low on aesthetics and high on value for money – have been a feature of the urban landscape. Now, though, their existence is threatened by a combination of rising rents, changing tastes and working hours, tourism and gentrification. The fixed-price menú del día (menu of the day) as we know it was introduced in the mid-1960s as the menú turístico (tourist menu) to ensure an affordable meal was within reach of all Spaniards. All of these restaurants had to offer one until the law changed in 2010. … [Read more...] about No more two-hour lunch breaks: the slow death of Spain’s menú del día
‘It’s a scary time for Latinos’: how Eva Longoria took the fight to Trump – and became a major director
Eva Longoria is almost certainly not who you think she is. Like many actors, she is known for one particular role – in her case, the flighty, fabulous former model Gabrielle Solis, the character she played in the TV comedy-drama Desperate Housewives. Filthy rich, with a penchant for topless gardeners and designer labels, Gaby filled the void left by Sex and the City in the early 2000s. While playing her, Longoria was busy studying for her masters, writing a thesis about the necessity of having more Latinas – women of Latin American descent – in careers in science, technology, engineering and maths (Stem) in the US. She is deeply political, outspoken and now successful behind the camera, scheduled to direct two feature films next year. This is the first time a Latina will be the director of two major studio films, and she fought off stiff competition from almost 30 other directors to make one of them, Flamin’ Hot, a biopic of the Mexican businessman behind … [Read more...] about ‘It’s a scary time for Latinos’: how Eva Longoria took the fight to Trump – and became a major director
