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France is lobbying for Russia to face energy sanctions
The European Parliament has approved a bill that would make it easier for people to travel All 27 European Union countries are “totally determined” to impose sanctions on Russia, which could target oil and coal, according to French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire.
Because Europe relies on Russian oil, gas, and coal, reaching an agreement on energy policy is difficult, but reports of the killings outside of Kyiv have heightened calls for stiffer EU sanctions.
Europe has been hesitant to target Russian energy because of fears that it would send the European economy into a tailspin. In some ways, going without Russian oil would be easier for Europe than going without Russian gas because most supplies are delivered by tankers and could be obtained from other sources. However, speculation about a possible boycott of Russian oil has pushed up global oil prices this week.
When asked if there was political will to impose sanctions on Russian oil and coal, as French President Emmanuel Macron suggested this week, Le Maire said, “We’ll see what the other member states’ positions are, but I think there’s a possibility of having unity on the 27 member states on these new sanctions.”
He made no mention of natural gas and reaching an agreement on how to target the fuel used to generate electricity and heat houses would be considerably more challenging. The EU imports nearly 40% of its natural gas from Russia, and many EU members, particularly Germany, the bloc’s largest economy, reject a gas embargo.
France currently holds the EU Council presidency, and Le Maire spoke ahead of a meeting of EU finance ministers in Luxembourg, where they will debate further sanctions against Russia.
While the EU has so far refrained from punishing Russian energy, individual nations have announced measures to reduce their reliance: Poland has said it would stop importing Russian coal and oil, while Lithuania has indicated it will no longer use Russian natural gas.
The European Union imports roughly 25% of its oil from Russia, and in 2020, the EU imported 53% of its hard coal from the country, accounting for 30% of the EU’s hard coal usage.
Although coal and oil may be on the table, Teresa Ribera, Spain’s Minister for the Environment, said Tuesday that sanctioning Russian natural gas would be “extremely difficult” because several EU countries rely on it for energy and that the EU’s strength resides in its unity.
“It’s really difficult to explain to European public opinion and Ukrainian society why we’re still importing Russian energy, which funds this war,” she said, adding that energy imports cause “clear moral tension.”
Russian fossil fuel is largely delivered by permanent pipeline, making it more difficult to replace it with expensive and rare liquefied natural gas supplies. While oil is less difficult to obtain than gasoline, abandoning it would have ramifications.
For one thing, the consequent price hikes for other oil could encourage India and China, which aren’t subject to Western sanctions, to purchase cheaper Russian petroleum. Russia is also a key supplier of diesel fuel; if that supply is cut off, running diesel-powered trucks and farm equipment might become prohibitively expensive, adding to Europe’s already high inflation.
According to commodities analysts at German bank Commerzbank, oil prices surged as buyers looking to avoid Russian oil bid for restricted supplies from other producers such as Saudi Arabia.
Brent, the international benchmark, climbed 3% on Monday and was trading above $108 per barrel on Tuesday, up 1%. On Tuesday, US crude jumped 1.1 percent to $104.37. Crude prices have fallen after US President Joe Biden stated last week that 180 million barrels of oil will be released from strategic stockpiles over the next six months. Drivers in the United States will pay more for fuel as oil prices rise.
The European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, will develop the next set of EU sanctions, which will be presented to EU governments for approval.
Navi Mumbai Students Shine At NMMC’s Inter-School Cultural Cup.
The Competition
The Inter-School Cultural Cup, organized by the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) Sports and Cultural Department, has received an enthusiastic response from students across the city. The event aims to encourage and showcase artistic talent, featuring competitions in singing, dance, short plays, and street plays.
The preliminary rounds, held on March 7 and 8, 2025, across two zones, saw over 4,000 students from various schools participating. A total of 54 schools competed in singing, 65 in dance, 28 in short plays, and 23 in street plays. These initial rounds were conducted in a rehearsal format without elaborate costumes.
A distinguished panel of judges evaluated the performances, including music composer Rigved Deshpande for singing and dancer Priya Samarth for dance. Following the intense preliminary rounds, 20 schools have qualified for the finals in singing and dance, while 10 schools each have advanced in short plays and street plays.
The finals for short plays and street plays are scheduled for March 12, 2025, at Vishnudas Bhave Auditorium, Vashi, followed by the singing and dance finals on March 13 at the same venue.
The competition will conclude with a grand prize distribution ceremony on March 13 at 4 PM, where winners will be honored for their outstanding performances. The event continues to serve as a prestigious platform for young performers to display their artistic skills.
There is a severe bus shortage at NMMT’s Ghansoli Depot, severely impacting commuters.
The Shortage
The Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport (NMMT) Ghansoli depot is facing a severe crisis, with over 50% of its fleet rendered non-operational due to poor maintenance and technical failures. The situation has led to significant inconvenience for daily commuters who rely on these services.
According to sources, out of the 114 buses in the depot’s fleet, as many as 75 are currently out of service. These buses have been grounded due to various technical issues, including engine failure, gear defects, and chassis cracks. As a result, only 39 buses are operational, of which eight are reserved for school students, leaving a mere 31 buses for public transport.
Commuters have raised concerns about the reliability and safety of the remaining operational buses, fearing mechanical failures due to inadequate maintenance. A Ghansoli resident voiced concerns about the potential risks posed by the poorly maintained buses.
NMMT General Manager Yogesh Kaduskar acknowledged the crisis and assured commuters that efforts are underway to repair and restore as many buses as possible. “We are working towards ensuring that maximum buses are repaired soon and brought on the road to serve commuters,” Kaduskar stated.
With limited buses available, passengers are struggling with overcrowding and increased waiting times. Many are urging NMMT to expedite repairs and improve fleet maintenance to restore normalcy to public transport in the region.
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On April 7, NMMC Will Host Lokshahi Din, And Citizens Are Encouraged To Submit Grievances
The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) will conduct its monthly Lokshahi Din (Democracy Day) on April 7, 2025, in line with Maharashtra government directives. The initiative allows citizens to present grievances directly to the administration for resolution.
Residents wishing to submit complaints must apply in the prescribed format in two copies by March 2, 2025, addressing their applications to the Commissioner of NMMC with “Application for Lokshahi Din” clearly marked on the front.
According to an NMMC official, only personal grievances related to a single department and a single issue will be considered. Applicants must have already approached the relevant department or authority before applying. Matters under judicial consideration, revenue or appeal-related issues, service concerns, and establishment-related complaints will not be entertained.
Applications that fail to follow the required format or lack supporting documents will be rejected. Additionally, grievances that are not personal in nature or have already received a final response will not be considered.
The prescribed application format is available free of charge at the Public Relations Department, 3rd Floor, NMMC New Headquarters, Sector 15A, near Kille Gaonthan, CBD Belapur.
Lokshahi Din serves as a crucial platform for direct citizen engagement with the administration, ensuring transparency and accountability in governance. Residents are encouraged to submit their grievances promptly to take advantage of this opportunity.
Inter-School Cultural Cup Sees Overwhelming Participation In Navi Mumbai
Commuters Are Severely Impacted By The Severe Bus Shortage At NMMT’s Ghansoli Depot
On April 7, NMMC Will Host Lokshahi Din, And Citizens Are Encouraged To Submit Grievances
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