Month: October 2024

In the past 10 years, Palomino’s coastline has receded between 47 and 50 metres, threatening the livelihoods of restaurateurs, hoteliers and all those who work in the resort
Supported byAbout this contentIñigo Alexander in Palomino, ColombiaTue 15 Oct 2024 07.00 EDTLast modified on Tue 15 Oct 2024 08.02 EDTShareOne night in February, Antonio Villamizar was woken up suddenly in the small hours by a phone call. “Hurry up, your restaurant is being swept away,” he was warned. He jumped out of bed and rushed with his sons to his beachfront restaurant, only to find that it had gone.
View image in fullscreenAntonio Villamizar’s restaurant on Palomino beach was swept away by the encroaching sea in February. Photograph: Courtesy of Bella NarváezThe rising seas had destroyed the two-storey wooden building, dragging plastic chairs and tables out to sea, bringing down walls and ruining the kitchen.
“The sea came in and took it all away. I lost it completely,” says Villamizar, known as Toño. “It made you want to cry.”
Despite the frustration, it came as no surprise to Villamizar. In the 12 years of owning his restaurant on Palomino beach in the Guajira region on Colombia’s Caribbean coast, he has had to rebuild and move it 10 times because of rising sea levels and coastal erosion.
Since last December alone, he has had to relocate four times; his rebuilt restaurant sits on an estuary where the Palomino River meets the Caribbean Sea. In recent years, two fellow restaurateurs have been forced to close due to damage caused by the erosion.
“We are losing the beach very, very quickly. We are scared of rebuilding; it’s worrisome to lose money again,” Villamizar says, standing among his restaurant’s red plastic tables crowded with customers. “But we must keep rebuilding and finding new ways to keep fighting, as much as the sea will let us, because this is our livelihood.”
View image in fullscreenAntonio ‘Toño’ Villamizar, owner of a beachfront restaurant in Palomino, stands knee-deep in water where the shoreline used to be. Photograph: Charlie Cordero/The GuardianThe entire coastline of Palomino, a laid-back beach town, is on the frontline of Colombia’s battle against erosion.
Storms and the relentless battering by the waves naturally contribute to the problem, but have been made worse by the rising sea level, a consequence of the climate crisis. In addition, human activities – such as deforestation, urbanisation, housing developments, walls and breakwaters – have aggravated the problem.
An independent 2022 study of coastal changes in Palomino between 1985 and 2020, estimated that the shoreline retreated about 20 to 30 metres every 10 years, but the process appears to be speeding up. In the past 10 years, it has receded by between 47 and 50 metres along almost four kilometres of beach, according to the state’s maritime authorities.
Palomino is one of Colombia’s most attractive beaches and the town has become a popular destination with backpackers and families. The long stretch of fine sand is flanked by tropical forests and punctuated by palm trees, set against the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada mountains, and hosts a string of friendly beachfront hostels and restaurants.
View image in fullscreenA girl precariously negotiates one of the improvised barriers set up on the beach at Palomino. Photograph: Charlie Cordero/The GuardianYet, the impact of coastal erosion is visible everywhere. Headless palm trees pepper the shoreline, progressively falling into the sea. In 2021, the situation became so severe that local government authorities declared it a “public calamity”, urging the state to intervene.

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Palomino’s beach is broken up by a series of makeshift concrete barriers and sandbags built by hotel and restaurant owners to protect their businesses – many of whom have already lost properties to the waves. However, these improvised structures in fact contribute to the problem, say experts.
View image in fullscreenMany of the barriers put up on the Palomino beachfront are buckling under the effects of coastal erosion and rising tides. Photograph: Charlie Cordero/The GuardianNerlis Vergara, manager of the Finca Escondida hotel and restaurant on Palomino beach, says: “We are in a permanent state of emergency. We tried to put up some walls, but they didn’t work at all. We can’t afford to wait so long because we’re being very badly affected.
“It’s a series of investments that offer no guarantees and are often frowned upon because they are not pretty. We’re aware that, environmentally, it’s not the best either, but we have to protect ourselves. We’re just trying to survive.”
Over the past five years, Vergara has lost two bars and beach volleyball courts. The hotel used to host weddings on the beach – its biggest source of revenue – but was forced to stop in recent years due to the lack of space. Now, waves slap against the hotel’s concrete walls while the guests’ sun loungers are balanced on piles of sandbags on improvised platforms.
According to the Colombian Institute of Environmental Studies, sea levels along the country’s Caribbean coast could rise by 9-12cm by 2040, 16-22cm by 2070 and 23-32cm by 2100.
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View image in fullscreenTourists clamber over a makeshift barrier built by business owners to protect properties. Photograph: Charlie Cordero/The GuardianJuan Manuel Díaz, the director of Fundación MarViva Colombia, a conservation group, says that the rhythm of the tides naturally reshapes the coastline. “Coastal erosion is a natural phenomenon. It’s a constant, and there is no way to stop it,” he says. “But it is also obviously related to climate change.”
The environment ministry, which has been working alongside the Netherlands government to help adapt to and mitigate coastal erosion since 2012, has identified 104 priority erosion points on Colombia’s coasts.
People in Palomino criticise a lack of state support at a regional and national level. The state has promised to build several protective barriers along the coast, though the project has been held up by bureaucracy and changes in local government.
“It is impossible for a municipality such as ours to resolve this problem. The national government needs to look more seriously at the Caribbean coast situation,” says Odacir Ospina, secretary of Dibulla municipality, which Palomino lies within.
View image in fullscreenXiomara Ipuana, an Indigenous woman who sells handicrafts on Palomino beach, walks over a barrier with her wares on her head. Photograph: Charlie Cordero/The GuardianThe National Unit for Disaster Risk Management, the government body responsible for the issue, did not reply to requests for comment. The environment ministry said: “We are carrying out actions to solve this problem, such as participatory ecological restoration in four coastal municipalities of La Guajira to minimise the pressure on the mangroves and beaches of Palomino.”
‘All we can do now is run away’: is time up for the sinking Colombian islands of San Bernardo? Read morePeople say the inertia of the authorities has left Palomino in limbo, living on borrowed time. “We are on our own. Nobody has helped us,” Villamizar says, adding he has considered leaving the area.
He says that if the situation doesn’t change, he will only be able to operate for another three years. “I don’t see the light of hope,” he says.
Díaz is equally bleak, as livelihoods are on the line. The retreat of coastlines poses a risk to thousands of people who depend on tourism. “Either we adapt or move elsewhere. In other words, I think the investment required to address the problem is not worth it, and that’s why the government doesn’t see it as its priority,” he says.
View image in fullscreenTourists walk among a pile of tyres placed on Palomino beach years ago in the hope of protecting against erosion. Photograph: Charlie Cordero/The GuardianAt a meeting last month between business owners and the Dibulla authorities, the municipality’s secretary for tourism, José Silva, acknowledged it was “no secret that the recent tourist seasons in Palomino have not been very good and the flow of visitors is not what it used to be”, though he added that they had “not forgotten Palomino”.
As the coastline and its tourism opportunities recede, many people face a precarious and uncertain future. Leison Jiménez, a surf instructor and national bodyboard champion, says erosion has “drastically” affected his life. “If there is no beach, there is no work, and I’d have to seek alternatives elsewhere,” he says. “We cannot fight against the tide.”

In an interview with the International Energy Agency (IEA), recent findings reveal a significant surge in air conditioning usage across the globe, forecasting it as one of the most unpredictable impacts on the world’s power grids in the next decade. The IEA predicts that all fossil fuel demands, including oil, will peak before 2030.

The IEA highlights that rising incomes in developing countries, coupled with increased temperatures resulting from climate change, will lead to household electricity consumption from air conditioning units exceeding the total electricity usage of the entire Middle East region.

On October 16, the IEA released its Global Energy Outlook report, revising its prediction for global electricity demand upward. They estimate that by 2035, global electricity consumption will surpass last year’s estimates by 6%.

According to the IEA, air conditioning units alone will require an additional 697 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity before 2030, more than three times the additional electricity needed by data centers. Electric vehicles will demand an extra 854 TWh.

When it comes to daily power grid load impacts, the unpredictability of air conditioning usage stands out. IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol emphasized, “This is a blind spot for many decision-makers who have not grasped the significance of air conditioning as a major driver of global electricity consumption.”

Birol noted that in countries like the United States and Japan, around 90% of households have air conditioning, while in Nigeria the figure is just 5%, in Indonesia it’s 15%, and in India it’s currently below 20%.

The IEA warns that unless substantial adjustments are made before 2050, energy consumption from residential air conditioning could increase by 280%. Even with governments dedicated to achieving climate goals, the energy used by air conditioning units could still rise by nearly 200%, with the most significant increases expected in developing nations.

While data centers are often labeled as “energy hogs,” the IEA points out that their concentrated nature means their local impact is substantial, but when viewed globally, their overall contribution to increased electricity demand by 2030 is relatively small.

During a recent press conference organized by the Publicity Department of the Shaanxi Provincial Committee of the Communist Party and the News Office of the Shanxi Provincial Government, key economic developments were highlighted. The event took place on October 17 in Taiyuan, where it was announced that Shanxi Province signed 1,296 investment projects in the first half of the year, totaling an impressive 737.91 billion yuan.

In recent years, Shanxi has been actively working to both “go out” and “bring in” investments. The province has continually innovated its approach to attracting investments, enhancing its image, and accelerating the pace of investment acquisition to ensure tangible results.

Wang Hongjin, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Director of the Shanxi Provincial Department of Commerce, noted that the province has leveraged significant platforms such as the Summer Davos Forum, the Yabuli China Entrepreneurs Forum, the Import Expo, and the Canton Fair to conduct specialized investment promotion activities. Among the highlights were the 2023 Yabuli China Entrepreneurs Forum Innovation Annual Meeting and “Shanxi Night,” both of which drew considerable attention.

Additionally, Shanxi is promoting a “Government + Leading Enterprises + Parks” investment model. The province has developed targeted plans for industrial chain investments, consistently refining and updating its key 16 industrial chain maps. A total of 312 major provincial investment projects have been packaged and planned. As a result, the province signed 1,296 investment projects in the first half of the year, accumulating a signed investment amount of 737.91 billion yuan.

Moreover, Shanxi has also achieved record highs in foreign investment. In 2022 and 2023, actual foreign investment reached $826 million and $1.284 billion, respectively, marking year-on-year growth rates of 239.8% and 55.4%, with the province ranking second nationally for growth rate for two consecutive years.

In an exciting turn of events at the 51st World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off held in Half Moon Bay, California, a Minnesota horticulture teacher, Travis Gienger, has claimed the top prize with his impressive pumpkin weighing in at 2,471 pounds. This marks his fourth consecutive win at the annual event.

Travis, who hails from Anoka, Minnesota, triumphed over his closest competitor by a margin of 6 pounds. However, this year’s pumpkin fell short of his previous record, which was an astonishing 2,749 pounds set last year.

At 44 years old, Travis attributed his success to a consistent focus on soil health and thorough plant nutrition, although he acknowledged that the unseasonably cold autumn weather and record rainfall had posed challenges for pumpkin growth this year. “We faced some truly terrible weather, but I kept pushing through somehow. I had to put in a lot of effort for this pumpkin; we made it happen, although it wasn’t as successful as I had hoped,” he shared.

The dedication to his craft was evident as Travis and his family undertook a 35-hour drive to transport the colossal pumpkin to California. Looking ahead, he revealed that the next stop for his giant pumpkin will be in Southern California, where a professional carving team plans to create a three-dimensional sculpture as part of a Halloween event.

On October 12, U.S. Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris released a comprehensive medical report detailing her health status, according to various U.S. media reports.

In this report, Harris’s physician, Dr. Simmons, noted that she “remains very healthy.” He emphasized that should she win the presidency in November, she possesses the physical condition and mental resilience necessary to effectively carry out the duties of president, including those of a chief executive, head of state, and commander-in-chief.

Dr. Simmons described Harris as “a healthy 59-year-old woman” with a history of seasonal allergies and hives. He mentioned that her allergy symptoms have been well managed through both over-the-counter and prescription medications. For the past three years, Harris has been undergoing allergen immunotherapy, which has significantly improved her allergy symptoms and hives.

Additionally, Dr. Simmons pointed out that Harris has mild myopia and wears contact lenses. He also provided an overview of her recent medical examination from April 2024, describing the results as “normal.” He reported that her routine blood tests showed no abnormalities, although her vitamin D levels were found to be in the insufficient range.

It was also noted that Harris has a family history of colon cancer, but Dr. Simmons did not elaborate on any other personal medical history.

On the night of October 13, Hezbollah launched a significant drone attack on an Israeli military training base located south of Haifa. Footage from the scene shows a man using crutches walking amidst the ruins in Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon.

In a major offensive on October 14, Hezbollah targeted a military base near Binyamina in northern Israel, resulting in the deaths of four Israeli soldiers and injuries to over 60 others. This attack marks one of the deadliest drone strikes by Hezbollah on Israel since the escalation of hostilities began.

The Guardian reports that prior to this, Israeli N12 television indicated that Binyamina, situated in the Haifa area, saw at least 67 members of the Golani Brigade wounded.

IDF spokesperson Hidai Zilberman confirmed the casualties from the Hezbollah attack, noting that seven of the injured are in critical condition.

According to CNN, Hezbollah claims that this operation was a response to the Israeli airstrikes on October 10, which killed 22 people and left 117 injured in Lebanon.

The New York Times highlights that the IDF confirmed that by 3 PM local time on October 13, Hezbollah had fired approximately 115 rockets or missiles. This incident not only showcases Hezbollah’s resilience but also raises concerns about the vulnerabilities within Israel’s air defense systems.

Further reporting from Central News Agency, citing AFP, indicates that the Iran-backed Hezbollah announced its deployment of a drone squadron to attack a training camp in Binyamina in retaliation against what they described as assaults by Zionists.

The Israeli airstrikes on October 10 targeted densely populated areas in the Basta and Nweiri neighborhoods of Beirut, resulting in 22 fatalities. Hezbollah has emphasized that the recent drone offensive serves as a direct response to the actions undertaken by Israel, including the strikes on October 10.

Taiwan’s former President Tsai Ing-wen is currently on an eight-day trip to Europe, and according to reports from U.S. media outlet Politico, she is expected to visit the United States in a few weeks.

An anonymous official from the Biden administration responded to inquiries, stating, “We have nothing to confirm.” The official noted that Tsai, as a private citizen, has the right to visit the U.S., much like former President Ma Ying-jeou did in September.

The official emphasized the longstanding exchange between the American and Taiwanese people, explaining that unofficial trips by Taiwanese citizens do not impact the U.S.’s “One China” policy.

The report cites two knowledgeable sources indicating that Tsai plans to head to the U.S. shortly after concluding her European engagements. If this visit materializes, it could significantly impact U.S.-China relations during a particularly tense moment ahead of the American elections.

The analysis highlights that Beijing has consistently opposed visits by both current and former high-ranking Taiwanese officials to the U.S. The level of American officials Tsai meets and the timing of her visit will influence Beijing’s reaction.

The report suggests that if Tsai visits the U.S. before the November 5 election, she could become a political focal point, with members of both major parties vying to meet with her to bolster their “hardline against China” image. Conversely, if she visits after the election but before the presidential inauguration in January, it might allow the new president to showcase support for Taiwan through a meeting with her.

In December 2016, President-elect Trump famously took a congratulatory call from then-President Tsai after his election victory.

The analysis also indicates that if the newly elected U.S. president—whether it be Trump from the Republican Party or Kamala Harris from the Democratic Party—were to speak with top officials in Taiwan again, or even meet Tsai during her visit, it would provoke outrage from Beijing.

Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in the U.S., expressed Beijing’s firm opposition to any form of official exchanges between the U.S. and Taiwan. He criticized the U.S. for allowing Taiwanese officials to engage in activities that promote Taiwanese independence, asserting that such actions violate the One China principle and the three Joint Communiqués between the U.S. and China.

Liu emphasized that the Taiwan issue is central to China’s core interests and is the primary red line in U.S.-China relations. He urged the U.S. to adhere to the One China principle and to halt any forms of official exchanges with Taiwan immediately.

The Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the U.S. declined to comment on the situation.

Governor Kathy Hochul expressed her satisfaction on October 14 regarding the recent resignations of several high-ranking officials from Mayor Eric Adams’ administration. Following her urging for the mayor to clean house amidst ongoing investigations, these departures mark a significant moment for the city. This move comes as Hochul provides strong support to Adams, who faced federal corruption charges last month.

During the Columbus Day parade, Hochul stated, “I have asked him to work on bringing in fresh blood, to let new people help him stabilize the city and calm things down, and he is doing just that.”

Reports indicate that Hochul, who has the authority to remove the mayor, advised Adams to replace members of his core team who were caught in controversy. Recent resignations include Education Chancellor David Banks, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Phil Banks, and First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright. Adams previously referred to these personnel changes as part of a routine process.

While these former officials have not been formally charged with misconduct, federal agents have conducted searches at their residences, seizing electronic devices. Multiple corruption investigations are currently underway, examining issues ranging from bribery and conspiracy to potential abuses of power within the Adams administration, including contract kickbacks and misuse of authority by the police department in nightlife venues.

Hochul remarked that Adams is managing well under challenging circumstances, noting that their teams are working closely together to address key issues. While she refrained from discussing specific individuals, she emphasized that bringing in new leaders can help stabilize the situation. She urged Adams to assure the public that their lives will not be disrupted by the city’s scandals.

In response to the changes, Adams has appointed Maria Torres-Springer as the new First Deputy Mayor, Melissa Aviles-Ramos as Education Chancellor, and Allison Stoddart as Chief Legal Counsel at City Hall.

In the vibrant autumn of 2024, on September 25th, the New Jersey Philharmonic Choir, under the leadership of Ms. Hu Weiwei and conductor/artistic director Mr. Yu Shenghua, embraced its mission of “serving the community” by delivering a meticulously prepared and high-quality performance for the seniors at the Warm Senior Center in Lawrenceville.

The concert began with a lively performance of the Anse waist drum, a distinctive feature of the New Jersey Philharmonic Choir, which instantly elevated the atmosphere of the venue, transporting everyone to the scenic Shaanbei Plateau. Following this energetic opening, the audience was treated to a rich tapestry of entertainment, including choral performances, vocal ensembles, traditional and modern dances, erhu solos, and Peking opera arias, all of which kept the audience, consisting of seniors and staff from the center, clapping and laughing with delight. The entire performance radiated warmth and joy, showering the seniors with love and blessings. The praise and recognition from the center and its residents were the greatest rewards for the choir members’ hard work, filling their hearts with joy.

Notably, the choir members performed a well-known piece by the esteemed composer Shi Guangnan, titled “Let’s Sing and Play the Drums.” This performance garnered high praise from Mrs. Hong Ruding, Shi’s wife, who expressed her emotional gratitude, saying she was thrilled to hear her late husband’s work in New Jersey. She sincerely thanked the choir for their nearly professional rendition. As a token of appreciation, she presented the choir with a recently published collection of 50 piano scores by Shi.

The New Jersey Philharmonic Choir showcased its commitment to community service by holding three similar charity performances in September alone. Choir members enthusiastically volunteered for each event, reflecting their dedication and compassion.

Founded by soprano Ms. Hu Weiwei, the choir is currently conducted by Dr. Yu Shenghua, with piano accompaniment by Dr. Zhang Bingbing. The choir operates on the principles of “enriching the heart through music, making friends through melody, and serving the community.” It brings together music enthusiasts from various backgrounds, performing choral works in different languages and styles from different eras. This initiative not only highlights the charm of choral music but also allows members to enjoy the harmony and collective joy it brings. Through shared experiences and mutual learning, the choir fosters a familial warmth, enhancing everyone’s musical literacy and strengthening community bonds.

On October 12, local time in Vientiane, Chinese Premier Li Qiang attended the inauguration ceremony of the newly constructed Mahosot Comprehensive Hospital, a project supported by the Chinese government, alongside Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone.

Premier Li expressed his heartfelt congratulations on the successful completion of the Mahosot Comprehensive Hospital, noting that builders from both countries worked hand in hand, overcoming challenges to deliver quality results. He highlighted that the Mahosot Comprehensive Hospital stands as Laos’s largest and most advanced modern hospital and medical training facility, significantly improving local healthcare conditions and enhancing the skills of medical personnel. This achievement not only benefits the Lao people but also serves as a testament to the enduring and deepening friendship between China and Laos.

Li emphasized that the Mahosot Comprehensive Hospital is a significant outcome of the high-quality collaboration under the Belt and Road Initiative between the two countries. Guided by the strategic leadership of General Secretary Xi Jinping and President Thongloun Sisolith, China and Laos have consistently aligned their development strategies, deepening practical cooperation to establish important infrastructure projects that inject robust momentum into economic development and improvements in living standards. In light of the complex international situation, Li reaffirmed China’s commitment to maintain close unity with Laos, pushing forward their collaboration to new heights and yielding fruitful results.

Prime Minister Sonexay remarked that the Mahosot Comprehensive Hospital project is a significant initiative for the well-being of the people, jointly launched by the highest leaders of both the Laos and China. This project plays a vital role in enhancing healthcare conditions and safeguarding the health of the Lao people, symbolizing the traditional friendship and cooperation between the two nations. He expressed gratitude for China’s long-standing support for Laos’s socio-economic development and its invaluable assistance in improving citizens’ livelihoods, and he looked forward to further strengthening cooperation to achieve even more fruitful outcomes in building a community with a shared future.

The ceremony was attended by nearly 200 representatives from the governments of China and Laos, construction companies, and the medical staff of Mahosot Hospital.