
‘Feeling that good energy': Vibrant powwow dancers delight Toronto crowd at Indigenous Peoples Day celebration
As the women and girls danced in a circle along to drums and singing, the silver and gold metal cones on their colourful dresses clinked together with each step.
'Her dress is so pretty,' said an onlooker in the crowd as the Indigenous dancers, including preschool aged kids and grandmothers, performed the traditional jingle dance.
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Mint
19 minutes ago
- Mint
India doubles its petroleum exports to Europe in 3 years backed by oil imports from Russia: Rosneft CEO
New Delhi: India has doubled its petroleum product exports to Europe in the past three years, backed by higher imports of cheaper oil from Russia, said the chief executive officer (CEO) of Rosneft Igor Sechin. Addressing the 28th St Petersburg International Economic Forum, the CEO of Russia's state-owned energy company said that global energy security is impossible without Russia, Venezuela and Iran. He noted that these countries, with which oil trade has been sanctioned by the US, account for one-third of the global liquid hydrocarbons reserves and 15% of the global production. 'Being the second largest buyer of Russian crude oil, India has practically doubled its export of petroleum products into Europe over the past three years," he said. Also read: If Iran's oil is cut off, China will pay the price India increased the import of Russian oil after the western sanctions on Russia's energy supplies following its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, as it offered India deep discounts. Russian oil currently comprises about 35% of India's overall oil imports, up from around 2.5% before the Russia-Ukraine conflict started. He also said that many oil-producing countries need an oil price much higher than current levels to balance their budgets. 'Thus, according to International Monetary Fund calculations, in 2025 this price is more than $90 per barrel for Saudi Arabia's budget," he said. The August Brent contract on the Intercontinental Exchange stood at $77.01 per barrel, 2.33% lower than its previous close. However, prices have soared from $64-65 after Israel launched aerial attacks on Iran on 13 June. Also read: Brazil auctions off several Amazon oil sites despite environmentalists, Indigenous protests Speaking on energy security, the CEO said, 'Russia, Venezuela and Iran are key players in the energy market and global energy security directly depends on their supply. These countries account for one-third of the global liquid hydrocarbons reserves and 15% of the global production. Without their resource base, it is impossible to facilitate the transition to the new landscape of the global energy industry." Observing that Russia's actual contribution to the global economy is proportional to its share in the world resource balance, he said that Russia's share in global hydrocarbon exports is about 15%. Also read: Oil India: Looking beyond benefits of crude price rally Talking of India's growing energy demand, he said, 'India, which many now expect to experience explosive growth in energy demand, is on the verge of choosing its energy consumption model. In this country, we are also seeing a growing interest in coal-fired and nuclear generation. For example, more than 30 coal mines are scheduled to reopen this year, and five new coal mining projects are expected to come onstream. India is also building six new nuclear reactors." He also noted that the Indian government plans to add at least 80 GW of additional coal-fired capacity by 2032 to meet growing electricity demand.


Hamilton Spectator
an hour ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Under budget and ahead of schedule, Indigenous battery project shows how Canada could become an energy superpower
NANTICOKE, Ont. — The strong winds that once blew toxic pollution from North America's biggest coal plant over to the nearby Six Nations reserve now turn a forest of wind turbines owned by Indigenous People. With the smoke stacks at Nanticoke long gone , row upon row of solar panels blanket the areas where mountainous piles of coal used to sit. And as of April this year, Canada's largest grid-scale battery project operates a stone's throw away — planned, developed, constructed and owned with First Nations partners. At a time when Indigenous groups across the country are up in arms over federal Bill C-5 and Ontario Bill 5 , which they say bulldoze through their treaty rights to impose high priority development projects, Oneida Energy Storage shows, in the eyes of some, that another way is possible — one where Indigenous communities lead and development is delivered under budget and ahead of schedule . 'Conflict attracts attention. But progress like this is quiet,' said Matt Jamieson, president and CEO of Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corp. Matt Jamieson, president and CEO of Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation at the Oneida Energy Storage project in Nanticoke, Ont. Walking amid dozens of rows of colossal white batteries Friday, his words were both figurative and literal. Despite being able to provide 250 megawatts of electricity into the provincial grid — the equivalent of a mid-sized gas plant — the project is virtually silent. And, unlike the natural gas peaker plants they can replace, the batteries produce no emissions. 'It fits within our mandate for environmental conservation, protection and stewardship,' said Warren Sault, president and CEO of Mississaugas of the Credit Business Corporation. Warren Sault, president and CEO of Mississaugas of the Credit Business Corporation at the Oneida Energy Storage project in Nanticoke, Ont. Premier Doug Ford was first elected in 2018 after campaigning against renewable energy, cancelling hundreds of projects and stopping all new investment dead in its tracks. But his government has since seemingly had a change of heart, signing contracts for nearly one gigawatt of wind power and soliciting proposals for more. First Nations such as the Six Nations and the Mississaugas of the Credit River, which partnered on this project, have long been investors in renewable energy, and their experience put them ahead of the curve on recognizing that wind and solar power, because they don't produce electricity around the clock, need to be paired with batteries to achieve their full potential . The batteries charge up on excess power when it isn't needed, like the middle of the night, and pump that electricity back into the grid when demand is high, like on a hot afternoon when people crank up the A/C. 'The hotter it gets, the more the grid needs the power — and it's going to be a hot summer,' said Nick Zsofcsin, head of energy storage at Northland Power, which operates the project. 'We don't charge and discharge fully everyday, but the power is there when you need it.' When Six Nations approached the province to pitch the battery project in 2017, they were met with skepticism, said Jamieson. But after some patient explanation and negotiation, Six Nations and their development partners at Northland and NRStor were able to strike a deal to have the province's first large-scale battery project built, paving the way for an additional 2,800 megawatts of batteries the province contracted last year. 'It took a hell of a long time to convince the province to do this,' Jamieson said. 'But once we did, they turned around and said, 'We need a lot more of it.'' Grid-scale batteries are being installed at a rapid pace around the world, with 11,000 megawatts installed globally in 2022, a 75 per cent increase over the previous year. With all the batteries in the pipeline, Ontario is set to become a leader, though it still trails California, which has the world's most battery storage with more than 15,000 megawatts online. The Oneida project has a 20-year contract, guaranteeing a long-term stable revenue stream for the nearby community on the Six Nations reserve. The Mississaugas of the Credit were brought in so they could benefit, as well. The gleaming rows of batteries resemble an oversized outdoor change room, with little brass locks hanging off locker doors. Behind each door, there are 336 battery packs. With 24 lockers to a megapack and 278 megapacks on site, that's more than 2.2 million batteries all together, each one individually monitored and isolated for safety. The project has more storage capacity than 13,000 Tesla Model Ys, which is a good measure because the batteries themselves are manufactured by Tesla. Strategically located to feed power into the high-voltage transmission lines that used to connect the Nanticoke coal plant to the grid, the batteries also power the nearby Imperial Oil refinery and the Stelco steel mill, two of the province's largest users of electricity. About 40 of the 180 construction jobs were filled by members of the Six Nations, who were able to take their expertise up the road as soon as they were done to start work on an even bigger battery project in Hagersville, which is slated to open before the end of the year. At a time when legislation is being passed at the provincial and federal levels that assumes Indigenous people will be an impediment to development, Jamieson says the Oneida battery project shows how First Nations-led projects can be the key to achieving the goal of making Canada an energy superpower. 'I understand why government actors want to accelerate these large infrastructure projects, but they can't simply do it at the expense of Indigenous voices,' he said. 'Interestingly enough, we were the ones pushing them to move forward on this infrastructure project and now it's become a key component of the energy market in Ontario.'


The Advertiser
9 hours ago
- The Advertiser
'Truly tragic': woman killed and mother loses unborn baby in horrific crash
Two lives have been lost and many others irreparably damaged after a "horrible" car accident in Newcastle in the early hours of Sunday morning. The crash occurred at 2.40am on Sunday at North Lambton when a white Holden Commodore, allegedly driven by a 19-year-old male, veered onto the wrong side of the dual carriageway of Newcastle Road while travelling west and trying to evade police. The Commodore then collided with a white Hyundai sedan that was travelling east near the Arthur Street intersection. The passenger of the Hyundai, a 55-year-old Indian woman who arrived in Australia only last week to visit family, died in the crash. The 28-year-old female driver of the Hyundai, who was 26 weeks pregnant, sustained serious leg injuries in the two-car crash. The pregnant woman also lost her baby in the crash and is in a serious condition at the John Hunter Hospital. It is alleged that the 19-year-old male driver of the Commodore and a 17-year-old female passenger, who is the registered owner of the vehicle, fled the scene on foot following the crash. Two girls aged 15 and 17 were in the backseat of the Commodore and were treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital under police guard. Northern Region Commander, acting assistant commissioner Paul Dunstan, said it was a "horrible incident." "What's occurred is truly tragic," he said. "Two women driving around innocently. "One has lost their life; one has lost their unborn child." The crash caused the closure of Newcastle Road eastbound between the Jesmond roundabout and the Croudace Street intersection for the majority of Sunday morning. Assistant commissioner Dunstan said an officer on a motorcycle initially attempted to engage with the Commodore on Newcastle Road when it was noticed to have an incorrect licence plate. The officer followed the sedan for 30 seconds and then turned on its sirens and lights, which caused the Commodore to veer onto the wrong side of Newcastle Road. At that point, it was deemed unsafe to pursue the vehicle. Three to four minutes later, a police car spotted the Commodore on Newcastle Road at the intersection with Croudace Street. "Once again, that vehicle took off on the wrong side of the dual carriageway, travelling against the line of traffic," assistant commissioner Dunstan said. "A short time later, police became aware that the Commodore collided with a Hyundai sedan travelling on Newcastle Road." Assistant commissioner Dunstan said the 19-year-old driver is known to police. He is described as being of Indigenous descent, of medium build, 165 centimetres tall and approximately 65 kilograms. Teenage joyrides and dangerous late-night driving have been a growing concern for police in Newcastle over the past year. "I must emphasise that this is not a stolen vehicle at this stage," assistant commissioner Dunstan said. "It has not been reported, and we don't believe it's a stolen vehicle. "Joyriding and driving in a dangerous manner are always real concerns for us here in the Newcastle area." A critical incident team from Hunter Valley Police District is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. The investigation will be reviewed by the Professional Standards Command and overseen by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC). "The incident has been determined a critical incident, with independent police investigating what has occurred," assistant commissioner Dunstan said. "That investigation will be subject to oversight from the law enforcement conduct commission and the police professional standards command." Two lives have been lost and many others irreparably damaged after a "horrible" car accident in Newcastle in the early hours of Sunday morning. The crash occurred at 2.40am on Sunday at North Lambton when a white Holden Commodore, allegedly driven by a 19-year-old male, veered onto the wrong side of the dual carriageway of Newcastle Road while travelling west and trying to evade police. The Commodore then collided with a white Hyundai sedan that was travelling east near the Arthur Street intersection. The passenger of the Hyundai, a 55-year-old Indian woman who arrived in Australia only last week to visit family, died in the crash. The 28-year-old female driver of the Hyundai, who was 26 weeks pregnant, sustained serious leg injuries in the two-car crash. The pregnant woman also lost her baby in the crash and is in a serious condition at the John Hunter Hospital. It is alleged that the 19-year-old male driver of the Commodore and a 17-year-old female passenger, who is the registered owner of the vehicle, fled the scene on foot following the crash. Two girls aged 15 and 17 were in the backseat of the Commodore and were treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital under police guard. Northern Region Commander, acting assistant commissioner Paul Dunstan, said it was a "horrible incident." "What's occurred is truly tragic," he said. "Two women driving around innocently. "One has lost their life; one has lost their unborn child." The crash caused the closure of Newcastle Road eastbound between the Jesmond roundabout and the Croudace Street intersection for the majority of Sunday morning. Assistant commissioner Dunstan said an officer on a motorcycle initially attempted to engage with the Commodore on Newcastle Road when it was noticed to have an incorrect licence plate. The officer followed the sedan for 30 seconds and then turned on its sirens and lights, which caused the Commodore to veer onto the wrong side of Newcastle Road. At that point, it was deemed unsafe to pursue the vehicle. Three to four minutes later, a police car spotted the Commodore on Newcastle Road at the intersection with Croudace Street. "Once again, that vehicle took off on the wrong side of the dual carriageway, travelling against the line of traffic," assistant commissioner Dunstan said. "A short time later, police became aware that the Commodore collided with a Hyundai sedan travelling on Newcastle Road." Assistant commissioner Dunstan said the 19-year-old driver is known to police. He is described as being of Indigenous descent, of medium build, 165 centimetres tall and approximately 65 kilograms. Teenage joyrides and dangerous late-night driving have been a growing concern for police in Newcastle over the past year. "I must emphasise that this is not a stolen vehicle at this stage," assistant commissioner Dunstan said. "It has not been reported, and we don't believe it's a stolen vehicle. "Joyriding and driving in a dangerous manner are always real concerns for us here in the Newcastle area." A critical incident team from Hunter Valley Police District is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. The investigation will be reviewed by the Professional Standards Command and overseen by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC). "The incident has been determined a critical incident, with independent police investigating what has occurred," assistant commissioner Dunstan said. "That investigation will be subject to oversight from the law enforcement conduct commission and the police professional standards command." Two lives have been lost and many others irreparably damaged after a "horrible" car accident in Newcastle in the early hours of Sunday morning. The crash occurred at 2.40am on Sunday at North Lambton when a white Holden Commodore, allegedly driven by a 19-year-old male, veered onto the wrong side of the dual carriageway of Newcastle Road while travelling west and trying to evade police. The Commodore then collided with a white Hyundai sedan that was travelling east near the Arthur Street intersection. The passenger of the Hyundai, a 55-year-old Indian woman who arrived in Australia only last week to visit family, died in the crash. The 28-year-old female driver of the Hyundai, who was 26 weeks pregnant, sustained serious leg injuries in the two-car crash. The pregnant woman also lost her baby in the crash and is in a serious condition at the John Hunter Hospital. It is alleged that the 19-year-old male driver of the Commodore and a 17-year-old female passenger, who is the registered owner of the vehicle, fled the scene on foot following the crash. Two girls aged 15 and 17 were in the backseat of the Commodore and were treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital under police guard. Northern Region Commander, acting assistant commissioner Paul Dunstan, said it was a "horrible incident." "What's occurred is truly tragic," he said. "Two women driving around innocently. "One has lost their life; one has lost their unborn child." The crash caused the closure of Newcastle Road eastbound between the Jesmond roundabout and the Croudace Street intersection for the majority of Sunday morning. Assistant commissioner Dunstan said an officer on a motorcycle initially attempted to engage with the Commodore on Newcastle Road when it was noticed to have an incorrect licence plate. The officer followed the sedan for 30 seconds and then turned on its sirens and lights, which caused the Commodore to veer onto the wrong side of Newcastle Road. At that point, it was deemed unsafe to pursue the vehicle. Three to four minutes later, a police car spotted the Commodore on Newcastle Road at the intersection with Croudace Street. "Once again, that vehicle took off on the wrong side of the dual carriageway, travelling against the line of traffic," assistant commissioner Dunstan said. "A short time later, police became aware that the Commodore collided with a Hyundai sedan travelling on Newcastle Road." Assistant commissioner Dunstan said the 19-year-old driver is known to police. He is described as being of Indigenous descent, of medium build, 165 centimetres tall and approximately 65 kilograms. Teenage joyrides and dangerous late-night driving have been a growing concern for police in Newcastle over the past year. "I must emphasise that this is not a stolen vehicle at this stage," assistant commissioner Dunstan said. "It has not been reported, and we don't believe it's a stolen vehicle. "Joyriding and driving in a dangerous manner are always real concerns for us here in the Newcastle area." A critical incident team from Hunter Valley Police District is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. The investigation will be reviewed by the Professional Standards Command and overseen by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC). "The incident has been determined a critical incident, with independent police investigating what has occurred," assistant commissioner Dunstan said. "That investigation will be subject to oversight from the law enforcement conduct commission and the police professional standards command." Two lives have been lost and many others irreparably damaged after a "horrible" car accident in Newcastle in the early hours of Sunday morning. The crash occurred at 2.40am on Sunday at North Lambton when a white Holden Commodore, allegedly driven by a 19-year-old male, veered onto the wrong side of the dual carriageway of Newcastle Road while travelling west and trying to evade police. The Commodore then collided with a white Hyundai sedan that was travelling east near the Arthur Street intersection. The passenger of the Hyundai, a 55-year-old Indian woman who arrived in Australia only last week to visit family, died in the crash. The 28-year-old female driver of the Hyundai, who was 26 weeks pregnant, sustained serious leg injuries in the two-car crash. The pregnant woman also lost her baby in the crash and is in a serious condition at the John Hunter Hospital. It is alleged that the 19-year-old male driver of the Commodore and a 17-year-old female passenger, who is the registered owner of the vehicle, fled the scene on foot following the crash. Two girls aged 15 and 17 were in the backseat of the Commodore and were treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital under police guard. Northern Region Commander, acting assistant commissioner Paul Dunstan, said it was a "horrible incident." "What's occurred is truly tragic," he said. "Two women driving around innocently. "One has lost their life; one has lost their unborn child." The crash caused the closure of Newcastle Road eastbound between the Jesmond roundabout and the Croudace Street intersection for the majority of Sunday morning. Assistant commissioner Dunstan said an officer on a motorcycle initially attempted to engage with the Commodore on Newcastle Road when it was noticed to have an incorrect licence plate. The officer followed the sedan for 30 seconds and then turned on its sirens and lights, which caused the Commodore to veer onto the wrong side of Newcastle Road. At that point, it was deemed unsafe to pursue the vehicle. Three to four minutes later, a police car spotted the Commodore on Newcastle Road at the intersection with Croudace Street. "Once again, that vehicle took off on the wrong side of the dual carriageway, travelling against the line of traffic," assistant commissioner Dunstan said. "A short time later, police became aware that the Commodore collided with a Hyundai sedan travelling on Newcastle Road." Assistant commissioner Dunstan said the 19-year-old driver is known to police. He is described as being of Indigenous descent, of medium build, 165 centimetres tall and approximately 65 kilograms. Teenage joyrides and dangerous late-night driving have been a growing concern for police in Newcastle over the past year. "I must emphasise that this is not a stolen vehicle at this stage," assistant commissioner Dunstan said. "It has not been reported, and we don't believe it's a stolen vehicle. "Joyriding and driving in a dangerous manner are always real concerns for us here in the Newcastle area." A critical incident team from Hunter Valley Police District is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. The investigation will be reviewed by the Professional Standards Command and overseen by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC). "The incident has been determined a critical incident, with independent police investigating what has occurred," assistant commissioner Dunstan said. "That investigation will be subject to oversight from the law enforcement conduct commission and the police professional standards command."