LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Fans were disappointed when Beyonce revealed she had no plans for music videos (other than lyric videos), but with her latest collaboration with Levi’s that may be about to change.

Coincidentally, the singer had recorded a collaboration with Post Malone for the track Levi’s Jeans Therefore, partnering with Levi’s for the brand’s latest campaign is an advertising paradise.

The campaign aims to reimagine classic Levi’s looks and ads, including a reinterpretation of the 1985 Levi’s “Launderette” ad, but this time Beyoncé will star.

In a statement, Beyoncé said: “My song”LEVII’S JEANS’ celebrates what I believe is the ultimate Americana uniform – something we all wear with pride.”

Since denim on denim is typically viewed through a male lens, the new campaign, she said, celebrates the iconic female perspective.

“I look forward to exploring innovative ways to bring together our visions of empowering women and celebrating their strength,” she said.

The campaign photos were taken by Mason Poole and the visuals were created by Marcell Rév.

Efforts to codify Roe date back to the late 1980s, when Democrats believed the Supreme Court would inevitably overturn abortion rights. Although some activists wanted a federal constitutional amendment to protect reproductive rights, Democrats in Congress found that unattainable and instead pushed for an abortion rights bill called the Freedom of Choice Act that would have blocked most state restrictions on abortion.

But even when Democrats had control of Congress and the White House, the idea of ​​codifying Roe, which fundamentally united the party, sometimes masked disagreements over what “Roe” meant, especially as the Supreme Court overturned the decision over the course of the year reinterpreted over the years. Some moderates thought of the Supreme Court’s statement in Planned Parenthood v. Casey in 1992, which allowed states to impose some restrictions on abortion, such as parental involvement laws or bans on Medicaid funding of the procedure. Other Democrats said any version of Roe — including the least restrictive interpretation of the original 1973 decision — would not go far enough to stop states from criminalizing post-viability abortions because women can suffer fatal health crises later in pregnancy .

And at other times, such as during Barack Obama’s first term, codifying reproductive rights appeared to be a much lower priority for Democrats than health care reform and other goals, including reducing teen pregnancy.

The latest failed attempt to save abortion rights came as the Dobbs decision loomed. The Women’s Health Protection Act would have created national protections for abortion patients and providers and banned what the law deemed medically unnecessary restrictions. The importance of the action was not lost on Democrats, especially since Donald Trump had already appointed three new justices to the Supreme Court and the bill passed the House of Representatives in September 2021. But the Senate rejected the bill twice, in February and May 2022. Moderate Republican senators who supported some form of abortion rights, including Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, argued that the bill went too far, while Democrats The two senators’ alternative rejected a bill that would have codified Roe but retained some restrictions.

Theoretically, it’s possible that Democrats have found a way around these divisions. The party is certainly more united on reproductive rights issues than in the past. And the urgency to take action becomes even clearer with nearly half of the country imposing a comprehensive ban.

But the reality is that it is unlikely that Democrats will gain the majority in Congress needed to pass such legislation in 2024.

But a Harris presidency could still make a big difference. Depending on the makeup of Congress, Harris could push for a less ambitious reform, such as repealing the Comstock Act, an 1873 obscenity law that abortion opponents call a de facto abortion ban waiting to be fully enforced. Conservatives interpret it to mean that the Comstock Law prohibits the sending of any abortion-related information or paraphernalia without exception. Repeal of this law could appeal to moderate Republicans like Collins.

Then there are steps Harris could take without Congress. During the Biden administration, some abortion rights advocates were frustrated by the president’s unwillingness to take the offense to task in court. Harris may be less risk-averse. For example, she might argue that federal regulations regulating access to the abortion drug mifepristone take precedence over state criminal laws restricting the drug. She could also continue Biden’s strategy of ensuring emergency access to abortions under the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) and use the Free Access to Clinic Entrances Act to prosecute those who block access to clinics or threatening those who enter clinics.

Again, Harris would likely face some limitations. Biden has been cautious about some of these moves not only because of his apparent discomfort with the issue of abortion, but also because of the risk that such a move would backfire on the conservative Supreme Court. The government could lose one of these cases, allowing the conservative supermajority to govern in a way that would set back abortion access even further. For example, the fight over emergency access to abortion using EMTALA could give the court an opportunity to declare that the law’s use of the term “unborn child” (which scholars say only applies when patients are already in labor) is the intent of the law Congress signals it will protect fetal rights and restrict access to abortion — even in blue states.

That brings us to one of the most significant steps Harris could take: changing the way the Supreme Court operates. The next president could have the ability to appoint multiple justices, and the court’s two most conservative members, Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas, are also the oldest. But even if there are no Supreme Court vacancies in a potential Harris term, her administration could undermine the impact of major conservative victories on the Supreme Court.

Consider some of the issues the court addressed last fall. Conservatives are still pushing for the court to decide whether the Food and Drug Administration lacked the authority to approve mifepristone in 2000. If this argument someday succeeds, it would be up to the FDA in a Harris administration to enforce such a decision (the FDA can enforce it). civil and criminal penalties for the sale of misbranded products or drugs that have not been properly approved by the authority). But the FDA can only prioritize so many investigations, and a Harris FDA probably wouldn’t target mifepristone. It would also likely take steps to re-approve the drug. And if the Supreme Court were to rule that the Comstock Law was a de facto ban on the mailing of abortion-related material, it would be very unlikely that a Justice Department in Harris would devote resources to prosecuting people who received or mailed abortion pills.

Voters concerned about abortion rights will be betting high if they vote for Trump, who has refused to veto a national abortion ban or give a clear answer to what he said about enforcing the law Comstock Act thinks the way conservatives want it to. That’s why a Trump presidency could lead to national abortion restrictions that override state-level protections set by voters.

At least in the short term, a Harris administration is unlikely to create federal protections for abortion rights. But it can ensure that voters who supported abortion rights in their own states can retain those rights.

Globe Ideas writer Mary Ziegler is a law professor at the University of California, Davis and author of “Roe: The History of a National Obsession.”

Looking for the latest Mini crossword puzzle solution? Click here for today’s mini crossword puzzle tips, as well as our daily answers and clues for the New York Times Word, Strand, and Connect puzzles.

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The New York Times crossword puzzle is legendary. But if you don’t have that much time, the mini crossword puzzle is a fun substitute. The mini crossword is much easier than the old-fashioned NYT crossword, and you can probably solve it in a few minutes. But if you’re stuck, we have the answers. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword Puzzle Tips.

The mini crossword puzzle is far from the only game in the Times games collection. If you are looking for today’s answers to words, compounds and strands, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle clues page.

Read more: Tips and tricks for solving the New York Times mini crossword puzzle

Let’s move on to the mini crossword puzzle clues and answers.

Mini about hints and answers

1A note: What hot tubs, airports and the NFL have in common
Answer: JETS

5 A Note: Film Franchise Featuring Facehuggers
Answer: ALIEN

7A note: Use a loom
Answer: WEAVE

8A Note: Threaded fastening
Answer: SCREW

9A note: Is kissed by the sun
Answer: TANS

Minimize hints and responses

1D Note: Film that achieved the highest grossing of all time before the release of Star Wars
Answer: JAWS

2D Note: Vote into office
Answer: CHOOSE

3D Clue: Headwear in a pageant
Answer: TIARA

4D Clue: Number used to write “L” on a calculator
Answer: SEVEN

6D Clue: “I want the ___, not the weather”
Answer: NEWS

How to play more mini crosswords

The New York Times Games section offers a large number of online games, but only some of them are free to play for everyone. You can play the current day’s mini crossword for free, but you will need a subscription to the Times Games section to play older puzzles from the archives.

The Singapore outpost of hotel brand The Standard is scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2024.

Located on the city-state’s prestigious Orange Grove Road, The Standard, Singapore is just a short walk from the UNESCO Botanical Gardens and the famous Orchard Road shopping district. It is an eight-story property with 143 rooms, each with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Designed by The Standard’s in-house team in collaboration with the Ministry of Design, the hotel will also include Kaya, a Japanese izakaya-style bar and restaurant, as well as the street-level bistro Café Standard. Both venues are open to the public.

With the backing of high-profile investors such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz and Benicio del Toro, Andre Balazs founded the original Standard Hotel on Hollywood’s Sunset Strip in 1999. In 2002, The Standard, Downtown LA opened in the former Superior Oil Company Building, with the venue becoming a magnet for Hollywood’s elite and featured prominently in many film and television shows including Take him to the Greek And entourage.

The two original hotels in Los Angeles have since closed, but the brand has opened outposts in New York, Miami, London, the Maldives, Hua Hin (Thailand), Ibiza and Bangkok, with new hotels for Melbourne, Lisbon and Brussels in the near future Developments are , Vienna, Dublin, Dubai, Mexico and Austin.

In August, Hyatt Hotels announced that it planned to acquire Standard International and the brands in its portfolio, including The Standard, The StandardX, The Peri, Bunkhouse Hotels and The Manner.

Angelina Jolie proudly watched as her close friend Akala and her son Pax lovingly embraced each other at the Maria premiere in New York on Sunday night.

The 49-year-old actress attended the premiere of her new film Maria with her sons Pax, 20, and Maddox, 23, and daughter Zahara, 19, during the 62nd New York Film Festival.

And shortly after the star-studded night, Angelina was overcome with joy as she watched Akala, 40, and Pax embrace.

In recent months, Angelina sparked rumors of a romance with British rapper Akala after the pair were spotted leaving their hotel in Italy during the Venice Film Festival.

However, sources confirmed that the pair are not an item, and an insider said that Angelina “is friends with him and his partner Chanelle.” [Newman] Who was there too?

After her bitter split from Brad Pitt, Angelina grew close with the rapper and political activist.

Still, the couple share a strong bond, as a second source explains: “They share the same passion when it comes to social and humanitarian causes.”

“They have conducted several collaborations over the years focused on global issues such as human rights. Angie speaks highly of him.’

In Touch had claimed that the actress had been seeing the musician privately for “more than a year.”

However, a People’s source claimed that Angelina is “currently single and not seriously dating anyone.”

MailOnline contacted Angelina’s representatives for comment at the time.

It seems Angelina’s kids also like the rapper after Pax met him at the premiere.

Pax appeared to be in high spirits after the horrific e-bike accident he was involved in last July, which sent him to hospital.

The actress wowed in an elegant white dress with a pleated skirt, which she paired with black peep-toe heels.

Her daughter Zahara wore a silky white dress to match her. Maddox wore a classic black suit while Pax wore a gray one and a black wrist brace.

Missing from the event were her three younger children Shiloh (18) and the twins Vivienne and Knox (16), whom she shares with her ex-husband Brad Pitt (60).

The couple has been in a bitter divorce battle since their split in 2016.

Angelina’s sons also worked in the AD department on the set of Maria – directed by Pablo Larraín – and she admitted that the work was good for her.

She told The Hollywood Reporter: “They’ve done that a few times and I think that’s good for them. “Pax usually does stills and gets brought in, and Pablo was great and realized he was good at it.”

The actress was also grateful to have her sons around to support her because Maria Callas’ opera performance was so emotionally demanding.

She added: “It really meant a lot to me that my boys were there with me on Maria. “When I was having really hard times, they would come over and just give me a hug or have a cup of tea.”

“That was probably one of the more intense things – when I express so much pain, it’s not usually done in front of my children.” “You’re really trying to hide from your children how much pain and sadness you’re carrying. “

“And for them to be with you, when you put it on that level, I think it was the first time they’d ever heard me cry like that. ‘That’s usually for the shower.’

The first trailer for Maria was released last week. The film begins in the last days of the soprano’s life and looks back at all the triumphs and tragedies along the way.

Callas died of a heart attack at her home in Paris on September 16, 1977, at the age of 53.

Angelina said that roles like Callas happen “once in a lifetime,” adding, “I mean, it’s certainly the most challenging,” Deadline reported.

To portray the opera singer, Jolie spent seven months learning six of the late singer’s most famous arias.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on Sunday disparaged former president and current GOP nominee Donald Trump’s offensive claim that his Democratic rival in the 2024 election, Vice President Kamala Harris, is “mentally disabled.”

Trump falsely claimed at a rally this weekend that “Kamala is mentally retarded,” that President Joe Biden “was mentally retarded, Kamala was born this way,” and that “when you think about it, only a mentally retarded person could have allowed this to happen.” “Something happened” to our country.”

CNN’s Jake Tapper questioned Graham during the moment, telling the Trump loyalist: “Well, first of all, there are real people out there with mental disabilities, and this is an insult to them. Second, Vice President Kamala Harris is not mentally impaired.”

“No,” Graham agreed, adding, “I just think she’s crazy liberal.”

Tapper asked Graham about Trump’s rhetoric.

Graham threw up his hands, shrugged his shoulders and replied: “I just think the better way is to pursue the case that their policies are destroying the country. “They’re crazy liberals.”

Graham later said of Harris: “I’m not saying she’s crazy. I say that your party and your politics are completely crazy.”

“Well, those are not my guidelines,” Tapper clarified.

Watch Graham’s full interview with Tapper here:

A viral video of a man doing pull-ups while holding on to a highway sign placed 10 meters above the road in Uttar Pradesh has triggered a response from Amethi police.

The 16-second clip, posted on X by an account called Amethi Live, has received thousands of views.

As seen in the video, the man was performing pull-ups while holding onto the iron structure behind the signboard that read, “NH 931, Munshiganj 06 (left arrow) and Amethi 3.5 (right arrow).”

“Khatron Ke Khiladi On the streets of Amethi, a young man was seen doing pull-ups at the kilometer sign and risking his life to do pull-ups on a board 10 meters above the road. “The video was posted by an Instagram ID named Sachin,” Amethi Live said in the caption of her post, translated from Hindi to English.

Watch the video here:

The Amethi police soon responded to the viral video and said that legal action would be taken against the man after proper investigation.

“The matter is within the knowledge of Amethi police station. The viral video is being investigated and necessary legal action will be taken against the person performing the stunt as per rules,” said the Amethi Police post translated from Hindi into English.

Parents fear that their children will continue to need financial help when they grow up.

Nearly four in 10 (37%) parents of all generations fear their children will need financial support well into adulthood, a recent US Bank survey found. These concerns are among parents of the generation

In recent years, many people, especially younger people, have struggled with the rising cost of living due to rampant inflation. Higher interest rates as the Federal Reserve tried to curb rising prices caused many to fall behind on their car or credit card bills.

Earlier this year, a Bank of America survey found that 46% of adults in Generation Z — those typically born between 1997 and 2012 — received financial assistance from parents or other family members to cover essential expenses.

Families need to talk about finances

Advisers say some of these worries could be alleviated by families having more open conversations about savings, debt and inheritances.

“We hope these survey results spark a dialogue about the importance of families discussing difficult financial topics and ultimately empower more families to engage in the difficult conversations that are critical to building wealth,” Beth said Lawlor, president of Private and Affluent Wealth Management at U.S. Bank.

Although parents today are more than twice as likely to talk to their children about finances as their parents, they still don’t feel comfortable having these conversations. According to the U.S. Bank survey, they would rather talk about politics and the 2024 presidential election (76%) than their own finances (63%).

The families of the two indigenes of Akpawfu Community in Nkanu East Local Government Area of ​​Enugu State who were recently murdered in cold blood are insisting on justice for their deceased.

They accused a traditional ruler in the region, Igwe Christopher Nnamani, of distorting the facts and insisted that the monarch and those they described as his cohorts had questions to answer.

They made the comments in response to a media release condemning the police treatment of the arrested suspects.

The families now called on the police to arrest and interrogate the traditional ruler.

DAILY POST recalls that the deceased, namely Chief Israel Nnaji and Chukwudi Nweke Oka, were gruesomely murdered in their respective homes in June and July this year by gunmen who invaded their homes.

While the late Nnaji was assassinated on June 21, 2024, Oka was killed on July 16, 2024.

The families hinted that soon after the ugly incident, the police arrested six suspects in connection with the heinous crime.

They included Sunday Nwobodo Edeaniafu aka (Devil Spoon) “M”, Onyeka Nnaji (a.k.a. Apiawa) “M”, Nnamdi Nnam (a.k.a. Junior) “M” (4), Okenwa Chigozie (a.k.a. ochiwar) “M”, Uwabunkeonye Nnamai ( alias Asaba) “M” and Nnaemeka Nnamani (alias Nweze) “M”, and they were arraigned in court on 19/09/2024 while Echerem Paul and others were still at large.

They accused the traditional ruler and a human rights group of misinforming the public through the media.

A statement jointly issued by both families on Sunday and made available to journalists in Enugu also accused the royal father of allegedly shielding the arrested suspects under the guise that they were not criminals but operatives of the community’s neighborhood watch group.

The document signed on behalf of the two families of Chief Godwin Ede and Chief Ugochukwu Nnaji contradicted the monarch’s claim that the perpetrators were foreigners from the community.

According to the families, “Police are intensifying all efforts to arrest the fugitives and also bring them to justice for acts of terrorism, banditry, armed robbery and gruesome murder of Chief Israel Nnaji and Chukwudi Nweke Oka.”

“The families of the two murdered men saw fit to respond after duly informing our legal team who instructed us to respond as follows and say:

“It is strange and ridiculous that the author of the so-called publication claimed that he had written to the Inspector General of Police demanding justice for detained suspects who were allegedly tortured and shot in the legs by the police in Enugu.

“This lawyer, supposedly seeking justice, failed and refused to disclose. He informed him and verified his facts thoroughly before going to the press to embarrass the police and publish such a false and misleading publication which is full of falsehoods, falsification of facts etc.” Fraud.

“The said publication is intended to effectively counter the meticulous police investigations being carried out by the Octopus Squad of the Enugu State Command targeting the Akpawfu community which has been rife with criminality and delinquency over the last three years and which has recently witnessed over twenty In the same circumstances, Chief Israel Nnaji and Chukwudi Nweke Okah were killed and buried.

“The police investigation carried out so far by the Octopus Squad Enugu State Command has fully established that the above-mentioned person committed the crime as charged and has been a terror in the Akpawfu community by committing all kinds of heinous crimes such as armed robbery, murder, “Committed arson and arson under the guise of being a Community Security Neighborhood Watch.”

Continuing to narrate what happened, they said: “On July 21, 2024, Mrs. Coredelia Nnaji, wife of Chief Israel Nnaji, reported that at about 1:30 a.m. she heard the pained voice of her now deceased husband, Chief Israel Nnaji, who begged the attackers not to kill him.

“When she opened the door to see what was happening to her husband, one of the attackers, who was standing near the door, shouted to her to lie down facing the floor; otherwise she would be killed immediately.

“The attacker took a piece of iron rod and started beating her all over her body, causing her severe pain. The same attackers collected her valuables including money and phones and went to her husband’s room where she met other gang members who were already with her husband and he along with them beat the husband with the iron rod and finally killed him so he was left in his pool of blood.

“They continued to search his room, stole an unknown amount of money and his motorcycle and fled the scene.”

“The woman, however, during the operation identified two of the attackers led by Nnamdi Nnam (alias Junior), Okenwa Chigozie (alias Ochiwar), Uwabunkeonye Nnamani (alias Asaba) and Nnaemeka Nnamani (alias Nwaeze).

“On July 16, 2024, the same group of miscreants led by Mr. Sunday Nwobodo alias (Devil’s Spoon) Onyekachi Nnaji alias (Apiawa) and others still at large, again attacked and killed Mr. Chukwudi Nweke Oka at his house .

“The Akpawfu community is no longer comfortable with this situation as the youths are now restless and ready for a showdown.

“Following this heinous murder of these two prominent members of the community, the case was initially reported at Amuagunze Police Station, a petition was subsequently addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Enugu and the Inspector-General of Police for their necessary orders, following which the matter was dealt with. “ was referred to the Command Octopus Squad for processing.

“The six arrested suspects have been thoroughly vetted, investigated and fully charged and have now been arraigned on six counts before the Enugu Magistrate’s Court.

“However, on September 19, 2024, the trial judge declined jurisdiction and remanded the defendants to the Enugu Correctional Center while ordering the transfer of the file to the Director of Public Prosecutions for review and prosecution before the Supreme Court.” was then postponed to 4. October 2024 adjourned to receive an update report from DPP.

“It is regrettable to note that the authors of the publication and Igwe Christopher Nnamani lack knowledge of the police operational strategy and its rules of engagement.”

When contacted on his mobile phone, Igwe Nnamani denied any wrongdoing, saying his only sin was not remaining silent and watching police officers treat those currently in custody like common criminals, even when they are still presumed innocent .

He maintained that the persons arrested by the police for the alleged killing of the two indigenes were community neighborhood watch personnel and not criminals or members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as claimed.

The traditional ruler, who claimed that the arrested suspects were shot by police in the cell, added that they also made confessions under duress.

He condemned the suspects’ detention in a police cell for 19 days before taking them to court, insisting they were not being treated fairly by security forces.

As a traditional ruler, he said he would always speak the truth in the community no matter whose ox was gored

Wie können Reporter mithilfe neuer Tools mehr über die spezifischen Ursachen von Methanlecks in Konfliktgebieten erfahren? Wir haben einige der jüngsten Konfliktherde im Nahen Osten und Nordafrika (MENA) – nämlich Syrien, Irak, Jemen und Libyen – untersucht, um die Hauptquellen der Methanfreisetzung in der Region zu ermitteln und ein besseres Verständnis zu erlangen wie Konflikte auf der ganzen Welt die bestehende Infrastruktur und Regierungsführung schädigen und zu mehr Emissionen führen könnten.

Methan (CH₄) ist der zweitgrößte Verursacher der schnellen Erwärmung unseres Planeten und sein Beitrag zur globalen Erwärmung wird auf fast 34-80-mal höher als der von Kohlendioxid (CO₂) geschätzt. Methan in der Atmosphäre führt außerdem zu mehr Ozon in der Troposphäre, während die Methanoxidation in der Stratosphäre zur Bildung von Wasserdampf führt.

Beide Folgen spielen eine wichtige Rolle bei der Verstärkung des Treibhauseffekts, der die Erde erwärmt. Dennoch ist Methan ein natürlich vorkommendes Gas, das von Tieren, Feuchtgebieten und dem Boden freigesetzt wird – aber auch durch menschliche Industrieprozesse. Und in einem Teufelskreis führt der zunehmende Klimawandel zu einem stärkeren Schmelzen des Permafrosts, einer gefrorenen Schicht unter der Erde, die große Mengen Methan speichert, was die globale Erwärmung weiter beschleunigt.

Während die Welt rasch Strategien und Mechanismen entwickelt, um der Freisetzung von Treibhausgasemissionen entgegenzuwirken und die Klimakatastrophe zu minimieren, ist einer der wichtigsten übersehenen Faktoren die Auswirkungen von Krieg und Konflikten auf die Klimakrise. Neue Methoden zur Überwachung konfliktbedingter Umweltzerstörung, zur Berechnung von Konfliktemissionen infolge des Krieges in der Ukraine und Forderungen nach Transparenz über militärische Emissionen haben zu besseren Erkenntnissen über diese Quelle der globalen Erwärmung geführt.

Hilfreich ist, dass neue Sensoren, die in die Stratosphäre der Erde eingeführt werden, es Forschern nun ermöglichen können, die Ursachen der Klimakrise besser zu verstehen, und dazu gehört auch die Verfolgung der Methanfreisetzung. Die neuesten Forschungsergebnisse zur Quantifizierung der verschiedenen Emittentenquellen in der MENA-Region korrelieren stark zwischen der Governance und der Kapazität der Industrie für fossile Brennstoffe und der Fähigkeit, Methanemissionen zu bekämpfen. Die Ergebnisse deuten auch darauf hin, dass eine fehlerhafte oder schwache Regierungsführung, insbesondere in Konfliktgebieten, zu einem Anhalten oder Anstieg der Methanemissionen führen könnte.

Nachfolgend finden Sie eine Übersicht unter Verwendung der Datenkarten von Carbon Mapper und dem International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) des Umweltprogramms der Vereinten Nationen. Das CM-Tool gibt keinen Zeitraum für die Überwachung weltweiter Daten an, während der Zeitraum von IMEO zum Zeitpunkt der Veröffentlichung vom 29. Oktober 2020 bis zum 27. Juli 2024 reicht. Beide nutzen auch verschiedene Sensorsysteme, wobei beide den NASA-Satelliten EMIT als gemeinsame Quelle für die Methanerkennung nutzen. Die folgende Grafik zeigt die Anzahl der mit der Fernerkundung entdeckten Methanfahnen und die Anzahl möglicher Quellen. Einige dieser Quellen haben scheinbar mehrere große Methanfahnen ausgestoßen.

Die Nutzung bestehender und geplanter Sensorsysteme von Regierungen, kommerziellen Unternehmen (GHGSat) und gemeinnützigen Organisationen oder wissenschaftlichen Koalitionen (MethaneSat, das sich im Orbit befindet, aber zum Zeitpunkt der Veröffentlichung dieser Geschichte noch keine Daten liefert, und die Methankarte von Kayrros) kann einen Reichtum bringen von Daten über verschiedene Verschmutzungsquellen, die lange Zeit verborgen blieben. Darüber hinaus kombinieren Forscher jetzt Daten von Sentinel-2-, -3- und -5P-Satelliten für einen „gestuften Beobachtungsansatz zur Überwachung von Methanlecks“, während der niederländische TROPOMI-Sensor an Bord des Sentinel-5P wöchentlich frei zugängliche Methanfahnenkarten bereitstellt aus aller Welt.

In ähnlicher Weise erweitert das Carbon Mapper Project, das unter anderem von Planet, der NASA und verschiedenen US-Universitäten finanziert wird, die Methandatenbank mit seinem Datenportal, das mehr Einblicke in die Quellen der Methanfreisetzung bietet. Diese Methoden zahlen sich bereits aus und enthüllen Fahrlässigkeit und Missmanagement bei namhaften Ölkonzernen aufgrund von undichten Pipelines. GIJN erweitert die Wissensbasis außerdem mit seinem ausführlichen Berichterstattungsleitfaden für Journalisten, die Methanemissionen untersuchen.

Was sind also die Hauptquellen der vom Menschen verursachten Methanemissionen? Der gemeinsame Nenner dieser von Konflikten betroffenen Länder ist die Gewinnung natürlicher Ressourcen im Rahmen ihrer wirtschaftlichen Aktivitäten, die einen der größten Beiträge zur Methanfreisetzung leistet. Die Industrie für fossile Brennstoffe ist ein bekannter Emittent und leidet regelmäßig unter undichten Pipelines, veralteten Raffinerien, schlecht gewarteten Bohrlöchern und Kohlebergwerken, die zur Freisetzung von eingeschlossenem Methan beitragen können.

Darüber hinaus erleben wir in von Konflikten betroffenen Ländern häufig einen Zusammenbruch der Umweltpolitik, was sowohl zu einer mangelnden Umsetzung von Umweltvorschriften, einschließlich der Wartung und Überwachung von Kraftwerken und Fabriken, als auch zu einem Mangel an ordnungsgemäßer Abfallbewirtschaftung führt, was zu einer Anhäufung von Abfällen führt von festen Abfällen auf Deponien, die eine Hauptquelle für Methan sein können.

Im Folgenden werden wir uns eingehend mit mehreren Länderfallstudien befassen und einen kurzen Überblick über Methanquellen mithilfe von Carbon Mapper und IMEAO geben. In jedem Land stehen laufende Emissionen häufig in direktem Zusammenhang mit Konflikten oder sind das Ergebnis einer schwachen Regierungsführung nach dem Konflikt, die die Probleme verschärft.

Irak

Die fossile Brennstoffindustrie war lange Zeit die Haupteinnahmequelle des Irak, doch die zahlreichen Kriege, Aufstände und die anhaltende systematische Korruption im Land haben sich negativ auf die Ölinfrastruktur ausgewirkt. Insbesondere im Süden des Irak sind die Abfackelungen und Methanfahnen aus den Basra-Ölfeldern große Emissionsquellen. Allerdings sehen wir auch spezifische Methanquellen in Gebieten, die von den jüngsten Konflikten mit ISIS betroffen und später von der irakischen Armee und Milizen übernommen wurden, wie etwa die Ölindustriestandorte um Kirkuk und südöstlich des Gouvernements Suleimani, Gebiete, in denen ISIS noch aktiv ist, und Methan Lecks aus Pipelines in der Provinz Anbar südwestlich von Bagdad.

Obwohl das irakische Kurdistan im letzten Jahrzehnt seinen Ölsektor ankurbelte, deutete das Ausbleiben von Methanlecks auf strengere Vorschriften und Überwachung hin. Infolgedessen werden fast alle identifizierbaren Methanlecks in dieser Region durch Mülldeponien verursacht, darunter die Städte Erbil, Dohuk und Suleimani.

Der Fluch der irakischen Methanemissionen sind nach wie vor die Ölfelder im Süden des Irak, wo große Wolken rund um die Raffinerien und einige Pipelines in den Gouvernements Basra und Missan sichtbar sind. Sicherheitsrisiken und Korruption haben dazu geführt, dass ausländische Ölfirmen die Ölfelder der Region aufgegeben haben, so dass die Wahrscheinlichkeit gering ist, dass ein Unternehmen in die Reparatur und Modernisierung der Infrastruktur investieren wird, um Lecks zu verhindern und die umfassenderen Abfackelungsprobleme einzudämmen.

Syrien

Die Methanemissionen stiegen hierzulande in den 1980er Jahren mit dem Boom der Ölindustrie erheblich an, doch auch die Viehhaltung kann eine wichtige Emissionsquelle sein. Aktuelle Daten zeigen, dass die größten Methanemissionen von den stark bombardierten Ölfeldern im Osten des Landes um Deir ez Zor stammen. Genauer gesagt, rund um die Ölanlage Jafra, die 2014 von den Vereinigten Staaten bombardiert wurde, und um die Ölraffinerie Tanakh, die von Russland bombardiert wurde. Weitere große Quellen für Methanfahnen sind kleinere Anlagen für fossile Brennstoffe in den vom Regime kontrollierten Gebieten von Deir ez Zor, rund um Palmyra und im Norden in Richtung Raqqa. Im kurdisch kontrollierten Nordosten haben Sensoren Methanfreisetzungen auf den Öl- und Gasfeldern außerhalb von Hasaka und bei Rmelan festgestellt, wo die Ölinfrastruktur immer noch von türkischen Luftangriffen angegriffen wird.

Jemen

Der Jemen kämpft mit einem Jahrzehnt des Krieges, der eine große humanitäre Krise verursachte, und leidet außerdem unter einer umfassenderen Umwelt- und Klimakrise aufgrund konfliktbedingter Umweltverschmutzung und eines Zusammenbruchs der Regierungsführung. Angesichts der Tatsache, dass es nur eine kleine Öl- und Gasindustrie und eine Handvoll Großstädte gibt, sind die Methandaten relativ einfach zu interpretieren, da die meisten der entdeckten Wolken aus den Ölfeldern in Marib stammen. Schwache Regulierung, Schmuggel und Angriffe haben die Umweltzerstörung beschleunigt. Der Zusammenbruch der Abfallentsorgungsinfrastruktur des Landes hat die Entsorgung von Müll, einschließlich medizinischer Abfälle, in und um Städte und UN-geschützte Naturschutzgebiete wie Socutra verschlimmert, wie von jemenitischen Umweltgruppen und UN-Organisationen dokumentiert. Ein riesiger Müllberg nordwestlich von Sanaa hat eine große, nachweisbare Methanfahne und ist derzeit die einzige andere große Quelle von Methanemissionen im Jemen.

Libyen

Als Land mit den größten Öl- und Gasreserven Afrikas ist Libyens Industrie für fossile Brennstoffe auch einer der größten Methanemittenten auf dem Kontinent. Der 2014 ausgebrochene Bürgerkrieg hatte zur Folge, dass der Großteil der Öl- und Gasfelder von den Milizen General Haftars eingenommen wurde. Die National Oil Company Libyens ist nach wie vor für die Instandhaltung verantwortlich, doch anhaltende Störungen, mangelnde Investitionen, gewalttätige Angriffe und Missmanagement haben den Zustand ihrer Infrastruktur weiterhin verschlechtert.

Die meisten dieser Felder befinden sich in den Wüsten im Südwesten und im Zentrum Libyens, und die Emissionsdaten zeigen deutlich, dass fast alle Methanquellen, bis auf eine, entweder von Standorten zur Gewinnung fossiler Brennstoffe oder offensichtlichen Lecks aus Pipelines stammen. Es gibt eine große Mülldeponie – Sidi Sadaya – südlich von Tripolis, in dem Gebiet, das unter der Kontrolle der von den Vereinten Nationen anerkannten Regierung des Nationalen Abkommens steht, und in diesem Gebiet gibt es auch einige große Kohlendioxidemittenten aus der Öl- und Gasindustrie.

Vorwärts gehen

Diese neuen Fernerkundungstechniken zur Erkennung von Methan sind ein wichtiges Instrument zur Überwachung, wie Kriege und bewaffnete Konflikte zusätzliche Emissionsquellen verursachen oder schaffen können. Während viele Methanquellen in den besprochenen Ländern wahrscheinlich schon vor dem Konflikt vorhanden waren, hat der Mangel an notwendiger Sicherheit, Wiederaufbau und Investitionen wahrscheinlich zu einer Fortsetzung oder einem Anstieg der Methanfreisetzungen geführt. Doch mit den oben aufgeführten neuartigen Plattformen können Journalisten und Experten diese kritischen Treibhausgasemissionen nun detaillierter untersuchen, identifizieren und überwachen.

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Wim Zwijnenburg ist Leiter eines humanitären Abrüstungsprojekts für die niederländische Friedensorganisation PAX. Er beschäftigt sich mit Konflikt- und Umweltthemen im Nahen Osten, dem Einsatz und der Verbreitung neuer Militärtechnologien sowie dem Waffenhandel. Seine Arbeiten werden regelmäßig von Bellingcat veröffentlicht.