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South Africa Has Many of World’s Worst Air Pollution Sites, Study Says
(Bloomberg) — South Africa is home to many of the world’s worst emission sites for toxic nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide and most of those are operated by the nation’s state power utility, according to Greenpeace.
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Coal-fired power plants operated by Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd. account for five of the world’s biggest single source nitrogen-dioxide emission sites and two of the worst sulfur-dioxide sites, the environmental campaign organization said in a study, Major Air Polluters in Africa, released on Thursday. Sasol Ltd., a South African petrochemicals company, operated another of the world’s top 10 nitrogen dioxide sites, Greenpeace said.
South Africa, which relies on coal for the generation of more than 80% of its electricity, has some of the world’s worst air pollution with emission standards that, while considerably more lenient than in other major polluters China and India, are rarely enforced. Across Africa, Eskom is even more dominant in terms of the number of polluting sites it operates.
“The 10 largest nitrogen dioxide point sources identified in Africa are all thermal-power stations, nine of which are in South Africa,” Greenpeace said.
Eskom didn’t respond to a query about the findings by Greenpeace.
Still, industrial pollution on the continent extends beyond South Africa, its most developed nation.
An Ivory Coast power company rounds out the 10 top nitrogen dioxide emission sites in Africa, while Zimbabwe, Mali, Morocco and Egypt have plants emitting sulfur dioxide in the top 10 on the continent, Greenpeace said.
The pollutants cause a range of ailments ranging from respiratory disease to heart attacks, strokes and stillbirths. Exposure to nitrogen dioxide can cause permanent lung damage and contributes to acid rain, which poisons soil and slashes crop yields.
Greenpeace is a global network of organizations that campaign against environmental degradation.
(Updates with nitrogen dioxide’s health impacts in peunultimate paragraph.)
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Subaru recalls nearly 119,000 vehicles over air bag problem
Subaru has recalled 118,723 vehicles because a sensor may short circuit, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying in a crash.
The recall covers the Japanese automaker’s 2020-2022 Outback and Legacy models. An air bag malfunction would increase the chance of a passenger suffering injury in an accident, Subaru said in recall documents submitted last week to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
No injuries have been reported to Subaru related to the air bag issue, the company said.
The affected Legacy and Outback vehicles have a sensor that detects when someone is sitting in the passenger seat. That sensor is connected to the vehicle’s Occupant Detection System (ODS). Subaru said that an outside company hired to make the ODS may have used faulty circuit boards inside the system, the company said in its recall notice.
Having a cracked circuit board allows moisture to leak in and can eventually cause a short circuit, Subaru said. When a short circuit happens, the vehicle will not detect if someone is in the passenger seat.
If there’s a possible short circuit, the dashboard on the Outback or Legacy will alert drivers and the “airbag system warning lamp will illuminate, the front passenger’s frontal airbag OFF indicator will illuminate and the front passenger airbag may not deploy in certain crashes as designed,” the recall states.
Subaru said it will replace the ODS sensors free of charge for Outback and Legacy owners who take their vehicle to a dealership. The company plans to notify dealerships about the recall and replacements on Wednesday.
Subaru owners with questions about the recall can contact the company at (844) 373-6614 and mention recall number WRA-24. Owners can also contact NHTSA at (888)327-4236.
The sensor problem at Subaru is the latest in a recent string of vehicle recalls in recent months. Last week, Hyundai and Kia recalled a combined 147,110 vehicles because a part inside the cars may stop charging their batteries. Earlier this month, General Motors recalled nearly 820,000 pickup trucks because of a glitch that could cause the tailgate to open unexpectedly.
In January, Ford recalled about 1.9 million Ford Explorer SUVs because the windshield trim panels could fly off while the vehicle is traveling at highway speeds.
Khristopher J. Brooks
Budget giant Air Asia starts ticket sales for new airline in Cambodia
Getting from backpacker favourite Phnom Penh to the iconic ruins of Angkor Wat could be about to get easier, with Air Asia Cambodia gearing up for its first flights in May.
The airline, a joint venture between Malaysia-headquartered Air Asia, south-east Asia’s biggest budget carrier, and Cambodian business Sivilai Asia, will connect capital Phnom Penh with Siem Reap and Sihanoukville.
Siem Reap is a north-western town considered the “gateway” to Angkor Wat, a massive complex of centuries-old Hindu and Buddhist temples that draws millions of visitors each year. Sihanoukville is a beach and resort town on Cambodia’s southern Gulf of Thailand coast.
Air Asia has for decades been operating flights to Cambodia, including to Siem Reap and Sihanoukville, from outside the country.
According to Air Asia Cambodia chief executive Vissoth Nam, the setting up of a local branch “will improve connectivity and encourage travellers to stay in the country longer.”
Ticket sales opened on March 18, with one-way fares starting at $49. The first flights are scheduled to lift off on May 2, using two Airbus aircraft stationed at Phnom Penh International Airport.
The capital is to get a bigger international airport in 2025, with construction taking place around 20 kilometres from the centre of the city. A new Chinese-built airport was opened near Siem Reap in late 2023.
Before the Covid pandemic, tourism contributed around 12-15% of Cambodia’s gross domestic product. Visitor numbers are expected to return to the pre-lockdown level of over 6.5 million by 2025.
Kyiv endures a third air attack in 5 days as Russia steps up bombardment of cities
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Multiple explosions were heard in Kyiv on Monday morning as a Russian attack hit the Ukrainian capital for the third time in five days, part of an apparent escalation of aerial bombardment of cities by the Kremlin’s forces as the war stretches into its third year with the front line largely stationary.
City authorities said a residential building was damaged in one district of the city. Debris from interceptions fell on various districts of the city during the daylight attack.
Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko said two women were injured.
Emergency services were on their way to the sites, officials said. Further details were not immediately available.
The attack came three days after a concert hall attack in Russia that killed more than 130 people.
Russian President Vladimir Putin sought to tie the attack to Ukraine, even though an affiliate of the Islamic State group claimed responsibility.
Putin could use the Moscow attack to shore up support for the war and as a pretext to escalate attacks on Ukraine, analysts said.
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Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
Poland activates its air force after a Russian cruise missile violated its airspace during a huge attack on Ukraine
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Poland said it activated its air force after Russia violated its airspace during missile attacks on Ukraine.
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The country said it would demand an explanation from Moscow.
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Russia has been intensifying aerial attacks on western Ukraine.
Poland said it has activated its air force after Russia violated its airspace while carrying out a major missile attack on western Ukraine.
The Polish Armed Forces Operational Command said on X that a cruise missile entered Polish space in the early hours of Sunday near the town of Oserdów and remained there for 39 seconds.
They said the Polish military radar systems observed it for the entire flight.
The Command said that Polish and allied aircraft have been activated, which may increase noise levels in parts of the country.
Poland’s army spokesperson, Jacek Goryszewski, said the missile traveled about 2 km, or 1.2 miles, into Polish airspace before returning to Ukraine, per Reuters.
The country said it would demand an explanation from Moscow, Reuters reported. Russia is yet to comment on the attacks.
Jacek Siewiera, the head of the Polish National Security Bureau, said on X that NATO allies had been informed of the incident.
Russia has conducted a major campaign of aerial attacks on Ukraine’s capital Kyiv and the western region of Lviv in recent days.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, Russia launched 57 missiles and drones in the attacks on Ukraine, Reuters said, some of which struck critical infrastructure in the western city of Lviv and targeted the capital Kyiv.
Infrastructure in the city of Kryvyi Rih and the Odesa region in the south were also hit, the Kyiv Independent reported.
It is being described as the largest aerial bombardment of its energy system since the war began.
Moscow said that the attacks were retaliation for recent strikes inside Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged Western allies to provide additional air defense systems and ammunition. At the same time, a $60 billion aid package from the US remains stalled in Congress.
Read the original article on Business Insider
Wife allegedly tried to kill her Air Force husband – but he claims he caught her trying to poison his coffee
An Arizona woman is accused of trying to kill her husband by poisoning his coffee. Melody Feliciano Johnson’s husband, who is in the Air Force, was suspicious of his wife and did not drink the coffee she had been prepping for him, according to court documents.
The couple, who have a child together, were going through a divorce while living in Germany. The husband, whose name was redacted from the police report, noticed that the coffee his wife prepped at night for him to drink in the morning started tasting bad. He told police he is the only one who drinks coffee from the machine.
He told investigators he bought pool chlorine testing strips and started testing his faucet water and the water in his coffee and found while the faucet water was normal, the coffee had high levels of chlorine.
He stopped drinking the coffee but didn’t immediately report his wife while they were in Germany. Instead, when they moved to Arizona on June 28, he decided to set up cameras in their new home on Davis Mountain Air Force Base.
On a video he recorded, he saw Johnson pour something into the water reservoir, according to court documents. He filed a police report with the Tuscon Police Department but there was no follow-up, so he bought additional cameras – placing one in the laundry room, where the bleach was kept.
One video showed his wife allegedly walking from the laundry room to the coffee maker. Another video showed her allegedly pouring bleach into a smaller container then walking it over to the coffee maker.
After the husband collected multiple videos to make his police report, police detained Johnson at home. Investigators searched the home with a warrant and found a liquid in the coffee maker that smelled like bleach. They also found a container that smelled like bleach.
Johnson faces charges of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault and adding harmful substances to food, drink or medicine.
Last month, a high bond was requested for Johnson, since she has a house and family in the Philippines and may be a flight risk, according to the documents.
Her bond was set for $250,000 and she pleaded not guilty during her arraignment on Friday, according to AZ Family.
Caitlin O’Kane
Arizona woman accused of pouring bleach into coffee of Air Force husband over period of months
An Arizona woman is accused of using bleach to poison the coffee of her estranged husband, a member of the U.S. Air Force, over a period of several months, according to court documents.
Melody Johnson was arrested on July 18 after her husband submitted video to police allegedly showing her pouring the toxic substance into his coffee machine.
The husband, who is not named in court documents, started noticing that his coffee tasted badly at the end of March 2023 while stationed in Germany.
Johnson and her husband are going through a divorce but lived together with their child.
The husband continued drinking the coffee for two to three weeks before using chemical testing strips to test the water in his faucet, which came back normal. When he tested the water in his coffee pot it showed “high levels of chlorine,” court documents state.
In May 2023, the husband set up a camera in the home which showed Johnson “pouring something into his coffee pot.” He pretended to drink the coffee until the family went back to the U.S. on June 28 because he didn’t want to file a report in Germany, according to the complaint.
While temporarily stationed at a hotel in Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, the husband set up another camera which again allegedly showed Johnson “walk to his coffee maker and pour something into his water reservoir,” on July 5. The husband filed a police report the next day but was told by officers that it wasn’t clear what Johnson was pouring into his coffee pot.
When the family moved to permanent housing on July 7, the husband set up more cameras that looked like fire alarms to the ceiling, according to court documents. One was placed in the laundry room where bleach was kept, another was placed right over the coffee machine and a third was placed to show walking between those two areas.
After collecting multiple videos allegedly showing Johnson “take bleach, pour it into a container and then walk over and pour it into the coffee maker,” the husband went back to police, court documents state.
The husband told police he believes his estranged wife was trying to kill him to collect death benefits.
Johnson was arrested by the Tucson Police Department and charged with attempted first degree homicide, attempted aggravated assault and adding poison to food or drink. She’s being held at the Pima County Adult Detention Center, per online records.
A search warrant was executed at the home that recovered a container in Johnson’s bedroom under her bathroom sink that smelled like bleach and had some liquid inside it. There was also liquid inside the coffee maker that smelled like bleach, according to court documents.
It’s not clear if Johnson has an attorney at this time.
The best window air conditioners in 2023
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It’s too hot out not to have some form of air conditioning. If you don’t have central AC, a portable AC unit or a ceiling fan, consider installing a window air conditioning unit. Window AC units are specifically designed to cool individual rooms or small spaces effectively. If your cooling bedding just isn’t cutting it, an AC unit can be especially helpful during hot summer nights when you’re trying to fall asleep.
Plus, they can be easily removed and reinstalled, allowing you to use them in different rooms or even take them with you if you move.
Top products in this article:
LG 12,000 BTU window air conditioner, $385
LG 8,000 BTU Energy Star window air conditioner with remote, $306 (reduced from $380)
Midea EasyCool 5,000 BTU window air conditioner, $169 (regularly $179)
How do you pick a window AC unit? First, consider the air conditioner’s British thermal unit (BTU) rating. The greater the BTU rating, the more square feet the air conditioner is able to cool. According to experts, these are the BTU numbers you want to keep in mind when shopping for air conditioners:
- 5,000 to 8,000 BTU: generally cools 150 to 350 square feet
- 8,000 to 12,000 BTU: generally cools 350 to 550 square feet
- 12,000 to 18,500 BTU: generally cools 550 to 1,050 square feet
The shopping experts at CBS Essentials have rounded up the best window air conditioners from Amazon, Wayfair and Walmart to keep you cool this summer. These window AC units are all rated at least 4 stars (out of 5) on their respective sites. They work for a variety of room sizes and boast a range of features. Plus, many are on sale now.
GE 5,000 BTU air conditioner
Amazon
We’ve found the lowest price ever on this affordable, quiet AC unit from GE. It has 10 temperature settings and two fan speeds. This 4.4-star-rated air conditioner is ideal for small spaces.
GE 5,000 BTU air conditioner, $160 (reduced from $189)
Midea EasyCool 5,000 BTU window air conditioner
Wayfair
This 4.6-star-rated AC unit is ideal for small rooms. Choose from seven temperature settings, two cooling speeds and two fan-only speeds. This quiet, energy-efficient window air conditioner has a washable filter.
Midea EasyCool 5,000 BTU window air conditioner, $169 (regularly $179)
Soleus Air Exclusive 8,000 BTU air conditioner
Soleus via Amazon
Don’t want to block your outdoor view with a bulky air conditioning unit? We have the AC for you! This unit sits low on your window by sliding over your sill for installation without tools. This remote-controlled AC unit features a 24-hour timer, an energy saver mode and a sleep mode. It will automatically restart after a power interruption.
Fits windows 24 to 48-inches wide.
Soleus Air Exclusive 8,000 BTU air conditioner, $564 with coupon (regularly $630)
Commercial Cool 10,000 BTU window air conditioner
Walmart
This Commercial Cool AC unit comes with a remote control. It has a sleep mode, energy-saver feature and a removable, washable filter. Rated 4.3 stars.
Commercial Cool 10,000 BTU window air conditioner, $320 (reduced from $400)
Frigidaire 5,000 BTU window-mounted room air conditioner
Amazon
This window air conditioner has a washable filter and expandable side panels (to help you fit it in a window properly). It comes with an extra-long power cord. Choose from six BTU ratings. Rated 4.4 stars.
Frigidaire 5,000 BTU window-mounted room air conditioner, $160 (regularly $179)
LG 12,000 BTU window air conditioner
Walmart
This 4.4-star-rated window air conditioner by LG has three cooling and fan speeds, plus a 24-hour timer (so you can create a cooling schedule). The unit controls humidity, and its filter is washable. Choose from seven BTU ratings.
LG 12,000 BTU window air conditioner, $385
LG 14,000 BTU dual inverter window air conditioner
Walmart
This smart window AC unit by LG has four cooling and fan speeds. It has a 24-hour timer so you can create a cooling schedule, and it comes with a remote control. The unit controls air humidity; its air filter is washable. Choose from four BTU ratings.
LG 14,000 BTU dual inverter window air conditioner, $550
Midea 12,000 BTU smart window air conditioner
Amazon
This energy-efficient window AC unit promises to be ultra-quiet. It sports a U-shape design that allows you to keep your window open even while it’s sitting in it. It also has an anti-theft mechanism that locks your closed window. As a smart AC unit, it can be controlled with your phone or via voice assistant. Choose from three BTU ratings.
Midea 12,000 BTU smart window air conditioner, $459 (reduced from $499)
Related content from CBS Essentials
Carolin Lehmann
Best portable air conditioners in 2023
LG via Amazon
The CBS Essentials team has been thinking of ways to keep you cool all summer 2023. Not only have we found the best window air conditioners and the best cooling fans, we’ve rounded up the best portable air conditioners in 2023. A portable air conditioner is a wonderful solution to all this summer heat. A portable AC unit can cool specific areas that need it most, making them an excellent choice for bed rooms, offices, dining areas and even bathrooms.
These devices are also considerably easier to assemble than traditional window AC units. Most portable air conditioners use an exhaust hose to vent hot air outside. This makes them a convenient option for renters that can’t alter their living space or just people who don’t want to go through the hassle of setting up a whole thing.
The CBS Essentials shopping experts have rounded up the best portable air conditioners in 2023. These portable AC units all have a four-star rating or higher and include many positive customer reviews. Plus, we’ve even found a bunch on sale! If you’re looking to stay cool this summer, check out the best portable air conditioners below.
Portable air conditioner on wheels: Rintuf 12800 BTU portable air conditioner
Rintuf via Amazon
This 4.1-star-rated portable air conditioner features 360-degree wheels and two handles to easily maneuver it from room to room. This 12800 BTU AC includes three speeds and can also serve as a dehumidifier or a fan. Includes an installation kit with an exhaust hose, window kit, adapter and connector.
“Beyond my expectations, it also features wide-angle oscillation, which evenly distributes the cool air throughout the room. Its quiet design is truly surprising, as it doesn’t produce any noise disturbance when in use. Additionally, it comes with a 24-hour timer, making it very convenient to use,” says an Amazon customer.
Rintuf 12800 BTU portable air conditioner, $335 with coupon (regularly $400)
Portable air conditioner with remote: Dokoworld 12000 BTU portable AC unit
Dokoworld via Amazon
This 4.8-star-rated portable AC unit features a remote control so you can turn it on or off right from your bed or couch. It has four casters and a rear handle for easy moving. Plus, its exhaust duct can be easily installed in any movable window. It offers three modes – cooling, dehumidification and a fan mode with high and low speed settings.
“Probably one of the best portable AC units, especially considering the price and ease of use to install … We are extremely happy so far with this purchase. It cooled down the room very fast, and it’s comfortably cool even into the bathroom area. Can highly recommend,” says an Amazon reviewer.
Dokoworld 12000 BTU portable AC unit, $350
Amazon’s portable air conditioner: Amazon Basics 13,000 BTU portable air conditioner
Amazon Basics
Amazon makes a portable air conditioner and Amazon customers love it. The four-star-rated unit features rolling wheels and side handles to help move it from room to room. Exhaust hot air through a window with the unit’s expandable outtake hose. The unit comes with a venting kit with sealing, side panel leaf covers, bracket and instructions.
It features three speeds, three cooling settings and an automatic timer.
“This a/c unit was perfect – no drilling through windows to vent, etc. very simple to set up and in the blazing heat quickly cools the sunroom to a perfect temperature,” says an Amazon customer. “Also since it’s portable, it’s quite easy to move it. Simply awesome and highly recommend purchasing if you do not want the hassle of drilling, etc.”
Amazon Basics 13,000 BTU portable air conditioner, $471
LG’s portable air conditioner: LG 7,000 BTU portable air conditioner
LG via Amazon
This portable air conditioner is ideal for cooling rooms up to 350 square feet. The unit features two cooling fan speeds and a 24-hour timer. The auto-swing air vent helps direct the flow of air where it’s needed. If there is a power outage, the auto-restart feature will automatically turn your unit back on when power is restored.
This portable device is on rolling casters. It also includes an LCD remote control, an easy window venting installation kit and a removable filter.
LG 7,000 BTU portable air conditioner, $329 (regularly $460)
Drain-free air conditioner: DuraComfort 12000 BTU smart portable air conditioner
DuraComfort via Amazon
This portable AC unit is drain free! Any water is auto-evaporated, so there is no need to use additional drain hose. Unlike the other units on this list, you can start or stop cooling, change the mode or set the temperature anytime on this portable AC by using the DuraComfort App.
DuraComfort 12000 BTU smart portable air conditioner, $300 (regularly $470)
Portable air conditioning fan: Ferrisa portable air conditioner fan
Ferrisa via Amazon
Looking for something portable that will also keep you cool at home or in the office? While it likely won’t cool your whole room, this 4.2-star-rated air conditioning fan features a 600ML water tank that can blow cold air for up to eight hours when full. Should the water run out, the device will continue to blow fan air. The device is equipped with an LED light that can be set to multiple colors.
“Obviously, this unit is not meant to be a full-room A/C or cooler. It’s designed to be more of a personal unit to be used in close quarters. I bought this to have at my desk in an apartment with no A/C, and I think it works great. It’s plugged into and powered by my computer through a USB cord, which makes it perfect for my work space,” says an Amazon reviewer.
Ferrisa portable air conditioner fan, $30 (regularly $42)