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Today — 9 April 2025News

Dominican Republic nightclub collapse kills 79

9 April 2025 at 08:55
National Police A screenshot of a video released by the National Police force of the Dominican Republic shows rescue workers entering a building. Debris and stones can be seen littring the floor. National Police
Rescue workers have freed dozens of people from the collapsed building

At least 15 people have died after a roof collapsed at a nightclub in the Dominican Republic.

Many more are injured and rescue workers are still attempting to free people from the rubble.

It is not yet clear what caused the incident, which happened in the early hours of Tuesday during a concert by the popular merengue singer Rubby Pérez at the Jet Set discotheque in the capital, Santo Domingo.

The president of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, has expressed his condolences to the families affected.

The director of the Emergency Operations Centre (COE), Juan Manuel Méndez, said rescue workers were still looking for people under the debris.

He added that ambulances had made more than 100 trips to the area's hospitals, at times carrying more than one patient. Officials are still trying to determine the total number of those injured.

The preliminary total of those killed is 15.

Mr Méndez said he was hopeful that many of those buried under the collapsed roof were still alive.

Jet Set is a popular nightclub in the capital which regularly hosts dance music concerts on Monday evenings.

Video footage apparently taken inside the club shows people sitting at tables in front of the stage and some dancing to the music in the back while Rubby Pérez sings.

In a separate mobile phone recording shared on social media, a man standing next to the stage can be heard saying "something fell from the ceiling", while his finger can be seen pointing towards the roof.

In the footage, singer Rubby Pérez, also seems to be looking towards the area pointed out by the man.

Less than 30 seconds later, a noise can be heard and the recording goes black while a woman is heard shouting "Dad, what's happened to you?".

One of Rubby Pérez's band members told local media that the club had been full when the collapse happened "at around 1am".

"I thought it was an earthquake," the musician said.

The Canadians and Danes boycotting American products

9 April 2025 at 07:26
Getty Images Canadian flag stickers on cheese at a supermarket in CanadaGetty Images
Supermarkets in Canada have been putting Canadian flag stickers on domestic goods

Todd Brayman is no longer buying his favourite red wine, which is from California.

A veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces, he is one of a growing number of people in Canada, Europe, and other parts of the world, who are avoiding buying US products due to President Trump's tariffs and treatment of US allies.

"I have in my life served alongside American forces. It is just profoundly upsetting and disappointing to see where we are given the historical ties that our two countries have," says Mr Brayman, who lives in Nova Scotia.

"But I think right now it's time to stand up and be counted, and in my mind, that means buying local and supporting Canadian business."

Together with his wife, Mr Brayman has replaced all the American products he used to buy, including his previous wine of choice, with Canadian alternatives.

"Luckett Phone Box Red wine, which is from right here in Nova Scotia, is great," he says.

Determining which products are Canadian isn't always easy however. "Sometimes labelling can be misleading," adds Mr Brayman.

To help, he now uses an app on his phone that can scan a product's barcode and identify where it's from. If the product is identified as American, the app suggests Canadian alternatives.

The app, called Maple Scan, is one of numerous emerging in Canada to help people shop local. Others include Buy Canadian, Is This Canadian? and Shop Canadian.

Maple Scan's founder, Sasha Ivanov, says his app has had 100,000 downloads since it launched last month. He believes the momentum around buying Canadian is here to stay.

"Lots of Canadians have told me, 'I'm not going back'. It's important that we support local regardless," he says.

Canadians like Mr Brayman are boycotting American products in response to a raft of import tariffs introduced by Trump. These included tariffs of 25% on all foreign cars, steel and aluminium, and 25% tariffs on other Canadian and Mexican goods.

Meanwhile, other European Union exports will get tariffs of 20%, while the UK is facing 10%.

Trump says the tariffs will boost US manufacturing, raise tax revenue and reduce the US trade deficit. However, they have spooked global markets, which have fallen sharply over the past month.

Trump has even expressed a desire for Canada to join the US as its 51st state, something the Canadian government was quick to strongly reject.

Ottawa has also responded with C$60bn ($42bn; £32bn) in counter tariffs, as well as additional tariffs on the US auto sector.

And there has been a substantial drop in the number of Canadians travelling to the US.

Todd Brayman Canadian Armed Forces veteran Todd BraymanTodd Brayman
Royal Canadian Navy veteran Todd Brayman says he is "profoundly upset" by the current bad relations between the US and Canada

Groups dedicated to boycotting US goods have also emerged in European countries. Momentum behind the boycott is particularly strong in Denmark, whose territory of Greenland Trump has said he wants to acquire.

Denmark's largest grocery store operator, Salling Group, recently introduced a symbol, a black star, on pricing labels to denote European brands.

Bo Albertus, a school principal who lives in Skovlunde, a suburb of Copenhagen, says joining the boycott was his way of taking action. "Statements that Trump made about wanting to buy Greenland, that was just too much for me," he says.

"I can't do anything about the American political system, but I can vote with my credit card."

One of Mr Albertus's first moves was to cancel his subscriptions to US streaming services, including Netflix, Disney Plus and Apple TV. "My 11-year-old daughter is a bit annoyed about it, but that's the way it is. She understands why I do it," he says.

Mr Albertus is the administrator for a Danish Facebook group dedicated to helping people boycott US goods. In the group, which has 90,000 members, people share recommendations for local alternatives to US goods, from shoes to lawnmowers.

Mr Albertus says: "It's a movement that is quite a lot bigger than just our little country, so it all that adds up."

Mette Heerulff Christiansen, the owner of a grocery shop in Copenhagen called Broders has stopped stocking American products, such as Cheetos crisps and Hershey's chocolate, in her store. She is substituting them with Danish or European products where possible.

Ms Christiansen is also swapping out products she uses at home. She's finding some easier to replace than others. "Coca-Cola is easy to substitute with Jolly Cola, a Danish brand," she says. "But technology, like Facebook, that's totally difficult to avoid."

She believes the boycott movement in Denmark is helping people to channel their anger at Trump's policies and rhetoric. "I think it's more for the Danish people to feel good that they are doing something," she says.

Mette Heerulff Christiansen Danish shopkeeper Mette Heerulff ChristiansenMette Heerulff Christiansen
Danish shopkeeper Mette Heerulff Christiansen has removed US products from her shelves

Douglas Irwin, a professor of economics at Dartmouth College in the US, who specializes in the history of US trade policy, believes the economic impact of the boycott may be limited. "It is hard to judge how economically significant the consumer boycotts will be in terms of reducing trade with the United States," he says.

"In the past, boycotts have not lasted long and have not achieved much. It starts as a hostile reaction to some US action but tends to fade with time," he says.

For now though, the rising Buy Canadian sentiment in Canada is boosting sales for many local brands. The CEO of Canadian grocer Loblaw posted on LinkedIn that weekly sales of Canadian products were up by double digits.

Bianca Parsons, from Alberta in Canada, is behind an initiative to promote locally-made goods, called Made In Alberta, which she says has had a surge in interest since the tariffs were introduced. "We're now getting over 20,000 hits [to the site] every two weeks."

Ms Parsons, who is the executive director of the Alberta Food Processors Association, adds: "I've had producers reach out to us and say: 'I'm selling out at stores that I would never sell out before, thank you so much'."

Several Canadian provinces, including Ontario and Nova Scotia, have removed US-made alcoholic beverages from their liquor store shelves in response to tariffs, a move the boss of Jack Daniel's maker Brown-Forman has said is "worse than tariffs".

Among the American businesses feeling the impact is Caledonia Spirits, a distiller based in Vermont, near the Canadian border. Ryan Christiansen, Caledonia's president and head distiller, says his business had an order on track for shipment to Quebec cancelled directly after tariffs were announced.

"My sense is that everyone's just being a little too aggressive and, unfortunately, I think America started that," says Mr Christiansen. "I do understand that the action America took needed a counter reaction.

"If it were up to me, I'd be at the table trying to resolve this in a friendly way, and I'm hopeful that the leaders in America take that approach."

Ryan Christiansen US distiller Ryan Christiansen looks at the cameraRyan Christiansen
US distiller Ryan Christiansen wants American leaders to take a more "friendly" approach to trade issues

Ethan Frisch, the co-founder of Burlap & Barrel, an American spice company based in New York, which also exports to Canada, says he's more concerned with the impact of the tariffs on his company's imports and rising inflation in the US than the consumer boycott.

He says: "I think there's this assumption that, if you boycott an American company, it's going to have an impact on the economy and maybe change the situation. I think that assumption, unfortunately, is not accurate.

"The [US] economy is crashing all up by itself. Businesses like ours are struggling without boycotts."

特朗普宣布美国对华104%关税即将生效

特朗普承认其关税“有点爆炸性”,但仍为自己的做法辩护。美国对中国的下一轮惩罚性关税将于周三生效。特朗普和政府高级政府官员表示,白宫已准备好与各国进行谈判。

总统坚持认为,他在关税问题上所采取的措施是让制造业和工业生产回归美国所必需的。 Eric Lee/The New York Times

Eric Lee/The New York Times

总统坚持认为,他在关税问题上所采取的措施是让制造业和工业生产回归美国所必需的。

习近平为何选择与特朗普“硬刚”

面对特朗普的威胁,中国称将“奉陪到底”。习近平的强硬背后是一组更为复杂的现实:他不能向美国示弱,但反击可能导致贸易战进一步升级,给中国带来痛苦。

中国国家主席习近平把自己塑造成民族救星,正在实现中华民族的伟大复兴。 Pool photo by Ken Ishii

Pool photo by Ken Ishii

中国国家主席习近平把自己塑造成民族救星,正在实现中华民族的伟大复兴。

难得君|中国大豆80%靠进口,每年花费3700亿

9 April 2025 at 09:01
CDT 档案卡
标题:中国大豆80%靠进口,每年花费3700亿
作者:难得大叔
发表日期:2025.4.8
来源:微信公众号“难得君”
主题归类:中美贸易战
CDS收藏:公民馆
版权说明:该作品版权归原作者所有。中国数字时代仅对原作进行存档,以对抗中国的网络审查。详细版权说明

大豆,这个看似普通的农作物,却关系着中国14亿人口的粮食安全。

2024年中国粮食进口总额4900亿元中,3700亿元流向大豆采购,占比高达75%。每花费100元进口粮食,就有75元用于购买大豆。这种惊人的依赖性,折射出中国农业现代化进程中一个无法回避的命题:为何一粒大豆能撬动千亿级市场?又为何中国始终难以摆脱对进口大豆的深度捆绑?

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大豆的重要性早已超越普通农作物范畴,它既是保障国民肉蛋奶供应的关键支点,也是食用油安全的战略资源。

中国每年消耗的1.2亿吨大豆中,80%转化为养殖业饲料,支撑着全球最大的生猪养殖体系。若没有进口大豆,中国养猪业将面临超6000万吨豆粕缺口,相当于减少2.5亿头生猪产能,这直接威胁到居民日均80克的蛋白质摄入水平。

与此同时,进口大豆每年产出1800万吨豆油,占国内食用油消费的六成以上。更值得警惕的是,国产大豆亩产仅133公斤,若要完全替代进口量,需新增7亿亩耕地,这相当于将现有耕地红线从18亿亩提升至25亿亩,在城镇化加速的今天无异于天方夜谭。

中国大豆进口版图呈现惊人的集中度:2024年从巴西进口7465万吨(占71%),美国2200万吨(占21%),两国合计贡献92%的进口量。

这种格局形成于全球大豆产业的深层变革,美国通过转基因技术将大豆出油率提升至19%,巴西则凭借亚马逊平原扩张种植面积,两国共同垄断全球80%的大豆贸易。

但这种“双头垄断”格局正遭遇地缘政治冲击:2025年对美加征关税后,美国大豆进口量骤降,巴西大豆单价应声上涨12%,暴露出供应链的脆弱性。尽管俄罗斯非转基因大豆价格低于巴西产品,但其年出口量不足200万吨,尚不及中国周均消费量,根本无法缓解困局。

中国大豆自给率不足17%的根源,在于耕地资源与粮食安全的残酷博弈。在必须确保三大主粮自给率95%以上的硬约束下,水稻、小麦亩产400公斤的效率碾压大豆的133公斤。

若将1亿亩主粮耕地转种大豆,虽能增产1300万吨大豆,却会导致4000万吨主粮缺口,足够1亿人口全年消耗。

这种替代成本让决策者陷入两难,既要维持“谷物基本自给”的底线,又需承受80%大豆依赖进口的风险。更深层的矛盾在于品种结构,国产大豆蛋白质含量达40%,远高于进口转基因大豆的34%,本应占据食品加工高端市场,却因加工企业更倾向采购廉价进口豆,导致“优质难优价”的产业怪圈。

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破解大豆困局需多维度突围。

在黑龙江、内蒙古等主产区建设千万亩高蛋白大豆基地,通过每亩400元补贴提升种植收益,2030年将自给率提升至25%。

中科院最新研发的“中育豆12号”出油率已达18.5%,较传统品种提升40%,有望打破进口品种垄断。

重构饲料配方体系,推广菜籽粕、微生物蛋白替代技术,2024年已减少豆粕需求300万吨。

在巴西马托格罗索州建立海外种植基地,中粮集团现已控制12个港口码头,形成2000万吨级供应链网络。

大豆危机实质上是农业现代化转型的缩影。当全球粮食贸易体系遭遇逆全球化冲击,既要守护主粮安全的生命线,又要在开放与自主之间寻找平衡点。这场关乎14亿人饭碗的产业变革,注定比芯片突围更为艰难,但也更为紧迫,因为粮食安全的底线,从来不容退让。

推荐阅读:4月4日,纪念她,就是守护我们免于恐惧的权利

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用我们的爱温暖彼此,请赠我玫瑰手留余香,谢谢!推荐我10多年来一直喝的白酒,纯粮酿造不上头,老窖窖藏,浓香型52°,大师调制,产地泸州。此酒适合自饮或三五朋友小聚,市面上没有销售,但质量不比千元价位白酒差,不失面子又实惠。现读者特价每瓶只需150元,买二送一,很多买过的朋友都复购了,要的速度微信我。点击 阅读原文 了解详情。

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Royal Society of Biology mourns murdered scientist

9 April 2025 at 07:56
Royal Society of Biology Wearing a brown shirt Alessandro Coatti looks directly into the camera at a side stance. Alessandro has a bald head and stubble around his face.Royal Society of Biology
Alessandro Coatti worked for the Royal Society of Biology in London

Tributes have been paid to a London-based scientist who formerly worked for the Royal Society of Biology (RSB) after he was found murdered in northern Colombia.

Alessandro Coatti's remains were discovered on the outskirts of Santa Marta, a port city on the Caribbean coast, on Sunday, investigators say.

Santa Marta's Mayor, Carlos Pinedo Cuello, said a reward of 50,000 Colombian pesos (£8,940) was being offered for information leading to the capture of those responsible for the death of the Italian citizen.

In a statement issued on Tuesday. the RSB said it was "devastated" by news of Mr Coatti's killing.

"He was a passionate and dedicated scientist, leading RSB animal science work, writing numerous submissions, organising events and giving evidence in the House of Commons," the RSB said.

"Ale was funny, warm, intelligent, loved by everyone he worked with and will be deeply missed by all who knew and worked with him.

"Our thoughts and best wishes go out to his friends and family at this truly awful time."

Santa Marta is a gateway to some of Colombia's most popular tourist destinations including Tayrona National Park, Minca and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains.

Mr Coatti, who took a master's course at University College London (UCL), worked for the RSB for eight years as science policy officer before being promoted to senior science policy officer.

He left the RSB at the end of 2024 to volunteer in Ecuador and travel in South America.

Parts of the scientist's dismembered body were found in a suitcase dumped in a stream.

Posting on X, Mr Pinedo Cuello said: "This crime will not go unpunished. The criminals must know that crime has no place in Santa Marta. We will pursue them until they are brought to justice."

A hotel worker who spoke to Colombian newspaper El Tiempo said Mr Coatti had inquired about visiting the village of Minca and was conducting research on local animal species.

New Universal theme park confirmed for UK

9 April 2025 at 07:23
Universal Studios / Comcast An artist impression of a map of what the Universal site could look like. A large body of water sits in the centre with various zones and rides around the edge. There is a logo in the bottom right-hand corner that reads: "Universal Destinations & Experiences". Universal Studios / Comcast

A new Universal theme park will be built in the UK, the government has confirmed.

It will be constructed on the site of the former Kempston Hardwick brickworks near Bedford and is expected to generate 28,000 jobs before it opens in 2031.

Universal estimated the 476-acre complex could attract 8.5 million visitors in its first year and generate £50bn for the UK economy by 2055.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the muti-billion-pound investment by the company would "see Bedford home to one of the biggest entertainment parks in Europe, firmly putting the county on the global stage".

Universal Destinations and Experience said 80% of those employed in the new jobs will be from Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas.

Universal, which produced films such as Minions and Wicked, currently has theme parks in Orlando and Los Angeles in the US, as well as Osaka, Japan, Sentosa, Singapore, and Beijing, China.

The park will be the first Universal-branded destination in Europe.

Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy said: "This landmark investment is fantastic news for our economy, for UK tourism and for the British public, who will be able to enjoy the biggest and best theme park in Europe on their doorstep."

A full planning proposal will be submitted to the UK government with construction expected to start in 2026.

PA Media Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is shaking hands with the President of the Comcast Corporation, Mike Cavanagh, in front of a drawing of the proposed Universal park in a room in Downing Street. Either side of the men are lamps with three lightbulbs and lightshades covering them. A painting hangs on each side above the lamps.  PA Media
Sir Keir Starmer said the park would generate jobs and strengthen the economy

The prime minister added: "This is our Plan for Change in action, combining local and national growth with creating around 28,000 new jobs across sectors such as construction, artificial intelligence and tourism.

"It is not just about numbers; it's about securing real opportunities for people in our country. Together, we are building a brighter future for the UK, getting people into work and ensuring our economy remains strong and competitive."

Chancellor Rachel Reeves added: "At a time of global change, this investment is a vote of confidence in Britain as a place to do business.

"Universal's investment will bring billions to the economy and create thousands of jobs to the UK, putting more money in people's pockets."

A graphic that shows the size of the Universal theme park using the colour red. Wixams can be seen to the right of the site. Above it is Bedford. The Marston Vale Line and Thameslink line are also highlighted

According to plans from Universal Destinations & Experiences the UK site would include a theme park, a 500-room hotel and a retail complex.

These proposals remain subject to a planning decision from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Universal has already bought 476 acres for the project, but could buy more land to increase the plot to about 700 acres, which would enable it to link the site with transport routes.

Residents living in surrounding villages have responded positively to the plans, though some are concerned infrastructure will not be enough to support the amount of expected visitors.

Universal said it surveyed more than 6,000 local people and organisations and 92% of those supported the project.

Getty Images A group of people ride a rollercoaster above a body of water with small, mythical wooden houses in the background. Getty Images
Universal has parks all over the world including the latest, Epic Universe, in Orlando

Universal said it would make upgrades to the Wixams railway station and build a new station on the East West Rail line near the resort.

It will also add new dedicated slip roads to the A42, which flooded in October after heavy rainfall.

The government has said it will commit to investing in infrastructure that supports the project and makes it more accessible.

On Thursday Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander approved expansion plans at London Luton Airport.

Universal had previously described the Bedford site as "an ideal location with convenient, fast rail links to London and London Luton Airport".

Universal Studios / Comcast Ariel view of the future Universal site in Bedford. It is at this stage several fields and large lakes.Universal Studios / Comcast
Universal Destinations and Experiences confirmed it purchased Bedfordshire land in December 2023

Mike Cavanagh, the president of Comcast Corporation, which owns Universal, said he was excited to expand the parks brand into Europe.

He said: "We appreciate the leadership and support of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Minister for Investment Poppy Gustafsson, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and their teams, as we work together to create and deliver a fantastic new landmark destination."

The company said it will work with Bedford Borough Council on the project.

The local authority was one of six councils to support the plans last year, alongside Central Bedfordshire, Luton Borough, Milton Keynes City, North Northamptonshire and West Northamptonshire councils.

Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

UK investigating claims green fuel contains virgin palm oil

9 April 2025 at 07:03
Alamy Close-up shot of a red bus being refuelled via a green pump, labelled HVO. A person's hand and blue sleeve is visible holding the pump.Alamy

The UK government is investigating a fast-growing "green fuel" called HVO diesel amid claims of significant fraud, the BBC has learned.

HVO is increasingly popular as a transport fuel and for powering music festivals and its backers say it can curb carbon emissions by up to 90% as it can be made from waste materials like used cooking oil.

But industry whistleblowers told the BBC they believe large amounts of these materials are not waste but instead are virgin palm oil, which is being fraudulently relablled.

And data analysed by the BBC and shared with the UK's Department for Transport casts further doubt on one of the key ingredients in HVO, a material called palm sludge waste.

Europe used more of this waste in HVO and other biofuels in 2023 than it is thought possible for the world to produce.

In response to the BBC's findings, the Department for Transport said they "take the concerns raised seriously and are working with stakeholders and international partners to gather further information".

HVO, or hydrotreated vegetable oil, has been called something of a wonder-fuel in recent years as it can be used as 100% substitute for diesel reducing planet warming emissions.

UK consumption rocketed from 8 million litres in 2019 to about 699 million litres in 2024, according to provisional government figures.

Its green credentials rely heavily on the assumption that it is made from waste sources, particularly used cooking oil or the waste sludge from palm oil production.

But industry whistle-blowers have told the BBC that they believe virgin palm oil and other non-waste materials are often being used instead.

That would be bad news for the planet, as virgin palm oil is linked to increased tropical deforestation, which adds to climate change and threatening endangered species like orang-utans.

This palm oil "floods the market like cancer," one large European biofuel manufacturer told the BBC.

Line graph showing rise in HVO use in the UK, up from almost zero in 2019 to nearly 700 million litres in 2024. Other major biofuels, bioethanol and biodiesel, are also shown. They currently provide more renewable fuel, but have not been growing as quickly over the past couple of years.

They said that to stay in business they have to go along with the pretence that they are using waste materials.

Another whistle-blower, a former trader of these biofuels, also speaking anonymously, gave the BBC his account of one recent case dealing with supposedly waste products.

"I believe that what I bought was multiple cargos of virgin palm oil that has been wrongly classified as palm oil sludge," they said.

"I called one of the board members and told them about the situation, and then I was told that they didn't want to do anything about it, because the evidence would be burned."

As well as this testimony, data compiled by campaign group Transport & Environment and analysed by the BBC suggests that more palm sludge waste is being used for transport biofuels than the world is probably able to produce.

The figures show that the UK and EU used about two million tonnes of palm sludge waste for HVO and other biofuels in 2023, based on Eurostat and UK Department for Transport figures.

EU imports of this sludge appear to have risen further in 2024, according to preliminary UN trade data, although the UK appears to have bucked this trend.

But the data analysed by the BBC, which is based on well-established UN and industry statistics, suggests the world can only produce just over one million tonnes of palm sludge waste a year.

This mismatch further suggests non-waste fuels such as virgin palm oil are being used to meet Europe's rapid growth in biofuels, according to researchers and industry figures.

Chart showing steep rise in consumption of palm sludge waste in EU and UK, from zero in 2015 to approximately 2 million tonnes in 2023. This exceeds the estimated maximum production potential of 1-1.5 million tonnes, shaded in red.

"It's a very easy game," said Dr Christian Bickert, a German farmer and editor with experience in biofuels, who believes that much of the HVO made with these waste products is "fake".

"Chemically, the sludge and the pure palm oil are absolutely the same because they come from the same plant, and also from the same production facility in Indonesia," he told BBC News.

"There's no paper which proves [the fraud], no paper at all, but the figures tell a clear story."

Underpinning the sustainability claims of biofuels is an independent system of certification where producers have to show exactly where they get their raw materials from.

It is mainly administered by a company called ISCC, and in Europe it has a long-standing reputation for ensuring that waste materials turned into fuel really do come from waste, by working with national authorities.

But in Indonesia, Malaysia and China, three of the main sources of the raw ingredients claimed to be waste for HVO, supervision is much more difficult.

"ISCC is simply not allowed to send anybody to China," said Dr Christian Bickert.

"They have to rely on certification companies in China to check that everything is OK, but China doesn't allow any inspectors in from outside."

This concern is echoed by several other groups contacted by the BBC.

Construction giant Balfour Beatty, for example, has a policy of not using the fuel, citing sustainability concerns.

"We just are not able to get any level of visibility over the supply chain of HVO that would give us that level of assurance that this is truly a sustainable product," Balfour Beatty's Jo Gilroy told BBC News.

The European Waste-based and Advanced Biofuels Association represents the major biofuel manufacturers in the EU and UK.

In a statement they said "there is a major certification verification issue that needs to be addressed as a matter of priority", adding that the "ISCC should do much more to ensure that non-EU Biodiesel is really what it claims to be".

In the light of growing fraud allegations, the Irish authorities have recently restricted incentives for fuels made from palm waste.

The BBC also understands that the EU is about to propose a ban on ISCC certification of waste biofuels for two-and-a-half years, although it is expected to say it is not aware of direct breaches of renewable goals.

It would then be up to individual member countries to decide whether to accept certifications.

In response, the ISCC said it was "more than surprised" by the EU's move, adding that it had been "a frontrunner in implementing the most strict and effective measures to ensure integrity and fraud prevention in the market for years".

"The measure would be a severe blow to the entire market for waste-based biofuels," it said.

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US court orders White House to restore access for AP journalists

9 April 2025 at 07:14
Getty Images White House  press Secretary Karoline Leavitt briefing reporters at the White HouseGetty Images

A US judge has ordered the Trump administration to restore the Associated Press's access to presidential events after the White House blocked the news agency in a dispute over the term "Gulf of America".

District Judge Trevor McFadden on Tuesday said the administration's restriction on AP journalists was "contrary to the First Amendment", which guarantees freedom of speech.

The dispute arose when the AP refused to adopt the administration's renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America" in its coverage, following an executive order by President Donald Trump.

The ban has meant that the AP has been unable to access press events at the White House as well as Air Force One.

Judge McFadden, who was appointed by Trump during his first term, also paused the ruling's implementation until Sunday to allow administration's lawyers time to appeal.

"The Court simply holds that under the First Amendment, if the Government opens its doors to some journalists — be it to the Oval Office, the East Room, or elsewhere — it cannot then shut those doors to other journalists because of their viewpoints," he wrote in his ruling. "The Constitution requires no less."

The AP had argued that the administration violated the news agency's constitutional right to free speech by restricting access due to disagreements over the its language.

In February, Judge McFadden had declined to immediately restore its access to presidential events.

After Tuesday's ruling, AP spokesperson Lauren Easton said the agency was "gratified by the court's decision".

"Today's ruling affirms the fundamental right of the press and public to speak freely without government retaliation. This is a freedom guaranteed for all Americans in the U.S. Constitution," she said in a statement.

The ruling was also welcomed by other organisations who had criticised the initial restrictions on the AP.

"This is a careful, well-reasoned opinion that properly describes the exclusion of the Associated Press from the press pool as retaliatory, viewpoint-based, and unconstitutional," said Jameel Jaffer, the executive director at the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University.

The AP sued three senior Trump administration officials — Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich — claiming the restrictions were unlawful and infringed on press freedom.

The Trump administration argued that the Associated Press was not entitled to "special access" to the president.

Soon after taking office in January, the Trump administration issued an executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America", a move the White House said reflects the gulf's status as "an indelible part of America".

The AP said it would continue to use the term Gulf of Mexico, while acknowledging the Trump administration's efforts to rename it.

In response, the White House restricted the AP's access to events covered by the "pool" of journalists who report back to other media outlets.

Analysis: Trump’s Tariffs Disrupt Global Trade Without a Clear Strategy

9 April 2025 at 07:13
The global trading system is only one example of the administration tearing something apart, only to reveal that it has no plan for how to replace it.

© Eric Lee/The New York Times

President Trump has appeared mostly unmoved as the knock-on effects of his administration’s moves take shape.

Death of Palestinian American Boy in West Bank Sparks Outcry

9 April 2025 at 07:29
Amer Rabee, 14, was fatally shot Sunday by Israeli forces in the West Bank, according to his family. On Tuesday, community leaders gathered in New Jersey to demand justice.

© Bryan Anselm for The New York Times

“We cannot let this horrific crime be swept under the rug,” Rania Mustafa, the executive director of the Palestinian American Community Center, said at a news conference on Tuesday.

Judge Orders White House to Restore AP’s Access to Trump

9 April 2025 at 07:55
The Trump administration has barred the news outlet from certain events for its use of the term “Gulf of Mexico,” which a federal judge agreed amounted to a violation of the First Amendment.

© Doug Mills/The New York Times

Since a February spat with the Trump administration, The Associated Press has been excluded from smaller events with President Trump in the West Wing and from traveling on Air Force One.

Trump Administration Freezes $1 Billion for Cornell and $790 Million for Northwestern, Officials Say

The funding pause amid civil rights investigations into both universities sharply escalates the Trump administration’s campaign against elite colleges.

© Heather Ainsworth for The New York Times

The funding freezes are the latest and largest in a campaign against elite American universities that has resulted in roughly $3.3 billion in federal funds being suspended or put under review in just over a month.

Trump’s Social Security Promise Under Strain as DOGE Cuts Take Toll

President Trump promised not to touch Social Security, but as Elon Musk’s team trims staff and plans cuts to phone services, the system is groaning under the pressure.

© Adriana Zehbrauskas for The New York Times

In Glendale, Ariz., on Tuesday, people lined up outside the Social Security Administration office before it opened.

U.S. Commanders Worry Yemen Campaign Will Drain Arms Needed to Deter China

American military officials say the Pentagon might need to dip into stockpiles in Asia to replenish supplies in the Middle East, congressional aides say.

© Carlos Barria/Reuters

A B-2 Spirit stealth bomber. The Pentagon has deployed two aircraft carriers, additional B-2 stealth bombers and fighter jets, as well as Patriot and THAAD air defenses to the Middle East.

The Skin on Mysterious Medieval Books Concealed a Shaggy Surprise

9 April 2025 at 07:01
The material on the covers of books from a French abbey was too hairy to have come from calves or other local mammals. Researchers identified its more distant origin.

Trump White House Won’t Respond to Some Journalists Who Display Their Pronouns

9 April 2025 at 06:58
Some Trump administration officials have declined to answer questions from several journalists on the basis of their email signatures.

© Eric Lee/The New York Times

“As a matter of policy, we do not respond to reporters with pronouns in their bios,” Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, wrote to a New York Times reporter.

Gang War Ravaged East Harlem for Six Months, Prosecutors Say

9 April 2025 at 06:56
The Manhattan district attorney charged 16 people, most of them minors, in a score of shootings. Violence among New York City’s youth has soared.

© Caitlin Ochs for The New York Times

Alvin Bragg, Manhattan’s district attorney, said the gang war was brazen and terrifying.

Iran says it is ready for nuclear deal if US stops military threats

9 April 2025 at 04:40
AFP A woman walks past a mural depicting an American official (L) sitting across the table from an Iranian official (R), on the outer wall of the former US embassy in Tehran (8 April 2025)AFP
A mural on the wall of the former US embassy in Tehran depicts the Iranian government's view of negotiations with the US

Iran is ready to engage with the US at talks on Saturday over its nuclear programme "with a view to seal a deal", its Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said.

But US President Donald Trump must first agree there can be no "military option", Araghchi said, and added that Iran would "never accept coercion".

He also insisted the negotiations in Oman would be indirect, contradicting Trump's surprise announcement on Monday that they would be "direct talks".

Trump, who pulled the US out a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers during his first term, warned that Iran would be in "great danger" if talks were not successful.

The US and Iran have no diplomatic ties, so last month Trump sent a letter to Iran's supreme leader via the United Arab Emirates. It said he wanted a deal to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and to avert possible military strikes by the US and Israel.

Trump disclosed the upcoming talks during a visit to the White House on Monday by the Israeli Prime Minister. Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that both leaders had agreed "Iran will not have nuclear weapons" and added "the military option" would happen if talks dragged on.

Iran insists its nuclear activities are entirely peaceful and it will never seek to develop or acquire nuclear weapons.

However, Iran has increasingly breached restrictions imposed by the existing nuclear deal, in retaliation for crippling US sanctions reinstated seven years ago, and has stockpiled enough highly-enriched uranium to make several bombs.

Watch: Iran, tariffs and hostages - key moments in Trump meeting with Netanyahu

The US president told reporters in the Oval Office on Monday that this weekend's meeting in Oman would be "very big".

"I think everybody agrees that doing a deal would be preferable to doing the obvious," Trump said.

But he also warned that it would "be a very bad day for Iran" if the talks were not successful.

In an opinion piece published by the Washington Post on Tuesday, Iran's foreign minister declared that it was "ready to engage in earnest and with a view to seal a deal".

"We will meet in Oman on Saturday for indirect negotiations. It is as much an opportunity as it is a test," Araghchi said.

Iran harboured "serious doubts" about the sincerity of the US government's intentions, he noted, citing the "maximum pressure" campaign of sanctions that Trump restored soon after starting his second term.

"To move forward today, we first need to agree that there can be no 'military option', let alone a 'military solution'," he said.

"The proud Iranian nation, whose strength my government relies on for real deterrence, will never accept coercion and imposition."

Araghchi insisted there was no evidence that Iran had violated its commitment not to seek nuclear weapons, but also acknowledged that "there may exist possible concerns about our nuclear programme".

"We are willing to clarify our peaceful intent and take the necessary measures to allay any possible concern. For its part, the United States can show that it is serious about diplomacy by showing that it will stick to any deal it makes. If we are shown respect, we will reciprocate it."

"The ball is now in America's court," he added.

Iran's hard-line Tasnim news agency said Araghchi would head the country's delegation at the Oman talks, underlining their importance.

The BBC's US partner CBS News meanwhile confirmed that Trump's Middle East special envoy Steve Witkoff would lead the US side, and said America is continuing to push for them to be direct talks.

During the first set of meetings, the US was expected to call on Iran to fully dismantle its nuclear programme and, depending on how negotiations went, technical experts were then expected to follow up in additional talks, it said.

US officials have so far revealed few details about Trump's demands.

However, after Witkoff said in a recent interview that Trump was proposing a "verification programme" to show Iran is not pursuing nuclear weapons, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz clarified the goal was "full dismantlement".

Israel's prime minister echoed Waltz's stance in a video on Tuesday, saying he wanted a "Libyan-style" agreement - a reference to the North African country's decision to dismantle its nuclear, biological and chemical weapons programmes in 2003.

"They go in, blow up the installations, dismantle all of the equipment, under American supervision and carried out by America," Netanyahu explained.

He then said: "The second possibility, that will not be, is that they drag out the talks and then there is the military option."

Israel, which is assumed to have its own nuclear weapons but maintains an official policy of deliberate ambiguity, views a nuclear Iran as an existential threat.

Tel Aviv said last year it had hit an Iranian nuclear site in retaliation for an missile attack.

A senior official at Iran's foreign ministry told the BBC that it would never agree to dismantle its nuclear programme, and added the "Libya model" would never be part of any negotiations.

The 2015 deal that Iran reached with then-US President Barack Obama's administration, as well as the UK, France, China, Russia and Germany, saw it limit its nuclear activities and allow inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in return for sanctions relief.

However, in 2018, Trump unilaterally abandoned the agreement, which he said did too little to stop Iran's potential pathway to a bomb.

Iran then increasingly breached the agreement's restrictions. The IAEA warned in February that Iran had stockpiled almost 275kg (606lb) of uranium enriched to 60% purity, which is near weapons grade. That would theoretically be enough, if enriched to 90%, for six nuclear bombs.

Roof collapse at Dominican Republic nightclub kills 58 including ex-baseball player

9 April 2025 at 04:08
National Police A screenshot of a video released by the National Police force of the Dominican Republic shows rescue workers entering a building. Debris and stones can be seen littring the floor. National Police
Rescue workers have freed dozens of people from the collapsed building

At least 15 people have died after a roof collapsed at a nightclub in the Dominican Republic.

Many more are injured and rescue workers are still attempting to free people from the rubble.

It is not yet clear what caused the incident, which happened in the early hours of Tuesday during a concert by the popular merengue singer Rubby Pérez at the Jet Set discotheque in the capital, Santo Domingo.

The president of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, has expressed his condolences to the families affected.

The director of the Emergency Operations Centre (COE), Juan Manuel Méndez, said rescue workers were still looking for people under the debris.

He added that ambulances had made more than 100 trips to the area's hospitals, at times carrying more than one patient. Officials are still trying to determine the total number of those injured.

The preliminary total of those killed is 15.

Mr Méndez said he was hopeful that many of those buried under the collapsed roof were still alive.

Jet Set is a popular nightclub in the capital which regularly hosts dance music concerts on Monday evenings.

Video footage apparently taken inside the club shows people sitting at tables in front of the stage and some dancing to the music in the back while Rubby Pérez sings.

In a separate mobile phone recording shared on social media, a man standing next to the stage can be heard saying "something fell from the ceiling", while his finger can be seen pointing towards the roof.

In the footage, singer Rubby Pérez, also seems to be looking towards the area pointed out by the man.

Less than 30 seconds later, a noise can be heard and the recording goes black while a woman is heard shouting "Dad, what's happened to you?".

One of Rubby Pérez's band members told local media that the club had been full when the collapse happened "at around 1am".

"I thought it was an earthquake," the musician said.

Astro Bot dominates Bafta Games Awards with five wins

9 April 2025 at 05:19
Sony A screenshot shows a cute robot character with glowing blue eyes dressed in viking furs, sporting a fake beard and holding an axe over some freshly chopped logsSony
Among Astro Bot's haul was the top prize of the night - best game

Astro Bot has been named best game at this year's Bafta Games Awards.

The 3D platformer, starring the PlayStation mascot character, won five awards in total at the prestigious ceremony in London.

Its director Nicolas Doucet dedicated the biggest prize of the night to developers who had "inspired others to join the industry".

"They give us the energy, the passion and the will to become magicians," said the head of Sony-owned studio Team Asobi.

It was a strong night overall for Sony as its other big 2024 hit, Helldivers 2, picked up two awards for best multiplayer and music.

The squad-based shooter was a surprise hit when it was released, and its makers had to race to boost server capacity to meet early demand.

Accepting the multiplayer award, Johan Pilestedt, chief creative officer at developer Arrowhead, said players had reached out to him to say Helldivers 2 had reconnected them with gamer friends from 10 to 15 years ago.

"That's such an honour," he told the crowd at Queen Elizabeth Hall on London's South Bank.

Coal Supper A cartoon image shows a moustached man in green overalls holding an exceedingly large tomato. He looks nervous.Coal Supper
Thank Goodness You're Here! was named best British Game

Thank Goodness You're Here! - a comedy cartoon game made by two friends from Yorkshire - won the award for best British game.

It is set in the fictional northern town of Barnsworth, heavily inspired by developers Will Todd and James Carbutt's home town of Barnsley in South Yorkshire.

The quirky title features voice performances from the pair, as well as actor Matt Berry.

Accepting the prize, the two friends said: "We hope this inspires you to tell your own story in your own voice without compromise."

Getty Images A man in jester make-up and wearing a jester's hat holds up a Bafta golden mask as he pulls a shocked expression for the camera.Getty Images
Actor Ben Starr claimed the debut game award on behalf of Balatro's developer

The Bafta Games Awards, which launched 21 years ago, have earned a reputation as causing major upsets.

In 2023, Vampire Survivors, a game made by a tiny British team, beat Sony's big-budget blockbuster God of War: Ragnarok to bag the best game prize.

Many had tipped Balatro - the poker-inspired card game made by an anonymous, lone developer known as LocalThunk - to pip Astro Bot to the award this year.

But it was Astro Bot's night, with the game winning best animation, audio achievement, family game and game design - as well as best game.

Balatro did, however, win best debut.

Actor Ben Starr, accepting the award on the developer's behalf, approached the stage in make-up and a jester's hat - an outfit inspired by the game's character Jimbo.

In the speech, he joked that developer LocalThunk was "really rich now" and urged the audience to "play more independent games... they are the lifeblood of this industry".

Legendary composer Yoko Shimomura accepted the Bafta fellowship in recognition of her contribution to gaming.

Perhaps best known for her work on the Kingdom Hearts series, from Japanese publisher Square Enix, she recalled how she had "felt like giving up" on her work many times.

"The fact I am standing here at all is no thanks to my own efforts, but to the people who have supported me," she said in her acceptance speech.

"I feel if the music I have made has resonated with one person and touched their hearts in one way, it was worth it."

Meanwhile, Still Wakes the Deep - a horror game set on a Scottish oil rig in the 1970s - swept the lead and supporting performance categories, and was also named best new intellectual property.

Actor Abubakar Salim, known for performances in Assassin's Creed and HBO's House of the Dragon, gave an emotional speech as he collected the games beyond entertainment award.

A keen gamer, he set up his own development company and its debut release, Tales of Kenzera: Zau, was inspired by the grief he felt at the loss of his father.

Senua's Saga: Hellblade II, which went into the ceremony with 11 nominations, went home with just one award: technical achievement.

Bafta Games Awards 2025 - the winners in full:

Animation: Astro Bot

Artistic achievement: Neva

Audio achievement: Astro Bot

Bafta fellowship: Yoko Shimomura (composer)

Best game: Astro Bot

British Game: Thank Goodness You're Here!

Debut game: Balatro

Evolving game: Vampire Survivors

Family game: Astro Bot

Game beyond entertainment: Tales of Kenzera: ZAU

Game design: Astro Bot

Multiplayer: Helldivers 2

Music: Helldivers 2

Narrative: Metaphor: ReFantazio

New intellectual property: Still Wakes the Deep

Leading performance: Alec Newman as Caz in Still Wakes the Deep

Best supporting actor: Karen Dunbar as Finlay in Still Wakes the Deep

Technical achievement: Senua's Saga: Hellblade II

What is all this tariff stuff about? Your questions answered

9 April 2025 at 02:10
BBC A woman with short brown hair is smiling at the camera, wearing sunglasses, a grey cardigan and a grey backpackBBC

Whether it's pensions, mortgages, investments or the cost of everyday items, many of you have been getting in touch with Your Voice, Your BBC News to ask how the global tariffs and recent stock market turmoil may impact your personal finances.

The BBC's Cost of Living Correspondent, Colletta Smith, has been answering your questions.

'If I have a private pension, am I going to lose money?'

A woman wearing a striped top and grey cardigan is sitting on a bench as a yellow bus goes past her in the background
Pauline Garbutt, 83, wants to know how her pension might be affected

If you're far away from retirement age, then sit tight because pensions are a long-term investment. As we have seen, a lot can change in a very short space of time so don't panic.

If you're getting close to retiring, your pension pot is likely to be moved to less risky investments, such as government bonds. When stock markets fall, these bonds tend to do better than traditional investments.

Pensioners with a fixed annuity should not be affected.

But if you're currently living off a pension that has been invested, that could mean you get less than you expected because of this stock market fall.

It's important to make a plan about how you will make up any shortfall.

'I've lost £1,500 in three days. When will things stabilise?'

BBC News A man wears a blue t-shirt with his hand resting on a kitchen countertopBBC News

Brian Waldie, 64, has been investing into a Child Trust Fund for his youngest daughter since 2007.

In the last three days, he has seen £1,500 lost from the account.

"We were trying to make our daughter's life simple but this is money I can't afford to lose," he told Your Voice, Your BBC News.

If you invest directly, through a Stocks and Shares ISA or Child Trust Fund, then you will have seen some big changes over the last couple of days.

Providers should always tell you that investments can go down as well as up.

If you want more certainty, it may be worth facing up to reality and making a new financial plan.

'If we put a 10% tariff on all goods coming into our country, will it stop other countries from dumping cheap goods on us?'

A man with a grey beard wearing glasses, a red coat and patterned shirt.
Stuart Burrows, 72, from Manchester got in touch through Your Voice, Your BBC News

The government has said it won't rush into making any decisions about introducing tariffs on goods coming into the UK.

Right now, items coming from the USA may well end up costing more, but it's also possible that products from countries that have been hit with tariffs to import into the US may just decide that it is cheaper to send their products here instead.

With cheaper foreign imports coming from countries like China, Japan and South Korea, it may push the prices down of some products here in the high street as firms compete with each other to attract customers with lower prices than rivals.

'How can a stock market crash lead to lower mortgages?'

Lots of people have been asking about how the uncertainty could affect mortgages. Chris in Sussex got in touch to find out whether it could lead to a drop in interest rates.

The Bank of England is worried that businesses and consumers are getting nervous so they want to encourage people to spend and borrow more.

We had been expecting two interest rate cuts this year and it's now predicted there will be an additional third cut.

Lenders are already pricing that into their equations and we're seeing mortgage rates fall as a result.

Nuclear Testing Not Advised, Trump’s Nominee Says in Senate Hearing

9 April 2025 at 06:12
Brandon Williams, the nominee to lead the National Nuclear Security Administration, said he would recommend reliance on “scientific information” rather than a restart of explosive testing.

© Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc., via Getty Images

Brandon Williams, a former New York representative and President Trump’s nominee for under secretary for nuclear security at the Department of Energy, in 2023.
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