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EU will limit gas use

 Reckrodgas storage plant  near Eiterfeld, central Germany (AP Photo/Michael Probst)

European Union governments agreed last Tuesday to ration natural gas this winter to prevent severe shortages in the future. The agreement came after one week of talks.

The EU agreement is based on a proposal from the European Commission, the EU’s executive arm.

The new law will not give the European Commission more power. All decisions on required steps will be in the hands of national governments.

EU officials hope rationing gas in the winter will protect Europe against supply cuts by Russia as it continues its invasion of Ukraine.

The new EU law will lower demand for gas by 15 percent from August through March.

Russian energy company Gazprom will limit supplies to the EU through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline to 20 percent of the normal amount.

“The winter is coming and we don’t know how cold it will be,” said Czech Industry Minister Jozef Sikela. In his opinion, Russia will continue to use gas to try to influence Europe.

Problems between Russia and the EU are fueling inflation, which is already at record high levels in Europe.

From VOA News

 

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Proposed constitution divides Chileans

In cities around Chile, bookstores and street sellers are busy with people who are buying a book that will change Chilean government and society, if it is approved. The book is the country's proposed new constitution.

Chileans will vote to approve or reject the new constitution on September 4.

Its 388 articles could replace the current constitution, which was passed in 1980 under the military rule of Augusto Pinochet

Two years ago, voters supported the plan to write a new constitution. But today, public opinion studies suggest that the new version will not be accepted.  Many voters think that some of the proposals are too radical

In Santiago, the capital city, street vendors are selling many copies a day. Alfredo Lopez sold 80 copies yesterday and will probably sell the same number of books tomorrow.  He did not read the document and is not planning to.

Observers say the new constitution is the result of public anger over inequality. It is a subject of debate between two sides. On one side, those citizens who want to protect Chile's current economic model aimed at growth and on the other side, those Chileans in favor of a social ideal to include everyone.

Chile’s current economic model helped many years of development. But now, Chile is facing rising inflation, a slow economy, falling exports of copper.  Additionally, the exchange value of Chile’s money is at a record low.

"People are really tense," said Isidora Varela, age 25. "Not everyone will read the constitutional text because the information is too dense. There is a lot of misinformation and fake news on social media”

Mireya Davila, a public policy professor at the University of Chile, said “Both sides still have time to attract voters. I think an informed vote is essential, but I don't know if that will happen. Will the Approve Campaign effectively communicate what the document says?”

Carlos Bastias, another seller, said there are arguments and fights between customers. "I think that in a few days I will have to open up a boxing ring here and be a referee. Yesterday I finished reading the new constitution but I will not give my opinion to buyers”.

 

From VOA (edited)