Latest news with #AFD
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
EU and France invest €145m to improve Mozambique's rail infrastructure
Mozambique's rail network is poised for a significant upgrade with the signing of three financing agreements between state-owned railway company Portos e Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique (CFM) and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) for an investment of €145m (169m). The investment combines two non-sovereign loans from AFD, totalling $133m and a €30m ($35m) grant from the European Union. The funding will be used towards the planned enhancement of the Maputo–Ressano Garcia railway line, a vital link for passenger and freight transport in southern Mozambique. The project includes the doubling of the line's final section and an upgrade of its signalling system. The modernisation of the signalling system is set to improve safety and operational efficiency across the corridor. This development is expected to bolster rail traffic capacity and encourage a shift from road to rail transport. The project also aims to contribute to Mozambique's climate goals by reducing greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 30,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent annually. CFM chairman Agostinho Langa Júnior said: 'CFM requested this funding to respond to what is outlined in its Strategic Plan, which aims to execute a number of projects, including the doubling as well as the modernisation of the signalling system of the Ressano Garcia line, the acquisition of rolling stock, improve urban mobility etc. so as to better contribute to the economic development of Mozambique, as well as full regional integration.' The financial support from the AFD and the EU will facilitate the expansion of the Ressano Garcia Line's throughput, boosting it from the existing 14.9 million tonnes per year to 44.6 million tonnes per year once the second phase of the project is finished. The next phase of the project involves the recruitment of consulting firms for design, supervision, and project management. The construction phase is on track for completion by 2030. Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation to Mozambique Paula Vazquez-Horyaans said: 'This strategic investment reflects the European Union's commitment under the Global Gateway strategy to promote smart, clean and secure transport corridors that drive regional integration and economic development. 'By supporting the doubling of the Maputo–Ressano Garcia railway and upgrading its signalling system, we are helping shift freight from road to rail, thus enhancing safety, reducing emissions, and reinforcing Mozambique's role as a key logistics hub in Southern Africa.' "EU and France invest €145m to improve Mozambique's rail infrastructure" was originally created and published by Railway Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Yahoo
Deadly house fire among 4 incidents Amarillo crews battle over 2 days
Amarillo crews battled four structure fires in the city over the weekend, with one of those involving a death and another with a person taken to the hospital. Three of the fires took place July 20, and one early July 21. No firefighters were injured. 822 N Fairfield fire The Amarillo Fire Department (AFD) responded to a residential fire at 6:27 a.m. Monday at 822 N. Fairfield St., where crews could see fire and smoke showing from a single-story home. An occupant was outside and informed responders that others might still be inside, prompting an immediate upgrade to a second alarm, AFD said. After the alarm upgrade, 11 apparatus and 33 personnel responded to the scene and crews initiated an aggressive fire attack, searched the structure twice and were able to save two dogs from the home. Ultimately, they found no additional people inside the residence, and the fire was brought under control by about 7:14 a.m. Two people were evaluated at the scene for smoke inhalation, with one taken by Amarillo Medical Services to Northwest Texas Hospital. No firefighter injuries were reported. 1319 Broadmoor fire Amarillo crews responded to a reported structure fire at about 3:34 p.m. Sunday at 1319 Broadmoor St. and found a single-story residential home with moderate smoke showing from the eaves and attic area. A total of 10 apparatus and 37 AFD personnel responded to the scene, and firefighters found an unresponsive individual inside the home during a search. After confirming the person was deceased, efforts continued to extinguish the fire and ensure all hazards were mitigated. The fire was declared under control after about three hours on scene. No firefighters were injured. The individual was confirmed deceased at the scene by emergency medical personnel. Estimated losses include $130,000 in property damage and $30,000 in content losses. 602 S Houston fire Amarillo firefighters responded to a structure fire at 1:35 a.m. Sunday at 602 S. Houston St. involving a camper adjacent to a single-family residence. Crews arriving to the scene found the camper fully involved in fire and threatening nearby structures, and flames and smoke were visible from the attic vents of the adjacent home. A total of six apparatus and 18 personnel quickly initiated a coordinated fire attack to contain the blaze and protect exposures. Crews searched the building, accessed the attic via ladder, and extinguished remaining hot spots. AFD said salvage and overhaul operations were carried out to limit property damage. No injuries were reported in connection with this incident. Preliminary estimated losses are $5,000 in property damage and $2,000 in content loss. 2343 NW 13th fire Amarillo crews responded to a working structure fire at around 12:48 a.m. Sunday in the area of 2343 NW 13th Ave. involving a previously condemned mobile home. Crews found the structure fully involved in fire and initiated a defensive fire attack due to dangerous conditions and structural instability. With six total apparatus and 19 personnel at the scene, Engine 8 began suppression efforts while Engine 4 established a water supply. Ladder 1, Engine 9, and additional units supported extinguishment and overhaul. A partial roof collapse occurred on the east side early into operations. Due to unsafe conditions, a primary search was not possible, but firefighters attempted a careful search later to ensure no people were present. No injuries were reported, and there were no known occupants at the time of the fire. The property is considered a total loss. The Amarillo Fire Marshal's Office is still investigating the incidents, with more information expected to be released later in the week. Estimated losses for some of the fires are still being assessed and have not yet been finalized. AFD reminds the public to make sure smoke alarms are in working order and to have vacant structures properly secured. For additional information, contact the Amarillo Fire Department at (806) 378-4238. This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo firefighters battle structure fires July 20 and 21
BBC News
21-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
The Interview Friedrich Merz: Europe was free-riding on US
Europe was free-riding on US Nick Robinson speaks to Friedrich Merz, the new German Chancellor, about the future of Europe's defence amid the growing threat posed by Russia. Merz, the leader of the centre-right Christian Democrat party, was elected as Chancellor earlier this year at the second attempt, following chaotic scenes in the German Bundestag that saw him lose the first parliamentary vote. He's been in the UK to sign the first-ever friendship treaty between the two countries - it's a wide-ranging agreement covering everything from migration to energy, and business to defence. Unlike his predecessors who, in the shadow of World War Two, were keen to reassure the world that German military strength was not a priority, Chancellor Merz has decided to invest heavily in defence. He says that a strong army is now essential, thanks to the grave threat Russia poses to European peace and stability - and that Germany must be able to protect itself, and not rely on America. Chancellor Merz also talks about his good relations with US President Donald Trump and the rise of the far right AFD (Alternative für Deutschland) party in his country, which is now the official opposition. Thank you to the Today programme team for their help in making this programme. The Interview brings you conversations with people shaping our world, from all over the world. The best interviews from the BBC. You can listen on the BBC World Service, Mondays and Wednesdays at 0700 GMT. Or you can listen to The Interview as a podcast, out twice a week on BBC Sounds, Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Presenter: Nick Robinson Producers: Lucy Sheppard, Ben Cooper and Kirsty McKenzie Sound: Dave O'Neill Editor: Nick Holland Get in touch with us on email TheInterview@ and use the hashtag #TheInterviewBBC on social media. (Image: Friedrich Merz. Credit: Reuters)
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Veolia and AFD Sign Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Ecological Transformation in Developing Countries
PARIS, July 18, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Regulatory News: Veolia (Paris:VIE), a global leader in ecological transformation, and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) have signed a partnership agreement on July 18, 2025, to strengthen their collaboration in support of environmental services and sustainable development. This three-year strategic partnership aims to combine Veolia's technical and operational expertise with AFD's implementation capacity and local presence to address environmental challenges in emerging and developing countries. The partnership will focus primarily on Latin America, Central Asia, the Balkans, Africa, and the Middle East. This strategic alliance, designed to bring private sector expertise to environmental services, targets three key sectors: water and sanitation, waste management, and energy. It includes concrete actions to: reduce inequalities in access to water and sanitation, a core priority of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), preserve water resources, improve governance and regulatory frameworks related to waste management, develop innovative circular economy solutions, advance bioenergy innovation, decarbonize district heating networks. This partnership reflects a shared commitment by AFD and Veolia to strengthen collective action for sustainable transitions. It aims to promote dialogue and collaboration between the two international stakeholders, notably through technical workshops, exchanges, and site visits. The partnership will also be brought to life through joint Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. "We are proud to join forces with AFD to amplify our positive impact on sustainable development, especially in the fields of water access, waste management, and the energy transition," said Estelle Brachlianoff, CEO of Veolia. "Our operational excellence and on-the-ground expertise, combined with AFD's strong local presence, will help us accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the regions where we operate. This partnership is fully aligned with our GreenUp strategic plan and our ambition to be a catalyst for ecological transformation in all territories. It is a concrete demonstration of how French expertise can act as a powerful accelerator of global ecological transition." Rémy Rioux, CEO of the AFD Group, added: "We are very pleased to formalize and strengthen our partnership with Veolia, with whom we already have a rich history of concrete projects—particularly through its subsidiary Seureca in Chad, Guinea, and the Balkans. This agreement will enhance our synergies at the scale of both our organizations to ensure safe and sustainable access to drinking water for populations in our partner countries, and to support their ecological transitions in line with our SDG commitments. Ultimately, this partnership embodies our shared vision to contribute to France's policy of solidarity-based and sustainable international investment." ▁▁▁ ABOUT AFD The AFD Group finances and accelerates transitions toward a fairer, safer, and more resilient world by working hand-in-hand with local partners around the globe. Through its complementary entities — AFD for public financing, Proparco for responsible private investment, and Expertise France for technical cooperation — the Group addresses all facets of sustainable development. Active in more than 160 countries, including French overseas territories, AFD tailors its actions to local realities and supports community-driven initiatives. With more than 4,000 projects aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), AFD acts on behalf of the French people to mobilize all stakeholders involved in promoting economic development and preserving our global commons — climate, biodiversity, peace, gender equality, and global health. With others, for a shared ABOUT VEOLIA Veolia group aims to become the benchmark company for ecological transformation. Present on five continents with 215,000 employees, the Group designs and deploys useful, practical solutions for the management of water, waste and energy that are contributing to a radical turnaround of the current situation. Through its three complementary activities, Veolia helps to develop access to resources, to preserve available resources and to renew them. In 2024, the Veolia group provided 111 million inhabitants with drinking water and 98 million with sanitation, produced 42 million megawatt hours of energy and treated 65 million tonnes of waste. Veolia Environnement (Paris Euronext: VIE) achieved consolidated revenue of 44.7 billion euros in 2024. View source version on Contacts VEOLIA MEDIA RELATIONS Laurent Obadia - Evgeniya Mazalova Anna Beaubatie - Aurélien Sarrosquy Charline Bouchereau Tel. + 33 (0) 1 85 57 86 AFD MEDIA RELATIONS Sophie Noel Tel. +33 (0) 1 53 44 31 31noels@
Business Wire
18-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Veolia and AFD Sign Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Ecological Transformation in Developing Countries
PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Regulatory News: Veolia (Paris:VIE), a global leader in ecological transformation, and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) have signed a partnership agreement on July 18, 2025, to strengthen their collaboration in support of environmental services and sustainable development. This three-year strategic partnership aims to combine Veolia's technical and operational expertise with AFD's implementation capacity and local presence to address environmental challenges in emerging and developing countries. The partnership will focus primarily on Latin America, Central Asia, the Balkans, Africa, and the Middle East. This strategic alliance, designed to bring private sector expertise to environmental services, targets three key sectors: water and sanitation, waste management, and energy. It includes concrete actions to: reduce inequalities in access to water and sanitation, a core priority of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), preserve water resources, improve governance and regulatory frameworks related to waste management, develop innovative circular economy solutions, advance bioenergy innovation, decarbonize district heating networks. This partnership reflects a shared commitment by AFD and Veolia to strengthen collective action for sustainable transitions. It aims to promote dialogue and collaboration between the two international stakeholders, notably through technical workshops, exchanges, and site visits. The partnership will also be brought to life through joint Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. 'We are proud to join forces with AFD to amplify our positive impact on sustainable development, especially in the fields of water access, waste management, and the energy transition,' said Estelle Brachlianoff, CEO of Veolia. 'Our operational excellence and on-the-ground expertise, combined with AFD's strong local presence, will help us accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the regions where we operate. This partnership is fully aligned with our GreenUp strategic plan and our ambition to be a catalyst for ecological transformation in all territories. It is a concrete demonstration of how French expertise can act as a powerful accelerator of global ecological transition.' Rémy Rioux, CEO of the AFD Group, added: 'We are very pleased to formalize and strengthen our partnership with Veolia, with whom we already have a rich history of concrete projects—particularly through its subsidiary Seureca in Chad, Guinea, and the Balkans. This agreement will enhance our synergies at the scale of both our organizations to ensure safe and sustainable access to drinking water for populations in our partner countries, and to support their ecological transitions in line with our SDG commitments. Ultimately, this partnership embodies our shared vision to contribute to France's policy of solidarity-based and sustainable international investment.' ▁▁▁ ABOUT AFD The AFD Group finances and accelerates transitions toward a fairer, safer, and more resilient world by working hand-in-hand with local partners around the globe. Through its complementary entities — AFD for public financing, Proparco for responsible private investment, and Expertise France for technical cooperation — the Group addresses all facets of sustainable development. Active in more than 160 countries, including French overseas territories, AFD tailors its actions to local realities and supports community-driven initiatives. With more than 4,000 projects aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), AFD acts on behalf of the French people to mobilize all stakeholders involved in promoting economic development and preserving our global commons — climate, biodiversity, peace, gender equality, and global health. With others, for a shared world. ABOUT VEOLIA Veolia group aims to become the benchmark company for ecological transformation. Present on five continents with 215,000 employees, the Group designs and deploys useful, practical solutions for the management of water, waste and energy that are contributing to a radical turnaround of the current situation. Through its three complementary activities, Veolia helps to develop access to resources, to preserve available resources and to renew them. In 2024, the Veolia group provided 111 million inhabitants with drinking water and 98 million with sanitation, produced 42 million megawatt hours of energy and treated 65 million tonnes of waste. Veolia Environnement (Paris Euronext: VIE) achieved consolidated revenue of 44.7 billion euros in 2024.
