China-developed power project secures reliable energy in the Amazon

A groundbreaking infrastructure project developed by Chinese state-owned engineering and construction company PowerChina is expected to ensure the power supply to Brazil's Amazon region, highlighting economic ties between China and Brazil in the energy sector.

Power supplies in the region can often be disrupted by unpredictable weather, a challenging environment, and long transmission distances.

The EDP power transmission and transformation project, undertaken by Chinese company SEPCO1, a subsidiary of PowerChina, aims to overcome these difficulties.

"This transmission line will bring comfort and dignity. It will give people the opportunity to own a freezer, access the internet, and meet other needs that depend on electricity. It will benefit everyone here," said Ildivany De Brito Basto, a resident.

In addition to ensuring energy supplies, the project will also help advance local economic growth.

"The transmission line passing through our city is really important. It's brought a lot of benefits, like creating jobs and boosting the local economy, especially in areas like hotels, food services and construction," said Rodrigo Coelho De Sousa, another resident.

Since the Amazon region is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, the infrastructure project is prioritizing environmental protection, according to the management team behind the development.

"The Amazon region is one of the most biodiverse places in the world. It's home to many rare and endangered species, so protecting the environment here is absolutely crucial. During the planning and construction, we made sure to respect indigenous land rights and strictly follow local laws. Our team focused on things like managing the routes of transmission lines, controlling deforestation, cleaning up oil spills, and preventing soil erosion. This is all to protect the environment and support sustainable development," said Qi Bo, program manager of Brazil EDP Power Transmission and Transformation Project.

The construction of the project started in July 2021, and it is expected to be electrified soon as it's coming to the final adjustment phase.

China-developed power project secures reliable energy in the Amazon

The Palestinian death toll in Gaza Strip has risen to 50,423, with 114,638 injured, after nearly 18 months of Israeli military operations, Gaza health authorities said Wednesday.

Local medical sources noted that since the Israeli army resumed its operations on March 18, the number of fatalities has reached 1,066, while 2,597 have been injured.

In the past 24 hours alone, hospitals in Gaza received 24 fatalities and 55 injured. Many bodies remain trapped beneath the rubble, with ambulances and civil defense personnel struggling to reach them.

According to a report by the Times of Israel, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Wednesday that it had carried out strikes on over 50 sites belonging to Hamas and other militant groups, ahead of a major ground push into the southern Gaza Strip. During the day, dozens more strikes were carried out across Gaza.

In addition, the IDF issued a statement on Wednesday night that it had intercepted two rockets launched from northern Gaza. Air raid sirens were activated in areas near the Gaza Strip, and local media said that there are no reports of injuries or damage in the attack. The Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, claimed responsibility for the attack.

According to Palestinian media reports on Wednesday, the Israeli air force targeted a medical facility operated by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza. The head of Gaza-based health authorities reported on the same day that 19 people were killed in the attack.

The Israeli military stated on Wednesday that it had struck a Hamas command center in Jabalia.

On Wednesday night, Al Jazeera quoted relevant sources as saying that Hamas officials had received Israel's response to the ceasefire proposal, which had been put forward by mediators and accepted by Hamas. Based on this response, they concluded that Israel had rejected the proposal.

Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 50,423