Delayed coal phase-out could lead to 32,000 premature deaths in South Africa, report warns
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
A new report by climate rights groups, including Greenpeace, the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, and GroundWork, indicates that South Africa risks up to 32,000 premature deaths between 2026 and 2050 if the phase-out of coal plants is delayed. This delay is attributed to the government’s updated decommissioning dates, which allow some of the 14 coal-fired power plants to operate until 2050. Coal currently supplies 80 percent of South Africa’s power and employs over 90,000 people, making decommissioning a contentious issue. The report projects that Gauteng province, despite having no state-owned coal plants, could experience 15,000 deaths due to transboundary pollution. Cynthia Moyo, a climate campaigner at Greenpeace, highlighted that pollution travels and does not remain localized. The delay is also expected to impact children's health, potentially causing 41,000 pre-term births, 17,000 new cases of childhood asthma, and 370 deaths among children under five. Residents of Middelburg in Mpumalanga shared experiences of air pollution effects, including early-onset asthma and skin diseases. The report estimates the economic cost of the delay at 721 billion rand $38 billion, accounting for lost working days and increased strain on the public healthcare system. South Africa, the continent’s most industrialized nation, signed a Just Energy Transition Partnership JETP deal in 2021 to transition from coal, but this process has faced internal government disputes.
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Arsenal has initiated contact to sign Paris Saint-Germain defender Emmanuel Mbemba on a free transfer this summer. The 18-year-old, who has been offered a new contract by PSG, is reportedly open to joining the Premier League champions. Training compensation for Mbemba is expected to be slightly over £150,000 when his current deal concludes at the end of June. Arsenal has presented a development plan to the France youth international, drawing parallels to William Saliba's progression. According to BBC Sport, Mbemba is said to favor a move to Arsenal, impressed by the club's stability and success under manager Mikel Arteta. The Gunners are reportedly considering a European loan for the defender until January 2027 to facilitate a work permit for his eventual move to England. While primarily a center-back, Arsenal sees Mbemba as a long-term prospect for the left-back position. Mbemba recently captained PSG's under-19 team to victory in the French Youth Cup and is considered a promising young defensive talent.
Twenty years after the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, a select group of ten players from the 736 participants continue to play professionally in 2026. This group includes iconic figures such as Lionel Messi of Argentina, Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal, and Luka Modric of Croatia, all of whom first appeared on the World Cup stage in 2006 and continue to compete at high levels. Other notable players still active are Sergio Ramos of Spain, Oscar Ustari and Guillermo Ochoa, both goalkeepers, Lukasz Fabianski of Poland, Lukas Podolski of Germany, and Roque Santa Cruz and José Montiel, both from Paraguay. These players have demonstrated remarkable longevity in their careers, with some, like Santa Cruz, still playing at 44 years old, and Ronaldo at 41. While many of their peers have transitioned into other roles within football, these ten individuals defy age by remaining active in the sport.
Workers at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, represented by the Unite Here Local 11 union, have voted to authorize a potential strike during the upcoming World Cup. The union, which includes approximately 2,000 food and beverage workers, is seeking improved pay and assurances that federal immigration agents will not be permitted to enter the venue. A significant 96 percent of voters approved the strike call, granting them the ability to walk off the job at any time. Contract negotiations with stadium food service operator Legends Global and FIFA have reportedly not made substantial progress on economic and workplace safety issues. New talks are scheduled for Monday, ahead of the first World Cup match on US soil at SoFi Stadium on June 12. The union has also demanded that workers be allowed to leave if Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel are present at SoFi during matches and create a reasonable fear for their safety. Workers have also voiced concerns about sharing personal information with FIFA for World Cup accreditation, fearing data could be shared with ICE.
Mirra Andreeva secured her first Grand Slam title at the French Open, defeating Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2. The 19-year-old Russian became the youngest Roland Garros women's singles champion since Monica Seles in 1992 and the first player born after 2005 to win a Grand Slam. This victory adds the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen to Andreeva's trophy collection, which already includes two WTA 1000 titles. Chwalinska, despite the loss, concluded an impressive run, having won nine matches through qualifying to become the first qualifier in the Open era to reach the final. Her performance will elevate her world ranking to 21, ensuring regular participation in major tournaments. The match saw early nerves and blustery conditions, with both players trading breaks. Andreeva ultimately demonstrated resilience, breaking Chwalinska to take the first set and maintaining her momentum in the second, despite a late break by Chwalinska. Andreeva sealed her victory with a backhand winner, surpassing her coach Conchita Martinez's 2000 Roland Garros runner-up finish.