Latest news with #Obelisk
Otago Daily Times
22-05-2025
- Science
- Otago Daily Times
Native treasures collected
Dunedin Botanic Garden apprentice Jess Freeman was part of a recent plant collection trip in Central Otago. Every day at the Dunedin Botanic Garden, staff are involved in the work of plant conservation. This includes not just threatened species, but also more common ones required for public display and education. The work also extends beyond the boundary of the garden's grounds. In one recent trip, staff ventured into the Old Man Range, in Central Otago, to find and collect seeds and cuttings to extend the treasures nurtured in Dunedin — in this case for adding to the garden's new mini-mountain display. There were strict guidelines for the work, set out in a Department of Conservation (Doc) authorisation, which, among other things, placed limits on the quantity and type of material that could be collected. The team could take a limited quantity of propagation material per species on this visit. Depending on the species it was possible to collect a maximum of 10 cuttings less than 15cm long each, five divisions less than 3cm across, and up to 20 fruit per species. Actual quantities collected, details of the trip and propagation success and conservation implications were required to be reported back to Doc. Garden apprentice Jess Freeman was part of the team on the trip and says the limits are crucial to ensure the plants can continue to regenerate and thrive in their natural habitat. "It's great to know that while we're gathering these specimens to grow, we're also being mindful of the long-term health of the ecosystem." The destination for the trip was the Kopuwai Conservation Area, near Alexandra, in the Old Man Range. On the day, cloud clung close to the hills, limiting visibility. Even still, as staff made their way up the mountain, changes in the plant habitat were immediately obvious. Having started in country dominated by tussocks swaying in the chilly morning breeze, the team ascended into a rockier landscape in which plants shrank dramatically in size. By the time the team reached the summit, the plants were much smaller, their ground-hugging strategies perfectly adapted to the harsher conditions. "The fog added an eerie, sci-fi movie vibe to the scene, especially as we passed rock tors and expanses of rocky soil. It was the kind of place you'd expect to find aliens or at least a cool plot twist," Freeman says. At the top, where the 26m rock tor Kopuwai, or the Obelisk, stands, it was time to focus on the business of locating native species. "We took our time to familiarise ourselves with the range of plants in this rocky, fog-filled wilderness. Sometimes scratching our heads, but that's part of the fun." One of the most memorable finds was Myosotis pulvinaris , she says, which was producing its little white flowers despite the challenges of the alpine environment. M pulvinaris , or "mountain forget-me-not," is known for its resilience, adapted for its niche in such rocky and windswept environments. "I love how it is a little reminder that even in the toughest conditions, nature still finds a way to thrive," Freeman says. The team's next find was Craspedia lanata , which look like something you'd expect to see at the bottom of the ocean rather than in the mountains, she says. " Craspedia lanata — also known as woollyhead — has these cute round flower heads, and spotting these in their natural environment felt like finding treasure." By the time they had exhausted the day, the botanic garden team had managed to collect a more than worthwhile haul of specimens from the area, including divisions, cuttings and seeds. There were Myosotis pulvinaris divisions, with compact, silvery-grey to grey-green, hairy cushion-forming growth habit; Raoulia grandiflora divisions, a plant with an interesting "piled-up" look to it, like nature's own little rock garden; Raoulia subsericea divisions, a plant known for its fuzzy, silvery leaves; Raoulia hectorii var. mollis seeds, a tough, low-growing species that thrives in the alpine conditions of the region; Craspedia lanata glomerules, with the little flower heads that are so iconic to the species; Celmisia viscosa seed, which shares with other Celmisia species its quite unique, leathery, silvery leaves built to survive some of the harshest conditions. Also collected were cuttings from Veronica buchananii , a small compact plant that adds a pop of colour in the alpine landscape, and Ozomanthus leptophyllus , a bit of a mouthful to say, a plant with small, narrow leaves and delicate flowers. After a life-saving coffee break in the Old Man Range's blistering cold, the team moved back down the mountain, experiencing the same noticeable shift in habitat, but in reverse. The tussock returned, accompanied by the other plants of the lower slopes. That being the case, there were more finds to be made. There were seeds from Melycitus alpinus , a native shrub with small clustered flowers that attract bees and other pollinators. "I found one growing in between two slate rocks on the ground and about 6cm tall instead of its bushy form. Almost growing like moss would in a gap. Very resilient!" Freeman says. Had the team not collected Acaena saccatipula seeds, the plant may well have helped collect itself. The plants have prickly seedheads that can stick to clothing — their secret weapon for spreading around. Another Celmisia species joined the day's collection, this time Celmisia argentea seeds. Its silver leaves make it stand out, like something straight from a frosty wonderland. Argentea means "silvery", so it is well named. Finally, and very carefully, the garden team harvested some seeds from Aciphylla aurea [commonly known as golden spaniard or speargrass]. "A stunning alpine plant with sharp, spiky leaves and golden flower heads," Freeman says. "It is like nature's own version of a defence system. Wouldn't want to fall into one!" Each collection was placed in a labelled bag for safe keeping. Clean tools were used during collection as a general precaution against spreading disease in the environment. Back at the botanic garden, the team prepared a free-draining potting mix similar to what would be used with growing succulent plants in the garden's care. The mix consists of four parts of the garden's standard pine bark mix, one part sand, one part perlite and one part gravel. The seeds were gently sown on top of the mix in seedling pots and lightly covered with a thin layer of gravel to protect them. The cuttings and divisions were potted into terracotta pots and placed deep into the garden's outside sand bed, which regulates temperature in a similar way to their natural environment, while the porous terracotta allows water to escape. The softer and more vulnerable cuttings were planted into tubes, in the same mix, and placed in a propagation house close to the misting bench. They will be potted up when they get established.
Asharq Al-Awsat
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Elevator at Obelisk Offers Breathtaking View of Buenos Aires
The famous Obelisk in Buenos Aires Obelisk now offers a breathtaking new perspective. With the addition of an elevator, visitors can ascend this iconic monument to have panoramic views of the vibrant city below. Quoting Architect Juan Vacas, AFP said the 67.5-meter-tall Obelisk was erected in 1936, and stands at the intersection of Corrientes Street, renowned for its dynamic theater scene, and Avenida 9 de Julio, which according to tourist guides is the widest avenue in the world. Vacas describes the monument as 'the heart of Buenos Aires.' The Obelisk witnessed pivotal events in Argentina's history, including Raul Alfonsin's historic 1983 presidential campaign and a tribute for football legend Diego Maradona in 2020. Recently, the Obelisk was illuminated with the image of late Pope Francis. During the 2022 World Cup, millions gathered around the city's Obelisk where pictures of the players were projected. Some fans broke its doors and climbed to the top through service stairs. The elevator rises the equivalent of twenty floors in just 55 seconds, although visitors must still climb 35 steps to reach the viewing platform, from where visitors can see Rio de la Plata. This tourism project, completed recently, was 'a major challenge for architects' as all materials had to be brought in through a narrow door. 'The entire system was prefabricated, meticulously assembled and reassembled within the Obelisk's narrow space,' noted Vacas. Currently in a trial phase, the elevator has attracted 25,000 eager people for early access, the municipality said in a statement on its Instagram account.
Egypt Today
07-05-2025
- Business
- Egypt Today
Scatec Initiates $590 Million Solar Project in Egypt with Energy Storage
CAIRO - 7 May 2025: Scatec has officially launched the construction of its $590 million, 1.1 GW Obelisk solar project in Nagaa Hammadi, Egypt, which will also include 200 MWh of battery storage. The project, which is planned in two phases, is expected to be fully operational by the second half of 2026. The first phase will introduce 561 MW of solar capacity and 200 MWh of battery storage by mid-2026, while the second phase will add another 564 MW of solar power later that year. The Obelisk project will be connected to Egypt's national grid through 220 kV transmission lines, with a construction contract signed last month between the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC) and a consortium that includes Kharafi National and Power Ring. In December 2024, the project was granted a golden license, a significant step in its development. To fund the initiative, Scatec has secured $120 million in equity bridge loans, with the project's equity injections deferred until the completion of construction. The Arab Energy Fund will contribute $90 million, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will add $30 million. Additionally, Scatec has entered into a mandate for long-term, non-recourse debt, covering 80 percent of the project's total capital expenditure, sourced from a group of development finance institutions. Scatec has also secured a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the EETC, a 25-year USD-denominated contract backed by a sovereign guarantee, ensuring the project's financial viability for decades to come.
Zawya
06-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Scatec starts construction of large-scale hybrid solar and battery project in Egypt
Norway's Scatec has commenced construction of its 1.1 gigawatt (GW) Obelisk solar and 100 megawatts (MW)/200 megawatt-hours (MWh) battery storage project in Egypt, marking the Arab country's first large-scale hybrid solar and battery energy storage development. The energy will be sold under a USD-denominated 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC), backed by a sovereign guarantee, the company said in a press statement. The statement said the first phase of 561 MW solar + 100 MW/200 MWh battery storage is targeted to reach commercial operational date (COD) in the first half of 2026 and the second phase of 564 MW solar in the second half of 2026. Scatec has also signed equity bridge loans (EBL) of $120 million for the project, postponing the project equity injections to the end of the construction period. A $90 million EBL will be provided by The Arab Energy Fund with maturity in the second quarter 2028 and another $30 million EBL by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) with maturity in the first quarter 2027. The company has further signed a mandate letter with a consortium of development finance institutions for the long-term non-recourse project debt at attractive terms, with financial close expected in the next few months. It is also in advanced discussions with potential equity partners, expected to conclude in the same timeframe. 'We are proud to break ground on Egypt's first hybrid solar and battery project, building on our proven track record with similar developments. Egypt has ambitious targets to build out significant renewable energy capacity the coming years, and this milestone further strengthens Scatec's position as a leading renewable energy producer in the country,' said Scatec CEO Terje Pilskog. Total capex for the project is approximately $590 million to be partly financed by a targeted 80 percent non-recourse long-term project debt. Scatec will deliver Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC), Asset Management (AM), and Operations & Maintenance (O&M) services for the project. Scatec's EPC scope is approximately 70 percent of total capex, reduced from previous communication due to optimisation of the EPC structure but with unchanged gross profit to Scatec. (Writing by Deva Palanisamy; Editing by Anoop Menon) ( Subscribe to our Projects' PULSE newsletter that brings you trustworthy news, updates and insights on project activities, developments, and partnerships across sectors in the Middle East and Africa.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'The City Prays for You': Buenos Aires Sends Best Wishes to Pope Francis
The city of Buenos Aires paid homage to Pope Francis as he was being treated in Rome's Gemelli Hospital. Footage filmed on February 23 shows the Obelisk in Republic Square decorated with the Pope's face, along with the words 'Francisco, la ciudad reza por vos (Francis, the city prays for you).' Pope Francis was born in Flores, a neighborhood of Buenos Aires, in December 1936. On Saturday, Vatican News said the Pope was in a critical condition with 'a prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis.' In an update on Sunday, it reported that 'the night passed peacefully, the Pope rested.' Credit: @Alfonsaa15 via Storyful Qui l'tat le a notre qui le papa ok?
