Latest news with #Petre
Reuters
26-06-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Canadian carbon tech startup draws US interest post-Trump
CALGARY, June 26 (Reuters) - A Canadian startup that has built the world's first hub for the testing of multiple direct-air carbon-sucking technologies says it has seen an influx of inquiries from U.S. companies in the wake of President Donald Trump's election. Startup Deep Sky recently completed construction at its "Alpha" Direct Air Capture, or DAC, test ground in Alberta, where it will have room for 10 companies to deploy and fine-tune technologies on their way to developing commercial-scale plants. CEO Alex Petre said that with the Trump administration's reduced focus on climate as well as uncertainty about the future of U.S. funding support for DAC technology, Deep Sky is fielding more inquiries than expected from U.S.-based carbon tech developers. "The changes south of the border have actually meant that there is currently a spotlight on Canada," she said. Deep Sky, which received a $40 million grant last year from Bill Gates' Breakthrough Energy, has signed contracts with eight companies — from the U.S., Canada, the U.K., the Netherlands and Germany — to operate at the site. Carbon removal at the testing ground, which is expected to capture 3,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, will begin this summer. DAC is different from the more established carbon capture and storage technology. Where traditional carbon capture and storage is deployed at industrial smoke stacks, filtering out the CO2 and storing it before it reaches the atmosphere, DAC removes carbon directly from the air — meaning it can clean up emissions that have already occurred. However, the technology has been expensive and slow to scale. The largest operating DAC plant in the world, in Iceland, has capacity to capture just 36,000 tonnes of CO2 annually. The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has said stabilizing the planet's climate could require DAC removal at the scale of millions or even billions of tonnes annually by 2050. In the U.S., DAC proponents are facing a broader political backlash against public funding for climate technology. Under former President Joe Biden, the U.S. Department of Energy pledged more than $1 billion in funding support for two proposed DAC hubs in Texas and Louisiana. But sources told Reuters in March the grant funding could be eliminated by the Trump administration. Petre said that once Deep Sky's Alberta test hub is fully up and running, the company plans to develop a large-scale commercial DAC project in Canada. She said she is encouraged by new Prime Minister Mark Carney's commitment to identify and fast-track infrastructure projects of national interest in an effort to help Canada become a conventional and clean energy superpower. "There's lots of really interesting developments (in Canada) that seem to be on the table that I think will really help us," Petre said.
Dublin Live
29-05-2025
- Dublin Live
Man charged over TikTok threats to 'slice Irish babies' appears in court
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A man charged with offences relating to online threats on social media appeared before a special sitting of Portlaoise District Court on Thursday. Beniamin Petre, of no fixed abode, was charged under the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020 and under the Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act 2024. Detective Garda Mark Russell arrested the accused in Laois on Wednesday under Section 5 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. He was conveyed to Abbeyleix Garda Station. RTE reported that Gardai are awaiting directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions and further charges may be applied. Mr Petre's defence counsel Josephine Fitzpatrick said that her client was not seeking bail and was consenting to be remanded in custody. Judge Andrew Cody remanded Mr Petre in custody to appear again at Portlaoise District Court on June 5 by video link. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Sunday World
29-05-2025
- Sunday World
Man charged over ‘grossly offensive' TikTok video about ‘slicing up' Irish babies
Beniamin Petre, of no fixed abode, appeared before Judge Andrew Cody at Portlaoise District Court A man has been charged with an offence relating to 'hatred towards the Irish people' after he allegedly posted a social media message about 'slicing up' Irish babies. Beniamin Petre, of no fixed abode, appeared before Judge Andrew Cody at Portlaoise District Court on Thursday morning, May 29, charged with two offences. Stock photo News in 90 Seconds - May 29th Garda Mark Russell charged Mr Petre with an offence, that on a date around May 24, 2025, at an unknown location in the Dublin area, he published 'grossly offensive communication' on the TikTok social media site about 'slicing up Irish babies, kids and you' with intent to cause harm. The charge relates to Section 4 (1) and (3) of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020. Mr Petre was also charged with an offence, that on May 24, in an unknown place in the Dublin area, he engaged in threatening, abusive and insulting words or behaviour, with intent to breach the peace, demonstrating at the time of the offence 'hatred towards the people of Ireland'. The charge relates to the Criminal Justice Act. Judge Andrew Cody remanded Mr Petre in custody to appear again via video link at Portlaoise District Court on June 5 next.
Irish Daily Mirror
29-05-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Man charged over TikTok threats to 'slice Irish babies'
A man charged with offences relating to online threats on social media appeared before a special sitting of Portlaoise District Court on Thursday. Beniamin Petre, of no fixed abode, was charged under the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020 and under the Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act 2024. Detective Garda Mark Russell arrested the accused in Laois on Wednesday under Section 5 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. He was conveyed to Abbeyleix Garda Station. RTE reported that Gardai are awaiting directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions and further charges may be applied. Mr Petre's defence counsel Josephine Fitzpatrick said that her client was not seeking bail and was consenting to be remanded in custody. Judge Andrew Cody remanded Mr Petre in custody to appear again at Portlaoise District Court on June 5 by video link.
RTÉ News
29-05-2025
- RTÉ News
Man charged over online threats on social media pages
A 50-year-old man has appeared before a special sitting of Portlaoise District Court charged with offences relating to online threats shared on his social media page. Beniamin Petre, of no fixed abode, was charged under the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020 and under the Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act 2024. Detective Garda Mark Russell said he arrested Mr Petre yesterday at Rathmiles, Abbeyleix, in Co Laois, under Section 5 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1977 and brought him to Abbeyleix Garda Station, where he was detained. Detective Russell said that he was seeking directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions and that there may be further charges. Defending solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said that her client was not seeking bail and was consenting to be remanded in custody. Judge Andrew Cody remanded Mr Petre in custody to appear again at Portlaoise District Court on 5 June by video link. He also marked on the detention order that the defendant receive urgent medical assessment while in custody.
