Miliband pledges up to £1bn for community green energy schemes pred 1 uro in 9 minutami UK projects will allow local areas to control and profit from renewable power generation, says energy secretaryThe UK government is pledging to spend up to £1bn on community-owned green energy schemes in an effort to combat growing scepticism and resistance to renewables and grid upgrade projects.Ed Miliband, the UK energy secretary, said the new funding was intended to help democratise the energy system, increase the wealth and financial independence of local communities, and potentially cut some local energy bills. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Sydney protest: NSW premier defends police in ‘impossible situation’ after accusations of violence against protesters pred 1 uro in 15 minutami Politicians who attended protest against visit of Israeli president Isaac Herzog say police actions against demonstrators were ‘wildly inappropriate’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastLabor backbench and Greens MPs say the police response to a protest against the Israeli president’s visit on Monday evening was “wildly inappropriate” – but the New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, has defended police actions, saying they were “put in an impossible situation”.The state Greens MP Abigail Boyd alleged she was “targeted and attacked” by police during the rally, injuring her wrist and chin. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump justice department moves to dismiss Steve Bannon criminal case pred 1 uro in 17 minutami Former Trump adviser convicted of contempt of Congress for refusing to testify before House January 6 committeeDonald Trump’s Department of Justice moved to dismiss a criminal case against his former aide Steve Bannon, connected to his refusal to testify before Congress relating to the investigation into the January 6 insurrection.The controversial hard-right strategist, an ally of Trump, was convicted in 2022 on two counts of contempt of Congress after refusing to appear for a deposition before the House committee that investigated the 2021 attack on the Capitol and declining to produce documents requested by the committee. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Starmer survives Sarwar’s putsch, for now – podcast pred 2 urama in 1 minuto Keir Starmer’s future as prime minister suffered another major blow when the Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, called for him to go. With the cabinet rallying around him, the PM seems to be safe for now, but for how much longer? Pippa and Kiran look at what might happen nextPlease send your questions and messages for Pippa Crerar, Kiran Stacey and John Harris to politicsweeklyuk@theguardian.com Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Keir Starmer says he is ‘not prepared to walk away’ after call for resignation pred 2 urama in 32 minutami PM survives day of high tension after Scots Labour leader Anas Sarwar urges him to step down amid Peter Mandelson rowHow the Downing Street machine ensured Starmer survived to fight another dayExclusive: Top civil servant could become third key No 10 departure in daysKeir Starmer has seen off an immediate challenge to his position from Labour’s leader in Scotland, telling his MPs he was “not prepared to walk away” from power and plunge the country into chaos.But the prime minister emerged badly damaged from a tumultuous 24 hours that brought his premiership to the brink, leaving his party united for now but fearful of what the coming days and weeks will bring. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Winter Olympics: Eileen Gu expresses sympathy for Hess after Trump’s ‘loser’ attack pred 2 urama in 32 minutami Freeskier was ambivalent about representing USFellow athletes defend friend after president’s attackChloe Kim and Eileen Gu have weighed in on Donald Trump’s attack on Hunter Hess after the freeskier said he was ambivalent about representing the US during the president’s immigration crackdown.“I think in moments like these, it is really important for us to unite and kind of stand up for one another for all that’s going on,” said Kim, the two-time Olympic gold medalist whose parents are South Korean immigrants and who has faced racism throughout her career. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Air Canada cancels all flights to Cuba as US oil blockade cuts off fuel access pred 2 urama in 39 minutami Airlines from as far away as Russia, China and Spain have also been affected as island nation warns of fuel shortageAir Canada has cancelled all flights to Cuba after the island’s authorities said they were running out of aviation fuel, as a consequence of the US oil blockade on the Caribbean country.The airline, one of a dozen who serve the island, said it would begin repatriating 3,000 customers. Cuba’s beaches are a major holiday draw for Canadian tourists in winter, and one of the government’s most important sources of hard currency. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australia politics live: police under fire for handling of Sydney protests; chief says speakers ‘incited’ crowd to march pred 3 urami in 36 minutami Fallout begins after violent scenes in Sydney. Follow the latest news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastGood morning, Krishani Dhanji here with you, thanks to Martin Farrer for getting us started.There will be significant reaction to protest scenes out of Sydney and Melbourne last night.A lawful and peaceful public assembly was set upon with state violence because arbitrary and excessive special powers were granted to the police, via a rushed regulation made on a Saturday, with no good cause and in defiance our implied constitutional rights to engage in political expression.I saw with my own eyes something I had hoped to never see, but the video footage that is spreading across social media is all the evidence that any of us need to see the descent of NSW into a Police State. We saw people of the Muslim faith who were praying set upon, dragged, assaulted and thrown to the ground. We saw dozens of armed police charging at peaceful members of our community. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Rayner for leader’ site proves race to succeed Starmer is well under way pred 3 urami in 39 minutami Allies of leading candidates keen to tout credentials but others despair at options at top of Labour party• Revealed: ‘Rayner for leader’ site briefly went live in January• Explainer: political leadership campaigns that launched too soon• UK politics live – latest updatesAs Keir Starmer fights for his political life, the contest to replace him has already begun.The prime minister was already under pressure when the Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, called for on Monday a change of prime minister. Sarwar’s comments followed the resignations from Downing Street of Morgan McSweeney, Starmer’s chief of staff, and Tim Allan, his communications director. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Beloved LA taco shop makes surprise cameo in Bad Bunny’s half-time show pred 3 urami in 41 minutami Owner of Villa’s Tacos said the rapper loved their restaurant and asked the business to join his Super Bowl performanceA beloved Los Angeles taqueria made its primetime debut during Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl LX half-time show, delighting and surprising its legion of faithful patrons.Bad Bunny’s 13-minute performance was a love letter to the culture, history and legacy of Puerto Rico, with sets depicting sugarcane fields, a house party and even a wedding ceremony, complete with Lady Gaga performing a salsa rendition of her hit “Die With a Smile.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
