Government grants Basque, Catalan and Galician languages parliamentary status
Guardian
23-09-19 14:22
Spanish MPs have been able to address congress in Basque, Catalan and Galician for the first time after the country’s Socialist-led caretaker government agreed to smaller parties’ demands for the the three regional languages to be granted official parliamentary status. The change – which is intended to help the chamber “progress along the path of linguistic plurality” – was requested by the Catalan pro-independence parties on whose support the acting prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, is relying to form a new government after July’s general election resulted in a hung parliament.
Global heating made Greece and Libya floods more likely, study says
Guardian
23-09-19 13:00
Carbon pollution caused by climate change contributed to devastating floods in Greece and Libya last month, according to research by the World Weather Attribution, a network of scientists. The study found that rainfall levels that led to the floods were up to 50 times more likely in Libya and up to 10 times more likely in Greece because of global heating. However, the scientists also stated that human factors, such as building homes on floodplains and deforestation, turned the extreme weather into a humanitarian disaster.
Americans freed from Iran speak of relief on return to US
Guardian
23-09-19 12:44
Americans who had been detained in Iran for several years have returned home after being released as part of a deal in which President Joe Biden agreed to unfreeze nearly $6 billion worth of Iranian assets. The prisoners arrived at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, where they were greeted by their loved ones. The successful negotiations for their freedom have been met with gratitude from their families but criticism from Biden's Republican presidential rivals and other opponents who object to the monetary arrangement. Tensions between the US and Iran are expected to remain high due to ongoing disputes over Iran's nuclear programme and other issues.
Live Azerbaijan launches ‘anti-terrorist operations’ in Nagorno-Karabakh - follow latest
Telegraph
23-09-19 12:25
Azerbaijan has launched "anti-terrorist operations" in Nagorno-Karabakh, heightening fears of a full-scale war with Armenia over the disputed region. The EU has condemned Azerbaijan's military action and called for an immediate halt, urging dialogue between the two countries. Armenian separatists in Nagorno-Karabakh claim that Azerbaijani forces are trying to advance into the region, while Azerbaijan is demanding the complete withdrawal of Armenian forces from the territory. The two ex-Soviet nations have been engaged in a long-standing conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, resulting in multiple wars and tensions in recent years.
Azerbaijan launches ‘anti-terrorist operations’ in Nagorno-Karabakh
Telegraph
23-09-19 12:25
Azerbaijan has launched "anti-terrorist operations" in Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed region, sparking fears of a full-scale war with Armenia. The Azerbaijani defence ministry stated that it was using "high-precision weapons" to target Armenian forces, while there are reports that the region's de-facto capital, Stepanakert, is under artillery bombardment. The two countries have been locked in a long-standing dispute over the region, with previous wars occurring in the 1990s and in 2020. Azerbaijan is demanding the complete withdrawal of Armenian forces from Nagorno-Karabakh to halt its operations.
Sacked Chinese foreign minister 'had affair and fathered child' while US ambassador
Telegraph
23-09-19 19:14
China's former foreign minister, Qin Gang, was reportedly dismissed from his position due to an extramarital affair and the birth of a child in the US. The Chinese government has not publicly explained why Qin was removed from his post, only stating that it was due to "health reasons." The Communist Party is now conducting an internal investigation into Qin's conduct to determine if it compromised China's national security. This comes at a time when China's political elite is facing increasing scrutiny and as the country grapples with a significant economic slowdown. The situation could potentially weaken President Xi Jinping, who is in his first year of an unprecedented third term.
An invasion of the US is underway. It’s time to invoke the Constitution
Telegraph
23-09-19 19:11
The Mexico border crisis is the most pressing issue facing Texas and America, with both sides of the political spectrum agreeing that action needs to be taken. However, opinions differ on the best solutions, with some advocating for increased border security and economic sanctions, while others support blanket amnesty and a streamlined immigration process. The Mexican government is widely seen as partly responsible for the crisis, although the extent of their culpability is debated. The author argues that Texas should take matters into its own hands and apply economic pressure on Mexico to resolve the issue.
China is preparing for war, and Britain is flailing
Telegraph
23-09-19 19:00
The UK needs to recognise the threat posed by China and adopt a common approach with other free societies to address it, according to former US National Security Adviser John Bolton. Writing in The Telegraph, Bolton argued that China has been waging economic war against the West for decades, but the UK has been slow to appreciate the risks. He called for a Nato-like alliance among free societies to tackle the threat and warned that ignoring the reality facing the West would ensure defeat.
The term "industrial policy" has been rehabilitated in the US, but there is no agreement on what it means. Two visions of industrial policy are competing: defense industrial policy and green industrial policy. Defense industrial policy aims to ensure that strategic supply chains are located at home or in allied countries, while green industrial policy aims to encourage the rapid replacement of fossil fuels with renewable power sources. Proponents of both strategies use threat inflation and promises of creating "good jobs" to win public support. However, the jobs created by these policies are not necessarily good jobs with high wages and decent working conditions. The United Auto Workers (UAW) in the US is currently striking to guarantee workers in the green energy industry the same wages, benefits, and rights to union representation as those in the legacy auto industry. Advocates of defense industrial policy and green industrial policy can agree on reducing dependence on China for critical resources, but for the most part, the two strategies are incompatible. Defense industrial policy favors decoupling from China, while green industrial policy favors continued access to green components from Chinese factories. The two strategies also differ in the choice of industries to be promoted. The green industrial policy of the Biden administration has focused on subsidies for renewable energy technology, while defense industrial policy favors a wider range of manufacturing industries. In the long run, traditional defense industrial policy may dominate due to the dependence of the government-sponsored green transition on massive subsidies.
Ukraine: The Latest - Live from the UN General Assembly as Zelensky makes his case to world leaders
Telegraph
23-09-19 18:16
Ukraine is seeking support at the UN General Assembly in New York. President Zelensky will hold bilateral talks with other leaders, including the US President. There is criticism of the UN for its conduct in recent years and a sense that it has failed to be robust on certain issues. The war in Ukraine has also changed the dynamics of the EU, with Poland becoming a significant power broker and the EU developing its own foreign policy. The EU is now the single biggest donor to Ukraine.
Immigration detention centres need time limit on holding migrants, Home Office told by inquiry
Telegraph
23-09-20 00:02
The UK Home Office has been urged to introduce a time limit on the detention of migrants in immigration removal centres. The recommendation follows an inquiry into the treatment of detainees at the Brook House Immigration Removal Centre in Gatwick between April and August 2017. The inquiry found “serious failings” in safeguarding, including widespread disregard of safeguarding rules, inappropriate use of force, drug use and violence among detainees, and the use of force against individuals with mental ill health. The UK is the only European country without a maximum time limit on immigration detention.
Elon Musk’s perks at Tesla being investigated by Justice Department, report claims
Telegraph
23-09-19 22:16
US prosecutors are investigating whether Tesla CEO Elon Musk received undisclosed perks from the company, including a proposed glass house near the automaker's Austin headquarters, as part of a criminal probe. The investigation by the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York is examining personal benefits that Tesla may have given Musk, who is compensated in stock options rather than a salary. The investigation also includes a proposed house known as "Project 42." Musk has denied that any glass house is being built or planned.
Media mogul thought $787.5m Dominion suit would cost Fox $50m, Michael Wolff book says
Guardian
23-09-19 21:32
Rupert Murdoch is said to have directed “sudden fury” at Donald Trump in 2022, predicting he would lose the 2024 Republican presidential primary to Ron DeSantis. Murdoch also believed that Trump’s lies about the 2020 election would cost him $50m in a lawsuit filed by Dominion Voting Systems. Instead, Murdoch had to pay $787.5m to settle the lawsuit. The revelations are contained in journalist Michael Wolff’s new book, The Fall: The End of Fox News and the Murdoch Dynasty.
Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict explained: Where is Nagorno-Karabakh and is Russia involved?
Telegraph
23-09-19 21:25
Azerbaijan has sent troops, backed by artillery strikes, into the Armenian-controlled region of Nagorno-Karabakh, increasing the risk of a new war with Armenia. The region is disputed and was deemed part of Azerbaijan by Soviet planners, despite being majority populated by ethnic Armenians. The Lachin corridor, which connects the only ethnic Armenian town in Nagorno-Karabakh with the Armenian mainland, has been blocked by Azerbaijan since mid-December, leaving ethnic Armenians in the region vulnerable. The conflict has implications for other powers, with Israel and Turkey backing Azerbaijan and the EU and the West supporting Armenia.
Top carbon offset projects may not cut planet-heating emissions
Guardian
23-09-19 21:17
An analysis by Corporate Accountability and The Guardian has found that the majority of environmental projects used to offset greenhouse gas emissions are ineffective at cutting planet-heating emissions. The analysis examined the top 50 emission offset projects, which have sold the most carbon credits in the global market, and found that 78% of them were likely to be worthless due to fundamental failings. Another 16% were classified as problematic and potentially junk. The projects analysed included forestry schemes, hydroelectric dams, solar and wind farms, waste disposal and greener household appliances schemes. The investigation suggests that many offset schemes exaggerate climate benefits and underestimate potential harms. Overall, $1.16bn of carbon credits have been traded from projects classified as likely junk or worthless.
The findings come on the eve of the UN climate ambition summit in New York, where world leaders are expected to make further climate pledges. The investigation raises concerns that these pledges may rely on flawed market-driven solutions rather than a rapid transition away from fossil fuels. The voluntary carbon trading industry, which is worth around $2bn, has been embraced by governments and corporations as a way to claim reductions in their greenhouse gas footprint. However, the analysis suggests that the industry is exacerbating the climate emergency rather than alleviating it.
Immigration detention centres need time limit on holding migrants, Home Office told by inquiry
Telegraph
23-09-20 00:02
The UK Home Office has been urged to introduce a time limit on the detention of migrants in immigration removal centres. The recommendation follows an inquiry into the treatment of detainees at the Brook House Immigration Removal Centre in Gatwick between April and August 2017. The inquiry found “serious failings” in safeguarding, including widespread disregard of safeguarding rules, inappropriate use of force, drug use and violence among detainees, and the use of force against individuals with mental ill health. The UK is the only European country without a maximum time limit on immigration detention.
Rapport to the fore as king and Macron rebuild cross-Channel trust
Guardian
23-09-20 12:03
King Charles and French President Emmanuel Macron are set to discuss a range of issues, including the war in Ukraine, military coups in the Sahel region of Africa, and artificial intelligence, during a three-day state visit to France. The visit marks a crucial reset of the UK-French relationship after years of tension during the Boris Johnson era. The king will also address French lawmakers, visit Notre Dame Cathedral, meet business leaders to discuss biodiversity, and travel to Bordeaux to meet emergency workers and communities affected by wildfires. The visit is seen as a follow-up to Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak’s efforts to repair the Paris-London relationship during a Franco-British summit earlier this year. The two leaders will discuss the climate crisis and biodiversity, and the banquet at the Palace of Versailles will feature a menu created by Michelin-starred chefs and a selection of French and English cheeses. The visit was originally scheduled for March but was postponed due to protests over Macron’s changes to the pensions system.
Solar storm: Why the next disaster to strike will come from the sun
Telegraph
23-09-21 11:43
The UK is at risk from a major solar storm, which could cause widespread disruption to electrical power and communications systems, according to experts. Solar storms are eruptions on the sun's surface that release large amounts of energy and can send charged particles hurtling towards Earth. If a major solar storm were to hit, it could cause power outages, high-frequency communication blackouts, and interference with GPS signals. The economic and social consequences could be comparable to those of the COVID-19 pandemic, with recovery estimates ranging from 4 to 10 years. The UK's National Risk Register has increased the classification for the impact of severe space weather from "moderate" to "significant," with the economic fallout measured in billions of pounds. Experts are divided on how well-prepared the UK is for a major space weather event. Some believe that the UK is "very prepared" and would be able to ride out the storm, while others argue that the country is "completely inexperienced" and underprepared. The UK has plans to launch a new satellite, Vigil, to help monitor the sun and better predict the impacts of a solar storm.
Government suspends visa services for Canadians in further worsening of relations
Guardian
23-09-21 10:59
India has suspended visa services for Canadians in response to allegations made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that India was involved in the murder of a Sikh activist in British Colombia. India rejected the allegations as "absurd" and retaliated by expelling top diplomats from Canada. Both countries have also suspended trade talks. The issue of Khalistan, a secessionist movement fighting for Punjab to become an independent Sikh state, has long been a source of tension in India-Canada relations. The suspension of visa services could have a significant impact, as Indians topped the list of legal immigrants to Canada last year.
Watch: Donald Trump signs tank top of waitress and hands out pizzas on campaign trail in Iowa
Telegraph
23-09-21 10:56
Former US President Donald Trump made a campaign stop in Iowa, where he greeted supporters at a packed restaurant, signed autographs, and handed out pizza boxes. The visit was the first of five trips Trump plans to make to Iowa as he seeks the 2024 Republican nomination. Earlier in the day, he addressed a rally of over 1,000 people in Maquoketa, where he predicted victory in the Iowa caucuses. This visit follows other recent campaign-style appearances, including a stop at an Iowa State fraternity house and a surprise visit to a Cuban cafe in Miami.
