18 h. ago ‘A future on our terms’: how community energy is lighting up Latin America

Small-scale schemes are replacing dirty diesel with clean electricity in remote areas – and ensuring a just transitionWhen the coronavirus pandemic hit in 2020, Roxana Borda Mamani had to leave Mexico, where she was studying for her degree in rural development and food security, and return to her remote village in the Peruvian Amazon.At the time, the Indigenous community in Alto Mishagua had neither an internet connection nor a reliable energy source. “How am I going to study?” Borda asked. “With energy from the sun,” replied her friend, a fellow member of the Latin American Observatory for Energy Geopolitics at the Brazil-based Federal University of Latin American Integration (Unila). Continue reading...

Politics

62 h. ago Minister urges ‘much greater development’ of solar on factories and homes

His comments follow continuing concerns at the loss of prime fertile land for food production to sun-powered arrays as part of the drive to net zero.

Politics

68 h. ago State Pension back payments of nearly £7,900 due for thousands of older women this year

A former pensions minister is urging the UK Government to resolve historical State Pension errors as a matter of urgency.

Economics

4 d. ago Starmer’s former minister Haigh urges him to rip up tax rules to counter Reform

Labour and the Conservatives are under pressure to reverse their parties’ fortunes after Reform picked up 10 councils and more than 600 seats.

Politics

4 d. ago Labour minister urged to quit over ‘dog whistle’ remark on grooming gangs

The Commons leader has apologised after suggesting on BBC Any Questions that raising concerns over Asian grooming gangs was ‘dog whistle’ politics

Politics

6 d. ago Tackling climate change vital, says Swinney in warning over ‘dangerous rhetoric’

The Scottish First Minister urged politicians from all parties to ‘recommit’ to action to tackle rising global temperatures.

Events

1 week ago Irish PM demands Kneecap ‘urgently clarify’ concert call to ‘kill Tory MPs’

Ireland's prime minister (Taoiseach) Micheál Martin on Monday (27 April) called for Kneecap “urgently clarify” alleged comments attributed to the band about the killing of Tory MPs.

Events

1 week ago John Swinney demands Kneecap are axed from TRNSMT over 'dead Tory' comments

The First Minister condemned the reported comments and urged the event organisers to respond

Events

1 week ago John Swinney urged to 'seize opportunity' and kickstart economy by ramping up housebuilding

The First Minister has been urged to prioritise investment in infrastructure in his programme for government next month.

Politics

2 w. ago Attacks on ambulance staff at crisis point after 'significant increase'

Health chiefs have been written to and ministers are being urged to take action after a record number of violent assaults were reported

Events

2 w. ago Millions at risk of being left without student loans and having personal data exposed to hackers as minister orders urgent review

IT systems at the Student Loans Company are said to be at risk of 'critical collapse' due to out-of-date technology, according to government sources.

Politics

2 w. ago Sir Keir Starmer under mounting pressure to publicly back Supreme Court gender ruling on what a woman is after five days of silence

Five days on, the Prime Minister was last night urged to back the judgement publicly and to promise it will not be unpicked after it emerged that two frontbenchers are plotting to defy the ruling.

Events

2 w. ago Keir Starmer hails 'incredible sacrifice' as he announces major change to pubs

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer urged pubgoers to 'come together' for the 80th anniversary of VE Day next month, which will be marked by concerts, street parties and a change to licensing hours

Politics

2 w. ago Scottish ministers want urgent meeting with UK Government on gender ruling

Scotland’s Social Justice Secretary plans to make a statement on the judgment at the Scottish Parliament next week.

Politics

3 w. ago Lib Dems urge ministers to suspend China visit after MP blocked from Hong Kong

Sir Ed Davey has written to Foreign Secretary David Lammy, urging the Government to take steps in retaliation for Wera Hobhouse’s deportation.

Politics

3 w. ago British Steel crisis spurs greater scrutiny of Chinese investment in UK

Ministers urged to review Beijing’s role in critical national infrastructure and supply chains

Events

3 w. ago Minister urges explanation for ‘concerning’ decision to bar UK MP from Hong Kong

Douglas Alexander demanded that interlocutors explain why Wera Hobhouse was blocked from entering the Chinese region last week.

Politics

4 w. ago Endometriosis: National World's open letter to health ministers urges them to end 'cycle of suffering'

📝 Our open letter to health ministers in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales

Politics

4 w. ago Ministers urged to hit supersize SUVs with higher tax to pay for pothole crisis

Critics say it's time to stop giving these four-wheeled behemoths a free ride. They're demanding a shake-up of road tax rules to favour smaller, lighter models – and hit SUV owners where it hurts: their wallets

Politics

4 w. ago Northern Ireland’s position ‘complex’ amid incoming US tariffs

Stormont Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald said she has urged the UK and Irish governments to keep the region in mind in negotiations.

Politics