3 d. ago I was an independent observer in the Greenpeace trial. What I saw was shocking | Steven Donziger

Greenpeace lost – not because it did something wrong but because it was denied a fair trialThe stunning $667m verdict against Greenpeace last week is a direct attack on the climate movement, Indigenous peoples and the first amendment.The North Dakota case is so deeply flawed – at its core, the trial was really about crushing dissent – that I believe there is a good chance it will be reversed on appeal and ultimately backfire against the Energy Transfer pipeline company. Continue reading...

Events

5 d. ago The North Dakota ruling against Greenpeace is a threat to free speech | Sushma Raman and Anthony Romero

Everyday actions like attending a protest, signing a letter of support, or supporting communities at risk should never be considered ‘unlawful’The first amendment guarantees freedom of speech and freedom of assembly. It will have little meaning if multibillion-dollar corporations can sue peaceful protesters out of existence for their speech. Yet, that’s exactly what was decided in a small courtroom in Morton county, North Dakota.Energy Transfer – a Dallas-based fossil fuel company that is responsible for the Dakota Access pipeline (DAPL) – sued two Greenpeace entities in the US (Greenpeace Inc and Greenpeace Fund), and Greenpeace International. Energy Transfer was awarded more than $660m in a highly watched, month-long case. Greenpeace will appeal the verdict.Sushma Raman is the interim executive director of Greenpeace USAAnthony Romero is executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union Continue reading...

Events

6 d. ago Shell plans more cuts to costs and spending but hands CEO bigger bonus

Increase in pay package comes despite fall in profits and as oil company watered down pledge to cut emissionsBusiness live – latest updatesThe oil company Shell has revealed plans to ramp up cost savings and cut spending, as it handed its chief executive an increase to his pay package which angered environmental campaigners.The pay package for the energy company’s chief executive, Wael Sawan, rose by 8.5% last year, to £8.6m, according to its annual report, released on Tuesday. The payout was labelled “obscene” by green campaigners. Continue reading...

Economics

9 d. ago Schneider Electric: energy company boosts UK military veteran jobs recruitment

The firm is tapping into military veterans' skills to meet a growing demand for clean energy talent 🌱

Events

1 week ago GB Energy investing £200m in solar panels on schools and hospitals to cut bills

Hundreds of schools and NHS sites will get funding for renewables in the first major investment by the publicly owned clean energy company.

Economics

1 week ago Greenpeace verdict is ‘weaponization of legal system’, advocacy groups say

Campaigners condemn North Dakota jury’s ruling as Greenpeace must pay Energy Transfer at least $660mNever miss global breaking news. Download our free app to keep up with key stories in real time.The verdict against the environmental group Greenpeace finding it liable for huge damages to a pipeline company over protests has been described by advocacy groups as a “weaponization of the legal system” and an “assault” on free speech and protest rights.A North Dakota jury decided on Wednesday that Greenpeace will have to pay at least $660m to the pipeline company Energy Transfer and is liable for defamation and other claims over protests in the state in 2016-2017. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago Major energy firm on verge of going bust as customers fear for future over administrators notice

Award-winning energy UK-based company Ripple Energy appears to be on the verge of total collapse after issuing a notice to appoint an administrators earlier this week

Economics

1 week ago Veteran Euro boss claims Cardiff City approached him over manager's job

The former Rangers and PSV boss says he was contacted by the Bluebirds

Society

1 week ago Greenpeace must pay at least $660m over Dakota pipeline protests, says jury

Non-profit, which will appeal decision, says lawsuits like this are aimed at ‘destroying the right to peaceful protest’A jury in North Dakota has decided that the environmental group Greenpeace must pay hundreds of millions of dollars to the pipeline company Energy Transfer and is liable for defamation and other claims over protests in the state nearly a decade ago.Energy Transfer Partners, a Dallas-based oil and gas company worth almost $70bn, had sued Greenpeace, alleging defamation and orchestrating criminal behavior by protesters at the Dakota Access pipeline in 2016 and 2017, claiming the organization “incited” people to protest by using a “misinformation campaign”. Continue reading...

Economics

1 week ago Greenpeace must pay hundreds of millions over Dakota pipeline protests, says jury

Non-profit said in statement lawsuits like this aimed at ‘destroying the right to peaceful protest’A jury in North Dakota has decided that the environmental group Greenpeace must pay hundreds of millions of dollars to the pipeline company Energy Transfer and is liable over defamation and other claims over protests in the state nearly a decade ago.Energy Transfer Partners, a Dallas-based oil and gas company worth almost $70bn, had sued Greenpeace for $300m defamation and orchestrating criminal behavior by protesters at the Dakota Access pipeline in 2016 and 2017, claiming the organization “incited” people to protest by using a “misinformation campaign”. Continue reading...

Economics

1 week ago German MPs approve €500bn spending boost to counter ‘Putin’s war of aggression’

Historic levels of spending on military and infrastructure secured in Bundestag with last-minute backing of GreensGermany’s parliament has voted in favour of unleashing historic levels of spending to boost the military of Europe’s biggest economy and inject its infrastructure with investments worth hundreds of billions of euros.The conservatives of Friedrich Merz and the Social Democrats (SPD), who are likely to form a new coalition following last month’s election, led the drive for the creation of a €500bn fund and relaxation of its constitutionally protected debt rules. They secured the last-minute backing of the Greens, which was needed to push the plans through the outgoing parliament. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Bundestag prepares to vote on historic borrowing package in key test for Merz

Likely next chancellor needs two-thirds majority to back €500bn infrastructure fund and relaxation of debt rulesGermany’s likely next chancellor is to face a key vote on plans to unlock a record level of state borrowing, which he argues is necessary to boost the country’s military spending and inject growth into its ailing economy.Ahead of the crucial Bundestag vote on Tuesday, Friedrich Merz has faced a barrage of complaints from the opposition and from within his own ranks that he is not coupling the historic levels of spending planned – as much as €1tn (£840bn) – to demands for reform. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago A Peruvian farmer takes German energy giant RWE to court in a fight to hold polluters accountable

A German court has started hearing a Peruvian farmer’s case against major energy company RWE

Events

2 w. ago Donald Trump's claims he personally raised 'hundreds of billions' for NATO in unhinged rant

The US President boasted about pressuring European countries to boost military spending during his first presidential term in 2017 - claiming he raised 'hundreds of billions of dollars' for NATO

Politics

2 w. ago Donald Trump 'orders US military to draw up plans to seize Panama Canal' by force

US officials have claimed that the US military has been asked to draw up plans to boost troop numbers in Panama in order to "reclaim" the canal.

Events

2 w. ago CNBC journalist calls Trump ‘insane,’ host wonders if he’s out to ‘manufacture’ a recession

At the “risk” of his job, a veteran CNBC journalist has blasted President Donald Trump’s tariff threats as “absolutely insane” — and popular financial news host Jim Cramer wondered if Trump is deliberately “manufacturing” a recession.

Politics

3 w. ago UK foreign secretary backs multilateral defence funding for Europe

David Lammy says Britain is ‘open’ to joint financing of military spending to boost continent’s security

Politics

3 w. ago ‘It’s great we are not alone,’ says Volodymyr Zelenskyy as EU leaders hold defence summit – Europe live

Ukrainian president thanks European leaders as they gather to discuss €800bn plan to boost military capacitySee all our Ukraine war coverageNorwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre has been speaking in the country’s parliament in the last few minutes, announcing plans to “significantly” increase spending to help Ukraine defend itself.He warned that the country was facing “the most serious security situation since the second world war.” Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago ‘It’s great we are not alone’, says Volodymyr Zelenskyy as EU leaders gather for defence summit – Europe live

Ukrainian president thanks European leaders as they gather to discuss €800bn plan to boost military capacitySee all our Ukraine war coverageNorwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre has been speaking in the country’s parliament in the last few minutes, announcing plans to “significantly” increase spending to help Ukraine defend itself.He warned that the country was facing “the most serious security situation since the second world war.” Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Zelenskyy joins EU leaders’ meeting over €800bn defence plan after Macron’s stark Russia warning – Europe live

Leaders gather to discuss €800bn plan to boost military capacity and help Ukraine as French president says Europe has to be ready to defend itself without US helpSee all our Ukraine war coverageFrance is offering intelligence to Ukraine, French defence minister Sébastien Lecornu said on Thursday, with Paris stepping in to help and fill the void left after the US suspended its intelligence sharing with Kyiv.Speaking to France Inter radio, he also said that president Macron asked him to accelerate the French aid packages “to compensate” for the suspended US aid.In a famously cautious political culture, Mr Merz’s bid to bypass legal restrictions on government debt represents a seismic shift. It would permit a step-change in defence spending for years to come, putting Germany in a leadership position as Europe seeks strategic autonomy from the United States.Mr Merz, a former investment banker, has been a deficit hawk and economic liberal throughout his career. It is an irony of fate tha...

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