Labour urges government to confront US over military aid to Egypt
Shadow Foreign Secretary Douglas Alexander has spoken out over the $1.3bn dollars of military equipment sent by the US to Egypt every year. With the Cairo death toll over the last two days at least 638, and the Muslim Brotherhood planning protests in defiance of a ban by the military, Alexander called on the government to urge the White House to suspend military aid. He said “quiet diplomacy, to urge the Egyptian military authorities towards a democratic path” had been the right stance until the bloodshed of the past few days. See more from the Independent.
Lancet journal criticizes government handling of NHS
The influential Lancet medical journal has accused the government of treating the NHS “as a failing business or bank,” the BBC reports. The Lancet editorial speaks of the government’s approach to health-care as “one of the most cynical, and at the same time cunning, ways by which the government abdicates all responsibilities.” The criticism comes on the same day as new figures show hospital waiting times at a five-year high.
Control of migrant benefits to be at heart of EU negotiations
The Daily Mail says today that Prime Minister David Cameron is united with Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands in wishing to reclaim from the EU the ability to deny benefits to migrants. This is reportedly the first measure in the government’s planned negotiations over repatriating powers. However, the Prime Minister will apparently not be approaching the negotiations with a “wish list.”
Ecuador casts doubt on ability to maintain Amazon reserve
“The world has failed us,” Rafael Correa, President of Ecuador claimed in a televised speech yesterday evening, casting doubt on the future of the country’s moratorium on drilling for oil in the Amazon rainforest. The Guardian reports that his ambitious plan, launched in 2007, to seek compensation from rich countries for maintaining the biosphere has raised only $13 million, rather than the $3.6 billion required.
Fracking firm put off by protests in Sussex
Police have advised the company Cuadrilla to scale back plans for fracking in Balcomb, Sussex, after campaigners against the controversial drilling practice threatened civil disobedience, according to the BBC. The protest, which has at times been seen as a champagne and deck-chairs affair, is expected to gain 1, 000 participants over the weekend.
Shadow Foreign Secretary Douglas Alexander has spoken out over the $1.3bn dollars of military equipment sent by the US to Egypt every year. With the Cairo death toll over the last two days at least 638, and the Muslim Brotherhood planning protests in defiance of a ban by the military, Alexander called on the government to urge the White House to suspend military aid. He said “quiet diplomacy, to urge the Egyptian military authorities towards a democratic path” had been the right stance until the bloodshed of the past few days. See more from the Independent.
Lancet journal criticizes government handling of NHS
The influential Lancet medical journal has accused the government of treating the NHS “as a failing business or bank,” the BBC reports. The Lancet editorial speaks of the government’s approach to health-care as “one of the most cynical, and at the same time cunning, ways by which the government abdicates all responsibilities.” The criticism comes on the same day as new figures show hospital waiting times at a five-year high.
Control of migrant benefits to be at heart of EU negotiations
The Daily Mail says today that Prime Minister David Cameron is united with Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands in wishing to reclaim from the EU the ability to deny benefits to migrants. This is reportedly the first measure in the government’s planned negotiations over repatriating powers. However, the Prime Minister will apparently not be approaching the negotiations with a “wish list.”
Ecuador casts doubt on ability to maintain Amazon reserve
“The world has failed us,” Rafael Correa, President of Ecuador claimed in a televised speech yesterday evening, casting doubt on the future of the country’s moratorium on drilling for oil in the Amazon rainforest. The Guardian reports that his ambitious plan, launched in 2007, to seek compensation from rich countries for maintaining the biosphere has raised only $13 million, rather than the $3.6 billion required.
Fracking firm put off by protests in Sussex
Police have advised the company Cuadrilla to scale back plans for fracking in Balcomb, Sussex, after campaigners against the controversial drilling practice threatened civil disobedience, according to the BBC. The protest, which has at times been seen as a champagne and deck-chairs affair, is expected to gain 1, 000 participants over the weekend.
