Labor’s nature laws risk collapse with deal yet to be struck on eve of parliament’s final sitting day pred 1 uro in 42 minutami Greens expected to sign on to 11th-hour compromise after Labor offers new concessionsAnthony Albanese is yet to land a deal to rewrite federal nature laws ahead of parliament’s final sitting day of the year, leaving the long-promised reforms at risk of collapse for the second time in 12 months.But political, industry and environment movement sources expect the Greens will eventually accept an 11th-hour compromise after Labor offered new concessions to secure the minor party’s support. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Taiwan plans extra $40bn in defence spending to counter China’s ‘intensifying’ threats pred 2 urama in 41 minutami President Lai Ching-te declared there was ‘no room for compromise on national security’ in face of escalating harassment and espionageBeijing’s threats to Taiwan are “intensifying” and its preparations to invade are speeding up, Taiwan’s government has said while announcing a $40bn special defence budget and a swathe of measures to counter Chinese attacks.The Taiwan president, Lai Ching-te, said there was “no room for compromise on national security”, and he was committed to boosting Taiwan’s defences in conjunction with US support. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Unavoidably unfair’: the secret courts system hearing part of Palestine Action case pred 3 urami in 11 minutami The CMP system means Huda Ammori will not be allowed to know what allegations were made against herAt some point in the challenge to the ban on Palestine Action beginning on Wednesday, the co-founder of the direct action group will be asked to leave courtroom five at the Royal Courts of Justice, as will her legal team and most others present. Then the case will continue without them.When Huda Ammori returns to the room, the special advocate – a security-cleared barrister – who represented her interests in her absence will not be allowed to tell her or her legal team what evidence was presented against Palestine Action. If Ammori asks what allegations were made directly against her, the special advocate must not tell her, even though that means she will have no chance to rebut them. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Roman amphitheatre older than Colosseum gets accessible facelift for Winter Paralympics pred 3 urami in 11 minutami Verona venue to host Milano-Cortina opening ceremonyCritics see changes to 2,000-year-old arena as blasphemyA 2,000-year-old Roman amphitheatre is to be made fully accessible to people with disabilities before the Winter Paralympic Games in Milano‑Cortina, as organisers prioritise legacy with 100 days to go.The conversion of the Arena di Verona, which will host the Paralympics opening ceremony, includes the addition of a lift and toilets to a structure older than the Colosseum. Described by the Milano-Cortina 2026 chief executive, Andrea Varnier, as “the symbol of our Paralympic Games”, he admits the conversion has also been considered as an act of “blasphemy” by some traditionalists. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
