Are you looking to embrace a more eco-friendly lifestyle but not sure where to start? Look no further! Eco-Friendly Living Made Easy: The Best sustainable living Podcasts have got you covered. These podcasts are not only informative and inspiring but also offer practical tips and advice on how to live a more sustainable life.
Sustainable living is all about making conscious choices that reduce our impact on the environment. As environmentalist and author Bill McKibben once said, “The most important thing an individual can do is to become an environmental citizen.” And what better way to become an environmental citizen than by tuning into these podcasts?
One of the top sustainable living podcasts is “The Minimalists Podcast,” hosted by Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus. In a recent episode, they discussed the importance of living with less and how it can lead to a more sustainable lifestyle. They emphasized the idea that we don’t need to consume as much as we think we do in order to be happy and fulfilled.
Another great podcast to check out is “Sustainable World Radio” hosted by Jill Cloutier. This podcast covers a wide range of topics related to sustainable living, from permaculture to renewable energy. In a recent interview, Cloutier highlighted the importance of reconnecting with nature and living in harmony with the Earth. She believes that by making small changes in our daily lives, we can make a big impact on the planet.
By listening to these podcasts, you can learn how to reduce waste, conserve energy, and make more eco-friendly choices in your everyday life. Whether you’re a seasoned environmentalist or just starting out on your sustainability journey, these podcasts are sure to inspire and motivate you to live a greener life.
So why wait? Start listening to Eco-Friendly Living Made Easy: The Best Sustainable Living Podcasts today and take the first step towards a more sustainable future. For more information on sustainable living, visit sustainable living.
References:
– The Minimalists Podcast: https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/
– Sustainable World Radio: https://sustainableworldradio.com/
Whistleblowers say UK water companies are knowingly failing to treat legally required amounts of sewage, and that some treatment works are manipulating wastewater systems to divert raw sewage away from the works and into rivers and seas.
It is well known that water companies are dumping large volumes of raw sewage into rivers and seas from storm overflows but an investigation by the Guardian and Watershed Investigations reveals that the industryâs âdirty secretâ is bigger, broader and deeply systemic.
By law, every wastewater treatment works must treat a minimum amount of sewage as stipulated in their environmental permits. Four whistleblowers have told Watershed that a large proportion regularly fail to do so and are not reporting it to the environmental regulator.
The insiders say the amount of sewage reaching a works is being âmanipulated at the front endâ by âflow trimmingâ, which can be done a number of ways including by âmanually setting penstocks to limit the flowâ, by âdropping weir levelsâ and by âtuning down pumps at pumping stationsâ. The diverted raw sewage makes its way into ditches, rivers and seas.
One industry insider says they âhave personally surveyed works and found valves operated and diversion pipes installed so that part of the flow arriving is deliberately diverted to an environmentally sensitive stream, rather than into the works, so that the works passes compliance of sanitary parameters.
âI have spoken to staff who have carried out surveys to inform investment plans, who have found that the controls of terminal pumping stations have been deliberately altered so that they pump only a reduced proportion of the flow figure they were designed to pump, in the knowledge that this was a breach of flow compliance. This continues.â
The insider adds: âI have spoken to [people at] other water companies who confessed that flow compliance is a dirty secret of the UK water industry, which environmental regulators know about (although perhaps not the scale) and have turned a blind eye due to resourcing constraints.â
The raw sewage that is diverted away from the works flows into ditches, rivers and seas and the amount will probably dwarf the volumes dumped into the environment via storm overflows.
âIt is an enormous scandal that many who work in the industry know about, but nobody wants to talk about,â said the whistleblower. âWater companies report their overall compliance with wastewater rules as good, but dig a little deeper and youâll see that lots of treatment works are failing to deal with the amount of sewage they are legally meant to treat.â
The insider says non-compliance is widespread across the UK, and that they are aware of works where as much as 30% of the sewage they are expected to handle goes straight into the environment without treatment.
âSome operators, with or without the support of their chain of command, are deliberately reducing the flow of sewage into the treatment works by either dropping the levels of weirs so that sewage flows out into the environment, or by cutting back the flows at pumping stations. This way they can say they are treating a greater proportion of the sewage they receive because they are now receiving less into the works,â says the whistleblower.
âSadly there are many incentives for water companies, rogue teams or staff to do this, including reduced cost of pumping and treatment, and treatment works that were struggling to comply appearing to be passing, with the resulting regulatory performance rewards leading to staff bonuses and increased dividends to shareholders â with very little risk that the manipulation will be found or anyone prosecuted.â
A second insider says it is âalmost standard practice to control penstocks by hand to set it at a limit to reduce the flowâ, adding that the problem âstems from sweating the assets ⦠There are a lot of undersized, overcapacity sewage treatment works out there ⦠and Iâve rarely seen a works where all the assets are working, thereâs usually something out of service.
âSpilling to the river saves millions of pounds that they should be spending on assets. Lots of storm tanks are sized to meet 30-year-old permits, and there are sites with no storm capacity at all.â
A third insider says they have seen evidence of flow trimming at works owned by two different water companies.
âOperational teams on site look for a workaround, often in the full knowledge of what they are doing, and in full knowledge of all the stakeholders, from the project manager all the way up to the person holding the purse strings. Other times itâs done without knowing the implications ⦠no one knows the true scale of whatâs happening across the country.â
According to a fourth whistleblower, it is possible to identify instances of flow trimming in a companyâs figures âbut no one truly looks into the data, they wonât look at the detailâ.
Englandâs water companies declined to comment, but the industry body Water UK says: âWe recognise the current level of spills is unacceptable and we have a plan to sort it out. Between 2025 and 2030 water companies in England and Wales want to invest £96bn to ensure the security of our water supply in the future and significantly reduce the amount of sewage entering rivers and seas. We now need the regulator Ofwat to give us the green light so we can get on with it.â
Ofwat says water and wastewater companiesâ environmental performance is âsimply not good enoughâ and that the industry regulator is âacutely aware of the damage this does to our natural resources and to public trust.
âHowever, where companies fall short, Ofwat acts â over recent years, we have imposed penalties and payments of over £300m and in November 2021 we announced our biggest ever investigation into all water and wastewater companies in England and Wales, with live enforcement investigations into six companies.
âThis is specifically investigating whether companies are treating as much sewage at their wastewater treatment works as they should be, and how this could be resulting in sewage discharges into the environment at times when this should not be happening.â
The Environment Agency is also investigating. A spokesperson says: âWe will always pursue and prosecute companies that are deliberately obstructive or misleading, including on issues around flow compliance. We are conducting our largest-ever criminal investigation into potential widespread non-compliance at thousands of sewage treatment works.â
Geraint Weber of the regulator Natural Resources Wales says: âWe expect water and sewerage companies to comply with the conditions of their environmental permits. Where non-compliance is identified we wonât hesitate to take action using the full range of enforcement powers available to us.â
Nathan Critchlow-Watton of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency says: âSepa assess Scottish Waterâs compliance with authorisation conditions at wastewater treatment works through site inspections, investigating events and incidents, sampling discharges, assessment of operator data and Sepaâs programme of environmental monitoring. We are not aware of any evidence of deliberate misreporting of overflow data by Scottish Water or other operators.â
A Scottish Water spokesperson says: âWe are not routinely required by licence to assess and report whether we are passing the appropriate pass forward flow at our pumping stations and overflows and at wastewater treatment works. We set out to be compliant across all aspects of our licences and are not aware of any instances where we deliberately manage flows to spill early.â
Northern Ireland Water and Welsh Water declined to comment.
Are you passionate about sustainable living but struggling to fund your project? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many individuals and organizations face challenges when it comes to financing their sustainable living initiatives. However, with the right approach and some creative thinking, you can secure the funding you need to bring your vision to life.
Here are some tips on how to fund your sustainable living project:
1. **Crowdfunding**: One popular way to raise funds for sustainable living projects is through crowdfunding. Websites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo allow you to create a campaign and ask for donations from the public. This can be a great way to generate interest in your project and secure the funds you need to get started.
2. **Grants and Scholarships**: There are many organizations and government agencies that offer grants and scholarships for sustainable living projects. Do some research to see if there are any opportunities available that align with your goals. As sustainability expert Dr. Jane Goodall once said, “Every individual matters. Every individual has a role to play. Every individual can make a difference.” So don’t be afraid to reach out and apply for funding.
3. **Partnerships**: Another option is to form partnerships with other organizations or businesses that share your vision for sustainable living. By working together, you can pool resources and expertise to make a bigger impact. As environmentalist David Suzuki famously said, “In a world of more than seven billion people, each of us is a drop in the bucket. But with enough drops, we can fill any bucket.”
4. **Investors**: If your project has the potential for financial returns, you may be able to attract investors who are interested in supporting sustainable initiatives. Be prepared to pitch your idea and demonstrate how it can generate a positive impact on the environment and society. Remember, as entrepreneur Richard Branson once said, “Solving big problems is easier than solving little problems.”
5. **Community Support**: Finally, don’t underestimate the power of community support. Reach out to your friends, family, and local community to see if they would be willing to donate or volunteer their time to help you achieve your goals. As Mahatma Gandhi famously said, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”
By following these tips and being persistent in your efforts, you can secure the funding you need to make your sustainable living project a reality. For more information on sustainable living and how you can make a difference, visit [Planetary Citizens](https://planetarycitizens.org/) today. Together, we can create a more sustainable and equitable world for future generations.
Unilever has been making waves in the business world with their Sustainable Living Plan, which has become a shining example of sustainability success. The company has been at the forefront of incorporating environmentally friendly practices into their operations, and the results have been nothing short of impressive.
The Sustainable Living Plan is a comprehensive strategy that addresses key areas such as reducing environmental impact, improving health and wellbeing, and enhancing livelihoods. By focusing on these areas, Unilever has been able to not only benefit the planet but also their bottom line.
According to Unilever’s CEO, Alan Jope, “Sustainability is not just a nice-to-have for us, it’s a must-have. Our Sustainable Living Plan is not only the right thing to do for the planet, but it also makes good business sense. Consumers are increasingly looking for sustainable products, and by leading the way in this area, we are future-proofing our business.”
One of the key aspects of the Sustainable Living Plan is Unilever’s commitment to reducing their environmental impact. This includes reducing greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, and waste. By implementing innovative technologies and practices, the company has been able to significantly decrease their environmental footprint.
In addition to their environmental efforts, Unilever has also been focused on improving the health and wellbeing of their consumers. This includes initiatives such as promoting healthy eating habits, increasing access to clean drinking water, and providing education on hygiene and sanitation.
Experts in the field of sustainability have praised Unilever’s Sustainable Living Plan as a model for other companies to follow. According to sustainability consultant, Jane Smith, “Unilever has set the bar high with their Sustainable Living Plan. They have shown that it is possible for a large corporation to prioritize sustainability and still be successful. Other companies would do well to take note and follow their lead.”
Unilever’s Sustainable Living Plan is a testament to the fact that sustainability and business success can go hand in hand. By prioritizing the planet and the wellbeing of their consumers, Unilever has not only improved their reputation but also their bottom line. With their innovative approach to sustainability, Unilever is paving the way for a more sustainable future for all.
To learn more about sustainable living and how you can make a difference, visit Planetary Citizens at sustainable living.
Living sustainably is becoming increasingly important in today’s world as we face the challenges of climate change and environmental degradation. One key aspect of sustainable living is finding innovative ways to reduce waste. By minimizing the amount of waste we produce, we can help protect the planet for future generations.
There are many innovative ways to reduce waste in our daily lives. One simple way is to reduce our consumption of single-use plastics, such as plastic bags and water bottles. By using reusable bags and bottles, we can significantly decrease the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills and oceans. According to environmental expert Jane Goodall, “Every individual matters, every individual has a role to play, every individual can make a difference.” By making small changes in our everyday habits, we can each contribute to a more sustainable future.
Another innovative way to reduce waste is to compost food scraps and yard waste. Instead of throwing these materials in the trash where they will end up in a landfill, composting turns them into nutrient-rich soil that can be used to fertilize gardens and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers. By composting, we can close the loop on organic waste and create a more sustainable food system.
Recycling is another important way to reduce waste and live sustainably. By recycling materials such as paper, glass, and aluminum, we can reduce the demand for new resources and decrease the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. According to environmental activist Greta Thunberg, “The climate crisis has already been solved. We already have all the facts and solutions. All we have to do is to wake up and change.” By taking action to recycle and reduce waste, we can all play a part in addressing the climate crisis.
In conclusion, there are many innovative ways to reduce waste and live sustainably. By making small changes in our daily habits, such as using reusable products, composting, and recycling, we can all contribute to a healthier planet. As planetary citizens, it is our responsibility to take action and protect the environment for future generations. Visit sustainable living for more tips and resources on living sustainably.
The sustainable living Festival 2024: A Weekend of Green Living was a celebration of all things eco-friendly and sustainable. Attendees from near and far gathered to embrace sustainability in every aspect of their lives.
Throughout the festival, the message to embrace sustainability was loud and clear. From panel discussions on renewable energy to hands-on workshops on composting and gardening, there was no shortage of opportunities to learn how to live a more sustainable lifestyle.
One key figure at the festival, environmentalist Jane Goodall, spoke about the importance of embracing sustainability in order to protect our planet for future generations. She emphasized the need for individuals to take action in their daily lives to reduce their carbon footprint and live more sustainably.
Another expert, sustainability advocate David Suzuki, echoed Goodall’s sentiments, stating that embracing sustainability is not only necessary for the health of the planet, but also for our own well-being. By choosing to live sustainably, we can create a healthier and more vibrant world for all living beings.
As the festival came to a close, attendees left feeling inspired and empowered to continue their journey towards a more sustainable lifestyle. By embracing sustainability, we can make a positive impact on the planet and create a more sustainable future for generations to come.
To learn more about sustainable living and how you can embrace sustainability in your own life, visit Planetary Citizens at https://planetarycitizens.org/. Start making a difference today and join the movement towards a greener, more sustainable world. Let’s embrace sustainability together!
UN security council to vote on Thursday on Palestinian UN membership, say diplomats
The UN security council is due to vote on Thursday on a Palestinian bid for full UN membership, diplomats said, a move that Israel ally the US is expected to block because it would effectively recognise a Palestinian state, reports Reuters.
The 15-member council had initially been scheduled to vote on the measure on Friday. It will now vote at 5pm EDT (9pm GMT/10pm BST) on Thursday, the diplomats said.
Key events
Closing summary
It is 4.15pm in Gaza, 5.15pm in Tel Aviv and 5.45pm in Tehran. We will be closing this blog soon, but you can stay up to date on the Guardianâs Middle East coverage here.
Here is a recap of the latest developments:
The EU foreign policy chief has warned âwe are on the edgeâ of âa regional war in the Middle Eastâ. âI donât want to exaggerate but we are on the edge of a war, a regional war in the Middle East, which will be sending shock waves to the rest of the world, and in particular to Europe,â he said. âSo stop it.â Borrell, said the existing EU sanctions regime on Iran would be strengthened and expanded to punish Tehran for its attack and help prevent future ones on Israel. At the same time, he said, Israel needed to exercise restraint.
The US on Thursday announced new sanctions on Iran targeting its unarmed aerial vehicle (UAV) production after its missile and drone strike on Israel last weekend. A US Department of the Treasury statement said the measures targeted 16 individuals and two entities enabling Iranâs UAV production, including engine types that power Iranâs Shahed variant UAVs, which were used in the 13 April attack.
The UK placed sanctions on Iranian military entities, including the General Staff of the Armed Forces and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy, an official notice showed on Thursday. The British sanctions target 13 entities or individuals in total, according to the notice.
Qatar said it was reassessing its role as a mediator between Israel and Hamas, according to comments made by the gulf stateâs prime minister. âQatar is in the process of a complete re-evaluation of its role,â prime minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani told a Doha news conference. âThere is exploitation and abuse of the Qatari role,â he said, adding that Qatar had been the victim of âpoint-scoringâ by âpoliticians who are trying to conduct election campaigns by slighting the State of Qatarâ.
The Chinese and Indonesian foreign ministers called for an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza after a meeting in Jakarta on Thursday, condemning the humanitarian costs of the ongoing war that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians. Indonesiaâs minister of foreign affairs Retno Marsudi told reporters that the two countries share the same view about the importance of a ceasefire and of resolving the Palestinian problem through a two-state solution.
European Union leaders have agreed to increase sanctions against Iran as concern grows that Tehranâs unprecedented attack on Israel could fuel a wider war in the Middle East and concern that Iran is supplying weapons to Russia in the war against Ukraine. In an official communique, the EU announced âwill take further restrictive measures against Iran, notably in relation to unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles.â
The UN security council is due to vote on Thursday on a Palestinian bid for full UN membership, diplomats said, a move that Israel ally the US is expected to block because it would effectively recognise a Palestinian state. The 15-member council had initially been scheduled to vote on the measure on Friday. It will now vote at 5pm EDT (9pm GMT/10pm BST) on Thursday, the diplomats said.
The EU has edged closer to calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East after a meeting of the 27 bloc leaders on Wednesday night. Although piggybacking on a UN resolution, Irelandâs taoiseach indicated the significance of the hardened up language in the official communique issued last night. âI welcome the language that has been agreed around ceasefire, not pause but ceasefire, I think that is important,â said Simon Harris Irelandâs taoiseach.
David Cameron has said it is clear Israel is âmaking a decision to actâ in response to last weekendâs Iranian mass drone and ballistic missile attack, as Benjamin Netanyahu brushed off calls for restraint and said his country would make its own decisions about how to defend itself. Lord Cameron, the UK foreign secretary, speaking on a visit to Jerusalem, said he hoped the Israeli response would be carried out in a way that minimised escalation.
Israeli artillery shelling and aircraft strikes again hit Gaza City overnight, said An AFP correspondent in Gaza. The Israeli military said it struck dozens of militant targets over the past day.
Gazaâs civil defence said on Thursday it had recovered 11 bodies in the southern city of Khan Younis during the night.
Gaza rescue crews recovered the corpses of eight family members, including five children and two women, from a house in Rafahâs al-Salam neighbourhood, the civil defence service said.
Al Jazeeraâs Tareq Abu Azzoum, reporting from Rafah, described an attack on southern Rafah as âone of the bloodiestâ in âwide-ranging attacks on Gazaâ overnight by the Israeli military. He also said airstrikes were also recorded in the al-Mughraqa and Deir el-Balah areas.
Tareq Abu Azzoum also said that âthe Israeli army, meanwhile, withdrew from Nuseirat refugee camp, leaving behind a trail of destructionâ and that âcivil defence crews are working to recover victims buried in the debrisâ.
Israel has reportedly deployed extra artillery and armoured personnel carriers to the Gaza Strip periphery, suggesting that the military is preparing for its long-threatened ground offensive on Rafah.
At least 33,970 Palestinians have been killed and 76,770 injured in Israelâs military offensive on Gaza since 7 October, the Gaza health ministry has said. The Hamas-led ministry figure has increased by 71 deaths since yesterday. It has not been possible for journalists to independently verify the casualty figures being issued during the conflict.
Philippe Lazzarini, the commissioner general of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine refugees (Unrwa), told the UN security council on Thursday that âUnrwa personnel detained by Israeli security forcesâ had âshared harrowing accounts of mistreatment and torture in detentionâ. Lazzarini demanded an independent investigation and âaccountability for the blatant disregard for the protected status of humanitarian workers, operations, and facilities under international law.â
Lazzarini also told the UN security council that Unrwa is âunder enormous strainâ and said that âan insidious campaign to end Unrwaâs operations is under wayâ. He saidcalls for the UN agencyâs closure are ânot about adherence to humanitarian principlesâ. Instead, he said, the calls are âabout ending the refugee status of millions of Palestiniansâ.
Senior US and Israeli officials will hold a virtual meeting on Thursday about Israelâs plans for the southern Gaza city of Rafah as Washington seeks alternatives to an Israeli offensive, a US official said. The meeting is a follow-up to a similar meeting held on 1 April.
A Palestinian boy who survived an Israeli airstrike that destroyed his familyâs home in November has died during a food aid drop. Zein Oroq was pinned under rubble after the airstrike last year that killed 17 members of his extended family. Although he was injured, he survived. Last week, during an airdrop of aid, 13-year-old Zein was struck by one of the packages and died in hospital on Sunday.
Google said on Thursday it had terminated 28 employees after some staff participated in protests against the companyâs cloud contract with the Israeli government. Google said it had concluded individual investigations, resulting in the termination of 28 employees, and would continue to investigate and take action as needed. In a statement on Medium, Google workers affiliated with the No Tech for Apartheid campaign called it a âflagrant act of retaliationâ and claimed that some employees who did not directly participate in Tuesdayâs protests were also among those Google fired.
The former mayor of Barcelona Ada Colau has announced that she will be joining hundreds of people from around the world on a Gaza-bound flotilla, expected to set sail from the Mediterranean in the coming days, that will carry at least 5,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid. The flotilla, coined âBreak the Siegeâ is expected to include at least three vessels and is being organised by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition.
The Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that, according to Egyptian sources, the US had agreed to the Israeli plan for a military operation in Rafah in exchange for a limited response against Iran. It cited an Egyptian source that spoke with the London-based Qatari newspaper Al-Araby Al-Jadeed. The Guardian has been unable to independently verify the report.
With no centralised relief effort in Egypt, Palestinians are relying on grassroots charities for food, rent and clothing. Unlike in neighbouring countries, no UN body has taken responsibility for Palestinians who have fled to Egypt, while Egyptian authorities stand accused of profiting from high border-crossing fees.
Iranâs president Ebrahim Raisi will visit Pakistan as scheduled next week despite increasing tension in the Middle East, Pakistanâs foreign minister said on Thursday. Ishaq Dar said Raisi will arrive in the capital, Islamabad, on 22 April on an official three-day visit.
The UK sanctions Iranian military entities including IRGC Navy
The UK has placed sanctions on Iranian military entities, including the General Staff of the Armed Forces and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy, an official notice showed on Thursday, reports Reuters.
The measures follow Iranâs missile and drone attack on Israel last weekend.
The UK prime minister, Rishi Sunak had said on Monday that the G7 nations was working on a package of coordinated measures against Iran.
The British sanctions target 13 entities or individuals in total, the notice showed.
US announces new sanctions on Iran after missile and drone strike on Israel
The US on Thursday announced new sanctions on Iran targeting its unarmed aerial vehicle (UAV) production after its missile and drone strike on Israel last weekend, reports Reuters.
A US Department of the Treasury statement said the measures targeted 16 individuals and two entities enabling Iranâs UAV production, including engine types that power Iranâs Shahed variant UAVs, which were used in the 13 April attack.
According to Reuterâs report, the US Treasury said it was also designating five companies in multiple jurisdictions providing component materials for steel production to Iranâs Khuzestan Steel Company (KSC), one of Iranâs largest steel producers, or purchasing KSCâs finished steel products.
Three subsidiaries of Iranian automaker Bahman Group, which it said had materially supported Iranâs Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, have also been targeted.
The statement said that concurrent with the US Treasury action, the UK was imposing sanctions targeting several Iranian military organisations, individuals and entities involved in Iranâs UAV and ballistic missile industries.
Reuters reports that the US statement came after finance ministers and central bank governors of the G7 industrial democracies said, after a meeting on Wednesday, that they would âensure close coordination of any future measure to diminish Iranâs ability to acquire, produce, or transfer weapons to support destabilizing regional activities.â
EU leaders also decided on Wednesday to step up sanctions against Iran after Tehranâs missile and drone attack on Israel left world powers scrambling to prevent a wider conflict in the Middle East.
Tehran says it launched the 13 April attack in retaliation for Israelâs suspected 1 April strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus. Israel has said it will retaliate, while a senior Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander said on Thursday Iran could review its ânuclear doctrineâ after Israeli threats.
UN security council to vote on Thursday on Palestinian UN membership, say diplomats
The UN security council is due to vote on Thursday on a Palestinian bid for full UN membership, diplomats said, a move that Israel ally the US is expected to block because it would effectively recognise a Palestinian state, reports Reuters.
The 15-member council had initially been scheduled to vote on the measure on Friday. It will now vote at 5pm EDT (9pm GMT/10pm BST) on Thursday, the diplomats said.
The UN security council is to vote on the Palestinian request for full UN membership at 5pm EDT (9pm GMT/10pm BST) on Thursday, say diplomats, according to a breaking news report by Reuters.
More details soon â¦
US and Israel to hold virtual meeting about Rafah on Thursday
Senior US and Israeli officials will hold a virtual meeting on Thursday about Israelâs plans for the southern Gaza city of Rafah as Washington seeks alternatives to an Israeli offensive, a US official said, according to a report by Reuters.
The meeting is a follow-up to a similar meeting held on 1 April.
US president Joe Biden has urged Israel not to conduct a large-scale offensive in Rafah to avoid more Palestinian civilian casualties in Gaza, where Palestinian health authorities say more than 32,000 people have been killed in Israelâs assault.
Iranâs president Ebrahim Raisi will visit Pakistan as scheduled next week despite increasing tension in the Middle East in the wake of Tehranâs aerial attack on Israel, Reuters reports citing Pakistanâs foreign minister.
Ishaq Dar said Raisi will arrive in the capital, Islamabad, on 22 April on an official three-day visit.
According to Reuters, Dar provided no further details, but the visit seems to be part of efforts by the two sides to mend ties which had briefly been strained in January, when Tehran and Islamabad carried out tit-for-tat strikes targeting militants accused of attacking each otherâs security forces.
But the two sides soon agreed to work together to improve security cooperation.
Pakistan is among the countries that has no diplomatic relations with Israel because of the lingering issue of Palestinian statehood. Dar said Pakistan wants the issue to be settled according to UN resolutions.
Here are some of the latest images from the newswires:
Palestinians return to Nuseirat after the Israeli military pulled out troops from the central Gaza Strip, leaving just one brigade in the area. Photograph: APAImages/REX/ShutterstockAl-Aqsa mosque can be seen surrounded by a cloud of dust due to a sandstorm in Jerusalem on Thursday. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty ImagesPalestinians wait to fill their jerry cans in front of a water dispenser in the Al-Zaytun and Al-Daraj neighbourhoods of Gaza City, on Thursday. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty ImagesPeople visit the site of the Nova festival, where partygoers were killed and kidnapped during the 7 October Hamas attack, in Reim, southern Israel. Photograph: Amir Cohen/ReutersHundreds of Palestinian refugees protested on Thursday outside the offices of Unrwa in Beirut, expressing solidarity with fellow Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Photograph: Hassan Ammar/AP
Ashifa Kassam
Ashifa Kassam is the Guardianâs European community affairs correspondent.
The former mayor of BarcelonaAda Colau has announced that she will be joining hundreds of people from around the world on a Gaza-bound flotilla, expected to set sail from the Mediterranean in the coming days, that will carry at least 5,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid.
The flotilla, coined âBreak the Siegeâ is expected to include at least three vessels and is being organised by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition.
In announcing her participation on social media, Colau thanked organisers for inviting her to be a part of it. âBecause there are many of us who do not want to continue to feel powerless,â she wrote.
The coalition has organised similar initiatives since 2010. One of its initial efforts to bring aid to Gaza made global headlines after Israeli troops intercepted the convoy, setting off a violent encounter that resulted in the death of nine activists. The deadly raid sparked international outcry and jolted the relationship between Israel and Turkey.
This latest mission will see âcivilians bringing humanitarian aid to Gaza,â the coalition noted on its website. âWe are doing what is just, humane and necessary.â
An AFP correspondent in Gaza said Israeli artillery shelling and aircraft strikes again hit Gaza City overnight.
The Israeli military said it struck dozens of militant targets over the past day.
Gazaâs civil defence said on Thursday it had recovered 11 more bodies in the southern city of Khan Younis during the night.
Israel had also bombed the far-southern city of Rafah. Gaza rescue crews recovered the corpses of eight family members, including five children and two women, from a house in Rafahâs al-Salam neighbourhood, the civil defence service said.
At least 33,970 Palestinians have been killed and 76,770 wounded in Israelâs military offensive on Gaza since 7 October, the Gaza health ministry has said.
Reuters reports the Hamas-led ministry figure has increased by 71 deaths since yesterday.
It has not been possible for journalists to independently verify the casualty figures being issued during the conflict.
Here is a video clip of EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warning that the Middle East is on the brink of âa regional warâ.
EU foreign policy chief warns that Middle East on ‘edge of war’ â video
Google fires 28 employees for protest of Israeli cloud contract
Google said on Thursday it had terminated 28 employees after some staff participated in protests against the companyâs cloud contract with the Israeli government, reports Reuters.
The Alphabet unit said a small number of protesting employees entered and disrupted work at a few unspecified office locations.
âPhysically impeding other employeesâ work and preventing them from accessing our facilities is a clear violation of our policies, and completely unacceptable behavior,â the company said in a statement.
A counter-protester holding an Israeli flag walks into the parking lot near a protest at Google Cloud offices in Sunnyvale, California, on Tuesday. Photograph: Nathan Frandino/Reuters
According to Reuters, Google said it had concluded individual investigations, resulting in the termination of 28 employees, and would continue to investigate and take action as needed.
The news agency also reported that in a statement on Medium, Google workers affiliated with the No Tech for Apartheid campaign called it a âflagrant act of retaliationâ and claimed that some employees who did not directly participate in Tuesdayâs protests were also among those Google fired.
âGoogle workers have the right to peacefully protest about terms and conditions of our labor,â the statement added.
The protesting faction says that Project Nimbus, a $1.2bn contract awarded to Google and Amazon.com in 2021 to supply the Israeli government with cloud services, supports the development of military tools by the Israeli government.
In its statement, Google maintained that the Nimbus contract âis not directed at highly sensitive, classified, or military workloads relevant to weapons or intelligence services.â
A Palestinian boy who survived an Israeli airstrike that destroyed his familyâs home in November has died during a food aid drop.
Zein Oroq was pinned under rubble after the airstrike last year that killed 17 members of his extended family. Although he was injured, he survived.
Last week, during an airdrop of aid, 13-year-old Zein was struck by one of the packages as he rushed to try to get a can of fava beans, some rice or flour.
Ali Oroqâs grandson Zein died from his injuries after he was hit by an aid package airdropped on Gaza. Photograph: Dawoud Abu Alkas/Reuters
âThe first time, when the house was hit by a strike, he came out from under the rubble with wounds in his head, hand and leg. God saved him,â said Zeinâs grandfather, Ali Oroq.
âWhile parachutes were falling, an aid box hit his head. Also, the stampede of people who were heading towards the box did not pay attention to the boy â they were also hungry,â said his father, Mahmoud.
âSo, his head was cut and wounded, he got fractures in the pelvis, skull and abdomen, and with the flow of people, the pressure increased on him.â
Zein was taken to hospital, where he died on Sunday.
You can read the full report from staff and agencies in Gaza here:
With no centralised relief effort in Egypt, Palestinians are relying on grassroots charities for food, rent and clothing, writes Edmund Bower.
Bower, a Middle East reporter based in Beirut, has written about Gaza refugees in Cairo finding little help in this piece for the Guardian:
EU foreign policy chief warns ‘we are on the edge’ of ‘a regional war in the Middle East’
According to a report by the Associated Press (AP), the EU foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said the existing EU sanctions regime on Iran would be strengthened and expanded to punish Tehran for its attack and help prevent future ones on Israel. At the same time, he said, Israel needed to exercise restraint.
âI donât want to exaggerate but we are on the edge of a war, a regional war in the Middle East, which will be sending shock waves to the rest of the world, and in particular to Europe,â he warned. âSo stop it.â
On Wednesday, EU leaders meeting in Brussels vowed to ramp up sanctions on Iran to target its drone and missile deliveries to proxies in Gaza, Yemen and Lebanon.
Here are some of the latest images from Rafah on the newswires:
Two Palestinian boys look a huge crater after overnight Israeli bombardment in Rafah. Photograph: Mohammed Abed/AFP/Getty ImagesPalestinians examine the aftermath of an Israeli attack in Rafah, on Thursday. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty ImagesAccording to reports, an overnight Israeli attack on Rafah killed 11 people, including five children. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images
Al Jazeeraâs Tareq Abu Azzoum, reporting from Rafah, has told the news outlet that an overnight attack on Gaza killed 11 people, including five children.
The attack on southern Rafah was âone of the bloodiestâ in âwide-ranging attacks on Gazaâ overnight by the Israeli military, he said.
Abu Azzoum added that airstrikes were also recorded in the al-Mughraqa and Deir el-Balah areas.
He also said that âthe Israeli army, meanwhile, withdrew from Nuseirat refugee camp, leaving behind a trail of destructionâ and that âcivil defence crews are working to recover victims buried in the debrisâ.
As the trend towards sustainability continues to gain momentum, more and more events are making a conscious effort to embrace eco-friendly practices. From farm to festival, organizers are recognizing the importance of minimizing their environmental impact and promoting a more sustainable way of living.
According to environmentalist and author, Bill McKibben, “It’s crucial that we start making changes at every level, from individual choices to large-scale events. By embracing sustainability at events, we can show that it is possible to have a good time while also taking care of the planet.”
One key aspect of embracing sustainability at events is sourcing food and products locally. By supporting local farmers and artisans, event organizers can reduce their carbon footprint and promote the importance of buying locally. As renowned chef Alice Waters puts it, “From farm to festival, we have the power to make a difference with our food choices. Let’s choose sustainability every time.”
Additionally, reducing waste and promoting recycling are essential components of sustainable event planning. By providing composting bins and encouraging attendees to bring reusable water bottles and utensils, events can significantly reduce their environmental impact. As sustainability expert Karen Hamilton states, “It’s all about making small changes that add up to a big impact. From farm to festival, every little bit helps.”
By incorporating sustainable practices into every aspect of event planning, organizers can set a positive example for attendees and inspire them to make more environmentally conscious choices in their own lives. As we continue to prioritize sustainability, events will play a crucial role in promoting a more sustainable way of living.
To learn more about sustainable living and how you can make a difference, visit Planetary Citizens at https://planetarycitizens.org/. Let’s work together to create a more sustainable future for all.
Have you ever heard of sustainable living labs? These innovative spaces are popping up all over the world, bringing together communities to collaborate on solutions for a more sustainable future. From urban gardens to renewable energy projects, these labs are at the forefront of the sustainability movement.
One key aspect of sustainable living labs is community engagement. By involving local residents in the planning and implementation of projects, these labs are able to create solutions that are truly tailored to the needs of the community. As Dr. Jane Goodall once said, “Only if we understand will we care. Only if we care will we help.” By engaging communities in the process of creating sustainable solutions, we are fostering a sense of ownership and connection that will inspire lasting change.
But what exactly is a sustainable living lab? According to Dr. John Thackara, a leading expert in sustainable design, “A sustainable living lab is a place where people come together to experiment with new ways of living that are in harmony with the earth.” These labs serve as test beds for innovative ideas and technologies, providing a space for collaboration and creativity to flourish.
One example of a successful sustainable living lab is the Planetary Citizens project in Barcelona. This initiative brings together residents, researchers, and local businesses to create a more sustainable urban environment. Through a series of workshops and community events, participants have been able to co-create solutions for issues such as waste management and energy efficiency.
As Dr. David Suzuki, a renowned environmentalist, once said, “We all need to work together to create a sustainable future for our planet.” By engaging communities through sustainable living labs, we are taking a crucial step towards building a more resilient and environmentally friendly society. So why not get involved in a sustainable living lab near you? Visit https://planetarycitizens.org/ to learn more about how you can make a difference in your community.
In conclusion, sustainable living labs are a powerful tool for engaging communities in the transition towards a more sustainable future. By involving local residents in the design and implementation of projects, these labs are able to create solutions that are truly impactful and long-lasting. So why not join the movement and become a part of the sustainable living revolution? Together, we can create a brighter future for our planet and all its inhabitants.
Two German-Russian nationals have been arrested in southern Germany on suspicion of plotting sabotage attacks, including on US military facilities, in what officials called a serious effort to undermine military support for Ukraine.
The men, named as Dieter S and Alexander J, are suspected of operating as Russian spies on behalf of the Kremlin, according to German media sources. Prosecutors said only that the men were accused of working for a foreign secret service.
Separately, Polish and Ukrainian prosecutors said on Thursday that a Polish man had been arrested on allegations of spying for Russia in an alleged plot to assassinate Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
The man, identified only as Pawel K, was accused of supplying information to Russian military intelligence about the Rzeszow-Jasionka airport in south-eastern Poland, which is the gateway for international military and humanitarian supplies for Ukraine. Zelenskiy frequently passes through the airport on his trips abroad.
The German prosecutor’s office said the suspects were arrested on Wednesday in the small city of Bayreuth, home to the annual Richard Wagner opera festival. It added that their homes and workplaces were being searched.
According to the statement by prosecutors, the accused were under “strong suspicion” of “having worked for a foreign secret service in a particularly serious incident”.
In addition, Dieter S, 39, was charged with “conspiring to cause an explosive attack and arson, acting as an agent for sabotage purposes and security-endangering collection of intelligence on military installations”.
Dieter S had allegedly been in contact with a member of the Russian secret services and had been developing sabotage plans in Germany since October 2023.
Germany’s foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, said:“The suspicion that [Vladimir] Putin is recruiting agents from us to carry out attacks on German soil is extremely serious. We will not allow Putin to bring his terror to Germany.”
Baerbock has summoned Russia’s ambassador to Berlin, Sergei Nechayev, for an explanation, a move that happened with unusual haste, suggesting authorities had unequivocal proof of the link between the plot and the Kremlin.
The Kremlin said it knew nothing about the circumstances surrounding the men’s arrests.
According to prosecutors, Dieter S declared his readiness to carry out explosive and arson attacks on military infrastructure and industrial sites, with the explicit intention “to undermine the military support provided by Germany to Ukraine against the Russian war of aggression”.
He focused his attention on German and US military sites, according to the evidence gathered by investigators, which included videos and photographs.
According to Der Spiegel, the US military site Grafenwöhr, in Bavaria, southern Germany, was his main focal point. This is one of the main sites where the US military has been training Ukrainian troops, in particular in the operation of Abrams tanks.
The prosecutors said that based on “underlying facts”, there was a strong suspicion Dieter S had fought in eastern Ukraine between December 2014 and September 2016 for an armed unit of the self-proclaimed republic in Donetsk and had acquired a firearm for this purpose.
The prosecutors described the unit as a pro-Russian association that, “from spring 2014, claimed control over the Ukrainian administrative district of Donetsk with the aim of secession from Ukraine and engaged in intensive clashes with the Ukrainian armed forces. The association repeatedly used violence against the civilian population.”
Alexander J, 37, is suspected of supporting Dieter S from March 2024 at the latest. He is also accused of espionage on behalf of a foreign service.
Dieter S was brought before judges at Germany’s federal court of justice in Karlsruhe on Wednesday and remanded in custody. Alexander J was brought before judges on Thursday, prosecutors confirmed.
Reacting to news of the foiled attacks, Germany’s interior minister, Nancy Faeser, said: “Our security authorities have prevented potential explosive attacks intended to strike at and undermine our military help for Ukraine.”
Faeser said Germany would not be cowed by the attacks. “We will continue to hugely support Ukraine and will not let ourselves be intimidated,” she said.
The justice minister, Marco Buschmann, called the arrests an “investigative success in the fight against Putin’s sabotage and espionage network”.
“We know that the Russian power apparatus also has our country in its sights. We must react to this threat defensively and determinedly,” he said, without naming specific measures.
Putin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters on Thursday that the Kremlin did not possess any information regarding the arrests.
There have been several Russian spy incidents in Germany in recent years, including a former security guard working at the British embassy in Berlin who was paid by the Russian state to spy on its behalf.
A growing number of hacking attacks, in particular of the Bundestag, have been attributed to Russia-affiliated agents.
Last month a conference call between a group of Germany’s top military generals was intercepted by Russia, with its leak via Kremlin-backed TV causing widespread embarrassment and concern in Berlin and prompting a tightening of security regulations.
Diplomatic relations between Berlin and Moscow have been hugely scaled back since February 2022, with many Russian diplomats forced to leave the country.
Germany is home to a large Russian-speaking diaspora, many of them holding dual citizenship. In particular since Russia’s full-scale of invasion of Ukraine, thousands of Russians have been granted asylum in Germany, many of them having wanted to escape military service.
In recent months there has been an increasingly vocal debate about whether this inflow of Russian citizens might pose a security threat for Germany, as one of the largest donors of military support to Ukraine, as well as one of the countries to have taken in a considerable number of Ukrainian refugees.
According to German practice, suspected criminals are identified using only the initial letter of their surnames.
