Council

Unite accuses authority of trying to ‘break’ industrial action as waste dispute enters second yearUnite has accused Birmingham city council of trying to “break” the bin strikes after analysis showed the council had doubled spending on agency staff since the start of the year-long industrial action.Birmingham’s bin workers have taken part in an all-out strike since March last year over proposed pay cuts and role changes. The dispute has left residents without a fully functioning waste collection service and has led to towering waste and overflowing bins on the streets. Continue reading...

• US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield introduced a resolution on April 1 demanding safe access for aid in Sudan, where 8.2 million face famine amid civil war. • Russia and China vetoed the measure, citing 'US imperialism,' blocking $2.5 billion in emergency funding pledges. • The impasse exacerbates the crisis, with 500,000 displaced last week alone, drawing condemnation from humanitarian groups like MSF.

Former Labour mayor Jamie Driscoll aims to win central Newcastle ward after defecting to the Green party“Thank you very much to all you would-be penguins huddling together for warmth,” said Jamie Driscoll to the dozen supporters braving bitingly cold, blustery weather to begin knocking on doors and delivering leaflets.The former Labour North of Tyne mayor is one of the Green party’s highest-profile recruits. Standing for Newcastle city council in the central Monument ward, he was giving a pep talk to a group that would probably have been even bigger, were some not in London for a demonstration against the far right. Continue reading...

Prosecutors investigate whether Farah Louis and Debbie Louis accepted bribes to help migrant shelter providerFederal prosecutors are investigating whether a New York City councilmember and her sister, an aide to governor Kathy Hochul, accepted bribes or kickbacks in connection with the appropriation of city funds to a migrant shelter provider, according to a copy of a search warrant obtained by the Associated Press.The warrant, signed on 19 March, seeks evidence of possible criminal violations involving councilmember Farah Louis, a Brooklyn Democrat, and Debbie Louis, who serves as Hochul’s assistant secretary of New York City intergovernmental affairs. Continue reading...

As the war in Iran continues, ministers debate several options for extending support to households Middle East crisis – live updatesFamilies hardest hit by the looming energy crisis caused by the conflict in the Middle East could be given funds dispensed by local councils, under plans being considered by UK ministers keen to keep a lid on costs.As concerns increase about the impact of rising fuel and energy costs in response to a drawn-out war in Iran, a government official said several options for extending support were being debated inside Whitehall. Continue reading...

• White House technology advisor David Sacks has expanded his role to become co-chair of a newly formed presidential advisory council focused on guiding U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence. • The council aims to shape national AI policy and strategy amid intensifying global competition. • This development underscores the Biden administration's push to maintain U.S. dominance in AI innovation and deployment.

• A new US science and technology council has been established including leaders from Meta, Nvidia, Oracle, Google, and AMD to guide national AI strategy and policy. • The council will shape policy in response to global competition, particularly with China, while prioritizing innovation acceleration and reducing regulatory barriers. • This government-industry alignment reflects the administration's emphasis on AI competitiveness and signals closer integration between policymaking and tech sector interests.