Half of affordable new homes in rural England could be at risk if planning rules relaxed, analysis shows pred 1 uro in 33 minutami Exclusive: National Housing Federation says ending quotas for developers could cost 32,000 homes over 10 yearsHalf of all affordable housing supply in rural England could be under threat under plans being considered by ministers to relax regulations for private housing developers, according to analysis.The government has proposed ending affordable housing quotas – known as section 106 agreements – for new developments of between 10 and 49 houses in an effort to jumpstart sluggish housebuilding rates. Ministers are due to make a final decision within weeks on whether developers should be allowed to make cash payments to local authorities instead. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Likely origin of mysterious ‘space balls’ found on Queensland beaches revealed by Australian Space Agency pred 1 uro in 51 minutami Organisation says objects consistent with ‘debris from a foreign rocket body that recently re-entered the atmosphere’ The Australian Space Agency has said the six so-called “space balls” found in north Queensland were likely from a “foreign rocket body” that had recently re-entered the atmosphere after being in orbit.The six mysterious objects were found by the public washed ashore in the Forrest Beach area, north of Townsville, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and were suspected of containing hazardous chemicals. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
How BT’s ‘no nonsense’ first female chief helped turn company around pred 2 urama in 33 minutami The firm’s share price has risen 80% under Allison Kirkby’s leadership – but pressure remains for her to deliver further growthIf timing is everything, then Allison Kirkby may have judged it perfectly.Since becoming BT’s first female chief executive more than two years ago the company’s share price has climbed 80%, an investor-pleasing turnaround that has seen Kirkby well-rewarded with a pay and bonus package of £5.6m last year, the largest for a boss of the telecoms company in well over a decade. However, there are questions over how much credit Kirkby can take for the apparent revival of the business. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ukraine hopes to sign ‘drone deals’ with seven Nato countries by end of year pred 3 urami in 33 minutami Kyiv offers expertise on how to develop radar systems and ground stations as it turns from buyer to security providerUkraine hopes to sign major defence deals with at least seven Nato countries by the end of the year, according to a top official, highlighting a new aspect of Kyiv’s foreign policy intended to show it can be a provider as well as a recipient of military hardware and expertise.Kyiv has signed “drone deals” with six countries in recent months. Three are Middle Eastern states, who became eager for Ukrainian support after being targeted with Iranian long-range Shahed drones after the US-Israeli war on Iran began in spring. These are the same weapons that have targeted Ukrainian cities relentlessly over the past four years. Azerbaijan has also signed an agreement with Kyiv, as well as the Nato members Latvia and Lithuania. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Calls for independent review as police probe if cannibalism involved in four-year-old’s alleged murder pred 3 urami in 53 minutami Police charge woman with murder after the body of a preschooler was found in a Central Coast home on SaturdayFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe NSW opposition is demanding an independent review after it was confirmed the family of a four-year-old who was allegedly murdered was known to the department in charge of child protection.A woman has been remanded in custody and was on Sunday charged with murder after police found the body of a preschooler at a home on the New South Wales Central Coast. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Russia launches deadly missile and drone attacks on Kyiv pred 4 urami in 20 minutami At least seven killed in the Ukraine capital in the second major assault on the city and its surrounds in less than a weekRussia struck Ukraine’s Kyiv region with ballistic missiles on Monday, killing at least eight people and wounding dozens, authorities said, on the eve of a Nato summit in Turkey.Kyiv’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, said rescue crews were pulling residents from buildings shattered by the overnight barrage. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
