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Outrage as residents in England’s ‘affordable’ housing forced to pay thousands of pounds extra in service charge

Pressure on Michael Gove to act as householders see bills rise 40%, with many saying that they cannot afford to pay Some of the UK’s largest housing providers have dramatically increased annual service charges by thousands of pounds, plunging residents into financial crisis, an Observer investigation has found. Many residents who bought shared-ownership properties built as affordable homes have been sent bills in recent weeks with increases of more than 40%. Some say they are unable to sell the properties having now been lumbered with “extortionate” charges and no cap on future increases. More than 1,000 people across the country are now threatening to refuse to pay. Continue reading... https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/mar/30/outrage-as-residents-in-englands-affordable-housing-forced-to-pay-thousands-of-pounds-extra-in-service-charge?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=tumblr

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A cancer diagnosis is a shock. Here's advice on how to share the news

The secrecy that shrouded Princess Kate's cancer diagnosis is something that any new cancer patient can understand. It's daunting to decide when to share, whom to tell and how much to say. https://npr.org/sections/health-shots/2024/03/30/1241768606/cancer-diagnosis-talking-family-kids?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=tumblr

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21 years after her death in Gaza, Palestinians remember U.S. activist Rachel Corrie

The 23-year-old was crushed by an Israeli army bulldozer as she protested the demolition of homes in Gaza in 2003. Her memory remains cherished among Palestinians, including the family she lived with. https://npr.org/2024/03/30/1241231447/rachel-corrie-gaza-palestinians-aid-israel-hamas-war?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=tumblr

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RFK Jr. may have missed a major opportunity with his VP pick

Until his running mate Nicole Shanahan can prove herself an asset, Kennedy will seem to have missed an opportunity to capture the imagination of the nation — or at least a meaningful segment of it. https://npr.org/2024/03/30/1241733022/rfk-jr-shanahan-vice-president-pick?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=tumblr

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Sikhs in California vote on independence from India

Sikhs in California will vote in a referendum to push for their own independent state in India https://npr.org/2024/03/30/1241808874/sikh-independence-separatists-india-punjab-transnational-california?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=tumblr

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Trans Day of Visibility began 15 years ago. The founder is still moved by its success

Rachel Crandall-Crocker, the founder of International Transgender Day of Visibility, said organizing has taught her one invaluable lesson: "You do not have to be perfect to change the world." https://npr.org/2024/03/30/1241589753/transgender-day-of-visibility-rachel-crandall-crocker?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=tumblr

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From longshoremen to charter boats, Baltimore's port closure means lost work

The Port of Baltimore, normally one of the country's busiest, is in limbo due to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. For those who work on the water, business is far from usual. https://npr.org/2024/03/30/1241539966/baltimore-port-workers-unemployed-key-bridge-collapse?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=tumblr

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Iran International targeted by Tehran, says channel after London stabbing

Spokesperson tells Today programme that UK-based broadcaster has been under ‘heavy threat for last 18 months’ Tehran’s Revolutionary Guards have been targeting the broadcaster Iran International, a spokesperson for the channel said after a leading journalist was stabbed in London. The Persian-language news television channel that employed Pouria Zeraati, who was attacked outside his London home, had received an increased level of threats beforehand, Adam Baillie told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme on Saturday. Continue reading... https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/mar/30/iran-international-revolutionary-guards-journalist-stabbed-london?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=tumblr

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‘The privatisation of our local park’: calls to save Glasgow’s ‘second Hampden’ for the public

Campaigners launch legal challenge as children and mixed-gender football team kept out by fence built by local sports academy In Mount Florida, a south Glasgow neighbourhood, Scotland’s national football stadium, Hampden Park, looms large. But just half a mile north are the relics of another, with terraces and crush barriers surrounding a pitch that was once the heart of a 50,000-seat stadium known as “the second Hampden”. At one time home to local teams Queen’s Park and Third Lanark – as well as hosting Scottish Cup finals in the late 19th century – the pitch is now part of Cathkin Park, a council-maintained public space enjoyed by local families, community football teams and urban wildlife alike. Leased since 2022 by the Jimmy Johnstone Academy, a charity set up in memory of the late Celtic player, it is also the home ground of two youth teams. Continue reading... https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/mar/30/privatisation-local-park-football-save-glasgow-second-hampden-for-public?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=tumblr

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US appeals court kills ban on plastic containers contaminated with PFAS

Conservative fifth circuit overturns EPA’s ban prohibiting Inhance from using manufacturing process creating toxic compound A federal appeals court in the US has killed a ban on plastic containers contaminated with highly toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” found to leach at alarming levels into food, cosmetics, household cleaners, pesticides and other products across the economy. Houston-based Inhance manufactures an estimated 200m containers annually with a process that creates, among other chemicals, PFOA, a toxic PFAS compound. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in December prohibited Inhance from using the manufacturing process. Continue reading... https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/mar/30/pfas-ban-plastic-containers-court?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=tumblr

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California fast-food workers will get $20 minimum wage, starting Monday

Debate is hot about the impact of a higher minimum wage. Half a million Californians work in fast-food, where wages had stagnated for decades. Restaurant owners warn of higher prices and fewer hours. https://npr.org/2024/03/30/1241451631/california-fast-food-20-minimum-wage?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=tumblr

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Climate change is delaying world clocks' need for a 'negative leap second'

We're nearing a year when a negative leap second could be needed to shave time — an unprecedented step that would have unpredictable effects, a new study says. https://npr.org/2024/03/30/1241674216/climate-change-time-negative-leap-second?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=tumblr

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Middle East crisis live: US reportedly approves new arms package to Israel

Transfer of bombs and fighter jets worth billions given go-ahead, news reports say; dozens reportedly killed overnight as fighting in Gaza rages * See all our Israel-Gaza war coverage Fighting raged unabated in Gaza on Friday, including around its few functioning hospitals, despite a binding UN security council resolution earlier this week demanding an “immediate ceasefire”. The news agency, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reports that the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry said dozens of people were killed overnight. Explosions and airstrikes go on throughout the night, it’s petrifying. I feel like I’m living a continuous nightmare that doesn’t want to end. Continue reading... https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/mar/30/middle-east-crisis-live-us-reportedly-approves-new-arms-package-to-israel?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=tumblr

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Energy bills: standing charges are not standing still

Despite a 12.3% cut in April’s energy price cap, there is an important fixed element in your bill that is rising again * April falls? Four areas where UK bills are destined to drop * Council tax, broadband … how to weather the April price rises “Great news! Your unit rates are going down.” E.ON’s letter to customers starts with glad tidings – but, as it soon admits, there is an element of their bills that is set to go up in most parts of the country. Despite a headline cut of 12.3% in April’s energy price cap, yet again standing charges are rising. In E.ON’s case, on its Next Flex tariff, electricity charges are due to rise from 62.205p to 67.9041p – an increase of just over 9% – while for gas, charges go up from 29.595p to 31.894p (up almost 8%). Continue reading... https://www.theguardian.com/money/2024/mar/30/energy-bills-standing-charges-are-not-standing-still?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=tumblr

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‘A family used to live here’: The Spanish sticker rebellion battling tourist lets

Tired of overtourism pushing up rental prices, Málaga locals have found a novel way to vent their anger Incensed after finding out his rental home of 10 years was about to become a tourist apartment, Dani Romero took to social media. What followed swiftly snowballed into a movement, as residents in Málaga began plastering stickers – reading “A family used to live here” or “Go home” – outside tourist lets across the southern Spanish city. “I didn’t mean to arm a revolution,” said Romero. “I’m just looking for a house to live in.” Continue reading... https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/30/a-family-used-to-live-here-the-spanish-sticker-rebellion-battling-tourist-lets?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=tumblr

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Radio Free Asia closes its Hong Kong operation over safety concerns for its staff

U.S. government-funded Radio Free Asia is closing its Hong Kong operation after the city enacted a tough new national security law known locally as Article 23. https://npr.org/2024/03/30/1241824311/radio-free-asia-closes-hong-kong-office?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=tumblr

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Woman dead and two others in hospital after suspected drug overdoses on the Gold Coast

Woman, 43, died after paramedics were called to a Surfers Paradise hotel on Friday night * Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast A woman has died and two others have been hospitalised after suspected drug overdoses on the Gold Coast. Queensland paramedics were called to a hotel in Surfers Paradise at 10.58pm on Friday night. Emergency responders found seven patients, three of whom were in critical condition, including a 43-year-old woman who was experiencing cardiac arrest at the scene. Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup Continue reading... https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/mar/30/woman-dead-and-two-others-in-hospital-after-suspected-drug-overdoses-on-the-gold-coast?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=tumblr