Climate change activists faced up to two years in prison if convicted over blockade of world’s largest coal port

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Police have dropped charges against more than 100 protesters two years after they blockaded the port of Newcastle as part of one of Australia’s largest climate protests.

In the Newcastle local court on Friday, the police prosecutor withdrew charges against 125 protesters. Legal group Climate Defenders Australia, which is representing the bulk of the protesters, said it had petitioned police to do so.

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© Photograph: Roni Bintang/Getty Images

© Photograph: Roni Bintang/Getty Images

© Photograph: Roni Bintang/Getty Images

Minns government promised no new coalmines but permits expanding existing sites, despite being behind on climate targets

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At Branxton community hall in the New South Wales Hunter Valley last week, local resident Janet Murray was given five minutes to speak about plans for the state’s biggest coalmine extension.

Before her were dozens of people, also there to share their views about whether the 19-year extension proposed by Hunter Valley Operations (HVO) should be allowed to proceed.

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© Photograph: Lock the Gate

© Photograph: Lock the Gate

© Photograph: Lock the Gate

Operator brings in independent legal firm to look into whistleblower allegations relating to June heatwave

Great Britain’s grid operator has brought in independent investigators to look into accusations that its staff were involved in a cover-up over the power system being at a greater risk of blackouts during the heatwave.

The government-owned energy system operator will face the scrutiny of an external legal firm after a whistleblower claimed that control room staff were warned against leaving a paper trail relating to efforts to stabilise the power system during record high temperatures in late June.

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© Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA

© Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA

© Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA

Handful of gas plants paid £4m to generate electricity at half- and full-time in World Cup game

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A handful of Great Britain’s gas power plants were paid almost £4m to generate electricity for just a few hours on Tuesday evening as millions of sweltering viewers turned to air conditioning, electric fans and icy drinks during England’s second World Cup game.

The heatwave has caused electricity prices across Europe to surge this week amid higher demand for cooling and a string of power plant outages due to the record high temperatures.

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© Photograph: DeFodi Images/Shutterstock

© Photograph: DeFodi Images/Shutterstock

© Photograph: DeFodi Images/Shutterstock

In an age of AI hallucinations and collapsing trust, Jimmy Wales argues that Wikipedia’s human transparency may be exactly what makes it worth trusting.

The Met Office has claimed a new Welsh temperature record for springtime. But it was recorded at Bute Park, a Class 5 junk site where hot air is frequently vented from greenhouses, says Paul Homewood.

The post New Welsh Temperature Record Set at Junk Site appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.

A century after they were discovered, they're finally getting some appreciation.