Maine rockweed court case

Campaigners have won a third High Court victory over the UK government's plans to tackle air pollution.The judge in the case said the government plan was "unlawful" and that more action was needed in 45 English local authority areas.He said ministers had to ensure that in each of the areas, steps were taken to comply with the law as soon as possible.The case was brought by ClientEarth, a group of activist lawyers.Mr Justice Garnham said: "Because the obligation is zone-specific, the fact that each of the 45 local authority areas will achieve compliance in any event by 2021 is of no immediate significance."The Environment Secretary must ensure that, in each of the 45 areas, steps are taken to achieve compliance as soon as possible, by the quickest route possible and by a means that makes that outcome likely."He added: "In effect, these local authorities are being urged and encouraged to come up with proposals to improve air quality over the next three years, but are not being required … [Read more...] about Government loses clean air court case

The Welsh Government has agreed to work on new plans to tackle high levels on air pollution, the High Court has heard.Campaign group ClientEarth went to court claiming a failure to properly address nitrogen dioxide levels in towns and cities which break EU law.The Welsh Government said ministers would work with ClientEarth on a legally-binding agreement.It also announced in December a new air quality assessment centre would open.Wales is home to one of the most polluted roads in the UK.Speaking outside court, ClientEarth chief executive James Thornton said: "People across Wales have been breathing illegal levels of air pollution for years and we hope the Welsh Government will waste no time now in committing to strong and decisive action to cleaning it up." Air pollution 'a health crisis' Life on Wales' most polluted road Polluted road's traffic diverter pledge The Welsh Government said it was committed to improving air quality across Wales, in line with EU law.A spokeswoman added: "Our … [Read more...] about Welsh Government’s air pollution pledge at court case

TESLA boss Elon Musk has been spotted accidentally destroying a traffic bollard in his new "Cybertruck" three weeks after the car's calamitous debut. The billionaire rocked up to Malibu celeb haunt Nobu in the garish SUV with girlfriend Grimes and several friends in tow. After dinner, Musk emerged with actor Ed Norton who appeared ecstatic to take a peak at the futuristic vehicle. Later he was seen crushing a traffic bollard as he sped away from the scene. Such is the size of the Cybertruck, the crushed cone barely jolted the vehicle and it doesn't appear Musk even noticed the incident. Musk unveiled the £31,000 Cybertruck at a launch event in Los Angeles last month. The hulking electric car can reportedly travel 500 miles on a single charge.It was heralded as "bulletproof" during a 25-minute presentation but the chief executive was left red-faced when the so-called armoured glass was smashed by a metal ball during a live demonstration. Musk was heard muttering "oh my f***ing God" … [Read more...] about Elon Musk accidentally destroys traffic bollard with his Tesla Cybertruck as he celebrates ‘pedo guy’ court case win

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday turned away a novel case by Arizona seeking to recover billions of dollars that the state has said that members of the Sackler family - owners of Purdue Pharma LP - funneled out of the OxyContin maker before the company filed for bankruptcy in September. FILE PHOTO: The U.S. Supreme Court is seen in Washington, U.S., June 11, 2018. REUTERS/Erin Schaff/File Photo The justices declined to take the rare step of allowing Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich to pursue a case directly with the Supreme Court on the role the drugmaker played in the U.S. opioid epidemic that has killed tens of thousands of Americans annually in recent years. The lawsuit accused eight Sackler family members of funneling $4 billion out of Purdue from 2008 to 2016 despite being aware that the company faced massive potential liabilities over its marketing of opioid medications. Brnovich argued that the national importance of holding those … [Read more...] about U.S. Supreme Court rejects Arizona opioid case against Purdue, Sackler family

LONDON/KIEV (Reuters) - Russia told Britain’s Supreme Court on Monday that Ukraine should not be allowed to use geopolitical arguments to dispute billions of dollars in debt, after Kiev argued it had been forced to borrow the money from Moscow. The case, being decided in London because the debt was structured as a $3 billion Eurobond under English law, could see British courts rule on some of the most contentious issues in the Russia-Ukraine feud that has divided Moscow from the West. The debt was borrowed six years ago by pro-Russian Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich months before he was toppled in a popular uprising. After his fall, Russia seized Ukraine’s Crimea peninsula and backed separatists in a war that has killed 13,000 people and brought Western sanctions against Moscow. The Eurobond, which matured in December 2015, has not been repaid. Moscow was initially granted a summary judgment that could have seen Ukraine ordered to pay the debt in full. An appeals … [Read more...] about Russia tells UK court Ukraine should be forced to pay debt despite disputes