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https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-58220021 The home minister of the north-eastern Indian state of Meghalaya has resigned amid violence over the death of a former rebel leader. Cherishterfield Thangkhiew was allegedly killed during a police raid in the state capital, Shillong, on Saturday. His death sparked mob violence and arson in the city, forcing authorities to impose a two-day curfew. Mobile internet services were also suspended in four districts. Officials described it as a "serious breakdown of law and order". Thangkhiew, 54, was one of the founding figures of Meghalaya's separatist movement that vies for a separate homeland for its tribal po[CENSORED]tion. Police say Thangkhiew was killed in "retaliatory firing" during a raid at his home in Shillong. But his family called it "cold-blooded murder" - they allege the police orchestrated a "fake encounter", an Indian term for extra-judicial killings by authorities. On Sunday, angry protesters threw petrol bombs at Chief Minister Conard Sangma's personal residence in Shillong. However, no one was hurt as the chief minister stays at his official residence. Incidents of stone-pelting were also reported from across the city. The state's Home Minister, Lahkmen Rymbui, called for a judicial inquiry into the matter and said he was resigning "to bring out the truth". Insurgency in Meghalaya Meghalaya is located in the north-east region of India, which runs from the Himalayas just below Tibet to the plains of Bangladesh, and borders the jungles of Myanmar (Burma) to the east. Carved out of the neighbouring state of Assam in 1972, Meghalaya is home to three major tribes: the Garo who reside in the Garo hills, the Khasi, who account for state's the largest ethnic community , and live in the East and West Khasi hills; and the Jaintia who are concentrated in the Jaintia hills. The three communities are entitled to 80% of government jobs in the state through quotas. Meghalaya shares a border with Bangladesh and has seen decades of migration from the neighbouring country as well as from other parts of India - Bengal, Punjab and Bihar. This has sparked anxieties of indigenous communities who feared becoming a "minority in their own homeland" because of the influx of "outsiders". Over the years, several student unions in the state have expressed concerns that migration from other regions would disrupt the tribal po[CENSORED]tion's way of life and culture. It was a culmination of these "anti-outsider sentiments" that led to the formation of Meghalaya's first militant group, the Hynniewtrep Achik Liberation Council, in 1992. Initially, the group comprised both the state's major tribes, the Khasis and the Garos. But it later split apart amid differences over reservation in government jobs and colleges. The division resulted in the formation of two new factions - the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC), which claims to represent Khasi interests, and the Achik Liberation Matgrik Army that demands a separate state for Garos. Thangkhiewas was the founding general secretary of the HNLC. He surrendered before the Meghalaya government in 2018 after reportedly spending years in hiding in Bangladesh. What happened now? Police claim they raided Thangkhiew's house in connection with an an IED blast that injured two people in Shillong last week. But when the team tried to enter his house, Thangkhiew allegedly attacked them with a knife in an attempt to escape, leading the police to fire at him, according to a statement. The police also said they seized ammunition and incriminating documents from his home. The rebel leader's family and supporters rejected the police version and said his death was an extra-judicial killing. On Sunday, hundreds joined Thangkhiew's funeral procession in Shillong, while local outfits called for a "black flag day" to mourn his death.

Back for its 70th year, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance returned with some of the world’s finest cars on show. Models from past and present were displayed with full capacity crowds at the event in California, US, with several models making their public debuts. Here’s our list of the show’s best cars from Pebble Beach and the wider Monterey Car Week. Aston Martin Valkyrie Spider The 1160bhp Valkyrie has gained a drop-top variant, presented at the Concours d’Elegance. Aston Martin admits a marginal change in weight but says the Spider will still top out at more than 217mph (or 205mph with the roof off). The hypercar also gains revisions to its carbonfibre tub and aerodynamics, ensuring the Spider closely matches the hardtop’s performance. The Spider is the third derivative of the Valkyrie to be shown, following the near-ready standard coupé and the track-only AMR Pro coupé. Attendees of the Car Week earned a first glimpse of Audi’s shapeshifting, self-driving Skysphere concept. The electric roadster is the first of three electric concepts that Audi will present over the next few months. A large two-door convertible, it was developed around the principles of Level 4 autonomy, meaning it can drive unaided on roads equipped with the necessary infrastructure. It has a rear-mounted motor that sends 624bhp and 553lb ft or torque to the rear wheels only for a 0-62mph time of 4.0sec.

https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2021/08/15/can-europe-go-green-without-nuclear-power TEN YEARS ago, after a tsunami hit the Fukushima reactor in northern Japan, causing a nuclear disaster, Germany decided to phase out its 12 nuclear power stations. Within months, the first plants were closed. At the end of 2022 the fuel rods for the last three will be pulled out for the last time. Germany wants to be carbon neutral by 2045. The European Union is aiming for net-zero greenhouse emissions by 2050. But can Europe meet its goals if its biggest economy has abjured nuclear power? European countries that produce nuclear power emit consistently lower levels of carbon dioxide than those that do not (see right-hand chart). Between 2000 and 2019, Germany’s emissions per person were, on average, 43% higher than those of countries with nuclear power. This is mainly because it still relies heavily on fossil fuels for electricity and heating. Other countries, such as Denmark and Iceland, have managed to reduce emissions without using nuclear power—but they both benefit from windy shorelines where wind turbines whir more powerfully. Most Germans supported the decision in 2011 and many still do. In its manifesto for the general election in September, the Green party, which The Economist forecasts is likely to win at least 14.5% of the seats in the Bundestag, pledged to lobby other European countries to abandon nuclear power. In July it was reported that Germany had gathered support from Austria, Denmark, Luxembourg and Spain in opposing the EU’s plans to classify nuclear power as “green” for investment purposes (the EU has yet to make a decision). Most of Germany’s neighbours are not listening (see left-hand chart). Of the 17 European countries producing nuclear energy, only Britain has plans to close any plants soon, and it is still building new ones. Although Switzerland has banned new construction, it will allow existing facilities to operate “as long as they are safe”. Poland, which is heavily reliant on coal, will start building its first nuclear power plant in 2026. In March the leaders of the Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia wrote to the European Commission to complain that their countries’ development of nuclear energy was “contested by a number of Member States”. With German elections looming and the country recovering from recent catastrophic floods, global warming will be high on the public agenda. Well-regulated nuclear power is safe, and provides a stable source of emissions-free electricity. Yet some politicians are reluctant to discuss it. The most that Armin Laschet, the leader of the ruling Christian Democratic Union who may well be the next chancellor, has said is that the country should have ditched coal first and nuclear second. The far-right Alternative for Germany is the only party proposing to bring nuclear power back. The idea of a nuclear reversal remains too toxic for most of Germany’s politicians.

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https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-58102578 More than a third of English councils support policies that could increase carbon emissions despite having declared a "climate emergency", BBC research suggests. Road building and airport expansion are among examples provided by 45 out of 121 questionnaire respondents who say they have passed climate motions. Environmentalists say the findings reveal "inconsistencies" in approach. Local leaders insist they are taking action but need more funding. Between March and June the BBC surveyed all 149 top tier councils in England, of which 136 responded. Almost nine in 10 councils (121 out of 136 respondents, 89%) have declared a "climate emergency" Of those, more than one in three councils (45 out of 121 respondents, 37%) said they supported at least one policy that could increase carbon emissions, such as new road building or airport expansion About two-thirds of councils (91 out of 136 respondents, 67%) said the pandemic had affected their plans to tackle climate change. The government has committed to cutting greenhouse gases to almost zero by 2050 - this target is known as net zero. This means reducing emissions as far as possible, then balancing out any remaining releases by, for example, tree planting. The similar term of carbon neutrality refers to doing this for CO2 emissions rather than all greenhouse gases. The BBC's findings highlight the tensions faced by councils trying to balance economic, social and environmental challenges. Leeds, for example, aims to become a carbon neutral city by 2030, but the city council also backs plans to upgrade Leeds Bradford Airport. Helen Hayden, councillor for infrastructure and climate for Leeds City Council, told BBC News: "It would seem like an inconsistency. I would say that in terms of carbon emissions the airport accounts for 1.5% of our carbon emissions. "So we do have to keep it in context and not let it distract us from doing all those things that will actually tackle the bigger issues that are in our city. "We need that National Policy framework so that Leeds Bradford airport does not feel it is being punished as opposed to other airports in the country - and we can therefore work with them to get our green and sustainable future." Our survey covers England, but you would find similar results in many places round the globe. Politicians face unenviable tensions. On one hand, there's concern for existing businesses and jobs. On the other hand, there's the plea from scientists for radical emissions cuts. It's taken decades for the climate message to be heard among the clamour of voters' demands for housing, transport and education. Many councils and governments are now on a path towards curbing emissions - many are just moving far too slowly. Take Leeds. It aspires to be a leading green city, and in many ways it is. But recently, after a marathon debate, its councillors backed an upgrade of the city's airport. This will increase the emissions the council is committed to eliminate. Councillors backed it because it will improve the image of the city - and because they feared holidaymakers would use another airport.