
Green tycoon takes a tilt at Donald Trump over ‘windmills'
They do agree on one thing, however. Dale Vince, whose green energy company Ecotricity is now valued at £100 million, calls the structures 'windmills'. So does President Trump.
But whereas Vince sees the structures as a way of saving the planet, Trump dismisses them as an eyesore. On the eve of his visit to Scotland to inspect his new golf course, the US president has urged the Scottish government to embrace oil, not wind.
'They have so much oil there,' Trump said. 'They should get rid of the windmills and bring back the oil. [Those] windmills are really detrimental to the beauty of Scotland and every other place they go up.'
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BBC News
2 minutes ago
- BBC News
Hunstanton traders 'concerned' by major seafront repairs
Traders in a seaside resort said they feared tourists could be put off by major repairs planned for its have said "multiple millions" will be needed to repair the prom and sea defences at Hunstanton, Norfolk, with work expected to take more than two years."There's no question that closing sections of the promenade will stop people coming here – it's very concerning," said kiosk-owner Glenn Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council said it "understood" the concerns and it would be talking to businesses as its plans developed. Last week, the authority said coastal erosion had led to the beach dropping, meaning parts of the sea wall's foundations had become exposed and also revealed that more than 300 of the large concrete slabs on the promenade could need it said the prom remained safe for visitors, work would need to take place as "collapse" was a possibility in the future. The news has caused concern for traders who operate on the Shuardson – who runs three stalls with her husband – said the prom "definitely needs work".But she said details from the council had been limited and added: "We've just been handed a letter which didn't say much about what will be happening to us, which is a little bit scary." "Clearly it needs to be done," said Glenn Dickerson, whose business sells hot he also felt there had been a lack of "transparency" about the plans and was worried work would take longer than the council had added: "The whole town will be affected by it. It's a quaint Victorian seaside town, and the promenade is a major feature of it."A period of consultation with traders [is needed] – not just on the promenade – but in the town itself so that we have a thorough understanding of what's going on." Businesses on the prom rely on trade during the warmer months, and stallholder Michael Parkin said he hoped work would take place in the winter."You're not going to want to... [bring] your children when there's diggers and what have you," he saidBut Edward Scarrott, who sells doughnuts and ice cream, thought the proposals were "a brilliant idea" with the prom looking "tatty and dirty"."Obviously, it's doing the right thing for the town with the sea defences because they're sinking," he was not worried by how long the work might take and added: "This is England. Councils take a long time to do everything, don't they?" The council - which is run by the Independent Partnership - said it will take up to 18 months to draw up plans for the work, and it will also need to seek government funding."As we understand it, the prom will not be closed off completely at any point," said Sandra Squire, cabinet member for environment and coastal."It will be done in sections. We will be able to move traders while that section is being done."The authority's environmental health manager, Dave Robson, said he recognised traders' concerns and "people may be put off coming to Hunstanton"."We haven't got much more information at the moment, but we will engage with the community as we move forward with this process." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.


BBC News
2 minutes ago
- BBC News
'One of a kind' Northamptonshire unitary council boss to leave
A council chief executive described by the authority's leader as "one of a kind" has announced she is Earnshaw was the first chief officer of West Northamptonshire Council when it was established in will depart from the Reform UK-controlled authority later this Earnshaw said the decision to leave had been "difficult" but "the time is now right". Anna Earnshaw came to West Northamptonshire Council from the outsourcing company, Capita, where she managed partnerships with local joined Northamptonshire County Council in 2016 and became its deputy chief executive in the time, the council was effectively going bankrupt and central government decided to abolish the authority and seven other councils across Earnshaw was chosen to be chief executive of the new West Northamptonshire Council - the fifth largest unitary in the country - which was under Conservative control until Reform UK took over the reins in May. She said: "It has been an absolute privilege serving west Northamptonshire's communities and I'm extremely proud of everything we have achieved together."Having made my decision to leave on a personal level some time ago, it was important to me to support our new administration through their first months in office."She added that leaving behind "dedicated" council colleagues had made her decision to leave "so difficult" but "the time is now right personally for me to do new things". The leader of the council, Mark Arnull, said: "Anna really is one of a kind in local government and an excellent, dedicated public servant."The leader of the Conservative opposition, Dan Lister, said: "She has been a hardworking and highly capable chief executive, respected by members and officers alike." Sally Keeble, the leader of the Labour group, said Ms Earnshaw had seen the authority "through from its earliest, shadow days, and through unprecedented financial and political upheavals, with great skill. "For the Liberal Democrat group, Jonathan Harris said Ms Earnshaw's departure was the second senior-level resignation by a women since May's election, coming after the departure of assistant chief executive Rebecca Purnell in added: "Now, the council faces a period of uncertainty along with an inexperienced administration."Anna has played a pivotal role in supporting the council through its transition to a unitary authority." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.


Glasgow Times
11 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin shake hands in Alaska as Ukraine war talks begin
After descending from Air Force One, Mr Trump applauded the Russian leader as he approached, walking along red carpets that had been placed for each leader on Friday. They gripped hands for an extended period of time, with both men smiling, and Mr Putin eventually grinned and pointed skyward while their hands were still clasped. US President Donald Trump greets Russia's President Vladimir Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP) Uniformed military members stood at attention nearby at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, and B-2s and F-22s — military aircraft designed to oppose Russia during the Cold War — flew over to mark the moment. Reporters nearby yelled, 'President Putin, will you stop killing civilians?' and Mr Putin put his hand up to his ear but did not answer. Mr Trump and Mr Putin both climbed in the US presidential limo, with Mr Putin grinning widely as the vehicle rolled past the cameras. It was the kind of reception typically reserved for close US allies and belied the bloodshed and suffering in the war Mr Putin started in Ukraine. Although not altogether surprising considering their longtime friendly relationship, such outward friendliness before hours of closed-door meetings is likely to raise concerns from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders, who fear that Mr Trump is primarily focusing on furthering US interests and not pressing hard enough for Ukraine's. Mr Zelensky and European leaders were excluded from Mr Trump and Mr Putin's discussions, and Ukraine's president was left posting a video address in which he expressed his hope for a 'strong position from the US'. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the previously planned one-on-one meeting between Mr Trump and Mr Putin is now a three-on-three meeting that will include US secretary of state Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff. The change indicates that the White House is taking a more guarded approach than it did during a 2018 meeting in Helsinki, when Mr Trump and Mr Putin first met privately just with their interpreters for two hours. US President Donald Trump greets Russia's President Vladimir Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP) The Kremlin says the summit will also include the two delegations meeting and talks continuing over lunch. The men are expected to hold a joint press conference. The Kremlin shared two clips of Mr Putin and Mr Trump smiling and talking before talks began, alongside Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov and Mr Putin's foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov. Russian media outlets also shared images that appeared to show a bemused Mr Putin raising his eyebrows in response to shouted questions from assembled reporters. At one point, Mr Putin cupped his hands around his mouth and appeared to say something, although his voice could not be heard. US President Donald Trump meets with Russia's President Vladimir Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP) Interviewed by Bret Baier of Fox News Channel aboard Air Force One as he flew to Alaska, Mr Trump said he would like to walk away from the meeting with a ceasefire. He also said he would like a second meeting on Russia's war in Ukraine. 'I wouldn't be thrilled if I didn't get it,' Mr Trump said of a halt to hostilities between the countries. He said everyone tells him he will not get a ceasefire until a second meeting. 'So, we'll see what happens. I'm going to be, I won't be happy if I walk away without some form of a ceasefire,' he said. Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks as he meets President Donald Trump (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP) Mr Trump earlier joked that he 'might start liking Hillary Clinton again' after the former secretary of state said she would nominate Mr Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize herself if he negotiates an end to Russia's war on Ukraine without Ukraine having to give up territory. 'Well, that was very nice,' Mr Trump said when asked about Ms Clinton's comment during an in-flight interview with Fox News Channel. 'I may have to start liking her again.' Mr Trump and Mr Clinton were presidential rivals in 2016 and have had a contentious relationship. Mr Trump has also been angling to be awarded the prestigious peace prize. If Donald Trump negotiates an end to Putin's war on Ukraine without Ukraine having to cede territory, I'll nominate him for a Nobel Peace Prize myself. — Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) August 15, 2025 The sit-down gives Mr Trump a chance to prove to the world that he is both a master dealmaker and a global peacemaker. He and his allies have cast him as a heavyweight negotiator who can find a way to bring the slaughter to a close — something he used to boast he could do quickly. For Mr Putin, a summit with Mr Trump offers a long-sought opportunity to try to negotiate a deal that would cement Russia's gains, block Kyiv's bid to join the Nato military alliance and eventually pull Ukraine back into Moscow's orbit.