The Prime Minister insisted the UK will back Ukraine “for as long as it takes” as he made a speech at the Lord Mayor’s Banquet in London, but for the first time acknowledged the conflict could move towards a negotiated end. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has in recent weeks suggested he is open to a possible ceasefire with Vladimir Putin’s Russia. Kyiv and its European allies meanwhile fear the advent of Donald Trump’s return to the White House could result in American aid being halted. President-elect Trump has said he would prefer to move towards a peace deal, and has claimed he could end the conflict on “day one” of his time in power. As he attempts to strike up a good relationship with the incoming president, Sir Keir revealed he had told Mr Trump the UK “will invest more deeply than ever in this transatlantic bond with our American friends in the years to come”. In his speech at London’s Guildhall, the Prime Minister said there is “no question it is right we support Ukraine”, as the UK’s aid to Kyiv is “deeply in our self-interest”. Allowing Russia to win the war would mean “other autocrats would believe they can follow Putin’s example,” he warned. Sir Keir added: “So we must continue to back Ukraine and do what it takes to support their self-defence for as long as it takes. “To put Ukraine in the strongest possible position for negotiations so they can secure a just and lasting peace on their terms that guarantees their security, independence, and right to choose their own future.” Mr Zelensky told Sky News over the weekend he would be open to speaking with Mr Putin, but branded the Russian president a “terrorist”. He also suggested Ukrainian territory under his control should be taken under the “Nato umbrella” to try to stop the “hot stage” of the war with Russia. In a banquet speech focused on foreign affairs, the Prime Minister said it was “plain wrong” to suggest the UK must choose between its allies, adding: “I reject it utterly. “(Clement) Attlee did not choose between allies. (Winston) Churchill did not choose. “The national interest demands that we work with both.” Sir Keir said the UK and the US were “intertwined” when it came to commerce, technology and security. The Prime Minister added: “That’s why, when President Trump graciously hosted me for dinner in Trump Tower, I told him that we will invest more deeply than ever in this transatlantic bond with our American friends in the years to come.” He also repeated his commitment to “rebuild our ties with Europe” and insisted he was right to try to build closer links with China. “It is remarkable that until I met President Xi last month there had been no face-to-face meeting between British and Chinese leaders for six years,” the Prime Minister said. “We can’t simply look the other way. We need to engage. To co-operate, to compete and to challenge on growth, on security concerns, on climate as well as addressing our differences in a full and frank way on issues like Hong Kong, human rights, and sanctions on our parliamentarians,” he added. The Prime Minister said he wants Britain’s role in the world to be that of “a constant and responsible actor in turbulent times”. He added: “To be the soundest ally and to be determined, always, in everything we do. “Every exchange we have with other nations, every agreement we enter into to deliver for the British people and show, beyond doubt, that Britain is back.” Ahead of Sir Keir’s speech, Lord Mayor Alastair King urged the Prime Minister and his Government to loosen regulations on the City of London to help it maintain its competitive edge. In an echo of Sir Keir’s commitment to drive the UK’s economic growth, the Lord Mayor said: “The idealist will dream of growth, but the pragmatist understands that our most effective machinery to drive growth is here in the City, in the hands of some of the brightest and most committed people that you will find anywhere in the world.”
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The Government will block new incinerators if they do not help meet environmental objectives under rules unveiled on Monday. Developers will have to show that their project either helps reduce the amount of non-recyclable waste going to landfill, or replaces an older, less efficient incinerator. The move forms part of the Government’s drive to increase recycling rates, which have held at about 45% of household waste since 2015. Environment minister Mary Creagh said: “For far too long, the nation has seen its recycling rates stagnate and relied on burning household waste, rather than supporting communities to keep resources in use for longer. “That ends today, with clear conditions for new energy from waste plants – they must be efficient and support net zero and our economic growth mission, before they can get the backing needed to be built.” Developers will also have to ensure their incinerators are ready for carbon capture technology, and demonstrate how the heat they produce can be used to help cut heating bills for households. The Government expects that its “crackdown” on new incinerators will mean only a limited number are built, while still reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill and enabling the country to process the waste it produces. The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said the country was almost at the point where it had enough waste facilities to handle non-recyclable rubbish, and so had limited need for new incinerators. But the proposals stop short of the plans included in the Conservatives’ 2024 manifesto, which committed to a complete ban on new incinerators due to their “impact on local communities” and declining demand as recycling increased.
The St. Paul Fire Department said it quickly extinguished an attic fire that spread to the roof Friday night at the building housing Patrick McGovern’s Pub, a popular bar and eatery near Xcel Energy Center downtown. Firefighters responded after a call came in just before midnight Friday. Fire officials said Saturday that power lines were downed in front of the building at 225 7th St. W., and that the initial investigation pointed toward electrical contact from the downed lines as the cause. The official cause is still under investigation. Officials said they weren’t sure what brought down the power lines, but the restaurant in a social media post early Saturday said “a careless driver hit a transformer and fled the scene last night.” “McGoverns turret started on fire,” the restaurant said in the posting . “Thankfully no one at McGoverns was injured. Will keep everyone posted when we know more.” Fire officials said all occupants of the three-story building escaped safely.The Government will block new incinerators if they do not help meet environmental objectives under rules unveiled on Monday. Developers will have to show that their project either helps reduce the amount of non-recyclable waste going to landfill, or replaces an older, less efficient incinerator. The move forms part of the Government’s drive to increase recycling rates, which have held at about 45% of household waste since 2015. Environment minister Mary Creagh said: “For far too long, the nation has seen its recycling rates stagnate and relied on burning household waste, rather than supporting communities to keep resources in use for longer. “That ends today, with clear conditions for new energy from waste plants – they must be efficient and support net zero and our economic growth mission, before they can get the backing needed to be built.” Developers will also have to ensure their incinerators are ready for carbon capture technology, and demonstrate how the heat they produce can be used to help cut heating bills for households. The Government expects that its “crackdown” on new incinerators will mean only a limited number are built, while still reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill and enabling the country to process the waste it produces. The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said the country was almost at the point where it had enough waste facilities to handle non-recyclable rubbish, and so had limited need for new incinerators. But the proposals stop short of the plans included in the Conservatives’ 2024 manifesto, which committed to a complete ban on new incinerators due to their “impact on local communities” and declining demand as recycling increased. We do not moderate comments, but we expect readers to adhere to certain rules in the interests of open and accountable debate.
THE structure and strategy of Zimbabwe’s opposition are under intense scrutiny, as the political terrain grows more complex and volatile. With the government of President Emmerson Mnangagwa facing mounting discontent over economic stagnation, corruption, and social decay, the opposition movement should theoretically be at its strongest. Yet, internal fractures and the absence of a cohesive leadership structure have left it vulnerable—not only to state infiltration but also to self-sabotage. This situation reflects a broader malaise within Southern Africa’s opposition movements, especially as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) experiences a wave of political transitions. In Zimbabwe, however, the lack of organisational clarity has given rise to self-appointed voices leveraging social media prominence to shape narratives and dictate the movement’s agenda. In a political system that thrives on suppression, the opposition’s decentralised structure has become both an advantage and a liability. On one hand, the absence of a centralised leadership allows for grassroots mobilisation and flexibility. On the other, it opens the door to opportunists—individuals who lack accountability but wield outsized influence due to their social media visibility. These individuals often dictate the conversation, drowning out experienced voices and well-grounded strategies. Such a scenario has proven fertile ground for state intelligence operatives to infiltrate the movement, either by posing as opposition figures or amplifying divisive rhetoric. Without a clear, uncontested leadership to steer the opposition’s course, the movement risks losing its focus, unity, and public trust. In their frustration with the ruling ZANU-PF’s failures, some opposition figures have resorted to narratives laced with colonial nostalgia. While this rhetoric may resonate with segments of the population disillusioned by decades of post-independence mismanagement, it plays directly into the hands of the ruling party’s propaganda machine. For ZANU-PF and its security apparatus, such rhetoric offers an easy opportunity to brand the opposition as agents of neocolonial interests. This framing is particularly damaging in a region like Southern Africa, where liberation movements still command significant symbolic capital. By associating the opposition with colonial sentiment, the ruling party can discredit them as Trojan horses for foreign interests, thereby undermining their legitimacy. Southern Africa is undergoing significant political shifts. In Botswana, for example, the opposition recently achieved an unprecedented victory, breaking the ruling party’s decades-long grip on power. Similar trends are emerging in other SADC nations, where liberation-era regimes are struggling to maintain relevance in the face of rising youth discontent and economic challenges. In Zimbabwe, however, the ruling elite has proven adept at adapting to these changes, often by exploiting opposition weaknesses. The state’s narrative, which paints opposition movements as destabilising agents backed by external forces, fits neatly into this broader regional strategy. This tactic not only weakens the opposition’s standing domestically but also complicates their efforts to gain support from neighbouring governments, many of which are led by parties with liberation-era ties. The opposition’s current trajectory raises fundamental questions about its future. Can it unify under a centralised, credible leadership that prioritises the public’s interests over personal agendas? Can it resist the temptation to play into the ruling party’s hands with uncoordinated and sometimes reckless rhetoric? To achieve this, the opposition must address several critical areas: Rebuilding Organisational Structure: Without a clear and unified leadership, the opposition will remain vulnerable to infiltration and manipulation. Establishing a transparent decision-making process is essential. Strategic Messaging: The opposition needs to craft a narrative that resonates with the electorate without alienating key constituencies. This means moving away from colonial nostalgia and focusing on forward-looking policies that address the country’s pressing socio-economic challenges. Leveraging Regional Momentum: While SADC nations are experiencing political transitions, the opposition must position itself as part of this broader movement for democratic renewal. Building alliances with other opposition movements in the region could amplify their voice and provide much-needed solidarity. Engaging the Youth: With a median age of 19.7 years, Zimbabwe’s population is overwhelmingly young. The opposition must tap into this demographic by addressing issues like unemployment, education, and social mobility. As Zimbabwe stands on the brink of potential change, the opposition faces a defining moment. The stakes could not be higher, both for the movement itself and for the millions of Zimbabweans who are desperate for an alternative to the status quo. However, without significant introspection and strategic recalibration, the opposition risks becoming its own worst enemy. In a region where political transitions are increasingly possible, Zimbabwe’s opposition must seize the moment—or risk fading into irrelevance. By embracing unity, clarity, and a vision that resonates with the electorate, the opposition has a chance to redefine itself and the country’s future. Anything less will leave it trapped in the shadows of the past, ceding ground to a ruling party that has proven its ability to adapt and endure.
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