Six airport workers contracted the mosquito-borne infection in early July, most likely after a mosquito traveled on an airplane, the airport’s operator, Fraport, said this week.
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For 25 years, Motion Control Dance has been built by this community, one class, one member, one family at a time, and now I am asking if you might help us carry it forward in a new way.
We are looking for people to join our Board of Trustees. This group helps guide the charity’s decisions and make sure everything we do stays true to why we started, giving everyone a chance to dance regardless of age, ability, or circumstance. It is a role that asks for just four meetings a year, but it makes a real difference, helping us plan for the future, strengthen how we work, and make sure Motion Control Dance is here for the next 25 years and beyond. We are also looking for a new Chairperson of the Board to help lead that work alongside the rest of the team and me.
You do not need any special dance or charity background to join us, just a belief in what movement can do for people and a willingness to bring your own experience and ideas to the table. Some of our best trustees over the years have come from completely different walks of life, and that is exactly what makes a board strong.
If you have ever watched your child grow in confidence in our classes, found your own sense of belonging on our dance floor, or simply believe in what we are building here in the Vale, I would love to hear from you. Please reply to this email, and we can have a chat about what being a trustee involves. We will put you on a governance training course so you fully understand your role and responsibilities of becoming a trustee for MCD.
Thank you for being part of this community; it means more than you know, and I hope some of you will consider taking this next step with us.
Anti-datacentre sentiment is growing from across the political spectrum in the US.
More than a dozen states have considered moratoria on datacentres. New York became the first US state to enact a temporary ban last month. Progressive stalwarts Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have proposed a national moratorium. And even Greg Abbott, the far-right governor of Texas, called for a ban on datacentre development in rural swaths of his state.
Fuelling alarm about datacentres are environmental concerns over water usage and toxic contamination, as well as worries about the kind of society that the artificial-intelligence technologies powered by the new datacentres are creating.
Another of the most politically potent objections strikes closer to the wallet: data centres require enormous amounts of electricity, and that increase in demand can drive up utility bills.
More on datacentres’ impact on electricity costs after this week’s most important reads …
Essential reads
In focus
A stunning seven out of 10 Americans are opposed to the construction of datacentres for artificial intelligence in their area, a major poll found in May, with 48% saying they are strongly opposed. About one-fifth of participants specifically pointed to possible negative financial consequences associated with datacentres as a reason for their opposition, including the potential for higher utility bills.
The backlash has created a bind for the Trump administration, which wants the US to become the world leader in artificial intelligence, but has also promised to bring down electricity bills. The US president’s answer so far has been the “Ratepayer Protection Pledge”, a voluntary agreement that he claims will keep families from footing the bill for the AI boom. Nearly 200 companies, utilities, datacentre developers and states signed on to the agreement, the administration announced last month.
The pledge asks datacentre developers and artificial intelligence firms to agree to cover the costs of the electricity they use and the new infrastructure needed to connect their facilities to the grid. The problem, critics say, is that the pledge has no teeth. It is not legally binding, and there are no clear consequences for companies that fail to follow through.
Green groups have been particularly unimpressed: Patrick Drupp, climate policy director at the Sierra Club, last month called it a “paper-thin commitment” for families struggling with their bills, and Lena Moffitt, executive director of nonprofit Evergreen Action, described the announcement as a mere “photo op with big tech”.
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Policymakers and developers have put forth other ideas for how to ensure ratepayers don’t bear the brunt of the artificial intelligence boom with their utility bills, from enacting tariffs for datacentres to simply banning the construction of the facilities until further regulations – including on energy usage – can be put in place.
In June, US utility prices were up 4% from a year earlier, federal data shows, outpacing inflation. The concern has shown no signs of dissipating.
Read more:
Bipartisan bill fails to protect US consumers from datacentres’ true costs, critics warn
A huge AI datacentre is planned near Mar-a-Lago. The Everglades could pay the price
‘This is very real redlining’: outrage in Little Rock as two datacentres loom
Helping low-income pensioners is a top priority. The last Labour Government halved pensioner poverty from its mid-1990s peak, and I am determined to build on that legacy. Everyone in society deserves a comfortable and dignified retirement, which is why I support maintaining the triple lock policy.
This means that the State Pension will continue to increase each year by the highest of inflation, average wage growth or 2.5%. I welcome that, thanks to the triple lock, the State Pension has increased by 4.1% from April 2025. It will increase by a further £575 this year and, by the end of this Parliament, annual spending on the State Pension is forecast to be £34 billion higher than in 2024-2025.
I share your concerns about pensioners who may not be receiving all the support they are entitled to. Many eligible people still miss out on Pension Credit, which provides vital extra help. That is why the UK Government launched the largest-ever Pension Credit take-up campaign shortly after taking office. These efforts have already resulted in 60,000 more awards, and they will continue over the coming months.
Importantly, receiving Pension Credit opens the door to a range of other financial assistance, including Housing Benefit, Council Tax support, help with NHS costs, assistance with fuel bills, and a free TV licence for those aged over 75. To guarantee even greater uptake in future, the administration of Pension Credit and pensioner Housing Benefit will be merged for new claimants.
To help with bills, all pensioners with incomes up to £35,000, as well as those on Pension Credit and income-related benefits, are eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment. The payment is made automatically, so no one needs to take any action to receive it. On top of this, the recent Budget included measures designed to address the cost of living. Because of these changes, every household will see cuts to their bills of around £150 per year. The Warm Home Discount also provides an additional £150 rebate off bills to eligible low-income households across Great Britain, and I am glad that this scheme has been expanded to reach 2.7 million extra households. This will make a real difference.
The Welsh Government is also working to deliver on this issue. The Warm Homes Nest scheme aims to reduce the number of low-income households living in cold, damp homes. This will decarbonise and insulate homes, lowering energy bills and moving people out of fuel poverty. I know Welsh Ministers have called on Ofgem to introduce a social tariff to protect vulnerable people. Free energy savings advice is also available to all Welsh households.
We must make sure people receive the support they deserve, and I welcome that the Welsh Claim What’s Yours campaign has helped more than 36,800 people claim £10.4 million in additional income, while a record number of people have been awarded Pension Credit thanks to the UK Government’s uptake campaign. This initiative is especially relevant as it will direct the most vulnerable pensioners towards other benefits – including Winter Fuel Payments.
Kind regards,
Anna Anna McMorrin MP Member of Parliament for Cardiff North | Aelod Seneddol Gogledd Caerdydd 2 Codas House, 52-60 Merthyr Road, Cardiff | Caerdydd, CF14 1DJ
Constituency Office | Swyddfa’r Etholaeth: 02920 624440 Parliamentary Office | Swyddfa Seneddol: 0207 219 4307
email | ebost: Anna.McMorrin.MP@Parliament.uk
Helping low-income pensioners is a top priority. The last Labour Government halved pensioner poverty from its mid-1990s peak, and I am determined to build on that legacy. Everyone in society deserves a comfortable and dignified retirement, which is why I support maintaining the triple lock policy.
This means that the State Pension will continue to increase each year by the highest of inflation, average wage growth or 2.5%. I welcome that, thanks to the triple lock, the State Pension has increased by 4.1% from April 2025. It will increase by a further £575 this year and, by the end of this Parliament, annual spending on the State Pension is forecast to be £34 billion higher than in 2024-2025.
I share your concerns about pensioners who may not be receiving all the support they are entitled to. Many eligible people still miss out on Pension Credit, which provides vital extra help. That is why the UK Government launched the largest-ever Pension Credit take-up campaign shortly after taking office. These efforts have already resulted in 60,000 more awards, and they will continue over the coming months.
Importantly, receiving Pension Credit opens the door to a range of other financial assistance, including Housing Benefit, Council Tax support, help with NHS costs, assistance with fuel bills, and a free TV licence for those aged over 75. To guarantee even greater uptake in future, the administration of Pension Credit and pensioner Housing Benefit will be merged for new claimants.
To help with bills, all pensioners with incomes up to £35,000, as well as those on Pension Credit and income-related benefits, are eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment. The payment is made automatically, so no one needs to take any action to receive it. On top of this, the recent Budget included measures designed to address the cost of living. Because of these changes, every household will see cuts to their bills of around £150 per year. The Warm Home Discount also provides an additional £150 rebate off bills to eligible low-income households across Great Britain, and I am glad that this scheme has been expanded to reach 2.7 million extra households. This will make a real difference.
The Welsh Government is also working to deliver on this issue. The Warm Homes Nest scheme aims to reduce the number of low-income households living in cold, damp homes. This will decarbonise and insulate homes, lowering energy bills and moving people out of fuel poverty. I know Welsh Ministers have called on Ofgem to introduce a social tariff to protect vulnerable people. Free energy savings advice is also available to all Welsh households.
We must make sure people receive the support they deserve, and I welcome that the Welsh Claim What’s Yours campaign has helped more than 36,800 people claim £10.4 million in additional income, while a record number of people have been awarded Pension Credit thanks to the UK Government’s uptake campaign. This initiative is especially relevant as it will direct the most vulnerable pensioners towards other benefits – including Winter
The moment I knew I needed help remains clear in my memory. My son was screaming and thrashing around in his cot. I was frozen on my bed, while tears rolled down my cheeks.
The pair have reportedly been offering these services for £65 and claiming they were “doing everyone’s gutters in the street.”
In some cases, no work was carried out despite payment being taken.
There have also been reports of the men requesting bank cards from residents.
To prevent falling victim to incidents like this, the Council says that residents should adhere to the following advice.
- Don’t feel pressured into agreeing to work or making an immediate payment.
- Use a trusted trader and get quotes before agreeing to any work.
- Don’t allow unexpected callers into your home.
- Never hand over your bank card, PIN or banking details to unexpected callers.
- If possible, note descriptions, vehicles and registration numbers and retain any CCTV footage.
Concerns about a caller should be reported to a trusted person, and suspected victims of rogue trading should contact Trading Standards or the police.
A recall issued last month for thousands of produce products linked to an outbreak of a parasite that causes explosive diarrhea has been classed as the most serious risk level.
The disruption will affect parts of Newport on Sunday, August 30, between 11am and 1pm, impacting routes 9A, 9C, 30, 32, and 33.
The closures include Harrow Road, Corporation Road after Maindee Primary School, the bus lane on Town Bridge, Usk Way (inner lane), Kingsway, and Commercial Road.
It is understood that the roads will be closed for a Mawlid Procession, which marks Mawlid al-Nabi, the birth of the Prophet Muhammad.
Participants often walk together through the streets carrying banners or flags, reciting prayers, religious poetry and praises of the Prophet.
A number of bus stops will be temporarily out of service during the closure, including Marlborough Road (south-west bound), Maindee Primary School (north-west and south-east bound), Corporation Road (bus depot, south-east bound), Newport Transport Bus Depot (north-west bound), St Vincent Road (north-west bound), Clarence Place (north-east and south-west bound), and Ebenezer Terrace (south-west bound).
Further affected stops include Newport Central Police Station (south-west bound), Royal Gwent Hospital (south-west bound), Belle Vue Park (north-east bound), Waterloo Road (north-east and south-west bound), Arthur Street (south-bound and south-east bound), Jeddo Close (north-west and south-east bound), and Mendalgief Retail Park (north-east and south-west bound).
Each route will follow a specific diversion during the closure period.
Route 9A from Newport will divert via Maindee and Wharf Road, while the inbound journey will operate as normal.
Route 9C from Newport will run its normal route outbound, but on the return journey, it will divert via Wharf Road and Maindee before resuming its usual route back to the bus station.
Route 30 from Newport will divert via Usk Way to the SDR, passing the Transporter Bridge, Docks Way, and Mon Bank before rejoining Cardiff Road and continuing its normal route to Cardiff.
The return service from Cardiff will follow its normal route to Cardiff Road, then divert via Mon Bank, Docks Way, the SDR, and Usk Way before resuming the usual route to Newport Bus Station.
Routes 32 and 33 will follow similar diversions, with both routes diverting via Usk Way, the SDR, and Docks Way before rejoining their standard routes to either Duffryn or Cardiff Road.
The hospital in Pennsylvania brought in the restrictions after learning that a visitor infected with measles had been on one of its units for four days.
