Arabic version: حملات مناهضة للرياح تقوّض دعم الطاقة المتجددة

According to The Guardian, organised campaigns against wind and solar energy have been “extremely effective” in undermining support for renewable energy, despite Australians’ enthusiasm for installing home solar panels and batteries. A snapshot of attitudes to the clean-energy transition also found that enthusiasm for electric vehicles had jumped after Donald Trump’s attack on Iran.

The newsletter said windfarms have faced pushback from rural communities. It also reported concern among experts after a sudden decline in critically endangered southern bent-wing bats. About 5,000 fewer bats than usual were recorded at Naracoorte’s “bat cave” in South Australia during the summer.

Other Australian developments included scientists confirming that bird flu is being spread locally, while software firm Atlassian has introduced monthly AI-spending “wallets” of up to $2,000 for each employee as costs rise at technology companies. In New South Wales, revelations at the Icac included claims that a faction of rightwing Liberals compiled “shit sheets” containing potentially damaging material against factional opponents.

In sport, Fifa member associations, including Football Australia, have until 19 September to decide whether to seek an initial payment of about A$30m. The money would come from Gianni Infantino’s plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors. Former Australian track cyclist Matt Richardson has withdrawn from the Commonwealth Games because of injury, while runner Olli Hoare said he did not witness a murder in Glasgow and has been reinstated in the men’s 1500m.