Author: The Guardian

Parisians have voted to triple parking prices for sport utility vehicles (SUVs) as the city aims to tackle air pollution and climate change through wealthy motorists driving heavy, large and polluting cars.The referendum on Sunday was closely watched in other capital cities including London, with 54.6 per cent voting in favor of a special parking charge for SUVs, according to preliminary results. However, turnout – about 5.7% of registered voters in Paris – was lower than Green Party activists expected.”Parisians have made a clear choice … and other cities will follow,” said Paris Socialist Mayor Anne Hidalgo, adding that road…

The mayor of Dearborn has ordered more police officers onto the streets, ramping up law enforcement presence across places of worship and major infrastructure points this weekend following an opinion piece published in the Wall Street Journal that called the Michigan city the “jihad capital” of the US.And on Sunday Joe Biden weighed in, denouncing anti-Arab hate and, without referring specifically to the newspaper, saying “it shouldn’t happen to the residents of Dearborn – or any American town.”The newspaper published the piece on Friday with the headline: Welcome to Dearborn, America’s Jihad Capital.Dearborn mayor Abdullah Hammoud reacted sharply, calling the…

Mikel Arteta declared Arsenal back in the title race after a 3-1 win over Liverpool and said they showed the elite mentality that makes top teams stand out.Arsenal recovered from a Gabriel Magalhães own goal to set up a lucky equalizer for Liverpool on the stroke of half-time, through goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard Even the score. There was also a lot of luck in Martinelli’s goal, with a mistake between Alisson and Van Dijk leaving the visitors’ goal empty, but Arteta’s side fully deserved the victory and are now two points behind the leaders. .”We’re there, that’s…

Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge has its moment of ignition. Mikel Arteta and his players knew this was all but a must-win showpiece and they found a way to prevail, to clamber into second place and slash Liverpool’s lead at the top to a couple of points. Manchester City, who play at ­Brentford on Monday night, remain within striking distance of the summit. We have the prospect of a three-way shootout for the trophy.Arsenal deserved to win on the balance of a frantic game, mainly because of the way they controlled the first half. But the manner of how they…

Wales rugby great Barry John has died aged 79. The former Wales and British and Irish Lions man died peacefully in hospital, his family announced.John was nicknamed “The King” by New Zealand journalists after leading the Lions to their famous Test series victory over the All Blacks in 1971. He made 25 appearances for Wales between 1966 and 1972, during which time he won three Five Nations titles, a Grand Slam and two Trebles. His performance on the international stage.A statement from John’s family read: “Barry John passed away peacefully today at University Hospital of Wales, surrounded by his beloved…

Key eventsShow key events onlyPlease turn on JavaScript to use this featureLiverpool remain top of the league. And though Jurgen Klopp will be frustrated that they missed the opportunity to put Arsenal out of the title race, he knows how to turn failure into fuel. Injuries or not, it will be a surprise if Liverpool play as poorly again this season.A quietly crucial part of the game was how well Arsenal defended in the 25 minutes between their second and third goals. No visible nerves, no difficult saves for David Raya. This might be the best defence they have had…

The Six Nations Championship should be a marathon not a sprint. However, after an opening weekend that produced a runaway title favorite, that’s not how it feels right now. If this were the Cheltenham Gold Cup, many might have put down their binoculars and prepared to take home the classic Irish Championship roar, while others remain well ahead at home.Sport’s fast-spinning wheel of fortune is never entirely certain, but no one at Roma or Cardiff will be rushing to back any so-called rival to Andy Farrell’s side. France were well behind in the first half in Marseille, and the other…

Capo is one of four historic quarters in Palermo and it’s famous for its boisterous street market. “It’s wonderfully analogue,” says design dealer Olivia Brittberg, who lives here with her partner in life and work, En Dolci. “It’s how I imagine life in the 1960s might have felt – everyone is friendly and genuine. When I leave the house, I’m greeted with shouts of, ‘Ciao, principessa!’ It’s easy to feel very at home here.”Olivia and En moved to this Sicilian city 10 years ago having met in Sweden while working for the fashion house Acne Studios. Olivia is Swedish as…

Every morning my older daughter calls from London. “What you doing today?” Erm… she’s most solicitous. She’s really checking in to check that I’m not checking out – that I haven’t woken up dead or had a stroke or a dizzy spell or plunged down some stairs or otherwise conked out. That I’m still above ground and that the manifold pills I’m compelled to take to prevent extinction, continue to kick in. “So what are you up to today?”Erm… doing? Up to? That’s a little too chirpy. Active. Aspirational. I’m 79. I’ve been fortunate: I’m still here, a lucky boomer…

I know a man whose favourite restaurant is Costco. He goes on birthdays and special occasions, starting with a browse of the free samples – a schmear of cream cheese on a tiny cracker, perhaps a mouthful of sugar-free brownie – before settling down at the food court for a £1.50 hotdog. I think of him every time I walk into Costco, which I do every couple of months, less because I need something, more because I feel drawn towards it as if a bright light. Daffodils and mountain ranges have had their poems, but few have dared, few have…