Morning Star editor BEN CHACKO reports from the start of Kunming’s Belt and Road media forum, where 200 journalists from 71 countries celebrated a new openness and optimism, forged by China’s enormous contribution to global development

THE world’s leaders have descended on Glasgow, for what many agree are the most important climate talks in history.
While our Westminster and Scottish governments attempt to greenwash their records, and delegations of negotiators rub shoulders with the world’s most polluting companies, many are looking to the grassroots activists outside the conference for real leadership.
It’s clear that a transition is inevitable. The relentless efforts of environmental scientists, community campaigners and indigenous peoples have made climate denialism a fringe view. The question now is what action will be taken to ensure the transition is a just one.

Our economic system is broken – and unless we break with the government’s obsession with short-termist private profit, things are destined to get worse, warns Mercedes Villalba

The shock suspension of socialist MPs and Diane Abbott’s re-suspension reveals a leadership intent on crushing internal debate — but MERCEDES VILLALBA MSP warns against surrendering party democracy without a fight

