War in Ukraine

War in Ukraine: Beijing’s peace initiative offers glimpse at how China plans to win the war

— Beijing’s 12-point proposal is a broad-brush plan for an end to hostilities which positions China as a key power broker.

Food Shortages

Why supermarkets are rationing food and how to prevent future shortages

— Supermarkets are rationing food due to recent shortages. Food shortages have revealed weaknesses in UK supply chains. We must focus on sustainable sourcing, efficient transport and better waste management to prevent future crises.

War in Ukraine

A year on, here’s what life has been like for Ukrainian refugees in the UK

— One year after the war in Ukraine began, refugees have faced anguish and despair as they adapt to life in the UK. Despite challenges, people are striving to maintain hope and continue on with determination.

War in Ukraine

Russia announces its suspension from the last nuclear arms agreement with the US, escalating nuclear tension

— Putin’s announcement that Russia will no longer participate in the New START pauses the last remaining nuclear weapons agreement between the U.S. and Russia.

War in Ukraine

Biden’s visit to Kyiv sets the seal on a year of growing western unity and Russian isolation

— The message is clear: this war must end in Ukraine, and the West will do all it can to ensure this outcome.

Scottish Politics

Nicola Sturgeon resignation: The unanswered questions for Scotland and the SNP she leaves behind

— What does the future hold for Scottish independence and the SNP after Nicola Sturgeon?

Analysis

Spy balloons: Modern technology has given these old-fashioned eyes in the sky a new lease of life

— Balloons can still be useful for gathering intelligence when used alongside satellites and aircraft.

COVID-19

Why the UK needs to rethink its decision to stop COVID boosters for young and healthy people

— Going forward, the majority of individuals residing in the United Kingdom will only be able to achieve immunity to the virus causing COVID-19 by contracting the virus itself.

Conspiracy Theories

QAnon is spreading outside the US – A conspiracy theory expert explains what that could mean

— The mysterious QAnon network is becoming an international movement, and an estimated 22% of Americans back one of its core beliefs.

Climate Change

How climate change could fare in the UK’s new Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

— A departmental redesign is useful, but progress still depends on political will.

Brexit

Politicians weren’t confident discussing Brexit

— We should not only listen to what politicians say but also how they say it.

Analysis

Chinese spy balloon over the US: An aerospace expert explains how the balloons work and what they can see

— A Chinese high-altitude balloon recently entered U.S. airspace, causing a high-level diplomatic meeting in Beijing to be cancelled in response. The balloon was shot down afterwards, even though it is believed that it was just a political provocation by China.

Freeports

Levelling up: How UK freeports risk harbouring international crime

— Customs provide crucial scrutiny of goods, processes and documentation. UK freeports will only succeed with similarly robust measures in place.

War in Ukraine

Why Germany dragged its feet over supplying Leopard tanks to Ukraine

— Why Germany needed US tanks to be offered to Ukraine and other intra-NATO issues around the decision to send tanks to Ukraine.

Climate Change

Exxon scientists accurately forecast climate change back in the 1970s – What if we had listened to them and acted then?

— A climate expert imagines how different things could have been if we took global warming seriously decades earlier.

Antisemitism

Antisemitism isn’t just ‘Jew-hatred’ – it’s anti-Jewish racism

— Combatting antisemitism isn’t just about ‘calling it out’ – it’s about helping people understand what antisemitism is in the first place.