UK Crime

Most crime has fallen by 90% in 30 years – so why does the public think it’s increased?

— Despite public perceptions of rising crime in England and Wales, actual data from the Crime Survey reveals a 30-year decline in violence, burglary, and car crime. Security improvements and technology have played a key role in this reduction.

COVID-19

AstraZeneca’s COVID vaccine withdrawn – Right to the end it was the victim of misinformation

— AstraZeneca withdrawing its COVID vaccine from the market has nothing to do with blood clots.

Student Protests

Gaza campus protests: What are students’ free speech rights and what can universities do?

— Universities have a difficult balance to strike between protecting student speech rights and ensuring campus safety.

Long-Read

(Still not) facing up to Brexit

— The Brexit process caused significant shifts. Two recent announcements — one about a delayed Brexit-related import control, another on a potential EU-UK Youth Mobility Scheme — highlight the ongoing complexities and political strategies surrounding Brexit negotiations and their impacts.

Public Health

Rishi Sunak wants to cut the cost of ‘sicknote’ Britain. But we’ve found a strong economic case for benefits

— Welfare reforms targeted at the sick and disabled won’t boost government coffers. In fact, spending on those who need support and investing in less conditional systems has a real financial return.

Rwanda Deportations

Parliament passes bill declaring Rwanda safe – but can it really be called a law at all?

— After the House of Lords relented, the UK’s controversial Rwanda asylum bill will become law, despite doubts about its effectiveness, morality, and legality, and challenges to its practical application under Fuller’s legal principles.

Long-Read

Gibraltar, and reviewing the Brexit ‘bill of goods’

— UK and EU leaders, including Gibraltar and Spain, report nearing a post-Brexit agreement for Gibraltar, dubbed the last major Brexit issue. Gibraltar’s complex status and its 96% EU support contrast starkly with broader UK sentiment.

UK Politics

Angela Rayner: Which election law has she been accused of breaking, and is her promise to resign a mistake?

— Labour’s Deputy Leader Angela Rayner faces a police probe over potential electoral law breaches linked to her address from a decade ago. The issue also underscores Labour’s ethical scrutiny amid political risks highlighted by Keir Starmer’s governance strategy.

Venezuela

Venezuela: Why Maduro is ramping up his attack on free speech

— In Venezuela, a joke in a travel video led to terrorism charges against its author, underscoring President Maduro’s escalating repression of dissent as elections approach amid severe human rights and economic crises.

European Union

What are the EU’s new migration rules, and why did they take so long to pass?

— The European Parliament has passed the Pact on Migration and Asylum after almost ten years of impasse since the 2015 crisis. It aims to distribute responsibilities across EU states, offering nations options to host migrants or pay, amidst ongoing debates about refugees’ rights.

Social Media

Election disinformation: How AI-powered bots work and how you can protect yourself from their influence

— Election disinformation is a critical issue, often exacerbated by AI-powered bots that mimic real users to spread misleading information. These bots can influence public opinion and voter behaviour by amplifying false narratives at a massive scale.

Aviation

Boeing: What the next CEO needs to do to ensure quality and turn things around

— The resignation of Boeing’s CEO and chair after yet another safety failure shows something fundamental needs to change.

Environment

Oil giant admits it needs a ‘magic wand’ to keep green pledges

— ExxonMobil is accused of greenwashing over claims that its ‘carbon capture’ project is reducing emissions.

Georgia

Georgia’s government plays into Putin’s hands as it moves to suppress art and culture

— The Georgian government’s embrace of Russian-style social conservatism sparks fears of Russification, with controversial laws and cultural purges targeting dissent, impacting cultural heritage and international partnerships.

2024 General Election

Polls predict total wipeout for the Tories – and Britain’s constitution makes it a real possibility

— Recent polls suggest the Tories could face a historic loss in the next general election, with projections showing a potential loss of 250 MPs, leaving them under 100 seats, and both the Prime Minister and Chancellor losing their constituencies.

US-China Relationship

Xi and Biden spoke on the phone for 105 minutes: What does this say about their relationship?

— Biden and Xi discussed stabilising US-China relations, covering Taiwan, TikTok, tariffs, and support for Russia in a 105-minute call, indicating a thaw in relations amid deep-seated mistrust.