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.

NHS

Racism, harassment and discrimination takes a terrible toll on ethnic minority NHS staff

— The COVID-19 pandemic exposed deep-seated racial inequalities within the NHS, with ethnically minoritised staff facing discrimination and barriers to healthcare provision.

UK Politics

How seriously should we take a plot to replace Rishi Sunak with Penny Mordaunt? The answer lies in the Tories’ own recent history

— Penny Mordaunt’s potential bid to replace Rishi Sunak in the Conservative Party leadership mirrors past slogans, highlighting Tory uncertainties and leadership challenges.

2024 General Election

Labour’s economic plan is finally taking shape – but will it be enough?

— Labour’s surge in polls since 2022 prompts Rachel Reeves to unveil the party’s economic vision. Focusing on stability against Brexit and geopolitical challenges, she proposes “securonomics”, akin to Bidenomics but with smaller-scale ambitions.

Russia

Moscow attacks: Why the Kremlin may have ignored any terrorist warnings from the CIA

— Despite receiving advance warnings from the US about a potential attack weeks before the Crocus City Hall massacre, the Kremlin may have disregarded the CIA’s intelligence due to geopolitical tensions and suspicions towards Western sources.

2024 US Presidential Election

US election: Turning off TikTok is a big risk for the Democrats

— Accusations against TikTok include data held in China, censorship, and disinformation. US Democrats face dilemmas over its potential closure, impacting their outreach to young voters and the 2024 election.

Immigration

Rwanda asylum deportation plan faces more delays

— The UK government’s plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda faces legal hurdles in Parliament. Despite attempts to pass a bill, delays persist, raising doubts about the feasibility of the scheme.