Online Safety

Fraudsters target teens with fake TikTok job offers, study warns

— Fraudsters posing as TikTok employees are scamming teenagers with fake job offers, promising up to £800 daily for liking videos. Virgin Media O2 warns that teens struggle to spot these scams.

Opinion Polls

Political earthquake: Reform UK leads Westminster voting intentions

— Radical right Reform UK surges ahead in Westminster voting intentions, overtaking Labour and the Conservatives for the first time. With momentum building before May’s local elections, its rise threatens the traditional two-party dominance and reshapes the political landscape.

The Inauguration of Donald Trump

Trump’s second coming: A dictator in all but name?

— Donald Trump’s second inaugural speech showcased an authoritarian manifesto, blending messianic self-aggrandisement, disdain for democratic norms, and admiration for dictators, marking a profound shift toward personality-driven, divisive governance.

Censorship

Washington Post cartoonist resigns over censorship dispute involving Jeff Bezos satirical cartoon

— Pulitzer-winning cartoonist Ann Telnaes has left The Washington Post following the newspaper’s decision to withhold her satirical cartoon targeting Jeff Bezos and other tech moguls’ perceived deference to Donald Trump.

UK Politics

Who are Reform UK’s members?

— Reform UK’s membership has surged to over 100,000, overtaking the Conservatives. A new study reveals a predominantly older, middle-class, and online-savvy base deeply aligned with Nigel Farage’s populist leadership and right-wing values.

EU Citizens

Digital-only immigration status: A looming Windrush 2.0?

— The Home Office’s decision to enforce a digital-only immigration status for migrants from 31 December 2024 has sparked widespread concern, with advocacy group the3million warning of potential chaos and exploitation for vulnerable individuals.

Petition

Petition urges UK Government to strengthen COVID-19 monitoring in healthcare settings

— A petition urges the UK Government to mandate UKHSA to monitor and report healthcare-related COVID-19 infections, enhancing data-driven infection control strategies to protect vulnerable populations and improve healthcare safety.

Royal Mail

Fresh start for Royal Mail: The £5.3 billion deal raising eyebrows

— The UK government has approved Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky’s £5.3 billion acquisition of Royal Mail’s parent company, IDS, safeguarding universal service obligations while raising public and political concerns over foreign ownership.

China

China leads the pack: Global manufacturing’s undisputed champion

— China has cemented its status as the world’s manufacturing leader, driven by strategic reforms, abundant labour, and infrastructure investment, shaping global trade while exposing supply-chain vulnerabilities.

UK Politics

Secrets from the throne: Queen’s quiet dismay at Boris Johnson’s leadership

— New revelations expose former Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s contentious relationship with Queen Elizabeth II regarding the prorogation of Parliament in 2019 and his handling of constitutional matters during his time in Downing Street.

US Politics

Musk may use Trump’s White House to silence critics, sparking free speech fears

— Elon Musk’s growing influence as Donald Trump’s advisor raises concerns among free speech advocates, who argue Musk’s prosecution threats against critics may stifle dissent and jeopardise First Amendment protections.

What The Experts Say

Will Trump’s re-election halt the Green Revolution? Experts say ‘No’

— Donald Trump’s re-election signals potential setbacks for global climate ambitions, yet some experts believe the momentum towards renewables and the green economy will persist, challenging Trump’s fossil fuel focus.

Plastic Pollution

Samoa struggles under a plastic tide

— Samoa struggles to manage escalating plastic waste due to limited resources, warns rights expert Marcos Orellana. Despite restrictions, cheap plastic imports persist, highlighting the need for equitable international solutions.

Humanitarian Crisis

Haiti on the brink: Record violence, displacement, and growing famine risks — UN Reports

— Escalating violence in Haiti has displaced hundreds of thousands and left millions food insecure. UN aid reaches some but is constrained, with under half the necessary funding available.

2024 US Presidential Election

Donald Trump stuns America with election win, reshapes political landscape

— Donald Trump has defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election in a highly contested race. Trump’s win underscores a broader shift to the right in American politics.

Conservative Leadership Contest

Kemi Badenoch chosen as new Tory Leader amidst post-election turmoil

— Kemi Badenoch, the first Black woman to lead the Conservative Party, takes over from Rishi Sunak after their disastrous electoral defeat. With her culture war ideology and controversial views, she pledges yet another attempt at renewal to regain public support.