The UK supreme court has ruled that the Scottish parliament does not have the power to unilaterally call a second referendum on Scottish independence. The judgment comes in response to a request from the lord advocate (the senior law officer of the Scottish government) for a decision on whether aContinue Reading
Attempts to stop voters getting to polling stations, increase waiting times to place a ballot or add restrictions on who can vote are becoming issues in democracies around the world. Techniques vary, but the intention is the same – to make voting more difficult. In the recent US midterm elections,Continue Reading
Protests over the housing of asylum seekers in Dublin’s East Wall have been suspended. It comes after Minister for Integration Roderic O’Gorman agreed to meet residents. Protestors have been turning out in their hundreds in recent days, demonstrating outside a newly opened emergency accommodation centre in East Wall. The oldContinue Reading
Contrary to the expectations of many observers, the “red wave” stopped at the House of Representatives and only delivered the Republican Party a small majority. The Senate, though, will remain under Democrat control. So the US Congress will be divided until the 2024 election and the Biden administration no longerContinue Reading
Rising levels of homelessness and rent arrears in council housing show how deeply austerity measures have harmed society. Devis M | Shutterstock Many people on low incomes will have breathed a sigh of relief when the UK Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt announced, in his autumn statement on November 17 2022, thatContinue Reading
EPA During the month leading up to the US midterm elections, talk of a commanding Republican victory went from a “red wave” to a “red tsunami”. The Republicans were on for the win. The polls and gambling markets, or so-called “prediction markets”, were confident. Only the red wave never brokeContinue Reading
Following the collapse of FTX, a group of volunteers has gathered to try and salvage Serum. But the work is far from straightforward.Continue Reading
The UK has seen an autumn of strikes. Workers on the railways, at London Underground and at Royal Mail have been among those taking action. This looks set to continue through the winter, with doctors, nurses, teachers and university staff planning strike action. Workers who opt into a strike collectivelyContinue Reading
A new deal struck between the UK and France to curb the number of people crossing the Channel in small boats has been announced. It involves the UK paying £8 million more to France to increase surveillance and enforcement, mainly on the French coast. The increase in irregular crossings byContinue Reading
Photo-po / Shutterstock The FIFA World Cup in Qatar has already been hit by controversy around human rights and the treatment of migrant workers in the host country. As fans around the world board planes to go to the tournament (and then return home), it’s worth paying attention to howContinue Reading
