COP26 climate commitments fall short of the mark, new report shows

This year’s COP26 summit in Glasgow has seen strong words from many world leaders on their commitment to tackle global climate change. However, when one looks at the concrete policies being carried out by these governments, it becomes clear that what world leaders are saying on climate and what is actually being done are two very different things

China bans “diehard” Taiwanese secessionists from travelling to mainland

The Chinese government have announced that individuals identified as “diehard Taiwanese secessionists” will be prevented from entering mainland China, or cooperating with businesses there. Such measures are expected to deter the secessionist movement in Taiwan, especially by removing the ability of associated businesses to make a profit from mainland China

Tory budget offers nothing to better the lives of British workers

Last week’s budget made something of a departure from the austerity that shaped the last decade of Tory policy, with commitments of greater funding across the public sector, however, it offers nothing to fundamentally better the lives of British workers in the face of rising prices, wage stagnation and cuts to Universal Credit

Saudi Arabia expels Lebanese ambassador over minister’s Yemen comments

The government of Saudi Arabia have expelled the Lebanese ambassador to their country, following comments made by a Lebanese politician on Saudi Arabia’s role in the war in Yemen. Ambassador Fawzi Kabbara was given 48 hours to leave the country, following backlash to comments by Lebanon’s Information Minister, George Kordahi. Mr Kordahi caused controversy when he argued the war in Yemen was “pointless and should stop”

RMT union holds annual conference in Leeds

On Monday, the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) opened their annual general meeting in Leeds. Addressing members, General Secretary Mick Lynch warned that the Conservative government is set to recoup the billions of pounds it spent fighting Covid-19 by attacking workers

Tories refuse call of medical community to take on COVID-19 spread

The Conservative Party have rejected calls from healthcare officials, including the chief executive of the NHS Confederation, to introduce Plan B COVID-19 regulations. The government declared they have “absolutely no plan” to introduce new measures, at a time when cases continue to rise, with 43,324 new cases recorded on October 19th

Beirut protest turns violent as gunmen fire into crowd

On Thursday, a rally in Beirut fell into violence as gunmen opened fire upon the protestors. The rally, organised by Hezbollah and Amal movements among others, was heading for the Beirut Palace of Justice when snipers began to fire

Cross-party report highlights Tory Covid-19 failures

On Tuesday (October 12), a cross-party report was published detailing the government’s many failures in handling the Covid-19 pandemic. Among the errors the document lays out are how the government was too slow to lock down, too eager to abandon community testing, and how it failed to implement effective contract tracing