Russia commits to increased coordination with Central Asian allies
Russia’s Minister of Defence Sergei Shoigu has committed to working more closely with the nation’s allies in the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), following the Taliban’s victory in Afghanistan.
Labour’s attack on Xinjiang-made PPE is only the latest in a wave of disinformation
The Labour Party has called on the Conservative government to not make PPE contracts with Xinjiang-based firms in the latest set of unfounded attacks by western politicians against China. Writing to the current health secretary Sajid Javid, shadow cabinet member Emily Thornberry reiterated the forced labour narrative that has long served to justify economic and military manoeuvring by imperialist nations against Chinese interests.
New CCTV guidelines fall short in ensuring police accountability
A new set of guidelines for the use of CCTV facial recognition by police has been criticised as too broad and non-specific. The Surveillance Camera Code of Practice is to be updated for the first time in eight years.
France joins 11-country boycott of Durban IV conference
France has become the 11th country to commit to boycotting the upcoming Durban IV Conference in New York, over concerns of antisemitic remarks made at previous such events. This year’s conference marks the 20th anniversary of the 2001 World Conference Against Racism, held in Durban, South Africa.
Alok Sharma defends oil project while claiming to fight for the climate
The Conservative government have once again proven their unwillingness to take necessary action against climate change, continuing to defend a planned North Sea oil exploration that could create 255 million barrels of oil.
Former Tunisian minister placed under house arrest as president continues government shakeup
A former minister and senior member of Tunisia’s Ennahdha party has been placed under house arrest, as President Saied continues his shakeup of the country’s government. Anouar Maarouf, who led Tunisia’s Ministry of Communications and Technology between 2016 and 2020, was arrested on Friday August 6th over allegations of abuse of authority.
Tories set to end support for workers struggling under pandemic
The Conservative government are set to end both the furlough scheme and Universal Credit uplift on 30 September, in an attempt to further shift the burden of the Coronavirus pandemic off of the government and onto workers. The planned end to support this autumn would see the 1.9 million people still on furlough having to return to work, while those on Universal Credit would lose the £20 a week uplift brought in earlier in the pandemic.
Report by ex-UN rapporteur highlights failures of bus privatisation
A new report from former UN special rapporteur, Philip Alston, highlights the utter failure of bus privatisation in the UK, making a scathing critique of Britain’s ‘expensive, unreliable, fragmented, and dysfunctional bus system.’
EU court rules to allow hijab bans in the workplace
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that workplaces within the EU are free to ban hijabs and other visible religious dress.
MPs approve controversial foreign aid cut
Today (Tuesday 13 July), the House of Commons approved the Tory government’s planned cuts to foreign aid. The cuts from 0.7% to 0.5% of the budget will see a reduction of around £4 billion, with the government justifying the decrease by blaming the pandemic.
