COVID-19 & Discrimination
— A UK study shows that black people were three times more likely to be fined for COVID-19 rule violations than white people, with higher rates in poorer areas. Racial disparities were found across all forces from March 2020 to May 2021.
UK Politics
— After Liam Fox lobbied PM Sunak on behalf of a group that paid him £16k for 21 hours’ work, Bradshaw Advisory faced a penalty for violating legislation, while Fox was cleared due to the fee payment structure.
Health
— The health secretary has announced a delay in the delivery of the 40 new hospitals in England that Boris Johnson had pledged as Prime Minister until beyond 2030.
UK Politics
— Foreign Secretary James Cleverly recently used a luxury business jet for his eight-day tour of the Caribbean and Latin America despite the cost of living crisis.
Investigation
— WhatsApp messages reveal VIP COVID testing contracts awarded to Tory donors. Conversations expose lobbying efforts and raise concerns about political donations influencing government decisions during the pandemic.
UK Politics
— Labour is currently reviewing voting issues. Keir Starmer wants to give EU citizens in UK voting rights, saying it is unfair to exclude long-term migrants who pay taxes. The Tories oppose the idea and accuse Labour of pro-EU agenda.
UK Politics
— Former Tory minister Rees-Mogg calls voter ID law “gerrymandering”, saying it hurt elderly Conservative voters in the recent local elections. Government ministers have denied partisan motives.
Turkey
— Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who has been in power for two decades, is set to face a runoff on May 28. This is an unprecedented situation in Turkish politics.
Accountability
— What if Rishi Sunak has invested his wealth in Oil and Gas shares? This is worth considering because if he has, his reluctance to impose a substantial windfall tax on Oil companies’ excessive profits would have a new significance.
UK Politics
— Rishi Sunak’s use of a taxpayer-funded helicopter to Southampton on Tuesday, costing around £6,000 to the taxpayers, has been criticised as wasteful and environmentally damaging. Number 10 defends it as necessary for effective time management.
Stats
— Russia’s support base is slowly growing while countries condemning it have decreased, particularly from emerging economies.
UK Media
— GB News violated the broadcasting code by letting Naomi Wolf make unfounded claims comparing the COVID-19 vaccine to mass murder. Concerned, Ofcom has requested a meeting with the controversial channel.
Right to Protest
— Scotland Yard is accused of violating the right to protest after arresting the head of a republican movement and other organisers of a peaceful demonstration before the coronation.
COVID-19
— COVID-19 is no longer a global health emergency, according to the WHO. However, it still poses a threat and countries are urged to remain vigilant and not let their guard down against the virus.
Education
— Labour is ready to abandon its long-held pledge to scrap university tuition fees in England.
NHS Strike
— The NHS Staff Council, representing over a million NHS staff in England, has accepted the government’s revised pay offer for 2022-23 and 2023-24.
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