UK Strikes
— The train drivers’ union, Aslef, has declared three 24-hour strikes on 12 May, 31 May, and 3 June.
TODAY+
News that matters. These stories are exclusively available to our donating members, a special community with access to our premium content. Become a member today, click on the -- 𝗝𝗢𝗜𝗡 𝗨𝗦 -- button.
King Charles III
— Recent research has uncovered evidence that direct ancestors of King Charles III and the royal family were involved in the buying and exploitation of enslaved people on tobacco plantations in Virginia.
Stats
— The US, Sweden, Singapore, Switzerland, and the Netherlands are the top five prepared countries to use frontier technologies, while Guinea, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo are the least prepared.
X (Formerly Known As Twitter)
— Under Elon Musk, Twitter has verified far-right group Britain First giving it a gold tick while its leader got a blue tick. Is Twitter promoting extreme content?
Environment
— A recent poll shows that 60% of British respondents believe that chief executives of water companies should receive prison sentences if they are found responsible for serious incidents of water pollution.
COVID-19
— The ongoing emergence of COVID-19 variants every two months is concerning due to the virus’ ability to evolve unpredictably. The potential impact of the new Arcturus strain on vulnerable populations, students, and the economy is a cause for concern.
UK Politics
— A new book provides a behind-the-scenes look at the chaos and downfall of Boris Johnson’s premiership, including how the former PM’s indecisiveness and knack for pointing fingers led to his downfall, and how Dominic Cummings and Carrie Johnson influenced decision-making in Downing Street.
Opinion Polls
— A recent opinion poll shows that a large majority of people answered “yes” when asked if they thought Dominic Raab was right to resign from his role in government.
Resignation Letter
— Dominic Raab has resigned from Rishi Sunak’s government and criticized the “flawed” findings against him in the bullying investigation in his resignation letter. Rishi Sunak responded to Raab’s resignation with a letter expressing “great sadness” at his departure.
COVID-19
— Arcturus, a subvariant of Omicron first identified in India, has been included in the CDC’s monitoring list following its involvement in 7% of the COVID infections in the United States. A strain that has also been reported as causing red and itchy eyes in young patients.
COVID-19
— Over 5 million people in the UK are eligible for a COVID-19 booster this spring.
UK Politics
— To clarify Labour’s economic agenda to the public, its Shadow Business Secretary explains the technical policy changes: the party advocates for a more active state and greater economic freedom for working people, with Keir Starmer aiming to achieve the highest sustained growth in the G7.
India
— Rahul Gandhi is fighting in court for his right to criticise India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi. But is the country’s democracy at risk?
COVID-19
— A new COVID variant, XBB.1.16, is causing a surge in pediatric COVID cases in India, with doctors noting an increase in conjunctivitis among children, and reports suggesting already an increase in the US, Singapore, and Australia.
Dark Money
— The Good Law Project has uncovered that the Conservative Party has continued to accept large donations from individuals and companies associated with Russia since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in February 2022.
Geopolitics
— President Macron’s remarks on Taiwan have attracted criticism as he urged the EU to achieve strategic autonomy by reducing its reliance on the U.S., and called for Europe to be a third power in the world order.
