Israel’s latest legislative move marks a horrifying escalation in an already brutal conflict. In late March 2026, the Israeli parliament passed a law introducing the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of killing Israelis – an unprecedented step that has intensified international concern, with military officials and ministries stating that the bill may breach international law . While Western governments, including the United Kingdom, issued statements of concern , ahead

Rising oil prices have once again thrust global energy markets into crisis though this time, the driving force is not just the usual vague “geopolitical instability”, but something far more specific: the disruption of the Strait of Hormuz , one of the most critical chokepoints in global trade. As conflict escalates in the Middle East, the consequences are being felt far beyond the region – hitting households and consumers across the UK. The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow shippi

American and Israeli military action in the middle east is nothing new - both have controversial histories in the region, from the Iraq war to the ongoing genocide in Gaza . However, the past weeks have seen major escalations with direct conflict between the US-Israeli alliance and the Iranian Islamic Republic. These events underline the pattern of American and western interference and imperialism in the middle east – trends which have shaped the region’s geopolitics and deve

Working from home is often depicted as a world of sunny lunch breaks in the park, doctor’s appointments at times which suit you, and an extra thirty minutes spent in bed instead of on the tube. Yet some people describe it more as a claustrophobic cave which over-time becomes rather lonely. So, is working from home really beneficial? In brief, some demographics do benefit, but everyone else could do with a healthy dose of community to make the experience healthier.  In the not

Initially our God-given rulers, now crowned the Head of State. Is the monarchy on the path of no return? This long-debated question has come to light once more following the recent arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Careful consideration into the benefits of the British monarchy is vital, and reveals that their economic and political uses are endlessly complex, but ultimately not a bad thing.   Deciding if the monarchy is economically worthwhile has always been difficult,

Racism in British media has become so embedded and routine that it increasingly passes without meaningful challenge. While overt slurs are rare, the underlying narratives (fear of the “other,” suspicion of immigrants, and the framing of minority communities as social threats), run deep. Recent controversies, including the comments made by Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, illustrate how racialised rhetoric is not only tolerated but amplified across mainstream plat

Western blocs are once again a fashionable target. This is the case for the EU which, across America and Europe itself, has been increasingly criticised, and even vilified, as faulty. Economic growth has been underwhelming (S8),  a problem overshadowed by red tape, which consistently drags bureaucracy (S9).  In a time of geopolitical volatility (S20) , the failure of urgent collective decision making is a modern Achilles heel. The implied alternative, often hinted and sometim

Keir Starmer’s election looked to be the beginning of a new era of British politics – an end to 14 years of conservative incompetency and the horrors of austerity.  Over the past 18 months, progress has felt slow, with many voters left dissatisfied . As a result, Starmer and his cabinet have seen much – mostly valid – scrutiny. There are, however, areas in which Starmer has excelled, a major for me being his leadership on the international stage. Starmer’s pragmatic approach

With the recent   failure of COP30 to bring about new pledges to cut fossil fuels , and dwindling support for the COP process altogether, climate efforts seem to be ( literally ) going up in flames, with net zero goals bleaker than ever.     Despite efforts,  fossil fuels still supply around 82% of the world’s energy , and this seems unlikely to change any time soon. Can we escape our reliance? Are we in too deep? Ramón Méndez Galain and Uruguay’s green transition seems to su

The declining number of children who read regularly is a well-known issue.  However, has the surrounding discourse affected any change? So far, it would seem not, with low literacy rates continuing to further economic inequality, with further impacts including future costs to the NHS, lost opportunity costs for the affected individuals, and a struggle for Britain to maintain its position on the global stage.    Literacy are on a slippery slope in the UK, with reports of child

With the November budget inching ever closer, will Rachel Reeves be able to jumpstart the British economy as she had hoped to do so over a year ago?  In the October 2024 budget, Reeves succeeded in making life more difficult for British businesses. Since April of this year, businesses have seen a hike from 13.8% to 15% in national insurance contributions, making growth through reinvestment less attainable.  This has worsened an issue that some experts have argued Britain alre

Since the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in November 2022, AI has consumed media discourse, both in its celebration, and in worries over the consequences of such a technology. A 2025 global study by the University of Melbourne and KPMG found that while 66% of people report regular use of AI, only 46% of people globally are willing to trust AI systems . Despite this, the latest United Nations Human Development Report identifies an anomaly. Emerging economies are not only more awar

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