Author of graphic novel 'Persepolis' wins top Spanish prize

In September 2021, two men in Abingdon-on-Thames overdosed on isotonitazene-laced heroin, leading to their deaths, part of a spike in nitazene-related fatalities in the UK. By June 2023, a new outbreak in the West Midlands resulted in 21 deaths, with drug dealers adding xylazine to the mix. The National Crime Agency warns of the extreme potency of nitazenes and fentanyl, urging caution in the face of a global drug crisis. Full Article

The Independent relies on reader support to cover stories from reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, ensuring unbiased reporting without paywalls. Ed Miliband has shifted his stance on the Heathrow runway expansion, now supporting the government's plans despite previous environmental concerns and opposition from within the Labour Party. The project aims for construction to begin by the end of this parliament, increasing flight capacity from 480,000 to 720,000 per year, with financing through...

The UK government has ordered Apple to grant access to users' encrypted files under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016, sparking concerns about privacy rights. The Home Office requested a broad ability to view encrypted material, rather than access to specific accounts, but has not confirmed the existence of the order. Apple has emphasized privacy as a fundamental human right and stated that its current setup prevents anyone, including Apple, from accessing user data, with the...

Grenfell Tower, site of Britain's worst residential fire post-World War II, will be demolished due to a lethal combination of negligence and cost-cutting. Families of the victims are divided on the decision, with some wanting justice before demolition and others acknowledging the necessity. The government plans to preserve parts of the building for a future memorial, while facing debate over the significance of the tower as a crime scene and the need for closure in...

Masked phone-snatching gangs utilizing 70mph e-bikes are driving a surge in mobile thefts across the UK, with over 225 phones stolen daily. London is the epicenter of the crime wave, recording 65,600 thefts last year. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has pledged to crack down on the issue, announcing increased police powers and calling for improved mobile device security measures from tech companies. Full Article

Professor Nazila Ghanea, UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, submitted a groundbreaking report on the connection between torture prevention and religious liberty, highlighting coercion as the main link between the two rights and emphasizing systemic violations impacting minority groups and women. The report reveals patterns of religiously motivated maltreatment, including demands to act against religious beliefs and interference with religious practices, while offering transformative recommendations for states to prohibit coercion, prevent attempts...