Belfast disorder: Northern Ireland Assembly recalled, as PSNI request extra police officers from across UK

The fictional virus ‘mammothpox’ emerged during a World Health Organization (WHO) pandemic simulation, where researchers fell ill while studying a woolly mammoth specimen from thawing permafrost. The scenario, which warned of a potential new pandemic, involved 15 countries testing their preparedness for a fast-spreading virus with symptoms similar to Mpox and smallpox. While ‘mammothpox’ itself is not real, the simulation highlighted concerns about ancient pathogens being released due to climate change and the melting of...

Summary Tens of thousands of Spotify users globally reported issues with streaming music on the app, with Downdetector documenting over 48,000 outage reports on Wednesday afternoon. In response to these glitches, including problems with downloads and searches, Spotify announced that it is rolling out an update. The situation highlights ongoing challenges faced by the audio streaming platform as it works to address user concerns. Full Article

Judges say Equality Act definition excludes transgender women, after gender-critical campaigners’ challengeThe UK Supreme Court has ruled that the terms “woman” and “sex” in the Equality Act 2010 refer specifically to biological women and biological sex. This unanimous decision by five judges signifies a victory for gender-critical campaigners, as it clarifies that transgender women with gender recognition certificates (GRCs) are not included in the legal definition of a woman under the Act. The ruling highlights...

The Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that the definition of a woman and sex in the Equality Act refers specifically to "a biological woman and biological sex," allowing an appeal from the gender critical campaign group For Women Scotland. This ruling may affirm the current interpretation of the law while also recommending that Parliament consider amending the Equality Act to address unforeseen consequences. The live blog covering this story is now closed, but further information...

SummaryA new crime and policing bill in England establishes a legal duty for professionals, including teachers and health workers, to report suspicions of child sexual abuse to authorities. However, a "Romeo and Juliet" exemption allows teachers to refrain from reporting sexually active teenagers in all instances, receiving cross-party support. This approach aims to prevent cover-ups while balancing protections for minors engaged in consensual relationships. Full Article

Ancient and culturally significant trees in England may receive enhanced legal protections according to a new UK government-commissioned report. Proposed changes include tougher penalties for those who destroy such trees and the creation of a database for these trees, alongside strengthened preservation orders. Recent incidents, such as the felling of the 300-year-old Hunningham Oak and the Happy Man tree, highlight the urgent need for these measures to protect England's natural heritage. Full Article