‘There has never been a more dangerous time to take drugs’: The rising threat of synthetic opioids

Michael Stewart, the head of the government's counter-terror programme Prevent, has resigned following revelations that Axel Rudakubana's case was closed prematurely before he carried out a deadly attack in Southport. Rudakubana was sentenced to life in prison for murdering three children and attempting to kill eight others. Three referrals were made to Prevent and six calls were placed to police regarding Rudakubana's concerning behavior, leading to an investigation that found failures in handling his case...

Sudan is experiencing one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, despite a slight decrease in displacement, with many returning to devastated areas lacking basic services. The country is facing severe food insecurity, with millions in need of urgent assistance, while a funding shortfall is hindering humanitarian efforts to address the crisis. The situation is exacerbated by escalating violence, particularly affecting women and children, and recent cuts in international aid budgets are deepening the suffering. Full...

In a new piece published in the British Medical Journal, academics argue that smartphones should be treated like cars, not cigarettes, with a focus on developing technology to mitigate harms rather than outright bans. Despite calls for phone bans in schools, research from Teacher Tapp shows that the majority of teachers prefer stricter regulations, with 78% supporting complete bans. A study by academics from the University of Birmingham, Harvard, and universities in Brazil and Sweden...

Nasen Saadi, a criminology student, was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 39 years for stabbing a woman to death and injuring her friend on Bournemouth beach. Saadi, described as "extremely dangerous" and having a "grievance against women", researched locations for the attack and showed no remorse, with the judge stating he was a danger to society due to his deep-seated rage towards women and society. Saadi, who exhibited a fascination...

Spain, Portugal, and Morocco will bid to jointly host the 2035 women's football World Cup, aiming to raise the profile of women's sports, as announced by the Spanish football federation (RFEF) president Rafael Louzan. The RFEF's bid comes as they seek to restore the organization's image after past scandals, including the resignation of former president Luis Rubiales and subsequent leadership changes. Additionally, Spain will co-host the 2030 men's World Cup with Morocco and Portugal in...

Sir Keir Starmer's communications chief, Matthew Doyle, is stepping down after nine turbulent months in Downing Street. Doyle, who previously worked under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, is leaving his role as director of communications immediately. He cites stabilizing No 10's communications strategy as his reason for stepping down, expressing pride in his contributions to returning the party to government before passing the baton on. Full Article