Five graphs to explain the UK’s population boom and the role of immigration

The UK housing market has experienced a strong start with new sales agreements up 12% compared to last year, driven by buyers rushing to complete purchases before the stamp duty changes on April 1. The average house price has risen to £267,700, rebounding from a previous dip, supporting a 2% increase in house price inflation. However, there are signs of prices leveling out as mortgage rates rise and buyers have more property choices. Full Article

Chancellor Rachel Reeves supports the East West Rail project, dismissing concerns about its impact on bats and newts. Cambridgeshire County Council warns of potential catastrophic effects on barbastelle bats, including loss of their maternity roost. Despite efforts to rehome bats, fears persist about the project's impact on their habitats. Full Article

A China-linked influence operation impersonated human rights organization Safeguard Defenders on social media platforms to incite Spaniards to overthrow their government following deadly October floods in Valencia. The Spamouflage operation occurred from November to January on Facebook, X, BlueSky, and TikTok, with imposter accounts posting critical content in English and Spanish targeting the Madrid government and Valencia Governor Carlos Mazon after the floods that claimed over 200 lives. The report by Graphika revealed the deceptive...

Two Just Stop Oil protesters, Richard Weir and Hayley Walsh, were charged with aggravated trespass after disrupting a West End production of The Tempest starring Sigourney Weaver at Theatre Royal in Drury Lane. The protesters entered the stage area during the play's first act carrying a sign about global temperature rise, causing Weaver to be escorted off stage. Just Stop Oil claimed responsibility, citing concerns about global warming exceeding the 1.5C safe limit set at...

Rachel Reeves has endorsed the expansion of Heathrow airport as part of her vision for Britain's economy, centered on faster and better development. Despite her positive outlook, recent economic setbacks include job cuts at Tesco, Lloyds, Sainsbury, Durham University, and Cardiff University, attributed to Reeves's national insurance hike and workers' rights plans. Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey warned of tough decisions to curb public debt growth, leaving Reeves to defend her economic strategy by...

Scientists have discovered 66-million-year-old fossilized vomit, or regurgitalite, on the Danish island of Zealand, in the Cliffs of Stevns. The vomit, believed to belong to a bottom-dwelling shark, contains remnants of sea lilies and provides valuable information about ancient diets. Displayed in the Geomuseum Faxe, this "danekrae" specimen is considered a significant find in the scientific community, despite its humorous nature. Full Article