Paul Bright explains the significance of the Belgian farmer that moved the stone that marked the 200-year border between Belgium and France. Fortunately, authorities have seen the bright side of his mistake.
Kerry Pearson remembers the creation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent after the First World War; on 8 May, the charity celebrates World Red Cross Day, a time to remember their values and recognise the hard work of their volunteers who work to make the world a safer place.
Brexit: A Grand illusion – Barnier’s book on the Brexit negotiations – lifts the lid on the hubris and delusional thinking of British governments led by both May and Johnson during three years of fractious talks.
Despite travel restrictions easing, taking a holiday closer to home this summer could save lives, businesses and livelihoods.
Richard Carden writes about the broken promise of Brexit and gaining “control of our waters”; Norwegian waters will be closed off to Britain and negotiations look unlikely.
Kerry Pearson concludes the ‘Biden 100’ series with a piece covering the key policies and executive orders Joe Biden has passed. He has had a phenomenon 100 days, but undoubtedly faces challenges ahead, now that the honeymoon with congress is over.
As a final piece for the ‘Biden 100’ series, Jack Walker looks at the approval rating of the new president. Biden ranks highly in the opinions of non-white Americans, young people and college students, but his average rating, 57%, falls short of Obama, George W Bush, and Reagan.
Dr Stella Perrott looks at the pandemic and poverty. Although there are some exceptions, the poorest countries of the world are most affected by coronavirus
Noelle O Connell, chief executive of European Movement Ireland, looks at the recent polling results in Ireland. Support for the EU is still strong, but there is divided opinion on other policy areas.
Sue Wilson explains the impact the pandemic has had on the tourism industry in Spain. It has been devastating, but they have the support of the EU.
Anzac biscuits have long been associated with the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. They’re easy to make and keep well.
Kerry Pearson and Jack Walker write about the charges brought against Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd. The jury unanimously found him guilty and he could be sentenced up to forty years in prison.
In Russia and the UK, nationalism, authoritarianism and extraction economics is a dangerous combination. It’s therefore vitally important that we resist every step on the dangerous journey away from an open society. Before it’s too late.
Edward McMillan-Scott lays out the reasons countries should boycott the Beijing Winter Olympics. The country is guilty of all five acts of genocide, and persecution continues to spread across the region.
Andy Brown reveals the dangers of mining the ocean. Environmental damage in the sea is difficult to clean, and oil and gas extraction is a threat to sea wildlife. If we want to pass on a healthy ocean to younger generations, change must happen.
Granville Williams writes about the Amazon vote which was given to workers who voiced their discontentment with their treatment and working conditions. The ballot, however, was run in a way which made it difficult for workers to vote, and was ultimately a setback for trade unionism.
James Powell reviews the hit Netflix documentary Seaspiracy and reviews the harmful impact of fishing on English and international water. Fishing has received subsidies for years, perhaps this money should go to ocean conservation rather than ocean destruction?
Aidan Enright describes his battle, as an Irish in Britain, between his ‘British’ and ‘Irish’ identity. After being submerged in both cultures, he feels drawn to both. After heavy debate around Brexit in Britain though, he often yearns for his Irish home.
Andy Brown explains how changes in human life, such as removing large areas of forests, has put us closer to wildlife and therefore pandemics and natural disasters. Human-induced climate crises must be taken seriously by politicians around the world.
Kerry Pearson explains the significance of the new voting law in Georgia; Biden said it rings of Jim Crow, with the requirement of ID and shorter voting hours.
Olivier Trouille, who has dual nationality, looks at what options UK citizens have for maintaining freedom of movement.
Granville Williams on the background to the fiercely fought battle to organise an American Amazon warehouse. The insistence on speed and surveillance of Amazon workers has led to global media coverage.
With the UK officially removed from the EU’s Erasmus Plus scheme, Prof. Juliet Lodge asks whether these benefits are gone for good. With Erasmus Plus lost, can the UK truly remain the educational powerhouse that it once was, and will our soft power be forever diminished?
Jack Walker, for the Biden 100 series, lays out Biden’s new infrastructure plan. The policy will hopefully pull America out of recession and boost the economy.
Marc Limon explains how the BBC could be used as a model for rejuvenating civil society and the digital world, so that it can be used to improve democracy and human rights.
Michael Hindley explains the system of German elections. The CDU, and its leader, Angela Merkel, are not doing as well as before. Who will be the next CDU leader? And is there set to be a coalition?
This PhD student was refused entry to Sweden due to the bureaucratic obstacles created by Brexit. Moving to an EU country as a third-country national is not a simple process, as UK citizens are now discovering.
Kerry Pearson explains the signifiance of recent legislation in America which will grant immigrants, Dreamers and farmers with citizenship and residency. A triumph for Dreamers who have waited decades for recognition of their status.
Stella Perrott lays out the benefits of immigration to the UK, and explains what this will look like post-Brexit. Broadening the immigration pool across the globe will lead to exploitation of the less-well-developed nations, as they provide the UK with their skills and talents, but receive little in return.
Charlie McCarthy explains what impact the chancellor’s cuts to the aid budget will have on organisations like VSO. The charity’s international programs will be halted and UK communities will be harmed as they can no longer volunteer.