The Guardian · 21 Jun, 05:00
Ebbw Vale, a Welsh town that strongly backed Brexit, struggles with a lack of jobs and economic growth despite receiving significant EU funding and investment in regeneration projects. Many residents regret their decision to leave the EU, citing the negative impact on trade, investment, and living standards.
Ebbw Vale, a town in Wales, voted strongly in favor of Brexit in 2016, with 62% of voters supporting leave. Despite receiving significant EU funding for regeneration projects after the local steelworks closed in 2002, the town continues to struggle with a lack of jobs and economic growth. The area has become a commuter town, with many residents traveling to Cardiff for work. The town has seen some new businesses and investments, including a cybersecurity research center and tech firms, but these have not yet made a tangible difference to residents dealing with the cost of living crisis.
Why it matters: The struggles of Ebbw Vale highlight the complexities of the Brexit vote and its ongoing impact on communities that supported it. The town's experience suggests that EU funding did not necessarily translate to long-term economic benefits, and that the UK's departure from the EU has exacerbated existing economic challenges. The shift in support towards Plaid Cymru and away from Labour in the area also underscores the changing political landscape in Wales.
18,000: the population of Ebbw Vale; 62%: the proportion of voters in Ebbw Vale who voted leave in the 2016 EU referendum; 2002: the year the Ebbw Vale steelworks closed; 2015: the year a new railway station opened at the site of the former steelworks; 870: the net gain of local businesses in Blaenau Gwent over the past 10 years; 3.2%: the proportion of Blaenau Gwent's population born abroad; £100m: the value of the Welsh government's tech valleys programme.
What the Brexit vote showed was the depth of despair and how people felt left behind. I think now, with more information available and a lot more engagement on the subject, a lot of people here now regret that decision. - Lindsay Whittle, Plaid Cymru representative
The Guardian · 21 Jun, 05:00
Colombians are set to vote in a presidential runoff election between far-right candidate Abelardo de la Espriella and left-wing senator Iván Cepeda, with the outcome potentially shifting the country's approach to its decades-long armed conflict. De la Espriella has vowed to abandon President Gustavo Petro's 'total peace' plan and return to full-scale military confrontation with armed groups.
The Colombian presidential runoff election is scheduled to take place on Sunday, with Abelardo de la Espriella and Iván Cepeda as the two candidates. De la Espriella, a far-right lawyer and millionaire businessman, has promised to abandon President Gustavo Petro's 'total peace' plan, which aimed to negotiate the disarmament of all criminal organizations. Cepeda, Petro's chosen successor and the main architect of 'total peace', argues for the continuation of the plan with 'necessary changes'. The election comes as the country's armed conflict is at its most violent point since the 2016 peace agreement with the Farc.
Why it matters: The outcome of the election could significantly impact Colombia's approach to its armed conflict, with De la Espriella's victory potentially leading to a return to full-scale military confrontation and Cepeda's victory potentially continuing the 'total peace' plan. This election is also seen as part of a broader trend of far-right victories in Latin America. The result could also influence the country's social programs and economic policies, as Cepeda's backer Petro has expanded social programs and increased the minimum wage, leading to a decrease in poverty rates.
41 million: the number of Colombians eligible to vote; 2016: the year of the landmark peace agreement between the government and most of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc); 2012: the starting year of poverty rate records; 90 days: the timeframe De la Espriella initially promised to restore state control over territories dominated by criminal groups (later backtracking); 10: the number of major narcoterrorist and organised crime leaders De la Espriella aims to 'capture or kill' in his first three months in office.
I never said I would solve the security problem in 90 days.
The Guardian · 21 Jun, 05:00
A survey by the European Council on Foreign Relations found that two-thirds of EU citizens support the UK rejoining the bloc, while most UK voters believe Brexit has had a negative impact and want closer ties with the EU.
A survey conducted by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) across 15 EU countries found that 66% of respondents believe UK membership in the EU is a good idea. In the UK, the survey found that voters across party lines believe Brexit has had a negative impact on the country, particularly on issues such as the cost of living, economy, and youth opportunity. The survey also found that 75% of UK respondents want a closer relationship with the EU, and 63% would accept freedom of movement in exchange for closer trading ties.
Why it matters: The survey's findings are significant because they suggest a shift in public opinion in both the EU and the UK towards a closer relationship between the two. This could have implications for future UK-EU relations and potentially even the UK's rejoining the EU. The survey's results also highlight the negative impact of Brexit on the UK, according to UK voters.
66% of EU citizens support the UK rejoining the bloc, 75% of UK respondents want a closer relationship with the EU, 63% of UK respondents would accept freedom of movement in exchange for closer trading ties, 66% of UK respondents believe Brexit has had a negative impact on the cost of living, 65% on the economy.
“Brexit was the insurgent vehicle for a nation rejecting the status quo,” said Mark Leonard, the director of the ECFR. “A decade on, Brits realise their hopes for a better life outside the EU are unfulfilled and Brexit is undermining the UK’s ability to manage the issues they care about most.”
Ars Technica · 20 Jun, 11:15
The UK government plans to use facial age estimation technology to determine the age of asylum seekers, despite an internal report showing the technology is flawed and prone to bias. This move could have significant consequences for asylum seekers who may be incorrectly classified as adults or children.
The UK government is planning to introduce facial age estimation technology to help determine the age of asylum seekers arriving at the UK's border. This technology uses AI to scan a person's face and estimate their age. The move is believed to be the first time such a system has been used for this purpose. Many asylum seekers arriving in the UK do not have documents proving their age, and if children are incorrectly classified as adults, they can be stripped of some legal protections and placed in adult-only detention centers.
Why it matters: The use of facial age estimation technology in this context is significant because it could have life-changing consequences for asylum seekers. If the technology incorrectly classifies children as adults, they may lose access to certain protections and be placed in adult-only detention centers. The technology's flaws and biases raise questions about its effectiveness and suitability for high-stakes scenarios.
NPR News · 20 Jun, 20:33
The US Department of Justice has issued a memo that has sparked fear among disability advocates that the government may be moving towards re-institutionalizing disabled Americans. The memo challenges long-standing civil rights protections that prioritize community-based care over institutionalization.
The US Department of Justice has issued a memo that has raised concerns among disability advocates. The memo appears to challenge civil rights protections that have long treated institutionalization of disabled Americans as a last resort. These protections have been in place to ensure that disabled individuals are not unnecessarily placed in institutions and are instead provided with community-based care. The memo has sparked fear that the government may be moving towards re-institutionalizing disabled Americans.
Why it matters: This development is significant because it could potentially reverse decades of progress in disability rights. The fear is that disabled Americans may be forced back into institutions, which can be isolating and restrictive, rather than being able to live in their communities with support. This could have a profound impact on the lives of disabled individuals and their families.
NPR News · 20 Jun, 12:00
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, part of President Trump's beautification project, has developed a robust algae bloom despite a $14 million investment. The pool was treated with a special coating and painted 'American flag blue'.
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, a part of President Trump's beautification project, has become plagued with a robust algae bloom. The pool was given a special coating and painted 'American flag blue' as part of the $14 million project. Despite these efforts, the pool has still developed a significant algae problem.
Why it matters: This is significant because it highlights the challenges of maintaining large-scale public projects, even with significant investment. The algae bloom suggests that aesthetic improvements may not be enough to overcome environmental issues.
$14 million
NPR News · 20 Jun, 10:45
The Little Sisters of St. Francis in Uganda, who have spent their lives helping others as teachers and healthcare advocates, are now in need of assistance as they age. The question remains as to who will provide care for them in their twilight years.
The Little Sisters of St. Francis in Uganda have dedicated their lives to serving others as teachers, healthcare advocates, and more. As they age, they require assistance with daily tasks and care. The organization is now facing the challenge of finding caregivers to support its elderly sisters. The sisters have spent their lives helping others, but now they are in need of help themselves.
Why it matters: This story highlights the often-overlooked issue of elderly care for religious sisters who have devoted their lives to serving others. As the sisters age, it is essential to ensure they receive the care and support they need. The situation raises questions about the social and economic systems in place to support aging religious sisters.