The last couple of years have seen the rise of a conspiracy theory like no other. Sweeping the fringes of the American far-right, QAnon has garnered worldwide attention. Often labelled a cult, its followers believe in a secrete cabal of Satan-worshipping, cannibalistic paedophiles who are running a global child sex trafficking ring. Accused of being…
Interview, Main Stories
“From day one, there has been a laissez-faire approach to the pandemic… Boris Johnson wanted to be popular and didn’t want to make those difficult choices”: an interview with Labour MP Clive Lewis
Disclaimer: the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this interview belong solely to Mr Clive Lewis MP. Clive Lewis, Labour MP for Norwich South since 2015 and former candidate for leader of the party in 2020. A politician with strong views and someone who is not afraid to hold back, even if at times that…
![“I can’t get back to see [my family]… if I return I will be executed”: an interview with Iranian journalist Babak Taghvaee](https://i0.wp.com/www.concrete-online.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/1200px-Flag_of_Iran.svg_-1.png?fit=560%2C320&ssl=1)
Interview
“I can’t get back to see [my family]… if I return I will be executed”: an interview with Iranian journalist Babak Taghvaee
It has been nine years since Iranian military aviation journalist Babak Taghvaee was arrested in his home country, accused of being a spy for a range of intelligence services. Forced to flee his native Iran and leave behind his beloved family, Babak has since lived a life many of us could not imagine. Babak’s career…
Sport
Was it a case of too much, too soon for Frank Lampard?
Recent years have seen a trend in employing club legends at the helm of big football clubs. The appointments of Ole Gunnar Solskjær at Manchester United, Mikel Arteta at Arsenal, Andrea Pirlo at Juventus, and Frank Lampard at Chelsea all raised eyebrows across the footballing world. After all, hiring former players will always carry the…
Global
Mario Draghi agrees to form new Italian government
Former European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi has accepted a request from Italy’s president to form a national unity government. Sergio Mattarella met with Draghi in Rome where the latter was asked to guide the country through the Covid-19 pandemic and the most severe economic crisis in Italian post-war history. The two met following the…
Interview
From crises in Kosovo and Kenya, to Jordan and Pakistan: an interview with World Food Programme aid worker Lindita Bare
Lindita Bare has been working for the World Food Programme for over 20 years, joining as an Albanian refugee support worker during the Kosovo Crisis. “This job is the best”, she tells me. “You are allowed to innovate; you are allowed to have good ideas. I would do it 100 times over”. Lindita has worked…
Global, Main Stories
Gulf countries restore diplomatic ties with Qatar
Saudi Arabia and its Arab allies have agreed to restore diplomatic relations with Qatar, ending a three-year boycott of the gas-rich state. Known as the Arab quartet, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt initially severed diplomatic ties with Doha in mid-2017 following accusations the state had been supporting terrorism. Qatar denies such…
Main Stories, News
Congress certifies Biden victory after capitol siege
Democrat Joe Biden was confirmed the presidential election winner by congress on January 7th, just hours after supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol in a bid to overturn the result. Following the removal of the violent mob, lawmakers in Washington D.C worked late into the night before officially announcing the victory of…
Main Stories, News
Post-Brexit trade deal agreement: what’s in it and what isn’t?
On December 24th 2020, the United Kingdom and European Union struck a historic trade agreement. Four and a half years after the Brexit referendum in 2016, the UK government announced: “we have taken back control of our money, borders, laws, trade, and our fishing waters”, while EU chief negotiator, Michel Barnier said: “Today is a…
Latest Comments