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London mayor Sadiq Khan (Photo by Justin Tallis - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Sadiq Khan backs cannabis decriminalisation
May 28, 2025
LONDON mayor Sadiq Khan has endorsed calls for the partial decriminalisation of cannabis possession, citing evidence that current laws cause more harm to society than the drug's usage while disproportionately affecting black communities.
The recommendation comes from the independent London Drugs Commission, chaired by former Labour cabinet minister Lord Falconer, which published a comprehensive report on Wednesday (28) examining cannabis policing worldwide.
"I've long been clear that we need fresh thinking on how to reduce the substantial harms associated with drug-related crime in our communities," Khan was quoted as saying, describing the report as providing "a compelling, evidence-based case" for reform.
The commission recommended removing natural cannabis from the Misuse of Drugs Act, where it currently sits as a Class B substance alongside drugs like ketamine, and instead maintaining it under the Psychoactive Substances Act. This would effectively decriminalise possession of small amounts for personal use while keeping production and distribution illegal.
Lord Falconer said that "continuing to have possession as a crime meant continuing have problems between the police and ethnic communities."
The report found that cannabis policing "continues to focus on particular ethnic communities," with stop-and-search powers most commonly initiated based on "the smell of cannabis" and used disproportionately against young black men.
"The law treats cannabis the same as a whole range of much more serious drugs," Falconer argued. "The right course now, we think, is keep dealing criminal but make sure that possession is not a crime."
However, the proposal has met fierce resistance from government and opposition politicians. Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner stated categorically that the recommendations were "not the government position and we are not going to be changing our policy."
A Home Office spokesperson reinforced this stance, saying: "We have no intention of reclassifying cannabis from a Class B substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act. We will continue to work with partners across health, policing and wider public services to drive down drug use."
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp launched a scathing attack on the proposal, warning: "Cannabis is associated with anti-social behaviour and heavy use can lead to serious psychosis and severe mental health problems. US and Canadian cities which tried this approach have ended up as crime-ridden ghettos with stupefied addicts on the streets and law-abiding citizens frightened to go there."
David Raynes from the National Prevention of Drugs Alliance argued that reducing legal consequences would wrongly signal that "cannabis was less harmful."
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley maintained neutrality, saying that drug laws were "a matter for parliament" while noting that "drugs being at the centre of a lot of crime" with "drug dealing so linked to violence."
The commission's report, compiled with evidence from over 200 international experts, found that current sentencing for cannabis possession "cannot be justified when balanced against the longer-term impacts" of criminal justice involvement. It noted that while cannabis can be addictive, those suffering adverse effects "need reliable, consistent medical and other support."
The report made 42 recommendations, including improved addiction services, better education programmes, and fair access to medical cannabis.
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The incident in Liverpool city centre on Monday was believed to be isolated and not terrorism-related, according to police.
Police granted more time to question Liverpool parade crash suspect
May 28, 2025
POLICE have been given extra time to question a 53-year-old man arrested after a car crashed into a crowd of soccer fans during a parade in Liverpool, injuring dozens.
"The investigation team have today been granted further time to continue questioning him in police custody, which will remain in place until tomorrow," Merseyside Police said on Wednesday.
Seven people remain in hospital in a stable condition following the incident on Monday, police said.
The incident in Liverpool city centre on Monday was believed to be isolated and not terrorism-related, according to police.
They said the driver of the grey Ford Galaxy involved in the crash had followed an ambulance into a closed street when a road block was lifted to let paramedics attend to a suspected heart attack victim.
Videos online showed the car driving through a street full of fans, sending some into the air and dragging at least four people under the vehicle.
When the car stopped, people surrounded it and began smashing its windows as police tried to keep them away from the driver.
Police said 50 people, including children, had been treated for their injuries.
King Charles, currently visiting Canada, said he was "deeply shocked and saddened to hear of the terrible events."
Princess Anne visited medics who had treated some of the injured at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital.
With many people off work for the Spring Bank Holiday, officials estimated about 1 million people had gathered along the 10-mile (16 km) parade route to watch the Liverpool team on an open-top bus with the Premier League trophy.
Liverpool had last won the league in 2020, but fans could not celebrate at the time due to pandemic lockdowns.
Police said the car struck the crowd as the parade was finishing. A Reuters photographer saw emergency services carrying victims to ambulances on stretchers and in their arms.
One source told MailOnline the driver appeared to panic when he realised he was in the crowd and people started hitting his car.
According to reports from other witnesses, the driver sounded his horn, reversed, and then accelerated forward.
(With inputs from agencies)
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This omicron subvariant has been detected in several US states
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New Covid variant 'NB.1.8.1' spreading across US following surge in Asia
May 28, 2025
A new Covid variant originating in Asia is now spreading across the United States, raising questions about its impact and how widely it has spread. Known as NB.1.8.1, this omicron subvariant has been detected in several US states following a recent surge in cases in China. Despite its presence, another strain, LP.8.1, which descends from JN.1, remains the dominant variant in the country at present.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is closely monitoring NB.1.8.1 and maintains regular communication with international health authorities. An agency spokesperson confirmed to The Independent that while the CDC is aware of cases linked to NB.1.8.1 in China, there have been too few sequences identified in the US for it to appear on official federal variant tracking dashboards. However, the variant’s spread has caused significant increases in hospital admissions and emergency room visits in parts of Asia, prompting public health officials to watch its progression carefully.
What is NB.1.8.1 and where is it spreading?
NB.1.8.1 is classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a SARS-CoV-2 variant under monitoring. The WHO currently tracks six such variants globally, including NB.1.8.1, which has been detected in 22 countries to date. In the US, confirmed cases have appeared in New York, California, Arizona, Ohio and Rhode Island, according to data collected by local health departments in collaboration with the CDC’s airport testing partner, Ginkgo Bioworks.
Although numbers remain low in the US, the WHO has noted a marked increase in the variant’s prevalence internationally from late March to April, suggesting it is gaining a foothold in various regions.
How concerning is NB.1.8.1?
At the global level, the WHO currently assesses the public health risk from NB.1.8.1 as low. Despite its spread, there is no evidence to suggest that this variant causes more severe illness than those already circulating.
The WHO statement clarifies that although there has been a rise in cases and hospitalisations in countries where NB.1.8.1 is common, it does not appear to increase disease severity compared with other variants.
However, NB.1.8.1 may have an advantage in transmissibility. Scientific studies indicate that this variant binds more effectively to human cells, potentially making it easier to spread from person to person. Subhash Verma, professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, told CBS News that the data shows NB.1.8.1 is more transmissible but does not result in more severe illness than previous variants.
Are current Covid vaccines effective against NB.1.8.1?
Yes, experts expect the Covid vaccines currently authorised in the US to remain effective against NB.1.8.1, particularly in preventing severe disease. Vaccination continues to be a crucial tool in managing the pandemic and reducing hospitalisations and deaths.
However, vaccine availability in the US faces new challenges. Recently, health officials announced that Covid vaccines for healthy children and pregnant women have been removed from the CDC’s recommended immunisation schedule. Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated it will continue to approve vaccine updates for older adults and people with underlying health conditions. These approvals will require vaccine manufacturers to carry out extensive new clinical trials before wider use is permitted.
This shift has raised concerns among public health experts. Dr Paul Offit, a vaccine specialist at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, told The Associated Press that limiting vaccine access could reduce availability and insurance coverage. He questioned how pharmacists would determine eligibility for those considered high-risk, warning this could make vaccination less accessible.
What should the public know?
For now, people in the US can still receive Covid vaccines, including updated booster shots where eligible. Despite the removal of certain groups from the recommended schedule, vaccinations remain a key defence against severe outcomes from Covid infections, including variants like NB.1.8.1.
Health authorities continue to monitor the evolving situation closely, particularly given the variant’s increased transmissibility. While NB.1.8.1 has not demonstrated more severe disease, its ability to spread more easily underscores the ongoing importance of vaccination, testing, and public health measures to limit transmission.
As with all emerging variants, ongoing surveillance and research will be essential to understand its full impact and to inform appropriate responses in the US and globally.
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Lotus Care denied all the allegations and stated that they adhered to industry and legal standards of the sector
BBC
Care firm accused of exploiting migrant workers, charging £10,000 for free visas
May 28, 2025
Lotus Care, which operates 10 care homes across north-west England, allegedly forced employees to work double shifts due to staff shortages. Workers were reportedly denied sick leave and standard pay. Those who raised complaints were threatened with deportation.
Some migrant workers said they paid up to £10,000 to agencies for visas or placements, an eight-month long BBC investigation revealed.
The investigation found that a Merseyside-based agency arranging their jobs extracted thousands of pounds from them, despite promising free work visas—charging workers for a licence is illegal. According to government regulations, the employer must cover the £284 cost for a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
Lotus Care denied all allegations, stating that its recruitment processes strictly adhere to industry standards and legal requirements. The company said it is committed to the highest ethical standards and was unaware of any visa fees paid by workers, claiming it paid the Home Office directly for all paperwork.
However, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) found that five of the company’s facilities were rated inadequate in recent years. Since 2022, the CQC has documented multiple failings, including one incident in Liverpool where patients reportedly went unbathed for four weeks.
The firm says it is working to resolve the issues raised, and inspectors noted improvements in two of its homes in the past 12 months.
“There’s constant pressure and a climate of fear because management use the threat of cancelling visas and deporting staff to silence complaints,” said one male migrant worker. A female worker added that she could no longer bear the mental stress.
The BBC also reviewed messages from Lotus Care’s management WhatsApp group, through which migrant staff were informed that their CoS was being revoked.
If a CoS is cancelled, an employee has 60 days to find a new sponsor before facing deportation.
Requests for sick leave during extreme heat were reportedly dismissed as “unacceptable”, and workers with fever were advised simply to take paracetamol.
Lotus Care denied these claims as well, stating that the allegations were based on selected messages circulated by disgruntled former staff.
However, several senior figures within the company have been implicated in the claims, supported by migrant testimonies, leaked messages, and phone recordings.
“Allegations of visa abuse are taken incredibly seriously and will always be investigated thoroughly,” said a Home Office official.
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At least 54,056 people might have lost their lives in Israel-Gaza conflict
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Hundreds of legal experts urge sanctions on Israel over Gaza conflict
May 28, 2025
Hundreds of lawyers have asked the UK government to come forward and put an end to the crisis in Gaza, using all their available means. They have urged the government to review the trade ties with Israel and impose sanctions as well as travel bans on Israeli ministers.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer received a 36-page letter signed and submitted by around 828 UK-based legal experts including former Supreme Court justices, on Monday. The group of legal experts consisted of former Supreme Court Justices Lord Wilson, former chair of the Criminal Bar Association of England and Wales, Lord Sumption, and Andrew Hall KC along with many professors from Oxford and Cambridge universities.
The letter reminded that “genocide is being perpetrated in Gaza” through the restriction of food and aid by Israel. Their new military has also murdered hundreds of Palestinians in the past fortnight. It also pointed put that this is a serious violation of international law.
The letter states all the countries including the UK are legally obliges to “prevent and punish genocide.” It also reminded the PM regarding Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's statement expressing their intention to “take control of all the territory of the Gaza Strip and conquer, cleanse and stay – until Hamas is destroyed."
Thus, the letter demands UK as a permanent member on the UN Security Council, to initiate proceedings that will result in the suspension of a member state.
Israel’s strong denial of these allegations are now studies by the International Court of Justice.
Israel’s western allies and its latest military offensive received massive criticism from mid-May, soon after the blockade. The letter came into the picture amidst this wave of criticism. The UK, France and Canada also issued a joint statement of disapproval last week, towards Israel’s increased military operations in Gaza.
Israeli PM Netanyahu criticized the British, French and Canadian leaders in return for supporting Hamas. The offensive was an attempt to free the 58 hostages held by the group, added Netanyahu.
However, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy opines that this act is “morally unjustifiable.” Therefore UK paused trade deal talks, summoned Israel’s ambassador and imposed fresh sanctions on West Bank settlers last week.
Yet, Netanyahu has announced their Insrael’s decision to take over the Gaza Strip and displace thee residents from the north to the south. At least a 100 Gazans were killed per day, in the first week’s attack for the same, as per Hamas-run rescue authorities and health ministry.
The Hamas-run rescue authorities informed that the war began in October 2023, in which1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage. Since then, at least 54,056 people might have lost their lives.
Germany and Finland also responded saying Israel must allow humanitarian aid into Gaza immediately.
Sweden has summoned the Israeli ambassador to its foreign ministry, asking to “ensure safe and unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza as well.” They said Israel has all the right to defend itself but "the current way the war is waged is unacceptable".
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