Where No Mine Has Gone Before [Petition]

The world’s first deep sea mine project could go forward in Papua New Guinea, opening the floodgates to unknown risk of damage to our fragile ecosystem. But with domestic opposition surging and financing on the ropes, we can shut down the project before it begins and keep our oceans safe. 

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Is The EU Anywhere Near Getting Its Own Army?

British soldiers on exercises. Ben Birchall/PA Archive

By David J Galbreath, University of Bath and Simon J Smith, Staffordshire University

As part of a warning by a group of former military officers that the European Union undermines the UK’s military effectiveness, former General Sir Michael Rose expressed concern at the EU’s plan to set up its own army.

But in a speech on May 9 outlining why the UK would be more secure if it remained in the EU, the prime minister, David Cameron, said suggestions of an EU army were “fanciful” and that the UK would veto any suggestion of it.

As Cameron pointed out, there is a significant gap between the rhetoric and reality of the establishment of a fully functional European army.

The creation of a European army is a long way off and by no means inevitable. Even the most supportive nations, such as Germany, would acknowledge this reality.

Why Is The Academic Consensus On The Cost Of #Brexit Being Ignored?

A conservative estimate. EPA/Will Oliver/Pool

By Simon Wren-Lewis, University of Oxford

Two issues dominate the EU referendum debate: economics and immigration. When it comes to my field of economics, polling evidence suggests that if people became convinced that they would be worse off by leaving, even if it was by quite modest amounts such as £100 a year, the majority voting to remain would be pretty large. Studies by economists at the highly respected London School of Economics, National Institute of Economic and Social Research, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the Treasury all suggest that on average we would be worse off by an amount that is more than ten times that £100 figure.

What Science Fiction Tells Us About Our Trouble With AI

Mclek/Shutterstock

By Will Slocombe, University of Liverpool

Given that the reality of AI may be fast approaching, it’s of the utmost importance that we work out what might a future with artificial intelligence might look like. Last year, an open letter with signatories including Stephen Hawking and Nick Bostrom called for AI to be of demonstrable benefit to humanity, or risk something that exceeds our ability to control it.

New Mayor Sadiq Khan Bodes Well For London's Global Financial Status

Capital choice. Stefan Rousseau / PA Wire

By Nafis Alam, University of Nottingham

Promoting economic development and “wealth creation” is one of the London mayor’s three main functions – alongside taking care of the city’s social and environmental development. The fact that London regularly tops major rankings of global financial centres is a key pillar of the city’s wealth. It’s a reason why international companies establish headquarters in London, providing jobs and wealth to the UK capital. And the election of Sadiq Khan as mayor bodes well for maintaining London’s status as a global financial centre.

Khan’s manifesto gave some insights into his plans for London’s economic development. He emphasised infrastructure as his main priority – the need to work closely with Westminster to secure big projects and improve the transport networks that will be key for London’s expansion and economic growth.

#CelebratingArabWomen: The First Arab Women Empowerment Campaign

#CelebratingArabWomen: The First Arab Women Empowerment Campaign (PRNewsFoto/HALA AJAM)

Celebrity makeup artist Hala Ajam sends a message to Arab women with latest work

"Only yesterday, women were being told what to do and who to be. Today, here we are celebrating women's independence and individuality," says Hala Ajam about her latest campaign titled #CelebratingArabWomen 

The campaign features over twenty different Arab women from different social classes, occupations, religions, and walks of life, who all share a strong independence and freedom. The campaign aims to shed light on the diversity and solid individuality of Arab women.

Fact Check: Will UK Living Wage Cause Rampant EU Migration?

Stampede imminent? Lukasz Stefanski

By Ross Brown, University of St Andrews

The living wage is an excellent policy, but how will you stop it being a big pull factor for uncontrolled EU migration, given that it is far higher than minimum wages in other EU countries?

Boris Johnson speech from May 9

George Osborne’s living wage announcement in July of last year substantially increased the national minimum wage from £6.70/hour for over-25s then to £7.20/hour since April, with a target of £9.00/hour by 2020.

Minimum wages are now in operation in 26 out of the 34 OECD countries, and 22 out of 28 EU member states. Germany only joined the list in January 2015 with a minimum wage of €8.50 (£6.69), while some of the EU members without one – that’s Austria, Cyprus, Italy, Sweden, Finland and Denmark – have sector level collective agreements and wage floors.