Numbers surge of those seeking help for gambling problems
In 2023, a record-breaking 52,000 individuals contacted the National Gambling Helpline for assistance with gambling issues, a significant increase from the 42,000 in 2022. This surge included concerns about others' gambling habits, particularly noted during the Christmas season. Television viewing for some addicts has become challenging due to rampant gambling ads. Additionally, 7,000 people downloaded the Gamban app, which blocks online gambling access and offers addiction combat advice. Gamban criticised the targeting of self-excluded gamblers by unregulated casinos.The software is designed to be hard to uninstall to support recovery. Ciarán Kelly of the Christian Institute urged the government to tackle the root causes. Samantha Turton of GamCare noted a 'landmark climb' in people seeking early intervention for gambling addiction, indicating both concern and hope.
Ukraine: drones touted as key to future success
Ukrainian commander-in-chief Valerii Zaluzhny has highlighted the use of drones as a way of countering Russia's military advantage and altering the course of the war. Russia has also continued to attack Ukraine with drones and missiles, but it has failed to capture new territory despite its superior resources. Recent Ukrainian successes which illustrate the potency of drones include sinking a Russian warship and strikes on airfields and an oil refinery. Ukraine expects to exploit this technological advantage by producing millions more drones. Meanwhile, although the EU finally approved a €50 billion aid package for Ukraine on 2 February, this is seen as only a small step: see
Russia: villagers’ lives threatened by landfill
Novaya Urada, a village in the North Caucasus republic of Dagestan, has deep roots in livestock farming and each year draws tourists hoping to photograph a vibrant poppy field nearby. However, responding to an escalating rubbish crisis, the authorities have started work on a landfill site near the village, expected to receive 300 tons of non-recyclable rubbish a year - even though there will also be three new waste-processing facilities in the republic this year. Despite initial assurances that they had nothing to worry about, residents are fighting determinedly against the dump, citing lack of consultation and environmental impact assessment. They say that construction has already destroyed the beloved poppy field and is threatening the nearby Sarykum Dune, home to rare flora and fauna.
Gaza: Israel rejects Hamas’ peace proposals
On 7 February Benjamin Netanyahu rejected Hamas's proposed ceasefire deal, describing their demands as ‘bizarre’. Talks persist, but Israeli officials are vehemently opposed to Hamas's attempt to end the conflict on their terms. The proposed deal aimed for a 45-day ceasefire, followed by exchanges of prisoners and hostages and an Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu claimed that achieving ‘total victory’ in Gaza within months is possible, and announced preparations for potential Israeli operations in Rafah. His comments are a blow to a sustained push by the US to reach a deal which its top diplomat, Antony Blinken, described as ‘the best path forward’. They also highlighted the fundamental mismatch between the US and Israel's plans for Gaza's future. The immediate challenge now is salvaging talks to facilitate hostage exchanges and a desperately needed humanitarian pause, to allow more aid into Gaza.
