News Discussions

What are the potential benefits and challenges of Bangladesh using nuclear power for its energy needs?

How can South Africa address tensions between locals and immigrants while ensuring safety for everyone?

Anti-immigrant attacks and protests in South Africa

How can we improve the children's social care system to better meet the needs of kids and families?

Fixing the children’s social care market: Recommendations melissa.ittoo Thu, 30/04/2026 - 14:26 28 Report chapter Amber Dellar Institute for Government Yes Public services Social care Education and skills Local government Public sector Public spending Labour Starmer government Department for Education No Many children live in placements that do not meet their needs. The government’s reforms are promising, but rely on more joined-up public services. There is a profound mismatch between the supply of care placements for children and demand for them. As a result, some children go without appropriate care, quality varies sharply by postcode and the system has become financially unsustainable. With limited power to shape the market, councils must contend with some providers opening in unsuitable areas, delivering unlawful care that councils feel they have limited choice but to use, and setting excessive prices. But local authorities could do more to close the gap, by: developing better forecasting capabilityinvesting in preventionproviding foster carers with a more comprehensive support offerinvesting more in their own provision. These actions require upfront (and, in most cases, ongoing) investment, which is incredibly difficult for councils to scrape together, given the deep cuts made to their funding since 2010. The government’s children’s social care reforms, 4 Department for Education, Keeping Children Safe, Helping Families Thrive, CP 1200, The Stationery Office, 2024, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67375fe5ed0fc07b53499a42/Keeping_Children_Safe_Helping_Families_Thrive_.pdf announced at the end of 2024 and informed by recommendations from the CMA and the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care, 5 Competition and Markets Authority, Children’s Social Care Market Study: Final report, GOV.UK, 2022, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6228726cd3bf7f158c844f65/Final_report.pdf; MacAlister J, The Independent Review of Children’s Social Care

What measures can be taken to address the underlying issues related to gun violence while ensuring community safety and rights?

Matt equivocates and Walter does not as news of the Renee Good shooting comes in. Plus, a surprise new novel

How can we work together to address the growing hunger crisis affecting many countries?

By Crispian Balmer ROME, April 24 (Reuters) - Conflict, drought and shrinking aid will keep global hunger at critical levels in 2026, with food insecurity expected to worsen in some of the world's most fragile countries, according to the 2026 Global Report on Food Crises. The 10th edition of the hunger monitor, published by a coalition of development and humanitarian organisations, said that acute hunger had doubled over the past decade with two famines declared last year for the first time in the report's history - in Gaza and Sudan

What should our community do to prevent future mine accidents and protect workers' safety?

The mine gave way after heavy rains on Wednesday, a local rebel spokesman says

How can we better protect people from scams that use fake court orders to ask for money?

The fraudulent court orders would instruct victims to transfer money to a bank account to avoid legal action

How should sports organizations support athletes facing threats for their beliefs?

Iran state TV presenter has threatened women's national team for not singing anthem at opening AFC Cup match

What are the potential impacts of newspaper closures on local communities and civic engagement?

Newspaper’s closure follows two decades of financial losses totaling over $350m and legal ruling favoring its union

What are the benefits and challenges of paying ex-gang members to help reduce crime in our communities?

Illinois pays former gang members to prevent shootings in Chicago. Critics say the billion-dollar experiment has become a revolving door for crime, writes Olivia Reingold

How can media outlets improve accuracy and accountability in reporting to better serve public understanding?

European population figures | Alex Mahon

How can we improve fact-checking to reduce the spread of misinformation during crises?

This commentary was published in commemoration of International Fact-Checking Day, held April 2 each year to recognize the work of fact-checkers worldwide. For much of the last decade, fact-checking organizations have […] The post Fact-checking has to go where misinformation actually spreads appeared first on Poynter