The move to restrict exports of the important rare earth metals that China has a 90% monopoly on has provoked Trump to declare a 100% tariff on Chinese exports and other retaliatory measures, reports DYLAN MURPHY

ON February 13, a car tragically ploughed into a peaceful demonstration by public-sector workers in Munich. Among the 39 injured, a woman and her two-year-old daughter unfortunately lost their lives.
The demonstration, organised by the Ver.di trade union, was aimed at highlighting the growing crisis in Germany’s public sector. But as the story unfolded, British media’s focus shifted away from the issues it was protesting, towards the background of the perpetrator, an Afghan national with a valid German residence and work permit, as well as to whether the attack was an act of religious terrorism, despite no evidence linking the offender to a jihadist group.
By the end of February 13, reference to Ver.di was often forgotten by much of British media and in some news items there was no reference to how the attack was on trade union activists altogether.

The basic human requirement of having a roof over one’s head is being undermined by West Northamptonshire Council – but local anti-cuts campaigners are rising above the divisive Farageist rhetoric to build unity and fight back, reports DAVID CONWAY

DAVID CONWAY explores how trades councils uniquely bring together diverse local groups to tackle everything from domestic abuse to green campaigns, but warns they must attract younger delegates and use social media more effectively

