Thursday briefing: What would it take for streets to be safe for all?

Elon Musk's X will not face immediate action from the UK government regarding posts inciting violence in Northern Ireland, with a two-month delay expected before any potential measures are considered. This decision comes despite widespread condemnation of the platform's role in amplifying such content. The situation in Northern Ireland has been exacerbated by recent acts of violence, including the murder of Henry Nowak in Southampton and the stabbing of Stephen Ogilvie in Belfast, which have been exploited by far-right groups. These incidents have contributed to a climate of fear and insecurity, particularly for ethnic minority communities, with reports of families fleeing burning homes in Belfast and attacks on Black individuals in Glasgow. In parallel, the US has continued its strikes against targets in Iran for a second consecutive day, following threats from Donald Trump to escalate actions, as a two-month ceasefire in the region appears to be nearing collapse. Meanwhile, within UK politics, close aides to Keir Starmer are reportedly preparing for a potential leadership contest, anticipating a challenge from Andy Burnham upon his return to Westminster if he wins the Makerfield byelection.