THE NEW STATESMAN: The latest issue features a sharp analysis of contemporary culture, politics, and media by critiquing public backlash against authors like Sally Rooney, examining systemic censorship through Tanjil Rashid’s commentary, and exploring intellectual viewpoints like Carlo Rovelli’s shifting perspectives and Martin Lewis’s reflections on his role as a public advocate, while simultaneously addressing major geopolitical developments including how trauma shapes the upcoming Israeli election and what Katie Zacharia’s departure reveals about women in Donald Trump’s political orbit.

Sally Rooney is a writer, not a terrorist

An open letter to the government from leading authors, artists and public figures. By New Statesman

Sally Rooney is a writer, not a terrorist. Her books must be available to the public. Their withdrawal from sale, on the basis of ill-conceived and draconian anti-terror legislation, is an affront to basic principles of free speech and expression so long taken for granted in this country. We categorically reject censorship – whether direct or indirect – and urge the government to change course, amending the legislation which has led us to this point of repressive absurdity.

This is censorship by other means

The Sally Rooney affair shows how laws meant to target terrorism now suppress the freedom to dissent. By Tanjil Rashid

Carlo Rovelli’s flitting perspectives

Science’s leading evangelist challenges what we think we know – about the laws of physics and of human conflict. By Ray Monk

Martin Lewis: “I get criticised that I’m a sticking plaster”

How Martin Lewis became the real shadow chancellor. By Anoosh Chakelian