British drug dealing gangs are moving off the streets and into vulnerable people’s homes to conduct illegal operations, a rising trend known as “cuckooing,” according to reports from The Guardian. The insidious practice involves criminal networks taking over domestic properties through exploitation and intimidation.
How Cuckooing Targets Vulnerable Populations in Domestic Properties
Cuckooing involves sexual and financial grooming, targeting disabled and mentally ill individuals, people in private rented properties in affluent neighborhoods, and even relatives or carers of gang members, as reported by The Guardian. According to Insp Andrew Cameron of Operation Pantera, an initiative tackling the problem in London, one case involved a nephew who cuckooed his aunt’s house for a south London drug gang. In another instance, a care worker cuckooed the patient’s home, where the victim was tortured with cigarette burns and beaten by drug dealers.
Did you know?
Gen Z Undertakers Entering the Funeral Industry
Young professionals are increasingly entering the funeral industry, inspired by unexpected digital platforms. Emily, a 20-year-old undertaker featured in a Dispatch report, pursued her career after watching a TikTok video and has never looked back.
When socializing on nights out in Liverpool, young men are usually shocked when they find out that Emily’s “body count” refers not to the number of people she has slept with, but to the number she has laid to rest, according to the Dispatch. “They say: ‘I’m a bit scared. Are you gonna bury me?’” Emily said.
Imprisoned Americans Abroad: The Case of David Barnes
Custody disputes can cross international borders with severe diplomatic and personal consequences. David Barnes, a Texan father, is currently held in a Russian prison after traveling across the world on a long-shot mission to rescue his children, who were abducted and brought to Russia by his ex-wife after she lost a custody case, according to Texas Monthly.
Last winter, Barnes described his deteriorating condition during phone calls with Texas Monthly from prison. He stated that he had lost 25 pounds and half his teeth over the previous four years, describing the situation as “hell.” Barnes asked the publication to convey a direct message to American officials who he believes have abandoned him: “Just print that I need help.”
Wildlife Conservation Success During Fat Bear Week
Annual ecological traditions can capture public attention while highlighting functioning ecosystems. Fat Bear Week involves the public voting on which brown bear in an Alaskan national park has gained the most weight—signifying success and health—before winter hibernation, as reported by National Geographic.
With plenty of salmon to go around, 2025’s bears have been even chunkier than usual. “The bears are extremely fat this year, and I’m looking forward to seeing how people react to how fat they are,” said Fitz, according to National Geographic. In a world where “things suck for wildlife and ecosystems around the world,” Fitz noted that Fat Bear Week provides a temporary antidote, spotlighting a fully intact ecosystem with thriving wildlife.
Mask Policies and Community Debates in Public Spaces
Public health measures continue to generate intense debate in local establishments. A lesbian bar in Massachusetts made headlines worldwide after announcing that masks would be optional for one night each week, according to The Boston Globe.
The policy announcement sparked an online discussion thread that grew to 442 comments, featuring a mix of supportive voices and furious reactions. According to The Boston Globe, critics accused the bar’s management of being ableist and eugenicist for relaxing their signature mask policy.
Long-form journalism requires establishing deep interpersonal dynamics with subjects. Journalist Jonah Weiner, who spent 20 years working as a profile writer, shared insights in Black Bird Spy Plane regarding his experiences hanging out with famous figures, including a three-day stay at talk show host Jimmy Kimmel’s house.
“Spending time with somebody for a profile can create a singular kind of intensity, not least because, if you’re doing the job well, you find yourself asking them profoundly intimate questions, and they find themselves answering them,” Weiner wrote in Black Bird Spy Plane.
Archival Investigations: The Case of Don Miller
Historical investigations can uncover unexpected discoveries in residential areas. A 2021 Vanity Fair article examined the case of Don Miller, who in 2014 was found by the FBI at age 90 to have amassed thousands of human remains in his Indiana home, including over 2,000 human bones looted from Native American burial grounds.
“Miller opened the door. He was tall, thin, elderly, happy—eager, even—to invite them in,” Vanity Fair reported of the FBI’s arrival. Carpenter described descending the basement stairwell, stating that the room below felt as if it was expanding: “I just stopped. I stood there and looked around, like, You have got to be shitting me.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is cuckooing?
Cuckooing is a practice where British drug dealing gangs move off the streets and into the homes of vulnerable people—such as the disabled, mentally ill, or isolated individuals—to conduct illegal operations.
What is Fat Bear Week?
Fat Bear Week is an annual public voting tradition that highlights brown bears in an Alaskan national park based on how much weight they have gained before winter hibernation.
Why did David Barnes end up in a Russian prison?
David Barnes traveled to Russia after his ex-wife abducted their children and brought them there following a lost custody case; his rescue mission resulted in his imprisonment, according to Texas Monthly.
Explore More: Want to stay updated on the week’s most compelling investigative reporting and features? Leave a comment below or subscribe to our newsletter for weekly curated reads.