Animals have been “systematically mistreated” over several months in a slaughterhouse linked to the German company Mecke. According to animal rights activists from SOKO Tierschutz who released hidden camera footage yesterday, workers were seen beating a cow “to the bone” until unconscious as part of a suspected animal testing operation.

Veganism is on the rise in China, but what are the unique challenges faced by the country’s fledgling vegan society? We spoke to the CVS team about plant-based trends and championing animal justice within a unique cultural and political setting.

What makes a person get up before dawn, travel to an unremarkable factory outside Scunthorpe in the north of England with other activists and storm a rooftop, ‘lock on’ outside the gates or affix oneself to the top of a bamboo tower or van as part of a three-day blockade? We spoke to three activists to find out.

We talk to animal studies PhD student Simon Kleinert about his tattoos and how they reflect on veganism and the fight for animal liberation.

Animal and environmental justice group Animal Rebellion has targeted McDonald’s once again to demand it commit to transitioning to a plant-based menu by 2025. Activists have blockaded the fast-food giant’s only burger factory in the UK, disrupting the supply of three million cow patties per day to its UK franchises.

News recently broke of draft legislation that would ban the keeping of elephants in UK zoos. Unfortunately, following clarification from environment minister Zac Goldsmith, Defra has no such plans, yet ‘inside sources’ have hinted at growing concern within the government about zoos with a report on elephant welfare imminent.

STORIES: What makes someone go from a life of farming and commercial fishing to being a staunch vegan with a PETA membership? Phil Hatfield shares his story.

Matilda and her nine piglets have been saved from the slaughterhouse and are now a step closer to their forever home thanks to the work of animal rescuers, a grassroots pressure campaign and the huge outpouring of public support.

Next week, the leaders of the world’s seven biggest economies will gather in Cornwall for the G7 Summit. Animal activists will be there to greet them.

Many people aren’t aware of what snares are, or may immediately think of a type of drum. Simply put, snares are thin wire nooses designed to catch animals by tightening around their neck or leg. The animal is held by the snare until the person who set it returns to kill them, or they die of their injuries or are killed by a predator. They might escape, but if injured they may still die later of those injuries.

BREAKING NEWS: Activists from Animal Rebellion have this morning blockaded four distribution centres supplying what they say is around 1,300 McDonalds restaurants across the UK.

Campaigners are standing at the precipice of what they believe will be a landmark first legal action against any government. We caught up with Humane Being and the Scrap campaign who, together with co-claimant veterinarian Dr Alice Borough and with the help of high-profile human rights lawyer Michael Mansfield QC, have just issued a ‘last chance’ warning prior to launching a case that will finally hold to account the UK Government for the grave threat posed by factory farming.