In this week’s issueHow a convicted fraudster spun a Balkan web of offshore shell companies, illicit crypto-ATMs, and financial subterfuge to bankroll Reform UK’s eliteWhy Andy Burnham’s flagship ‘Manchesterism’ economic model is already being tested north of the border — and what its reality means for the rest of BritainHow the rise of Peru’s new president-elect is triggering fears of a swift return to a dark era of state-sponsored impunity and institutional captureWhy a surging student movement is forcing UK universities to confront their hidden multi-million-pound investments in the ruthless global border industryWhy the UK government's plan to halve violence against women will fail unless it confronts a terrifying new frontierWhy the vast majority of people at risk of terminal genetic diseases choose to stay in the dark, and the uncomfortable ethical dilemmas of pushing women into STEMWhy are Reform’s most controversial funders and backers all registered in the same grubby office in a town of 11,000 people in Montenegro? An office, that by happy coincidence, is registered to the one-time defence lawyer of “Posh George Cottrell”, convicted fraudster, Nigel Farage’s close confidant, and son of one of Reform’s biggest donors (whose donation is now being investigated by the Metropolitan police).For this week’s cover story, we sent openDemocracy’s Sian Norris to Tivat to find out. She’s returned with a rollicking account of how “Reform’s most enthusiastic backers, particularly Cottrell, are spinning themselves a safe haven of shell companies, business interests, crypto, casinos, and property.”With all eyes on Reform UK and the farcical by-election in Nigel Farage’s Clacton constituency, let’s not forget that a new Labour prime minister will be entering Downing Street in two weeks. Scotland has already tried Andy Burnham’s “Manchesterism” and it isn’t enough, argues Laurie Macfarlane, in a column that should give readers much to discuss. Another one for Burnham’s to-do list: Emma Pickering from Refuge, the UK’s largest domestic abuse charity, argues that the government must do more to end tech-facilitated domestic abuse. Also in this issue: What the return of Fujimorismo means for Peru and Latin America, and how the UK’s universities are bankrolling the border industry and facilitating the abuse of migrants.This month we are launching a campaign to win 500 more regular donors by the end of the year. We deeply appreciate one-off donations (please do keep them coming), but regular donors make it easier for us to plan our expenses, balance our budget, and invest in long-term investigations like Sian’s muck-raking trip to Montenegro. If you aren’t yet a regular donor, do consider becoming one.I’m off to India to see my mum next week, so my colleague Indra will be taking over the next couple of issues. Thank you for reading and supporting our journalism.Aman Sethi, Editor-in-Chief