Latest Stories from Flo
Football is being reinvented in the best possible way
Women’s football is not just changing the commercial landscape of sport. It’s redefining what football looks and feels like, from the pitch to the culture that surrounds it. For over a century, football has been dominated by the aesthetics of aggression: chest-pounding celebrations, tunnel brawls, and tabloid-fuelled egos. This cultural mythology – historically shaped by the men’s game – has leaned heavily on narratives of dominance, tribalism, and stoicism. But the...
Trump’s war on ‘Woke AI’ is a smokescreen for something bigger
The US President just signed an executive order that seeks to remove regulatory models for artificial intelligence. Just weeks ago, Elon Musk’s Grok chatbot ‘Grok’ stunned the internet by declaring itself ‘MechaHitler’ and parroting antisemitic conspiracies, racist policies, and sexual content so extreme that even Musk’s own platform, X, couldn’t ignore the damage. ‘We are aware,’ the company offered in a tepid post, vowing to rein in its rogue chatbot. But...
Was Senegal’s short-lived wig ban an attempt to police women’s bodies?
The ban has already been lifted after drawing widespread public criticism. Last week, Serigne Fall Guèye, director of the Grand Théâtre de Dakar, introduced a swift and surprising ban on wigs, weaves, hair extensions and skin-lightening products. The move was officially framed as part of a cultural revival – a means of returning to ‘pan-African values’ and reasserting a sense of African pride whilst preserving the theatre’s cultural heritage. But the...
Why Gen Z is ditching real friends for AI companions
Teens are turning to chatbots for comfort. It might sound dystopian, but in our increasingly isolated world it makes a lot of sense. It starts innocently enough. A 15-year-old girl downloads an AI chatbot app like Replika or Character.AI, just to see what all the TikTok buzz is about. Maybe she names it Max. Max is charming, always awake, never distracted. He remembers her favorite color, checks in after a...
The paradox of vintage fashion hauls
Gen Z may have an affinity for second-hand clothing, but that won’t change their longstanding love of overconsumption. When I was growing up in rural England, second-hand shopping meant reluctantly traipsing around a charity shop with my mum and hoping nobody from school spotted me. The clothes smelt like damp and usually had more than one dubious stain. Needless to say, it wasn’t the height of fashion. Things started to change...
Opinion – Brent’s tourist tax makes more sense than you’d think
Wembley’s three-million-strong crowds bring in noise, traffic, and little benefit to locals. Brent Council’s hotel levy is a smart and overdue response. Granted, Brent isn’t exactly the first place that springs to mind when you think of tourist taxes. It’s not central London and it’s certainly not the picturesque Cotswolds. But the borough does play host to something few other areas do – a global entertainment destination that pulls in millions...
Why Lamine Yamal is in trouble for his birthday party
The footballer is under investigation for reportedly hiring people with dwarfism for his 18th birthday party. The incident raises serious questions about disability discrimination in 2025. When Spain’s footballing prodigy Lamine Yamal turned 18 last week, he marked the milestone in the way many young men might dream of: a luxury villa in Barcelona, and an extensive guest list of family and friends. But there was one detail that turned...
Response to the latest Barbie doll justifies its existence
Mattel’s new doll has Type 1 diabetes, marking another inclusive step for the brand. But response to the launch highlights a persistent lack of education around the disease – and the need to dismantle stigma. Mattel’s latest addition to its Barbie lineup, a doll with Type 1 diabetes, might seem like a small plastic step. But its release has quickly become a barometer for public understanding – or misunderstanding – of chronic illness. Unveiled...
Easyjet’s bag bonus scheme causes outrage
A leaked email shows the budget airline has been rewarding staff for catching oversized luggage. We all have a love/hate relationship with budget airlines. From Ryanair to easyJet, these low-cost alternatives to pricey air-travel have saved more of my girls' holidays than I can count on one hand. But they’ve also ruined plenty of trips. Whether it’s hidden costs or poor customer service, there have been plenty of occasions when –...
Why are women’s tears still condemned as weakness?
Rachel Reeves’ display of emotion in the House of Commons has been met with criticism and a stock market nose-dive. Why is the image of an emotional woman still so controversial? The UKs first female Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, cried in the Commons last week. Her tears led to a crash in the pound, attracted widespread criticism from political commentators, and triggered rumours that she was either about to leave her...
