Latest Stories from Flo
Why are French farmers blocking routes into Paris?
Thousands of tractors have blocked routes in the capital as farmers demand better pay and fewer environmental regulations. Tensions between France’s farmers and government reached boiling point this week, after thousands of tractors threatened to blockade Paris for an indefinite period. The protest is the culmination of a months-long demand for better pay among French farmers, who feel threatened by environmental regulations and competition from cheap imports. ‘This is the final...
Why is Saudi Arabia softening its alcohol ban?
The Arab state had strict no-alcohol rules since 1952, but the introduction of its first alcohol shop in 72 years has people questioning Saudi Arabia’s stance on booze. Both foreigners and locals were left somewhat bemused when news broke of Saudi Arabia’s first alcohol shop. Well, first since 1952 at least. For the past 72 years, Saudi – which has some of the strictest Muslim policy in the Middle East – has...
Opinion – It’s time we rethink Australia Day
The vandalisation of two statues in Melbourne highlights a growing disillusionment with Australia’s national holiday, and an increased awareness of the country’s colonial past. Police in Melbourne are investigating ‘criminal damage’ toward two of the city’s monuments, after residents woke up to find them destroyed. A statue of Captain Cook – the British cartographer who is named as the ‘founder’ of Australia in many Western historical documents – was sawn off at the...
What do Cold Weather Payments mean for Britain’s most vulnerable?
The scheme provides financial support for those affected by prolonged sub-zero temperatures, but how viable are these payments against the backdrop of a cost-of-living crisis? As we hunt for blown-away wheelie bins and crank up the heating, the UK’s cold-snap is affecting some more than others. But those in the most affected areas – who are experiencing prolonged sub-zero temperatures – could qualify for government support. Cold Weather Payments, designed to provide...
Cameroon’s malaria vaccine highlights a misinformation pandemic
Despite promising to save the lives of millions of children across Africa, Cameroon’s new malaria vaccine has had mixed reactions online. A medical breakthrough came this week when Cameroon announced it will be the first country to roll out a routine malaria vaccination. The news comes after a decades-long effort to curb the mosquito-spread disease across Africa – which accounts for 95% of global malaria deaths. Of those affected, children...
Opinion – January should be about happiness as much as health
A new year brings new goals. But these restrictive and often daunting wellness trends can do more harm than good. Ah, January—the month when the air is filled with a sense of renewal, and social media is flooded with images of kale smoothies, gym selfies, and the ever-elusive promise of a ‘new you.’ If you’re already crumbling under the weight of this vignette, you’re not alone. From diet advice, to gruelling...
FKA Twigs calls out double standards in the modelling industry
The singer’s recent campaign with Calvin Klein faced backlash over her ‘partial nudity.’ ‘I do not see the ‘stereotypical sexual object’ they have labelled me.’ These were the words pasted beneath an image of FKA Twigs, posted by the singer to her own Instagram page this week. The photo features Twigs (as she is known by fans) partially covered by a shirt. The outline of her nude body is visible beneath. Calvin...
Arsenal’s all-white kit is fighting youth knife crime
The North London football team sported an all-white kit this week as part of their annual ‘No More Red’ campaign. When Arsenal players stepped out on their home pitch last Sunday, something was different. Instead of their usual red kit, they wore an all-white get-up, complete with a clean, minimalist logo. Given the game against Liverpool was on home turf, this was no away kit. Nor was it a creative twist...
Opinion – It’s time we stopped lying about the housing crisis
Gen Z and Millennials are continuously told that buying a house is as simple as saving money. But this out-of-touch approach needs the boot. Everywhere you look, statistics about the housing market are as dire as the next. Between a cost-of-living crisis and the economic vestiges of a pandemic, the concept of purchasing a property for the first time feels almost impossible. Particularly for those under the age of 40. But...
British Sign Language will now be taught as a GCSE subject
The introduction of BSL to the UK education system is a vital step towards a more inclusive society. After a 12-week consultation with the deaf and hearing communities, the Department of Education has announced that British Sign Language (BSL) will be introduced as a GCSE option from September 2025. The government’s new plan is an attempt to boost inclusivity in schools and give would-be signers useful life skills. A BSL GCSE will...
