Latest Stories from Flo
Opinion – The outrage over Olivia Rodrigo’s dress is disturbing
Criticism over the singer’s babydoll-style dress is a projection of misogynist and perverted hypersexualisation. But the women targeted by this kind of backlash are still framed as the villains. When Olivia Rodrigo stepped out on stage in a sweet babydoll dress, I’d never have guessed it would start an internet controversy. But alas, the limits of internet outrage continue to surprise. The popstar has quickly become the target of disturbing scrutiny...
AI will not be winning any Oscars
As artificial intelligence continues to threaten intellectual property, the announcement is a sigh of relief for those working in the creative industries. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has clarified that only acting and writing for films done by humans will be considered eligible to win an Academy Award. A few years ago, it would’ve been hard to take that statement seriously. But in the age of AI,...
Will banning early morning airport drinks prevent bad behaviour?
Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary believes a ban on alcoholic beverages will curb bad behaviour onboard early-morning flights. Passengers have other thoughts. Airports are strange places – the epitome of a third space. We do lots of things at the airport that we wouldn’t do anywhere else: spend an inordinate amount on a WHSmith sandwich; buy a comically large Toblerone; decide we need a new perfume or pair of sunglasses. But...
Did the Trump administration obscure HIV epidemic data?
The collapse of USAID left a vacuum that only exacerbated the HIV epidemic. Yet rather than addressing the fallout, the administration chose to prioritise optics, hiding the true scale of suffering in developing nations. At its height, USAID was one of the major pillars sustaining global healthcare; that is until Trump ran for president a second term. Before that happened, the US used to pour billions into its annual budget...
Where are all the women on the Times ‘Best-of’ list?
A list of the 25 best non-fiction books of the century has sparked debate after it featured just eight female writers. A gender disparity in the Sunday Times list of the 25 best non-fiction books of the century has stirred up a gender debate, after it listed only eight books written by women. At six men to two women, the gender split points to broader patterns in UK non-fiction, an...
How the Golders Green attacks are impacting London’s Jewish community
Jews living in the capital are choosing to conceal their religion as a form of self-protection. A terror attack in Golders Green, north London, has left two men in hospital and the local Jewish community traumatised. The double stabbing took place last Wednesday, where a 70 and 30-year-old were attacked. Both remain in stable condition in hospital, and a 45-year-old man has been arrested. Since then, the terror threat in...
Michael Jackson biopic shows how far fans will go to protect an idol
A critical bomb but a commercial success, the new Michael Jackson biopic proves fans will do anything to preserve a dream of their idols. There is an absence at the heart of Michael, the new biopic charting the rise of Michael Jackson. And it doesn’t take a forensic specialist to point out. It is a void so conspicuous that it shapes the entire film. The biopic is a slow, rose-tinted...
Dynamic pricing is coming for the World Cup
Ticket prices for the tournament final have reached the tens-of-thousands, and fans have been left clamouring for overpriced, poorly positioned seats. As FIFA squeezes out every dollar, does the organisation risk alienating a dedicated fanbase? Football is a global phenomenon. And for all the team rivalry, it’s a sport that generally brings people together from across the globe. Never more so than during the World Cup, the largest tournament in...
Vinted sales surging as Gen Z continues to thrift
Second-hand shopping has boomed amongst younger generations, and platforms like Vinted are reaping the rewards. It’s no secret that vintage fashion is on the rise. Whether it’s retro-inspired silhouettes on the runways, or an affinity for individual style to rival trend culture, we’re increasingly turning to pre-loved pieces. The growth of second-hand shopping has been particularly prevalent amongst Gen Z, a demographic that has grown up against a backdrop of environmental...
Meet the first woman manager in men’s major-league football
Marie-Louise Eta has been appointed as head coach for one of Germany’s top-tier clubs. Women’s sport has come a long way in the past five years. With major victories for the Lionesses and an upswing in attendance at women’s sporting events, the playing field is finally levelling out. But for an industry so deeply entrenched in outdated gender ideals, and framed by income inequality, female wins within the sporting world...
