Latest Stories from Sofia
Controversial influencer Andrew Tate has been arrested
The problematic Internet guru has been detained on charges of human trafficking, rape, and forming an organised crime group. Rumours are swirling on social media that his recent Twitter row with Greta Thunberg is what tipped off police to his presence in Romania. Earlier this year, Andrew Tate made headlines when he was permanently removed from social media for posting flagrantly hateful content. Domestic abuse charities have characterised...
The Fashion Pact establishes new renewable energy agreement
After a quiet two years, the CEO-led coalition has announced the launch of a promising sustainability initiative that seeks to accelerate the industry’s green transition. By now, I’m sure you’re well aware that fashion has an acute sustainability problem. If you’ve somehow missed out on the details, however, allow me to remind you that the industry is the largest global consumer of water and generates more greenhouse gas emissions than all...
Climate impact labels are encouraging people to eat less meat
According to a new study, information on food packaging that indicates the level of planet-heating gases emitted during production can persuade consumers against carbon-heavy meal options. Of the many things we can do to reduce our carbon footprints, switching to a plant-based diet is pretty high up in terms of effectiveness. This is because agriculture is a major contributor to the climate crisis and foregoing the 83% of all land required...
TikTok is failing to protect young users
Sparking fresh concerns about the platform’s influence on children, new research has uncovered that its algorithm is pushing videos about eating disorders and self-harm to 13-year-olds. According to research from the Centre for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), TikTok appears to be pushing videos about eating disorders and self-harm to children as young as 13. The study, which looked into the platform’s powerful algorithm, found accounts promoting suicide...
Exclusive – Meet Ishaan Shah, the Gen Z activist fighting modern slavery
We spoke with the 19-year-old UN Youth Representative and co-founder of Stolen Dreams – a youth-led collective driving action around ending modern slavery – about how he is guaranteeing that every human being has access to basic human rights. Ishaan Shah was just thirteen when he learned that slavery is a very real, very current issue. Upon coming to terms with the fact that exploitation isn’t confined to our history books...
Delegates at COP15 reach ‘historic’ deal to halt biodiversity loss
Nations have committed to protecting a third of the planet for nature by 2030 in a ground-breaking agreement aimed at reversing decades of environmental destruction. After four years of negotiations, repeated delays due to the pandemic, and a plenary that began on Sunday evening and lasted for more than seven hours, delegates from almost 200 nations at the ‘last chance’ COP15 conference in Montreal have reached a...
Nearly one in ten young people never intend to start working
New research suggests that Gen Z is losing hope in what they consider a ‘hostile labour market,’ after a poll found that nine per cent of respondents aged 18 to 24 do not plan on getting a job. Despite the assertions of Kim K and Molly-Mae, it turns out that close to one in ten young people never intend to start working. This is according to new...
HSBC will no longer fund new oil and gas fields
After facing criticism over its climate change policies from shareholders and environmental activists, the bank has announced it will cut direct financing to fossil fuel projects it isn’t already involved with. Part of its policy to support a net-zero transition, HSBC has announced it will stop funding new oil and gas field developments. The move, which environmental activists say sends a ‘strong signal’ to fossil fuel giants and governments that investment...
Scientists have made a huge nuclear fusion breakthrough
In the quest to unlock a ‘near-limitless, safe, clean’ source of energy, researchers in the US have reportedly succeeded in sparking a fusion reaction that created more energy than it consumed. According to the Financial Times, US government scientists have made a breakthrough in the pursuit of limitless, zero-carbon power by achieving a net energy gain in a fusion reaction for the first time. They did so using the same...
Indonesia passes legislation outlawing sex outside marriage
Indonesia’s parliament has approved a controversial new criminal code that bans both locals and foreigners from extramarital sex. Critics view the move as a ‘disaster’ for human rights, and a potential blow to the country's booming tourism sector. Following years of parliamentary discussions and heated public debate, Indonesia has just passed a controversial new criminal code that critics say is a dramatic setback to freedoms in the world’s third-largest democracy. Under...










