University of Pennsylvania to remove trans athletes from women’s sports
The University of Pennsylvania has revoked a set of records set by transgender swimmer Lia Thomas, apologising to the female athletes ‘disadvantaged’ by her participation in 2022. We’re beginning to see the manifestation of Donald Trump’s reversal of anti-discrimination orders – specifically, when it comes to trans athletes participating in...
Current in Change
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’ pay rise is nothing to write home about
Despite a 400% increase in their salary, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders still face an uphill battle when it comes to the sport’s outdated misogyny. The first season of ‘America’s Sweethearts’, a Netflix docuseries following the lives and dance routines of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, was a huge hit when it...
Why one third of Tuvalu’s population hopes to relocate to Australia
An unprecedented visa scheme between Tuvalu and Australia is garnering a huge response. Signed in 2023, the ‘neighbourly’ agreement allows Tuvaluans to live, work, and study in Australia – though most are moving against their will. Three years ago at the world’s largest annual climate meeting COP27, Tuvalu’s foreign minister...
Why NATO’s 5% ‘defence budget’ aim seems farfetched
NATO’s new defence spending target has sparked debate across member states, prompting questions about its long-term viability and potential impact on domestic priorities. Last week, all 32 member states, representatives of the European Union, and even President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met in The Hague for the NATO summit. This year saw...
What does Zohran Mamdani’s victory mean for New York?
The once-fringe Democratic candidate is now the party’s mayoral nominee for New York City. His success speaks to an American political landscape in complete disarray. Amidst news of missile strikes in the Middle East, the rapid erosion of trans rights, and mounting economic strain over tariffs, climate change, and global...
I attended SB62 and was disappointed by the Africa agenda ahead of COP30
As the curtains fall on the UN’s 62nd session of the Subsidiary Bodies (SB62) in Bonn, Germany, one thing is clear: Africa is running out of patience. Hailed as the technical prelude to COP30 in Brazil, SB62 was meant to set the tone for what many hope will...
Does Notting Hill Carnival have a future?
The beloved street party is at risk due to funding cuts and public safety concerns. But protecting it is in our best interests. Sunday 22nd June marked Windrush Day, an annual commemoration of the date thousands of Caribbean’s were shipped over the the UK in the 1950s. A large portion of the Windrush generation moved to London’s Notting Hill, where they formed a vibrant community and established the famous Notting Hill...
Is Iran about to disrupt the global oil and gas industry?
With tensions in the Middle East reaching boiling point, Iran intends to escalate the situation globally by taking steps to shut down the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime point for oil trade. Just days ago, the United States decided to dip its feet into the currently disordered Middle East by organising strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities. Their aim, similar to that of their ally, Israel, was to...
Why both Hotspur Press Building and Manchester’s residents are gutted
Irresponsible and unprosecuted fires in historical buildings are putting people’s lives and wellbeing at risk so that development companies can continue to increase the wages going into their pockets. On Monday the disused Hotspur Press Building in Manchester city centre, left derelict for decades, went up in flames. The fire has left both the historical building, first used as a cotton mill in around 1801, and many of the...
The rise of the billionaire ‘mega-wedding’
Lavish ceremonies and grotesque budgets are still on the rise, despite the social and environmental fallout. In case you missed the Parisian bachelorette, flanked by a star-studded girl group of Kim Kardashian and Katy Perry, plus Kris Jenner’s new face – or perhaps the firm backlash from Venetian residents, who threatened to fill the city’s canals with inflatable crocodiles to prevent guests from arriving – you’ll be well aware that Jeff...
