Spain to block 65,000 properties on Airbnb in tourism crackdown
Following intense public pressure to regulate the short-term rental market, the Spanish government says it will remove over 65,000 holiday rental listings from Airbnb for breaching regulations. The Spanish government is cracking down on short-term property renting and says it will remove 65,000 holiday listings from Airbnb. It comes amidst growing...
Current in Companies
Universal Music Group’s ties to abuse scandals in West Africa
West African nonprofits allege that major Universal Music Group stakeholder Vincent Bolloré has built his fortune through abusive practices in the region. They’re urging the label’s artists to do their research before making charitable donations. Universal Music Group (UMG) represents some of the world’s biggest artists today, including Kendrick Lamar,...
European firms reportedly improving climate action lobbying
New research has found that European companies are increasingly engaging with climate change, with a sharp rise in firms lobbying for climate action since 2019. New research suggests that European companies may be more engaged with climate change policies and action than first thought. Analysts say that the share of companies...
UK investigation finds companies greenwashing despite warnings
An investigation by Greenpeace UK’s ‘Unearthed’ journalism unit has found that several companies are still greenwashing despite warnings from the UK’s Advertising Standards Agency (ASA). Greenwashing is still ongoing in the UK, an investigation by Greenpeace UK’s journalism unit ‘Unearthed’ has found. According to a report by The Guardian,...
Dutch climate campaigners vow to take Shell to court again
Originally arguing that Shell should reduce its emissions by 45% in line with the Paris climate agreement, Dutch climate non-profit Milieudefensie has vowed to take Shell to court for a second time in quick succession. If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, and try again. Abiding by this mantra, Dutch...
US firm DoorDash to buy UK’s Deliveroo for £2.9 billion
The food giant DoorDash is set to purchase Deliveroo for £2.9 billion. The two companies together will be operating in over 40 countries and serving 50 million customers each month. The UK’s Deliveroo is to be purchased by the US food company DoorDash. The new deal is valued at...
Documentary by BBC Africa Eye triggers national reflection in Kenya
A new round of political debate and public outrage has swept across Kenya in the wake of the release of the explosive BBC Africa Eye documentary ‘Blood Parliament.’ BBC Africa Eye's new documentary 'Blood Parliament' delves into the chilling events of July 2024 amid protests against Kenya’s contested Finance Bill. It has exposed layers of brutality and prompted questions about state accountability, democratic rights, and police violence. The film is a...
This new anti-spiking stir stick might save your life
A discreet new device called Spikeless is fighting drink spiking one cocktail at a time. The greatest invention of 2025 might have arrived, albeit in an unlikely form. It might not be the latest iPhone, but scientists have developed a new device that might just save your life the next time you go out for drinks; a small plastic stick. This isn’t just any plastic stick. Spikeless, a discreet, colour-changing...
Does the fall of Hooters prove the male gaze no longer pays?
The once-iconic restaurant chain has filed for bankruptcy protection amid financial struggles and shifting attitudes. For decades, Hooters stood as a monument to a very specific strain on American masculinity – one that thrived on beer, buffalo wings, and a carefully cultivated, PG-13 version of objectification. The chain, founded in 1983, transformed the archetype of the all-American girl-next-door into a commercial entity, selling food and the fantasy of female sexuality. But decades...
Harvard promises free tuition to almost all of its students
One of the world’s most prestigious universities has taken a significant step toward overhauling the US higher-education system. Will other institutions follow suit? For a school synonymous with privilege, Harvard University has announced a wildly democratic move to cut almost all tuition fees. Beginning in the 2025-2026 academic year, all qualifying students will be able to attend the college free of charge. Given that around 86% of US households earn less...
