Is wearing pashmina scarves cultural appropriation?
Pashmina, a symbol of Kashmir’s cultural heritage, has long been revered for its unmatched craftsmanship. But today, its legacy is under threat as fake pashminas flood the market, casually worn as head scarves or rave accessories. How did a centuries-old tradition become a victim of commodification - and what...
Current in Change
Understanding Kenya’s activist abduction crisis
Kenya has been gripped by a chilling wave of abductions targeting young people, particularly Gen Z, whose voices have been at the forefront of activism and dissent. According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) report, more than 85 young Kenyans have been abducted, with 29...
Is London’s dream of ‘swimmable rivers’ a safe one?
Mayor Sadiq Khan has made a bold pledge that rivers across the capital will be swimmable within 10 years. But local authorities are concerned the plan is a threat to public safety. In 2023, Sir Saqiq Khan announced plans to ‘turbocharge’ restoring London’s rivers and waterways, part of a broader...
Hunger is at the heart of Indian farmers’ protests
Throughout history, protesters in India have been congregating in the streets to perform mass movements of solidarity against human rights offences and political policies which don’t prioritise the wellbeing of the nation’s people. Over the years we’ve seen impressive gatherings of people protesting in India. From indigenous peoples to students,...
Israel and Hamas agree to a ceasefire deal
After more than 460 days of war, Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire deal. The question on everyone’s mind is: how long will it last? After fifteen gruelling months of war, the day has finally arrived. Israel and Hamas have reportedly agreed on a...
The social smoker vs. the e-cig eremite
Both smoking and vaping have detrimental impacts on our physical health. But is the ease and subtlety of vaping creating yet another isolating habit amongst young people? Despite the UK government’s recent ban on disposable vapes, many young people are still turning to vaping instead of smoking cigarettes. According to...
Why are we still lowballing women in 2025?
Nikki Glaser’s Golden Globes paycheque has reignited the age-old issue of the gender pay gap. When will talented women be adequately rewarded for their work in a relentlessly unappreciative industry? The Golden Globes kicked off 2025’s awards season with a milk-glass-full of memorable moments. And if you didn’t get that Babygirl reference, then I assume you don’t care enough about the Hollywood news cycle to sacrifice over four hours (if...
Is there a ‘perfect’ level of sick pay?
As we enter peak flu season, more companies are grappling with questions about sick leave. But is there a ‘right’ amount of statutory sick pay? And how much is too much? If you’ve entered the new year with a blocked nose, you’re not alone. It feels like the morning commute has been peppered with coughs and sneezes for the past week. A trip to the shops transformed into a minefield...
Inside the ‘moonshot’ plan to rewild an area larger than London
As The National Trust marks its 130-year anniversary, it has announced a decade-long plan to rewild an area bigger than the size of Greater London. The UK’s National Trust is the biggest conservation charity in Europe, with 5.37 million members, 10,000 staff, and thousands of volunteers. Entering 130 years in operation, the charity is responsible for protecting over 250,000 hectares of farmland, 780 miles of coastland, and more than 500 historic...
Opinion – Blake Lively drama shows we’re still quick to hate women
Blake Lively proves our desire to watch successful women burn is both pervasive and insidious. But are times finally changing? When Colleen Hoover’s wildly successful novel ‘It Ends With Us’ was released as a feature film last year, the media went wild. But besides the dedicated fans who lined up to see their favourite characters on the silver screen, much of the attention shifted to on-set issues. It was somewhat surreal...
