Why Africa must step up following USAID withdrawal
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which represents a fundamental element of American soft power and is one of the most consequential development agencies in the world, is closing its doors. While curtains never truly ‘fall’, there are flagging budget cuts, evolving US foreign policy objectives, and a...
Current in People
Exclusive – Acclaimed chef Ebru Baybara Demir on driving change through a ‘plate’
I spoke with Ebru Baybara Demir, an award-winning social gastronomy chef from Türkiye, about how gastronomy can impact communities, people, and the environment. Ebru Baybara Demir has been a driving force behind the transformation of a small city in eastern Türkiye: Mardin. Like the butterfly effect, her dream of turning Mardin...
Why is Greece’s farming industry in peril?
The scandal that has made its way up the government’s hierarchy has faced harsh penalties from the EU. However, these may ultimately affect honest farmers. Back in its archaic days, clientelism was central to Greece. This system saw citizens relying on patronage from esteemed parties, normally political, in exchange for...
Why are women’s tears still condemned as weakness?
Rachel Reeves’ display of emotion in the House of Commons has been met with criticism and a stock market nose-dive. Why is the image of an emotional woman still so controversial? The UKs first female Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, cried in the Commons last week. Her tears led to a crash...
Zuckerberg school closures reflect wider shift among US billionaires
The quiet decision to retract funding for a US primary school has caused the institution to shutter – leaving disadvantaged kids in the crossfire. By all accounts, The Primary School in East Palo Alto, California, was designed to be an ambitious experiment in breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty. Founded...
7 powerful books to read this Pride Month
Your definitive guide to the best queer literature you need this summer. We all know that Pride Month isn’t just a time for celebration. It’s also a time for reflection, community, and storytelling. And what encapsulates this trifecta more than a good bit of queer literature? From books to journals and...
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 women’s sports. The University of Pennsylvania has this week modified a trio of school records set by transgender swimmer Lia Thomas,...
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 launched last summer. Viewers watched as young women from across the US navigated a gruelling audition process (followed by an equally...
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 Simon Kofe announced that the country was making moves to preserve its culture in the metaverse. Standing behind a podium on...
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 the escalation of tensions in the Middle East, the war in Ukraine, and pressure from Russia and China. As a...
