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...
Current in People
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...
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...
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...
Why is Trump trying to buy Greenland?
Trump isn’t even officially back in office yet, and he is already plotting to ‘buy Greenland’. While it may seem like a rogue venture, the Arctic nation is gradually becoming more and more attractive in the eyes of global leaders – and that’s all thanks to climate change. Contrary to...
Explaining Mozambique’s post-election crisis
Mozambique's contentious general elections held in October have turned violent in recent months as thousands turned to the streets, disputing Daniel Chapo’s win led by opposition leader, Venâncio Mondlane. Mozambique violence has not only claimed hundreds of lives but also displaced thousands of people, forcing them to seek refuge...
Why ZAYN’s all-female band is so important
The singer has been praised for spotlighting the seven-women brand supporting on his latest tour. Zayn Malik’s decision to tour with a seven-woman band had people talking, and for good reason. While male-dominated lineups are the default in the music industry, this ensemble – featuring Molly Miller on guitar, Baby Bulldog on drums, and Tina Hizon on keys – breaks the mold. The question is why it’s still a rarity. The music...
What are T-levels and how are they being updated?
T-levels are a new innovative path of education for UK students, which will now allow remote work as part of the industry placement as of January 2025. What are T-levels? T-levels are vocational qualifications for 16–19-year-olds in England, with a focus on practical subjects in comparison to academic ones. They have a mix of classroom based learning and on-the-job placements. The work placements were created to enhance greater practicality and...
A failing NHS is causing patients to self-diagnose and self-medicate
What happens when Googling your health symptoms and self-medicating is more efficient than getting a doctor’s appointment? Just ask the millions of people who depend on free healthcare services in the UK. Last year, medical patients in the UK claimed it was ‘easier to see the Pope than a doctor,’ and raged further when their long-awaited GP visits lasted less than five minutes. The NHS now says that average...
One of the world’s greatest female footballers faces transphobic abuse
Barbra Banda’s mistreatment highlights the insidious misogyny and transphobia launched at women in sport. Barbra Banda, a Zambian footballer, was awarded the BBC’s Women’s Footballer of the Year last month. The prestigious award marked a milestone in Banda’s illustrious sporting career and should have been an opportunity to spotlight women’s football, which continues to grow in popularity. Soon after she was surprised with the award by her teammates, Banda shared...
