Exclusive – ‘Women of the Wall’ on the fight for the equality of Jewish women
I spoke with Yochi Rappeport, Women of the Wall's Executive Director, about the 36 years of resistance they have endured to achieve their religious freedom mission at the Western Wall. The Western Wall is Judaism's most sacred holy site. Unfortunately, there are social and legal restrictions driven by misconceptions about...
Current in People
The aftermath of the explosive talks between Trump and Zelensky
After the heated discussion between both leaders, Trump suspended military aid and intelligence to Ukraine, sparking concerns for the latter’s position in the war. After being invited to the White House in late February, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy left the Oval Office defeated. The initial purpose of the meeting was to...
Study reveals explicit deepfakes are rife among US teens
One in eight US teenagers under 18 personally know someone who has been targeted with pornographic deepfakes. What is being done about this privacy crisis? We all know what deepfakes are at this point. Generative AI is adept at accurately capturing a person’s likeness and superimposing it over existing photos...
Should UK prisons shift their focus from release to rehabilitation?
The UK government’s emphasis on release over rehabilitation is leading to higher rates of recidivism and making social reintegration impossible. Perhaps it’s time to look to the Spanish system of imprisonment to give young people some kind of chance. In 2013, the European Court of Human Rights abolished life...
Hunter Schafer’s passport and the futility of erasing Trans people
A government document won’t change reality. But it has the capacity to endanger lives. Hunter Schafer, a hugely successful actor whose showreel includes Euphoria, a leading turn in the latest Hunger Games movie, and a stint in the upcoming Blade Runner TV adaption, woke up last week to find...
Psychiatric diagnoses used to silence Russian ‘dissenters’
The revival of punitive psychiatry in Russia signals a disturbing return to a Soviet-era practice, wherein psychiatric diagnoses are once again being used as a tool to suppress voices of opposition. Punitive psychology has seemingly made its way back to Russia and is being used against those who are going...
Gen Z seemingly fuelling recent boost in running events
TCS London Marathon says it has seen a 105% increase in Gen Z entries this year, which seems to reflect a growing boom in running with young people. Running is all the rage with Gen Z, it seems. Big events like the TCS London Marathon have experienced a massive spike in attendance and entries over the last few years, while brands such as Nike, Adidas and Lululemon are all investing in...
The significance of Autumn Lockwood’s historic Super Bowl win
The first Black woman to a coach a team to victory in the NFL’s biggest game, Lockwood’s win is a triumph worth celebrating – and a reminder of the barriers still left to break. Autumn Lockwood, the Philadelphia Eagles’ associate performance coach, is the first Black woman coach to lead their team to a Super Bowl win. That’s a big deal, not just for her, but for the entire sporting...
Japan’s White Day reflects complicated global perceptions of love
The history behind Japan’s post-Valentine’s holiday is one of miscommunication, hierarchy, and obligation. Worldwide, Valentine’s day takes on the familiar form of commercialised love. Red roses and heart shaped chocolates abound. But in Japan, the holiday follows rituals of its own – each with their own labyrinthine of social obligations. On the 14th of February, Japanese women are traditionally the gift-givers, still opting for the humble chocolate to display their affections. Only...
Study says gluten-free often means fewer nutrients and more sugar
A study published in Plant Foods for Human Nutrition has found that gluten-free products typically provide less protein and more sugar and calories than regular ones. Ironically, gluten-free usually costs more. When you go gluten-free, you aren’t paying based on nutritional content, but more the processes required to remove the protein from food – yes, gluten is a protein. Gluten-free ingredients like almond flour or quinoa are pricier than their more common...
