Britain’s ageing homes offer ‘worst value for money’ of major economies
Britain’s ageing house stock offers the worst value for money of any advanced economy, the Resolution Foundation found in a recent survey. If you’re looking to buy a property – which, unfortunately, I am for the first time – here’s a hefty dose of anxiety about the housing market to...
Current in People
Anti-whaling activist Paul Watson arrested under Japanese ‘Red Notice’
The 73-year-old captain and founder of ocean conservation organisation Sea Shepherd was arrested in Greenland recently. Captain Watson was on board the ship M/Y John Paul DeJoria docked in Nuuk when Danish authorities boarded the ship and took him into custody. The Danish police claim that the arrest was made due...
Has swimming in the Seine made Olympic athletes sick?
The billion dollar project to beautify the Parisian river has been dogged with controversy and complications from the start. But the latest bout of illnesses among Olympic triathletes might be the tipping point. You’d be hard pressed to talk about this year’s Olympics without mentioning the river Seine. Since Paris...
Have anti-racist protests created hope for the UK?
Following the radical far-right riots across the UK, which have targeted immigrant communities and led to a breakout in mass violence, anti-racist protests have united people to combat the eruption of islamophobia and racism. The 7th of August saw large crowds of anti-racist protesters gathered across the UK to...
Study claims UK girls more anxious about climate change than boys
A report led by a team from the University College London claims that when it comes to fears about climate change, girls are far more concerned than boys – in UK schools, that is. Just how early does existential concern about humanity’s ecological doom begin, I wonder. Though my generation was...
Will European nations start enforcing caps on tourism?
Protestors in Spain have been calling for their government to address overtourism, primarily due to concerns about housing affordability for locals. With the housing crisis not an isolated issue, could more EU nations follow suit? Travelling is fun. But visiting an iconic national landmark and being surrounded by backpack wearing,...
India’s 2024 budget highlights gaps in LGBTQ+ welfare
Despite improvements in some areas, the per capita spending on the transgender community remains alarmingly low. This has raised concerns about the government’s commitment to their rights. In a country with a population of 1.4 billion people and counting – where diversity and inclusion are often celebrated – the 2024 Union Budget of India has spotlighted a glaring disparity in the allocation of funds for the transgender community. Despite offering a...
Stray dogs in Türkiye face a grim future under new law
The new stray animals law passed in Türkiye puts the lives and freedoms of stray dogs at risk. The biggest giveaway that you’re in Türkiye without being explicitly told is the stray dogs and cats. Or at least, it used to be. Today, stray cats and dogs hold a significant place in the modern urban life of Türkiye. It’s quite common to see them waiting for the traffic light to cross...
What is happening in Bangladesh?
Escalating clashes between police and anti-government protestors have resulted in more than two hundred deaths across the country, as initially peaceful student demonstrations transformed into a nationwide campaign of civil disobedience aimed at unseating autocratic Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. In 1971, the Bangladesh Liberation War – which saw a guerrilla resistance movement formed by Bengali military, paramilitary, and civilians fighting for the country’s independence from Pakistan – was won. Almost four...
Opinion – Nada Hafez just changed the sporting world for good
The Egyptian fencer shocked the world when she revealed she was 7 months pregnant during competitions at the 2024 Olympic games. But the response to her bravery has highlighted a difficult truth. Nada Hafez has just rewritten the rules of the game. At seven months pregnant, the Egyptian fencer is taking on the Paris 2024 Olympics, and with it, a maelstrom of scrutiny that underscores an uncomfortable truth: even in...
