Opinion – we have a lot to learn about identity from Lady Gaga
The pop icon has demonstrated what it really means to be a trans ally. When Lady Gaga first rose to fame in the early 2000s, a persistent rumour began making the rounds: that the ‘Born This Way’ singer was secretly a man. Or a hermaphrodite, depending on who you asked...
Current in People
Sweden says children under 2 should have zero screen time
Swedish health authorities have issued new recommendations to restrict screen time for young people. Sweden has made a firm statement in the ongoing debate over children and screens: for kids under two, there should be no screen time. At all. Health authorities have issued new recommendations for parents regarding screen time...
How gender norms influence women’s food choices
With societal expectations and cultural conditioning still fundamentally guiding women’s eating habits, it’s time we addressed the often-overlooked issue of gendered appetites. In kitchens and dining rooms across the globe, an unseen force shapes the way that women interact with food. From portion size to preference, gender norms have long...
England & Wales to enforce ‘buffer zones’ around abortion clinics
The decision aims to tackle cases of harassment outside clinics across the country. For years, anti-abortion protesters in England and Wales have employed tactics ranging from the passive-aggressive to the blatantly invasive in an effort to sway women from terminating pregnancies. Come the end of October, however, this may no longer...
The implications of Australia’s social media ban for young people
TikTok, Instagram, Twitch and Steam are some of the platforms to be banned for young people in Australia by the Albanese government. The Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, announced in mid-September that social media will be banned for minors. There will be an age verification trial conducted, as the first...
Controversial topics reintroduced to India’s medical curriculum
In a surprising U-turn, India’s National Medical Commission has revised the medical curriculum, reintroducing controversial topics related to sexuality and gender. This decision has sparked a debate on education, LGBTQ+ rights, and the intersection of law and medicine in the country. India’s apex medical education regulator, the National Medical Commission...
Should we be using AI powered tools in the academic environment?
AI can be a great tool, but what happens when these tools are not well trained? In recent months, a series of new tools that use Artificial Intelligence have emerged, including ChatGPT and Gemini. Each one of them has been marketed as having the ability to make our lives easier. Whether it’s creating essays for us in seconds, locating reputable sources of information, or even creating illustrations for us – AI...
Exclusive – Kiana & Ali Rahmani on efforts to free their mother, Narges Mohammadi
We spoke to Kiana and Ali Rahmani about the global campaign called ‘Free Narges Coalition’, launched at the Nobel Peace Center on September 5th - led by PEN America, Reporters Without Borders, and Front Line Defenders - to free their mother, Laureate Narges Mohammadi. Narges Mohammadi has been imprisoned for ten years in Iran, including 135 days in solitary confinement, and now faces another 11 years for her advocacy of...
Opinion – early release for UK prisoners is the start of another sentence
Labour’s decision to release thousands of prisoners early is in the government's best interest, leaving inmates as vulnerable as ever. In the midst of a rising crisis in the UK’s prison system, the Labour government has rolled out a plan that is, in their words, both pragmatic and necessary. Short-term, the solution involves releasing eligible prisoners on licence after serving just 40% of their sentence. Long-term, it’s about building...
Kids in Sweden to have less screen-time and more school-time
In an overhaul of the country’s education system which signals a pivot from play-based teaching for younger children, it will soon be compulsory that they start attending lessons at just six-years-old. The centre-right coalition government has also announced plans to ban access to digital devices in classrooms. On the one hand, recent efforts to safeguard children’s wellbeing in Sweden are commendable. In 2023, the country’s public health agency suggested that toddlers...
