UK ministers set to ban single-use vapes over child addiction fears
UK ministers are reportedly poised to announce a nationwide ban on single-use vapes in the coming week. With their considerable ecological impact considered in discussions, the chief concern is that children are becoming addicted. Your local off license is about to become a lot less colourful in the coming weeks,...
Current in People
Shouting at kids increases their risk of mental health issues by 50%
New research claims that shouting can be as damaging to children’s development as sexual and physical abuse. It warns that young people exposed to hostile parenting early on are more likely to self-hr, use drugs, and commit crimes. According to a recent study published in Science Direct, shouting at, denigrating,...
Is it surprising that Gen Z is giving up on higher education?
Surveys conducted last year reveal that only half of Gen Z say they are interested in pursuing a four-year degree after finishing high school. Looking at the big picture, is this truly surprising? Imagine you’ve just graduated from university, one of the biggest accomplishments of your life so far. Now drowning...
The first-hand reality of trying to get justice for rape
One of the primary purposes of the English legal system is to ensure justice is served to those who break the law, including cases involving rape and sexual assault. But for many, the justice system is failing. After five years of trying to bury what happened to her, Ciara...
Bill Gates backs plant-based meat companies as ‘the future’
The billionaire has invested in multiple plant-based meat companies, including Impossible, Beyond Meat, and Upside Foods. Despite this, he acknowledges that getting most people to adopt veganism is unrealistic. Over the years, Bill Gates has become known for his philanthropy, climate advocacy, and financial generosity for projects working to...
Almost one in three female surgeons have been sexually assaulted
Representing a ‘#MeToo moment’ for the NHS, a recent survey has uncovered a pattern of female trainees being abused by senior male surgeons during the past five years in operating theatres across the UK. Almost a third of female surgeons in the UK have been sexually assaulted by a colleague...
Unpacking the controversy around celebrity charity organisations
Committing to donating a sum of money isn’t the same as donating it directly. Acknowledging this difference can tell us a lot about how celebrities and multinational companies ‘give back’. ‘We’ve committed to donating X amount to X cause,’ is a phrase often used when celebrities and multi-national companies announce their involvement in charitable work. And while we tend to feel that all is good and well in the world whenever...
UN judge urges UK to address slavery reparations
Patrick Robinson has said payment to countries impacted by transatlantic slavery is ‘required by law’. A UN judge sparked national outrage on Tuesday after statements made about UK slavery reparations. Patrick Robinson, a judge at the international court of justice, said the UK can no longer ignore growing calls for reparative payments over the long-standing cultural, social, and economic impacts of transatlantic slavery. ‘They cannot continue to ignore the greatest atrocity,...
Should sex offenders face chemical castration as legal punishment?
National outrage has ensued in Italy after the horrific gang rape of a 19-year-old girl which took place in Sicily this summer. One far-right politician has put forward a controversial punishment for sex offenders – chemical castration. TW: This article contains mention of sexual assault. In early July, a 19-year-old girl was gang raped by seven men in the city of Palermo, Sicily. The group of offenders, who were between the...
Understanding the growing movement for paid housework
There is a growing demand for paid housework, and a call to recognise the economic impact of an often overlooked aspect of day-to-day life. 16.4 billion hours per day are spent performing unpaid care labour, as per data from the International Labour Organisation which is based on two-thirds of the world’s working age population. This statistic can be understood as 2 billion individuals working 8 hours every day without...
