Afghans settle into life under Taliban rule
BBC A girl at second hand market in Mazar-i-Sharif in Afghanistan. Some Afghans have been forced to sell their belongings to make ends meet At Balkh airfield in Mazar-i-Sharif, northern Afghanistan, Taliban fighters excitedly snap photos of a Russian-made MI-17 helicopter touching down. On board are senior Taliban officials. Sitting in the cockpit are their […]
California to enforce ‘gender neutral’ toy aisles in large stores
AFP Large stores in California will be required to have a separate gender-neutral section, complete with a mixed variety of items California has become the first US state to require large retailers to display toys and childcare items in gender-neutral ways. The new law, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on Saturday, does not ban boys […]
How the far right disproportionately targets female politicians
BBC Abuse of female politicians is rife online – and much of it is being directed by established far-right groups and figures, a Newsnight investigation has found. Female politicians across Europe have been targeted with threatening and misogynist content. On both mainstream and fringe social media platforms, analysis of selected profiles found women in politics […]
Inside the world of competitive quizzing
William Cherry/Press Eye Alice Walker, a retired IT consultant, was 66 when she triumphed on Mastermind The humble quiz has been a staple of British pub and TV culture for decades, before moving online to redeem social life during the Covid lockdowns. For many it represents a bit of light competitive fun, but for some […]
Newspaper headlines:’ Victory for Brexit’ on day Boris starts his campaign
PA There is extensive coverage of the launch of Boris Johnson’s campaign to be the next Conservative leader. She notes there was “no more faux-hapless ruffling of that haystack mop, which, like its owner, was trimmed and tamed”. The Daily Mirror is less impressed – describing him as an “egomanic” and “the lying threat to […]
Martins Imhangbe on Will’s evolution
Liam Daniel/Netflix Season three has seen a change in status for Will and Alice Mondrich This article contains minor spoilers for series 3 of Bridgerton. The majestic world of Bridgerton has thrust a number of budding couples into the limelight over its three seasons. Daphne Bridgerton and the Duke of Hastings, Kate Sharma and Anthony […]
Baroness Falkender, Harold Wilson’s powerful secretary, dies
Getty Images Marcia Williams arriving at Downing Street in 1975 Former Prime Minister Harold Wilson’s secretary Baroness Falkender – formerly Marcia Williams – has died aged 86. Lady Falkender, once dubbed the Duchess of Downing Street, died on 6 February. She was Mr Wilson’s private and political secretary from 1956 to 1983, which included his […]
Romance, business and campaigns born on the platform
Getty Images For those who work there and those who use it, Twitter continues to be on a rollercoaster under the leadership of Elon Musk, who bought the firm for $44bn (£36.3m) at the end of October. The tumult has brought into sharper focus some of the platform’s failings. Like all social networks, Twitter has […]
Queen’s Speech clears Commons after abortion funding pledge
House of Commons The minority Conservative government has survived its first major test after its Queen’s Speech cleared the Commons. MPs backed the legislative programme – stripped back after the Tories lost their majority – by 323 to 309. But the government had to make a late pledge on funding abortions in England for women […]
Why female entrepreneurs are key to getting more women to work
Getty Images Women’s contribution to India’s GDP is just 17%, less than half the global average A new study highlights how promoting female entrepreneurship can greatly enhance women’s workforce participation. By creating more opportunities for other women, female-led businesses can drive significant economic growth, it says. Imagine a world where women, though half the population, […]