UK
Youth violence’s rise is deeply concerning, but mass hysteria doesn’t help
Safe — On Knife Crime Awareness Week, writer, podcaster and youth worker Ciaran Thapar reflects on the presence of violent content online, growing awareness about the need for action, and the two decades since Saul Dibb’s Bullet Boy.
Written by: Ciaran Thapar
The UK is now second-worst country for LGBTQ+ rights in western Europe
Rainbow regression — It’s according to new rankings in the 2025 Rainbow Europe Map and Index, which saw the country plummet to 45th out of 49 surveyed nations for laws relating to the recognition of gender identity.
Written by: Ella Glossop
Dalia Al-Dujaili: “When you’re placeless, nature can fill the void”
Babylon, Albion — As her new book publishes, the British-Iraqi author speaks about connecting with the land as a second-generation migrant, plants as symbols of resistance, and being proud of her parents.
Written by: Zahra Onsori
Inside the obscured, closeted habitats of Britain’s exotic pets
“I have a few animals...” — For his new series, photographer Jonty Clark went behind closed doors to meet rare animal owners, finding ethical grey areas and close bonds.
Written by: Hannah Bentley
In England’s rural north, skateboarding is femme
Zine scene — A new project from visual artist Juliet Klottrup, ‘Skate Like a Lass’, spotlights the FLINTA+ collectives who are redefining what it means to be a skater.
Written by: Zahra Onsori
'It’s been hell': stories from the NHS frontlines
Breaking point — We hear the stories of NHS staff working tirelessly over the Christmas holiday as the COVID-19 crisis continues to devastate hospitals.
Written by: Ben Smoke
For London's drag queens, the show must go on
Pandemic Innovators — Drag queen 'Sue Gives A Fuk' was regularly gigging around London, until the pandemic left live venues to face a precarious future. Since then, Sue's been forced to get creative to sustain her career.
Written by: Huck
Cancel culture, and the toxic rebranding of the ‘woke left’
The free speech myth — The ability to actually ‘cancel’ anyone remains with private entities and the state, not the left. So why does everyone keep saying free speech is under attack?
Written by: Tristan Cross
The London caterers feeding their community
Pandemic Innovators — Karma Cans used to cater for some of the biggest corporations in the capital – until the pandemic hit. But as their profit margins shifted, so did their priorities.
Written by: Huck
We’re Jewish, and we want the occupation of Palestine to end
#ActionsNotWords — Last night a group of Jewish activists projected images onto the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, calling for action on Israel’s occupation of Palestine. Here, they explain why they did it.
Written by: Mia Rafalowicz-Campbell
Austerity is the real enemy of women – not trans people
The fight for funding — A dearth of compassion for trans people makes it easier to pit them against cis women and children. But the true evil is right under our noses, writes Nicola Dinan.
Written by: Nicola Dinan
A life in colour: Capturing the punks of 1980s Britain
From Manchester to Camden — Street photographer Shirley Baker would travel to London’s Camden Market every weekend, mesmerised by the area’s rebellious youth movement.
Written by: Miss Rosen
