By Imran Rahman-Jones and Lindsay Brown Recent stories of women being spiked by injection on nights out have caused worry among students and politicians. Several UK police forces are investigating possible cases, and the home secretary has asked for an urgent update on the scale of the problem. Experts say it’s unlikely to be happening on a […]
Category: Writing
Home secretary wants police update on spiking by needles
By Imran Rahman-Jones and Marie Jackson Home Secretary Priti Patel has asked police forces for an update following a number of cases of women reporting being spiked by needles in nightclubs. Police chiefs have also been tasked by the Commons Home Affairs Committee to urgently assess the scale of the problem around the country. One […]
Ronaldo Manchester United transfer: Why shirt sales won’t balance the books
Manchester United have spent £12.85m on signing Cristiano Ronaldo, but they’ll make that back in shirt sales as people rush to buy his kit, right? That might be what your mates in the pub are saying, but it’s not true. There’s a good chance the club will see a commercial benefit from the signing – […]
Covid: What will mask makers do now?
While the easing of restrictions is great news for many small businesses, it means one group of people – those who have made and sold face masks in the past year – have to look for a new way to make money. Lockdown came with a new swell of community spirit and many people turned […]
Euro 2020: Scotland v England at Euro 1996 and what life was like then
It was the summer of ’96. That was the last time England and Scotland men’s teams were drawn against each other at a major tournament – pretty much 25 years ago to the day. It was on home turf at the old Wembley stadium for England, as tournament hosts, and Scotland were out to spoil […]
Euro 2020: England, Scotland and Wales players who wouldn’t have made it last year
When one door closes, another opens. That’s how some players in the England, Scotland and Wales squads must be seeing this year’s delayed Euros tournament. Because while we were all disappointed not to be watching our national teams last summer, some players were handed an extra 12 months to play their way into their managers’ […]
Cassette sales double in a year with Lady Gaga best-selling album on tape
Cassette tape sales are estimated to have doubled this year compared to 2019. The British Phonographic Industry, which represents record labels, projects 157,000 tapes will have been sold in the UK in 2020. That’s the highest number since 2003, when compilation Now 54 – featuring the likes of Busted, Girls Aloud and Oasis – was […]
Ms Marvel on TV: A ‘bold move for Marvel to diversify their characters’
Canadian newcomer Iman Vellani will play the superhero Ms Marvel in an upcoming Disney+ series, reports say. Deadline reported the news, adding the character will feature in future Marvel Cinematic Universe films too. Ms Marvel is the alter-ego of Pakistani-American teenager Kamala Khan, who idolises other superheroes such as Captain Marvel. Read the full article on BBC […]
#DontRemoveYoutubeCCs: Community captions ‘benefit everyone’
Charities are calling for YouTube to reconsider getting rid of a tool that helps people with hearing loss watch videos. Community captions – when users upload subtitles to other people’s videos – are being removed from the platform. The British Deaf Association and Action on Hearing Loss say YouTube should engage with the deaf community […]
Mulan: Disney remakes and the power of nostalgia during coronavirus
Has coronavirus made us more nostalgic? Can nostalgia help in these difficult times? And with another remake of a classic film – this time Mulan – being released, could Disney exploit that? Click here to read the full article on BBC Newsbeat.
Did Messi really send his Barcelona transfer request by fax?
When Barcelona and general football legend Lionel Messi handed in his transfer request on Tuesday, the reaction was huge. “Why?” “Where will he go? How much will he cost?” But it was the next line in the news story that really mattered: “The Argentina international, 33, sent a fax to the club on Tuesday saying he wishes […]
Me Too founder Tarana Burke: Movement is not over
By Imran Rahman-Jones and Gurvinder Gill Me Too founder Tarana Burke says Harvey Weinstein being jailed this year was “astonishing” but far from the end of the movement. Tarana began using the phrase “Me Too” in 2006 to raise awareness of women who had been abused. Eleven years later, it found global recognition after a viral […]
Imran Rahman-Jones 