opinion

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September 29, 2023
My 50th birthday: A world without food
A future where real food doesn’t exist anymore may sound like quite a bleak and dystopian future. But this is far closer than we think with the 26-year timer we find ourselves on
17 year-old Christian Yeung wins the 2023 HRB Essay on Humanities
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September 22, 2023
Mass destruction of Ukrainian nature will have a huge impact on the future
The consequences of war have not only ruined lives and negatively impacted the mental health of Ukrainian civilians, but it will also result in long-term ecosphere damage
17 year-old Sofia Radysh interviews UAnimals on the environmental crisis
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September 15, 2023
Ukraine’s leniency towards sexual assault is irreconcilable with our nation’s European aspirations
A recent crime in the Zakarpattya region of Ukraine has proven once again how prevalent the problem with punishment for sexual violence is in the Ukrainian legal system
17 year-old Sofiya Tkachenko on misogyny embedded in Ukraine’s legal system
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September 08, 2023
Trump administration disregard Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s last words
"My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed” - the final words of Ruth Bader Ginsburg to her granddaughter, has seen the former justice’s worst fear brought into reality
17 year-old Aleksandra Lasek on the notions of progress
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September 08, 2023
Dying languages: Cultures are being eradicated in silence
Language is often reduced to a tool for basic communication, neglecting its human and cultural significance. Global warming and urbanisation are forcing linguistically diverse communities to migrate, assimilate, and abandon their ancestral tongues
Sophie Yu on the fight to save forgotten languages
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August 25, 2023
Why was Secret Invasion such a flop?
The biggest disappointment is that for a show with shape-shifting aliens it has absolutely no mystery, which is so needed here. Secret Invasion does a lot of telling and not a lot of showing, which essentially comes back to its cheapness
17 year-old Sofia Radysh on the wasted potential of the Marvel star-studded series
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August 12, 2023
Universal higher education should be free. Here’s why
Education should not be privileged and only available to those that can afford it but to everyone. Access to higher education is a necessity not only for people but also for our economy to continue developing
17 year-old Jakub Hejka evaluates the wealth divide in higher education
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August 12, 2023
New ethics legislation on the US Supreme Court is critical to preserving the rule of law
Increasing transparency standards, strengthening the withdrawal process, and requiring Supreme Court justices to adhere to a binding code of conduct is a modest yet essential step to tackle corruption
17 year-old Aleksandra Lasek on the vital regulations needed
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August 12, 2023
Sri Lanka’s restructure of State-Owned Enterprises may pose a threat to the safety of the country
Following the 2022 bankruptcy, the Sri Lankan government has been implementing tough reforms to improve the economy. It appears as though the government is too focused on paying off debts to acknowledge the possibility of compromising safety
17 year-old Nadia Diakowska outlines deficiencies in the government’s decision-making
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August 11, 2023
This year’s A-Level students are experiencing their greatest fear
I believe that teachers play a major role in a students education. With teachers in the UK going on a series of strikes, it impacts both their GCSE and A-Level results
16 year-old Jefferson He on the unfair change in grade boundaries
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August 11, 2023
Titanic sub highlights need for more ocean exploration, not less
While many set their sights on the vast expanses of the Milky Way, we ignore our own precious little blue-green marble. Over 80% of the ocean has never been explored, mapped, or even seen
16 year-old Justin Sau on the untapped potential of our seas
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August 11, 2023
To solve US alcoholism youth should be drinking sooner. Here’s why
From completely banning alcohol to lowering the legal drinking age to 18, to raising it again to 21, nothing seems to solve US alcoholism. I feel that creating any type of concrete barrier creates desire for youth, it creates a natural incentive to want it more
15 year-old Noah Saphier on the legal age of drinking
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August 10, 2023
Are vapes truly safe alternatives to cigarettes?
As a British teenager, I feel that I am constantly exposed to flashy and colourful images of e-cigarettes which is a new way to get young people addicted to nicotine
15 year-old Isaaq Hussain gives his opinion on the UK vape “epidemic”
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August 10, 2023
Sexual assault should not have a timer
The whole case is another terrifying example of how the justice system worldwide fails victims of sexual assault once again and promotes inconsequential violence, as well as gaslighting the victims into silencing their stories and experiences
17 year-old Sofiya Tkachenko looks at a recent sexual assault case in Italy
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August 06, 2023
Russian athletes are once again showing disrespect and officials are doing nothing about it
Disrespect towards Ukrainians from Russians is an everyday occurrence everywhere in the world and this time it was present at an international sports arena
17 year-old Sofiya Tkachenko on the politics of sportsmanship
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July 28, 2023
Barbie review: A must-watch, the allegedly ‘anti-men’ pink extravaganza will make you cry
Barbie is a must-watch for everyone, for young and for old, for women and men. It’s a beautiful story with a powerful message which will leave you thinking about your own experiences and understanding of the patriarchy and how it in fact isn’t about horses
17 year-old Sofia Radysh reviews the record-breaking box office film
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July 21, 2023
Days that marked Afghan girls’ lives
There are days in everyone’s lives that they mark the most regardless of being good or bad. Five students of the journalism learning project at Harbingers’ Magazine – Shanhaza (17), Swita (16), Zainab (13), Naziya (13) and Zohra (17) – interviewed each other to find out about the days that impacted them the most
13-17 year-old OXSFJ and LEARN Afghan students share their life experiences
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July 14, 2023
Rooney’s debut is a must-read for young people. Conversations with Friends review
Sally Rooney did a fantastic job levelling with the reader on many personal, almost gentle levels. This makes this book a must-read for young people – teenagers, those in their 20s or even 30s – who want a light read that also touches you and makes you ask questions you never thought would occur
17 year-old Sofiya Tkachenko reminds of Rooney’s 2017 masterpiece
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July 14, 2023
Lewis Capaldi talks mental health after Glastonbury stage Tourette’s
The Someone You Loved artist faced a moment of crisis when performing at Glastonbury Festival in the United Kingdom
14 year-old Sofia Vorobei on the lesson learnt at Glastonbury
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July 07, 2023
Meet five Afghan girls who dream big for their future
After the Taliban seized power in August 2021, they banned girls from receiving a high school education. Despite these hardships, they are still determined to achieve their goals
13-17 year-old students of the OXSFJ | LEARN Afghan Project share their aspirations
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June 30, 2023
A story that will keep you webbed to the seat. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse review
The sequel takes everything the audience loved about the first Spider-Verse movie and turns it up a notch – if not more
17 year-old Anatolii Mishustin reviews the latest addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe
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June 30, 2023
Auto-tune overload. Aren’t we sacrificing musicality for so-called perfection?
Excessive use of auto-tune technology, especially when employed to distort the voice during a live performance, sparks debates about authenticity and emotional connection with the audience
14 year-old Sofia Vorobei takes the side of human imperfection
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June 30, 2023
Unabomber exemplifies dangers of the far-right’s romanticisation of terrorists
On June 10, Theodore “Ted” Kaczynski, known as the Unabomber, died in prison unleashing a social media storm of Unabomber fans wishing him to rest in peace, revealing to the world a harmful and dangerous personality cult
17 year-old Mykyta Yaremenko on Ted Kaczynski’s right-wing fandom
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June 30, 2023
Rare glimpse into 21st century politics of sex and desire. The Right to Sex review
Amia Srinivasan’s collection of six nonfiction essays is an impressive debut. Writing about rape culture, student-professor relationships, prostitution, and pornography, Srinivasan is unafraid to linger near the precipice of taboo
17 year-old Sophie Elliott reviews the 2022 Orwell Prize shortlisted book
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June 30, 2023
Do we prefer AI to shape future generations than to invest in human teachers?
While the global market, however, is leaning towards AI to shape the worldviews of our next generation over human teachers, this does not mean it is the right direction to be headed in
17 year-old Megan Lee follows the money in education
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June 23, 2023
Animal testing made its way onto the big screen. It may be a sign of change
Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 3 is more than a great movie - it also offers insight into cruelty disguised as animal testing
17 year-old Sofia Radysh on animal testing
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June 16, 2023
Poles have had enough! Opposition leader Donald Tusk galvanises Poland’s fight for its democracy
The liberal-democratic Civic Coalition (KO), with the former president of the European Council, Donald Tusk, at the helm, has a chance to take power in Poland. Its electoral campaign was launched with an anti-government rally against the opposition
16 year-old Stanislaw Sankowski explains why 500,000 people marched through Warsaw
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June 09, 2023
Should English Literature be replaced by Global Literature in schools?
In our increasingly diverse and globalized society, the Western canon seems not only restrictive but also exclusionary, calling into question whether the subject of English Literature should be replaced by Global Literature to best reflect the status quo at hand
Megan Lee considers the value behind teaching literature
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April 21, 2023
The Economist’s surprisingly shallow attempt at cracking Gen-Z customers
The Economist’s analysis of young customers falls short of a genuine attempt to give a platform to Gen-Z. It feels like writers and editors have not taken the time to understand and embrace the complexity of the ‘new world of shopping’ they attempted to explain’
18 year-old Natasha Banga on the misaligned voice of youth
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April 21, 2023
Chameleons are the most remarkable and amazing creatures. Here’s why
Chameleons are one of the most diverse and complex animals, with over 200 species and a range of adaptations
13 year-old Lidya Gaspar outlines the incredible traits of chameleons
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April 07, 2023
Unchangeable US police force is responsible for countless unjustified deadly arrests
In order to stop this cycle of repeated police brutality, the system must be changed. Acts, such as the George Floyd Justice in Policing bill should be passed and encouraged
16 year-old Sofiya Suleimenova looks at the consequences of excessive force in the case of Tyre Nichols
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April 07, 2023
Navalny should not have been a winner of an Oscar award
This movie being recognised and celebrated is unacceptable, no matter how good the quality of it might be. Such distinguished organisations with influential platforms like the Academy should consider the context of the movie before representing it
16 year-old Sofiya Tkachenko on the political messages of award-winning films
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March 24, 2023
Babylon’s storytelling of early Hollywood failed to hit the mark - it instead made me gag
While I am not a particular fan of graphic and aggressive movies, I was excited for Babylon. So obviously, my expectations were high, and I decided to throw away my initial biases against Babylon and its gruesomeness. So what did this three-hour long extravaganza provide me with? Nothing but disappointment.
Sofia Radysh's take on the all-star Hollywood film Babylon
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March 17, 2023
What exactly is Justice? The flawed concept behind the death penalty in the US
Organisations such as the Innocence Project work to liberate the innocent, avoid wrongful sentences, and establish systems of justice that are fair, humane, and impartial for all. There have already been 375 cases of exoneration in the US due to new DNA testing, including 21 people serving on death row.
17 year-old Aleksandra Lasek on the importance of re-examination of evidence
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March 09, 2023
Are the Peranakans a part of Singapore’s past or a heritage shaping my life choices?
As I deepened my research into Peranakans, I began to realise that my ancestors far exceed their reputation as creators of imaginative cuisine and eclectic architecture. In fact, the culture not only shapes the Singapore we see today but has largely influenced the choices I have made in life
16 year-old Jinn Ong inquires whether and how it is possible to be Peranakan in the 21st century
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March 03, 2023
‘Know your DNA’ databases could fall into the wrong hands. Policymakers should regulate it
Even with all precautions employed, there is always a chance of getting hacked. Nothing indicates that ancestry DNA databases store personal data in any different place than the information about one’s DNA
18 year-old Gleb Mishin explains the cybersecurity dangers behind DNA testing
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February 09, 2023
Lessons have not been learnt, international law is not stopping Russia
The notions of genocide and crimes against humanity are two essential building blocks for international law and vital parts of the efforts to protect human rights. In his 2016 book East West Street, British writer and lawyer Philippe Sands explains the origins of these notions
Aleksandra Lasek on the constraints of the international criminal law system
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December 18, 2022
Italy’s direct help for Ukrainian refugees is rooted in its EU membership
A question arises: does Italy have double standards and treat people differently depending on where they come from? Or is there a reasonable explanation for the difference in attitudes towards the two groups of refugees?
17 year-old Marco Morchio on difference in Italy's approach to conflicts in Syria and Ukraine
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December 07, 2022
(Un)Open art. Why is modern art so intimidating?
The feeling of misunderstanding art usually evolves from a lack of curated education. But if art is supposed to be free, should education truly play a crucial role in enjoying it?
Maria Chernova shares her opinion on the openness of art and closedness of art recipients.
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December 02, 2022
Young people will pay the price for Putin’s push to re-enact the Cold War
Restoration of the Cold War is the last thing we need in the face of the climate crisis. Now more than ever, what we need is more cooperation between countries
16 year-old Sufiya Suleimenova explores the NATO expansion and climate change concerns
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October 31, 2022
Cold Hard Cash or Change Agent? Charities and the For-Profit Revenue Model
In the world of charitable giving, profit is a dirty word. Most charities rely heavily on donations as their primary source of income. Charities and businesses are divided, not only by their aims, but their revenue streams. Yet, in the bustling city of Kathmandu, I came to question the conviction of this dichotomy
Dylan Yip on incorporating business practice into charity
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October 17, 2022
How war affected young Ukrainians - and what you can do about it?
I know that our stories might seem bizarre, scary, and unrelatable. But everyone can try to understand and relate. And everyone can help - even other young people, and teenagers from around the globe. Why? To support those in need
Maria Rybak shows how the war has influenced lives of young Ukrainians and how powerful world-wide support is
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October 17, 2022
Volunteering at KL Plaszow Museum gave me a chance to fight the Nazi dehumanisation
To many, the concentration camp in Plaszow remains an unknown piece of history. A mere nine-person team at the KL Plaszow Museum and Memorial Site are working to change that. While I had the privilege of being the museum’s first volunteer, the KL Plaszow team hopes to recruit more as they continue working towards their opening in 2025
17 year-old Jonathan Wong on the meaning of voluntary work
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October 07, 2022
The Witcher - a feminist manifesto or a misogynistic tale?
Sapkowski’s saga is not only a fantasy tale - it is also a social commentary. That’s why the TV adaptation has brought into the limelight various types of discrimination, prejudice, and hate-rooted violence
Aleksandra Lasek inquires into the success of Yennefer of Vengerberg as a feminist role model
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October 03, 2022
How jokes on TikTok help Ukrainians
Even during the war, people of different ages can still have a sense of humour and make jokes - which is an essential part of Ukrainian culture
Maria Chernova discusses how jokes on TikTok are helping her and other Ukrainians during the war
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September 14, 2022
The Cupping Room
With the beans right in front of me, I could almost taste the coffee. The sweet and the tangy, the heavy notes and light texture barraging my nose. Tamie described to us the small yet complicated process of coffee roasting
16 year-old Christian Yeung takes a first step into the world of coffee culture, attending a roasting session at The Cupping Room
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August 23, 2022
The voice of fashion stands in solidarity with Ukraine
As we say in Ukraine: “everything will be Ukraine!”. And if so, everything and everyone – including the fashion industry – must admit its political side
Maria Rybak describes how the fashion industry responded to the war in Ukraine
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August 18, 2022
Trump and Johnson: the parallels between their populism and influence
Amongst all their similarities and differences, Trump and Johnson still command a large following. This following can become so loyal, that they are often given near God-like status and threaten to be above the law
Isaac Kadas compares the former leaders current grip to power
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August 09, 2022
Are young people the biggest losers of the UK Conservative race?
Truss believes in spending today and paying it back later. From our young perspective, this benefits the Boomer Generation who will have lower income tax and soon go into retirement, whilst the working population of Millennials and Gen Z will have to pay the price
19 year-old Isaac Kadas explains how the Tory leadership race harms the future of those young today
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August 08, 2022
Women’s Euro 2022, a success and an inspiration to the female youth
It is very refreshing to see how female sport is gaining more recognition and the respect it deserves. Women's football is the fastest growing sport in the UK, and it will be interesting to see how female athletes and sport will develop over the next decade
Timur and Sofiya report on public opinions towards Lionesses’ win in the final
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August 08, 2022
I doubt that Liz Truss will make girls’ lives better. Here’s why
If elected she has the capabilities to make significant headway in the progression of women’s rights, however based on her history of ineffectual action, it is unlikely for her to make tangible change within the UK
17 year-old Grace Whitehouse considers how Women’s rights in Britain will be harmed under Liz Truss leadership
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August 05, 2022
Feminism after the girlboss: anxiety of the bimbo
Bimboism claims to be a leftist-adjacent, anti-capitalist, pro-sex work, pro-LGBTQ feminist movement which attracts significant controversy on TikTok
Sophie Elliott explains ‘bimbo Tok’ in the context of modern feminism
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August 04, 2022
Cost of a trendy pup; the flat-faced issue explained
Humanity has been playing god and creating new breeds for a long time now, and the moment to take responsibility has arrived
16 year-old Sofia Radysh investigates the problems of Brachycephalic dogs
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July 09, 2022
War in Ukraine from the inside
My life, just like the life of other Ukrainians, has been divided into “before” and “after”. Before the 24th of February, I couldn't believe that in the twenty-first century people would be capable of starting an actual war
16 year-old Diana Kuksova reveals how it is to live as a teenager during war
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July 05, 2022
It is teenage girls who will be affected the most by abortion bans in the US
The Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization case, which removed the right for abortion in the US was done by a group which is 80 percent male, 80 percent white and 100 percent in their 50s or older. The societal group which is going to be affected by the change, is the complete opposite.
16 year-old Sofiya Suleimenova on the implications of overturning Roe vs Wade
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April 05, 2022
Orbán’s comfortable win depicts how Hungary went further East than anyone in the West hoped
Had Orbán lost, there would have been global ramifications - but the same could be said after his victory. Despite recent defeats and being on the back foot, global populism is still alive and has a proven stronghold in Hungary, where one of its principal flagbearers is entrenched. Orbán’s victory shows that if run effectively enough, autocratic governments are very difficult to be unseated.
Isaac Kadas on Hungary’s eastbound journey
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April 03, 2022
There is a global angle to the election in Hungary
Hungary is a nation less than 10 million strong, yet today’s election could unlock the global battle against nationalist populism.
Isaac Kadas explains the battle for populists' stronghold
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March 30, 2022
In Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, I cannot help but see my two sister-nations at war
In Kazakhstan, like in any other former Soviet republic, there is a strong feeling that the Ukrainian struggle against Russia is going to define our fate as well, no matter which way it goes
Ilya Kan on the ripples Putin’s war sent across the former Soviet Union
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November 26, 2021
The @feminist Instagram account took femvertising to the next level
When I look for activism content, I don’t wish to be discreetly tricked into buying a t-shirt, no matter how sustainable it is or what share of the profit goes to good causes.
Eva Smolokovskaya questions the ethics of the @feminist, a social media account with 6.4 million followers
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August 24, 2021
For equality’s sake, Paralympics and Olympics should be united
Although it is hard to imagine, there was also a time when women were not included in the Olympics - yet, in 2021 we do not hold separate games for male and female athletes.
Jinn Ong argues for one Games for all athletes

opinion