分类： society

Sally Maddison, a 44-year-old British expatriate and founder of MINT Market in the UAE, has transformed her tumultuous relationship with money into a story of empowerment and growth. Having moved to Dubai in 2008 to be with her now-husband, Maddison’s financial journey has been shaped by both personal and professional experiences. Her childhood, marked by the volatility of her entrepreneur father’s ventures, instilled in her a mix of resilience and anxiety around money. Her mother’s free-spirited approach to life taught her to pursue passion over profit, but Maddison has since learned to balance this idealism with practical financial management.

The fishing industry in South Korea is facing unprecedented challenges as climate change and overfishing disrupt marine ecosystems and endanger lives. Hong Suk-hui, a boat owner on Jeju Island, experienced this firsthand when his fishing boat capsized in February, resulting in the tragic drowning of five crew members. This incident is part of a broader trend: last year, 164 people were killed or went missing in maritime accidents around South Korea, a 75% increase from the previous year. Fishermen attribute these dangers to increasingly unpredictable weather patterns, which they believe are driven by climate change. The seas around Korea are warming at a rate faster than the global average, leading to more intense tropical storms and forcing fish species to migrate. This has compelled fishermen to venture further into perilous waters, often with insufficient safety measures. The aging workforce and reliance on poorly trained migrant labor exacerbate the risks. The South Korean government has launched investigations and proposed safety improvements, but the future remains uncertain. With fish stocks dwindling and young people shunning the industry, the traditional way of life for coastal communities is under threat. Environmental campaigners urge immediate action to address these issues and prevent further tragedies.

Madjeda Zouine, an Algerian journalist and activist, has redefined her career by merging journalism with activism. After working in mainstream media, she joined Femmes en Communication and its radio station Voix des Femmes in 2017, a platform dedicated to feminist issues. For Zouine, this marked a pivotal moment in her life, as she transitioned from merely having a job to embracing a profound commitment to women’s rights. However, this commitment is often misunderstood in Algeria, where journalists are frequently perceived as activists first and journalists second. In a country where human rights, particularly women’s rights, remain precarious, feminist journalism occupies a crucial niche between activism and information. Zouine criticizes the trivialization of violence against women in some Algerian media, where language often justifies rape or murder by blaming the victim. She cites the tragic cases of Chaima and Ryma, young women who were brutally murdered after refusing to comply with societal expectations. Zouine emphasizes that feminist media avoids such harmful narratives and instead focuses on empowering women. Despite societal pressures and financial constraints, Zouine and her colleagues continue their work through platforms like the podcast Laha, which addresses women’s demands and sexual health issues. Additionally, the bilingual Arabic-French magazine La Place-Lblassa, founded in 2020 by Maya Ouabadi, provides a space for women to express themselves freely. Ouabadi highlights the importance of reclaiming the term ‘feminist’ and using it openly to inspire young women. The magazine serves as both an information tool and a source of inspiration, showcasing role models and challenging societal norms. The history of feminist publications in Algeria dates back to the colonial period, with magazines like El Djazairia and L’Action paving the way. However, many of these publications disappeared during the civil war in the 1990s. Today, researchers like Awel Haouati are working to preserve the history of women’s struggles in Algeria, ensuring that the legacy of feminist activism is not forgotten. Through their efforts, they aim to educate future generations about the social and political battles that have shaped Algerian society.

Usama Ghanem, a 21-year-old Egyptian student at King’s College London (KCL), is at risk of deportation and potential imprisonment and torture in Egypt following his suspension from the university due to his pro-Palestine activism. Ghanem, who studied international relations and co-founded the House of Wisdom society to promote campus debate, has been a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights, including campaigning for KCL to divest from companies profiting from Israel’s actions in Gaza. His activism led to three disciplinary hearings in 2024 and 2025, culminating in his indefinite suspension. This suspension prompted KCL to inform the UK Home Office, which subsequently canceled Ghanem’s student visa and issued a removal notice. Ghanem’s lawyers argue that the university violated his human rights and discriminated against him for his anti-Zionist beliefs. They also highlighted his history of torture and imprisonment in Egypt for opposing President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, which led him to flee to the UK and develop PTSD. Despite KCL’s awareness of his traumatic past, the university has insisted he return to Egypt pending a review in August 2026. Ghanem expressed disbelief, stating that he never expected the university to send him back to a country where he faces grave risks. His case is part of a broader trend of UK universities cracking down on pro-Palestine activism, with institutions like KCL, LSE, and Manchester University issuing evictions and suspensions. KCL’s actions have drawn criticism, particularly given its past apologies for restricting free speech during a royal visit in 2019. Ghanem’s story underscores the tension between academic freedom and institutional responses to political activism.