Maya Kaur Dhillon

Empoword Journalism • 11 March 2024

The Psychology Behind Conspiracy Theories

What’s your favourite conspiracy theory? Mine has to be that Lea Michele can’t read — she was fed all of her lines during her six seasons of Glee and never read a single script.

It started as a joke on a podcast and Michele herself has even leaned into the gag. But do I actually believe that Lea Michele can’t read? Not for a second.

Although this conspiracy theory is one of the more light-hearted ones, it is an entrance point into the murky waters of tin foil hats, microchipped vaccines, moon

My London • 10 March 2024

The Traitors stars share what they put on their applications

With series 2 of The Traitors enthralling the UK, many viewers have been inspired to see if they have got what it takes to be in the next series. Applications for series 3 are open and the deadline has been extended until March 17, with not long to go now.

The most recent series caused a nationwide frenzy, with almost 7 million people tuned in to watch the climactic finale on January 26, reports Radio Times, where traitor Harry Clark won £95,000.

Studio Lambert, the production company behind t

Empoword Journalism • 8 March 2024

Free Court Transcripts For Sexual Assault Survivors In Scotland

Rape and sexual assault survivors in Scotland will be the first in the UK to have free access to court transcripts as part of a new pilot scheme.

The Scottish government is providing £100,000 in funding towards the year-long project, which commenced on 1st March.

It will allow all survivors in sexual assault trials to access their court transcripts free of charge, regardless of the verdict.

Anyone whose case was heard at High Court from 2007 onwards — when digital recording began in Scottish

My London • 25 February 2024

'I rode the DLR for the first time - it made me fall in love with London again'

I would call myself a born-and-bred Londoner. Other people might not, depending on their view of whether or not further west than Fulham can constitute London. But I don’t particularly care for those opinions: I know what I am.

However, I do have a love/hate relationship with the city. I have never found it the draw that incoming transplants, the media, and London itself claim that it is. For me, it is just home. It is a place that I am familiar with and serves me well as it contains family and

My London • 17 February 2024

London Underground station so massive a TfL worker got married in it

Many people look forward to their wedding day as a unique celebration; a magical day far removed from the mundanities of their daily lives. Some will often call it a ‘fairytale.’

But would you ever consider getting married, not only in your workplace, but also one of the busiest places in the city?

In 2001, London underground worker Margot White did just that when she tied the knot at Canary Wharf station. She and her groom, Chris Jelf, invited 70 friends and family from their home of Harlow,

My London • 14 February 2024

BBC to film Antiques Roadshow in London with applications now open

BBC’s Antiques Roadshow is set to film one of its new episodes in Ealing later this year. Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery, a country house, has been announced as one of the venues for the 47th series of the popular show.

Filming will take place on Sunday, May 19, and members of the public can apply for free tickets, whether they wish to have their own items evaluated, or just wish to spectate.

READ MORE: Amazon's £25 cabin bag for Ryanair and easyJet that 'holds more than you think'

The show will

Empoword Journalism • 13 February 2024

Labour Plans To Extend Equal Pay Rights To Ethnic Minorities

Labour has pledged equal pay rights to Black, Asian and other ethnic minority staff under a new Race Equality Act if elected.

The plans for new legislation were unveiled on Monday as part of a larger move towards addressing inequality in the UK.

The enshrinement of equal pay for racial and ethnic minorities would see them receive the same rights that exist for women.

Speaking on the Race Equality Act, Shadow Secretary for Women and Equalities Annaliese Dodds said, “Everyone in this country de

Empoword Journalism • 13 January 2024

Breast Implant Illness: A Sickness Hidden In Plain Sight

Breast Implant Illness (BII) is a health problem affecting thousands of women every year.

Breast implant illness describes a collection of health issues ascribed to breast implants. The list is expansive and remains incomplete, but includes a variety of physical and mental health problems. Common health problems associated with breast implants include:

Earlier this year, a Norwich woman even said her breast implants had left her temporarily blind.

The medical tendency to diminish women’s chro

Empoword Journalism • 17 December 2023

Sports Personality of the Year 2023 Finalists

The BBC has released its shortlist of finalists for the Sports Personality of the Year 2023 award.

The six nominees are cricketer Stuart Broad, jockey Frankie Dettori, footballer Mary Earps, wheelchair tennis player Alfie Hewett, heptathlete Katarina Johnson Thompson and golfer Rory McIlroy.

The public can vote for the winner during the broadcast on BBC One on Tuesday, 19th December, at 7pm. Nominees were chosen by an industry panel, including former sporting legends Colin Jackson, Ellie Simmo

South East Londoner • 12 December 2023

Dark Tourism in London

“Sometimes I wonder if there is something wrong with me,” chuckles David.

He has spent the last hour discussing his passion for travel which has taken him across the world.

What could be wrong with that?

Whilst many of us may like to escape to the beach or go on cruises when we holiday, David Robinson’s destinations of choice are slightly different, taking him far from his home in Surrey.

His previous travels include: the Killing Fields in Cambodia; Auschwitz concentration camp; and the mili

South West Londoner • 14 December 2023

Christmas fundraiser held for new hydrotherapy centre in Croydon

A Christmas fundraiser was held on Saturday December 9 to raise money for a new hydrotherapy rehabilitation centre in South London.

The fundraiser, held by Croydon Therapy Clinic on behalf of hydrotherapy charity Continuing Community Care, had 70 attendees and raised £1400 through donations and a raffle.

The money raised will be put towards a new hydrotherapy and physiotherapy rehabilitation centre in Croydon to help people living with long-term conditions and chronic illnesses.

Paul Carr, di

Empoword Journalism • 7 December 2023

Governments called to do more to stop violence against women following Italy protests

A United Nations campaign calls for governments to step up against violence against women and girls as a crowd of thousands gather across Italy following the murder of a student in November.

Giulia Cecchettin, a 22-year-old biomedical engineering student at the University of Padua, was allegedly killed by an ex-boyfriend after disappearing on 11 November.

Her body was found a week later, and her ex-partner was arrested in Germany soon after. He has since been extradited back to Italy for inves

North East Londoner • 23 November 2023

Sadiq Khan blocks plans for Stratford sphere music venue

The Mayor of London rejected the plans for the development of the MSG Sphere in Stratford on Monday.

Sadiq Khan’s primary objection to the proposal regarded potential light pollution to residents of Stratford.

The Madison Square Garden Company (MSG) had applied to build a 21,500-capacity, 90-metre tall spherical structure with an LED exterior for projecting advertisements.

A spokesperson for Khan said: “The Mayor has seen independent evidence that shows the current proposals would result in a

Ealing Times • 8 November 2023

Ealing Film Festival returns to cinemas for its biggest year yet

This year’s festival is the biggest yet, with the borough's ActOne Cinema, Ealing Project and Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery all hosting events.

More than 400 short films were entered into the festival from creators all around the world.

Annemarie Flanagan, co-founder and festival director, said: “Move over Cannes, Ealing can do it now!”

The festival boasts a variety of genres: drama, documentary, comedy, horror, animation, sci- fi, environmental, and a category for student filmmakers to nurture

Oxford Mail • 5 November 2023

Oxford medics hold vigil in support of colleagues in Gaza

Crowds gathered at a vigil organised by health professionals in a show of solidarity with colleagues who have been killed working in Gaza.

More than 200 people attended the vigil at Oxford's Radcliffe Square, organised by medics but promoted by the Oxford Ramallah Friendship Association, the Oxford Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

Organisers handed out 148 sheets of paper, each with the names of the deceased for the public to hold up during the vigil.

The names of 148 Palestinian healthcare workers were then read aloud which took over five minutes.

READ MORE: Two people seriously injured in five-vehicle crash

Speeches were given

Empoword Journalism • 30 October 2023

The Enduring Appeal of Sofia Coppola

With Sofia Coppola’s eighth directorial feature, Priscilla, being released in US theatres this month, interest in the director and her work has been revitalised.

With one of the most recognisable aesthetics in film, Sofia Coppola is a cinema icon. You only need to open TikTok to see a myriad of posts using hazy dream-like visuals from her films and soundbites of Marie Antoinette’s famous line “Let them eat cake”. There are even young women claiming that their lives resemble so closely a Coppola

North West Londoner • 27 October 2023

Why is women’s football safer and friendlier than men’s?

If you ask football fans what the difference between going to a men’s game and a women’s game is, you’ll probably get reverberations of:

“Women’s matches are so much friendlier.”

The women’s game is generally perceived to lack the rowdiness and aggressiveness experienced at the men’s.

The boom in popularity of women’s football has seen stadiums such as the Emirates and Stamford Bridge host Women’s Super League (WSL) matches earlier this month to large crowds.

The growth of the WSL, as well a

North East Londoner • 19 October 2023

Vagina Museum reopening in Bethnal Green

London’s Vagina Museum is reopening in Bethnal Green on November 4.

The museum shut in February after its property-guardianship ended, but is reopening in new premises on Poyser Street after raising £85,000 through crowdfunding.

The new museum will relaunch with a temporary exhibition, Endometriosis: Into the Unknown, in collaboration with Oxford EndoCare.

Museum director Florence Schechter said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be opening our doors to the world once again.”

The new museum wil

North West Londoner • 2 October 2023

GULZ: Meet the medics making music

Most people would consider being an NHS doctor more than enough to keep them busy, and wouldn’t even fathom balancing a burgeoning music career with it.

The four-piece Camden band is made up of medical students and junior doctors whose music has already received recognition from BBC Introducing and Amazing Radio UK and US.

Freshly signed to Fierce Panda, an independent label with previous releases credited to Coldplay and Keane, GULZ describe their sound as: “rough-round-the-edges, but sweet.”

North West Londoner • 22 September 2023

Independent Ealing gift shop saved at the last minute

An independent gift shop in Ealing Broadway shopping centre has been saved from closure after a last-minute deal was reached for a new site this week.

The Store Collective, which sells handmade gifts and collaborates with local artists, was due to shut on September 27 after its rent was raised and the business was unable to put in a competitive offer.

However, a deal has been confirmed between the shop’s owner and DS Properties which is expected to allow the independent retailer to operate in

POLO Stories • 16 June 2023

Leading Georgia's climate change policy: an interview with Maia Tskhvaradze

In the ongoing battle against climate change, it is clear, now more than ever, that everybody must play their part. Every single country, whether they are Annex I (an industrialised nation that is legally bound to reduce greenhouse gas emissions) or Non-Annex I (a country that is only legally bound to report their emissions, not necessarily lower them) is a cog in the machine. In that latter category is Georgia, a small yet fierce nation, hellbent on reducing their total greenhouse emissions. Th

Polostories • 7 March 2023

The 10 best documentaries to watch this International Women's Day

Gornall follows the journey of several women learning to drive, following the then-recently-lifted ban on women driving in Saudi Arabia. What many of us see as a rite of passage is shown as a critical and courageous step towards women’s independence. The documentary examines how even though the lifting of the ban should be seen as a success, it is only a small step towards gender equality in Saudi Arabia: one male subject says that he would still not allow his wife to drive; and there are still

The Oxford Student • 7 June 2021

A playlist navigating identity

It is sometimes said that while art is how we fill up physical space, music is how we fill up time. Music is a language that can say something individual and unique to everyone it touches. It is part of what makes us human. Recently I have been trying to come to terms with my perception of my identity as a mixed-race woman and how I often feel isolated in my position as a woman of colour: knowing full well I am not ‘white’ but also that I do not experience the same challenges that other POC face

The Oxford Blue • 12 July 2020

Does gender matter?

There’s no doubt that the myriad of sex crimes commited by Jeffrey Epstein globally over two decades were anything but heinous. His death last year, while awaiting trial for charges of sex trafficking, resulted in the case being dismissed and the investigation being brought to an apparent halt. However, the FBI arrest of his former lover, turned confidante, Ghislaine Maxwell earlier this month has reignited not only an official inquiry into the late American millionaire, but also has posed furth