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Check FAQAbout Donna
Donna Ferguson is an award-winning freelance journalist, specialising in celebrity interviews, personal finance, education and lifestyle pieces for national newspapers. My articles appear regularly in The Guardian, The Observer, The Mail on Sunday and The Sunday Times. I also write for The Times, The Mirror and The Telegraph. My most recent articles are listed on journalisted.com and you can tweet me @DonnaLFerguson.
Feature Stories
Interview (Print / Radio / Podcast)
Fact Checking
Portfolio
Scientists’ experiment is ‘beacon of hope’ for coral reefs on brink of global collapse
An innovative underwater experiment combining 'coral IVF' and fish noise recordings offers hope for restoring coral reefs on the brink of collapse. The global collaboration between scientists aims to significantly increase coral repopulation on degraded reefs, with initial trials in the Maldives. Techniques involve capturing heat-tolerant coral spawn and using fish noises to attract larvae to degraded reefs. The experiment, featured on BBC's 'Our Changing Planet,' highlights the urgent need to address climate change to preserve coral ecosystems. Scientists emphasize the importance of maintaining temperature increases below 1.5C to ensure the success of these restoration efforts.
Train driver who upskirted female passenger avoids jail sentence
A Thameslink train driver, Paolo Barone, was found guilty of voyeurism after taking photos up a woman's skirt while she slept on a train. Despite the crime, he avoided jail, receiving a suspended three-month sentence and a requirement to complete rehabilitation activities. The incident, described as a 'hideous act' by police, led to Barone being placed on the sex offender register for seven years. Govia Thameslink Railway expressed shock and suspended Barone, emphasizing their zero-tolerance policy towards such behavior. The British Transport Police reiterated their commitment to addressing sex offenses on the railway network.
Train driver who upskirted female passenger avoids jail sentence
A Thameslink train driver, Paolo Barone, was found guilty of voyeurism after taking photos up a woman's skirt while she slept on a train. Despite the severity of the crime, he avoided jail, receiving a suspended three-month sentence and mandatory rehabilitation. The incident, described as a 'hideous act' by police, led to Barone's arrest after his employer identified him. Govia Thameslink Railway expressed shock and emphasized their commitment to high conduct standards. The British Transport Police urged the public to report any uncomfortable incidents on the railway.
G7 releases statement condemning Iran retaliatory attacks on Israel – as it happened
The G7 has condemned Iran's retaliatory attacks on Israel, which Iran and Syria claim as acts of self-defense following the killing of an Iranian commander by Israel. Latin American leaders expressed concerns over the potential for a global conflict, with Bolivia's president warning of a possible 'third world war.' The US, while supporting Israel's right to self-defense, has opposed any Israeli counterattack against Iran. Iran informed Turkey and the US in advance of its limited operation, emphasizing it was for self-defense. The article includes various international reactions and calls for restraint to prevent further escalation.
‘I wanted people to laugh not at me, but with me’: Tom Shakespeare
Tom Shakespeare, a disabled rights activist, academic, and former standup comedian, discusses his new novel 'The Ha-Ha,' which features a paraplegic wheelchair user as the main character. Shakespeare aims to challenge typical representations of disabled characters by portraying an ordinary life with humor. Drawing inspiration from British comic writers like PG Wodehouse, Douglas Adams, and Terry Pratchett, he emphasizes the importance of laughter in dealing with life's challenges. The article also touches on his personal experiences with disability, his academic work, and his views on equality and inherited titles.
Tories delete Sadiq Khan attack ad showing New York instead of London
The Conservatives retracted an online video attacking Sadiq Khan's crime record in London after it was revealed to use footage from New York. The ad, supporting Susan Hall for the London mayoralty, falsely depicted London as a crime-ridden city. Critics, including political journalist Paul Waugh, pointed out the misleading content, leading to the video's withdrawal. Data from the Crime Survey for England and Wales contradicts the ad's claims, showing lower crime rates in London compared to the national average. Khan's campaign criticized the ad as a misleading attack on London.
Medieval Christian misogyny shapes how we judge women today, says scholar
Medieval Christian misogyny continues to influence contemporary perceptions of women's appearance and behavior. Cambridge scholar Alexandra Zhirnova's research highlights how early Christian male writers used the idea of 'inner beauty' to control women's dress and adornment, portraying women who wore makeup and fine clothing as deceitful and untrustworthy. These historical attitudes contribute to modern rape culture and the judgment of women based on their appearance. The talk underscores the enduring impact of these medieval beliefs on today's societal norms.
Liverpool museum appeals for information on subject of The Black Boy
The International Slavery Museum in Liverpool is seeking information about the subject of 'The Black Boy,' a painting by William Lindsay Windus from 1844. The portrait is unique for its depiction of an individual Black child, which is rare for the period. X-rays have shown that Windus painted multiple faces before choosing this subject. The museum's researcher, Kate Haselden, has uncovered a narrative that the boy was a stowaway who Windus met and helped, but she remains skeptical. The museum is appealing for any information that could shed light on the boy's identity, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the Black presence in art and history.
Cambridge college unmasks alumnae who were Bletchley Park codebreakers
The article reveals that 77 alumnae of Newnham College, part of Cambridge University, were involved in codebreaking at Bletchley Park during World War II. The college researchers spent five years uncovering the identities and roles of these women, who were recruited to intercept, decrypt, and translate military messages. Many of these women kept their work secret due to the Official Secrets Act. The article highlights the contributions of key figures such as Jane Monroe, Dr. Sally Waugh, Dr. Gillian Sutherland, and Pernel Strachey, and discusses the recruitment process led by influential women connected to Bletchley Park.
Cambridge college unmasks alumnae who were Bletchley Park codebreakers
Newnham College, part of Cambridge University, has revealed the identities of 77 alumnae who worked as codebreakers at Bletchley Park during World War II. The revelation is part of a college exhibit and roll of honour, the result of five years of research by college staff and Bletchley Park. The women, who were recruited for their language skills and mathematical expertise, played a crucial role in deciphering Nazi messages and breaking Enigma codes. The research uncovered the secretive recruitment process, often facilitated by influential women at the college. Many of the codebreakers, such as Jane Monroe, kept their wartime roles secret, adhering to the Official Secrets Act.
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