Is the United Kingdom ready for Putin’s growing hybrid war? My piece for @theipaper.com looks into what the UK can learn from Ukraine as Moscow’s cyber warfare campaign escalates. inews.co.uk/news/world/u...

The UK is unprepared for Putin's war on a new front

A masterclass in tech innovation could boost Britain's chances of defending against Russian attacks

inews.co.uk

After reporting from Kyiv on and off for the past four years, I wanted to share some of the realities facing people in the city. Even in wartime, life has to go on, despite deadly missile and drone bombardments that destroy homes, business and often kill civilians.

For @theipaper.com, I reported from Kyiv and Lviv to find out how war wounds in Ukraine may be helping fuel the spread of antibiotic-resistant superbugs across Europe. “You’re basically becoming a biological weapon.” inews.co.uk/news/world/p...

'Patients are a biological weapon': Ukraine's superbugs that are spreading in Europe

War injuries are raising the stakes for combatting so-called 'superbugs' and their spread

inews.co.uk

Thrilled to be joining @bridgdivides.bsky.social at @torontomet.bsky.social @globalmigrationtmu.bsky.social as a Visiting Journalism Fellow ✨ If anyone is in Toronto or has any recommendations for places to visit, people to meet or things I shouldn’t miss, let me know 👀

My dispatch from Kyiv's queer nightlife scene for @xtramagazine.com Despite curfews, blackouts and anti-LGBTQ+ attacks, queer clubs and raves are bringing people together in Ukraine's capital city. An absolute pleasure working with @cohaug.bsky.social & @tmziniuk.bsky.social

Xtra @xtramagazine.com · 5mo ago

Despite curfews, blackouts and anti-LGBTQ+ attacks, queer clubs and raves are bringing people together in Ukraine's capital city. @finbarrtoesland.bsky.social reports:

For my latest piece in Service95, I went to Kyiv, Lviv and Uzhhorod to explore how the traditional Ukrainian vyshyvanka, an embroidered shirt passed down through generations, has become a powerful symbol of identity during wartime. service95.com/ukraine-vysh...

How The Vyshyvanka Became A Symbol Of Ukranian Pride

Four years since the attacks began on Ukraine, and the traditional vyshyvanka shirt is being worn more than ever. Here's why locals are returning to tradition.

service95.com

My latest dispatch from inside Uzhhorod, a western Ukrainian city that may be the safest in the country, for @theipaper.com The impact of war is felt here deeply, with mothers grieving over their sons who have been killed on the frontline. inews.co.uk/news/world/i...

Inside Ukraine's safest city - and why it's the only one Putin hasn't bombed

Uzhhorod's close proximity to Hungary could play a key part in keeping it safe

inews.co.uk

My dispatch from Kyiv for @theipaper.com Inside Kyiv's British-themed pubs - and why Ukrainians still love Boris Johnson inews.co.uk/news/world/v...

Inside Kyiv's British-themed pubs - and why Ukrainians still love Boris Johnson

Amid Churchill's prized tipples and plates of bangers and mash, locals have created a haven of friendly foreign culture as war rages around them

inews.co.uk

My latest for @theipaper.com looks at Ukraine’s mobilisation system and the intense public concern around forced recruitment. Ukraine's military recruitment officials have been accused of violently hauling men into vans and forcing them into conscription

How Ukrainian military press gangs are grabbing citizens off the street

Ukraine's military recruitment officials have been accused of violently hauling men into vans and forcing them into conscription

inews.co.uk

What does it mean to live under a blitz, night after night, in Kyiv? My latest piece for @theipaper.com examines how residents navigate relentless overnight strikes, disrupted infrastructure and the psychological toll of long-term conflict.

'I hope we won't die': What it's like to live through Putin's blitz on Kyiv

I spent the night in a bomb shelter as Russia's drone attacks and assaults on Ukraine's energy networks worsen

inews.co.uk

Really pleased to be on the shortlist for Best Investigation in the @freelancingfor.bsky.social Awards for my investigation for @bylinetimes.bsky.social on "How US Religious Groups are Exporting Conversion Therapy to Europe" freelancingforjournalists.substack.com/p/freelance-...

For @gaytimes.bsky.social, I travelled to Kyiv and Lviv to meet the queer activists and artists racing to preserve LGBTQIA+ stories and cultural heritage before they’re lost to war. Thanks to @n-ost.bsky.social & @evzfoundation.bsky.social magazine.gaytimes.com/how-ukraines...

How Ukraine’s queer artists and activists are safeguarding LGBTQIA+ memory in wartime

Finbarr Toesland speaks to Ukrainian activists and artists preserving queer memory amidst war

magazine.gaytimes.com

Incredible few days in Bern🇨🇭with @truestoryfestival.bsky.social as nominees for the @truestoryaward.bsky.social🌟 Highlights were speaking to a class of secondary school students about our investigation into conversion therapy practices and our panel going in-depth on the ins and outs of our work :)

What an incredible night at the Amnesty Media Awards 2025! The ceremony was a powerful reminder of the impact journalism can have in the fight for human rights. Huge congratulations to all the winners and finalists 🌟 #AmnestyMediaAwards

Honored to be nominated for an @amnestyuk.bsky.social Media Award for my @bigissue.com article on the journey of Ukrainian refugees! Grateful to have my work recognised alongside so many incredible journalists shining a light on human rights ✨ #AmnestyMediaAwards

🇺🇦 Ukrainians have expressed their fear that America’s continuing assault on its ally, removing lifeline after lifeline, will force the country into capitulating to Russia 🔎 Big Read by @finbarrtoesland.bsky.social and @laurenmedlicott.bsky.social

'Putin is the only one who benefits': Ukrainians fear worse to come after Trump’s aid halt

Kyiv MPs and civilians doubt the Ukraine-US alliance can return to how it was before

inews.co.uk

In the hours after the United States cut off military aid to Ukraine, I spoke to Ukrainian MPs Bohdan Yaremenko, Yulia Klymenko, Volodymyr Ariev and Oleksiy Goncharenko about the future of Ukraine-US relations for @theipaper.com

'Putin is the only one who benefits': Ukrainians fear worse to come after Trump’s aid halt

Kyiv MPs and civilians doubt the Ukraine-US alliance can return to how it was before

inews.co.uk

Great to chat with Winston Mwale and the Center for Collaborative Investigative Journalism about the critical world of human rights reporting and the value of exploring underreported issues #TransparencyTalks

#TransparencyTalks With Finbarr Toesland

Transparency Talks · Episode

open.spotify.com

Friday #Freelancer Spotlight. This week we are shining a light on multi-award winning #independent investigative journalist @finbarrtoesland.bsky.social Finbarr is committed to illuminating vital human rights stories and underreported issues. www.thedailybeast.com/ex-gay-influ...

TikTok Is Flooding Gen Z With Conversion Therapy Propaganda

Mainstream medical groups reject the idea of “gay conversion therapy” but a new generation of social media influencers are pushing an updated version to their young fans.

thedailybeast.com

'Russia won't stop until it takes everything' In central Kyiv, I spoke to Ukrainians as Russia and the United States met for bilateral talks, without Kyiv, on the future of their country. @theipaper.com

'Russia won't stop until it takes everything': What Ukrainians want Trump to know

Ukrainians have expressed shock, upset and a deep sense of betrayal as Russia and the United States met for bilateral talks without Kyiv on the future of their country

inews.co.uk

Extremely grateful to receive the Tenacious Journalist Award alongside some amazing people! Excited to get started on a deep investigation thanks to the support and funding of @publicinterestnews.org.uk and Changing Ideas :)

Announcing: 2025’s Tenacious Journalists!

Jaldeep Katwala is thrilled to be announcing the finalists of the inaugural Tenacious Journalist awardsIn October 2024, Changing Ideas and PINF announced a new annual award celebrating the power of te...

publicinterestnews.org.uk

From 1049 entries to 108 shortlisted and 36 nominated, so exciting that our conversion therapy investigation is one of the nominees for the True Story Award!! Can't wait to attend the ceremony in Bern to find out the 3 winners :) Beyond proud of Rina Nikolaeva and @aagro.bsky.social

Meet the lawyers combatting anti-trans laws in the legal courts and fighting for a more just world My interview with @jolyonmaugham.bsky.social of @goodlawproject.bsky.social for @gaytimes.bsky.social

Meet the lawyers combatting anti-trans laws in the legal courts and fighting for a more just world

Jo Maugham of the Good Law Project on legal advocacy for trans rights, challenging the ban on puberty blockers and growing anti-trans attitudes

magazine.gaytimes.com

Thrilled to be selected by the Aspen Institute UK as a Rising Leaders Fellow! Joining this network of inspirational and innovative young leaders is a privilege and I very much look forward to seeing what we collectively achieve 🌎 Excited to see where this Fellowship leads 😇

It's a bit different from my normal work but... For @inews.co.uk: 'I holidayed at a service station – it was the most refreshing week of my year'

I holidayed at a service station – it was the most refreshing week of my year

A childhood fascination, curiosity and a hectic year lead to an unconventional escape beside the M1

inews.co.uk

Very exciting to be longlisted for the Tenacious Journalism Awards from @publicinterestnews.bsky.social! Lots of amazing journalists on the list :)

Meet the 20 Outstanding Applicants Longlisted for the Tenacious Journalist Awards

Jaldeep Katwala announces the 20 applicants longlisted for the first ever Tenacious Journalist Award and introduces the expert panel with the truly difficult job of awarding the prizes.We’re delighted...

publicinterestnews.org.uk

Beyond exciting to find out that our conversion therapy investigation has been shortlisted for the True Story Award! Amazing recognition of our dream team of Rina Nikolaeva and @aagro.bsky.social All the stories can be read here: www.journalismfund.eu/therapy-conf... taz.de/Christliche-...

Inside Europe’s Secret Conversion Therapy Conference | Journalismfund Europe

WARSAW – What brings a motley crew of British lawyers, Polish psychologists, American paediatricians, Malaysian church leaders and German doctors to a hotel on the outskirts of a European capital city...

journalismfund.eu

Vor 1 Jahr in der @taz.de: unsere Reportage von einer geheimen Konferenz christlicher Organisationen, die sich über krude Methoden zur "Heilung" von queeren Menschen - bzw. Konversionsbehandlung - ausgetauscht haben. Jetzt ist der Text für den True Story Award shortlisted 😱💥 taz.de/Christliche-...

Sie treffen sich heimlich, um zu lernen, wie man LGBTIQ "heilt". Finbarr Toesland, Rina Nikolaeva und ich waren undercover auf dem internationalen Vernetzungstreffen einer christlichen Lobby-Organisation, die unter dem Deckmantel der Wissenschaft...

Sobering piece by @sammygecsoyler.bsky.social on the decline of LGBTQ+ and other minority-focused media in the UK (and the world!)

Uncertain future of PinkNews sparks fears for LGBTQ+ media in UK

Multiple allegations of sexual misconduct made against bosses of title billed as safe space for journalists

theguardian.com