The start of the new year has brought in the abolition of the ‘tampon tax’, a policy deemed by many to be ‘sexist’ and a perpetuation of gender equality which does not belong in today’s society – a zero rate of VAT now applies to all sanitary products in the UK. The move was finally…
Interview
“Iraq had been decimated… I really felt for the people”: an interview with former United Nations Weapons Inspector Mike Barley
Zoom seems an unlikely place to be conducting an interview with a former United Nations Weapons Inspector, and further still to be discussing his tours in Iraq in search of Weapons of Mass Destruction. Yet here we are. Former United Nations (UN) Weapons Inspector Mike Barley was seconded to Iraq three times in 1996-7 at…
Global
Abortion legalised in Argentina
Terminations up to the 14th week of pregnancy have now been legalised in Argentina. In an area which holds the world’s most restrictive abortion laws, this is a huge step forward for the sexual and reproductive rights of women. The new law replaces the 1921 ruling stating abortion is illegal, with exceptions given for cases…
Interview
“Hospital is a scary, lonely place… our government didn’t learn from their mistakes”: an interview with Adult Nursing student Sophie Moore
At only 19 years old, Adult Nursing student Sophie Moore has been pulled away from her university studies and plunged into the dark world of the Covid-19 wards. As a Healthcare Assistant (HCA) her typical shifts are 12.5 hours long, usually consisting of physiological observations, bed baths, toileting, feeding, and rolling patients who cannot leave…
Global
Global Investigates: Millions of women still at risk of FGM
The following article will cover sensitive topics such as Female Genital Mutilation, reader discretion is advised. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) puts 3 million girls and women at risk every year. Documented in 30 countries across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, it is estimated that at least 200 million of the female population alive today…
Global
Insurgency grips Ethiopia
Ethiopian government forces have launched a military offensive on the local rulers of the north-west region Tigray for defying Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali’s authority. On 4th November, Abiy accused Tigray authorities of attacking and looting a military camp. The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) have denied the attack, claiming Abiy has fabricated the story…
Main Stories, News
UK to receive 10 million doses of new Covid-19 vaccine by end of year
Early data for a coronavirus vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech suggests they have achieved more than 90% effectiveness in preventing people from contracting Covid-19. The two pharmaceutical companies are the first to release their final testing phase data, with a projection of being able to supply 50 million doses by the end of this…
Books
UEA Live: Ian McEwan’s reflections on an illustrious career
Ian McEwan is considered to be one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed storytellers working in Britain, earning the Man Booker Prize in 1998 for his novel Amsterdam and the Jerusalem Prize in 2011 (given to creators who deal with the freedom of the individual in their work), with the jury commending him…
Comment
Offshoring is utterly inhumane
‘Offshoring’ – not a term I am fond of. To be found with ‘offloading’, ‘offcasting’, ‘offending’. ‘Offshoring’. In terms of business, defined as relocating processes or services overseas and taking advantage of lower costs to improve competitiveness. ‘Offshoring’: an idea being considered by the UK government in an inhumane attempt to fix the asylum system….
Latest Comments