Opinion – Saying goodbye to travel restrictions is the right call
At risk of being blackballed in the early stages of my writing career, I’m putting forward my opinion on why travel restrictions should remain a thing of the past. If you’re still paying attention to coronavirus news two years on, you’ll know PM Boris Johnson has decided to shorten quarantine...
Current in Change
What Novak Djokovic’s visa battle can teach us about the refugee crisis
Tennis star Novak Djokovic became the target of public scrutiny and international support after the Australian government decided to cancel his visa. But now that a judge has overturned the decision, the player’s dispensation shines a light on our deeply flawed attitudes toward refugees and displaced people. Serbian Tennis star...
Ethiopian civilians killed in Tigray drone strike
Ethiopia has been facing a humanitarian crisis for more than a year. Monday and Tuesday’s drone strikes have killed and wounded more women and children according to local reports. Over the past two days, Ethiopia’s war-stricken region, Tigray, has experienced drone strikes killing 19 people and injuring dozens. On Monday, in...
In conversation with #HerGameToo co-founder Lucy Ford
Despite a slight technical hitch 10 minutes in, I was fortunate enough to talk with Lucy Ford, mega-fan of Bristol Rovers FC and co-founder of #HerGameToo, an online campaign tackling sexism in football. (Content warning: mention of abuse, rape, threats, discrimination.) Lucy is one of 12 female football fans who...
Maya Angelou becomes the first Black woman to appear on a US quarter
The legendary writer and activist passed away in 2014 and is now being paid tribute by having her image depicted on America’s brand new 25 cent coins. How can one begin to describe the late Maya Angelou? One might start with her accomplishments as an inspiring poet and novelist, whose books...
Preventing pandemics would cost 5% of the damage they inflict
Every year, the world loses approximately $500bn due to economic fallouts spurred by zoonotic diseases. The cost of preventing them in the future, according to a recent report, could be just $20bn. Though Covid-19 has obviously taken a huge toll on the world, claiming more than 5 million lives and...
WWF report calls for an urgent plan to decarbonise farming
British farmers must reduce their production of meat and dairy by a third in the next decade if scientific advice on limiting greenhouse gas emissions is to be met. A major report by the World Wide Fund for Nature has said that farming needs to be at the forefront of the UK government’s plans to hit its net zero targets and tackle the climate crisis. This is because livestock are...
Sudan’s prime minister resigns amid mass protests over military dictatorship
January 1st 2022 marked 66 years of Sudan’s independence. The following day, prime minister Abdalla Hamdok resigned - leaving the military in full control. On Sunday 2nd January, prime minister Abdalla Hamdok announced his resignation as the head of the civilian government. In an evening televised address, Mr. Hamdok said, ‘I have tried my best to stop the country from sliding into disaster. Sudan is now crossing a dangerous turning point...
Why Boots cutting the cost of emergency contraception is a victory
After years of campaigning by healthcare bodies and MPs to end the ‘grossly sexist surcharge,’ the British pharmacy chain has finally lowered the price of the morning after pill. On Black Friday last year, British pharmacy chain Boots slashed the cost of emergency contraception, giving it a 50 per cent discount. The deal, which was brought to people’s attention by a tweet and unsurprisingly met...
What could a global tax on those with $5m wealth pay for?
Globally, there are 3.6 million people that have accumulated more than $5m in wealth – more than 2,600 of them being billionaires. If there were an annual tax on these individuals, here’s what it could pay for. How’s vaccinating the entire planet, for starters? Global wealth distribution is up there as one of the very tetchy-est subjects, so prepare to be triggered. Around the world, there are 3.6 million people today...
