“The events of the past year are not unexpected flukes: they are simply the unmasking of problems that have been festering for years or even decades.”
Zaman Keinath-Esmail examines why the optimism surrounding the New Year is misplaced.
Month: December 2020
New Year’s Resolutions: A Curse on Mankind
“This notion, which the majority of us practice year in year out, is not only pointless but damaging to ourselves.”
Ahmad Nawaz explores the history and evolution of New Year’s resolutions.
How to Break your New Year’s Resolutions (and not feel guilty at all)
Exercise more. Spend less. Eat better. Drink less alcohol. Meet all my deadlines, turn up to all my tutorials and classes, maintain a socially-acceptable sleep schedule, pick up a new hobby, have a better social life, travel the world, start yoga, become fluent in five foreign languages and just generally become: A Better Person. Read More…
Silver linings and green recoveries: Promising environmental news in a decidedly dismal year
Before the outbreak of a novel zoonotic disease colonised the news cycle, 2020 had been earmarked as a landmark year for global environmental politics and policy. In Glasgow, world leaders were set to substantiate their commitments to limiting climate change to 1.5ºC of warming under the Paris Agreement, while in Kunming, the international community planned Read More…
Brexit trade deal with EU passed in Parliament, with support of 5 out of 6 Oxfordshire MPs
After almost four years of negotiations between the United Kingdom and the EU, the bill on future relationship between the world’s fifth largest economy and the third largest trading block was passed by parliament this afternoon.
Government orders UK universities to stagger student return as school reopenings delayed by 2 weeks
The Education Secretary has announced that most students will not return to universities across the country at the start of January. Gavin Williamson made the change this afternoon as Boris Johnson announced that swathes of England will enter Tier 4 coronavirus restrictions from midnight amid rising COVID-19 infection rates nationwide. From tomorrow – New Year’s Read More…
It’s Okay Not to Be Okay, But We Need More
“After years of activism centred around raising awareness in perhaps too shallow a way, the underfunding of mental health services across the UK is becoming a bit of an elephant in the room.”
Ellie Redpath examines the limitations of current mental health campaigns and initiatives.
TW: in-depth discussion of mental health issues, mention of mental health crises
‘New year, new me’?
Izzy Holland explores how the year 2020 destabilised the culture surrounding New Year’s resolutions
BREAKING: Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine approved for use in UK
The vaccine made by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca is the 2nd vaccine to be approved for use in the UK.
Will the Real Oxford Union Please Stand Up? An Insider’s View
“I think it is my responsibility to dedicate a note to the Oxford students and the Oxford Union, presenting my views about what is really wrong with the Union and what is an exaggerated version.”
Priya Garg examines some of the issues the Union faces from an insider perspective.