Sarah Everard’s death sparks discussion about rape culture within society
The confirmed death of Sarah Everard has acted as a catalyst towards a revolt against rape culture and the patriarchy in British society, with the aim to increase gender equality for all. On March 11th, her remains were confirmed to be found in a builder’s bag in Kent, with Wayne Couzens, a Metropolitan Police officer, being held in custody on suspicion of murder. Following this news, there have been social media campaigns, vigils, and letters, such as from ex-Wimbledon High student Ava Vakil, addressing the issue, highlighting the importance of the matter to many. However, the vigil on Clapham Common on Saturday evening turned ugly, with reports of police mistreatment of peaceful women protesters, triggering an investigation by UK government to review police brutality within the UK.
Worries over safety of AstraZeneca vaccine slows rollout throughout Europe
Many countries, including France, Italy and Norway, have suspended distribution of the AstraZeneca vaccine after concerns over potential side effects following vaccinations. There have been studies researching claims that the vaccine causes blood clots to receivers, following reports of 40 people recording blood clots after vaccination, which have potential to be life threatening. However, the European Medicines Agency regulator, Emer Cooke, has stated that there is ‘no indication’ that this is the case, and urges countries not to make rash decisions before scientific claims have proved the unsafe nature of vaccine. The ambiguity of the situation, however, is having serious implications on the rate of the European vaccination programme. Restrictions have continued to be tightened following a rise in cases, and this halt of the vaccine rollout has reduced hope for many of a near end to the pandemic. The WHO is continuing trials to determine safety of the vaccine but does urge countries to continue the scheme.
UK lifts cap of nuclear weapons
Boris Johnson announced on the 16th of March that the limit for the number of nuclear warheads owned by the UK will be raised, increasing from 195 to 260, contradicting previous plans from 2010 to reduce numbers to 180. In a structured ten-year defence plan laid out by the government, an attempt to tackle the ‘era of retreat’ (Sir Keir Starmer) has been fully established, with the aim to increase defence stockpile throughout the world, particularly within South Asia, focussing on Indo-Pacific countries. This follows the continuing theme stated by the government following Brexit to become ‘Global Britain’ – one that has allies across the globe and can fully support its allied countries, focussing on NATO, if needs be, and further, aligning with Labour Party aims to increase level of British defence. In the document, Russia and China are identified as the ‘most acute threat’ to UK safety, with high ‘like[lihood] of nuclear or biological terrorism before 2030, allowing the justification of defence expansion. Although there has been some controversy to the scheme, Johnson justified the actions by ensuring the UK will keep ‘minimum destructive power’, and rather, focuses on national security.
