International News
By Fakhriya M. Suleiman, MA Global Media and Postnational Communication On 5 February 2021, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) issued a communiqué stating that ‘dealing in cryptocurrencies or facilitating payments for cryptocurrency is prohibited.’ In line with this directive, the CBN ordered the immediate closure of all accounts operating
International News
By Charlotte Paule, MSc Politics of Asia In the early hours of 1 February 2021, the Burmese military arrested the civilian leadership of Myanmar and took power. This came after the pro-democracy party National League for Democracy (NLD), led by Aung San Suu Kyi, won by a landslide in the
News
By Frances Howe, LLB A UCL spokesperson has confirmed that as of 3 March 2021 there has never been an offer from UCL to acquire SOAS. In response to the rumours that UCL will merge with SOAS, the spokesperson said, ‘there is no substance to any of these rumours.’ Accordingly,
News
By Fakhriya M. Suleiman, MA Global Media and Postnational Communication On 17 February, the SOAS press team announced the launch of a new postgraduate module on artificial intelligence (AI). SOAS’ website boasts the multidisciplinary ‘Artificial Intelligence and Human Security’ course will offer students an insight into ‘national and international threats
International News
By Maxine Betteridge-Moes, MA Media in Development The World Health Organization began administering Ebola vaccines in Guinea just nine days after the latest outbreak was declared in Gouécké in the far southern region on 14 February. The swift rollout of the vaccination campaign came after international calls to action to
News
By Nour Abu-Ismail, Korean Studies and Development Studies Despite the changing nature of lockdown in Britain, many universities have been quick to announce that 2021 graduation ceremonies will not be in person. On 27 January, Boris Johnson announced a four-step plan to ease lockdown measures in England. The prime minister
features
By Nafisa Kiani, MSc Global Public Policy Working hard or hardly working? For me, a typical lockdown week involves working for the House of Commons education and engagement team and studying remotely at the same time. I have been reading a research proposal from a student and outlining its strengths
News
By Corinna Del Debbio, BA Politics and International Relations Content warning: sexual and gender-based violence Enough is Enough successfully ran 78 workshops again this year, with the vast majority of SOAS freshers participating. The aim of the campaign is to tackle the vast disparities in how sexual education is taught,
News
By Louisa Johnson, MA Global Creative and Cultural Industries Content warning: sexual and gender-based violence In November 2020, SOAS released a new ‘Sexual and Gender-Based Violence’ (SGBV) policy, accompanied by two staff and survivor handbooks. This policy works alongside the ‘Preventing and Responding to SGBV’ guidance and other pre-existing institutional
News
By Lara Gibbs, BA Chinese (Modern and Classical) On 14 February, 104 students began withholding their tuition fees from SOAS. The strikers are part of the SOASWTFees campaign. According to SOASWTFees’ Strike Commitment Forms, filled out by strikers, students are collectively withholding hundreds of thousands of pounds. For Mais, an
National News
By Ruth Sellin MA Gender Studies and Law In 2018, University College London (UCL) was subject to an independent inquiry led by professor Iyiola Solanke, investigating its link with the pseudoscientific field of eugenics.The inquiry brought to light the fact that UCL has ties to the originator of eugenics,
Sport and Societies
By Luke Thomas, BA Politics and African Studies Barcelona icon Lionel Messi has revealed he is looking to play in the United States upon his departure from Spain. In an interview with Jordi Evole for La Sexta, Messi discussed his fallout with Barcelona, managerial relationships, and lingering ambitions in unprecedented