Traverse

Traverse

Category: Affairs

Declaring racism a public health crisis brings more attention to solving long-ignored racial gaps in health

{Maria Khrenova/Tass}

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has joined hundreds of cities and counties across the country in declaring racism a public health threat. On April 8, 2021, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky called racism an epidemic that affects “the entire health of our nation.” Declaring racism a public health threat will create a sharper strategic and operational focus on… Continue reading Declaring racism a public health crisis brings more attention to solving long-ignored racial gaps in health

Plantable cutlery brings sustainable push to the table

{Reuter}

In a push to incorporate sustainable practices into everyday life, Dubai-based startup BloomSpoon has introduced recyclable cutlery made out of wheat straw that can be planted after use and blossom into herbs or vegetables. Plantable cutlery could one day blossom into an herb or vegetable. That’s because it’s not made from plastic – but wheat… Continue reading Plantable cutlery brings sustainable push to the table

The abuse of Diane Abbott by a top Tory donor shows how racism against women MPs is normalised

{News Group Newspapers Ltd}

Yet again a black woman in British public life has been subjected to racist and sexist abuse. This may be shocking, but it is not surprising. When Tory donor Frank Hester said that looking at Diane Abbott “makes you want to hate all black women” his comments were extreme. Yet, they were hardly out of… Continue reading The abuse of Diane Abbott by a top Tory donor shows how racism against women MPs is normalised

Disabled people are disproportionately affected by homelessness – and getting support feels ‘nearly impossible’

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Homelessness is reaching record highs in the UK. The latest statistics on statutory homelessness show that in March 2023, 104,510 households – including over 131,000 children – were living in hotels, hostels, B&Bs and the like. But disabled people are particularly affected by homelessness, as our new report, commissioned by the Centre for Homelessness Impact, explores.… Continue reading Disabled people are disproportionately affected by homelessness – and getting support feels ‘nearly impossible’

Swapping payments for vouchers won’t fix disability benefits

The UK government is proposing major changes to the benefits system, in response to the increase in people claiming benefits for disability and ill health. The proposals, which will be consulted on in the coming months, focus mainly on replacing the personal independence payment (Pip). Pip is a working-age benefit to help disabled people with the additional costs associated… Continue reading Swapping payments for vouchers won’t fix disability benefits

EU sues Hungary over anti-gay law – what it could mean for LGBT rights in Europe

{AFP via Getty Images}

The European commission is taking legal action against Hungary at the European court of justice (ECJ), escalating a longstanding dispute over the country’s anti-LGBT laws. This is an unprecedented step for the EU, but it isn’t a sure win for LGBT rights in Europe – and even has the potential to endanger them. Hungary (under Prime Minister Viktor… Continue reading EU sues Hungary over anti-gay law – what it could mean for LGBT rights in Europe

What’s behind the astonishing rise in LGBTQ+ romance literature?

A major transformation is underway in Romancelandia. Once upon a time, romance novels from major U.S. publishers featured only heterosexual couples. Today, the five biggest publishers regularly release same-sex love stories. From May 2022 to May 2023, sales of LGBTQ+ romance grew by 40%, with the next biggest jump in this period occurring for general… Continue reading What’s behind the astonishing rise in LGBTQ+ romance literature?

In Knife, Salman Rushdie confronts a world where liberal principles like free speech are old-fashioned

Knife is Salman Rushdie’s account of how he narrowly survived an attempt on his life in August 2022, in which he lost his right eye and partial use of his left hand. The attack ironically came when Rushdie was delivering a lecture on “the creation in America of safe spaces for writers from elsewhere”, at… Continue reading In Knife, Salman Rushdie confronts a world where liberal principles like free speech are old-fashioned

Liz Truss’s lessons on how not to be a prime minister

All prime ministerial memoirs are about shaping legacies. “History will be kind to me,” Churchill is alleged to have said before writing his own six-volume history. “For I intend to write it.” But among these memoir writers sits a sub-genre of leaders who need to do some pretty serious legacy shaping. Think Anthony Eden on… Continue reading Liz Truss’s lessons on how not to be a prime minister

How China uses ‘geostrategic corruption’ to exert its influence in Latin America

{Illustration: VOA}

Corruption has long been a scourge in parts of Latin America. Traditionally, it has funneled down domestic routes, with local politicians, business interests and drug lords benefiting from graft and dodgy dealings. Indeed, a 2022 report from Transparency International found that 27 out of 30 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have shown stagnant… Continue reading How China uses ‘geostrategic corruption’ to exert its influence in Latin America