Air pollution increases crime in cities – here’s how: Shutterstock. The impact of air pollution on human health is well-documented. We know that exposure to high levels of air pollutants raises the risk of respiratory infections, heart disease, stroke, lung cancer as well as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. But there is growing evidence to suggest …
Ban on food waste as animal feed should be reconsidered – here’s why: Thuwanan Krueabudda/Shutterstock.com In the spring of 2001, the UK countryside turned into a crematorium. A foul-smelling haze settled over parts of the country as 6m cows, sheep, pigs and goats were slaughtered and their carcasses burned in the fields. This was the …
Millions of urban Africans still don’t have electricity: here’s what can be done: Millions of people without electricity access in Africa live close to existing power grid infrastructure. Shutterstock At least 110 million of the 600 million people still living without access to electricity in Africa live in urban areas. Most are within a stone …
Stink bug season: Here’s how to get rid of them updated: Soon enough those April temperatures will rise and snow will melt away. We will welcome blooming flowers and it will genuinely feel like spring. : Weird News Have you tried: Diving with Sharks?
Women should be allowed to wear the niqab in court – here’s why: Satur/Shutterstock.com The debate about whether a woman who wears the niqab should be allowed to do so when giving evidence in court is one which polarises opinion. The niqab is the full face veil worn by a small number of Muslim women. …
Cape Town’s plans for what happens after Day Zero just won’t work. Here’s why: Capetonians wait to fill up water containers. EPA/Nic Bothma The world is watching Cape Town, counting down to Day Zero. This represents the point at which the municipality will turn off most of the city’s water distribution system. The date is …
Donors shouldn’t punish NGOs that disclose misconduct – here’s how to help stamp out abuse: The NGO sexual exploitation and abuse scandal has grown ever larger, engulfing many other organisations other than Oxfam, including allegations at the International Red Cross, Médecins Sans Frontières, Save the Children and Plan International. Reports have now emerged of women …
Nearly all cannabis seized by UK police is high-strength ‘skunk’– here’s why we should be worried: nhungboon/Shutterstock Fully 94% of the cannabis seized by British police in 2016 was high-potency cannabis known as “skunk”, our latest research reveals. By comparison, skunk comprised 85% of cannabis seized in 2008, and just 51% in 2005. This should …
Teenagers aren’t reading enough tough books – here’s why they should worry: Shutterstock. We may be living in the digital age, but reading books is still a big part of growing up. And the books that young people read – and how difficult they are – can have a massive impact on their ability to …
We asked older women what they want from fashion – here’s why the industry needs to listen: Debbie Harry led Blondie in their Pollinator tour last year, fronting the band at the age of 72 wearing Vin and Omi’s “Stop Fucking The Planet” range. As well as raising awareness of the need for sustainable design, …
Censorship or debate starter? Here’s why removing Waterhouse’s Nymphs was a bad idea: The offending work: John William Waterhouse’s Hylas and the Nymphs (1896). Manchester Art Gallery Manchester Art Gallery’s decision to temporarily remove John William Waterhouse’s 1896 work, Hylas and the Nymphs, has undeniably succeeded in its stated aim to “prompt conversation about how …
Youthquake was real – here’s how we know it was more than a myth: Academics from the British Election Study have labelled the 2017 youthquake in British politics a “myth”. They argue that when adjusting for “demographic imbalances”, there is no evidence of a substantial change in the relationship between age and turnout between the …
South Africa in the news: Here’s how much a new Samsung 860 SSD will cost you in South Africa: PC builders looking to upgrade their storage will be pleased to know that Samsung’s 860 range of solid state drives are available in South Africa. The 860 range follows on the success of the 850 range …
Nationalising Britain’s railways is the only way to fix chronic problems – here’s why: Photo by Michal Parzuchowski on Unsplash Just who exactly supports the UK’s privatised railway industry? It’s certainly not passengers, taxpayers, railway employees or increasingly many politicians. The state-owned British Rail was privatised over several years starting in 1995. Prime Minister Margaret …
South Africa in the news: From Table Mountain to baboon road trips and bargain dinners, here’s seven reasons to visit Cape Town: Sample the goods at Groot Constantia, a 25-minute drive from the Waterfront. Established in 1685, it’s South Africa’s oldest winery and sits right on the slopes of Table Mountain. Enjoy five tastings for …
Our rover could discover life on Mars – here’s what it would take to prove it: Mars seen by Viking. NASA / USGS Finding past or present microbial life on Mars would without doubt be one of the greatest scientific discoveries of all time. And in just two years’ time, there’s a big opportunity to …
Ghana’s justice system needs a major overhaul: here’s what should be done: Ghana's justice system is not just slow. It's also expensive and sometimes even harsh. Shutterstock Ghanaians are flocking to the courts at a much higher rate than before. Invariably this has put pressure on the civil litigation system; cases are being stretched and …
South Africa in the news: The ANC leadership race will go down to the wire: here’s why: The suspense is tangible as the African National Congress (ANC) – South Africa’s former liberation movement that’s turned into a tired governing party – approaches its fiercely contested 2017 elective conference. By December 5, the party’s …: “South …