How England’s scrapped Sure Start centres boosted the health and education of disadvantaged children: Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock The Sure Start programme was launched in 1999, with centres set up in communities across England to offer support to the most disadvantaged families. These centres had significant investment and a broad remit that focused on improving the lives of …
How to make sure your leftovers are safe to eat: Leftovers should only be stored in the fridge for a maximum of two days. Halfpoint/ Shutterstock Eating leftovers can be a great way to save money, diversify your cooking repertoire and reduce food waste. But eating leftover food can also be risky as these foods …
Many survivors aren’t sure what to do after a sexual assault – here’s what you need to know: Bricolage/Shutterstock Millions of people have experienced sexual violence and abuse in England and Wales, but many do not know where to go, or who to turn to afterwards. Shame felt by victims and survivors of sexual violence …
South Africa leads the continent in offering more paternal leave to fathers. How to make sure both parents benefit: A South African high court has ushered in a new era of parental leave with a landmark ruling that new parents can share four months of parental leave, previously available only to mothers. The case against …
Infections from a diarrhoea-causing parasite are on the rise in the UK – but experts aren’t quite sure why: Only two species of the _Cryptosporidium_ parasite cause infections in humans. Kateryna Kon/ Shutterstock Infections from a parasite which can cause long-lasting, severe diarrhoea has seen an “unprecedented and ongoing” surge across the UK. This increase …
Bats are avoiding solar farms and scientists aren’t sure why: The common pipistrelle. Rudmer Zwerver/Shutterstock As our planet continues to warm, the need for renewable energy is becoming increasingly urgent. Almost half of the UK’s electricity now comes from renewable sources. And solar accounts for one-fifth of the energy capacity installed since 2019. Solar farms …
Fermented food is a staple in west Africa: 5 ways to make sure it’s safe for eating: West African cuisine makes significant use of fermented condiments. Wikimedia Commons A typical west African menu is not complete without a fermented food or drink. These are foods that have been transformed by natural processes involving “friendly” microorganisms …
Elections can lead to conflict if they are not free and fair – what role observers play to make sure they are: European Union election observers in Zimbabwe during the 2018 general elections. MarcoLongari/AFP via Getty Images At least two dozen presidential, national, regional and local elections are held across the African continent each year. …
Want to start therapy, but not sure what type will be right for you? Here are four to consider: PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock Have you been feeling persistently sad for weeks or months? Perhaps you’ve been lacking motivation, or feeling irritable, or anxious, or constantly “on edge”. If symptoms like these are causing you concern …
‘Clubbing a bunny to death is very effective but it sure does look bad’: the inside stories of urban animal control: Public acceptance of killing urban wild animals varies. Elena Berd/Shutterstock In July 2022, a walrus, affectionately nicknamed Freya, was culled near Norway’s capital city in the Oslo fjord – crowds of people approaching her …
Thinking of getting a second cat? Here’s how to make sure your first pet doesn’t feel threatened: Alena Ozerova/Shutterstock Many people choose to live with a cat for companionship. As a social species, companionship is something we often crave. But this cannot necessarily be said of our feline friends. Domestic cats evolved from a largely …
Not sure how to keep your kids busy and happy these holidays? Here are five tips.: Benson Ibeabuchi/AFP via Getty Images When holidays roll around, many parents begin to appreciate just how tenacious teachers have to be to keep children engaged for weeks at a time. Some, faced with children they describe as “too playful”, …
Multiparty democracy is in trouble in South Africa – collapsing coalitions are a sure sign: Mpho Phalatse was toppled as mayor of Johannesburg following a no-confidence vote in September. A high court reinstated her. Luba Lesolle/Gallo Images via Getty Images South Africa’s 28-year-old, continuously transforming multiparty democracy was reminded of its own fragility when, in …
Manipulating light can induce psychedelic experiences – and scientists aren’t quite sure why: Brion Gysin and William Burroughs with the Dreamachine, 1972. Charles Gatewood, Author provided For millennia, people have used mind-altering techniques to achieve different states of consciousness, envision spiritual figures, connect with nature, or simply for the fun of it. Psychedelic substances, in …
Angela Lansbury – a storied career sure to touch people for years to come: Album/Alamy I never met Angela Lansbury, but she was one of those icons that felt like a trusted friend and family member. Every Sunday evening, I devoured Jessica Fletcher’s activities in Murder, She Wrote – catching the bad guys and saving …
Drone superhighways and airports are coming – let’s make sure they don’t make life miserable: The future of our cities is being redrawn Alex Yuzhakov/Shutterstock Within just two years, the UK could be home to the planet’s biggest drone superhighway thanks to the plans of a group of technology companies. It sounds like something out …
Angola’s 2022 election: an unfair contest the ruling MPLA is sure to win: Protests demanding better living in Angola have become common since 2011. This one was in November 2020. EFE-EPA/Luso Angolans go to the polls on 24 August to vote in parliamentary elections. The leader of the party with the most seats in parliament …
Dark matter: should we be so sure it exists? Here’s how philosophy can help: The galaxy cluster Abell 520, with suspected dark matter highlighted in blue. NASA It has been more than 50 years since astronomers first proposed “dark matter”, which is thought to be the most common form of matter in the universe. Despite …