I research the therapeutic qualities of writing about art – here are three steps for trying it yourself: Sorapop Udomsri/Shutterstock What do we learn about ourselves when we write creatively about an artwork? I asked myself this question during my creative writing PhD, where my focus was on writing a collection of poems in response …
How a small Caribbean island is trying to become hurricane-proof: When Hurricane Maria struck the eastern Caribbean island of Dominica in 2017, it caused the kind of devastation which is unthinkable to larger countries. The Category 5 hurricane damaged 98% of building roofs and caused US$ 1.2 billion (£950 million) in damage. Dominica effectively lost …
A Peruvian farmer is trying to hold energy giant RWE responsible for climate change – the inside story of his groundbreaking court case: On a crisp, sunny day high in the Peruvian Andes, two German judges gaze across a mountain lake to the towering white glaciers in the distance. Dark spots are visible on the …
Christian leaders in Ghana are trying to reshape government – it may not end well: Ghana is constitutionally a secular state. This means religious liberty is guaranteed, and all citizens are free to believe and manifest any religious faith. No political parties are allowed to base their appeal on religion. However, the situation is changing. …
Self-driving buses that go wherever you want? How the UK is trying to revolutionise public transport: Scotland’s CAVForth self-driving bus service began in May 2023, serving a 14-mile route that crosses the Forth Road Bridge on the outskirts of Edinburgh. Stagecoachbus.com Futurology is littered with predictions that failed to materialise, not least in the field …
The government passed a major immigration law last year – so why is it trying to pass another one?: The illegal immigration bill has generated endless controversy on its way to becoming law. The bill, which effectively bans asylum seeking in the UK, has faced heavy criticism for its treatment of children, its approach to …
Nikki Haley: the ‘new generation’ candidate trying to win the Republican nomination: Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley has pledged to support Ukraine if she wins. The Old Major/Shutterstock “The Washington establishment has failed us … It’s time for a new generation of leadership to rediscover fiscal responsibility, secure our border and strengthen our country.” These …
Keir Starmer: four lessons from history for an opposition trying to be the ‘government-in-waiting’: Labour’s Keir Starmer has one inestimable quality in leading a government-in-waiting a year out from a general election: a consistent 20-point lead in opinion polls. He also boasts an increasingly rare biographical feature: a big job before he went into politics. …
Ukraine war: as Russia falters on the battlefield, Putin is trying to raise the stakes: During a recent visit to St Petersburg, Russian president Vladimir Putin reiterated his confidence in his country’s victory over Ukraine. Visiting a defence contractor, he also took the opportunity to reassure workers that his so-called “special military operation” was in …
Long COVID: here’s what it’s like trying to access healthcare for the condition: Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock It’s estimated that 2.1 million people are currently living with long COVID in the UK. Symptoms can include breathlessness, fatigue, chest pains, loss of taste and smell, and “brain fog”. These symptoms continue to develop and fluctuate over time …
Who are the Reichsbürger group accused of trying to overthrow the German government?: Police have arrested 25 people accused of planning to overthrow the German government in a series of raids across the country. The group is accused of trying to instate Heinrich XIII – a descendant of German royalty – as their leader. Among …
8 billion people: why trying to control the population is often futile – and harmful: Varavin88 / Shutterstock The world’s population is expected to hit 8 billion people on November 15, according to the UN. Already this has prompted worry about whether there will be enough food, water and energy to support our growing population. …
BBC at 100: a century of informing, educating, entertaining – and trying to keep politicians honest: The BBC as it is known in Britain – as a breathing part of our political and social life, the soundtrack to our private lives, our thinking as citizens and our voice to the world – was born out …
Some plants can short-circuit the toxic effects of metals – now scientists are trying to harness their power: Heavy metals can be toxic to plants – and humans, too. Andrii Yalanskyi/Shutterstock At first glance, it’s hard to see what gold, iron, lead, arsenic, silver, platinum and tin have in common. A look at the periodic …
Photos of wartime Europe still shape views of conflict – here’s how we’re trying to right the record: The Tanganyika expeditionary force in Belgian Congo (now Democratic Republic of Congo) during East African campaign of the first world war. Imperial War Museum., CC BY-NC A war in Europe instantly creates parallels with the world wars …
Can we ever fully separate our work and home lives? Philosophy suggests we should stop trying: Photobank.kiev.ua / Shutterstock If you could take work-life balance to its most literal extreme, what would it look like? That’s the central theme of Severance, the sci-fi series that has just finished airing on Apple TV. Employees working for …
Three reasons why you feel stressed when trying to relax – and what you can do about it: It's possible to stop experiencing 'stresslaxation'. fizkes/ Shutterstock Have you ever tried to relax, only to find yourself overwhelmed with feeling stressed and having negative thoughts? Turns out a lot of us experience this – which is …
IVF add-ons: why you should be cautious of these expensive procedures if you’re trying to conceive: Some people may consider IVF add-ons with the hope of improving their chances of having a baby. Photographee.eu/ Shutterstock While in-vitro fertilisation has significantly improved the chances of helping people with fertility problems start a family, it’s still only …