How installation art can make plastic waste more tangible
Science tells us that plastic lives forever. From oceans to urban streets, plastic pollution has become a defining geological marker of our time – entangled with nature, yet often hard to see. While we often measure plastic pollution in tonnage of microplastics, those numbers can feel abstract. The reality is more immediate: plastic is everywhere […]
How the heat affects children as they learn, play and do sport – and how parents can help
Raja GamerXTC/Shutterstock Schools in the UK are closing as temperatures soar. If you’re a parent, you might be wondering what effect the heat has on your child. If they’re at school, will they be able to learn properly? If they’re at home, should they be playing or attending their normal clubs? How can you help […]
The class divide in British politics didn’t erode slowly – it collapsed under New Labour
British politics has become increasingly volatile and fragmented, with no party able to command the substantial backing of the public that was once routine. The results from England’s local elections in May illustrate just how far politics has moved from the two-party dominance that characterised much of the 20th century. And at the centre of […]
What happens to your blood when you’re stressed? We put it to the test
PeopleImages/Shutterstock We have all heard it: “It’s just in your head.” When work deadlines pile up, financial worries linger or an unexpected public speaking obligation looms, we often treat anxiety as a purely psychological challenge – something to be overcome with a bit of willpower. But our bodies don’t separate the psychological from the physical. […]
The flaws at the heart of Donald Trump’s Iran ceasefire deal
The world sighed in relief when Donald Trump agreed to a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to finally end the conflict with Iran on June 17. But there is now a palpable feeling that hostilities are far from over. The agreement between Washington and Tehran, signed at Versailles on June 18, is better understood as a […]
Why a development project linked to Donald Trump’s son-in-law has rocked Albania
Thousands of Albanians have been taking to the streets of their capital, Tirana, for over three weeks now to oppose a luxury coastal resort project backed by Jared Kushner, the son‑in‑law of the US president, Donald Trump. The €4 billion (£3.5 billion) development will be constructed on southern Albania’s unspoiled Zvërnec coastline and surrounding wetlands. […]
Holiday travel planning: reasons to try public transport or cycling when you get to your destination
As tourists prepare to pack their suitcases for a summer trip, decisions about how to be a green holidaymaker increasingly involve how to move around the resort or city, as well as how to get there. Walking and cycling are still regarded as the most sustainable ways to explore holiday destinations. They reduce emissions, improve […]
Why ibuprofen is better than paracetamol for period pain
Ibuprofen is shown to be more effective at reducing period pain. fizkes/ Shutterstock For something that affects millions every month, period pain remains surprisingly poorly treated. A recent analysis of supermarket transaction data from over three million shoppers found that paracetamol is the most purchased painkiller for menstrual cramps – despite being a less effective […]
Heat, humidity and housing: why British heatwaves hit differently
Every time the UK experiences a heatwave, many ask the same question: why does the heat in Britain feel so unbearable when people seem to cope with it in Spain, Greece, or India? Humidity is part of the answer. But Britain’s housing, long summer days, and lack of experience with extreme heat also make hot […]
The youth jobs crisis fuelling India’s Cockroach Janta Party protests
A new youth protest movement in India that started as online satire is now staging an ongoing sit-in in New Delhi calling for the resignation of India’s education minister. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) was launched in late May by Abhijeet Dipke, a graduate of Boston University, in response to alleged comments by India’s chief […]