Briefings
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Censorship
America has charged China and Iran of censorship over the coronavirus epidemic. Both Apple and Disney have been accused of censorship. What is censorship? And why is it such a hot topic?
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The mystery of gold
In 2017, astronomers witnessed an explosion 1,000 times brighter than a supernova, which sent gold and platinum cascading into the Universe and caused ripples in space and time itself...
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Alternative medicine
In 2019, the World Health Organisation reported that 170 countries used traditional or complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). That is over 85% of all the countries in the world.
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St Valentine’s Day
In the USA alone, Valentine’s Day spending is predicted to hit £21 billion next week in gifts for partners, friends, pets, and more. That is more than the gross national product of Cambodia.
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Impeachment
In the US, impeachment means that Congress thinks the president is no longer fit to serve and should be removed from office. Here’s what you need to know about what it is and how it works.
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Royal refuseniks
Prince Harry is to step back from royal duties and earn his own income – but what does that really mean? The history of rulers resigning from their duties is fascinating and surprising.
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Air pollution
Seven million people die from air pollution every year. It has been linked to an increased risk of dementia. What is it, how does it work, and what is being done to reduce it?
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The House of Lords
The House of Lords currently has about 800 members. None are elected by the people, yet they still wield a lot of power. How does the Upper House work — and why do many people want change?
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Women and science
As of 2019, the Nobel Prize for Physics has been awarded to 206 men — and three women. Does this mean that men are better at science? The truth is much more complicated.
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Plastic
Up to 12.7 million tons of plastic waste are dumped into the ocean every year: about one garbage-truck of waste every minute. How harmful is plastic, and how can you use less?
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The Irish border
Almost a century on from the creation of Northern Ireland, the Irish border could decide the future of the UK and Europe. What were ‘the Troubles’, and are they over for good?
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FGM
In early 2019, a woman was found guilty of female genital mutilation for the first time ever in the UK. She was sentenced to 11 years in prison. But what is FGM? And where does it come from?
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The NHS
The NHS was founded in the spirit of post-war optimism and rebuilding, over seven decades ago. Ever since then, health care has been free for all UK citizens. How did this happen?
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Sexual harassment
With the rise of #MeToo, accusations of sexual harassment, assault and rape are everywhere — and many famous faces are involved. What do these words mean and what needs to change?
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The opioid crisis
Is the UK on the cusp of an opioid epidemic? In America, you are more likely to die from an overdose than a road accident. And experts have warned that Britain now faces a crisis of its own…