Briefings
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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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Fracking
Fracking is one of the most controversial technologies of our time, with activists arguing it poses a grave environmental threat. But what exactly is fracking? And why is it controversial?
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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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Antibiotic resistance
How much should we worry about antibiotic resistance? Health officials have repeatedly warned that superbugs are as big a threat to humans as climate crisis and war. Why?
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The English language
English has long been known as the language of the world. It is estimated that 1.5 billion people around the world speak some English. But new translation technology might threaten its...
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Islamophobia
For the last few years, there has been a steady rise in Islamophobia in Western countries. What is driving the prejudice and hate against Islam, particularly in Europe?
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Refugees
There are 68.5 million “forcibly displaced people” worldwide, including 25.4 million refugees — the highest numbers in history. Who are the world’s refugees? And where do they flee to?
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Lost tribes
Despite the march of globalisation, there are still around 100 remote tribes that have no contact with the outside world. But they face ever growing threats from disease and climate change.
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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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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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Online privacy
From the Cambridge Analytica scandal to online identity fraud, privacy has become one of the internet’s biggest battlegrounds. But there are still ways to protect yourself online.
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Food scarcity
Studies suggest that our most vital crops are in danger of extinction, and climate crisis is partly to blame. The answer could lie in eating different types of food — including insects.
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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…
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Space tourism
In 2020, NASA will open the International Space Station to tourists. Meanwhile, private space companies are racing to send travellers into orbit. Will you be going to space on holiday soon?
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NASA’s InSight Mars mission
Mars has captivated the human imagination for hundreds of years. NASA’s InSight mission is currently giving the planet “its first thorough check-up since it formed 4.5 billion years ago”.