Latest Stories
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International climate rebellion launches today
The science is clear: we are facing an unprecedented global emergency according to the protest group Extinction Rebellion. In response, it is starting a week of global civil disobedience.
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Xanax plague leaves teens ‘dicing with death’
How to fix the Xanax crisis? A BBC report has found that misuse of the drug has led to more than 200 deaths since 2015. Teenagers are particularly...
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Flying cars and iToilets: welcome to the future
Thousands of glitzy new gadgets have been launched today at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Some of the innovations could transform our lives — but not necessarily for the better.
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You could soon be taking holidays in space
Would you be a space tourist? Virgin Galactic has launched a revolutionary new aircraft to the edge of Earth’s atmosphere — it could take tourists into space as early as next year.
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America vows to crack down on vaping epidemic
Should e-cigarettes be banned? Vaping company Juul has slammed rival brands which sell flavours aimed at children. Meanwhile in the US, vaping has jumped by 80% among teenagers.
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A diesel-driving, meat-eating climate minister
Is she a hypocrite? Britain’s climate minister, Claire Perry, has come under fire for refusing to encourage eco-friendly diets. A meat-eater herself, she also admitted to driving a diesel car.
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‘Nobody else should suffer such a needless death’
Should we boycott Pret? Fifteen-year-old Natasha Ednan-Laperouse died of an allergic reaction after eating a Pret baguette. Some say the store is to blame, and now her parents want justice.
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Marie Curie hailed most world-changing woman
Is science the greatest historical force? Pioneering chemist Marie Curie has topped a poll of the world’s most influential women. She is joined by many other trailblazing female scientists.
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Climate chain reaction risks hothouse Earth
Can we limit global warming to just 2C? Scientists have warned of catastrophic and “irreversible” climate change if temperatures keep rising. The tipping point may come sooner than we think.
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Moral storm as designer babies get green light
Is it ethical to genetically engineer humans? A top bioethics council has declared gene editing of human embryos “morally permissible”. Some fear the social consequences could be disastrous.
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Alarm as deadly nerve agent strikes again
How worried should we be? Two seemingly ordinary people are fighting for their lives after being exposed to the same poison that nearly killed a Russian spy and his daughter in March.
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Happy Birthday NHS! Now bring on the robots
Will technology save the NHS? The National Health Service turns 70 today, but tight budgets and surging demand have put its future in doubt. Here are five ways futuristic tech could help.
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Toxic air linked to millions of early deaths
How worried should we be about air pollution? A worldwide study has found that over 90% of the planet’s population breathes polluted air. In some extreme places, the fumes could be fatal.
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Campaigners welcome ban on plastic straws
Could Britain’s fight against plastic lead the way to other reforms? For some, the UK shows that humanity really can act to protect the Earth. For others “plastic politicians” are the problem.
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Global clean energy surges as coal declines
Can we really stop climate change? Our focus may be on bad news but good things are happening and in many parts of the world solar power is getting progressively cheaper and more effective.