3 d. ago Shrinking states: a positive future with fewer people? – podcast

The fertility rate in England and Wales has fallen for the third year in a row – a trend mirrored across the world, with two-thirds of the global population now living in countries with below-replacement-level fertility. In the second episode of a two-part series, Madeleine Finlay speaks to Dean Spears, assistant professor of economics at the University of Texas at Austin, and Dr Jennifer Sciubba, chief executive of the Population Reference Bureau, to ask whether declining birth rates are really something to worry about – and how societies can adapt to a future with fewer children.Watch the new Guardian documentary Between Moon TidesListen to episode one: are we on a path to depopulation?Support the Guardian: theguardian.com/sciencepod Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago Fury over threat to turn Dambusters HQ RAF Scampton into migrant detention centre as government reheats plans to house asylum seekers at military sites

The pivotal WWII base was part of a £50m Conservative plan to house 2,000 migrants - later reduced to 800 - which was scrapped by Labour in 2024 as it didn't provide 'value for money'.

Events

5 d. ago RAF Scampton unsuitable for asylum use and must have ‘positive’ future – council

West Lindsey District Council says it remains ready to help deliver a regeneration plan for the former air base, creating thousands of jobs.

Events

1 week ago ‘As more join, it gets less risky’: how Greta Thunberg’s lone strike turned into a movement

In an extract from his new book, Tim Lenton explains how Fridays for Future challenged climate inaction to reach a positive tipping pointIn August 2018, Greta Thunberg was sitting alone on the ground outside the Swedish parliament with a placard reading “Skolstrejk för klimatet” (School strike for climate) and a bunch of pamphlets under a stone.An older woman stood over her and asked: “Why are you on strike? You have to go to school.” Greta retorted: “Why would I need an education if there is no future?”Positive Tipping Points: How to Fix the Climate Crisis is published by Oxford University Press Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago Plunged into darkness while the oceans boil: How Mark Zuckerberg's master plan will 'lead to end of humanity'

Mark Zuckerberg positively beamed as he gazed into the future. Hurtling towards us, he said, is 'a new era of personal empowerment.' But experts are sounding the alarm.

Politics

2 w. ago Revealed: Stats boffins name the best 200 teenagers in world football

The year 2025 has been a positive one so far for Chelsea and their future beyond this year looks bright too.

Politics