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 Future of Scotland should be determined by the people not Westminster according to West Lothian MSP

It follows the publication of the SNP’s paper; Your Right To Decide

Politics

1 week ago Fresh vote on independence ‘has never been more important’, says Swinney

The First Minister spoke as a new Scottish Government paper called on Westminster to ‘respect the people of Scotland’s right to decide their future’.

Politics

1 week ago Vaping may be causing irreversible harm to children’s health, doctors say

Experts ‘extremely concerned’ about e-cigarette use and say millions of young people could face ill health in futureDoctors have raised the alarm about high levels of vaping among children worldwide, saying they are convinced e-cigarettes are causing irreversible harm to their health.Cardiologists, researchers and health experts said they were “extremely concerned” about the harmful effects of e-cigarettes on millions of teenagers and young people, including exposure to toxins and carcinogens – some of which are still unknown. Continue reading...

Society

2 w. ago Bernie Sanders demands that RFK Jr step down as health secretary

Vermont senator says Kennedy is endangering the health of the American people as head of the US health departmentBernie Sanders has joined in on growing public calls for Donald Trump’s health secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr, to resign, after recent chaos across US health agencies.In an op-ed published in the New York Times on Saturday, the Vermont senator accused Kennedy of “endangering the health of the American people now and into the future”, adding: “He must resign.” Continue reading...

Society

2 w. ago Waterfront homes where people face rocketing service charges and fear for the future

The money is paid to the Welsh Government and it's risen by 125% in four years

Events

3 w. ago GRIFF RHYS JONES: My night with four young people (I paid, of course)...and why, in spite of all their witless opinions, I deplore the way their futures are being stifled

What's the legacy we're leaving to the young, beyond jobs that won't make them enough money, costs that keep rising, public services that don't work?

Politics

3 w. ago The futuristic implant that reads people's thoughts. Your tech and science digest

These are the most groundbreaking stories from the new frontier of science and technology right now

Politics

3 w. ago Notting Hill carnival came ‘very close’ to not happening, says chair in funding appeal

Ian Comfort calls for government to recognise cultural importance of event and guarantee its sustainable futureAbout 2 million people are expected to take to the streets this weekend at the annual Notting Hill carnival for its mix of music, food and Caribbean culture, but for the man who runs it, there is a sense of relief to see it taking place at all.The chair of Notting Hill Carnival Ltd, Ian Comfort, told the Guardian that the event needed to secure a sustainable future after a year of funding rows, public disagreements with the Met police, and negative press after violence last year. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Readers' letters: The Kirk may be dying, but the need for faith remains

A retired minister has little faith in the future of the Church of Scotland but believes people still need something to believe in

Events