Briefings
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Should I be scared of flying?
There has been a deadly plane crash in Indonesia. When disasters like this happen, going on an aeroplane can seem scary. However, flying really is one of the safest ways to travel.
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Women and science
A woman has won the Nobel Prize in Physics for the first time in 55 years, just days after a prominent physicist said the discipline was “built by men”. Are men really better at science?
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Inside the White House
This week Bob Woodward’s new book, Fear: Trump in the White House, was published. It paints a picture of chaos and division. But hidden in it are some fascinating details.
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How to protect your privacy online
Facebook now faces a £500,000 fine following the Cambridge Analytica scandal, in which millions of users had their data shared illegally. There are still ways to protect your privacy online.
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Brexit in a nutshell
Theresa May faces a crucial week as Parliament votes on the EU withdrawal bill. It is three years since Britain made the decision to leave. What has happened, what will happen, and why?
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England’s World Cup chances
England manager Gareth Southgate has opted for youth over experience in his 23-man squad for the approaching World Cup. Will it be glory or disappointment for the Three Lions in Russia?
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The House of Lords
There are 800 members of the House of Lords. 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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World’s deadliest poisons
The poisoning of a Russian spy has ignited fascination with lethal toxins. You may know about arsenic and cyanide, but these are tame compared with the world’s most lethal substances…
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The Brexit options
With just over a year to go until Britain leaves the EU, the country is split into three tribes: the hard Brexiteers, the “BINOs“ and those who want to stop it all. Whose vision will win?
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The rich and the poor
Every January, as the world’s wealthiest and most powerful meet in Switzerland, the charity Oxfam publishes a report about global inequality. What does this year’s report say?
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Donald Trump’s first year
It has been a year since Donald Trump was sworn in as president of the United States. That means 12 months of outrage, insults, scandals — and the occasional success. Has he had a good year?
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St Nicholas
Scientists believe they may have found a bone belonging to St Nicholas, also known as Father Christmas. How did this fourth-century bishop become such a popular figure?
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The future of money
Is bitcoin the future of money? The biggest type of cryptocurrency has rocketed in value. But Jordan Belfort, a famous man who knows a lot about finance, has called it “the biggest scam ever”.
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Where gold comes from
An explosion 1,000 times brighter than a supernova took place 970m years ago but was observed two months ago. It sent gold and platinum into the universe and caused ripples in space and time.
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The Iran nuclear deal
This week Donald Trump made it know that he is ready to pull out of a nuclear agreement with Iran. He has called it “the worst deal ever”. Many fear his overly aggressive attitude could cause...