Two international summits in New York are trying to find solutions to the worst refugee crisis since World War II. One in 113 inhabitants of our planet have had to flee their homes because of conflict, persecution or natural disasters. According to the UNHCR (the United Nations’ Refugee Agency), by the end of 2015, there … Continue reading “Two Summits on the Refugee Crisis”
Just when you think you understand Britain, all your expectations get turned on their head. In a highly urbanised, high-tech obsessed country, a large proportion of the population has been on tenterhooks about a radio soap opera about a farming community. The Archers is a British institution. It has been broadcast six days a week … Continue reading “The Archers Phenomenon”
In the U.S. presidential elections, all the candidates are chasing the youth vote. The Democrats most of all. So Barack Obama has made a short video to encourage young people to sign up to vote. It would make a great classroom activity. The youth vote is a difficult demographic. Young people are more likely than … Continue reading “Chasing the Youth Vote”
For the last couple of years, there have been nothing but surprises in British politics. The latest is the nomination of Theresa May as Conservative Party leader, and Prime Minister, after the “vote leave” victory in the Brexit referendum. May, 59, was one of the most senior members of David Cameron’s government, in charge of … Continue reading “Theresa May: A Woman at Number 10”
Emily White was born with Spina Bifida, a condition where the spine does not develop properly and leaving a gap in the spine. She is 10 years old now, and she uses a wheelchair to move around. Like any child she loves to play sports, spend time with friends, read comics, and watch TV. Emily … Continue reading “The Department of Ability: No Ordinary Superhero Comic”
Muhammad Ali hadn’t boxed in over thirty years, but news of his death made the headlines around the world. Ali was much more than a sporting champion, a strong personality who made his mark on the civil rights movement. Former heavyweight World Boxing Champion Muhammad Ali died on 4 June, 2016. He had suffered from … Continue reading “Muhammad Ali Floated Like a Butterfly”
The 2016 U.S. presidential race has been hard fought, often acrimonious, and very unusual so far. But now the two main parties have chosen their candidates, the real race to the White House has begun. Who will come out ahead on 8 November? The Democratic and Republican conventions have voted on a platform of policies … Continue reading “The Race to the White House is On”
From 7-16 September, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is hosting the 2016 Paralympic Games. With each Olympiad, the games for athletes with disabilities are becoming more and more high-profile. The Paralympics began in Stoke Mandeville, England, in 1948. Dr Ludwig Guttmann was working with World War 2 veterans who had spinal injuries. He used sport as … Continue reading “Paralympics Rio 2016”
The complete diaries of World War I poet Siegfried Sassoon — which were small enough to fit into the pocket of his army tunic — have been published online. Due to their fragile state, they were not available to the public, but now all 4,100 pages of journals and poetry notebooks have been digitised by … Continue reading “Sassoon WWI Diaries Published Online”
British voters have chosen to leave the European Union. The Leave campaign in the 23 June referendum received 51.9% of the votes. What will happen next? The answer to one question leaves many others open: When will Britain leave? The Treaty of Lisbon includes a process for leaving the Union. The British government must inform … Continue reading “Brexit”