Kate Green appointed as shadow education secretary
UK Parliament Kate Green has been a Labour MP since 2010 Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has appointed Kate Green as his new shadow education secretary. He said he was “delighted” to appoint Ms Green, who has campaigned against educational inequalities. Ms Green, a Labour MP since 2010, said it was a “privilege” to have […]
Will this be the happiest place in the world?
Getty Images All smiles? (Credit: Getty Images) Here’s why this country is upping its bid to become the cheeriest nation. Can the state engineer a happy country? We seek to create a society where our people’s happiness is paramount, by sustaining an environment in which they can truly flourish Getty Images A water taxi in […]
Jo Swinson will not contest Lib Dem leadership
PA A Lib Dem MP tipped to become the party’s next leader has ruled herself out of the race. Jo Swinson, who regained her East Dunbartonshire seat at the general election, had been the bookies’ favourite to replace Tim Farron. But she said she would seek to become deputy leader instead. Mr Farron quit last […]
Help young women to pursue STEM careers, MPs told
Georgijevic / Getty Images Studies show woman are less likely to pursue STEM careers than men, although some are bucking the trend Young women must be given more help to follow careers in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), MPs have heard. Emma Morgan, 18, and Victoria Searle, 24, shared experiences of work and study […]
A new island of hope rising from the Indian Ocean
Hassan Mohamed The new, artificial island of Hulhumalé was built using millions of cubic metres of sand pumped from the seabed (Credit: Hassan Mohamed) The modern island of Hulhumale is taking shape 8km off the north-east coast of Malé island in the Maldives in direct response to the threat posed by inexorably rising sea levels. […]
How Google is sticking to – and soaring past – its DEI goals
Klawe Rzeczy Melonie Parker, chief diversity officer at Google, talks to the BBC about building better workplaces (Credit: Klawe Rzeczy) Melonie Parker, Google’s chief diversity officer, enters the BBC’s Executive Lounge to talk about “re-recruiting” top talent, and building something bigger than yourself. Commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are forward-looking investments for companies. […]
How coffee forever changed Britain
panom/Getty Images How coffee forever changed Britain (Credit: panom/Getty Images) Coffeehouses helped spread modern democracy, spur the Enlightenment and birth periodical literature. So why did King Charles II’s cronies try to ban them? This story is adapted from the In Our Time radio programme episode Coffee, produced by Simon Tillotson. Listen to more episodes of […]
The scientist determined to name the last of the dead
BBC Dragana (L) is committed to finishing the gruelling task of identifying the Srebrenica massacre victims Dragana Vucetic was just out of college as a newly qualified forensic anthropologist when she was drawn into one of the darkest episodes of modern European history. The call came to help put names to the unidentified victims of […]
The ‘Flower Men’ of Saudi Arabia
ERIC LAFFORGUE/Alamy Male members of Saudi Arabia’s Qahtan tribe are known as ‘Flower Men’ for their intricately constructed floral headpieces (Credit: ERIC LAFFORGUE/Alamy) Their floral nickname comes from the fact that many Qahtani men traditionally crown their heads with intricate arrangements of herbs, flowers and grasses. It’s a perfect selfie opportunity in the most unlikely […]
Sheryl Sandberg to step down from Meta board
Getty Images The former chief operating officer of Meta, Sheryl Sandberg, is leaving the company’s board of directors. Ms Sandberg, one of the most high-profile women in the tech industry, said that “this feels like the right time to step away” as Meta is “well-positioned for the future”. She will serve as an informal advisor […]