'Spinning sail' could make cargo ships a whole lot greener
International shipping runs largely on highly polluting “bunker” fuel, which is why the industry is under increased pressure to play its part in tackling climate change by reducing emissions. Drawing on a type of “spinning sail” invented almost a century ago, ships could reduce their fuel Read More...
Germany plans to fight fake news on social media with hefty fines
Germany is tired of fake news and believes that social networks are not doing enough to fight it. Under new proposals by the government, social networks that fail to remove defamatory “fake news”, hate speech and illegal content could be fined up to €50m. According to the justice ministry, Read More...
Why you need to fix your inconsistent sleep schedule
In 2006, researchers coined the term “social jet lag” to describe when there’s a mismatch between your biological clock and your social life. This mismatch can not only make you feel tired, but could also be responsible for many of your medical ailments. In fact, researchers link interrupted Read More...
Germany to press G20 on free trade in potential challenge to Trump
Germany will press G20 members to sign off on a set of principles including free trade at this week's meeting of the group's financial leaders, in what the Trump administration may perceive as a challenge to its more protectionist stance. In an unusual move, Germany, the host of the meeting, will Read More...
The 14 countries that are the most optimistic about the future
Parents want their children to live in a better world than the one they grew up in. But today's slow-growing global economy has people across the world less certain that tomorrow's economy will provide a solid foundation for the next generation. Brunswick, the international advisory firm, has just Read More...
Economics professor turns to crowdfunding to pay salary
A professor of economics has turned to crowdfunding to pay his salary because universities “no longer provide the time and freedom they once gave to original thinkers”. Steve Keen, who is currently employed full time at Kingston University but expects to remain there next year on a Read More...
5 cities leading the charge on climate action
For centuries, cities have been at the heart of the arts and culture, thriving businesses and innovative ideas. More than 90 percent of urban areas are coastal, which means that most cities on the planet are extremely vulnerable to the effects of the climate crisis as sea levels rise, polar ice Read More...
How Daylesford's community-owned windfarm took back the power
From the fertile spud-growing country of Hepburn Shire, 90km northwest of Melbourne, has sprung what many hope will become a revolution in renewable energy in Australia. On Leonards Hill, just outside the town of Daylesford – famed for its natural springs – stand two wind turbines that Read More...
Achieving mindfulness at work, no meditation cushion required
Meditation is simply one of several tools for achieving mindfulness, and in the context of work it may not be the most suitable for many people. For those who, like me, can’t seem to get the hang of meditation, there is good news: You don’t have to meditate to become more mindful. There are two Read More...
The UK is rolling out mindfulness courses for kids to prevent mental health issues
Mindfulness is no longer the stuff of yoga classes and corporate retreats. In the UK, the government has announced they will fund randomized control trials in more than 200 schools across the country to see whether mindfulness effectively reduces stress and promotes wellbeing among eight to 12 year Read More...