This year marks the hundredth anniversary of the Russian Revolution. The communist uprising of 1917 was neither the first nor the last time that the country faced a chance to embrace freedom, yet on each occasion the opportunity has been lost. Are there any grounds to expect genuine change in the future or is the Russian psyche somehow inherently averse to democracy as we know it?
Some £1.2 billion is lost to investment scams every year in the UK. Contrary to popular perception, it is not just the elderly who are susceptible. Experienced investors are often targeted, and the embarrassment of those who fall victim is key to the fact that only 10% of such crimes are reported. We offer some useful warnings and advice.
You pace your cell. In just a few hours you'll be released. You want to make a fresh start. Being locked up isn't fun and the look on your sister's face when you were convicted still fills you with shame. But it will take guts. Where will you stay? What will you live on? You've stopped smoking weed, but can you stay stopped on the outside?
The team of scientists responsible for the birth of Dolly the sheep believed their achievement would help transform the fight against disease. Opponents warned human cloning would inevitably follow, giving rise to an array of ethical and moral dilemmas. Have any of the prophecies come close to realisation?
Classic sitcoms Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister popularised the notion that true political power is held not by elected officials but by éminences grises who operate behind the scenes.
Since the turn of the millennium there has been a sharp decline in visits to public libraries. The internet, the proliferation of charity shops selling cheap second-hand books and the ubiquitous Kindle seem to have taken their toll. Yet independent subscription libraries are enjoying a remarkable renaissance. Why?
For the second time in its short but eventful history, the US technology sector has been booming. Will there be another bust? We think growth in the sector is here to stay, but vigilance is required as some valuations start to defy gravity.
Quantitative easing and low interest rates may have helped restore economic stability, but they have failed to deliver meaningful growth. A growing number of economists and policymakers are blaming demographics — we are having too few babies and living too long.
Paying for care in later life is high on the list of many people’s financial worries, and the shifting sands of government policy have only added to the uncertainty.
