Britain

Yusra, played by Rhianna Merralls, struggles to fall asleep in the play, "Wherever I Lay My Head," performed in London City Hall.

Chronic insomnia plagues young migrants long after they reach their destination

A recent performance of a play in London highlighted the struggles that young migrants face after they reach the UK. Many of them toss and turn, unable to sleep.

Opium Lit

Arts, Culture & Media

Keep Calm and Cary Grant

Arts, Culture & Media
A rig (L) surrounds the top of one of the chimneys of Battersea Power Station as demolition work is carried out, in London, Oct. 2, 2014.

Why the UK has an easier time than the US divorcing from coal

Economics
Aleppo

Six countries call for immediate ceasefire in Aleppo

Conflict
Children’s doctor Katie Rogerson (left) and children’s physiotherapist Caroline Smith of the NHS choir with the Official Christmas No 1 award for charity single A Bridge Over You, beating  out Justin Bieber.

A British hospital choir beats out Justin Bieber for the top song on UK charts

Arts

They beat out Justin Bieber and Adele — doctors and nurses in a British hospital choir top the UK music charts.

The Fortingall Yew.

Britain’s oldest tree may be undergoing a sex change

Science

The Fortingall Yew, the oldest tree in Britain, happens to be male. But it recently sprouted red berries, a sign that at least part of the tree has changed its sex.

Isle of Wight coastal area

Scientists dig in to paleosoil to find out why some civilizations learned to farm earlier

Science

The hunter-gatherer lifestyle was a tough existence and the development of agriculture eventually won people over. But why did some regions take much longer than others to switch?

The Shipping Forecast offers listeners a chance to reconnect with Britain's maritime history

How a weather broadcast came to symbolize all it means to British

Media

You would think an esoteric radio item about sea storms, air pressure and precipitation would not be the most popular thing on radio. But don’t tell that to fans of the BBC’s “Shipping Forecast.”You would think an esoteric radio item about sea storms, air pressure and precipitation would not be the most popular thing on radio. But don’t tell that to fans of the BBC’s “Shipping Forecast.”