They are touted as our way out of climate chaos and essential for making the things we use, from mobile phones to electric vehicles. Vanessa Baird sets out to investigate critical minerals – and the rush to get them.

People across the world are standing up to the power of the arms trade. Amy Hall explores its threat to life and democracy.

Britain’s general election saw the rightwing Conservatives swept out – and a huge majority for Labour. But the shallowness of the victorious party’s support points to an existential threat to dominant parties across the world, argues Conrad Landin.

Can South Africa ever fully shake off the shackles of apartheid? Conrad Landin asks whether the country’s historic genocide case against Israel could lead to a reckoning at home.

Confronting the impact of empire is not about getting stuck in the past, writes Amy Hall. It’s vital to how we build a better future.

As the cost of living crisis becomes entrenched, Nick Dowson examines the scene of the crime, tracks down the culprits and proposes a route to resolution.

LGBT+ people are still subjected to forced confinement, medication and even electric shocks to try to change their sexual orientation, writes Alessio Perrone.

Fast fashion around the world.

Update from Canada by Janet Nicol.

Highlights from the 2025 Toronto Festival by Richard Swift.

A mythical history of the female body turns scholarly material into a thrilling narrative – but makes a few too many leaps of faith. By Orla Polten.

Ritu Khurana - aka DJ Ritu - cult DJ who co-founded Kuch Kuch Nights and LGBTQ+ Club Kali. Words by Subi Shah

In the first letter of a new series, Maya Misikir writes about the loss of her citys soul to a new development project thats ripping communities apart.

The untiring campaigner and guardian of the deep, Claire Nouvian, speaks with Veronique Mistiaen about the transformative experience that led to her choosing her path – on to eventual victory.

Saudi Arabia’s King-in-waiting – and his aggressive foreign policy – is put under the spotlight.

1926; State of the union; Walk out!; Workers under attack.

The photos, facts, and politics of Armenia.

Science, by P J Polyp.