Recent results in mathematical relativity

We review selected recent results concerning the global structure of solutions of the vacuum Einstein equations. The topics covered include quasi-local mass, strong cosmic censorship, non-linear stability, new constructions of solutions of the constraint equations, improved understanding of asymptotic properties of the solutions, existence of solutions with low regularity, and construction of initial data with trapped surfaces or apparent horizons. This is an expanded version of a plenary lecture, sponsored by Classical and Quantum Gravity, held at the GR17 conference in Dublin in July 2004.