How the British press has undermined the ECHR over many years: new study
Billion Photos/Shutterstock The UK’s immigration and asylum bill has proposed restricting how the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is interpreted and applied in the UK to make it easier to deport migrants. For years, critics have argued that the ECHR undermines the UK’s border security by prohibiting deportations on the basis of Article 8, […]
What happens inside a tennis player’s brain as they try to return a 148mph serve?
The fastest serve so far at this year’s Wimbledon tennis championships was struck by the Argentinian Thiago Agustín Tirante on the opening day. His serve of almost 148mph (238km/h) was still some way under the Wimbledon record of 153mph, set by Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in 2025. And despite Tirante giving his opponent less than […]
Nigel Farage’s donations: four key claims fact checked by an expert in political finance
It was prototypical Nigel Farage. A cryptic announcement that a statement is about to be made, a wholesale hijacking of the news agenda hinting at a “will he won’t he?” state of affairs, followed by a blistering attack on “the establishment” (or, at least, Farage’s conception of the establishment), and a big finish – he […]
Why Nigel Farage is resigning as an MP, only to stand again – expert analysis
Speaking from the Reform UK party headquarters in Milbank, London, Nigel Farage revealed that he will be stepping down as MP for Clacton – only to stand again for the same seat. Farage referenced allegations about his finances and insisted that he has “done nothing wrong”. Academic experts examine the motivations behind this move. Self-pity […]
A summer discount on family days out sounds good, but it won’t fix UK tourism
Tony Dunn/Shutterstock The long summer holidays can be an expensive time for families. The cost of day trips to theme parks or zoos or soft play centres quickly adds up. Discounts sound like a good idea. So this summer, the UK government has slashed the VAT rate from 20% to 5% on admission to a […]
New UK defence plan fails to deliver on space, despite the military’s growing reliance on satellite systems
The defence investment plan sets out the UK government’s funding choices for the British armed forces. Over a year late, it allocates an additional £15 billion to the ministry of defence. Its priorities are the nuclear deterrent and submarine programmes, a sixth generation fighter jet and an expansion of autonomous systems and guided weapons. Across […]
Heatwaves are dangerous but they’re also a useful warning of what needs to change
As another heatwave reaches the UK, it is worth asking an uncomfortable question: is there any positive side to extreme heat? The answer is not that heatwaves are good. They are not. They put pressure on people’s health, homes, schools, transport and the electricity grid. The UK Health Security Agency estimated 1,504 heat-associated deaths in […]
Largest study yet reveals which cancers have their own microbiomes
For decades, cancer has been thought of as a purely human disease – rogue cells multiplying out of control, with no room for anything else in the picture. But a growing body of research suggests that isn’t quite right. Some tumours, it turns out, come with company: communities of bacteria, viruses and fungi living on, […]
Fordingbridge rape sentences increased: how does unduly lenient sentence review work?
Mehaniq/Shutterstock “We have decided that we do need to change your sentence.” With those words, Lady Chief Justice Sue Carr delivered the Court of Appeal’s ruling on two teenagers convicted of multiple rapes, overturning the non-custodial sentences the trial court had originally imposed. After hearing arguments from the crown and the defence advocates, the court […]
For some families, home education isn’t a choice – it’s a last resort
PeopleImages/Shutterstock Education is compulsory for children in England, but schooling is not. Parents are legally entitled to provide an education for their children at home. This is often known as home schooling, though in policy terms, the Department for Education uses the phrase “elective home education”. The inclusion of the word “elective” in government terminology […]