From ‘market value’ to levelling up, the manosphere is shaped by a financial mindset
oneinchpunch/Shutterstock Louis Theroux’s recent Netflix documentary Inside the Manosphere shines a spotlight on masculinity influencers and the dangers of online misogyny, conspiracy theories and anti-feminist ideologies. Responses to the documentary have ranged from outrage to disbelief, criticising how the manfluencers treat the women in their lives and discussing the importance of role models in countering […]
The UK is spending more on defence – but is raiding the aid budget the best way to pay for it?
In March, the UK foreign secretary Yvette Cooper made a statement to parliament setting out the government’s international aid priorities. With an aid budget significantly smaller than it was five years ago, Cooper proposed which countries and programmes would receive support. This was the first time MPs and the public heard any spending detail after […]
My surname makes people laugh – so I turned it into a research communication tool
Surnames shape our identity. They can be a point of reflection, especially if the surname is rare, has a unique meaning, or holds special sentimental value. They often spark curiosity about family history or the need to carry on a legacy. I have what many might think is an unfortunate or embarrassing surname – Mycock. […]
Solar panels won’t slash energy bills on their own – an expert explains how to maximise savings
MAXSHOT.PL/Shutterstock Energy bills in the UK are still expected to rise in the coming months, putting more pressure on household budgets despite the shaky ceasefire in the Gulf. Meanwhile, use of solar power is growing across the UK, achieving 22 gigawatts (GW) of solar capacity from nearly 2 million installations, by February 2026. In March, […]
The surprising power of seashells: how oyster waste can recapture rare earth elements
On many coastlines around the world, piles of discarded oyster and mussel shells are a common sight — the leftovers of a global seafood industry that produces millions of tonnes of waste each year. At the same time, hidden in rocky deposits far from the coast, a very different sort of resource — rare earth […]
What secret report reveals about impact of UK nuclear programme on veterans who claimed they were harmed by the fallout
“The Ministry of Defence has always maintained that it never rained,” said Ken McGinley, founder of the British Nuclear Test Veterans Association (BNTVA). “I’m sorry, you’re liars … I was there!” McGinley, who was a royal engineer, gave this interview in January 2024, shortly before his death, as part of our Oral History of British […]
Drought could be making antibiotic resistance worse, scientists say
Piyaset/Shutterstock.com Antibiotic resistance is often associated with hospitals and the overuse of antibiotics in agriculture. Both are genuine problems, but new research suggests another potential culprit that many people haven’t considered – droughts caused by climate change. A recent study published in the journal Nature Microbiology found that when soil dries out, it can speed […]
How to tell if your dog is in pain (and what to do if they are)
If your pooch is losing interest in exercise it could be a sign they’re in pain. Elayne Massaini/Shutterstock If you live with a pet, you might feel like you can almost read each other’s minds. You might even have experienced your pet responding to your emotional state. Animals seem to have impressive skills at detecting […]
Five Paddington books to read with your child, and why the bear on the page is different and worth meeting
Peggy Fortnum and Harper Collins Children’s Publishing For many children, Paddington is now primarily the star of three movies and a hit west end musical. However, that is not where the bear in a red hat whose adventures involve high-speed chases and marmalade-based slapstick began. In writing our book on the bear, we have found […]
How to feed your garden birds without spreading disease
Erni/Shutterstock The outbreak of a mysterious and deadly disease in finches in British gardens in 2005 set alarms bells ringing for conservationists. A decade later, the extent of that disease in greenfinches and chaffinches was reported. And now, bird scientists are beginning to understand how feeding birds in our gardens might be linked to their […]