Some of the most trusted political voices in 18th-century Britain were fictional – why this tradition lives on
British writers in the 18th century repeatedly invented fictional characters to intervene in the politics and culture of their day. These usually began as jokes aimed at particular people or issues, but the most successful outlived their original purpose. They accumulated personalities, histories and audiences of their own, becoming trusted voices through which readers could […]
Is spraying perfume on neck bad for your health?
PeopleImages/Shutterstock A spray of perfume on the neck is a familiar final step before leaving the house. But a viral Instagram post by a cancer specialist has singled out the neck as an area “worth thinking about” because it lies close to the thyroid gland. The caption says there is no evidence that spraying perfume […]
Nurses learn how to care for patients – they should also learn how systems can fail them
PeopleImages/Shutterstock A nurse can know exactly how to give a medicine safely and still be more likely to make a mistake if they are repeatedly interrupted, given confusing information or forced to search several computer systems for the details they need. For patients, the consequences can be serious. Research has linked problems during clinical handovers […]
North Korea grows stronger as South Korea reckons with fading US support
According to Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, North Korea is preparing to send as many as 50,000 fresh troops to support Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine. While the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been unable to verify Zelensky’s claim, it has not fallen on deaf ears in Seoul. When questioned on August 10, an […]
Why gatherings and celebrations are such an important part of summer
Summer brings many traditional events and festivals across the world. In much of England, summer is the theme of several folk celebrations dating back centuries. Far from negative and exclusionary ideas of national identity, the season actually showcases many positives. Many towns and areas around the UK celebrate the summer, starting in May with “Jack […]
Climate change is driving some entire communities to relocate – but simply moving isn’t enough
The abandoned houses of Old Podampetta on India’s east coast tell the story of a small fishing village that no longer exists. Families once woke up to the sound of the sea and made their living by reading the tides and winds. But years of coastal erosion and relentless cyclones eventually made staying impossible. Similar […]
Comedy shows and college mysteries – the best things to watch, visit and read this week
I need a bit of cheering up this week. It’s so hot I can hardly focus, my local supermarket is all out of ice lollies and my homemade solar eclipse glasses showed little more than a few cornflake crumbs. So if I could be beamed up to Edinburgh Fringe for the world-famous comedy festival, I’d […]
Traffic-calming schemes are controversial – here’s why some succeed while others fail
Chatham172/Shutterstock In January 2025, a traffic-calming gate was installed by the local council in the Portswood area of Southampton on the south coast of England. But when this bus gate (a section of road where only buses and other authorised vehicles are allowed to pass) was removed following months of consultations, the debate quickly became […]
How a 19th-century estate agent offered 3D property ‘walkthroughs’ before the dawn of the photography age
The Cosmoramic Room in P.T. Barnum’s American Museum, New York. Illustration from the museum’s official guidebook. If you’re thinking about moving house or just feeling nosy about your neighbours, your first port of call may be an online property marketing site: Rightmove and Zoopla in the UK, Zillow in the US or Magic Bricks in […]
How diabetes can affect your ability to control the pedals while driving
Jo Panuwat D/Shutterstock Picture a driver approaching a sharp bend on a country road. As the car turns, they move their foot to slow down. But instead of pressing the brake, they hit the accelerator. The car surges forward. For some drivers with diabetes-related nerve damage in their feet, a situation like this may begin […]