Between Land and Tide: giant starfish washes up in Portsmouth in this apocalyptic performance art
Five women slowly process across Portsmouth’s municipal park, covered in hessian-coloured layered fabrics. On their heads they wear what look like strange overgrown dreadlocks, making them a group of connected beings. They move towards a deflated hessian starfish shape on the floor. Circling it, they enact a ritual performance, animating the space and quietly paying […]
How political life in Britain became so dangerous
The life of the average British MP is not luxurious or lavish. It is stressful and strange. And sometimes, it can be dangerous. Former Labour MP Paula Sheriff is the latest to detail the threats she endured in her time at Westminster and call for greater protection for politicians. MPs are expected to be “on […]
How Brick Lane became the latest neighbourhood to battle against a data centre
Protestors have opposed plans to redevelop the former Truman Brewery site in east London. chrisdorney Plans for a new data centre on the site of a historic former brewery in east London prompted significant local protest. But, following planning reports and a public inquiry, the secretary of state overrode these concerns and approved the project. […]
Why poetry is a powerful form of climate communication
Illhamt Kamara Studio/Shutterstock For too long, climate communication has relied on the belief that if we stick with the science and communicate the evidence, action will follow. Scientific knowledge gives us the foundations for understanding possible futures, while speculation allows us to explore them. But poetry can bring that speculation to life, giving us a […]
Britain’s quarter century: crime falls, sea-levels rise and education yet to recover from COVID
In this fifth part in our series on how the UK has changed in the past 25 years, we look at crime, education, transport, energy and the environment. Crime and policing Graham Farrell, professor of crime science, University of Leeds Toby Davies, associate professor in criminal justice data analytics, University of Leeds Contrary to many […]
What children worry about when they start secondary school – and how to support them
Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock Moving from primary to secondary school can evoke a range of emotions, from excitement and anticipation to uncertainty and anxiety. It is an important rite of passage: many children look forward to the new opportunities, experiences and greater independence that secondary school offers. For some, it represents a chance to leave behind the familiarity […]
A ‘super El Niño’ could make India’s monsoon drier yet more dangerous
India is currently in the middle of its summer monsoon, but this year’s rainfall presents an interesting paradox. Much of the country has received less rain than usual so far, yet has still been hit by severe floods and landslides. In the southern state of Kerala, for example, devastating floods occurred despite the overall monsoon […]
Latest sanctions on Iran risk strengthening Tehran and undermining US credibility
The United States has announced its latest plan to put maximum economic pressure on Iran. Launching “Operation Economic Outcast” on August 24, the US treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, said the plan would involve the “toughest sanctions in history” against Iran. The US objective is ambitious. To economically isolate Tehran, punish countries that continue trading with […]
$40 trillion debt balloon is a warning sign for US economy and the world
US national debt has passed a record US$40 trillion (£29.4 trillion). This milestone is a major warning sign. It reveals vulnerabilities that threaten the long-term economic stability of the US and the rest of the world. The speed of US debt accumulation is staggering. US national debt first reached $1 trillion in 1941 and, after […]
How much sleep do I need? Why you can forget the eight-hour sleep rule
Mafi R/Shutterstock.com For decades, the answer to “how much sleep does an adult need?” has been simple: eight hours. The idea dates back to the mid-19th century when the notion of eight hours of work, eight for recreation and eight for sleep first took hold. But growing evidence suggests that eight hours may not be […]