Why managing expectations matters in chronic pain treatment

anut21ng Stock/Shutterstock In a 2026 study I conducted with colleagues on people with peripheral arterial disease, one participant described how leg pain had disrupted his golf for years. It forced him to stop mid-round, shake his leg and apologise to his playing partners while he waited for the pain to pass. He found it mortifying. […]

Swatch brawls: why are people fighting over pocket watches?

So now we know exactly what you get when you cross two distinct brands of Swiss watch-making, one affordable (Swatch) and one luxury (Audemars Piguet). You get a new model of watch that attracts massive hype, huge queues and brawling customers. For £335, you might also get your hands on a colourful pocket watch. But […]

Why digital IDs are back on the UK government’s agenda

PhotoGranary02/Shutterstock In the recent king’s speech, King Charles outlined a series of UK government proposals, including plans to move forward with digital identity through the digital access to services bill. The government says the scheme is designed to modernise access to public services, allowing people to verify who they are more quickly and securely. The […]

Taiwan Travelogue wins 2026 International Booker – a deftly translated tale of food, love and history

Set in 1930s Taiwan under Japanese colonial rule, Taiwan Travelogue follows fictional Japanese novelist Aoyama Chizuko and her Taiwanese interpreter, Ō Chizuru (or Ông Tshian-ho’h), as they journey across colonial Taiwan by rail, encountering its diverse local food cultures. But Taiwan Travelogue is far more than a historical travel narrative. Through meals, translation and silences, […]

What AI taxis and robots can learn from bees

Bees are very good at navigation. James wk/Shutterstock Even advanced technology can struggle when the real world becomes unpredictable. In April 2026, a Waymo robotaxi in San Antonio, Texas, drove into a flooded lane during severe weather, prompting the company to recall about 3,800 vehicles for a software fix. No one was injured, but the […]