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How rewilding could help stop the spread of Britain’s wildfires

Fire is natural in some ecosystems, but almost all British “wildfires” are started by people. Whether they become catastrophic increasingly depends on the landscapes they burn through. That’s why wildfire policy can’t only focus on preventing ignitions – it must go hand in hand with rebuilding landscapes that resist fire. Rewilding is often presented as […]

How four Asian economies are positioning themselves for the AI age

The global AI race is usually portrayed as a contest between the US and China. But another story is unfolding across east Asia, where countries such as Taiwan, South Korea, Japan and Vietnam are looking to command key parts of the AI value chain. Here, sovereignty is the desired outcome. These governments are trying to […]

Today’s arguments about disability benefits have been raging for 500 years

When politicians debate disability benefits today, the arguments can sound distinctly modern. Concerns about rising welfare costs, accusations of fraud and disputes over who deserves support often dominate headlines and political discussions. But as my new book on 500 years of disability history in Britain shows, these debates are far older than many people realise. […]

Fifa’s failed equity plan and football’s growing welfare crisis

The plan by Fifa president, Gianni Infantino, to invite equity investment into the World Cup didn’t last long. Announced on July 28, it immediately provoked hostility from across football. Three days later Fifa sought to reassure critics: “Nobody is selling football. This is not something Fifa would ever entertain.” The proposal was then unceremoniously abandoned […]

Bones are much more dynamic than scientists once believed – they even have a daily rhythm

Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock.com Your bones may seem like the most permanent part of your body: hard, solid and finished. In reality, they’re under constant renovation. Every day, tiny teams of cells are breaking down old bone and building new bone in its place. Throughout life, bones are continuously renewed in a process called “remodelling”. The cells responsible […]

Loneliness may damage health in ways isolation does not – new study

l i g h t p o e t/Shutterstock You can spend every day surrounded by other people and still feel lonely. You can also spend long periods alone without finding the experience distressing. That difference may help explain why loneliness affects health differently from social isolation. In a new study, my colleagues and I […]

Exiled Russian comic Sasha Nezlobin brings laugh therapy to Edinburgh Fringe

I was recently party to the world premiere of Russian stand-up comedian Sasha Nezlobin’s show I’m Фine (spelt with a Cyrillic “ф”, pronounced “f”), previewing ahead of a month-long run at the Edinburgh Fringe. The expectant crowd had gathered to support Russia’s answer to Michael McIntyre in Nezlobin’s first full-hour set performed in English since […]