The Blue Trail is a dystopian ‘coming-of-old-age’ gem
The Blue Trail offers a bold and refreshing vision of ageing – one driven by agency, quiet defiance and profound transformation. Set against the awe-inspiring landscapes of north-west Brazil, the film weaves together dystopian sci-fi with a striking “coming-of-old-age” journey, redefining what it means to grow older. The film follows 77-year-old Tereza (Denise Weinberg). She […]
New advice on avoiding British cod: how to make sure your fish and chips are sustainably sourced
Stepanek Photography/Shutterstock Diners may soon need to rethink a staple of the classic English fish supper. The Marine Conservation Society, an environmental charity in the UK, recently downgraded all UK cod stocks and removed them from its list of sustainable seafood. The Marine Conservation Society’s Good Fish Guide, a tool designed to help consumers make […]
Robots just captured a Russian position in Ukraine – but don’t worry about real-life Terminators just yet
Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky recently announced that ground robots (also known as unmanned ground vehicles) had captured a Russian position. Zelenskyy said it was the first time in the Ukraine war that an enemy position had been taken exclusively by robots. Ukraine’s increasing use of drones in its defence has received a great deal of […]
Want to cut your energy bills? Here’s how five experts are doing it
Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock Rising prices are putting pressure on people to try and use less energy. But what are the most effective ways of cutting bills? We asked five experts for their practical advice. 1. Insulate your home Upgrading loft insulation to current standards, typically 27–30cm thick for mineral wool, improves energy efficiency, comfort and […]
Why many of Hungary’s religious groups will be celebrating Viktor Orbán’s election loss
Hungary’s long-serving leader, Viktor Orbán, was dismissed on April 12 by an electorate fed up with his authoritarian rule. Péter Magyar led his Tisza party to a landslide victory, securing a two-thirds majority in parliament. This is enough for Tisza to elect members of Hungary’s highest court and even amend the constitution. Magyar has vowed […]
How accelerating evolution could help corals survive future heatwaves – new study
As global warming accelerates, extreme heatwaves are causing widespread death of tropical reef corals. Most corals rely on tiny algae cells living within their tissues that photosynthesise and produce energy. Corals use this energy to build their skeletons that create the reef structure. In our warming world, evolution of heatwave tolerance will be critical for […]
Iran’s AI memes are reaching people who don’t follow the news – and winning the propaganda war
Screenshot of an AI-generated video produced by Iran’s Explosive Media. Explosive Media/X A Lego-style Iranian military commander raps over a gangster beat: “Our inbox is flooded with Americans saying they don’t watch the news. They listen to our songs instead since your media is full of shit.” This is the opening line of an AI-generated […]
How we worked out a fossilised ‘pterosaur’ was actually a fish – new research
Artist’s impression of a pterosaur with a fish in its mouth. Fossils of one have sometimes been mistaken for the other. Warpaint/Shutterstock Georges Cuvier, the 19th-century French anatomist who first recognised pterodactyls as flying reptiles, wrote that “of all the beings whose ancient existence has been revealed to us, [they are] the most extraordinary”. Now […]
Why the ceasefire in Lebanon is unlikely to change much on the ground
Following direct talks between Lebanese and Israeli officials, a ten-day ceasefire has been agreed between the two countries. It is currently unclear whether Hezbollah, the Iran-backed group that has been fighting Israel in southern Lebanon since early March, has agreed to observe the temporary cessation of hostilities. If it holds, the ceasefire will be welcomed […]
Lee Cronin’s The Mummy – an uninspired, unscary gore fest that demonises disability and leans into stereotypes of Egypt
Production company Blumhouse has taken a gamble by featuring director Lee Cronin in top billing in his third film’s marketing campaign. Announcing Cronin as a horror auteur, the film’s full title is Lee Cronin’s The Mummy. This is an odd move for a director with only two (admittedly strong) previous features under his belt. It […]