4 hours ago Gordon Brown says daughter’s death showed value of ‘good’ dying over assisted dying

Former PM, whose daughter died when she was 11 days old, says debate is moving too fast and calls for commission on palliative care • Gordon Brown: We need better end-of-life care, not assisted dyingThe former prime minister Gordon Brown has declared his opposition to the legalisation of assisted dying, saying the death of his newborn daughter in January 2002 convinced him of the “value and imperative of good end-of-life care”.In a rare and poignant glimpse into the tragedy, he says the time he and his wife, Sarah, spent at their baby Jennifer’s bedside “as her life ebbed away” were “among the most precious days of [our] lives”. Continue reading...

Events

5 hours ago Wicked fans ‘couldn’t be more thrilled’ as blockbuster musical opens worldwide

Hugely anticipated adaptation of the Broadway hit starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo is estimated to rake in $200m at the global box officeWhat is this feeling? After years of speculation, more casting rumors than Oz’s population of flying monkeys, a production ripe for tabloid fodder, and a massive marketing and promotion machine worthy of a wizard himself, Universal’s epic musical Wicked has finally walked the yellow brick road that leads into theaters.On Thursday night the first official screenings unfolded around the US, including at New York City’s AMC Empire 25, the multilevel cathedral to cinema just off Times Square. It proved to be perfect moviegoing weather outside: absolutely miserable with hard, cold rain. Inside, there was a palpable energy with superfans lining up fo...

Politics

8 hours ago ‘An AI Fukushima is inevitable’: scientists discuss technology’s immense potential and dangers

Experts are optimistic about energy and drug production breakthroughs but also fear its potential misuseWhen better to hold a conference on artificial intelligence and the countless ways it is advancing science than in those brief days between the first Nobel prizes being awarded in the field and the winners heading to Stockholm for the lavish white tie ceremony?It was fortuitous timing for Google DeepMind and the Royal Society who this week convened the AI for Science Forum in London. Last month, Google DeepMind bagged the Nobel prize in chemistry a day after AI took the physics prize. The mood was celebratory. Continue reading...

Science

11 hours ago ‘I said it wasn’t my driving!’ Hamilton rallies to top Las Vegas F1 GP practice

39-year-old had wanted to quit after Brazil GP nightmareVerstappen struggles with unruly Red Bull in desert chillLewis Hamilton recovered from his nightmare race weekend in Brazil to complete an impressive practice double at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.Having said he wanted to quit Mercedes in the aftermath of his disappointing 10th-placed finish in Interlagos a fortnight ago, Hamilton first saw off team-mate George Russell by 0.396 seconds in the opening running on the Strip, and then McLaren’s Lando Norris by 0.011 sec later in the day, to head both sessions. Continue reading...

Politics

13 hours ago Sports quiz of the week: a rapid rise, a record losing run and social media beef

Test your memory of the last seven days in football, boxing, tennis, rugby and more Continue reading...

Politics

14 hours ago Police issue 'do not travel' alert as Storm Bert to batter Scotland with heavy snow, rain and wind

Warning of snow and ice across much of Scotland

Events

34 hours ago UK weather live: Storm Bert to bring 70mph winds and batter Britain with heavy snow, Met Office warns

Higher grounds in Wales and England could see more than 100mm of rainfall over the weekend

Events