65 h. ago ‘Literature can be a form of resistance’: Lea Ypi talks to Elif Shafak about writing in the age of demagogues

The Albanian author of Free and Turkish novelist discuss the rise of populism, censorship – and how today’s conflicts all come from the unresolved trauma of the pastLea Ypi’s prize-winning memoir, Free, detailed the experience of growing up in Albania both before and after communist rule. Her new book, Indignity, reconstructs the life of her grandmother, who arrived in Tirana from Salonica as a young woman and became closely involved with the country’s political life. She currently holds the Ralph Miliband chair in politics and philosophy at the London School of Economics. The Turkish writer Elif Shafak is author of more than 20 books, both nonfiction and fiction, including the Booker-shortlisted novel 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World and, most recently, There Are Rivers in the Sky. When the pair talked over videocall, Ypi travelling in India and Shafak at home in London, their conversation ranged over the threats of censorship and the rise of populism, the challenge...

Politics

4 d. ago Liz Truss warns there is ‘a reckoning coming’ for central banks, and backs Trump in Fed battle; US growth revised higher amid AI boom – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as former PM criticises Bank of England and claims UK faces ‘economic doom loop’People in the UK: how have you been affected by the rise in food prices?The FCA’s investigation into Drax comes five months after the company’s former top lobbyist accused it of “misleading the public, government and its regulator” over its sourcing of wood for biomass pellets.In a claim for unfair dismissal, Rowaa Ahmar, Drax’s former head of public affairs, said evidence suggested Drax was “unable to prove that it only sourced sustainable wood for its biomass, and that it was in fact using unsustainable wood”. Continue reading...

Events

4 d. ago Beat the energy bill rise by checking for unclaimed money or discounts before October

Set aside 10 minutes to check online for extra financial help to boost your income.

Economics

4 d. ago Nine ways people can save energy bills before October price cap hike

Ofgem announced that the price cap will go up from the start of October

Economics

4 d. ago Liz Truss warns there is ‘a reckoning coming’ for central banks, and backs Trump in battle with Fed – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as former PM criticises Bank of England and claims UK faces ‘economic doom loop’People in the UK: how have you been affected by the rise in food prices?The FCA’s investigation into Drax comes five months after the company’s former top lobbyist accused it of “misleading the public, government and its regulator” over its sourcing of wood for biomass pellets.In a claim for unfair dismissal, Rowaa Ahmar, Drax’s former head of public affairs, said evidence suggested Drax was “unable to prove that it only sourced sustainable wood for its biomass, and that it was in fact using unsustainable wood”. Continue reading...

Events

5 d. ago Beat latest energy bill rise coming from October 1 and save £292

Ofgem today confirmed the energy price cap will rise by 2.03% from October 1, taking the average annual bill to £1,755

Economics

7 d. ago Energy switching checklist to help people beat the new Ofgem price cap

The October price cap will be announced by Ofgem on August 27.

Politics

1 week ago Number of asylum seekers housed in hotels up 8% in a year, Home Office data shows

Rise comes despite applications being processed much faster than two years ago as backlog falls below 100,000 for first time since 2021UK politics live – latest updatesThe number of asylum seekers being housed in hotels has risen by 8% to 32,059 in a year, according to Home Office data.The data also shows that the government is processing asylum applications much more quickly, with 71,000 cases awaiting approval, relating to 91,000 people, compared with 134,000 two years ago. Continue reading...

Society

1 week ago Comedian: The rise of AI comedy reviews 'makes me sick' as ChatGPT used at Fringe

Performers and producers say they have seen reviews they are certain are generated by AI

Politics

1 week ago Scientists discover new drug that REVERSES autism symptoms with just one dose

Researchers at Stanford University found in a new study that just one dose of a drug being developed for epilepsy reversed common signs of autism. It comes as the condition has seen a startling rise in the US.

Events

2 w. ago Who is George Clarke? Latest Strictly Come Dancing star's unexpected rise to fame

Some BBC viewers will be introduced to TikTok star George Clarke, who hosts the Useless Hotline with Max Balegde, for the first time when he competes on Strictly Come Dancing 2025

Politics

2 w. ago Amber heat health warning kicks in as temperatures in UK set to soar to 34C

Authorities warn that there could be a rise in deaths as amber and yellow health alerts come into effect

Events

3 w. ago Sir Keir Starmer declines to rule out tax rises as he defends handling of economy

It comes after warnings that taxes may need to rise to plug a £51 billion black hole in public finances

Economics