75 m. ago A Trick of the Mind by Daniel Yon review – explaining psychology’s most important theory

An immensely readable dive into the ‘predictive processing’ hypothesis, our best guess as to how the mind really worksThe process of perception feels quite passive. We open our eyes and light floods in; the world is just there, waiting to be seen. But in reality there is an active element that we don’t notice. Our brains are always “filling in” our perceptual experience, supplementing incoming information with existing knowledge. For example, each of us has a spot at the back of our eye where there are no light receptors. We don’t see the resulting hole in our field of vision because our brains ignore it. The phenomenon we call “seeing” is the result of a continuously updated model in your mind, made up partly of incoming sensory information, but partly of pre-existing expectations. This is what is meant by the counter­intuitive slogan of contemporary cognitive science: “perception is a controlled hallucination”.A century ago, someone with an interest in psycholo...

Science

75 m. ago Expert explains in horrifying detail exactly what happens to your body when you're boiled to death

Despite being a popular medieval torture method -boiling to death can still happen in the modern day. It is one of the most lengthy, horrific and foul deaths with the body slowly collapsing under the pressure of boiling water

Events

2 h. ago How Friday the 13th 'curse' started and why date is deemed so unlucky

Friday 13th is considered to be the unluckiest day on the calendar - but many people have no idea how it became such a dreaded date and about the 'cursed' events that have happened in the past on this date

Politics

2 h. ago The ‘beautiful’ Greater Manchester country park with ‘lovely gardens’ perfect for a sunny day

Take a stroll through ancient woodland, flower meadows and walled gardens

Politics

3 h. ago Experience: ‘I live as William Morris for three months a year’

It’s made me feel it’s OK to be an artist with a social purpose, though my wife hates the beardI have spent the first three months of the past six years trying to become the 19th-century designer and activist William Morris. I grow my hair and beard to look like him, while immersing myself in his work.On 24 March – his birthday – I dress as Morris and finish the quarter with some kind of absurd performance to highlight pressing social issues that he was concerned about, and that I want more people to focus on today. Continue reading...

Politics

3 h. ago South African woman’s murder prompts anger at country’s high level of femicide

Olorato Mongale, allegedly killed by man she went on date with, is latest victim of violence against womenA wave of anger and frustration has gripped South Africa after the murder of 30-year-old Olorato Mongale, allegedly by a man she went on a date with. It is the latest in a series of high-profile cases of violence against women and children in the country.Friends of Mongale, a former journalist who had been studying for a master’s degree in ICT policy, raised the alarm when she stopped checking in with them while on a date in Johannesburg on 25 May. Her body was found that day. Continue reading...

Events

3 h. ago Air India Plane Crash in Ahmedabad LIVE Updates: PM Modi arrives in city to take stock of situation, day after deadly Boeing 787

Air India Plane Crash in Ahmedabad LIVE Updates: PM Modi arrives in city to take stock of situation, day after deadly Boeing 787-8 crash  The Indian Express

Events

3 h. ago The stars and stripes fly, in photos, as Flag Day approaches

More than 75 years after Flag Day became U.S. law, the stars and stripes grab our gaze these days in constant portraits of how Americans see their country's promise — sometimes dotted along historic graves of military veterans, draped upside down over a protester, or painted on a barn.

Culture

4 h. ago Pretty coastal town with UK’s best hidden beach named cheapest seaside day out

Three Cliffs Bay in Gower, South Wales is a tranquil haven with limestone cliffs, golden beaches and rich greenery. It is just one of the beautiful beaches around the bargain seaside settlement

Politics

5 h. ago Grapes last six weeks longer with easy storage method that means no more mould

Grapes are one of the best snacks you can have in the summer but they don't tend to stay around for long as they can quickly go mouldy, but one simple trick can keep them fresh for six weeks

Events

5 h. ago Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy says troops contesting Russian advance in Sumy

Ukrainian forces ‘pushing back the occupiers’ says president but prevailing assessments show Russian gains. What we know on day 1,206Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Ukrainian forces are pushing back against Russian forces in the border Sumy region where they have established a foothold in recent weeks. “Our units in Sumy region are gradually pushing back the occupiers,” said Ukraine’s president in his nightly video address. “I thank you! Thanks to every soldier, sergeant and officer for this result.”The Ukrainian president provided no further details and offered no proof of Ukrainian advances in the area, and the claim contradicts prevailing assessments of continued Russian gains in Sumy. Russia has seized over 190 sq km (73 sq miles) of the Sumy region in less than a month, according to pro-Ukrainian open-source maps. They have captured more ground in the past days, advancing to around 20km from the city of Sumy’s northern suburbs and rendering it vulnerable to long-range artillery an...

Events

5 h. ago Two men to be sentenced over £4.75 million gold toilet heist

Burglar Michael Jones ‘took advantage of’ the gold toilet’s ‘facilities’ the day before it was taken.

Economics

6 h. ago Weeds will vanish if one 35p kitchen ingredient is sprayed on lawns

Weeds can be a common issue for gardeners, with many turning to shop-bought weedkillers to combat the problem, but experts have shared a cheap and easy solution that can make them vanish

Events

7 h. ago EuroMillions player could find themselves richer than Adele or Anthony Joshua today if they scoop £208million jackpot on traditionally unlucky Friday 13th

The eyewatering draw comes on this year's only Friday 13th - a day which is shrouded in superstition and considered unlucky by many.

Economics

7 h. ago Hot and humid Friday to end in thunderstorms, Met Office warns

Temperatures could hit 30C in parts of the country which would make it the hottest day of the year.

Events

8 h. ago Revealed: The top 12 TV shows that cause the most rows in Brits' homes

In a poll of 2,000 Britons, 17 per cent confessed to arguing over the football highlights show. Love Island was second on 13 per cent.

Culture

8 h. ago MPs to discuss ban on assisted dying adverts as Bill returns to Parliament

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill is undergoing a second day of report stage, with various amendments likely to be debated.

Politics

8 h. ago AI companies could soon be protected from most lawsuits under new GOP bill

Bill aims to ensure professionals such as doctors, lawyers, financial advisers, engineers who use AI programs retain legal liability if their work contains errors

Politics

8 h. ago Northern Ireland migrant protesters throw firebombs at police as violence spreads to Portadown

Communities in Northern Ireland are experiencing a fourth day of fear and anxiety as masked protesters continue to wreak havoc and commit acts of fiery vandalism on residential neighbourhoods

Events

9 h. ago Love Island's Harry and Helena share a passionate smooch as they pack on the PDA in bed after sneaking off to the Hideaway

Wednesday's episode saw the chaos continue after the previous day's couple-switching antics.

Politics