38 m. ago Everything Evolves by Mark Vellend review – can Darwin explain JD Vance?

Why evolutionary theory should be applied to peacocks, politics, iPhones and quite a lot in betweenNobody expected the Spanish Inquisition, but then again no one could have predicted the giraffe, the iPhone or JD Vance. The laws of physics don’t demand them; they all just evolved, expressions of how (for better or worse) things happened to turn out.Ecologist Mark Vellend’s thesis is that to understand the world, “physics and evolution are the only two things you need”. Evolution, here, refers in the most general sense to outcomes that depend on what has gone before. Thus the world can be divided into things that are inescapable and things that are contingent, depending on circumstances. In the terminology he borrows from evolutionary biologist Graham Bell, the study of physical necessity is the “first science”; that of historical contingency the second. So, the periodic table of 90 or so natural elements, which are inescapable given the laws of physics, would fall under the first sc...

Politics

38 m. ago Brits warned to make vital check with their GP before heading on holiday

There are a lot of things to remember while preparing for a holiday - but the NHS has urged all travellers to book in with their GP ahead of their travels in order to stay safe

Events

2 h. ago The secret life of a child star: how Alyson Stoner survived stalkers, starvation and sexualisation

Stoner was a small child when they began acting professionally – and their experience included extreme pressure, dangerous diets, rehab, dashed hopes and self-doubt. Now, with a new memoir, they consider how they escaped ‘the toddler to train-wreck pipeline’When Alyson Stoner was nine, a wardrobe assistant on the set of a TV show noticed the child actor’s dark leg-hair and told Stoner it was “dirty and unladylike”, and that they couldn’t wear shorts in the show until it was removed. “I started to view my body in a detached way where it was just something to control, to fix, to manipulate for whatever standard was presented to me,” says Stoner. “In this case, the extreme beauty standards of the industry.”It was a lot for a nine-year-old to take on, but by then Stoner had been working for several years – they were a Disney regular, and appeared in films such as Cheaper By the Dozen – and were used to doing whatever adults asked. As a teenager, this would lead to an excessive exercise ...

Society

3 h. ago Expert reveals the 7 most luxurious cruise ships in the world including one UK brand

Luxury cruising has become synonymous with opulence and service, and these ships are some of the most expensive in the world - but they offer something a little bit special

Politics

6 h. ago Disabled Labour MP is facing travel spend probe by Commons expenses watchdog over taxi use

The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) announced on Tuesday it had opened an investigation into whether Kate Osborne breached spending rules.

Economics

7 h. ago Reeves explores reform to capital gains tax on expensive houses

UK Treasury considers overhaul of property levies as ministers confront a hole in the public finances of at least £20bn 

Economics

9 h. ago Lottie Moss wears a shimmering gold corset and fitted skirt as she attends Caught Stealing screening in London

The model, 27, teamed a gold corset and matching fitted skirt with a pair of towering platform heels for the event.

Events

10 h. ago EuroMillions winning numbers for biggest EVER jackpot are revealed

If the prize is claimed, a single EuroMillions player could become the UK's record-making National Lottery winner.

Politics

11 h. ago Tonight's lucky ticket holder could scoop biggest ever EuroMillions jackpot

A EuroMillions player could win the £210m jackpot tonight and would be the biggest winner in National Lottery history, beating a jackpot of £195million in 2022

Politics

11 h. ago 'My Next drinks trolley looks so luxury, guests think its a £700 model'

While not 100% identical, the £90 drinks trolley looks like a much more expensive version from SoHo Home

Economics

11 h. ago How employees are using AI to fudge receipts for business expenses

Scammers don't need sophisticated skills in technology or photoshop anymore, because now it is as easy as asking a chatbot to create a receipt for a business transaction that never happened.

Politics

13 h. ago EuroMillions results LIVE: Lottery numbers for £210MILLION draw on Tuesday, August 19

Live results checker for tonight's mega EuroMillions draw

Economics

13 h. ago MP says taxi use recommended by Parliament as expenses watchdog launches inquiry

Kate Osborne is being investigated by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority.

Politics

13 h. ago Stacey Solomon claps back at criticism over 'very expensive' trip with Molly

Stacey Solomon recently took her family on a luxury holiday to a very swanky retreat in Turkey and "spent the first part of her holiday" with Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury

Politics

14 h. ago EuroMillions results LIVE: Lucky winner could scoop biggest ever £210M jackpot

A UK EuroMillions player who potentially will scoop the £210 million jackpot would be the biggest winner in National Lottery history and would supplant the 2022 winner who pocketed £195 million

Economics

14 h. ago Historic Stockport pub in 'safe hands' as it reopens following major revamp

'It’s become apparent that the pub holds a special place in a lot of peoples’ hearts'

Politics

14 h. ago West Lothian community centre group to 'dissolve' next year due to running costs

The move comes in protest at West Lothian Council’s proposals to press ahead with changes to the way community centres and halls are run as the council tires to wring £1 million in budget savings from them.

Politics

15 h. ago Aubrey Plaza talks about her husband’s suicide: ‘A daily struggle, obviously’

Actor opens up about death of her director husband Jeff Baena, referring to her grief as ‘a giant ocean of awfulness’The actor Aubrey Plaza has opened up about the suicide of her husband, director Jeff Baena, who died in January.The White Lotus and Parks and Recreation star was speaking to Amy Poehler for her podcast Good Hang when she was asked how she was doing during “a terrible, terrible, tragic year”. Continue reading...

Events

15 h. ago New West Lothian Xcite community gym set to open with 'state

The community gym, located at West Calder High School will be opening mid-September with the same kit used in all Xcite gyms.

Politics

15 h. ago Labour MP Kate Osborne faces inquiry by Commons expenses watchdog

Ipsa said it had opened an investigation into whether the Jarrow and Gateshead East MP had breached spending rules.

Politics