5 h. ago ‘I’m here to open doors’: Bernardine Evaristo on success, controversy and why she plans to donate her £100k award

The Girl, Woman, Other author has this week been awarded a one-off Women’s prize award for her outstanding contribution. She talks about her long road to recognition, and using her profile to support other writersBack in 2013, Bernardine Evaristo gave a reading in a south London bookshop from her novel Mr Loverman. Only six people showed up, a couple of them were dozing and she realised they were homeless people who had come to find somewhere comfortable to sleep. Last month, the hit TV adaptation Mr Loverman, about a 74-year-old gay Caribbean man set in Hackney, east London, won two Baftas, including leading actor for Lennie James, making him the first Black British actor to win the TV award in its 70-year history. “I checked Wikipedia!” Evaristo exclaims of this shocking fact when we meet in London.Evaristo’s long career is one of firsts and creating them for others. In 2019, at the age of 60, she became the first Black woman to win the Booker prize – shared with Margaret Atwood –...

Economics

5 h. ago People are only just realising where cashew nuts actually come from: 'We've been lied to for decades'

One woman claimed the revelation 'f***** my head up' after coming across naturally growing cashew nuts during a trip to Isla San Andres in Colombia with her husband. Pictured: Stock image.

Politics

7 h. ago People just finding out unusual way new babies are celebrated in Switzerland

It is always fun to celebrate when a loved one welcomes a baby and people are just realising a sweet way that people in Switzerland announce the news and name of a little one

Politics

32 h. ago People discover what Tony's chocolate is actually called after 'living a lie'

Many people are only just realising they have been mispronouncing the popular Tony's chocolate brand name wrong this whole time, and it's an easy mistake to make

Politics

49 h. ago People left shocked after realising what the voice of Sainsbury's self

Alison, a voice actress from Essex in the UK, tells supermarket customers when to scan, pay, and package their shopping every single day.

Events

4 d. ago People are only just realising what the loop on the back of shirts is for

Found between the shoulder blades, the US-born loop has a long history. While its principal purpose has remained the same over time, it has also had other, very novel uses at various points.

Politics

4 d. ago Tesco shoppers floored after learning true function of 'plastic covers' on items

Tesco shoppers have been left floored after learning what the "plastic covers" are on certain items in store. Some people didn't realise what they actually do

Politics

5 d. ago People are only just realising how long parmesan can last as age record is smashed

A giant wheel of parmesan cheese has smashed a record after spending almost 30 years sitting on a shelt maturing. The 36kg behemoth is still edible after being made in 1998 and is apparently 'out of this world'

Politics

5 d. ago Flight attendant reveals the worst drink to serve on a plane

The bar service on a flight is always something that travellers look forward to, and is often free on long-haul trips.

Politics

5 d. ago General warns that people must realise that a cruise missile is “only 90 minutes away from the UK”

“That’s not to say it’s about to happen or imminent, but in terms of the capability, a cruise missile is only 90 minutes away from the UK.”

Events

6 d. ago People are only just realising why we always board a plane from the same side

From stressful airport experience, to pre-flight jitters, you've never probably had time to realise why all passengers board airplanes from the same side.

Politics

8 d. ago People are only just realising what the metal part on the handles of scissors is for

Reddit users from around the globe have shared the different ways they use the middle section of kitchen scissors after one person questioned whether it had a purpose.

Politics

8 d. ago People are only just realising what players are singing during Champions League theme tune

PSG and Inter Milan will contest the 2025 Champions League final on Saturday night, and the competition's iconic theme tune will once again take centre stage before the match

Sport

9 d. ago People are only just realising what's inside a Jammie Dodger biscuit

The popular British biscuit is made of two round shortbreads sandwiched together by a rich jammy red filling and famously stamped with a small red heart.

Politics

9 d. ago People are only just realising why we always board a plane from the left

When you board a plane, you'll always step onto the aircraft from the left - and it turns out there is a very good reason for this - and it's all to do with ships and boats

Politics

9 d. ago People realise they've been using cheese graters wrong their whole lives

A mum has gone viral after she shared a life hack for using a cheese grater - but some people have claimed it's too much hassle and they'd rather just by it pre-grated instead

Politics

1 week ago People only just realising why some supermarkets have clock tower that doesn't work

Have you ever walked into a big supermarket and wondering why it has a clock tower? Turns out, there is a historical reason for the odd feature – and it all began in Essex

Economics

1 week ago Flight attendant begs Brits to stop ordering fizzy drinks on planes

A flight attendant has revealed why she hates serving a particular drink on planes and has urged passengers to stop ordering it - and it's not just because it can cause bloating

Politics

1 week ago 'Major celebrities' who've competed in contests for 'strong and hot men'

A video of the Mr World contestants has got people chatting - as many did not realise it was a thing, others couldn't stop talking about what Mr USA was wearing

Politics

1 week ago People are only just realising what the real flavour of green Haribo bears is

The German brand's signature sweet treat comes in various flavours, with most people assuming the colour of each bear correlates to the flavour of the snack.

Politics