33 h. ago When the physicists need burner phones, that’s when you know America’s changed | John Naughton

US academics, fearing persecution by their own government, are becoming ideological refugees. Europe, and Britain, must offer them sanctuaryAt international academic conferences recently, one sees an interesting trend. Some American participants are travelling with “burner” phones or have minimalist laptops running browsers and not much else. In other words, they are equipped with the same kind of kit that security-conscious people used to bring 15 years ago when travelling to China.So what’s up? Well, these academics have a finger on the pulse of Trump’s America, and are concerned about what might happen when they return home. They’ve read on Robert Reich’s Substack about the French scientist who was prevented from entering the country because US Border Patrol agents had found messages from him in which he had expressed his “personal opinion” to colleagues and friends about Trump’s science policies. Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago Ricky Gervais forced to pause plans for £5million mega mansion on River Thames over government fears as he's given list of demands to fulfil before he can start building it

Ricky Gervais has been forced to freeze plans to build a new £5 million riverside mansion in the Buckinghamshire town of Marlow after the Environment Agency cited a number of concerns.

Economics

4 d. ago With eligibility dispute rocking the storied Boat Race, Oxford and Cambridge crews refocus

A dispute over eligibility criteria has rocked the build-up to the Boat Race, a nearly 200-year-old rowing contest between storied universities Oxford and Cambridge along the River Thames in London

Politics

5 d. ago iPad submerged 5 years in London’s River Thames helps unlock murder plot

iPad submerged 5 years in London’s River Thames helps unlock murder plot  KRON4

Events

5 d. ago Rachel Reeves should prioritise hiking spending on public services, voters say

It comes as the Chancellor Rachel Reeves prepares to deliver the Spring Statement on Wednesday amid fears unprotected government departments will see spending squeezed

Politics

5 d. ago UK's largest ever road tunnel spanning 14 miles to be built as planning for mega project gets the go

Plans for a £9 billion road that would pass beneath the River Thames, linking Kent and Essex via a 2.6-mile tunnel, have been formally approved by the transport secretary Heidi Alexander.

Politics

5 d. ago Government gives green light to £9billion Lower Thames Crossing that would see Britain's largest ever road tunnel built between Kent and Essex

Plans for a £9 billion road that would pass beneath the River Thames, linking Kent and Essex via a 2.6-mile tunnel, have been formally approved by the transport secretary Heidi Alexander.

Economics

5 d. ago UK’s largest ever road tunnel set to be built after £8.3bn plan approved

Lower Thames Crossing will include 2.6-mile tunnel under River Thames linking Kent and Essex

Economics

5 d. ago Lower Thames Crossing: UK's largest road tunnel linking two counties to be built for £9bn

The proposed Lower Thames Crossing, which will run underneath the River Thames, between Kent and Essex has been given the go ahead by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander

Economics

5 d. ago How iPad buried under banks of the River Thames exposed botched plot to murder notorious cage fighter behind Britain's biggest robbery

Paul Allen, a 41-year-old former cage fighter behind Britain's biggest ever robbery, was left paralysed after being shot in the neck.

Events

5 d. ago 'The Thames is in trouble': Sir Steve Redgrave says river needs urgent action on pollution

Retired Olympic rowing champion demands action to end ‘pollution for profit’ by water companies

Events

6 d. ago Ricky Gervais explains why he turned down Steve Carell’s Office US role

‘It made no sense at all,’ said actor

Politics

6 d. ago ‘I imagine most Americans don’t even know about the British show’: Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant on the US Office at 20

Twenty years ago today, ‘The Office’ debuted in the US as a remake of the British hit co-created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. In a sea of abysmal American reboots, this one arguably surpassed the popularity of the original. Gervais and Merchant speak to Simon Bland about going out on a limb by taking their Slough-based series Stateside

Politics

7 d. ago Majority of voters say wealthy should pay more tax to fund broken public services

The findings come as Chancellor Rachel Reeves prepares to deliver the Spring Statement with fears of a spending squeeze for some government departments.

Economics

7 d. ago Ed Miliband 'to block' bid to ban government from buying Chinese solar panels feared to have been made with slave labour

The government is poised to vote against a Lords amendment to the Great British Energy Bill when it returns to the Commons on Tuesday.

Politics

9 d. ago Penises of endangered species are being sold to Chinese restaurants for £300

Actor Ricky Gervais has hit out at vile trophy hunters who are killing thousands of threatened brown fur seals, just so they can sell their penises as 'aphrodisiacs' in China

Economics

9 d. ago Ricky Gervais fumes as penises of endangered species sold to Chinese restaurants for £300

Actor Ricky Gervais has hit out at vile trophy hunters who are killing thousands of threatened brown fur seals, just so they can sell their penises as 'aphrodisiacs' in China

Economics

1 week ago 'A huge abuse of power': Thames balcony wars rage as residents face soaring and unpredictable fees

As well as balconies, some residents also have to pay charges for rainwater gullies and disused cranes on the basis that they could be swung out over the water

Events

1 week ago ‘More than just an AOC’: Michigan Dem defends her lack of Musk pushback as she faces heat at town hall

Slotkin addressed sweeping cuts by Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency and fears over what it could mean for Medicaid

Politics

1 week ago Indonesia passes controversial law allowing greater military role in government

Activists in world’s third-largest democracy warn the legal changes signal a return to military dominance in civilian affairs that characterised Suharto yearsIndonesia has ratified controversial changes to its military law allowing armed forces personnel to hold more civilian posts, a move that analysts fear could usher in a resurgence of the military in government affairs.Activists in the world’s third-largest democracy have criticised the revisions, warning they signal a return to Indonesia’s “New Order” era, when the country was led by former authoritarian ruler Suharto, who stepped down in 1998. Continue reading...

Events