4 h. ago Ring a Republican: Payphones linking San Francisco and Texas aim to bridge US political divides

A Matter Neuroscience project lets callers in liberal San Francisco and conservative Abilene speak across party linesTwo experimental payphones – one placed in San Francisco and the other in Abilene, Texas – are connecting strangers across party lines, allowing callers to speak directly with Democrats and Republicans in two of the US’s most ideologically opposed cities.The project is the work of Matter Neuroscience, a Boulder, Colorado-based biotech company and is fashioned out of old payphones bought off Facebook. One phone sits outside Black Serum Tattoo parlor in San Francisco’s Mission District – and the other is in downtown Abilene by the bookstore Seven and One Books. Each phone is marked with a sign explaining that callers will be connected to someone from the opposite end of the political spectrum. Continue reading...

Politics

10 h. ago Educational background key indicator of immigration views in UK, study finds

Research comparing UK and US finds people with fewer qualifications more likely to support rightwing movementsRightwing movements are struggling to gain support among graduates as education emerges as the most important dividing line in British attitudes towards politics, diversity and immigration, research has found.A study from the independent National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) found people with qualifications below A-level were more than twice as likely to support rightwing parties compared with those with qualifications above. Continue reading...

Politics

23 h. ago Education key to divide on immigration and politics, research suggests

The report found that education divides attitudes on immigration and diversity more sharply in the UK than in the US.

Politics

3 d. ago Two European countries set to be connected by new £11.4million bridges – making it easier for tourists

TWO popular destinations with Brits will soon be connected by a series of bridges. Three bridges will soon connect Spain and Portugal. The three bridges in Guadiana, Minho and Erges aim to improve connections between the two countries, which will cut travel times as well. The agreement is reported to be worth €13million (£11.4million). Guadiana...

Economics

5 d. ago 'Donald Trump blaming latest ICE shooting on cancer patient Biden is pathetic'

'A tragic death, another shooting, and chaos have all hit Minneapolis - but instead of helping locals, Trump and his yes men fuelled political divide in a series of cheap blows'

Politics

7 d. ago Wes Streeting criticises Labour colleagues who blame Whitehall for blocking reform – UK politics live

Health secretary says: ‘If we tell the public that we can’t make anything work, then why on earth would they vote to keep us in charge’Here is Jessica Elgot’s report on Wes Streeting’s speech. (See 9.45am.)Here is a fuller version of the quote from Wes Streeting’s speech, from the Times’ Steven Swinford.Bafflingly, some on my own side of the political divide have begun to parrot the same argument. They complain about the civil service. They blame stakeholder capture.This excuses culture does the centre-left no favours. If we tell the public that we can’t make anything work, then why on earth would they vote to keep us in charge? Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Ebanie Bridges rival makes shock gesture after 'flaunting body' taunt and gruesome injury

Ebanie Bridges’ rival has made a surprising gesture after previously taking aim at the ‘Blonde Bomber’ and her lingerie weigh-ins before dealing her a gruesome injury

Events

2 w. ago Reluctant trailblazer Khawaja confronts racial stereotypes before Sydney farewell | Taha Hashim

The first Muslim to play for Australia has been an inspiration for many in the way he has broken down barriers during his careerMore than half an hour into the press conference, with his retirement from Test cricket confirmed, Usman Khawaja was asked about the role of opening the batting and its relevance in the modern game. He answered with ease, detailing the specific mental challenges of facing the new ball. Minutes later, he was asked how Australia can unite after last month’s terrorist attack at Bondi Beach. Again, there was little hesitation before the lengthy reply. He cited the teachings of the prophet Muhammad, politicians who “try to divide and conquer” and closed with his reflections on the tragedy itself. This was no ordinary sporting farewell.Those who have tracked the path of Khawaja’s career closely will not have been surprised by the openness in the 50-minute press conference on Friday and the lines to have come from it. Reflecting on his proud journey as a Muslim bo...

Politics