21 h. ago ‘I was contaminated’: study reveals how hard it is to avoid pesticide exposure

Silicone wristbands worn by volunteers in the Netherlands captured 173 substances in one weekFor decades, Khoji Wesselius has noticed the oily scent of pesticides during spraying periods when the wind has blown through his tiny farming village in a rural corner of the Netherlands.Now, after volunteering in an experiment to count how many such substances people are subjected to, Wesselius and his wife are one step closer to understanding the consequences of living among chemical-sprayed fields of seed potato, sugar beet, wheat, rye and onion. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago London gold association calls for city to revive plans for futures contract

London gold association calls for city to revive plans for futures contract  Financial Times

Politics

3 d. ago Sentencing reforms will take ‘sledgehammer’ to justice system – Tory MP

Tory former minister Esther McVey has hit out at the proposed changes.

Politics

4 d. ago Beasts of the Sea: the tragic story of how the ‘gentle, lovable’ sea cow became the perfect victim

Iida Turpeinen’s novel has been a sensation in her native Finland. On the eve of its UK publication, she talks about her compulsion to tell of the sociable giant’s plightIida Turpeinen is the author of Beasts of the Sea, a Finnish novel tracing the fate of a now-extinct species: the sea cow. Similar to dugongs and manatees, the sea cow was only discovered in 1741 by the shipwrecked German-born naturalist Georg Wilhelm Steller but by 1768 it had already become the first marine species to be eradicated by humans.Translated into 28 languages and shortlisted for the country’s most prestigious literary award, the Finlandia Prize, Beasts of the Sea was described by the Helsinki Literacy Agency as the most internationally successful Finnish debut novel ever. Turpeinen, 38, a PhD student of comparative literature, is now a resident novelist at Finland’s Natural History Museum. Her book will be published in the UK on 23 October. Continue reading...

Events

4 d. ago Tories condemn 'moral rot' of Labour's plan to give rapists and paedophiles shorter jail sentences, as they launch bid to reverse Shabana Mahmood's soft justice masterplan

Shadow ministers will force a vote on changes to the Government's Sentencing Bill to prevent thousands of rapists and paedophiles being freed early.

Events

7 d. ago The other Alaska airlift: Volunteers save dogs from a flooded Alaska village, 1 tiny plane at a time

A nonprofit in rural Alaska is working to rescue dogs from Kipnuk, a village hit hard by Typhoon Halong

Events

1 week ago Confidence in financial future dips for ‘squeezed middle’ aged 45 to 54 – survey

The research, for Newcastle Building Society, found that 37.86% people aged 45 to 54 are feeling pessimistic about their future finances.

Politics

1 week ago Five hidden gem Scottish beaches named among UK's most underrated coastal destinations

The ranking identifies the UK’s most secluded and underrated beaches, focusing on locations with fewer than 100 Google Maps reviews.

Politics

2 w. ago Hidden Beaches in Scotland: The 9 most underrated coastal destinations in the UK

Six Scottish beaches have been named among the top hidden coastal locations in the UK.

Politics

2 w. ago Going back to school in the best Retros out now: The History Man by Malcolm Bradbury, Evening Class by Maeve Binchy, Good Country People

Sally Morris reviews the best Retros out now.

Culture

2 w. ago Canada’s former climate minister on making a change, ‘aloof’ Trudeau and sexism

Catherine McKenna’s memoir delves into thorny parts of being in office including death threats and being referred to as ‘climate Barbie’Imagine there was a truck heading directly for your children. What would you do? Surely everything in your power to save them, including jumping in its way? Catherine McKenna, formerly the Canadian minister for environment and climate change, borrows this analogy for the climate crisis from a colleague to argue that we need to use “all the tools at our disposal” to tackle devastating danger that is already with us.McKenna has recently published Run Like a Girl, which documents her time in government, among other things. Peppered with inspirational quotes, personal photos and campaign memorabilia, Run Like a Girl isn’t a straightforward memoir. She wrote it for “women and young people who want to make change”. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Ten Scottish hotels named among best in UK – from plush city centre spots to picturesque hidden gems

TEN Scottish hotels have been named among the best across the UK - and it includes everything from plush city centre spots to picturesque hidden gems. Scotland is home to several wonderful locations with gorgeous landscapes that are also quirky and steeped in history, so it’s no wonder that many receive nationwide attention. A new study has found that a...

Politics

2 w. ago A British Ice and more stop and search: Badenoch’s Tories set out new policies

Shadow ministers have announced far-reaching and often radical proposals – here is a roundup of some of themKemi Badenoch warned her shadow cabinet in January not to expect any detailed policies until 2027. “We’re not creating policies for 2028 in 2025,” a Tory spokesperson said at the time.This week that changed. At the Conservative party’s annual conference in Manchester, shadow ministers have lined up to announce detailed, far-reaching and often radical new policies. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Ministers to announce significant changes to UK’s planning system

Exclusive: Differences over changes to environmental and legal provisions to prompt economic growth hint at chaos at heart of governmentRachel Reeves is set to announce a round of planning changes before the budget as a way to kickstart Britain’s sluggish economic growth, but ministers are at odds over how radical to be.The chancellor will announce a number of moves designed to make it easier for developers to build houses and infrastructure projects, in the hope that they will fill about £3bn of her estimated £30bn black hole. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago 'I ate at a hidden gem Edinburgh restaurant and it's one of the best meals I've ever had'

The staff were friendly, the prices were reasonable, and the food was absolutely delicious.

Politics

3 w. ago Major change to car insurance prices update issued by cabinet minister

Car insurance bills have vastly increased in recent years

Politics

3 w. ago Israel tells Gaza aid flotilla to change course as activists say navy is intercepting boats – Middle East crisis live

Global Sumud Flotilla, carrying about 500 activists including Greta Thunberg, says Israeli navy boats approaching; foreign ministry says it asked flotilla to change course Activists aboard a Gaza-bound aid flotilla said Israeli warships surrounded several of its boats on Wednesday and that the interception of the main vessels was under way, according to AFP.“The warships are moving in to intercept the flotilla – only 81 nautical miles remain to Gaza,” said the Maghreb contingent of the Global Sumud Flotilla in a statement. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Beautiful Scottish gem with 'best views' is perfect for autumnal walk

This incredible beach, named the best in Scotland, has been hailed as a 'hidden gem' and is perfect for a peaceful autumnal walk while admiring incredible views of Bass Rock

Politics

3 w. ago The village that Roy built: Welcome to the mysterious community in rural Norfolk that has become a global phenomenon...after baffled TikTokers thought they'd 'walked into a cult'

In Wroxham, there is a strange presence - a name that dances between the shops of this picturesque little English village: Roys.

Politics

3 w. ago The village that Roy built: Welcome to the tiny community in rural Norfolk owned by the same family

In Wroxham, there is a strange presence - a name that dances between the shops of this picturesque little English village: Roys.

Politics