19 h. ago Anyone for badminton? Batting around the shuttlecock 'can sharpen the brain', new research finds

Few of us could resist a summer badminton knock-about to get the blood pumping. Now scientists have discovered the sport could offer benefits beyond getting us outdoors and working the body.

Politics

36 h. ago My cultural awakening: an Eddie Izzard routine inspired me to learn French – and get a job with the EU

Being able to understand the comedian talking in French in his Dress to Kill show led to me learning several languages and working on the continentUntil the age of 13, I had never taken much interest in school French lessons. I had visited the country a couple of times, on family driving holidays to Brittany and Normandy, but my parents did all the talking and I didn’t see the point of learning le and la, soixante-dix or quatre-vingts. It was just something on the curriculum that I had to do.Then, one evening at home, in Stirlingshire, Scotland, with everyone else in bed, I sat on the sofa and put on a VHS of Eddie Izzard’s standup show Dress to Kill. My parents were fans and I’d caught a glimpse on TV and thought it looked funny. I was young and some of the material was probably too rude but I enjoyed the surreal and absurd comedy, impressions and mad tangents. Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago Three free ways to sharpen your brain in 2026 – from learning languages to getting arty online

WE are full of resolutions at this time of year, be it drinking less or exercising more – but don’t forget to also work that brain of yours.  It is never too late in life to learn something new, and it need not cost a fortune.  Here are some ideas . . .   LEARN A LANGUAGE: There are plenty of free...

Politics

1 week ago ‘Gifted learner dogs’ can learn words by eavesdropping, study says

Certain canines can learn using cues from people’s gaze, gestures, attention and voices, researchers findWhether it is a piece of food or a four-letter expletive, words can be learned by young children overhearing adults – but now researchers have found certain dogs can do something similar.Scientists have discovered canines with the unusual ability to learn the names of myriad objects can pick up such labels by eavesdropping on conversations. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Premier League Darts 2026 lineup confirmed as Luke Littler learns opponents

Stephen Bunting retains spot in eight-man field led by Littler and defending champion Luke Humphries

Politics

2 w. ago What I have learned from watching all 20 Premier League teams this season | John Brewin

Set pieces on the rise, fans transformed to customers and conspiracies seen in every decision – is football losing its fun?English football has always mirrored the passions, conflicts, identities and inequalities of the age. After the golden 1960s, the decay of the 1970s and ensuing disasters of the 1980s came the cap-sleeved, rebounding self-confidence of the 1990s. The 21st century so far has taken in globalisation and wanton commercialism. After that rabid, often reckless push for continued growth, society and the game alight on the uncertainties that encapsulated 2025.To catch the 20 Premier League clubs in live action this season, and this writer completed the full set on Tuesday witnessing Arsenal’s second-half demolition of Aston Villa, has been a study in that uncertainty. From the grumbling of fans, to the ever-fragile egos of managers, to players slugging through the gristle of 90 minutes of hard-pressing slog, a leading question comes to mind: is anyone actually still enj...

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