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King’s speech 2024: experts react to the new government’s plans
The king’s speech has been delivered, marking the state opening of parliament (technically, this was the first king’s speech with a Labour government in 74 years). The speech was written by Keir Starmer’s government, not the king, and lays out the government’s agenda for the coming year. Check back here throughout the day as The Conversation’s academic experts break down the key policies, from planning reform to votes at 16.
Acts of Creation: On Art and Motherhood by Hettie Judah celebrates the craft and chaos of mother artists
In her new book Acts of Creation: On Art and Motherhood, art critic Hettie Judah shows that motherhood has played a significant role in the history of art. Not only in the ways that both motherhood and mothering have been depicted, but also in the way that artists who are mothers have created representations of their experiences, and in doing so shaped their artistic identities.
Some say a shot of olive oil can prevent a hangover – here’s what the science says
The search for alcohol hangover cures is as old as alcohol itself. Many cures and remedies are sold, but scientific evidence for their effectiveness is lacking. Recently, the notion that taking a shot of olive oil before consuming alcohol can prevent hangovers has garnered attention. This idea, popularised by figures like music producer Benny Blanco who discussed it on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, suggests that olive oil can coat the stomach and slow the absorption of alcohol, thereby reducing hangover symptoms.
Bigger animals don’t always have the biggest brains relative to body size – new research
Scientists have long believed that, generally speaking, the bigger an animal is, the bigger its brain. But our recent study challenges the nature of that linear view and reveals new insights about how brain size and body size have evolved together. There is astounding diversity in the shape, size and...
George Clooney has urged Biden to quit the presidential race – the Hollywood star is no stranger to political campaigning
George Clooney has called on Joe Biden, who is seeking a second term as US president, to “step aside” to save democracy from Donald Trump. In an opinion piece for the New York Times, the Hollywood actor urged the Democratic Party to replace Biden with a more youthful candidate, warning: “We are not going to win anything with this president.”
Gareth Southgate transformed the culture and spirit of the England men’s team – his successor is lucky to inherit this legacy
After eight years and 102 games, Gareth Southgate has stepped down from his role as manager of the England men’s football team following their defeat in the final of Euro 2024. Under his leadership, England reached two European Championship finals (including the first major tournament final abroad by an England men’s team), and a World Cup semi-final.
Why the new government is staying silent about the City – it won’t get tough on the UK’s financial sector anytime soon
Rachel Reeves’ first speech as the UK chancellor highlighted the financial constraints the new Labour government faces. With taxes already at a 70-year high in relation to national income, she repeated the pledge of no increases in national insurance, income tax or VAT. A parallel pledge to stand by...
Peruvian former soldiers convicted for rapes committed four decades ago in rare legal victory
Ten retired Peruvian soldiers were convicted in June of raping nine women while serving at the Manta and Vilca military base in the Andes mountains during the country’s armed conflict in the 1980s. The men each received sentences of between six and 12 years for crimes against “good manners” and “sexual liberty” under the Peruvian criminal code, and for crimes against humanity under international criminal law.
How to deal with being the youngest in the office
Among the new class of MPs sworn into the UK parliament this month, there were the first MPs from generation Z. The youngest of these, Sam Carling – who now has the unofficial title “baby of the house” – is aged 22. In an interview, Carling alluded to an experience that many professionals in their 20s and 30s will be familiar with: accusations from older colleagues that they lack the necessary experience for the role.
The UK’s prisons aren’t just overcrowded – they need to be better designed
The UK government has taken urgent action to address the prison capacity crisis, announcing early release for several thousand non-violent offenders. For years, politicians of all stripes have used prisons and incarceration as a populist cause to gain votes. The result is an overstretched, overcrowded prison system that is bad for prisoners, prison staff and communities.
The Turkish Detective: a familiar tale in a new setting
In the not so very distant past of British television, capers in the company of avuncular, maverick detectives were the ratings sureties around which peak-time drama schedules were built. Although viewing figures are much diminished, such shows remain plentiful. These detective stories remain generally compliant with the wisdom that they...
Trump attempted shooting: what drives a solo assassin to kill? A psychologist explains
The image of the would-be assassin at Donald Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13 is now part of history. A young man in beige lying dead on the flat roof. Minutes earlier, this self-appointed executioner had been pointing his rifle at Trump, aiming to shoot the former president in front of his followers.
Supershoes have transformed competitive distance running, but they remain controversial
On the face of it, competitive distance running appears not to have changed much since the Olympic Games were revived in 1896. However, even the relative simplicity of racing from gun to tape has radically altered in recent years due to the rise of advanced running footwear known colloquially as “supershoes”.
The Conversation and Universal Impact sponsor Vitae’s 2024 Three Minute Thesis competition
We believe in the extraordinary power of research to change the world for the better. But to ensure they achieve the maximum impact, researchers must communicate often complex ideas in an accessible, engaging way. This is at the very heart of our mission – and why The Conversation, and its...
Twisters follows a superstar storm chaser – obsession with extreme weather has a deep underlying psychology
At first glance, the 2024 remake movie Twisters contains many of the ingredients of the 1996 original, which starred Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton: a catastrophic and rare weather event, the urgency to use new technology to understand it, and central characters battling personality clashes. However, Twisters (on general release...
You are what you poo: how to read your stools
One of my hometown’s claims-to-fame, aside from the magnificence of the Clifton Suspension Bridge, is being the birthplace of the mighty Bristol Stool Chart. This seven category scale, developed at Bristol Royal Infirmary, categorises poo across a spectrum – from hard pellets like rabbit droppings to brown water. According to the chart, the ideal stool is a mid-range type 4: “like a sausage, smooth and soft”.
Why overcrowded prisons are more dangerous than releasing prisoners early
Last week, the government made its first move to address the overcrowding crisis in UK prisons. The justice secretary, Shabana Mahmood, announced a plan to release some prisoners after they have served 40% of their custodial sentence, rather than the current 50%. The new policy will also include plans to...
Lebanese society is split over a potential war with Israel
Hezbollah began launching rockets into northern Israel in solidarity with Palestinians shortly after the start of the war in Gaza. These attacks prompted skirmishes along the border that have escalated and spread further into the territory of both countries. On July 10, for example, the Israeli military said it had...
Fly Me to the Moon: romcom about ‘selling the Moon landing’ reviewed by a marketing expert
Fly Me to the Moon is a light and entertaining romantic comedy. It’s also a slick and impressive film that reminds you (as did last year’s seven-time Oscar winner Oppenheimer) of the astonishing achievements of the US scientific and military industry throughout the 20th century. Arguably another, no...
From melting tracks to rising alcoholism – how sport is being forced to adapt to the effects of climate change
In the unlikely event I ever run another marathon, I wouldn’t want to do it at night. But some famous global running events, including the world championships in Doha, are having to reschedule races to avoid participants having to run in extreme heat conditions. Midnight long-distance running is just...
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A nonprofit news source unlocking knowledge from British experts for the public. The Conversation U.K. finds people who have been studying a subject for years or decades and helps them explain important information. All stories are based on these experts' research.
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