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Opinion
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- The Conversation (UK) Read
The dawn of the age of the exoskeleton
This year, members of Seattle Mountain Rescue have been setting off into the wilds of the US Pacific north-west wearing an unusual piece of kit.
- Opinion | The Guardian Read
I heard one thing loud and clear in Andy Burnham’s landmark speech: the left has won the arguments | Owen Jones
The PM’s stated trajectory is a rebuke to past Tory and Labour governments. The challenge now is to make his project progressive in word and deed, says Guardian columnist Owen Jones
- The Conversation (UK) Read
If he wants to secure legitimacy for electoral reform, Andy Burnham must stick to these rules
Andy Burnham has announced a national commission on electoral reform, and made a commitment to put changing the voting system in Labour’s next general election manifesto.
- Opinion | The Guardian Read
Burnham has a clear vision for Britain – but not for how it fits into a troubled world | Rafael Behr
The Labour leader has set out his plans with passion and ambition, but the story he tells lacks a vital chapter on managing global chaos, says Guardian columnist Rafael Behr
- The Conversation (UK) Read
Burnham delivered honesty and emotion – but what about the promises? Our experts assess his plans
In his first party conference speech as prime minister, Andy Burnham pledged to change the country – but warned of pain ahead as he puts his ideas into action. A panel of experts assesses his chances of success.
- The Conversation (UK) Read
America’s final military withdrawal from Iraq is a major bonus for Iran
The last of the US-led coalition forces are leaving Iraq. It’s a significant bonus for Iran. The withdrawal date, September 30, was also the date by which Baghdad had pledged to bring numerous powerful Iran-backed militias under state control. But this deadline looks certain to be missed.
- The Conversation (UK) Read
How can the same El Niño cause drought in one part of the world and floods in another?
The Pacific Ocean is warming unusually quickly, and this year’s El Niño has already surpassed previous records. Forecasters expect it to strengthen even further before approaching its usual peak around December.
- The Conversation (UK) Read
Sudden confusion in an older relative? Don’t assume it’s a urine infection
Urinary tract infections can cause sudden confusion, known as delirium, in older people. But finding bacteria in someone’s urine does not necessarily explain their confusion, and the real cause may lie elsewhere.
- The Conversation (UK) Read
From sausage rolls to full breakfasts, class has shaped the foods that define English identity
English food is often perceived as ancient and reassuringly unchanging. Podcast host Lewis Bassett’s new book The Full English: The Ways We Eat and Why makes that view harder to sustain.
- The Conversation (UK) Read
Taylor Swift: my database of her 123,553 lyrics reveals hidden patterns
“It seems like all I ever do is change”, Taylor Swift writes in the prologue to the bestselling album 1989 (Taylor’s Version), released in 2014. In fact, change is a core part of the Swift marketing machine, which revolves around the evolution of her “eras”.
- The Conversation (UK) Read
AI has made borrowing more expensive – an expert explains how bond markets are changing
The global bond markets are a sensitive lot. And they’ve been having a particularly tricky time lately.
- The Conversation (UK) Read
Wolves did not save Yellowstone – why were we so desperate to believe they did?
You might be among the 46 million people who’ve seen a video showing how wolves changed Yellowstone, or you may have heard some other version of this story. Yellowstone, which covers nearly 3,500 square miles of the western United States, was the world’s first national park. Its pioneering reintroduction of wolves, which began in 1995, set a worldwide precedent for conservation.
- The Conversation (UK) Read
US tech leaders are urgently calling for rules on AI – China already has them
Recent warnings from American AI leaders have created the impression that the world is only beginning to confront the dangers of advanced artificial intelligence.
- The Conversation (UK) Read
An autumn stargazing forecast: how to make the best of our night sky
As autumn settles over the UK, there is something quietly magical about stargazing. Crisp air and early darkness come hand in hand with familiar constellations. Cold nights might not sound inviting when you’re on the sofa, but with a thick coat, a flask, and someone to share the view with, they’re rather easy to fall in love with.
- The Conversation (UK) Read
Why do some chimpanzee mothers carry their dead infants for months?
In 2003, in the deep forests of Bossou in Guinea, a chimpanzee mother did something that reshaped how we view animal minds. Jire carried the the lifeless body of her one-year-old infant Jimato for some 68 days. Even as the infant mummified before her, she gently swatted flies away, carefully placed it on branches while she ate, and cradled it as she moved through the canopy and forest ground.
- The Conversation (UK) Read
Millions of new skilled workers are needed – vocational GCSEs could help prepare them
Vocational education is coming back into the classroom. The government has announced a new generation of vocational GCSEs, allowing teenagers in England to study subjects such as building and construction, digital technology, creative media production, child development and business and finance alongside the traditional academic curriculum.
- The Conversation (UK) Read
How do Denmark and the UK compare when it comes to alcohol and drinking habits?
For decades, Denmark and the UK have been known as countries where alcohol plays a big role in people’s social lives. In this way, the two countries make an interesting comparison when it comes to alcohol consumption because they both have a strong drinking culture.
- The Conversation (UK) Read
Why Europe wants to boost its Arctic presence
EU leaders gathered in northern Finland recently for a summit focused on reaffirming the importance of the Arctic region to European security. The meeting, which took place in the city of Rovaniemi, came a month before the EU is expected to release its updated Arctic policy.
- The Conversation (UK) Read
Meningitis at university: why students are at higher risk and what to watch for
Freshers’ week is designed to bring new students together. But the same close contact that helps friendships form can also help infections spread.
- Opinion | The Guardian Read
As AI models go rogue, do you still trust OpenAI and Anthropic to stop them? I don’t and neither should you | Chris Stokel-Walker
The need for independent regulation grows more obvious by the day. We must keep this tech in check before it’s too late, says technology writer Chris Stokel-Walker
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