ad

More Proof Neanderthals Weren't Stupid: They Made Their Own String

We make a big deal about modern humans being smarter than Neanderthals, but, really, are we?




ad

That Black Stuff on the Road? Technically Not Asphalt

If you think asphalt is what hot tar roads are made of, you'd be wrong. Asphalt is only one ingredient in the recipe that makes up our roads. And it has a very long, very interesting history.




ad

All together now: five of the best kids' films that adults can enjoy

From a kidult superhero movie to a spooky period melodrama, these films will provide entertainment for all the family

Kidult superhero movies are nothing new, but this 2018 animated splinter off the Sony-Spidey combine does something really smart with the money-spinning multiverse concept. In Rodney Rothman, Bob Persichetti and Peter Ramsey’s version, Spider-Man is reborn across the dimensions – as Gwen, as a private eye, as a pig – and the result is a fruitfully mind-bending recalibration of the entire mythos.

Continue reading...




ad

One in three shareholders vote for Rio Tinto to adopt binding emissions target

Shareholder vote in favour of global mining giant adopting binding targets grew sixfold since last year

Shareholders in global miner Rio Tinto have rebuked the company over its climate stance, with 37% voting at a meeting in Australia for a resolution that would require it to set binding emissions targets.

While the resolution did not pass, its sponsor, environmental group Market Forces, said it attracted six times as much support as an identical one put up at the same meeting last year.

Continue reading...




ad

'A Freudian nightmare': Madonna's Blond Ambition tour turns 30

Three decades on, the controversy-courting concert tour is still shaping the ways female artists express their sexuality

In Toronto, Madonna simulated masturbation on a velvet bed under the watchful eye of the Canadian police, who threatened her with arrest if her show went ahead. In Italy, unions called for a general strike if Madonna performed, and Pope John Paul II declared her concert “one of the most satanic shows in the history of humanity”. The Blond Ambition tour, which turned 30 years old last month, remains among the most controversial tours of all time.

Related: The Guide: Staying In – sign up for our home entertainment tips

Continue reading...




ad

David Sedaris: 'Alan Bennett's Talking Heads is pretty much the best thing ever'

The comic essayist on crying over Olive Kitteridge, his love for Richard Yates and the books that make him laugh

The book I am currently reading
Hidden Valley Road. It’s a nonfiction book about a family with 12 children, half of whom turn out to be schizophrenic. In the opening pages the mother sews a live bird’s eyes shut. And she’s one of the few who isn’t mentally ill!

The book that changed my life
Kurt Vonnegut’s Breakfast of Champions. A friend read it out aloud to me when we were hitchhiking across America in 1976, and it made me think:That’s right – books! After high school I had forgotten about them. As soon as I got a stable address, I secured a library card, and started making up for lost time.

Continue reading...




ad

Covidsafe app: how to download Australia’s coronavirus contact tracing app, how it works, what it does and problems

The app will ask for your name (or pseudonym), age range, postcode and phone number. Scott Morrison says the Australian government’s covid safe tracking app won’t be mandatory to download and install, but its uptake numbers could play a part in easing Covid-19 restrictions

The Australian government has launched Covidsafe, an app that traces every person running the app who has been in contact with someone else using the app who has tested positive for coronavirus in the previous few weeks, in a bid to automate coronavirus contact tracing, and allow the easing of restrictions.

Here’s what we know about the app so far.

Continue reading...




ad

Blind date: ‘I'd had quite a lot to drink and broke into song’

Harry, 32, a TV producer from London, meets Jayson, 25, a journalist from Hong Kong, in our latest virtual date

What were you hoping for?
A fun chat that didn’t involve a quiz.

Continue reading...




ad

Coronavirus and culture: 'We're waiting it out in paradise'

When the coronavirus crisis hit, Yolngu elders moved back to east Arnhem Land homelands where they found freedom, peace, and power

Adapting to change is something Yolngu are good at, senior Rirratjingu songman Witiyana Marika says.

When the coronavirus first started making news, community leadership met to plan how they would manage if Covid-19 arrived in eastern Arnhem land. Senior men and women met with the emergency taskforce, the local Miwatj health service and the Laynhapuy homelands organisation to take the most vulnerable people further away from risk.

Continue reading...




ad

Fear of flying foxes: coronavirus is topping off a bad year for Australia's bats

They’ve faced drought, extreme heat and bushfires, and now they have to deal with a new paranoia courtesy of the pandemic

Australia’s bats are turning up in increasing numbers in city suburbs. But as they search for food, they’re bringing for some a newfound paranoia thanks to a global pandemic that likely sprang from one of their overseas relatives.

In Ingham in far north Queensland, an influx of more than 200,000 little red flying foxes in January was variously described as a “swarm”, a “tornado” and an “infestation”.

Continue reading...




ad

Queensland deputy premier Jackie Trad stands down over corruption investigation

Trad says she will cooperate with investigation into allegation she interfered in appointment of school principal

Queensland’s deputy premier and treasurer, Jackie Trad, has stood down from ministerial duties over an investigation into the appointment of a Brisbane principal.

The Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) is investigating the recruitment and selection process for the principal of the Inner City South Secondary College.

Continue reading...




ad

Already in this crisis we are slipping into over-optimism about the economy and over-pessimism about debt | Wayne Swan

Deep recessions have long shadows and already there is a gaping hole opening up in our pandemic response

The great recession was followed by Brexit, the election of Donald Trump and the rise of authoritarianism particularly in Europe.

Big economic events have big political consequences.

Continue reading...




ad

Toronto Zoo hatches its first critically endangered Madagascar spider tortoise

The Toronto Zoo announced on Wednesday it had successfully hatched a baby Madagascar spider tortoise, its first successful hatching of the critically endangered species.




ad

Paul O'Grady believes he's 'most definitely' had coronavirus

Coronavirus: The symptoms




ad

Tim Brooke-Taylor dead: Goodies co-stars lead tributes as actor dies aged 79 after contracting coronavirus

Bill Oddie hails Brooke-Taylor as 'true visual comic' Stephen Fry, Rob Brydon and Jack Dee also pay tribute Brooke-Taylor joins public figures to have died after contracting Covid-19 Read our live coronavirus updates HERE




ad

Love Island's Mike Boateng admits he lied to take day off from police force

The incident took place in December 2018




ad

Who plays Aadi in Coronation Street? Meet new actor Adam Hussain taking over from Zennon Ditchett

Hussain made his debut on Wednesday's show




ad

Margaret Qualley says environmental activism made her 'not popular' in school

The Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood star has praised teenage activists




ad

Brian Dennehy dead: First Blood actor dies, aged 81

Hollywood actor Brian Dennehy has died at the age of 81, his daughter has said. The star, known for roles in films including First Blood and Cocoon, died on Wednesday due to natural causes. His daughter Elizabeth announced the news on Twitter.




ad

Cheryl shares adorable video of son Bear interrupting her

The singer gave a rare glimpse of her three-year-old as she spoke to fans on Instagram




ad

Victoria Beckham shares adorable childhood snaps to mark her 46th birthday

The former Spice Girl celebrated her birthday with a throwback to her youth




ad

Captain Tom Moore recalls seeing Dame Vera Lynn in Burma during WW2 as charity single heads for number one

Captain Tom has so far raised an astonishing £26 million for NHS charities




ad

Madonna updates debut album cover artwork to include surgical mask

The Queen of Pop shared the picture on Instagram




ad

Mark Strong: Growing up without a father has made me take parenthood 'really seriously'

The actor's father left the family home shortly after he was born




ad

Martin Clunes' pyjama-clad Good Morning Britain appearance delights viewers

The Doc Martin actor appeared via videolink from his Dorset home




ad

'It's grandad!' Chris Tarrant's grandson impressed by Michael Sheen's performance in Quiz

Sheen's uncanny performance got the seal of approval from the four-year-old




ad

Shakira graduates from Ancient Philosophy course after studying during lockdown

From headlining the Super Bowl to reading up on Plato...




ad

Lynn Faulds Wood dead: Former BBC Watchdog presenter dies, aged 72

The presenter died after suffering a stroke




ad

Captain Tom Moore tops the singles chart ahead of his 100th birthday

His rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone with Michael Ball is the fastest selling single of 2020 to date




ad

Dua Lipa reveals orange hair in cute quarantine snap with boyfriend Anwar Hadid

The Hotter than Hell singer has revealed her new 'do in a sweet Instagram post




ad

Holly Willoughby falls victim to Bradley Walsh's 'Audrey' prank on This Morning

Willoughby was fooled by a trick devised by Walsh and his son.




ad

Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid 'expecting first child'

Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid are reportedly expecting their first child together.




ad

Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik relationship timeline: From how they met to their brief split and baby rumours

The couple have been on and off since 2015




ad

Irrfan Khan dead: Bollywood and Slumdog Millionaire actor dies, aged 53

The star, who also appeared in Jurassic World, died after being hospitalised with a colon infection




ad

Priyanka Chopra and Shilpa Shetty lead tributes to Irrfan Khan after actor dies aged 53

The actor was best known for his Bollywood fame and roles in films like Slumdog Millionaire and Life of Pi




ad

Gigi Hadid shares new Vogue photoshoot while keeping schtum on pregnancy reports

Gigi and Bella Hadid have posed for a photoshoot at the family farm they're isolating in




ad

Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher donate planeload of PPE for NHS staff

The donation included 50,000 protective coveralls and 100,000 masks




ad

Jada Pinkett Smith says lockdown made her realise she 'does not know Will at all'

The actor made the confession on Red Table Talk




ad

BJ Hogg dead: Tributes paid to Game of Thrones actor after his death, aged 65

The actor was been known for starring in the BBC Northern Ireland comedy series Give My Head Peace




ad

Gigi Hadid confirms she's expecting first child with Zayn Malik

The model said the pregnancy was "an unexpected silver lining" during a difficult time




ad

Radio 1 Live Lounge's charity cover of Times Like These hits number one

The star-studded recording featured the likes of Dua Lipa, Ellie Goulding, Jess Glynne and Chris Martin




ad

Victoria Beckham wishes happy birthday to 'best daddy' and husband David

Victoria Beckham has wished her husband David a happy birthday with a nostalgic video montage as the former England football captain turned 45.




ad

Cady Groves dead: Country singer dies, aged 30

Cady Groves' brother said the singer died of "natural causes"




ad

Dave Greenfield dead: Stranglers keyboard player dies after contracting coronavirus

The musician was 71 years old




ad

Piers Morgan tests negative for coronavirus but will seek medical advice before return to Good Morning Britain

Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan has tested negative for Covid-19.




ad

Charlie Brooker says he 'always expected' something like Covid-19 pandemic ahead of Wipe special

Brooker says he's coping with the crisis "far better than I would have anticipated"




ad

Ariana Grande teases new charity single with Justin Bieber ahead of its release

Stuck With U will be released this Friday




ad

Millie Small dead: My Boy Lollipop singer dies, aged 73

The singer was most famous for her hit single My Boy Lollipop




ad

Adele's friend Lauren Paul shares previously unseen Las Vegas trip photo to mark star's birthday

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas - but the pictures will make it to Instagram




ad

Adele shares stunning picture and thanks essential workers as she celebrates her 32nd birthday

The snap sees the star pose in a black minidress and heels