Author: Andrew Rogers

George Russell delivered a superb qualifying lap to secure pole position for the Singapore Grand Prix, strengthening his case for a Mercedes contract extension. The Briton produced a near-perfect effort to outpace Max Verstappen by almost two-tenths of a second, a margin rarely seen at the demanding Marina Bay street circuit. Verstappen, however, was left frustrated after aborting his final run, claiming his lap was ruined by Lando Norris. The Red Bull champion complained that the McLaren driver, on an in-lap, had obstructed him in the final corners and cost him crucial downforce. “That is what happens when there is…

Conservationists hope to bring northern goshawks into British cities, using Berlin as a model for successful urban reintroduction. Dr Paul O’Donoghue, director of Rewilding UK, is preparing a proposal to release 15 goshawks each in Chester and London. The birds would be sourced as chicks from European nests and UK breeders, with the aim of curbing populations of crows, magpies and jackdaws that threaten smaller garden birds. Berlin shows what’s possible: more than 100 breeding pairs live across the city, hunting pigeons and adapting to busy parks, rooftops and traffic. O’Donoghue believes the same could be achieved in the UK.…

Ryanair has said it may be forced to cancel up to 600 flights a day during next week’s French air traffic control (ATC) strikes, potentially affecting as many as 100,000 passengers. The strikes, called by France’s largest ATC union SNCTA, are scheduled for 7–10 October and will disrupt flights across western European airspace. Routes from the UK to Spain, Italy, Greece and other holiday destinations that overfly France are expected to be heavily impacted. Michael O’Leary, Ryanair’s chief executive, renewed his demand for EU intervention to protect overflights. “They have the right to strike, but if flights are to be…

Autism should not be seen as a single condition with one unified cause, according to new research that highlights striking genetic and developmental differences between those diagnosed in early childhood and those diagnosed later in life. An international team analysed behavioural and genetic data from more than 45,000 autistic people across Europe and the US. They found that children diagnosed before the age of six often had clear early social and communication difficulties that remained relatively stable over time, and showed distinct genetic profiles. By contrast, those diagnosed after the age of 10 were more likely to develop increasing social…

Scientists in the US have successfully created human eggs from skin cells, marking a potential revolution in fertility treatment. The early-stage research, led by Prof Shoukhrat Mitalipov at Oregon Health and Science University, could one day allow women who are infertile due to age, illness or medical treatment to have genetically related children. The same technique could also provide eggs for same-sex male couples. The process draws on cloning methods first used to create Dolly the sheep in the 1990s. Researchers removed nuclei from female skin cells and placed them into donor eggs that had been stripped of their own…

New Zealand’s fastest bird, the kārearea falcon, has soared to victory in the country’s annual Bird of the Year competition – a rare scandal-free edition of the famously quirky poll. The kārearea, capable of reaching speeds of 200km/h when diving for prey, is the nation’s only endemic falcon and an important aerial predator in native ecosystems. Small and tawny, with piercing dark eyes and formidable talons, it hunts birds, lizards and small mammals, sometimes even those larger than itself. With just 5,000–8,000 left in the wild, the species is classed as threatened. Its ground-nesting habits leave eggs and chicks highly…

Supermarket shelves in 2025 are lined with colourful cans claiming to bring “calm” and “focus.” These so-called functional drinks often feature trendy ingredients like Ashwagandha, Lion’s Mane mushrooms, L-theanine, and magnesium, marketed as natural ways to ease stress and sharpen the mind. The boom is real: the global functional beverage market is projected to hit €212 billion by 2030, driven by younger generations moving away from alcohol and towards wellness-focused alternatives. “These products fit perfectly into today’s wellness culture,” says dietitian Nicolle Cucco. “In a fast-paced world, the idea of a quick, drinkable fix is very attractive.” But do they…

Jennifer Lawrence received the Premio Donostia 2025 Award at the San Sebastian International Film Festival, becoming the youngest performer to earn the honour. The 35-year-old actress, who already holds an Oscar and a Golden Globe, described it as “a huge honour” while warning: “Our freedom of speech is under attack in America, including in the world of film.” Presenting her latest film Kill Me Love, Lawrence urged young filmmakers to persevere, stressing the importance of watching and making films. She also highlighted the progress of women in Hollywood, praising figures such as Greta Gerwig for broadening perspectives through their work.…

Early findings from a Cambridge-led clinical trial suggest that combining a common diabetes drug with an antihistamine could help repair nerve damage in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The CCMR Two trial tested the diabetes drug metformin alongside clemastine, an antihistamine previously shown to boost myelin repair. Researchers found that while the treatment did not improve symptoms over six months, it did speed up electrical signals in the brain, indicating partial remyelination — the repair of protective myelin coatings around nerves. Lead researcher Dr Nick Cunniffe of the University of Cambridge said: “I feel like we’re at this precipice of…

Women who skip their first breast cancer screening appointment are 40% more likely to die from the disease, according to a major Swedish study. Researchers at the Karolinska Institute analysed data from about 500,000 women invited for their first mammogram between 1991 and 2020, with follow-up over 25 years. Nearly one in three (32%) did not attend their initial appointment. The study, published in the British Medical Journal, found non-attendees had a breast cancer mortality rate of 9.9 deaths per 1,000 women over 25 years, compared with seven per 1,000 among those screened. These women were also more likely to…