By Sarah Burns, Associate Professor of Political Science, Rochester Institute of Technology
Congress has a legal, constitutional and even moral responsibility to assert itself as a branch when it comes to military actions by the US, says an expert on war powers.
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By Andrew Gawthorpe, Lecturer in History and International Studies, Leiden University
Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro, has been apprehended and flown to the US where the US attorney-general has announced he will face charges of drug trafficking and narco-terrorism. The US military’s operation to snatch Maduro was carried out in the early hours of January 3 and follows months of steadily mounting pressure on the Venezuelan government.
Now it…
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Friday, January 2nd 2026
The UN’s top human rights official on Friday called on Israeli authorities to abandon plans for new legislation that would impose mandatory death sentences exclusively on Palestinians, warning the proposals violate international law and fundamental human rights standards.
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By Saroash Shahid, Reader in Dental Materials, Queen Mary University of London
The idea of ancient civilisations pioneering orthodontics is irresistible, but archaeology shows their gold dental work served very different purposes.
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By Oli Buckley, Professor in Cyber Security, Loughborough University
Lilly Casey-Green, PhD Candidate in Computer Science, Loughborough University
Patrick Scaife, PhD Candidate in Computer Science, Loughborough University
“Brainrot” is what many people call the chaotic, fast-moving memes, sounds and catchphrases that spread across TikTok, Roblox and online gaming and into playgrounds. An example is the endlessly repeated chant of “six-seven”, which still echoes through houses and schools across the country – to the bewilderment (or annoyance) of many teachers and parents.
But if you’ve ever said “I’ll be back” in a mock-Arnie voice or asked “you talkin’ to me?”, you’ve already engaged in a form of brainrot.…
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By Lauren Thomas, Senior Lecturer in Marketing & Events, University of South Wales
Charles Hancock, Senior Lecturer Marketing, University of Derby
Rosy Boardman, Reader in Fashion Business, University of Manchester
Secondhand fashion is booming, yet most brides – even those who care about sustainability – still choose to walk down the aisle in a new wedding dress.
It’s a striking contradiction. Wedding gowns are expensive and resource-intensive to produce. They require large amounts of fabric and water for a garment worn only once. And while many couples are thinking more carefully about the environmental cost of their celebrations, secondhand bridalwear remains the exception rather than the norm.
Our…
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By Chee Meng Tan, Assistant Professor of Business Economics, University of Nottingham
As China heads into the new year it will start rolling out its 15th five‑year plan, this one is for 2026-2030.
Beijing is doubling down on greening its economy, and aims to hit two major climate goals: “carbon peaking”, where carbon dioxide emissions have reached a ceiling by 2030, and “carbon neutrality”,…
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By Steve Parissien, Lecturer in Architectural History, University of Oxford
As a cultural historian who has worked with and lectured on the drinks industry for many years I was asked to write a book about post-war Britain and the drinks that made it. I immediately knew I had to include Babycham – a post-austerity tipple that had made Britain smile.
Britain in the early 1950s was gradually emerging from the shadow of war and was dealing with bankruptcy and post-war shortages. By the time of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953, British manufacturing was getting back on its feet.
In that year, a little-known Somerset brewery, Showerings, hit upon…
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By Devin Smart, Assistant Professor, Department of History, West Virginia University
Rural people mostly grew their own food. But in the city, the daily meal became a commodity to be bought and sold.
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By Samuel Cornell, PhD Candidate in Public Health & Community Medicine, School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney
Masaki Shibata, Lecturer in Intercultural Studies, Monash University
Every summer in Australia, millions of people head to the beach, and every year, thousands are rescued by lifeguards or Surf Life Savers and even surfers…
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