WSL 2023-24: Everything you need to know about the new Women’s Super League season
While the other major leagues in Europe are up and running, managers, players and fans have had to wait until October for England’s top flight to return. The start comes days after an international break for the start of the Women’s Nations League, and just six weeks after the World Cup final. Leicester manager Willie […]
Vampire hedgehogs, pirate spiders and fishy fungi
Alexei V Abramov This creature’s large fangs earned it the name Hylomys macarong, or vampire hedgehog – a new species of soft-furred hedgehog identified in 2024 (Credit: Alexei V Abramov) Thousands of new species have been discovered by scientists this year – here are some of the weirdest. From the depths of the Pacific Ocean […]
Women’s FA Cup final: Superstitions, nerves & a ‘celebration’ of women
Chelsea boss Emma Hayes is more familiar with the occasion having already led the club to two FA Cup successes. Should the Blues win on Sunday, they will have secured a treble of trophies from the 2020-21 season with both domestic cups and their league title. “We’re always competing for trophies every year so yes, […]
Europe’s stunning high-tech luxury train
MOB (Credit: MOB) Tracing a medieval trade route through the Swiss Alps and valleys, the GoldenPass Express isn’t just one of the world’s most scenic train rides; it’s an engineering marvel. As I sink into the plush, cream-coloured leather recliner, a glass of Champagne in hand and hiking boots raised, I’m ready for a three-hour […]
The US president who became China’s friend
Getty Images Carter and Deng, seen hugging in 1987 in Beijing, had a close relationship On a bright January morning in 1979, then US president Jimmy Carter greeted a historic guest in Washington: Deng Xiaoping, the man who unlocked China’s economy. The first leader of Communist China to visit the United States, Deng had arrived […]
Female pop stars celebrate a record-breaking year on the charts
Getty Images Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter were among the stars who scored platinum-selling albums in 2024 From Taylor Swift to Charli XCX, women had a record-breaking year on the British charts, according to new figures from the British Phonographic Institute (BPI). Female pop artists topped the singles chart for an unprecedented 34 weeks – […]
Hugo Duncan and Hannah Scott among those recognised
PA Media Hugo Duncan dedicated the MBE to his late mum, Susie Radio presenter and singer Hugo Duncan has been recognised in the New Year Honours list. Known to his listeners on BBC Radio Ulster as the “wee man from Strabane”, the County Tyrone presenter has been made an MBE (Member of the Order of […]
The scientists studying Antarctica as it melts
Getty Images (Credit: Getty Images) With Antarctica’s climate warming at an unprecedented rate, scientists are battling with dangerously thin ice and equipment falling through into the sea beneath. For 20 years, Simon Morley has been cutting holes in Antarctic sea ice and diving into the frigid waters below to study strange and colourful sea life […]
US Treasury says it was hacked by China in ‘major incident’
A Chinese state-sponsored hacker has broken into the US Treasury Department’s systems, accessing employee workstations and some unclassified documents, American officials said on Monday. The breach occurred in early December and was made public in a letter penned by the Treasury Department to lawmakers notifying them of the incident. The US agency characterised the breach […]
Ninth legion’s ‘lost battle’ found, claims Roman expert
Ermine Street Guard Rome invaded Britain in AD43, using four legions, and would stay for about 350 years An author believes he has discovered a previously unknown battle involving a famous lost Roman legion. Using clues from aerial photography and chance finds in fields, archaeologist and Roman expert Simon Elliott thinks he has identified a […]