‘Bragging without the selfie’ – the rise of Spotify Wrapped and copycats
Getty Images Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso” was Spotify’s most streamed song in 2024 Throughout December, Instagram feeds are flooded with pictures of Christmas trees, snaps from festive work parties – and screenshots of people’s most-listened-to songs of the year. That’s because at the end of every year, since 2016, Spotify releases Wrapped. The campaign pulls together […]
The worms that cost $20,000 a kilo
Getty Images How much would you pay to eat a delicate fungus growing out of a dead caterpillar’s head? Considerably less than many Chinese aficionados, probably… At a stall near the entrance of a grocery store in southern China, the shopper is greeted with delicate arrangements of dried objects. Lean in a little closer, and […]
World Rugby launches campaign to increase participation in women’s game
World Rugby has launched a new global campaign ‘Try and Stop Us’ to increase participation in the women’s game. More girls have started playing rugby than boys in the past two years. The number of registered female players has risen by 28% to 2.7 million since 2017. “We firmly believe that the development of women […]
Anti-aircraft laser unveiled at Farnborough Airshow
In May, the firm knocked out a number of UAVs at the US Navy test range on San Nicolas Island off the coast of California. Although Raytheon would not give details of the height, speed and range of the UAVs, saying that data “sensitive”, it did say that the Navy wanted tests to be as […]
When all kids wanted was a BMX
Getty Images BMX, Raleigh Chopper and Grifter. Iconic bikes that once topped many a Christmas list – and all a nightmare to wrap and put behind the Christmas tree. But does the bike still appeal today? And can it compete with the high-tech items found in Santa’s sack? For many the bike was the ultimate […]
Millie Bright column: How England’s ‘special aura’ can help drive us to success against US
Phil Neville has spoken about us being “bad-ass women”, and I agree with that 100%. His definition might be different to mine, but to me it shows we are strong, determined, we never give in, but we are humble and ready to make strides in women’s football. That phrase came up when we set our […]
The everyday foods that could become luxuries
Meat is likely to become a luxury food in the next few decades as more people adopt a plant-based diet to reduce their carbon footprint. Everyday foods such as coffee, meat and spices could become luxury items due to global climate impacts and changing tastes. Ordering lobster in a restaurant or serving it at a […]
UK Athletics innovation centre announced for Birmingham
BBC A partnership had been agreed with the city council for the facility to be on the Alexander Stadium campus, UK Athletics said Birmingham’s redeveloped Alexander Stadium campus will have a new UK Athletics (UKA) performance innovation centre from next summer. It would involve enhanced technology and analytics “not currently available to athletes in the […]
The worldview-changing drugs poised to go mainstream
Getty Images The experiences are at the edge of scientific understanding (Credit: Getty Images) It was 1971 when Rick Doblin first took LSD. A Saturday afternoon in Florida, a few weeks into his freshman year. Four years had passed since the Summer of Love – when millions of young people descended on San Francisco, London […]
The Queen sends ‘best wishes’ to show on its 75th year
Getty Images The Queen said she wished Woman’s Hour “continued success” in the programme’s “important work” The Queen has sent her “best wishes” to Woman’s Hour to mark the BBC Radio 4 show’s 75th year. The 94-year-old noted that the show had “played a significant part in the evolving role of women”. “As you celebrate […]