Author: Andrew Rogers

Photographers have captured endearing images of grey seal pups at Donna Nook Nature Reserve.The site lies on the Lincolnshire coast near Louth and attracts large seasonal crowds. Each year, hundreds of visitors watch the pupping season between October and December.Grey seals return to the reserve to give birth along the shoreline. This year, 1,924 pups were born at Donna Nook.That figure is 274 higher than last year, which saw a notable decline. Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust said adult seals have now returned to sea.Twelve pups were still visible from the public viewing area earlier this week.

West Ham United are preparing a bid for Jørgen Strand Larsen as they fight relegation.Manager Nuno Espírito Santo wants attacking reinforcements in January. Wolverhampton Wanderers are believed to value Strand Larsen at around £40m.The 25-year-old has scored three league goals this season for bottom-placed Wolves. Strand Larsen impressed after joining from Celta Vigo in 2024, netting 14 times last season.That form previously attracted interest from Newcastle United. West Ham, currently 18th, see a new striker as crucial to survival.They are also considering Ellis Simms, Haji Wright, and Rafiu Durosinmi. An attempt to loan Nathan Aké from Manchester City has failed.West…

Sam Altman has advertised a $555,000-a-year role to oversee risks from advanced artificial intelligence.The new head of preparedness at OpenAI will assess threats to mental health, cybersecurity, and biological safety. Altman warned the job would be demanding and involve immediate responsibility.The role includes monitoring AI systems that could develop dangerous new capabilities. Concerns are growing within the industry about increasingly powerful models.Microsoft AI chief Mustafa Suleyman said people should feel uneasy about current developments. Google DeepMind co-founder Demis Hassabis has also warned of potential harm to humanity.Limited regulation leaves companies largely responsible for policing themselves. The job includes equity in…

Louis Gerstner, the executive credited with rescuing IBM from decline, has died aged 83.He led the company as chair and chief executive from 1993 to 2002. Gerstner took charge when IBM was losing relevance amid rising competition from Microsoft and Sun Microsystems.He became the first outsider to run the company. Rejecting plans to break IBM into smaller units, he kept the business intact.Gerstner believed customers wanted integrated solutions, not fragmented technology. His leadership stabilised a loss-making firm during a period of rapid industry change.IBM later credited that decision as central to its survival. Before IBM, Gerstner led American Express and…

Arsenal beat Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 to return to the top of the Premier League.Martin Ødegaard opened the scoring with a precise finish after sustained Arsenal pressure. Arsenal dominated the first half, limiting Brighton to no shots before the break.An own goal from Georginio Rutter doubled the lead early in the second half. Brighton rallied and pulled one back through Diego Gómez after hitting the post.Goalkeeper David Raya preserved the lead with a superb save from Yankuba Minteh. Despite late tension, Arsenal held firm amid ongoing injury disruptions.Manager Mikel Arteta said the narrow margin reflected Premier League reality.

Dr Kate McLean-MacKenzie wants smells to be shared like images and sounds.The designer and researcher at the University of Kent is publishing an atlas of urban “smellscapes”. Her interest began 15 years ago, after noticing smell was largely absent from communication.Photos and audio are easy to share, but scents are rarely recorded or mapped. McLean-MacKenzie asks volunteers to take guided “smell walks” through cities.Participants note scent type, strength, duration, emotion, and personal associations. She then turns this subjective data into visual maps and cultural narratives.The project focuses on stories and meaning, not scientific precision. Since 2011, she has mapped 40…

Christmas offers plenty of chances to sneak science into festive fun using everyday objects.Researchers say curiosity, not equipment, is all that is required. Matthew Cobb from the University of Manchester suggests testing taste by eating sweets while holding your nose.The experiment shows flavour depends largely on smell rather than taste alone. UCL neuroscientist Sophie Scott recommends using cracker jokes to explore why people laugh more in groups.Laughter, she says, is driven mainly by social connection, not humour quality. Examining a roast turkey can reveal lessons in anatomy and movement.Palaeontologist Steve Brusatte says studying the bones explains flight mechanics better than…

Declan Rice’s journey to the top has been shaped by rejection, honesty, and relentless improvement.Released by Chelsea at 14, he found a second chance at West Ham United, where blunt “clean feedback” became central to his growth. Coaches debated his potential and questioned his awkward running style.Rice responded by listening, learning, and demanding more from himself.He earned a scholarship, a debut under Slaven Bilic, and eventually the captaincy. His development accelerated after a £105m move to Arsenal.Under Mikel Arteta, Rice expanded from a defensive anchor into a complete midfielder.Set-piece responsibility, goal threat, and leadership transformed his influence. Standout performances, including…

Charlie Smyth, who made his NFL debut last month with the New Orleans Saints, has signed a three-year contract following strong performances. Smyth entered the league through the International Player Pathway program, showcasing its effectiveness in bringing global talent to the NFL. Smyth transitioned from another sport before joining the NFL, demonstrating adaptability and athletic skill. Coaches praised his quick learning, discipline, and ability to perform under pressure. His rapid rise highlights the potential of international athletes in professional football. The International Player Pathway program aims to provide opportunities for athletes outside the United States. It helps participants gain skills,…

Researchers say parts of the Moon may be set aside as graveyards for defunct satellites.Lunar orbits are expected to fill rapidly as space agencies plan bases, mining, and science missions. Unlike Earth, the Moon lacks an atmosphere to burn up old spacecraft.As a result, satellites often must be deliberately crashed into the surface. Experts warn uncontrolled impacts could damage scientific instruments and historic sites.High-speed collisions also create dust clouds and strong vibrations. Dr Fionagh Thomson of University of Durham said careful planning is essential as activity increases.More than 400 lunar missions are expected, including projects led by NASA and the…