Author: Andrew Rogers

George Russell dominated the Singapore Grand Prix from pole to flag. “Perfect weekend,” he said after sealing Mercedes’ win. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri turned McLaren’s celebration into tension. Norris muscled past his teammate at the start, sparking fury. “Are we cool with Lando just barging me out of the way?” Piastri asked over team radio. His voice dripped with anger. McLaren told him they would review it later. “That’s not fair,” Piastri snapped. “If he avoids Verstappen by hitting me, that’s a bad job.” Russell stayed calm up front. “He’s flying,” Mercedes radioed. The Briton never faltered, earning his…

George Russell produced a stunning lap to take pole position for the Singapore Grand Prix, strengthening his case for a Mercedes contract extension. The Briton outpaced Max Verstappen by almost two-tenths of a second at Marina Bay, with the world champion left frustrated after accusing Lando Norris of costing him a chance at pole. Verstappen claimed he lost downforce when he caught the McLaren driver returning to the pits on his final lap, gesturing angrily in the cockpit. “You need every bit of clean air on a Q3 lap, and I lost downforce there. It will be remembered,” said Verstappen.…

High above Berlin’s Viktoriapark, the rapid keck-keck-keck calls of goshawks echo as the powerful raptors soar and dive, scattering crows in their path. For conservationist Dr Paul O’Donoghue, it is a vision of what could soon become reality in the UK. O’Donoghue and Rewilding UK plan to introduce goshawks into British cities, starting with Chester and London. Once persecuted to near extinction in the UK, the apex predator has thrived in European capitals such as Berlin, Amsterdam, and Prague. There, goshawks hunt pigeons from rooftops and nest in city parks, seemingly unfazed by traffic, joggers, or schoolchildren. The project foresees…

Ryanair says it may be forced to cancel up to 600 flights a day during a French air traffic control (ATC) strike next week, potentially disrupting travel for as many as 100,000 passengers. The walkout, called by France’s main ATC union SNCTA, is scheduled for 7–10 October and will reduce capacity across western European airspace. Flights from the UK to France and southern Europe are expected to be hit hardest as many routes overfly French territory. Michael O’Leary, Ryanair’s chief executive, urged the European Commission to step in and protect overflights, arguing that cancellations should apply only to flights directly…

Autism should not be regarded as a single condition with a unified cause, according to new research showing that those diagnosed in early childhood typically have a different genetic profile from those diagnosed later. The international study, drawing on genetic data from more than 45,000 autistic people in Europe and the US, found that children diagnosed before the age of six were more likely to show behavioural and social difficulties from an early age, which remained relatively stable over time. Those diagnosed after the age of 10, however, were more likely to develop increasing difficulties during adolescence and were also…

Researchers at Oregon Health and Science University have created human eggs from skin cells, offering a potential new path for fertility treatment. The process adapts cloning techniques first used to produce Dolly the sheep in the 1990s. Scientists transferred the nucleus of a skin cell into a donor egg with its nucleus removed, then fertilised the egg with sperm. A major challenge was reducing the chromosome count from 46 to 23, as found in natural eggs. By using a compound called roscovitine, the team triggered the eggs to shed half their chromosomes. Some developed into early-stage embryos, though many had…

New Zealand’s only falcon, the threatened kārearea, has been crowned Bird of the Year 2025 in a scandal-free edition of the country’s beloved avian competition. Known for reaching speeds of up to 200km/h in pursuit of prey, the kārearea is a powerful aerial hunter with sharp talons and striking dark eyes. It is also the country’s only remaining endemic raptor, with just 5,000–8,000 individuals left in the wild. “The kārearea is just a stunning bird,” said Emma Blackburn, chair of the Karearea Falcon Trust. “It’s our only remaining endemic raptor and a really important part of our ecosystem.” Despite its…

Functional beverages such as TRIP, Huel and a host of vitamin-infused concoctions are riding a wave of wellness culture. Their pastel cans and bold claims of “calm” or “focus” speak to consumers in search of quick fixes in an increasingly fast-paced world. But how much of what they promise is grounded in science? The global market for functional drinks is booming and could reach $248bn by 2030. Popular among younger generations moving away from alcohol, they often contain ingredients like ashwagandha, lion’s mane mushrooms, magnesium and L-theanine. Some research suggests these compounds may ease stress or improve attention, though results…

Jennifer Lawrence became the youngest performer to receive the Donostia Award at the San Sebastian International Film Festival, where she used her platform to warn that “our freedom of speech is under attack in America.” The 35-year-old Oscar winner presented her latest film Kill Me Love, calling it a turning point in her career and encouraging young filmmakers to persevere. She highlighted the importance of female voices in Hollywood, praising directors like Greta Gerwig for broadening perspectives. Lawrence joins past honorees including Penélope Cruz, Julia Roberts and Viggo Mortensen. Her award capped a festival marked by political protests, with filmmakers…

Early clinical trial results suggest that combining a common diabetes drug with an antihistamine may help repair nerve damage in multiple sclerosis (MS). The Cambridge-led CCMR Two trial tested metformin, a diabetes medication, alongside clemastine, an antihistamine previously shown to stimulate myelin repair. Myelin is the protective sheath around nerves that is attacked in MS, causing slowed or blocked electrical signals and progressive disability. Seventy people with relapsing MS took part, with half receiving the drug combination and half a placebo for six months. Tests showed that electrical signals between the eyes and brain travelled slightly faster — an improvement…