Europe is dealing with its “second wave” of COVID-19. And governments seem powerless to stem the tide. Dutch political leaders find it difficult to convince their citizens to wear face masks. A large majority of French voters think that Emmanuel Macron’s government has handled the pandemic badly. And Boris Johnson,Continue Reading
Christmas in 1646 was cancelled and the usual drunken merriment was banned. Wikimedia The prospect of a Christmas without large-scale celebrations is preying on minds. After the widespread cancellation of pantomimes, festive light “switch-ons” and other community activities, it seems likely that 2020’s festivities will be much more intimate affairs,Continue Reading
Top-ranked Dustin Johnson birdied his way through Amen Corner and clung to a share of the lead with South Korea’s Im Sung-jae in Friday’s second round of the 84th Masters. Johnson, the 2016 US Open winner, started on Augusta National’s back nine and made the turn on 8-under, level forContinue Reading
During the era of US prohibition, illegal speakeasies thrived. And while the UK socially distances, there are similar reports of secret parties and raves today. Beyond such gatherings, there have been anecdotes of people from all walks of life ignoring advice to self-isolate, illicitly mixing with other households and refusingContinue Reading
The English believed God communicated through plague – and viewed the epidemic which decimated Algonquian territory between 1616-19 as a sign. John Eliot Preaching to the Indians, Gift of Martha J. Fleischman and Barbara G. Fleischman, 1999, The Met The Europeans who began colonising North America in the early 17thContinue Reading
Robert Kneschke/Shutterstock During the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping students motivated as classes move online has been crucial. The role of student motivation in the process of learning is well known and is supported by research. However, the area of teacher motivation has not received as much attention. Even teachers themselves sometimesContinue Reading
Lockdowns have been a key tool in the war chest of many governments trying to tackle the COVID-19 crisis. Some, however, have questioned the wisdom of lockdowns, arguing that their benefits do not outweigh the wider costs to society. Alternative strategies have been put forward, such as “focused protection”, whereContinue Reading
Records of the betting on US presidential elections can be traced back to 1868. Since then, no clear favourite for the White House had lost before 2016, except in 1948, when the 8 to 1 longshot and sitting president, Harry S. Truman, famously defeated his Republican rival, Thomas E. Dewey.Continue Reading
