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Greece to make COVID vaccines mandatory for over-60s, but do vaccine mandates work?
The Greek prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, recently announced plans to fine people aged 60 and over who refuse the COVID vaccine. A monthly fine of €100 (£85) will be imposed from January 16. Faced with surges in COVID in some regions and the sudden emergence of a new variant ofContinue Reading
A new species of early human? Why we should be cautious about new fossil footprint findings
Dawid A. Iurino for THOR, Author provided A collection of fossil footprints at Laetoli in Northern Tanzania, preserved in volcanic ash and dated to 3.66 million years ago, are still yielding surprises almost 45 years after their discovery. Based on a re-analysis of fossil footprints from one of Laetoli’s sites,Continue Reading
Pete Davidson Netflix special Alive in New York: Too early for Kim K material but still compelling
W hen reports ran recently that Pete Davidson was dating Kim Kardashian there was dismay among older friends. What was the former Doctor Who doing with the American reality TV icon and businesswoman? I explained that this was Staten Island-born comedy hotshot Pete Davidson and not the British actor PeterContinue Reading
Labour reshuffle: Keir Starmer’s shadow cabinet exudes confidence – but the party’s left has been shut out
Labour leader Keir Starmer’s reshuffle of his shadow cabinet has ended up proving far-reaching in scope. This changing of the guard is clearly the sequel to a piecemeal reshuffle in May that was botched because of a struggle between Starmer and his deputy Angela Rayner. We are about halfway throughContinue Reading
Bevis Marks: Britain’s oldest synagogue is central to London’s history – here’s why it needs protecting
At 320 years old, Bevis Marks in London is the oldest continually functioning synagogue in Europe. So it is perhaps unsurprising that recent plans to erect two (very tall) skyscrapers overshadowing the building have led to angry opposition. One 48-story tower, planned to be built in nearby Bury Street, wasContinue Reading
First case of Omicron variant identified in Ireland
Updated: 12.50pm A case of the Covid-19 Omicron variant has been detected in Ireland. The news was confirmed at a National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) briefing on Wednesday after a batch of eight cases were subjected to genetic sequencing to determine their strain. It is understood the case wasContinue Reading
Lingard’s hopes of move to West Ham boosted as Moyes says he needs to strengthen
THE prospect of West Ham making a January move for Jesse Lingard has increased after David Moyes admitted he needs to strengthen his attacking options. Said Benrahma will miss most of January on Africa Cup of Nations duty to increase the pressure on the London club’s limited options going forward.Continue Reading
Be ‘Ready’ and remember ‘Steady’ as you go forth!
Following a blitz (And losers!) but a satisfying November I’ll hopefully kick-off December successfully with juicy pickings from twice-raced Judy’s Park in the Novice Stakes over six furlongs of Kempton polytrack which opens the obligatory and hugely-popular ‘Wednesday-nighter!’ Well I’ve always enjoyed the weekly floodlit spectacular even though attendances haveContinue Reading
What’s next for Afghanistan? Two experts make predictions
In late August 2021, the US completed its withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, ending a 20-year occupation. The Taliban retook the country with shocking speed. The Islamic fundamentalist political group was founded in 1994 and controlled most of Afghanistan until the US-led campaign ousted it in 2001. Now it facesContinue Reading
What my 20 years in Afghanistan taught me about the Taliban – and how the west consistently underestimates them
The author has an evening cuppa while searching for a lost convoy of medical supplies – in remote Zibok district (1996). © Sippi Azarbaijani Moghaddam, Author provided It was April 1995, and I was preparing to travel to Afghanistan for my first volunteer post with a UK charity. I hadContinue Reading