Year: 2025

What is AI slop? Why you are seeing more fake photos and videos in your social media feeds

Cheap, low-quality AI-generated content is still extremely attention-grabbing – and thus lucrative for both creators and platforms.

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Why Islamic State is expanding its operations in north-eastern Nigeria

Jihadist insurgents have overrun security positions in north-east Nigeria a dozen times in the past few months.

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From soil to slugs to songbirds – how plastic is moving through ecosystems

Scientists have tracked microplastics in small creatures in the UK.

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The Phoenician Scheme: a fun watch even though it’s the same journey in a different vehicle

Anderson is in danger of parodying his own style in his 13th film, but there’s still plenty to enjoy.

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Why do we cry happy tears? The science behind this emotional paradox

Crying during joyful moments makes perfect sense.

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What a 120-year-old research station is telling us about the warming of the sea around the UK

An ‘almost continuous’ marine heatwave state appears to be emerging around the UK.

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What I’ve learned from teaching philosophy in prisons

‘With philosophy, people care about what I think. Nobody listens when you’ve been in prison. Everything you think is wrong, rubbish, you’re nothing.’

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Trump surrounds himself with sycophants. It’s a terrible way to run a business – and a country

When ‘yes men’ rise to the top, poor decision-making follows.

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Is the bar higher for scientific claims of alien life?

There is growing evidence for the existence of life on other planets.

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Sports hernias can cause severe pain in the groin region – and footballers may be at greatest risk

Around 70% of all sports hernias appear to be related to football.

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