Brussels’ tobacco ban risks fuelling illegal immigration June 28, 2025 A proposed EU tobacco tax hike risks fuelling organised crime, illicit trade, and people smuggling across Europe and into the UK, says Tom Pursglove Recent headlines suggest that up to 50,000 illegal migrants could cross the Channel this year – a figure that provokes a palpable sense of dread amongst the British public. People have [...]
Cannes Lions: Athletes, algorithms and the ascent of women’s sport June 27, 2025 At this year’s Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, sport didn’t just show up – it dominated. From athletes turned media moguls to billion-pound plays on women’s leagues, the message was clear: sport is now a strategic asset for marketers hungry for cultural relevance, real life interactions and experiences, and commercial return. The Sport Beach [...]
The professional sceptics debunking conspiracy theories June 27, 2025 Michael Marshall is Britain’s only full-time, paid sceptic. He attends flat earth conferences, distributes flyers outside psychic shows and lurks in anti-vax Telegram groups, all to promote critical thinking over pseudoscience and damaging conspiracy theories. “Any of us could, at our worst, find ourselves in an emotional hole where our reason is compromised,” he says. [...]
Oisin Murphy: Champion Jockey charged with drink-driving June 26, 2025 Champion jockey Oisin Murphy has been charged with drink-driving after crashing his Mercedes into a tree in April. It is alleged that Murphy, 29, was over the prescribed alcohol limit and failed to cooperate with police when asked to give a preliminary test at the scene. The Irishman, who rode five winners at Royal Ascot [...]
Sandwich or Confectionery? M&S strawberry sandwich raises VAT questions June 26, 2025 M&S has jumped on the bandwagon of the viral Japanese strawberry sando by launching its own, but the treat has raised the old familiar question about VAT
Jonathan Yeo on King Charles and collages made from porn June 26, 2025 Jonathan Yeo has painted them all, from super models to Presidents and our very own King. When he unveiled his vast portrait of Charles III last year, the monarch appeared, for a second, to recoil at the sight of the bright red canvas. The moment became a meme and the portrait was fervently discussed and [...]
Getty Images drops ‘key argument’ in its live trial against Stability AI June 26, 2025 Two weeks into the closely watched trial, Getty Images has dropped its claims for primary copyright infringement against the British AI image generator company
Sports events must decide between purists and entertaining newbies June 26, 2025 With Britain in the height of its summer sporting season, Ed Warner debates how organisers must balance pleasing purists with enticing new fans. “Does anyone talk about The Season anymore? The social whirl of the Lord’s Test, Queen’s, Royal Ascot and then finally Wimbledon? I may have missed others…” I replied to this Sport inc. [...]
‘I interviewed with 20 minutes notice’: Senior London culture advisor Laia Gasch on her career highs and lows June 26, 2025 London culture aficionado Laia Gasch takes us through her career, from The Spitz to the London Olympics in Square Mile and Me.
Brave Bison’s new deal signals rising EdTech trend June 25, 2025 Brave Bison’s acquisition of MiniMBA, the online marketing education business founded by professor Mark Ritson, marks a significant strategic expansion into the professional training space for the UK-based digital media and marketing group. The £19m deal, announced Wednesday, is AIM-listed Brave Bison’s largest to date. It follows a string of acquisitions, including Social Chain and [...]