The perfect Valentine's date

This to brighten your Sunday. Have a great one!

Reading to young kids improves their social skills − and a new study shows it doesn’t matter whether parents stop to ask questions

A life to envy

Which humans first made tools or art – and how do we know? Columnist Michael Marshall ‪‪[ @michael-marshall.bsky.social‬ ] explores how we determine what came first in the timeline of our species

Von der Leyen: EU must intensify work on competitiveness. Commission president issues rallying cry ahead of meeting of EU leaders this week. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...

It would take 137 years for lower-income families in the UK to see their living standards double at the current rate of growth, according to a thinktank.

Thinking of AI-written vows? A study explains why it can backfire

I saw this ad in an Aegean (airline) mag, and was pleased to see the 15-minute city aspect being pointed out as a selling point. I like to imagine the howls of outrage from the 15-min city opponents "no no no, you're not supposed to want that stuff!"

📌📌Best Dispute Resolution Podcast - Expert Views on ADR (EVA) Vid/ Podcast Show. 🧵

Family dinners may reduce substance-use risk for many adolescents

Switzerland’s army is seeking to massively ramp up arms #research via the country’s Federal Office for Defence Procurement, Michael Gardner reports www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?sto...

"In a nutshell, don’t rely on drinking your own urine if you’re lost in the bush. It’s basically the equivalent of drinking from the bin." theconversation.com/if-you-get-l...

In Better Things *Are* Possible news: Vietnam is banning unskippable YouTube ads.

This scene could easily be mistaken for first week back in the office meeting, but it’s in fact a Temple to Ganesh, god of wisdom, intellect, and the ability to overcome obstacles.

A new Pact for the Mediterranean was launched by the EU and southern neighbourhood countries on 28 November. But is the new pact simply a rearticulation of the EU’s existing approach or a genuine paradigm shift? ✍ @errichiello.bsky.social @lseir.bsky.social blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2...

Self-driving cars could prevent over 1 million road injuries across the US by 2035

I just published: A Zeagroni for 2026 🌽🍸 On writing as thinking, cocktails as cultural mashups, and why pauses matter. A brief New Year note before the blog goes quiet — and a glass is raised. medium.com/p/a-zeagroni...

EUA wishes you all a peaceful, healthy, and happy new year! 🎆🎉

France to investigate deepfakes of women stripped naked by Grok

What was the Christmas star? Astronomy might hold the answer

Chinchorro mummification may have originated as a form of art therapy

Yet another climate crisis storm is hitting waterlogged Southern California and could cause more flooding and mudslides

Looking for gift ideas? For those who enjoy country walks, my book Country Diary Wales might go down well... It collects 50 of my Guardian Country Diary columns and over 100 original colour images... And it is easy to wrap! Published by the nice folk of @graffegbooks.bsky.social

With the University of Rural England’s hopes of survival resting on a bailout from a disgruntled tech bro alumnus, its embattled vice-chancellor heads back to the future in Silicon Valley. A seasonal tale from the THE archives (2024) by John Gilbey.

🎅 #ChristmasBreak 🎅 ‘Tis the season to be organised and here is how you can prepare to be away from your work this festive period. @siliconrepublic.bsky.social

California drivers warned to reconsider Christmas travel plans ahead of climate crisis storms

“I find myself wondering what [the world] is going to look like and I don’t have any idea. This is a time of chaos … We grow through life always thinking there’s something better ahead. And for the first time in my life, I’m not sure there is,” says Betty Reid Soskin.

A Cozy Sunday for Santa, Reading ‘The Christmas Times’

“Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!”

💬 With so many Santa Clauses in Athens, the Greeks are choosing less crowded destinations… 😉

The Florentine Codex in Motion: 16th Century Aztec Farmer 🇲🇽 @NanoBanana en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florent...

Even in the darkest days, there's life and hope to be found. "If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?" Shelley.

Lapland's next hotspot after Santa?

🎅 #SantaClaus 🎅

A scientist’s unconventional project illustrates many challenges in developing new vaccines: www.sciencenews.org/article/vacc...

When Wangari Maathai began planting trees in Kenya 50 years ago, the country's tree cover was barely 2% and soil erosion was devastating rural lives. Now tree cover is close on 15% and forests are reviving. Read about her life and work in my book, £12 Christmas sale! share.google/X3y1wiiIfwLe...

UKRI pushes net zero target from 2040 to 2050 Agency also lays out plans to develop environmental sustainability measures for funding calls by 2029 www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

"If you want to live a happy life, tie to a goal, not to a person or an object" — Alberto Einsteino

Recipe with a health warning.

🎄 #Christmas 🎄

Want to live as long as Dick Van Dyke? There may be things you can do...

"My generation was born in a vibrant #democracy, and we took it for granted. We assumed #freedom was as permanent as the air we breathed. We cherished our #rights, but we forgot our #duties." - Maria Corina #Machado, Nobel Peace Prize Lecture 2025 Read and see the speech👇 #Venezuela #MaduroStepDown

Christmas Shopping 'Hijacks' Your Brain. Here's What You Can Do About It.