Culture

Top books to read

Five new books to read this week

Dive into a tense psychological thriller set in a remote fishing village, and find out what lockdown was like for one of Britain’s greatest writers…

Fiction

1. Final Cut by SJ Watson is published in hardback by Doubleday, priced £12.99 (ebook £7.99). Available August 6

Bestselling author SJ Watson (Before I Go To Sleep) is back with another disturbing psychological...

Yvette Williams

British Vogue’s activism issue five changemakers you should know

The September issue of British Vogue is the most important of the year, and editor-in-chief Edward Enninful has used the opportunity to honour some of the most influential activists of our time.

Footballer and free school meals campaigner Marcus Rashford appears on the cover of the magazine with model and mental health activist Adwoa Aboah, and a special pull-out cover features 18...

Kim, Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian

Things you only know if you love trashy reality TV

Few things are as satisfying as sinking into the sofa and turning on your favourite reality TV show.

They’re called ‘guilty pleasures’ for a reason – you know it’s not exactly the same as watching a worthy historical drama, but that just adds to the enjoyment.

Some people might turn their noses up at reality TV, but fans know they’re so much more than they’re often given...

Books

Booker Prize top picks from the longlist

This year’s Booker Prize longlist has been announced.

While there are some familiar names on there – like Hilary Mantel, who could become a triple Booker Prize winner if her book The Mirror & the Light wins – the list is overwhelmingly fresh.

Eight out of the 13 novels on the longlist are debuts, which Gaby Wood, literary director of the Booker Prize Foundation, called “...

Computer with Facebook on screen

Stop Hate for Profit Campaign growing in UK as big brands pause advertising on Facebook

Popular UK household brands – innocent drinks, Pukka Herbs, and COOK – have rallied together to collectively show their support for the Stop Hate For Profit campaign, by pausing paid advertising on Facebook platforms and persuading more brands to join them.

The brands join a growing list of thousands of companies around the world actively removing advertising on Facebook and...

lady looking worried

COVID-19 a driver of widespread gender inequality, study finds

Women are almost twice as likely as men to have lost their job and suffered an anxiety attack during lockdown, according to a study that reveals how COVID-19 has driven widespread gender inequality.

In a survey of 1,500 people representative of the UK population, researchers from the University of Exeter Business School found that lockdown has exacerbated gender inequality across...

Lady wearing face mask

Brits are one of the least likely to wear face masks in the world

Brits, Americans and other English speakers are some of the least likely to wear face masks and social distance to combat the spread of covid-19, according to new research from Durham University Business School. The only native speakers, researched by the academics, less likely to follow health precautions are German speakers.

The research was conducted by Sascha Kraus, Professor of...

Patterned face mask

Calls for compulsory face coverings in offices

The government announced that wearing a face covering is mandatory in shops and supermarkets in England from 24 July.

National Health and Safety company Protecting.co.uk says it’s not good enough and anyone working in a public or private setting should be made to wear a face mask.

Since 11 May, government guidance has advised the public to wear face coverings in enclosed...

rails of clothes charity shop

Charity shops need help as donations slump over lockdown

With charity shops closed, people have found other ways to get rid of unwanted items

The great ‘Covid-19 clear-out’ across the UK saw many people who were furloughed or working from home having an almighty sort out of their homes – leaving charity shops bereft of donations.

Now that charity shops are beginning to reopen, UK waste and recycling company BusinessWaste.co.uk has...

Netflix

The UK’s most loved Netflix shows revealed

A global crafting community analysed Google Trends data since March 2020 to discover the most popular Netflix shows in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland during lockdown.

The company that carried out the research, LoveCrafts.com , found that docuseries Tiger King was the most popular Netflix show in the UK, followed by crime drama Ozark and Spanish thriller Money Heist....

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