More than Human review – a utopia of self-weaving grass and psychedelic dolphins

Design Museum, London
From 3D-printed coral reefs to fungal facades and living fabrics grown from roots, this show embraces a future of nature-centric design

‘Even when humans get serious about wanting to talk to dolphins, will dolphins have anything to say to us?” So pondered an issue of Esquire magazine in 1975. “The only reliable way to find out,” it concluded, “will be to build a Dolphin Embassy and look for the response.”

The pages that followed were devoted to a fantastical vision, created by the avant-garde architecture collective, Ant Farm. They proposed a floating multi-species utopia where humans and dolphins could mingle in a watery fantasy, communicating through telepathy. The triangular vessel featured a land-water living room, with chutes enabling dolphins to swim between floors, as well as a shared navigation pod, where one day an “electronic-fluidic interface” would allow both humans and dolphins to steer the ship. The hope was that technological advances would make the project buildable by the 1990s. “Thus far,” the article noted, “no backers have come forward.”

Continue reading...
Continue ReadingMore than Human review – a utopia of self-weaving grass and psychedelic dolphins

Iga Swiatek holds off Samsonova to reach Wimbledon semi-finals for first time

  • No 8 seed through to face Bencic after 6-2, 7-5 victory

  • ‘It feels great … I got goosebumps after this win’

From the moment she first set foot on the grass this year, there has been something different about Iga Swiatek. Where once trepidation would have been her overriding emotion on what has traditionally been her weakest surface, she has looked calm from day one and on Wednesday she held her nerve to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals for the first time, holding off a bold fightback from Liudmila Samsonova to claim a 6-2, 7-5 victory.

Leading by a set and 4-2, 40-0, Swiatek was cruising to victory, crunching groundstrokes, moving brilliantly and improvising impressively. However, Samsonova suddenly started going for broke and at 5-5, she had 0-30 on the Pole’s serve. But unlike on several occasions this year, Swiatek did not panic, dug deep and claimed her place in the last four, where she will play Belinda Bencic.

Continue reading...
Continue ReadingIga Swiatek holds off Samsonova to reach Wimbledon semi-finals for first time

BBC deciding what to do with new series of MasterChef fronted by Gregg Wallace

Latest episodes were filmed before Wallace was sacked and more co-workers made allegations against him

The BBC is facing a fresh crisis over whether or not to show this year’s series of MasterChef, in which the sacked presenter Gregg Wallace features prominently.

The Guardian understands this year’s series, which was recorded in 2024, has been completed and delivered to the broadcaster by the production company Banijay. Wallace appears as a judge right up until the series finale.

Continue reading...
Continue ReadingBBC deciding what to do with new series of MasterChef fronted by Gregg Wallace

Man passed details on minister to police posing as Russian spies, UK court told

Howard Phillips gave information on then defence secretary Grant Shapps for ‘easy money’, prosecutor says

A retired man passed on the personal details of the then defence secretary, Grant Shapps, to two undercover police officers, believing them to be Russian intelligence operatives, for “easy money”, a court has heard.

Howard Phillips, 65, was struggling financially and in the process of applying for a job at UK Border Force when he was approached by the undercover officers, who were posing as Russian agents called Dima and Sasha, Winchester crown court heard.

Continue reading...
Continue ReadingMan passed details on minister to police posing as Russian spies, UK court told

Number of abortions in England and Wales hit record high in 2022

Almost three in 10 conceptions ended in legal terminations, ONS figures show, as provider says women struggling to access contraception

The number of abortions in England and Wales reached a record high in 2022, with a leading provider stating that women are facing “significant barriers” in access to contraception.

Almost three in 10 conceptions ended in legal abortions in the two nations in 2022, up from about two in 10 a decade earlier, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Continue reading...
Continue ReadingNumber of abortions in England and Wales hit record high in 2022