United Kingdom

    We humans are always pushing limits ― skydiving, downhill skiing, car racing. The stark reality, however, is that our bodies are not built to survive accidents involving many of the technologies we’ve come to love and rely on, namely automobiles. Then there’s Graham ― a bulging, unsightly and very crash-proof specimen. Developed as part of a new road safety campaign in Australia, the lifelike sculpture highlights our own vulnerabilities, designed with bodily features that might be present in humans if they had evolved to withstand the forces involved in [car] crashes, according to the Transport Accident Commission in the state of Victoria. Graham was produced by Melbourne-based artist Patricia Piccinini, with help from road safety engineer Dr. David Logan and trauma surgeo...

    The UK is heading for a 0.4% contraction in the third quarter according to the first post-Brexit snapshot of business activity. A flash estimate from the closely-watched Markit purchasing managers' index (PMI) for July pointed to the worst performance for more than seven years - when the economy was in the depth of recession. The pound, already trading at 31-year lows against the US dollar, fell by a cent on the figures. The figures will add to pressure on the Bank of England to cut interest rates next month to cushion the economy from the Brexit blow. Markit chief economist Chris Williamson said: "July saw a dramatic deterioration in the economy, with business activity slumping at the fastest rate since the height of the global financial crisis in early 2009." He said the...

    Jeremy Corbyn has issued a plea to Labour MPs to unite behind him once the leadership election is over. Launching his campaign to see off a challenge from former shadow cabinet minister Owen Smith, the Labour leader said that after the election result is declared on September 24, it will be "the job, the duty, the responsibility" of every Labour MP to "get behind the party" and take on the Conservative Government. Mr Corbyn is favourite to win the postal ballot of Labour's members - whose ranks he said had swelled to more than 500,000 - as well as the 183,000 people who signed up this week as registered supporters and the affiliated supporters in the unions. But Mr Smith has the nominations of 162 of the party's MPs - some 70% of its representation in the Commons - along w...

    The Bank of England is yet to see any clear evidence of an economic downturn due to Britain's decision to vote in favour of leaving the European Union, although hiring and investments were being put on hold. Business uncertainty has "risen markedly" in the four weeks following the EU referendum, but there was no evidence that consumers had reined in their spending, the BoE's regional agents said on Wednesday (20 July). "A majority of firms spoken with did not expect a near-term impact from the result on their investment or staff-hiring plans," Britain's central bank said in a statement. "But around a third of contacts thought there would be some negative impact on those plans over the next 12 months. As yet, there was no clear evidence of a sharp general slowing in activit...

    How hot does it have to get before you can go home from work? With temperatures heading into the 30s this week, it's fair to ask whether you can be kept at work as things get uncomfortable. When the workplace gets too hot it is more than just an issue about comfort, the TUC argues. If the temperature goes too high then it can become a health and safety issue. If people get too hot, they risk dizziness, fainting, or even heat cramps. In very hot conditions the body’s blood temperature rises. If the blood temperature rises above 39 °C, there is a risk of heat stroke or collapse. Delirium or confusion can occur above 41°C. Blood temperatures at this level can prove fatal and even if a worker does recover, they may suffer irreparable organ damage. So what are your rights...

    The UK will not take up its six-month presidency of the European Council in 2017, the Prime Minister has said. In the first concrete signs of the country's preparations to leave the bloc, Theresa May told council president Donald Tusk the UK would be "prioritising the negotiations to leave the EU" so relinquishing the role was "the right thing to do". During her first conversation with Mr Tusk since she became Prime Minister, she also warned the UK would need to "carefully prepare" for Brexit negotiations before triggering Article 50, the process that officially starts divorce proceedings. The council is the body that sets the priorities and general direction of the EU and it is made up of the heads of state from each of the EU countries. The presidency rotates between the...

    Theresa May has prompted a barrage of comparisons with Margaret Thatcher following her first appearance at Prime Minister’s Questions. Responding to a question from Jeremy Corbyn about workers with unscrupulous bosses, Ms May suggested the embattled Labour leader may have “many members on the opposition benches who might be familiar with an unscrupulous boss”. Warming to her theme, she suggested: “A boss who doesn’t listen to his workers?” “A boss who requires some of his workers to double their workload?” “Maybe even a boss who exploits the rules to further his own career.” Leaning into the despatch box, Ms May then raised her voice and - in a manner eerily reminiscent of party's previous female premier - asked Mr Corbyn: “Remind him of anybody?” Though she was allud...

    The UK's mini-heatwave saw the hottest day of the year so far as temperatures hit 30C in some parts of the country. Much of the country basked in sunshine on Monday, with the mercury reaching 30C in London's Kew Gardens and St James's Park, 28.7C in Cardiff, 24.8C in Edinburgh and 25.9C in Castlederg, Northern Ireland. Thermometers are expected to climb to 34C (93.2F) today, bringing an even warmer day, and prompting Government officials to issue health warnings. Public Health England (PHE) is urging people to look out for elderly relatives and friends who may be susceptible to the high temperatures - and to take extra care of young children, babies and those with heath issues. But the hot and humid air is expected to trigger thunderstorms across much of the UK from this e...

    Life onboard a Trident submarine as parliament prepares to vote on future of Britain's nuclear deterrent. Prime Minister Theresa May will warn it would be a “gross irresponsibility” for the UK to surrender its independent nuclear deterrent, when she opens the debate on Trident renewal in the House of Commons on Monday afternoon. In her first statement to the House as Prime Minister, Ms May will say: “We cannot compromise on our national security. We cannot outsource the grave responsibility we shoulder for keeping our people safe.” She will also issue a stark warning to Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who has campaigned against nuclear weapons for decades, and has given his MPs a free vote on the issue, “We cannot abandon our ultimate safeguard out of misplaced idealism,” she...

    Nicola Sturgeon has suggested she has a veto over when Britain leaves the European Union, in comments that will infuriate Right-wing ministers in charge of Brexit. Scotland’s First Minister conceded that she can dictate the timing of a British exit from the EU in an interview on BBC1’s The Andrew Marr Show. Asked if she had a “veto in her back pocket” about when Britain leaves the EU, she replied: “I think we are in a very strong position. That is a position that I am going to use as well as I can.” Her comments came after Liam Fox, the new International Trade Secretary, and David Davis, the new Brexit Secretary, said they wanted Britain to start formal exit talks by the end of this year. On Friday, Theresa May indicated that Brexit could be delayed as she said she would n...