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Campaigners and industry bodies are urging the UK government to resist calls for another relaxation of the zero‑emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate after an analysis showed that the 2024 rule changes could add 17 million tonnes of CO₂ to the atmosphere by 2030. Campaigners Warn Against Further Weakening of the UK ZEV Mandate The original ZEV mandate, introduced in 2023, required manufacturers to raise electric‑car sales to 80% by 2030. Labour’s 2024 revisions added “flexibilities” allowing higher sales of plug‑in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), which combine a small battery with a petrol engine. Projected 17 Million Tonnes Extra CO₂ Emissions by 2030 Industry analysis shows an additional 59 billion miles driven by petrol and diesel cars and vans compared with forecasts made before the ZEV changes. This mileage increase translates to roughly 17 million tonnes of direct CO₂ emissions – comparable to the annual output of a small country such as Croatia. Sales of PHEVs rose 48% this year, reflecting manufacturers’ response to the new flexibilities. The Department for Transport (DfT) attributes most of the extra mileage to the mandate changes, noting that fewer PHEV owners use the electric mode. Consequences for the Charging Industry and Energy Transition Fewer fully electric vehicles on the road threatens the business case for charge‑point investors. Vicky Read, chief executive of ChargeUK, warned that billions of pounds of infrastructure spending are predicated on the original ZEV forecasts, and another rollback could “pull the rug from beneath the charging sector.” Colin Walker of the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit cautioned that further weakening could push consumers toward PHEVs that cost “hundreds, even thousands, of pounds a year more to own and run than an electric car.” Outlook: Potential Policy Paths and Emissions Trajectory The government has pledged a review of the ZEV mandate by early 2027. If the flexibilities are fully exploited, the headline target of 33% electric sales this year could fall to as low as 7%, according to think‑tank New AutoMotive. Stakeholders such as Mike Hawes (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) argue for a “review of the transition” to align ambition with market realities, while the government reiterates its commitment to ban new non‑zero‑emission car and van sales by 2035 and is investing over £7.5bn in EV market growth and infrastructure.

The Rise of Middle-earth: Tolkien's Triumph Over Literary ClassicsIn a remarkable shift from established literary canon, JRR Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings has topped The Guardian's readers' poll of the 100 greatest novels published in English, displacing George Eliot's Middlemarch from its previous position. The trilogy, which didn't even feature when authors, critics and academics made their selection, has resonated deeply with readers across the globe, from Uruguay to the Isle of Skye, Albuquerque to Sydney.The Enduring Appeal of Epic FantasyThe Lord of the Rings' victory speaks to its unique ability to connect with readers on a fundamental level. As one Alabama voter noted, the novel contains "profound meaning about the importance of life, sacrifice, the natural world, corruption of power, the evils of war, generosity of spirit." Its influence extends across generations and cultures, with readers from various backgrounds citing its immersive world-building, complex themes, and emotional resonance as reasons for its enduring popularity.The novel's journey to the top is particularly noteworthy given its unconventional publication history. Originally conceived as a single work but published as a trilogy after negotiations between Tolkien and his publisher, the series has transcended its format to become a cultural touchstone. Readers have been drawn to its blend of ancient mythological elements with modern storytelling techniques, creating what one voter described as a world that "still persists in my memory."Notable Shifts in Literary RankingsReaders exercised their power to significantly reshape the literary landscape compared to the previous critics' list. Joseph Heller's Catch-22, which "just squeaked into the first list," has now jumped to the eighth position, ranked higher than established classics like Ulysses, Anna Karenina, and The Great Gatsby. Similarly, David Foster Wallace's Infinite Jest, absent from the original list, now sits in 31st position, sharing its ranking with The Master and Margarita, The Poisonwood Bible, and The Remains of the Day.The list also reveals interesting patterns in reader preferences compared to critics. While Victorian literature maintains a strong presence, with Middlemarch's "consistent showing" and other works by Eliot, Dickens, and Hardy, readers have elevated contemporary works that critics may have overlooked. The enduring popularity of Jane Austen, readers' most nominated writer overall, demonstrates the continued relevance of classic literature in modern reading culture.The Absence of Literary Giants and Changing TastesStaggeringly, the list shows no recognition for work by several male titans of recent American literature—no Bellow, no Roth, no Updike, no DeLillo. This absence highlights the "waxing and waning of reputation" and the "speed with which literary fashion forms and reforms." Similarly, some English novelists who were once central to cultural life—no Iris Murdoch, or CP Snow, or Angus Wilson—failed to make the cut.The list also reveals a notable absence of lighter, humorous works. While Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams secured places with their respective series, other comedic authors like PG Wodehouse, Nancy Mitford, and Jerome K Jerome were overlooked. This raises questions about how "best" often equates to "serious" or "weighty" literature in critical assessments, despite the inherent value of humor in storytelling.The Future of Literary Canons and Reader InfluenceThis readers' poll demonstrates the power of audience participation in shaping cultural narratives. Unlike previous lists compiled by critics and academics, this one reflects the genuine preferences of a diverse readership, leading to a more eclectic and contemporary selection of works. The inclusion of newer entries like John Kennedy Toole's A Confederacy of Dunces—published posthumously and now sharing the 32nd position—suggests that readers are more willing to embrace overlooked or rediscovered literary gems.As literary tastes continue to evolve, we can expect similar shifts in how we value and rank literature. The enduring popularity of works like The Lord of the Rings, which combines epic storytelling with universal themes, suggests that readers continue to seek narratives that transcend time and place. While established classics will always have their place, the growing influence of reader preferences may lead to a more diverse and inclusive literary canon in the future.

The Legacy of Anthony Head Anthony Head, a veteran British actor, has died at the age of 72, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in television, film, and theater. His iconic role as Rupert Giles in the cult classic series Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003) cemented his place in the hearts of fans worldwide. Early Life and Career Before joining the cast of Buffy, Head had already established himself as a talented actor, singer, and TV guest star. He appeared in various projects, including coffee commercials, and had a successful career in British theater. The Impact of Buffy Head's portrayal of Giles, the school librarian and "watcher" character, brought a level of sophistication and gravitas to the show. His character served as a mentor and father figure to Buffy, and his performance earned him widespread recognition. The idea of a spinoff series, Ripper, focused on Giles's younger days, was floated but never materialized. A Versatile Actor Head showcased his singing talents in Buffy, particularly in the musical episode Once More, With Feeling. He played a leading role in the cult film Repo! The Genetic Opera (2008), demonstrating his ability to handle complex, offbeat material. He appeared in various TV shows, including Little Britain and Ted Lasso, where he played a sleazy, petty ex-husband. A Lasting Legacy Anthony Head's legacy extends beyond his iconic roles. He was a workhorse who seamlessly transitioned between TV, film, theater, and music, never revealing the effort behind his performances. His contributions to the entertainment industry will be deeply missed.

The Origins of 'Mogging' Until recently, if someone had said "mog" to me, I probably would have assumed they were talking about the children's book cat created by the late great Judith Kerr. If asked about "mogging" or being "mogged," I would have been completely baffled. But for many members of gen Z and gen Alpha (or anyone who is just a bit too online), the slang term, which means to outdo or outshine others, is everywhere. From Manosphere to Mainstream Mogging's origins are in the manosphere, where it began as a verb derived from the acronym "Amog" (alpha male of the group). In misogynistic forums in the 2010s, to "mog" came to mean to outdo someone in terms of sexual desirability. Mogging has been adopted by "looksmaxxing" influencers such as Braden Peters, known online as Clavicular, who encourage men to try to alter their looks – sometimes in extreme ways – to increase their "sexual market value". Such an influencer might talk of "frame mogging" another person in a photo or video – a variation on mogging that specifically refers to being more muscular. The Evolution of Competitive Language Even now, as the term has begun to be used much more widely, and in a tongue-in-cheek way, it is still typically associated with looks (a friend of mine, for example, was described by her boyfriend's younger siblings as "mogging him" in a photo). But increasingly, mogging can mean besting others at basically anything. The gold medal Olympic figure skater Alysa Liu said in an interview last year that her main competition strategy was "to mog", while a 23-year-old colleague of mine tells me that she and her friends joke about "walk-mogging" when they overtake people on the street. Linguistic Analysis of Modern Slang Tony Thorne, director of the slang and new language archive at King's College London, says a lot of new slang terms "have come recently from the same kind of male-based internet culture", referencing the words "simp" (someone who is excessively attentive), "soy boy" (a derogatory term for a man who is not stereotypically masculine) and "sigma" (someone cool and successful). Not to mention "maxxing," now such an established part of the lexicon that it was tweeted by the US Department of Defense earlier this year. The Cultural Impact of Competitive Slang Thorne thinks it is significant that "mogging" in particular has become fashionable at this time. "What it implies – hyper-competitive, hyper-individualist, aggressive selfishness" has become "mainstream behaviour", he says. Which is why Will Adolphy, a psychotherapist who was himself once an ardent follower of manosphere influencers, has concerns about the word. "Part of me can see how it's a kind of handy, even entertaining word," he says. But the idea of mogging "reinforces this sense that there are certain people that will dominate others based off their physical appearance and status", he says. Psychological Concerns About Competitive Language Dr Emily Sehmer, an NHS child and adolescent psychiatrist, worries too about the "constant sense of competition" that concepts such as mogging help to foster, especially for teenagers, who are developing their socio-emotional skills and typically "have a desire to fit in and to get peer approval". Apart from anything else, she adds, wanting to mog someone is "kind of mean, isn't it?" The Ironical Reappropriation of 'Mogging' "I think people are right to be concerned," about the rise in usage of slang that originates from a toxic subculture, Thorne says – and notes that some of his fellow linguists feel uncomfortable about researching it. But, he adds, "mogging" has moved well beyond its origins, and many people who use it now "tend to understand it and laugh at it, and they use it themselves, but ironically". Certainly, plenty of mogging content on social media now has an irreverence to it: such as the trend of posing for the photo on a rollercoaster in order to "mog" the screaming riders next to you. Making what started as an aggressive concept into something very silly pokes fun at the ridiculousness of the manosphere, my younger colleague explains. She shows me a picture of herself on a recent holiday, standing next to a statue of Napoleon, that she sent to a group chat of her friends. The caption? "I mogged Napoleon!"

The Bridge Between Art and ScienceWhy do we find things beautiful? More precisely, why do some paintings of coloured dots in rippling patterns inspire in me something like revelation? The idea that beauty is the feeling you get when encountering truth is unfashionable in the arts, but lingers in the sciences. The physicist Paul Dirac once proposed that it is more important that a formula is beautiful than that it can be proven: when a perfectly beautiful theory produces results that cannot be real, he argued, then we should not discard the theory but reconsider what is real.Since the 1970s, Terry Winters has been rebuilding that bridge between art and science. Taking inspiration from disciplines including botany – his early paintings, particularly, evoke sprouting pods and tangled roots – engineering, computer modelling and cybernetics, his paintings might be understood as diagrammatic approximations of the patterns that govern everything from the division of cells to the constellation of stars. If every era has to renew its standards of beauty to reflect new understandings of how the world is constructed, then Winters comes as close to providing that model as any living painter.Mathematical Patterns in Visual ArtThese eight new works take their titles from the language of geometry and mathematics: Area, Array, Field, Locus, Point, Scope, Sequence and Set. Each is composed of overlapping patterns that pull each other out of shape according to invisible laws of attraction and repulsion. Field is indicative: on a sooty pink ground, a dense grid of dusty blue cells bends inwards like a trampoline beneath a bowling ball, while an intersecting arrangement of larger circles swells outwards. The disorienting effect of this push-pull is exaggerated by an optical illusion, created by ragged phosphorescent orange haloes around the blue circles, that makes them appear to be craters sunk into the crust of paint. You have to walk up to the surface to be reassured that it is flat.Point shows a teeming landscape of cells bulging outwards at the centre, as if a scum of frogspawn had been skimmed off a pond and placed under a paperweight microscope. In Sequence, a storm of pink interference skims through a yellow circle split like a brain into hemispheres, while a nebulous weather system sweeps in from the right. In Scope, vaguely symbolic arrangements of freshwater blue and desert orange nodules move across the familiar circle-within-a-square geometry of Leonardo's Vitruvian Man. Where that famous demonstration of sacred geometries exudes stillness and calm, the systems that run through Winters' worlds are wild and strange. Here, as much importance is given to the subjective factors of perception and consciousness as the objective principles of logic and proportion.Optical Illusions and Sensory ExperienceAll of this should not distract from the pure sensory pleasure afforded by these pictures. In Locus, another optical illusion seems to lift the red edge of the painting off the canvas like a clumsy wooden frame, squeezing the pockmarked sphere at its centre so that it balloons outwards, threatening to burst. The same cadmium red, so sandy that the pigment seems barely to have been suspended in oil, turns carmine pockets into rock formations that climb off the surface of Set. These sleights of hand evoke the more secular movement of op art, in which patterns are manipulated to exploit the idiosyncrasies of human perception rather than to uncover deeper truths. Which begs the question: is this all just a conjuring trick?Rediscovering the Renaissance ApproachThere is something magical about these works. Even though Winters is generally credited with having extended the lineage of modernist American painting into the present, his practice is in this sense pre-modern. In its rejection of the idea that art should be separated from science, it resembles the Renaissance attitude according to which painting is no less a tool for understanding the world than mathematics, and magic is just the name for things we don't yet understand. His commitment to synthesising diverse spheres of knowledge, his alchemist's commitment to materials, and his sheer technical ability certainly mark him out in a scene recently overwhelmed by chancers and charlatans, bandwagoners and snake-oil salesmen. That his work is enjoying a revival might be taken as an encouraging sign.Beauty as a Path to TruthDirac, incidentally, was proved right. He formulated a theory that was so beautiful it couldn't possibly be wrong, even though it implied the existence of phenomena that everyone agreed must be impossible. He stood by it, and a few years later, someone else discovered anti-matter. Winters' paintings likewise offer a flash of those secret patterns that underpin the physical world, and which science has yet to illuminate. Which is to say, they're beautiful.Exhibition DetailsTerry Winters: Along the River is at Modern Art, London, until 11 July

The Lead: A Night of Festive Mayhem and NostalgiaBritish television tonight offers a terribly entertaining holiday party that spirals out of control on BBC One, alongside a colour‑restored 1966 World Cup Final on Channel 4 and a slate of classic and contemporary programmes.A Holiday Party Gone Wild on BBC OneThe middle‑class holiday from hell continues as Dan and Jess’s indiscretion fuels chaos at Flick and James’s “Gods and Monsters” fancy‑dress gathering. Zoe (played by Jessica Raine) embraces freedom, while the party devolves into “entertaining and terrible” moments that promise both laughs and cringe.Broadcast Schedule and Viewer Expectations9.15pm – Two Weeks in August (BBC One): The chaotic holiday party drama.4.45pm – The 1966 World Cup Final: In Colour (Channel 4): Fully colourised historic match.5.35pm – Celebrity Bridge of Lies (BBC One): Olympian Greg Rutherford on Ross Kemp’s truth‑or‑lie bridge.6.20pm – Blankety Blank (BBC One): Quiz show with celebrity guests.8.25pm – Casualty (BBC One): Military hazing storyline.9.00pm – Monsieur Spade (U&Drama): Clive Owen‑led thriller.Film Choice – Hoppers (Disney+): Eco‑centric Pixar adventure.9.05pm – The Curse of Frankenstein (Talking Pictures TV): Classic Hammer horror.9.20pm – Vermiglio (BBC Four): Post‑war Italian drama.Why These Shows Matter to British AudiencesThe line‑up reflects a balance between contemporary comedy‑drama that satirises holiday excess and cultural nostalgia that taps into national pride—especially the colour‑restored World Cup footage, a reminder of England’s historic triumph. Meanwhile, programmes like Casualty and Blankety Blank maintain their long‑standing appeal, offering comfort viewing amid a hectic festive season.Looking Ahead: What to Watch for TomorrowTomorrow’s schedule is likely to continue the mix of light‑hearted entertainment and high‑profile sport, with the next day of the England v New Zealand Test at Lord’s and further episodes of the holiday‑party saga. Viewers can expect the fallout from tonight’s party drama to shape upcoming storylines, while the revived classic sports footage may inspire more archival restorations.

The ‘Pig Election’: How Denmark’s Vote Turned Against Intensive Pig FarmingThe third‑term victory of Mette Frederiksen was framed not only as a social‑policy win but also as a historic pledge for animals. Campaigners branded the March 24 vote the “pig election”, rallying public opinion around the country’s ultra‑intensive pork sector, which produces roughly 30 million piglets a year – a stark contrast to the 60,000 human babies born annually.Led by Britta Riis of Animal Protection Denmark and supported by Greenpeace Denmark, the Danish Society for Nature Conservation and the National Association against Pig Factories, the “Alliance for a pig election” united NGOs with four left‑wing parties to push the issue onto televised debates and parliamentary agendas.Numbers Behind the Crisis: Piglet Mortality, Land Use, and Water PollutionAverage sows wean > 37 piglets per year; top 10 % of farms reach 43, compared with the Netherlands’ 31.Typical sows have 14 teats yet produce up to 20 piglets per litter.Annual piglet deaths total 9 million (over 25,000 per day).About 95 % of surviving piglets have tails docked; sows are confined in farrowing crates.Approximately 25 % of Denmark’s landmass is dedicated to pig feed production.Water testing shows toxic pesticide residues in 56 % of drinking‑water catchments and nitrate leaching threatens groundwater.The municipality of Aalborg sued the state over nitrate contamination, estimating a DKr1.1 bn (€147 m/£127 m) cost for a 30‑year water‑treatment plant.Political Ripple Effects: New Government Commitments and Sector ReformPolling indicated that 53 % of Danes said animal‑welfare would definitely influence their vote, while 95 % demanded urgent action on drinking‑water quality. In response, the new coalition – comprising the Social Democrats, the Green Left and the Social Liberals, with backing from the Red‑Green Alliance – incorporated the following measures into its programme:Ban routine tail docking and extreme breeding practices.Mandate larger space allowances for sows and piglets.Establish a special commission to overhaul the entire pig‑farming sector.Empower local communities to block new factory farms and expansions.Reduce the legal nitrate limit in drinking water from 50 mg/L to 6 mg/L, aligning with expert recommendations.The strategy aims to shift Denmark from an export‑driven, ultra‑intensive model to a low‑density, sustainable, domestic‑facing system.What Comes Next for Danish Agriculture and European Food PolicyImplementation will hinge on the newly created commission’s ability to redesign supply chains, enforce stricter environmental standards and secure funding for the massive water‑treatment infrastructure demanded by Aalborg. If successful, Denmark could set a precedent for EU member states grappling with similar intensive‑farming pressures, potentially reshaping European food policy toward greener, animal‑friendly practices.

The PlayStation Strategic ShiftPlayStation's future has looked a little uncertain these past few years. Although the PS5 has sold well and been very profitable, the brand is far from the runaway market leader it was in the PS2 days. Earlier this week, Game File dug into Sony's most recent earnings reports to illustrate how PlayStation has been selling fewer and fewer of its own flagship games since a peak during the pandemic. About 54.1m copies of games either developed or published by Sony were sold in the 2018 financial year; in 2025, it sold 32.1m.The State of Play Event OverviewSo what is Sony going to do in the next few years, as we enter a later stage of the PS5 lifecycle? Will it play safe, or diversify? Perhaps revive some older games for nostalgic millennials? Thanks to a State of Play live-stream last night, we now have some answers. Here's what's on the slate:Marvel's Wolverine: A Violent DepartureCalifornian developer Insomniac's next Marvel adaptation after the somewhat wholesome Spider-Man adventures is an exceptionally violent Wolverine game. Seriously, we see those claws go through about seven people in the first 30 seconds of the demo, before fellow mutant Jean Grey shows up and starts killing people with telekinesis instead. A motorbike chase follows, and a showdown atop a moving vehicle. Truly all the Hollywood-esque action a player could possibly want, if also rather more blood spatter than some of us can take. There was also less 18-rated Marvel action in the form of comic-book-style fighting game Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls (coming 6 August).Horror Revival with Silent Hill: TownfallThis Silent Hill spin-off, from the Scottish developer Screen Burn, looks excellent. It's a horror game set in a misty town on the east coast of Scotland. Expect: many disgusting creatures that arise from the depths of its characters' worst imaginings. Many eerily abandoned little seaside homes. Many ominous shots of closed doors at the end of hallways. And much creepy radio static.Classic Franchises ReturnCapcom revives another of its classic PlayStation series in this Japanese-mythology action game, in which you slice up demons with a katana. (It will have to work hard to compete with the Nioh games and FromSoftware's Sekiro, which have filled this niche in the two decades Onimusha has been away.) The demo is available to try now.Although this was announced late last year, we've just got our first good look at it. It's a remake of the very first Tomb Raider, and they really mean it – it looks like a new Uncharted game. It's got all the classics: Egyptian tombs, jungle temples, T-Rexes, and Lara Croft looks badass in a modernised version of her classic outfit.Market Competition ContextSony has put out some great homegrown games since the PS5 was released in 2020, from Astro Bot to Ghost of Yōtei, but it has also had some expensive and very public failures and cancellations; PlayStation boss Jim Ryan, who retired in 2024, placed big bets on live-service games and only a few panned out (hello, Helldivers). Sony also seems to have rolled back on releasing its single-player PS5 games on PC after a polite interval of time, suggesting it wants to preserve what advantage and exclusivity it has.Meanwhile, its longtime console rival Xbox may have faded into the background as a sales competitor – the PS5 has outsold the Xbox Series S/X by approximately three to one – but it has become a strong publishing competitor, having bought up tens of development studios alongside Activision and Bethesda. Then there's Nintendo, whose exclusive games for the Switch and Switch 2 consoles have performed significantly better than Sony's over the last decade. (The top-selling Sony-developed PS4 game was Spider-Man, at 22.68m. The top-selling Nintendo-developed Switch game was Mario Kart 8 Deluxe at … 71m.)Strategic Implications for SonyThe State of Play event reveals Sony's strategic approach to the next phase of the PS5 lifecycle. By reviving classic franchises like Onimusha and Tomb Raider while investing in high-profile exclusives like Marvel's Wolverine and horror properties like Silent Hill, Sony appears to be balancing nostalgia with innovation. The company seems to be acknowledging its need to strengthen exclusive content while also diversifying its portfolio beyond live-service games that haven't always met expectations.Future Outlook for PlayStationWith releases spanning from late 2026 into 2027, Sony appears to be building a substantial pipeline of exclusive content designed to maintain PS5 momentum. The emphasis on both established franchises and new intellectual properties suggests a strategy to appeal to multiple segments of the gaming audience. As the console market matures and competition intensifies, Sony's ability to deliver compelling exclusive experiences will be crucial in maintaining its market position against Microsoft's expanded publishing arm and Nintendo's consistently strong first-party offerings.

The Lead Lawmakers in the United States are quietly advancing a proposal that could deepen military ties between the US and Israel in unprecedented ways, at a time when public support for Israel among Americans is increasingly fractured. The Proposal Details The proposal, included in the 2027 National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA), aims to establish a "United States-Israel Defence Technology Cooperation Initiative". This initiative would require the US defence secretary to designate an official responsible for coordinating military cooperation between the two countries, focusing on areas such as counter-unmanned systems, anti-tunnelling and subterranean threats, and missile and air defence technologies. The Data Analysis The proposal comes amid growing debate in the US over military support for Israel, particularly as Israel's actions in Gaza and Lebanon continue to draw international criticism. Recent opinion polls suggest increasing scepticism among Americans towards unconditional support for Israel, with only 16% of Americans supporting continuing weapons transfers to Israel without additional restrictions. The Impact Analysis Analysts say that if passed, the proposal would mark a significant shift in the US-Israel relationship, moving beyond a model centred on American military aid towards deeper institutional integration between the two countries' defence industries and militaries. Critics argue that such a move would make support for Israel less a matter of political choice and more a structural feature of US national security policy. The Prediction Whether the proposal survives the legislative process is uncertain, but its inclusion in the NDAA shows how some politicians, many backed by the pro-Israel lobby group AIPAC, are attempting to bind the two countries' militaries closer together, creating long-term industrial links that future administrations may find difficult to reverse.