How hidden soil fungi ‘steal’ bacterial DNA to control the rain Soil fungi “borrow” bacterial genes to control the weather

Soil fungi “borrow” bacterial genes to control the weather

What Viktor Orbán’s election loss means for Putin, Trump and the rise of right-wing populism The White House and Kremlin tried unsuccessfully to influence Hungary’s election. But this doesn’t mean illiberalism is going away.

"Hungary’s most consequential election in decades has just delivered an important victory for democracy and accountability."

Greece’s new laws crack down on art fakes and forgeries – an expert in the market for shady art explains why they might backfire In Greece it is now less attractive to sell fishy objects, and riskier to do so repeatedly.

In Greece it is now less attractive to sell fishy objects, and riskier to do so repeatedly.

Steroid injections for joint pain: everything you need to know about using them While corticosteroid injections can be very effective at alleviating the pain and inflammation of osteoarthritis, they might not be for everyone.

While corticosteroid injections can be very effective at alleviating the pain and inflammation of osteoarthritis, they might not be for everyone.

The UK could make migrants wait up to 20 years before becoming settled – making it one of the longest waits in the world New proposals would introduce a 10-year ‘baseline’ for settlement, with refugees and benefits claimants facing the highest wait times.

New proposals would introduce a 10-year ‘baseline’ for settlement, with refugees and benefits claimants facing the highest wait times.

As Nasa’s Artemis II Moon mission ends, a new adventure for humanity beckons The successful mission marks the beginning of a new chapter in lunar exploration.

The successful mission marks the beginning of a new chapter in lunar exploration.

Cubans living abroad now hold the key to their country’s uncertain future After decades of hostility, the Cuban government is allowing Cuban emigrants to return and invest in the private sector.

After decades of hostility, the Cuban government is allowing Cuban emigrants to return and invest in the private sector.

Five tips to make your memory work more effectively From putting your phone away to getting better at ‘chunking’, a neuroscience researcher explains how to make your memory better.

From putting your phone away to getting better at ‘chunking’, a neuroscience researcher explains how to make your memory better.

South Africa’s farmers aren’t yet replacing chemical fertilisers with sustainable alternatives – this is why Rhizobia-based fertiliser technology is cost-effective, non-toxic and sustainable.

Rhizobia-based fertiliser technology is cost-effective, non-toxic and sustainable.

Feeling distracted? How hobbies can help you find ‘flow state’ and save your brain Hobbies are a fun way to turn down the noise and increase focus.

Hobbies are a fun way to turn down the noise and increase focus.

Does marriage prevent cancer? And who benefits the most? A large new study finds unmarried adults face significantly higher cancer rates, but the real story is about what marriage represents, not what it does.

A large new study finds unmarried adults face significantly higher cancer rates, but the real story is about what marriage represents, not what it does.

What can governments do when petrol prices rocket? Price caps can cause supply problems – but there are other options.

Price caps can cause supply problems – but there are other options.

Bait sheds light on British-Pakistani mental health struggles rarely seen on screen Bait is a quietly devastating study of the pressures placed upon British‑Pakistani men navigating identity, racism and aspiration.

Bait is a quietly devastating study of the pressures placed upon British‑Pakistani men navigating identity, racism and aspiration.

A surrealist fashionista, a Nazi fantasist and the return of Atwood’s Handmaids – what to see, read and watch this week Fashion, film, Nazi mythology and a film to scare the bejasus out of you this week.

Fashion, film, Nazi mythology and a film to scare the bejasus out of you this week.

In The Stranger François Ozon captures the many ambiguities of Albert Camus’s novel This film offers an invitation to return and reflect on Camus’ work.

This film offers an invitation to return and reflect on Camus’ work.

Undertone: this creepy sound horror is utterly terrifying Undertone crosses the boundary between listener and participant, resulting in a work which fulfils its promise of terror.

Undertone crosses the boundary between listener and participant, resulting in a work which fulfils its promise of terror.

Children going through family courts face increased risk of self-harm, new research finds Children in family court cases face higher self-harm risk, but these moments could be opportunities to offer support and prevent harm.

Children in family court cases face higher self-harm risk, but these moments could be opportunities to offer support and prevent harm.

Five warning signs that rivers are polluted – even when they look clean River water is not expected to prove to be less polluted when results are published later this year.

River water is not expected to prove to be less polluted when results are published later this year.

May elections: what five politics experts are looking out for Five experts tell us what they will be keeping their eye on during the May elections in England, Scotland and Wales.

Five experts tell us what they will be keeping their eye on during the May elections in England, Scotland and Wales.

I was in Georgia in the late 1980s: I observed how tradition survived harsh Sovietisation and rapid transformation With the dissolution of the Soviet Union came rapid societal shifts. In Georgia, people called for the end of the Russification of their country and their culture.

With the dissolution of the Soviet Union came rapid societal shifts. In Georgia, people called for the end of the Russification of their country and their culture.

Hands off my hat! The hidden power of headwear and ‘hatiquette’ in early modern England – new study For any respectable man in Tudor, Stuart and Hanoverian England, to go hatless was almost unthinkable.

For any respectable man in Tudor, Stuart and Hanoverian England, to go hatless was almost unthinkable.

Can the Middle East ceasefire hold? As Israel continues to pound Lebanon, the chances of a Middle East ceasefire lasting 14 days seem remote.

As Israel continues to pound Lebanon, the chances of a Middle East ceasefire lasting 14 days seem remote.

Drinking water contaminated with ‘forever chemicals’ during pregnancy linked to an increased risk of childhood asthma – new study This study is one of the first to identify a link between Pfas exposure and asthma in childhood.

This study is one of the first to identify a link between Pfas exposure and asthma in childhood.

Why is Israel continuing to attack Lebanon, despite the ceasefire? Expert Q&A Israel has upped the intensity of its campaign in Lebanon, despite the signing of a ceasefire in the Middle East.

Israel has upped the intensity of its campaign in Lebanon, despite the signing of a ceasefire in the Middle East.

Fashion Becomes Art: a deliciously decadent journey through the surrealist world of Elsa Schiaparelli A protagonist of surrealism, Schiaparelli was an extraordinary couturier who pushed the bounds of creativity, leaving her mark on Paris fashion and beyond.

A protagonist of surrealism, Schiaparelli was an extraordinary couturier who pushed the bounds of creativity, leaving her mark on Paris fashion and beyond.

You Are the Führer’s Unrequited Love by Jean-Noël Orengo is a masterful take on Nazi memory, myth and moral reckoning For a decade the architect Albert Speer enjoyed a unique position as courtier and protege to Adolf Hitler. A new novel examines the man, and his lies.

For a decade the architect Albert Speer enjoyed a unique position as courtier and protege to Adolf Hitler. A new novel examines the man, and his lies.

My Undesirable Friends: Part I – an extraordinary portrait of young Russian journalists fighting to report the truth An expansive and intimate look at the lives of Russian journalists trying to their job in an increasingly challenging climate.

An expansive and intimate look at the lives of Russian journalists trying to their job in an increasingly challenging climate.

Hungarian election exposes tensions at the heart of Donald Trump’s plans to boost the far-right in Europe Washington has been championing long-time incumbent, Viktor Orbán. But there’s a good chance that Donald Trump’s endorsement might prove a handicap.

Washington has been championing long-time incumbent, Viktor Orbán. But there’s a good chance that Donald Trump’s endorsement might prove a handicap.

Three reasons Donald Trump won’t pull the US out of Nato The US president has been bitterly criticising the alliance in recent weeks over its reluctance to join the war in Iran.

The US president has been bitterly criticising the alliance in recent weeks over its reluctance to join the war in Iran.

How Nasa’s Artemis II mission rediscovered the majesty and mystery of the Moon Viewers on Earth have experienced the Moon’s awe-inspiring beauty through the eyes of the Artemis II astronauts.

Viewers on Earth have experienced the Moon’s awe-inspiring beauty through the eyes of the Artemis II astronauts.