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Every culture has a name for it – an Irish goodbye, French leave, Polish departure – and each blames another nation for this social faux pas. But perhaps it’s time we stopped considering slipping out of a party without saying goodbye as rudeness.
For people with anxiety, introversion or neurodivergence, the goodbye ritual can drain the last reserves of social energy. A psychologist explains why the silent exit is sometimes the healthiest choice you can make all evening.
Nasa is pressing forward with plans for nuclear-powered spacecraft that could cut the journey to Mars from six months to three or four, with an uncrewed mission targeted for as early as 2028.
Closer to home, from EU ties to cost of living measures, experts give their reaction to the contents of this year’s King’s speech.
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Trudy Meehan, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences
Sneaking out of a party without saying goodbye might look rude, but for some people, it’s the difference between connection and burnout.
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Illustration of a Mars mission that utilises nuclear propulsion.
Nasa
Domenico Vicinanza, Anglia Ruskin University
The technology could make it easier to send both humans and cargo to the red planet.
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©House of Lords/Roger Harris
Simon Usherwood, The Open University; Alex Ford, University of Portsmouth; Joelle Grogan, University College Dublin; Jonquil Lowe, The Open University; Miriam Sorace, University of Reading; Phil Tomlinson, University of Bath
The government has laid out its plans for the next parliamentary session.
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World
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Basil Germond, Lancaster University
The Caspian Sea has enabled Iran and Russia to supply each other with weapons and trade goods despite western sanctions.
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Andrew Gawthorpe, Leiden University
US policy towards Taiwan has always been complex and nuanced. All that may now change.
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Richard Youngs, University of Warwick
Europe’s security turn remains strikingly ad hoc, despite its massive increase in defence spending.
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Politics + Society
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Jason R.C. Nurse, University of Kent; Lisa Sugiura, University of Portsmouth
Government and tech firms need to step up.
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Nye Davies, Cardiff University
After its worst defeat in modern history, Welsh Labour faces a battle to redefine its purpose, identity and future.
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Arts + Culture
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Alex Brown, Durham University; Grace Owen, Durham University
Despite the deadliness of the disease, it was possible to recover from plague, and medieval chroniclers mention the possibility – however unlikely – of survival.
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Edward White, Kingston University
Steven Soderbergh’s new film raises important questions about authenticity, creative ownership and racism in the art world.
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Glyn White, University of Salford
Morecambe and Wise still have a place in the hearts of the British public, and Eric was instrumental in ensuring their enduring popularity.
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Environment
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Alex Ford, University of Portsmouth
The government promises joined‑up and long‑term regional planning for water. But some pressing challenges appear to receive surprisingly little attention.
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Ian Williams, University of Southampton
Fortnightly bin collections can prompt more recycling, research shows.
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Health
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Elizabeth Peatfield, Liverpool John Moores University
The UK recognises cannabis as medicine, but only the wealthy can access it legally.
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