Tucked discreetly along the quieter stretch of England’s Lane in Belsize Park, Terra Moderna announces itself with poise rather than pomp. It is a restaurant that embodies dual heritage with remarkable fluency: the heart of Italy beating strongly at its core, softened and brightened by a subtle Antipodean sensibility. From the moment one steps inside,… Continue reading Terra Moderna — a refined Italian escape in Belsize Park
Nestled in the picturesque neighbourhood of South Kensington, Pastificio Al Dente is a culinary gem that beckons lovers of authentic Italian cuisine. From the moment you step inside, you’re enveloped in the aroma of freshly made pasta and the warm ambiance that invites you to indulge in a gastronomic journey through Italy’s diverse culinary landscape.… Continue reading Al Dente — bringing fresh Italian pasta to South Kensington
The UK has fallen down Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) after a year of high-profile government scandals. The CPI is not a measure of corruption itself but a measure of how much corruption is perceived to exist across a country’s public sector. For the UK government, already focusing very much on the next general… Continue reading UK slides in Corruption Perceptions Index after series of political scandals
Carbon dioxide gets all the press, but methane is the silent killer of the climate crisis. Trapping heat 28 times more effectively than CO2, it is a major driver of global warming. Now, Denmark is making farmers pay for it. Denmark is set to become the first country in the world to tax cows, sheep… Continue reading The cost of a burp — Denmark becomes first nation to tax livestock emissions
Deep in the forests of Uganda, a team of scientific detectives has uncovered a secret: chimpanzees are running their own pharmacy. Scientists observing wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes) have confirmed that the animals deliberately seek out plants with anti-bacterial and pain-relieving properties to heal themselves. The 13-strong team, comprising botanists and primatologists, conducted their “detective… Continue reading Forest pharmacists — chimpanzees are teaching scientists how to treat disease
High in the barren mountains of the Himalayas, Indian soldiers overlook a broad swathe of icy terrain. Gazing back at them are thousands of Chinese soldiers, each protecting what the other claims. The object of desire is an unmarked landscape spanning thousands of kilometres, stretching from India’s border with Pakistan in the west to its… Continue reading Indo-American relations grow over threat of Chinese incursions in the Himalayas
Frankenstein, or, The Modern Prometheus, is an 1818 novel by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley. Set in the late 18th century, it follows scientist Victor Frankenstein’s creation of life and the terrible events that are precipitated by his abandonment of his creation. It is a Gothic novel in that it combines supernatural elements with horror, death and… Continue reading Frankenstein — how Mary Shelley’s sci-fi classic offers lessons for us today about the dangers of playing god
A little over a year since leader of Fratelli d’Italia Georgia Meloni rose to power in Italy, the latest data spells out a clear message: she is not the only ultraright politician surfing on voters’ anxieties. In fact, we may be entering a new cycle of far-right extremism across the continent, with heavy stakes for… Continue reading From France to Italy, Hungary to Sweden, voting intentions track the far-right’s rise in Europe
The invention of the contraceptive pill marked the onset of the sexual revolution in the 1960s. Now, scientists are seeking to revolutionise wildlife control by adding animals to the mix. Trials are afoot in the United Kingdom and other European countries where pigeons, squirrels and wild boar are given contraceptives. Deer and invasive parakeets are… Continue reading Wildlife on the pill — the new age of animal population control
The number of victims of femicide in Italy in 2020 equated to a woman killed every three days. “Femicide is not a crime of passion, it is a crime of power”, wrote Elena Cecchettin after her sister was killed in November 2023. Italian student Giulia Cecchettin, 22, was killed allegedly by her controlling ex-boyfriend, Filippo… Continue reading Femicide in Italy — a modern phenomenon deeply rooted in the country’s cultural past
