I lost my comrade Kevin in battle. His sacrifice must not have been in vainWas it worth it? That is what many of us who served in Afghanistan are quietly asking as we watch with bewilderment and horror at what is unfolding.Four hundred and fifty-seven …
How climate crisis made my British butterfly hunt a race against time
The naturalist Stephen Moss finally achieved his aim to see all 61 of the UK’s butterfly species. But those that thrive on the margins could vanish as temperatures riseIt was a long walk up the steep, rocky path, on an unexpectedly warm day – but well…
Lily Allen: from chart-topping handbag kid to the heart of London’s West End
The singer is back in front of a live audience this week, playing ‘a woman with a real point of view’ in a spooky new play, 2:22 – A Ghost StoryThere, in the background, wearing drop pearl earrings, is 13-year-old Lily Allen dressed up as a little lady…
Is Covid-19 on the run in the UK?
A fall in case numbers last month raised hopes that Britain may be reaching herd immunity, but experts warn against complacency, given uncertainty about new variants and autumn’s return to schoolCoronavirus – latest updatesUK can expect thousands of Co…
The Observer view on the Royal Navy’s operation in the South China Sea | Observer editorial
Sailing into imperial delusions is no way to run foreign policyWhat would Jack Aubrey have made of it? When Patrick O’Brian’s fictitious Royal Navy hero sailed HMS Surprise to the far side of the world, the enemy was the USS Norfolk, a lone American fr…
Our seaside towns are worth saving | Letters
Skilled jobs, affordable housing and investment in education are all vital components of any rescue packageWill Hutton is right to deplore the decline of coastal communities (“There is a way to save our coastal resorts… welcome to Zoomtown-on -Sea”, Co…
Olympic mixed team events bring the fun – and the golds – back to Britain
GB triumphs in triathlon and swimming throw spotlight on IOC moves towards gender parity with introduction of more mixed team sports in TokyoHaving just secured his third gold medal of Tokyo, British swimmer Adam Peaty said: “It’s a fun event and that’…
Discounts from Uber and Deliveroo will lure young people in UK to get Covid jab
Companies will offer credit and price reductions in government push to boost vaccination ratesCheap taxi rides and discounts from the biggest takeaway companies are to be deployed by the government in a desperate effort to boost Covid vaccination rates…
Brands Hatch marshal dies after race car spins off track
Volunteer struck at their post during British Automobile Racing Club championship eventA volunteer marshal has died after being hit by a car which spun off the track during a race at the Brands Hatch circuit.An air ambulance landed on the circuit after…
Conservatives accused of cutting local sport funding by nearly half since 2010
Labour says 47% less spent on grassroots facilities, wasting chance to build on success of 2012 London Olympics Labour has accused the Conservatives of squandering the London 2012 Olympic legacy by slashing grassroots sport funding by nearly half sin…