Barometer
Which years have had the highest numbers of named storms?
We will survive Defence Secretary Wes Streeting told us to prepare for war in three years’ time and to keep…
Who made the first flying car?
Cars might fly Elon Musk demonstrated a flying car. – The concept goes back further than most people imagine. The…
How right-wing are labradors?
Lab test Labour MP Jenny Riddell-Carpenter described black labradors, pubs and warm ale as a ‘far right fantasy’. Do labradors…
Which old rockers are still touring?
Orange prize What is so special about the Garvaghy Road to Ulster Unionists? The area around Portadown attained significance for…
Which countries have compulsory voting?
Poll positions Lord Kinnock called on Andy Burnham to make voting compulsory. Around 24 countries have some kind of compulsory…
Which prime ministers have sporting achievements?
Premier sports Andy Burnham took part in the Great North Run, a half marathon, finishing in 1 hour 57 minutes.…
How full are Britain’s care homes?
Before 9/11 11 September will always be remembered for the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon 25 years…
How great is the Bayeux tapestry really?
Stitch in time Some facts and figures on the Bayeux tapestry, which is going on display at the British Museum…
How have Eurostar passengers numbers changed over the years?
Made to run A robot at the Robotic Olympiad in Beijing bettered Usain Bolt’s 100 metres record by 0.19 seconds.…
How often do eclipses occur?
Star turn Britain experienced a solar eclipse but not the total eclipse visible in Iceland and Spain. How often do…
How much water is lost to leaks?
Diverse academia Jason Arday was heralded as Cambridge’s youngest-ever black professor when appointed professor of sociology of education in 2023.…
How many people drown in Britain?
Common ground The Commonwealth Games began as the British Empire Games in 1930, yet they did not originate in Britain.…
Can Burnham end rough sleeping?
Lost counties Rutland is to be abolished for the second time, having first been taken off the map in 1974…
How many people get arrested for terrorism?
Dying of heat Have this year’s heatwaves really killed 2,700 people? The claim has been made in a paper by…
Which World Cups saw the most red cards?
To go or not to go? Would Andy Burnham be wise to call a general election? The record of PMs…
What kills more: heat or cold?
Absolute mayor Andy Burnham wants more devolution and elected mayors. Do voters want that? – Since 2001 there have been…
How does this week’s heatwave compare with 1976?
Prime numbers It looks as if Britain will just miss out on having seven prime ministers in the space of…
How does this World Cup compare with the first?
Football fiasco With 48 teams, this is the largest World Cup ever. How does it compare with the first? –…
Which trade unions are the most pro-Reform?
Badger over Bard The Bank of England is to discontinue issuing banknotes with historic figures in favour of animals. Which…
Which countries see more UFOs?
Red Wales Labour lost power in the Welsh Assembly for the first time since it was set up in 1999.…
Which animals are older than David Attenborough?
Travel sickness Three people were reported to have died in an outbreak of hantavirus on a cruise ship returning to…
Which world leaders survived the greatest number of assassination attempts?
Marathon sprints The Kenyan marathon runner Sabastian Sawe broke the world record by running the first official sub-two-hour marathon. –…
How many people undergo security vetting?
Balls to that Why are elections called ‘ballots’? — The word ballot comes from the Italian, pallotta, meaning a small…
Which racecourses have seen the most deaths?
Hero worship Peter Magyar, the new PM of Hungary, has the unique distinction among world leaders of bearing the name…
How many humans have landed on the Moon?
Moonstruck Four astronauts aboard the Artemis II spacecraft achieved the distinction of travelling further from the Earth than any humans…
