Barometer
Who hires the most stretch limos?
Global warnings How much time do we have to save the world from catastrophic climate change? 5 years (according to…
Why the Tories are three times more welcome in Birmingham than Liverpool
Beastly crimes Police in Croydon stopped investigating a series of cat killings after concluding that foxes were likely to blame.…
How much does it cost to cryogenically freeze a person (or a pet)?
Trans mission Equalities Minister Penny Mordaunt ordered research into a huge rise in referrals of under-18 girls to transgender services.…
Who was the first suicide bomber?
The first suicide bomber Boris Johnson was criticised for likening Theresa May’s Chequers deal to a ‘suicide vest’ around the…
How did ‘wonga’ come to be used as slang for money?
Origins of Wonga The payday lender Wonga has gone into administration. How did ‘wonga’ come to be used as slang…
How bad is the drugs problem in British jails?
Cultured tastes Dawn Butler accused Jamie Oliver of ‘cultural appropriation’ for coming up with his own recipe for jerk rice.…
Where does our food actually come from?
Black list Jeremy Corbyn was attacked for attending a ceremony for members of Black September, the terrorist group which carried…
Are Britain’s railways really the envy of the world?
Ranking railways A director of the Rail Delivery Group claimed that Britain’s railways were the ‘envy of Europe’. Could it…
Who throws acid at whom?
Relax Asked about her spare time, Theresa May said she liked walking, cooking (she has 150 cookbooks) and watching the…
Why is the Trump balloon known as a ‘blimp’?
Blimpish beginnings Protesters flew a ‘blimp’ depicting President Trump as a baby in central London. Why are balloons known as…
The hidden dangers of bouncy castles
Trapped Twelve Thai boys and their football coach were found in a cave ten days after being trapped by rising…
What happened to the teams who scored more than six goals in a World Cup?
Nursing numbers Was there ever a time when the NHS wasn’t in crisis? According to a report by NHS Health…
Barometer: Trespassing, healthcare and David Dimbleby’s retirement
Well oiled The government last week ordered a review into the medical use of cannabis. Some cannabis oil available on…
Doctors and deaths: how many mortalities were avoidable?
Mortal combat Health secretary Jeremy Hunt promised more protection for medical staff accused of criminal malpractice after a doctor was…
Which town is most proud to be English?
Ready for take-off? That Heathrow timeline in full: 1949 Labour government proposes an additional two runways for newly opened Heathrow…
What do Gammons really think of gammon-gate?
Gammon vs gammon Controversy raged over whether calling an angry, white, right-wing man a ‘gammon’ is racist. The insult is…
Barometer: The top four worst microphone gaffes
Is this thing on? Sainsbury’s Chief Executive Mike Coupe was recorded singing ‘We’re in the Money’ as he prepared to…
Worried about owning your own home? You should be
Kill or cure An anti-war protester on a march against the Syrian missile attacks claimed that President Assad couldn’t be…
Britain has 58,000 ‘travellers’ – but only a quarter live in caravans
Disapproving chorus Derbyshire’s Chief Constable told the all-male Derbyshire Constabulary Choir to sever all police ties unless it takes women.…
How do you make a cricket ball swing?
Not cricket The Australian cricket captain Steve Smith was banned for a match and fined his match fee after a…
Jeremy Corbyn’s hat and the art of photo manipulation
Spin doctors The BBC has denied it photoshopped a Newsnight backdrop to make Jeremy Corbyn’s hat look more Russian. The…
The ageing rock stars who go on and on
Ageing rockers The Rolling Stones announced their first live shows for five years. Mick Jagger, Keith Richards (both 74), Charlie…
How to get the Winter Olympics experience at home
The great indoors How to get the Winter Olympics experience without leaving England: — The Snow Centre, Hemel Hempstead: ‘London’s…
Are these the coldest Winter Olympics ever?
Museums of curiosity The former culture secretary Ed Vaizey suggested that there are quite enough museums in Britain, and that…
Dire warnings of a Brexit university brain drain? They’re a myth
How to sell snake oil Ex-cabinet secretary Lord O’Donnell accused Brexiteers of ‘selling snake oil’. How do you sell snake…
