Author: Andrew Rogers

Global oil prices fell almost 20% in 2025, marking their sharpest annual decline since 2020.It was also the first time prices recorded three consecutive yearly losses. Analysts say the drop reflects an oversupplied market, despite conflicts in key producing regions.Crude oil fell below $60 a barrel for the first time in nearly five years. The International Energy Agency expects supply to exceed demand by about 3.8m barrels a day.Members of OPEC delayed production increases, but output remains high. Brent crude ended the year near $60.85 a barrel, down from about $74 a year earlier.US crude prices posted a similar fall.…

Adorable grey seal pups have been photographed at Donna Nook Nature Reserve on the Lincolnshire coast.The site near Louth attracts hundreds of visitors during the annual pupping season. The season usually runs from October to December.This year, 1,924 seal pups were born at the reserve. That figure is 274 higher than last year, which saw a sharp decline.Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust confirmed the increase. On Tuesday, the trust said all adult seals had returned to sea.Twelve pups were still visible from the public viewing area.

West Ham United are preparing an opening bid for Jørgen Strand Larsen.Manager Nuno Espírito Santo wants attacking reinforcements to boost survival hopes. Wolverhampton Wanderers value the striker at around £40m.Strand Larsen has scored three league goals this season for the bottom-placed side. The 25-year-old impressed after joining Wolves from Celta Vigo in 2024.He scored 14 goals last season and attracted interest from Newcastle United. West Ham sit 18th and see a new striker as essential.They are set to loan Niclas Füllkrug to AC Milan. Nuno has also looked at Ellis Simms and Haji Wright.A loan move for Nathan Aké was…

Sam Altman has advertised a $555,000-a-year role described as one of the most demanding in artificial intelligence.The position, head of preparedness at OpenAI, carries responsibility for managing risks from advanced AI systems. The successful candidate will oversee threats ranging from mental health harms to cybersecurity and biological weapons.They will also track the possibility of AI systems developing autonomous capabilities. Altman warned applicants the role would be stressful and require immediate immersion.He said the post is critical as AI capabilities grow faster than existing safeguards. Industry leaders have echoed these concerns.Mustafa Suleyman and Demis Hassabis have both publicly warned about unchecked…

Louis Gerstner, the businessman credited with rescuing IBM, has died aged 83.He served as chair and chief executive from 1993 to 2002, during a period of deep uncertainty. IBM was losing relevance as rivals such as Microsoft and Sun Microsystems gained ground.Gerstner became the first outsider to lead the company. He scrapped plans to break IBM into smaller units, instead keeping it integrated.He believed customers wanted complete solutions, not fragmented technologies. IBM’s current chief executive, Arvind Krishna, said that decision ensured the company’s survival.Krishna praised Gerstner’s focus on clients and long-term relevance. Gerstner shifted IBM away from hardware dependence toward…

Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League with a 2-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion.Martin Ødegaard opened the scoring with a precise first-half finish after Arsenal dominated possession. Injury disruption forced tactical improvisation, including Declan Rice starting at right-back.Arsenal failed to extend their lead despite sustained pressure and numerous chances. The advantage doubled early in the second half when Georginio Rutter turned a corner into his own net.Brighton briefly threatened a comeback after Diego Gómez scored from a rebound. Goalkeeper David Raya preserved the lead with a stunning save from Yankuba Minteh.Manager Mikel Arteta praised his side’s…

Dr Kate McLean-MacKenzie is on a mission to map the world’s “smellscapes”.Based at the University of Kent, she argues smell is the forgotten sense of communication. While images and sounds are easily shared, smells are rarely recorded or discussed.That gap led her to begin mapping urban scents more than a decade ago. Her work involves “smell walks”, where participants log what they smell, how strong it is, and how it feels.They also record memories or emotions linked to each scent. McLean-MacKenzie turns this data into visual maps and narrative descriptions.The results are subjective, focusing on human stories rather than scientific…

Christmas is an ideal time to sneak science into everyday fun, say researchers.Simple experiments can turn sweets, jokes, food, and decorations into moments of discovery. Matthew Cobb suggests tasting sweets while holding your nose.The exercise shows flavour depends more on smell than taste. Cracker jokes also reveal science, says Sophie Scott.People laugh far more in company than alone, proving laughter is mainly social. The Christmas turkey can teach biomechanics, according to Steve Brusatte.Examining bones reveals how wings move and store energy. Chemistry appears in the kitchen too.Andrea Sella explains how salt and ice can freeze custard into ice cream. Even…

Declan Rice’s journey to football’s elite was shaped by rejection and relentless self-improvement.Released by Chelsea at 14, he rebuilt his career at West Ham United. Coaches initially doubted his coordination and long-term potential.Rice responded positively to what he calls “clean feedback” and focused on constant development. His discipline and willingness to learn earned him a scholarship and first-team debut.Former coaches expected reliability, not global recognition. Rice’s growth accelerated through tactical intelligence, leadership, and improved attacking output.A standout Champions League display against Real Madrid marked his arrival on the biggest stage. A £105m move to Arsenal brought scrutiny and fresh motivation.Criticism…

Researchers say parts of the Moon will be set aside as graveyards for defunct lunar satellites.Satellite numbers are expected to rise as space agencies expand lunar exploration. Without an atmosphere, old spacecraft cannot burn up and must be crash-landed.Uncontrolled impacts risk damaging scientific sites and historic landing areas. Experts propose designated impact zones far from sensitive regions.Agencies including NASA and the European Space Agency support planned disposal. Controlled impacts could also help scientists study the Moon’s internal structure.