By Richard Harries, Director of Research at the independent trust Power to Change The NHS may be our national religion, but libraries—which are marking National Library Day (4th Feb) ahead of a whole week of celebration in October—enjoy their own vaunted status in the fabric of British society. The success of our library service may not get many headlines, but once it is under threat then the great and the good speak up. ‘Libraries save lives’, announced Stephen Fry last...

Yes you read the right, and it isn’t fake news, it is one of the most disturbing articles I have ever put together. It appears the world, with the US taking the lead, President Trump pushing the agenda, is regressing to the past, the far distant past. Are we going back to a brutal time nobody can even recall, possibly because it has never been so bad? A new law has just been signed off in Akansas, US, that will...

The smart home revolution has roared into action, with Nest leading the charge towards a more connected abode, and Apple Homekit not far behind. But investing in a thermostat that automatically turns on when you wake up doesn't come cheap, so you'll want to make sure you keep your tech-enhanced home safe from break-ins. We might assume the best way to protect our tech is with—yes, you guessed it—more tech. But while there’s a wealth of cameras and smart locks...

A 79-year-old has revealed he has slept with over 2,000 women - more than Playboy boss Hugh Hefner. Lothario Chris Culleton says he has been a ladies' man all his life and has bedded 2,084 partners. Chris claims he met many of the women he's been with while working as a music promoter bringing bands to Warrington in Cheshire. He says he was such a romantic he turned down jobs with the Rolling Stones and Radio Caroline because of love....

The Republicans have voted to repeal an Obama-era regulation designed to keep guns out of the hands of people deemed mentally ill. Politicians in the Republican-led House voted 235-180 to repeal the regulation that required the Social Security Administration to disclose to the national gun background check system information about people with mental illness. Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, who chairs the Ways and Means Committee, said: "The Social Security Administration not only overstepped its mission with this regulation, it discriminated against certain Americans with disabilities...

The final section of the new Queensferry Crossing was lifted into place today, completing the 1.7-mile link across the Forth. The segment, which is one of 122, was slotted into place by engineers, marking the "culmination of a world class team effort". The £1.35 billion structure, which is replacing the Forth Road Bridge, connects the Lothians and Fife and is scheduled to be opened in May. Michael Martin, Project Director for Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors (FCBC) said: "This final deck...

A tattoo artist appeared in court accused of splitting a customer's tongue, removing an ear and slicing off someone's NIPPLE. Brendan McCarthy, 47, is accused of committing the bizarre offences at his salon, called Dr Evils Body Modification Emporium. The tattooist was arrested in December 2015 after concerns over his lack of medical qualifications, the unsuitability of his salon and unregulated actions. Today, McCarthy appeared at Walsall Magistrates Court charged with three counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent...

There's a deathly silence around the boarding gates of the newly built Terminal 2 at Heathrow. Silly season has passed and the departure lounges are filled with the dulcet whispers of business chit chat, a serene time to fly indeed. With low cost carriers relatively new to the scene at Heathrow Airport - many falling out of groups such as Lufthansa who would have already had slots available to run - it is still early to see whether the airport...