R.I.P. Len Deighton (1929-2026)
Renowned British author and former illustrator Len Deighton died at 97, leaving a legacy anchored by his groundbreaking spy novels. His debut, The IPCRESS File (1962), introduced the pragmatic anti‑hero Harry Palmer and set a new standard for realistic espionage fiction. Deighton’s work, contemporaneous with John le Carré, offered a gritty alternative to Ian Fleming’s James Bond, influencing subsequent generations of thriller writers. The enduring popularity of titles like Funeral in Berlin underscores his lasting cultural impact.
Adams, Rachmaninov & Stravinsky at the National Concert Hall
The National Concert Hall in Dublin opened its season with Alexander Shelley, the principal conductor designate, leading the National Symphony Orchestra Ireland. The program opened with John Adams' 1986 "Short Ride in a Fast Machine," followed by a striking performance...
40 Years Since Prof. Susan McKenna-Lawlor Made Contact with a Comet – Guest Post by Emma Whelan
On 14 March 1986 the ESA Giotto spacecraft passed within 600 km of Halley’s comet, delivering the first close‑up images and in‑situ measurements of a comet nucleus. Irish astrophysicist Prof. Susan McKenna‑Lawlor served as Principal Investigator for the Energetic Particle Analyser (EPONA),...
Horizon, Zenith and Atmosphere – Paul Klee
The Guggenheim announced the addition of Paul Klee’s 1925 watercolor "Horizon, Zenith and Atmosphere" to its modern art collection. The piece, measuring 37.1 × 27 cm, exemplifies Klee’s exploration of spatial perception through abstract landscape elements. A high‑resolution digital scan has been released,...
Writing as Thinking
The article challenges the notion that blogging is a waste of time, especially as AI tools like WordPress’s new "AI Tool" promise instant content creation. It argues that writing serves as a thinking process, helping authors surface incoherent ideas and...
Cuts, Commitments and Contradictions – Guest Post by Lucien Heurtier
Last week, UKRI and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) faced intense scrutiny as the House of Lords and Commons committees examined a proposed 30% cut to the Particle Physics, Astronomy and Nuclear (PPAN) research budget. Ministers acknowledged that...
Open Letter About Cuts to UK Theoretical Physics Funding
An open letter has been circulated to protest a proposed 30% cut to the UK Particle Physics, Astronomy and Nuclear Physics research budget, which could translate into more than a 50% reduction in postdoctoral positions. The letter highlights the UK's...