Like pieces on a chess board, centrist parties lose ground as they accommodate rather than challenge far-right agendas — socialists must play things better, warns MATT KERR
Home truths about Cumbria's new coal mine
A failing steel industry and outdated technology will not guarantee long-term employment for the local community, write ROX MIDDLETON, LIAM SHAW and JOEL HELLEWELL

IN EARLY December, Michael Gove approved the foundation of the first new deep coal mine in Britain for more than 30 years. Rishi Sunak’s government is enthusiastic about British coal — but why?
The Conservatives are historically associated with closing down coal mines, not opening them.
Coal is an extreme pollutant, reducing air quality and releasing greenhouse gases.
More from this author

A small Japanese trial has reported some positive results for stem cell therapy to treat spinal-cord injuries

Man-made canals like Panama and Suez face unprecedented challenges from extreme weather patterns and geopolitical tensions that reveal the fragility of our global trade networks, write ROX MIDDLETON, LIAM SHAW and MIRIAM GAUNTLETT

It’s sunny times for the solar industry which is expected to continue to grow rapidly — but there are still major environmental issues with how solar cells are made, explain ROX MIDDLETON, LIAM SHAW and MIRIAM GAUNTLETT

Fraud in Alzheimer’s research raises difficult questions about the current state of science, write ROX MIDDLETON, LIAM SHAW and MIRIAM GAUNTLETT