Cambridge voters can cast their vote a week early in a new pilot scheme

Voters have praised a new pilot scheme allowing them to cast their vote for next week’s election early.

Alex Downie and his wife Fiona came to vote at the Guildhall in central Cambridge – one of three locations where votes can be cast this week from Thursday to Saturday. He said: “I think it’s a very good idea, because if you’re going on holiday it’s otherwise very awkward to vote – it’s important for democracy.”

The 77-year-old said they would register for postal vote otherwise, but praised the scheme for making voting much more convenient. He said: “It’s better this way because we come into town quite a lot – it’s nice and straight forward.”

Fiona, 66, added: “It’s fantastic, because as Alex said we were going to be away so we didn’t want to do a postal vote because it’s more hassle. Sometimes it’s hard to vote when you’re working, I once almost missed it. This was perfect – quick, easy and we were coming into town anyway. Do it all the time, do it in the general election!”

Voting will be open from 9am until 6pm and votes can also be cast at the Meadows Community Centre on Arbury Road and Clay Farm Centre in Trumpington.

Chris Burton said: “It was a very, very, efficient experience – immensely convenient because I’m not here next week and I don’t want to go through the postal vote and all of that. I do tend to be away from Cambridge the first or second week in May – this week is earlier, it’s the first week.”

Though he said he’s never failed to vote while being away, the 80-year-old said: “It just gets more complicated when you’ve got to take a postal vote.

“The fact you can come here and bring the day forward effectively works very well indeed – so as long as the system works on a legal basis, that’s all that matters.”

Corin Hoad praised the flexibility, after a last-minute change of plans meant he couldn’t make it to vote in person on May 7. The 32-year-old said: “It means I can still make it without having to worry about getting a last-minute postal vote or anything like that.

“You should have another few days to vote and have that flexibility – it should enable a lot more people to vote for a politician they might not have been able to.”

Vicky Jenner, electoral services manager at Cambridge City Council, said turnout was “busier than we expected” suggesting earlier voting “is an appealing option for many.”

She said: “We’ve received some very positive feedback from early voters, and in fact some people were so keen to take part that they were queuing outside at 9 o’clock this morning, waiting for the doors to open. Ultimately, giving people more options for how they can cast their vote is about strengthening democracy and enabling even more people to get involved in important decisions affecting their lives and the place they call home.”

A sci-fi horror film has been ranked the best British film of the 21st century in the BFI’s prestigious Sight and Sound critics’ poll

Determining which films truly deserve the title of greatest of all time is no simple task, yet many have attempted it, including Britain’s own British Film Institute (BFI). Since 1952, Sight and Sound, the BFI’s esteemed magazine, has conducted a decennial poll to identify cinema’s finest achievements.

The most recent edition in 2022 saw more than 1,600 film critics, programmers, curators, archivists and academics submit their personal top 10 choices. These votes are compiled into a definitive ranking of the 250 greatest films ever made.

Given the sheer scale of this catalogue, we’re highlighting the list’s top-ranked British film from the 21st century – Under the Skin, a compelling thriller featuring Scarlett Johansson as an alluring extraterrestrial who drives through Scotland hunting for victims.

This sci-fi horror represents the vision of English director Jonathan Glazer, whose later work, The Zone of Interest, garnered accolades at the BAFTAs and Cannes in 2023.

A decade earlier, though, Glazer loosely adapted Under the Skin from Michel Faber’s novel of the same title. Johansson plays an unnamed extraterrestrial in human form who targets vulnerable, isolated men.

Remarkably, numerous sequences showing Johansson’s character travelling across Scotland and approaching men were genuine encounters filmed with concealed cameras, reports the Express.

While the novel explicitly reveals her ultimate purpose (specifically, to murder and process the men as food) without mystery, the film adopts a considerably more cryptic stance.

Explaining its position at number 169 on the list, the BFI stated: “The icily brilliant Scarlett Johansson stars as an alien predator scouring Scotland’s streets for human prey, in Jonathan Glazer’s astonishing amalgam of fantasy and reality.

“Mixing mind-bending visuals and hallucinatory sound design with an unexpected naturalism, Glazer returned to the screens after a nine-year absence in audacious style, utilising guerrilla filmmaking tactics to capture Glasgow and its unsuspecting inhabitants with intimate realism.”

The film holds a favourable 83% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, though its deliberately ambiguous narrative divided opinion, as the website’s critical consensus readily acknowledges.

“Its message may prove elusive for some, but with absorbing imagery and a mesmerising performance from Scarlett Johansson, Under the Skin is a haunting viewing experience.”

Advertisement

At the film’s Venice Film Festival premiere, the Guardian described it as a “genuine Marmite moment”, noting: “Some saw it as a masterpiece, others as a bore. The film’s closing credits played out to an accompaniment of booing.”

Despite performing poorly at the box office, the picture still earned BAFTA nominations for Outstanding British Film and Best Original Music.

A glowing review from the Chicago Sun-Times said: “This is what we talk about when we talk about film as art.”

Film lovers continue to argue over whether the picture genuinely warrants recognition as one of the finest.

“I just watched Under the Skin and I can’t decide whether it is a masterpiece or a terrible movie,” asked one viewer on Reddit in 2025, more than ten years following the film’s debut. “What is your opinion?”

One replied: “It’s one of the best movies of the previous decade.” Another concurred: “Masterpiece absolutely. Couldn’t stop thinking about that movie for weeks. Still think about it sometimes.”

A third summed it up: “It’s one of my favourite films, but one of my friends who I saw it with in theatres despised it.”

Under the Skin is available to stream on platforms including Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Sky Store and Google Play.

His decision to cut one food from his diet could be the secret behind his remarkable health and longevity

Legendary nature presenter Sir David Attenborough has previously said he’d love to reach his 100th birthday, which is just a few days away. The broadcasting icon credits part of his well-being and energy to a simple dietary choice that could help more people stay healthy for longer.

While not a complete vegetarian, it’s well documented that Sir David has cut out red meat consumption, a decision he suspects may be extending his life. This shift in habits isn’t new – Attenborough spoke openly about his dietary choices as far back as 2017.

He said: “I have certainly changed my diet. Not in a great sort of dramatic way. But I don’t think I’ve eaten red meat for months.” He admitted that although he continues to eat cheese and fish, he has otherwise “become much more vegetarian” than he’d ever imagined.

“There is clear science behind the benefits of adopting a more plant-based diet when it comes to overall health and longevity.” The 99-year-old has reduced his consumption of red meat, which includes things like beef, lamb, mutton, pork, veal, venison and goat.

The TV icon will mark his 100th birthday on Friday, May 8, having been born in 1926. As this remarkable milestone approaches, he has admitted during one of his most recent programmes, Ocean, that he is ‘approaching the end of his life.’

The NHS warns that eating too much processed and red meat can raise the likelihood of developing bowel (colorectal) cancer. A number of products in these categories contain high levels of saturated fat, which may cause blood cholesterol to rise when eaten in large quantities.

Elevated cholesterol heightens the risk of coronary heart disease, reports Surrey Live. Anyone considering cutting certain foods from their diet should make sure they’re still getting essential nutrients and consult their doctor beforehand.

Failing to maintain a nutritious, balanced diet may lead to health complications. Experts at Harvard Health suggest that people who want to cut down on red meat should find suitable alternatives to maintain sufficient protein intake.

Daniel Pendick, former executive editor of Harvard Men’s Health Watch, claims that replacing just one daily portion of red meat with other options might reduce mortality risk by 7% to 19%. People could swap red meat for other protein sources such as fish, chicken, turkey, nuts, beans, low-fat dairy products and whole grains.

Despite maintaining a healthy diet and staying mentally sharp, Sir David Attenborough revealed his private worries about growing older during a 2021 interview with Anderson Cooper. He shared his anxiety about mental decline and the fear of becoming “helpless” through conditions such as Alzheimer’s.

He also told the Telegraph about his worries regarding getting older and “coming to terms” with possible memory loss. But, Sir David remains a prominent figure, lending his voice to BBC wildlife documentaries with projects airing as recently as January 2026.

What are the benefits of cutting out red meat?

Red meat is widely associated with elevated levels of saturated fat, which can raise LDL ‘bad’ cholesterol and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, according to Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials. Research further suggests that reducing or eliminating red meat may lower the risk of heart disease and related deaths.

Certain studies have linked excessive red meat consumption to a heightened risk of colorectal cancer, according to the Scottish Cancer Foundation. Cutting back on red meat may also reduce the risk of other cancers.

Evidence additionally suggests that a high red meat intake is associated with an increased chance of developing type 2 diabetes. Diets that restrict or exclude meat tend to be lower in calories and fat, supporting weight loss and helping maintain a healthy weight.

A meat-free diet is typically rich in fibre from vegetables, fruits, and wholegrains, which promotes a healthy gut microbiome and can boost metabolism and general wellbeing. It is essential to consult your GP before making any decision to reduce your red meat intake.

Who is David Attenborough?

Sir David Attenborough has mesmerised millions by bringing the natural world into our living rooms and classrooms. Throughout the decades, his extraordinary career has been driven by an insatiable passion for discovery, exploration, creativity, and enlightenment.

The celebrated writer, broadcaster, and naturalist studied at Clare College, Cambridge. Following a period with an educational publishing firm, he began his broadcasting journey as a BBC trainee in 1952. Serving as controller of BBC Two, he was instrumental in introducing Europe’s first colour television transmissions.

For seven decades, he has been the legendary voice of natural history programming, showcasing the splendour of the natural world through iconic series including Life on Earth, The Private Life of Plants, and The Blue Planet. More than 40 species of flora and fauna bear his name, alongside a constellation.

Dua Lipa has reportedly declined an offer to perform at the super-fight between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua later this year.

This week, it was announced that Fury and Joshua have signed a contract to fight one another at long last, although no date or location was confirmed for the all-British heavyweight clash.

Instead, it was announced that “AJ”, 36, will box relative unknown Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia on 25 July, before fighting Fury later in 2026 – likely in the UK this autumn, possibly at Wembley Stadium, and almost certainly on Netflix.

Fury, 37, also wants a warm-up bout, despite having competed just three weeks ago, when he eased past Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

And there has been another moving part, it seems, with Saudi matchmaker Turki Alalshikh expressing a keen desire for British pop star Dua Lipa to be part of the Joshua vs Fury event.

Sky Sports even reported that Alalshikh had threatened to pull the plug on the fight if the “Levitating” and “Don’t Start Now” singer would not take part – although the alleged claim certainly could have been made in jest.

In any case, the BBC has now reported that Dua Lipa, 30, was approached to feature at the event, and that the three-time Grammy winner declined.

If a replacement can be found, it will not be the first time a musical act has performed at a fight with Saudi involvement. For example, Eminem performed a set before Terence Crawford beat Israil Madrimov in 2024, and later that year, Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher did the same before Joshua was stopped by Daniel Dubois.

Enjoy 185+ fights a year on DAZN, the Global Home of Boxing

Advertisement

Never miss a fight from top promoters. Watch on your devices anywhere, anytime.

Buy Now

ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

Enjoy 185+ fights a year on DAZN, the Global Home of Boxing

Never miss a fight from top promoters. Watch on your devices anywhere, anytime.

Advertisement

Buy Now

ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

As well as the afore-mentioned songs, Dua Lipa counts “Dance The Night”, “Houdini” and “Training Season” among her most-popular tracks. She also collaborated with Elton John on the hit song “Cold Heart”, and with Calvin Harris on the hugely-successful “One Kiss”.

As The Devil Wears Prada returns to the big screen, here’s everything you need to know about author Lauren Weisberger – from her Vogue beginnings to the book that became a cultural phenomenon.

Few novels have had the kind of lasting cultural impact as The Devil Wears Prada. First published in 2003, the story of a young assistant navigating the high-pressure world of fashion quickly became a bestseller, before going on to inspire a hit film, stage adaptations and renewed interest as sequel buzz grows.

Its sharp take on ambition, power and toxic workplaces has kept it relevant across generations, particularly as conversations around work culture continue to evolve. At the centre of it all is Lauren Weisberger, the author whose early career experiences helped shape one of the most recognisable workplace stories of the past two decades.

READ MORE: Beauty fans snag Devil Wears Prada 2 hairbrush from Tangle Teezer for just £4READ MORE: 6 unmissable books coming out in May from Kathryn Stockett and Douglas Stuart

From Vogue assistant to bestselling author

Before becoming a novelist, Weisberger worked as an assistant at Vogue, working under editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, a role she has described as “demanding” and intensely fast-paced, with an around-the-clock workload during her time at Vogue. The position would later form the basis of The Devil Wears Prada.

After leaving the magazine, Weisberger turned to writing, drawing on her experiences to create the character of Andrea Sachs – a young woman thrown into an intense, high-stakes work environment. The book spent six months on The New York Times bestseller list and quickly resonated with readers, particularly those familiar with toxic workplace dynamics and ambition-driven career paths

A story that refuses to fade

More than 20 years on, The Devil Wears Prada continues to resonate – something Weisberger herself has reflected on in a recent essay for Vogue: “I am experiencing a kind of existential whiplash,” she wrote, noting that something she created in her twenties is “still relevant” and “somehow… trending again.”

She added that the story has “persisted… like a glamorous ghost that refuses to leave the building,” pointing to its evolution from novel to film, musical and now a renewed wave of interest.

The 2006 film adaptation, starring Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway, expanded the story’s reach globally, transforming it into a defining pop culture moment. “There is a moment… when you realise the story is no longer yours,” Weisberger wrote, reflecting on how audiences have embraced and reinterpreted her work over time.

The original novel captured the sharp, unfiltered perspective of someone in their early twenties, she notes that experience has brought a more nuanced understanding of ambition, identity and compromise – themes that remain central to the story’s appeal.

One reader posted on Reddit: “I personally think Miranda was meaner from the book.” While another added: “The movie softened a lot of the edges of the book… I liked the drama of the book more.”

Advertisement

While The Devil Wears Prada remains her most famous work, Weisberger has built a wider catalogue of novels exploring similar themes of ambition, relationships and life in New York.

Her books include Everyone Worth Knowing (2005), Chasing Harry Winston (2008) and Last Night at Chateau Marmont (2010), as well as the sequel Revenge Wears Prada (2013), which revisits Andrea Sachs years later. Across these stories, Weisberger has continued to focus on the intersection of career, identity and personal relationships – often set against high-pressure, aspirational backdrops.

As interest builds around a potential sequel, it’s clear that The Devil Wears Prada has endured for more than just its fashion setting. “We keep returning because the questions at its centre are universal,” Weisberger wrote, pointing to themes around ambition, identity and the cost of success.

More than two decades after its release, the story continues to resonate with new audiences – proving that its core ideas remain as relevant now as they were when it was first written.

Love reading? Join our community of fellow readers in the Mirror Book Club to dive deeper into the books everyone is talking about.

Which bag can I not check in?

Why aren’t smart bags generally allowed in the hold?

Oil markets have been thrown into disarray as the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping corridor, is still effectively shut

Scottish drivers are understandably worried about fuel prices as global oil markets remain unstable. The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route off the coast of Iran, are raising fears about supply and costs, and there’s no quick fix in sight.

To help people use fuel efficiently, experts at RAC have outlined steps drivers can take to ease any financial strain – as well as one thing to avoid. While slowing down, avoiding speeding or harsh braking are well-known ways to conserve fuel, it stresses that it’s far from the only option available.

Regular vehicle maintenance and servicing can play a crucial role in keeping engines running efficiently and can significantly improve fuel economy. Drivers are also being advised to minimise excess weight in their vehicles, as a lighter load can help reduce fuel consumption.

It explains: “Don’t leave your roof bars and roof box on because they create wind resistance and cause your car to use more fuel through the ‘drag’ effect. This is increased the faster you drive.

“According to the Energy Saving Trust an empty roof rack adds 16% drag when driving at 75mph. At the same speed a roof box adds 39%, making your vehicle much less fuel efficient. Driving with an open window also has a similar effect.”

Motorists can also try limiting how often they use air-con. The RAC continues: “Only use air conditioning when necessary, as it draws power from the engine and increases fuel consumption. The same applies to heating, so if fuel efficiency is a priority, try to dress appropriately for the weather even when you’re in the car.”

Finally, it stresses that it’s “particularly important to make sure your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure as indicated in your owner’s manual.” This is because “underinflated and overinflated tyres both adversely affect fuel economy.”

Your tyre pressure should match your load. If your car is full of people and luggage, inflate the tyres to the higher recommended level.

Drivers should not panic-buy fuel

This is the one thing people should avoid. Just remember not to panic buy. As reported by Manchester Evening News, Luke Bosdet, a spokesman for the AA, urged people to “stick to their usual refuelling routines. There’s no point wasting time, fuel and money queuing when drivers don’t need to.”

For more money-saving tips on fuel, visit the RAC website.

Violence broke out in a remote town in northern Australia after police arrested the main suspect in the murder of a five-year-old Indigenous girl.

Jefferson Lewis, 47, was arrested late on Thursday night local time in Alice Springs.

The young girl, referred to by her family as Kumanjayi Little Baby in line with Indigenous customs, was reported missing from her central Australian home late on Saturday.

Authorities located the body, believed to be hers, shortly before midday on Thursday, about 5km south of the original crime scene.

Local reports said a crowd attacked Mr Lewis when he appeared in a local community and beat him unconscious before police intervened.

Police said they had long suspected that Lewis received assistance from people in the community before he appeared at a town camp.

“For him to be able to appear in Alice Springs last night just confirms to us that he was getting support from somebody,” police commissioner Martin Dole of the Northern Territory said.

“My message to those people is, look out because we’re coming for you as well.”

When officers took him to a local hospital, hundreds of “angry” residents gathered, shouting for him to be killed and demanding “payback”, according to the ABC.

The situation escalated into rioting as people threw rocks and bottles, set vehicles on fire, and damaged property. Police responded with rubber bullets and tear gas to control the crowd.

Several officers were injured in the violence.

The unrest continued into the next day, leaving streets littered with debris and signs of looting nearby. Authorities later transferred Mr Lewis to Darwin for his safety and to prevent further violence.

“As a result of presenting himself, members of that town camp decided to inflict vigilante justice upon Jefferson, and we received numerous phone calls saying he was in the process of being assaulted,” Mr Dole said on Friday.

The violence followed days of search for the girl, who had gone missing from a remote Aboriginal town camp near Alice Springs.

Hours after the girl’s death was confirmed, Mr Lewis was reportedly seen wandering near the Charles Creek town camp in central Alice Springs.

“Members of that town camp decided to inflict vigilante justice upon Jefferson and we received numerous phone calls saying he was in the process of being assaulted,” Mr Dole said.

“Our police officers were attacked at that time, as were the St John Ambulance crew that attended to assist. They were turned on by about 200 people, but they were able to get out of there and get Mr Lewis to hospital.”

Videos from outside the Alice Springs Hospital showed protesters demanding “payback”, meaning a form of traditional punishment under Aboriginal law in Central Australia.

Reports said anger within the community remained high. “The feeling is that the police are protecting this guy. They are shooting us with rubber bullets,” Harley Myers, an Arrernte man from Alice Springs, said.

“It’s like the system is not sticking up for us and letting us get our own traditional payback.”

“We’re united because it hurts all of us,” he added, “because she was only five years old and it could happen to any of our kids. I don’t want that to happen to any of our kids at all.”

Indigenous leaders, however, urged calm. “Bringing the word ‘payback’ into this scenario just fuels violence,” Michael Liddle, an Alyawarre man and Alice Springs local, told the BBC.

“There’s a system set up here, where there is a person in custody, and the Western rules will deal with that person.”

The girl’s grandfather also called for calm on Friday. “What has happened this week is not our way,” Robin Granites, a senior Yapa elder, said in a statement.

“Our children are precious, of course, we are feeling angry and hurt at what has happened. This man has been caught, thanks to community action, and we must now let justice take its course while we take the time to mourn Kumanjayi Little Baby and support our family.”

On Thursday, the girl’s mother, who was not named, said: “It is going to be so hard to live the rest of our lives without you. Me and your brother will meet you one day.”

Mr Dole said charges against Mr Lewis were likely to be filed in the coming days.

It’s often assumed that expanding access to education is progressive – that it’s a means of ensuring social, economic and political development. However, this is not always the case.

We’ve carried out research examining the relationship between education and authoritarianism with a focus on Eritrea. Eritrea has been under a single political party and leadership since its independence in May 1993. The country lacks a functioning or implemented constitution and freedom of the press.

Our research has concluded that, in countries under authoritarian rule, education is not necessarily a path to empowerment. Instead, it’s a fertile ground for the spread of authoritarianism. Governments can spread their ideas and principles through repressive and ideological state apparatus – the processes and organisations they use to maintain power. This includes education.

Authoritarian regimes such as Eritrea claim to address societal problems through social justice and cohesion. However, they consolidate power around a single or dominant regime, which restricts democratic institutions and erodes civic liberties. They also apply preferential treatment based on political loyalty. People are elevated to positions of power for allegiance rather than merit. This causes division and political polarisation in the name of protecting national security.

Expanding education

Authoritarian states use education to maintain political stability to ensure the survival of the regime. Although many authoritarian regimes expand access to education, it is often used as a means of control and a tool for manufacturing loyalty.

For example, since independence, the number of schools and student enrollment in Eritrea has increased around fourfold. However, such regimes also see education as an opportunity to impose their attitudes onto young people. They use education to keep students isolated from ideas that may differ from or be critical of the regime.

Authoritarian regimes use deception and misinformation to uphold their ideology and extend their control. In doing so, they attempt to ensure that citizens accept the legitimacy of their rulers without question.

Additionally, authoritarian regimes politicise the school curriculum. They manipulate content, such as in history and citizenship education. This is used to mislead citizens and make them supporters of the degradation of human rights.

For example, Eritrea’s school curriculum normalises the creation of a militarised citizen who upholds the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front’s legacy and revolutionary culture. Similarly, North Korea uses school education to shape students’ behaviour, attitudes and beliefs to be compatible with and supportive of the regime. This is often supported by controlling the teaching and learning process and the academic environment.

Monitoring teachers and research

Authoritarian regimes recognise that safe education spaces can help students develop critical thinking and eventually question the country’s political system. They monitor teachers and school leaders, and promote those loyal to the regime’s ideas and principles. And, rather than encouraging critical thinking, they foster students’ sense of nationalism and patriotism.

Academic research is also a target of authoritarian regimes because of its scrutiny of government policies and actions. Researchers’ academic freedom is limited, and their choice of research topics is policed.

Most of these control measures are imposed in the name of protecting national security. For example, Eritreans are not allowed to conduct critical research that challenges the existing systems, inequalities and power structures of the country.

Researchers who cross the boundaries and criticise authoritarian regimes are silenced. Some are fired from their jobs while others face prison terms.

Meanwhile, authoritarian regimes rely on loyal academics to promote the state’s narrative. Loyal academics are also used to conceal authoritarian regimes’ failures by presenting selective evidence.

Many authoritarian states, such as China, Eritrea and North Korea, also incorporate military training into education. They blend political and ideological instruction to sustain their power. They teach students discipline and promote patriotism to develop loyal and obedient citizens.

Militarisation education sometimes places teachers and school leaders under military control. In Eritrea, all secondary school students complete their last year under military authority. This approach leads students to drop out of school. Additionally, it causes students and teachers to leave the country.

Authoritarian regimes manifest their true nature by spreading their ideas and principles. Our research shows that the education system is one of the most important levers in the propaganda machine for authoritarian countries.