Back in 1998 the Royal Agricultural Society of England asked me to write an article for a little booklet designed to feed the debate on genetically engineered crops. My chapter -- Nothing new under the sun -- duly appeared. I’ve often had cause to think about it, and to reflect that I rather like i...

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WHATEVER anyone else might say, America’s new nuclear and trade pact with India is a win-win deal. India gets nuclear fuel for its energy needs and America, doing far better in what might be called a stealth victory, finally gets mangoes.

Madhur Jaffrey sees the silver lining in The Fruits of...

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Two weeks ago, news of a weird search for “free animal privets”. Today, someone is on the hunt for “sow girls privets” where I am proud to stand at No. 2.¹

Maybe its a Thursday thing?

I’m left wondering, of course, what this possibly dyslexic seeker is truly seeking. Infundibulation?

Later...

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I don’t get an awful lot of time to read books these days. Sad but true. I need something with short chapters or -- better still -- short stories so I can make the most of them before I fall asleep. It is awful picking up a book the next night, opening it right to where you left the bookmark, and re...

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Er, would you mind signing this bit of paper here please? I’d hate anyone to think I was taking advantage of you.

The aim of the campaign is really to stop young men taking advantage of drunken women and having sex with them Danny Shaw BBC News

That Shaw boy surely has a way with words. Wh...

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