Cambridge generates billions for the UK economy – but its success is putting housing, transport and even water supplies under pressure. The government's solution? A Development Corporation with sweeping planning powers. But who will hold it accountable? Stephen McNair reports.

Is this how to manage the growth of Cambridge?

The new Development Corporation is offering “infrastructure first” as a strategic approach to the development of the Cambridge area

eastangliabylines.co.uk

- We believe in second chances! - So you think refugees deserve a second chance at making a life? - Not like that - Young people who’ve made mistakes shouldn’t be punished? - Nope - Benefits to help people get back on their feet? - Ha! - So who do you believe in second chances for? - Nazis!

🚀New reference genome: the European hamster! 🐹An endangered species of the Eurasian steppe As part of @ergabiodiv.bsky.social & @biogeneurope.bsky.social, we extracted DNA, prepared libraries, performed sequencing & genome assembly open-research-europe.ec.europa.eu/articles/6-196 #Biodiversity

Wikipedia remains one of the most useful things online. No subscription fees, no ads, no stupid pursuit of AI, all curated by relentless nerds. Maybe remember to throw them a few bucks every now and again.

Time for Andy Burnham to smile on UK science ft.trib.al/YaGOWfr | opinion

Time for Andy Burnham to smile on UK science

Waning support for basic research threatens Britain’s technology ambitions

ft.trib.al

Bordeaux, France, has now recorded more days above 40°C in 2026 alone than during the entire 105-year period from 1920 (when observations began) to 2025. This is deeply shocking.

A World Cup with no participants – it could be Gianni Infantino’s boldest move yet | Marina Hyde

A World Cup with no participants – it could be Gianni Infantino’s boldest move yet | Marina Hyde

You’ve got to admire the Fifa president’s chutzpah in trying to flog off football’s greatest prize. If only Uefa wasn’t being so pesky about it all, says Marina Hyde

theguardian.com

I love capturing those moments where London Underground trains line up perfectly with station posters. With a little patience and a bit of luck, you can end up with some wonderfully amusing and unexpected shots.

FIFA FAFO

Join us on August 6th for the YouTube Premiere of Changes – The Story of Sugar. Recorded during the band's long-awaited return at Webster Hall, New York this May, this brand-new short documentary tells the story behind an unforgettable comeback. Set your reminder here: youtu.be/Vl_vt9HTW4I

A cat won't fix all of your problems...but they will ignore all of them with you.

The view from outside

Quinn Slobodian@quinnslobodian.com · 6d ago

The UK is torching one of the few sectors in which they still have a global edge, horrifying to watch.

Powerful consumer Voodoo Full info & claiming help www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/sect...

One of those new huge buildings is one that GSK will be moving into, leaving a big void in Stevenage cambridgetownowl.com/2026/07/28/h...

How is the Cambridge sci-tech community going to help Stevenage following GSK’s relocation to the CBC?

You may have seen the news that one of Stevenage’s largest employers of skilled workers is moving from its historic site south of the railway station on the GNER line to Cambridge Biomedical …

cambridgetownowl.com

Available at the Central Library in Cambridge. (If you have any Qs on local history of Cambridge (town) & Cambs, ask Mary & the Cambs Collection staff. They know more than I do! www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/li...

Mary Burgess@cambliblife.bsky.social · last wk.

Stock team have sent me some presents - here's the latest new books for the Cambridgeshire Collection

No, European heatwaves are not CAUSED by a fall in air pollution. The word CAUSED is doing an awful lot of heavy lifting here! Let's look at what the study being 'reported' on was actually researching and what it found🤓 1/22 🧵

More in #Pharma news… GSK to move global headquarters to Cambridge www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Pharma giant GSK quits Stevenage for Cambridge

GSK says the relocation will put 1,000 staff at the "heart of the UK's life sciences Golden Triangle".

bbc.co.uk

From the deserts of Sudan to the gardens of Japan. From Milan to Yucatan, or the wilds of Borneo to the vineyards of Bordeaux. Hit me with your library card. Hit me. Hit me.

Only saw a fox at the top of our stairs this morning. In central Cambridge. It didn't give a shit. I'm quite impressed...

The Technics SU VX700 - The oldksool Djs amp, classic bedroom DJ amp 👊

It's funny how no-one ever asks where the money is coming from when you announce a cut in immigration.

🚨 Abstract submission deadline closes this Friday 📝🏃🏼🚨

Jonathan Coxhead@4130chromo.bsky.social · 3w ago

Are you going to Genome Science UK 2026 in Manchester 14th-16th September? We know life can get extra busy 😧 before the summer holidays 🏖️ so we've extended abstract submission deadline to 24th July & early bird registration deadline to 10th August 😁 Check out the agenda 🧬🧬 www.genomescience.org.uk

She's been onto Nigel Farage and "Posh George" for years - until she was sued. @carolecadwalla.bsky.social's brilliant long-read here, on her decades of following the story everyone's writing about now. She's a HERO: www.thenerve.news/p/nigel-fara...

Transcription and Chromatin UK is back! Join us in York 18–20 November for three days of exciting science and networking. We look forward to seeing you there. www.eventsforce.net/biochemsoc/f...

Liz, a teacher friend of mine, points out that Damon is Nomad spelled backwards. 🤣

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) put out a little infographic for International Moon Day. It compares the diameter of Australia to the diameter of the Moon. This always throws me because in my mind, the Moon is actually bigger!

Pre-match Bruschetta tonight. Don’t @ me, I made it up as I went along. And it was delicious!! 😋

Cambridge City Council agrees to reopen Parker’s Piece toilets and bolster street cleaning #Cambridge

Cambridge City Council agrees to reopen Parker’s Piece toilets and bolster street cleaning

Decision was part of Labour’s deal with Lib Dems.

cambridgeindependent.co.uk

Number crunching: “Reform is now the party of workers” From the new Private Eye, out now.

Breaking - Trump to overturn Farage’s resignation