Theoretical physicist whose name was attached to the Higgs boson, a sign of the mechanism underlying the structure of atoms In 1964 the theoretical physicist Peter Higgs, who has died aged 94, suggested that the universe contains an all-pervading essence that can be manifested in the form of particles. This idea inspired governments to spend billions to find what became known as Higgs bosons. The so-called “Higgs mechanism” controls the rate of thermonuclear fusion that powers the sun, but for which this engine of the solar system would have expired long before evolution had time to work its m ..read more

PM claims staffing levels have increased but says it will take time for the sector to grow UK politics – latest updates Rishi Sunak has dismissed claims nurseries do not have capacity to deliver on a major expansion of free care as concerns were put to him about whether the sector could cope with the influx of children. The prime minister used a series of interviews to answer doubts over the free childcare policy, which is starting this week with the rollout of 15 hours of free childcare available for working parents of two-year-olds ..read more

My friend Paul Anderson, who has died aged 63 of a heart condition, was a teacher of children with behavioural difficulties. He also had a parallel existence as a DJ specialising in house music. In the classroom Paul showed a deep understanding of how to develop a rapport with institution-averse teenagers, and had a knack of keeping them engaged ..read more

Acclaimed British movie starring Morfydd Clark will be adapted for Live theatre in Newcastle by Jessica Andrews, with music by Gazelle Twin The British horror film Saint Maud is to be adapted for the stage in a new production at Live theatre in Newcastle upon Tyne this autumn. Rose Glass’s atmospheric debut feature, released to huge critical acclaim in 2020, starred Morfydd Clark as a troubled caregiver in Scarborough who develops a damaging obsession with her patient (Jennifer Ehle). The stage adaptation is by Jessica Andrews, whose novels include the award-winning Saltwater, and it will feat ..read more

Proposed sale of Abyssinian artefact taken during 1868 battle triggers appeal for restitution of ‘wrongfully acquired’ item The Ethiopian government has called the auction of a looted colonial-era shield “inappropriate and immoral” as it attempts to stop its sale this week and prevent it from disappearing into a private collection. The Anderson & Garland auction house, in Newcastle upon Tyne, was contacted by the Ethiopian National Heritage national restitution committee about the 19th-century Abyssinian shield, which it said should be removed from the auction set to take place on Thursday ..read more

Searches carried out at Abdul Ezedi’s Newcastle home and in London as his female victim remains ‘critical but stable’ With the hunt for Abdul Ezedi entering its fourth day, police have appealed for the public to come forward with information about the suspected chemical attacker. Investigators released two images of white plastic bottles with warnings about corrosive substances, which may be linked to the attack on a 31-year-old woman and her two daughters last week ..read more

Scotland Yard appeal for Abdul Ezedi to hand himself in after seizing empty bottles with corrosive warning labels at address in Newcastle Police have seized two empty bottles with corrosive warning labels after raids on addresses linked to the man suspected of a chemical attack on a mother and her two young daughters in London. As the manhunt continued into a third day, Scotland Yard appealed for Abdul Ezedi to hand himself in. He is believed to have driven from his home in Newcastle to London early on Wednesday morning carrying the chemicals he would use hours later ..read more

James Atkinson, 23, had been unaware the takeaway pizza he had ordered contained peanuts, coroner ruled The parents of a 23-year-old man who died after eating a takeaway chicken tikka masala pizza have called for a meeting with the bosses of the UK’s big three delivery apps to discuss how things can be improved for food allergy sufferers. James Atkinson, who had a known peanut allergy, died in July 2020 after eating less than a slice of the pizza ordered from a restaurant in Newcastle via the Deliveroo app. Unknown to him, the ingredients included a powder that was 99% peanuts ..read more

The archaeologist Penelope Rogers, who has died aged 73, started out as a volunteer on digs at Hadrian’s Wall and beneath York Minster in the 1970s. She soon developed a special interest and expertise in textiles. Despite experiencing some resistance from the archaeological community – she was a woman with no formal qualifications – in 1980 she set up a business, Textile Research, that grew to incorporate a list of 250 clients worldwide, providing analysis for museums and archaeologists of artefacts involving textiles, clothing, animal pelts and dyes. Her Anglo Saxon Lab, established in 2001 t ..read more

Former chief whip criticises ‘flawed’ investigation in furious letter and will not stand as MP at next election UK politics live – latest updates Nick Brown, a veteran Labour MP and former chief whip, has announced he has resigned from the party over a long-running internal disciplinary process involving him that Brown said had become “a complete farce”. In a lengthy and furious letter, Brown said he would not stand again at the next election, in part because he is now 73 and has been in parliament for 40 years ..read more