Editor's note

US president, Donald Trump, and North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, concluded their “historic” summit in Singapore yesterday, with both sides hailing the meeting – and the one-and-a-half page agreement it produced – as an outstanding success. But, as Virginie Grzelczyk notes, a reading of the agreement suggests that Kim has managed to outmanoeuvre Trump. Niki Alsford, meanwhile looks whether newfound relationships can ever lead to the reunification of the two Koreas.

In the West, we wash our stray hair down the plughole or throw it away. But in Asia it is a commodity with value, that is kept, sold globally and recycled into wigs. Why do we imbue a lock of hair of a loved one with emotions, but in other situations regard hair with disgust? Emma Tarlo tackles these questions.

Sharks are a hugely diverse bunch. You only need to look at a great white and a hammerhead to realise how contrasting they can look. Georgia French has been researching shark behaviour and has found some intriguing distinctions between some male and female sharks. And from bellybuttons to best friends, she runs through some of her favourite differences found in shark species.

Jonathan Este

Associate Editor

Top stories

EPA-EFE /Kivin Lim/Straits Times

Trump-Kim summit: North Korean leader emerges a clear winner as Donald Trump reverts to type

Virginie Grzelczyk, Aston University

Looking at the agreement, it appears that Kim Jong-un has outmanoeuvred Donald Trump.

Moon Jae-in meets Kim Jong-un on the Korean border. EPA/Korea Summit Press Pool

Trump-Kim deal: why the two Koreas will probably never become one country again

Niki J.P. Alsford, University of Central Lancashire

Alongside denuclearisation, reunification is the biggest potential game-changer on the Korean peninsula. But it remains a pipe dream.

A hairy garment, woven from human hair by Alix Bizet – putting human fibre to good use. Alix Bizet

Why the hair on our head could – and should – be so much more than merely decorative

Emma Tarlo, Goldsmiths, University of London

In Asia, human hair is sold and recycled into products, but in the West it is treated with either disgust or veneration. A new exhibition explores our bizarre attitudes to hair.

Shutterstock

Sharks can have bellybuttons – and other facts about their incredible diversity

Georgia French, University of Sussex

New research shows just how different male and female sharks can be.

Health + Medicine

Arts + Culture

Science + Technology

  • Digital addiction: how technology keeps us hooked

    Raian Ali, Bournemouth University; Emily Arden-Close, Bournemouth University; John McAlaney, Bournemouth University

    There is a reason why you can't put your phone down: digital addiction. And technology is designed to keep you hooked.

Business + Economy

  • Why every company should embrace the World Cup

    Ina Toegel, IMD Business School; Maude Lavanchy, IMD Business School

    The true bane of an organisation is a lack of engagement and job satisfaction among its employees. World Cup mania could actually help.

Politics + Society

 

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