UK Edition - Today's top story: How Iran draws citizens into political surveillance September 14, 2026 UK Edition   There’s a long history of authoritarian countries using ordinary citizens for political surveillance. Iran is no different. The authorities there rely on a deep network of civilian informants to monitor the public, identify political critics and enforce strict social laws. But how does this system work? Arash Beidollahkhani of the University of Manchester has interviewed Iranians to find out. While many are coerced into informing for the state, others see it as a duty they owe their country. However, as he explains, the cost of Iran’s informant culture is borne by all – whether being reported on or compelled to report. Elsewhere, we look at why Jaguar Land Rover has decided to cut thousands of jobs. And if you are one of the many students arriving for freshers’ this week, you’ll be happy to hear it’s a lot easier to make friends than you might think.   Sam Phelps Commissioning Editor, International Affairs   Pedestrians walk down a crowded street in Tehran, Iran. Abram_Visuals / Shutterstock How Iran draws citizens into political surveillance Arash Beidollahkhani, University of Manchester Informant culture is so embedded in everyday Iranian life that there are common Persian terms to describe it. Richard OD/Shutterstock Job cuts at Jaguar Land Rover show how a sensible corporate strategy is not always enough Lakshminarasimhan Vedanthachari, Royal Holloway, University of London The car business is a tough place to be. My Agency/Shutterstock Why making friends at university feels harder than it really is Robert Dempsey, Manchester Metropolitan University We overestimate how much other people notice our own behaviour and any social missteps. World There is a long history of bribery in US politics – is Donald Trump continuing it? Andrew Gawthorpe, Leiden University The US president has pledged to pay all American adults US$5,000 if the Republican Party wins the midterm elections in November. Politics + Society A Swedish ghost story Katarzyna Herd, Lund University Swedes take pride in being modern – and secular. But interest in the paranormal is high. Why did MPs vote to reject the assisted dying bill – and what happens now? Daniel Gover, Queen Mary University of London It’s the end of the road for this particular bill. Arts + Culture Why do people get married these days? Devorah Baum, University of Southampton Most young people aren’t religious – but marriage is still a place where secular culture has quietly absorbed many of the values we associate with religion. A brief history of the hangover and its cures – from cabbages to cloves and the lungs of a goat Joan Fitzpatrick, Loughborough University Humans have spent thousands of years searching for a hangover cure – yet the ultimate price of heavy drinking remains unchanged. Business + Economy Travel bots are making decisions for us – convenient, but should we trust them? Faizan Ali, University of Galway; Laiba Ali, University of Sunderland At what point should we step in when AI is making travel bookings for us? Environment Nepal floods: how measuring snow in the Himalayas could help avoid future disasters Siddharth Gumber, University of Cambridge; British Antarctic Survey Around half of the glacier ice in the Himalayas (equivalent to about two billion Olympic swimming pools) could melt by the end of this century. Floods and droughts are both signs of water insecurity – they show up in these four places Hannah Cloke, University of Reading We have built the system to shed much of the surplus rather than keep it. We allow a wet winter to rush away, then ration what remains through a dry summer. Health A day in the life: a look at the Danish way versus the British way Emma Norris, Brunel University of London; Kristina Pfeffer, University of Southern Denmark A typical weekday in Denmark and the UK looks similar on the surface, but hour by hour, the differences tell an interesting story. Pharmacogenomics: how your genes could help doctors choose the right medicine and dose Rebecca Moore, University of East Anglia Your genes can affect how some medicines work. A reusable result could help doctors prescribe more safely, alongside other clinical evidence. A common stomach infection may be linked to bowel cancer – here’s what we know Justin Stebbing, Anglia Ruskin University It’s thought around half of the world’s population are infected with H pylori. Your brain may be doing its most important work when you think you’re doing nothing Michael Craig, Northumbria University, Newcastle Filling every spare moment with a podcast, message or social-media scroll may deny the brain a useful window for consolidating new memories. Why ‘slow jogging’ is the perfect fitness trend for people who want to get into exercise Stephen Garland, Malmö University Plus, ‘slow jogging’ may benefit avid runners, too. Science + Technology Chihuahua dogs are part coyote – this might help explain their ‘small but mighty’ reputation Jacqueline Boyd, Nottingham Trent University The finding highlights the amazing diversity present across dog breeds. Could AI really kill off humanity within the decade? Expert Q&A Kate Devlin, King's College London It’s not the first time AI researchers and companies have issued such warnings. More newsletters from The Conversation for you: World Affairs Briefing • Imagine climate action • Global Economy & Business • Europe newsletter • Something Good • Politics Weekly • Education Focus About The Conversation We're a nonprofit news organisation dedicated to helping academic experts share ideas with the public. We can give away our articles thanks to the help of universities and readers like you. Donate now to support research-based journalism   Featured events View all The Women's Library at 100: celebrating a century of collections 2 March - 30 September 2026 • The new supply-side era: the O-ring meets geopolitics 14 September 2026 • What happened to liberal democracy? 15 September 2026 • British Science Festival 16 - 20 September 2026 • Southampton Promote your event   Contact us here to have your event listed. 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