The BBC's Allan Little suggests that Thomas Jefferson's secret relationship to his slaves still defines America.

Elaborate bra straps. Designer trunks riding above low-slung jeans. The fashion for flaunting one's underwear may have more to do with conspicuous consumption than a decline in decency, says Lisa Jardine.

Sir David King's plan to replace physicists with climate scientists is naive and misguided, writes David Wark

Excerpts from US blogs and commentators reacting to Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama's convention speech.

Dr Tom Pike, from Imperial College London, shares his experiences of being part of the Phoenix Mars probe team.

In the 21st Century, the term "flat-earther" is used to describe someone who is spectacularly - and seemingly wilfully - ignorant. But is there still anybody out there who doesn't believe the earth is a globe?

Sci-fi writers and readers are meeting to discuss fantastic tales - and how the genre is developing on screen and in print.

BPI chief executive Geoff Taylor responds to Bill Thompson's column on tactics to educate illegal file sharers

Matt Frei, presenter of BBC World News America, says the global love affair with Barack Obama may not win him votes in the US.

Existing methods of measuring the UK's population are criticised by a committee of MPs.

The BBC's James Landale considers the implications of the Conservative by-election win in Crewe for Gordon Brown.

Critics give their verdict on Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

Ben Wright watches David Cameron shows his love for trains on the by-election campaign trail.

Humans in relationships with robots could be a non-starter thinks regular columnist Bill Thompson.

A zoo in Germany has refused to help two polar bear cubs who were rejected by their mother and are now believed to have been eaten by her. So if zoos won't help to save the lives of animals, what are they for?

Does broaderband in the towns mean lesserband in the countryside?

Two cases before the US Supreme Court have important ramifications for the 310 remaining terror suspects at Guantanamo Bay prison camp - but what is known of the two "lead challengers".

The Financial Services Authority threatens strong action against dishonest mortgage brokers.

Top Northern Rock executives deny doing anything wrong in the run-up to the bank's recent near-collapse.

Top Northern Rock executives deny doing anything wrong in the run-up to the bank's recent near-collapse.