British elections come with a number of quirky traditions, from party colours to comedy candidates. Here are some of the questions you may need answered.

Why are Labour red and Conservatives blue?
Radical left-wingers adopted a red flag during the 1848 French revolution to symbolise "the blood of angry workers" and it quickly became the colour of the political left, including the Labour Party when it was founded in 1900. Originally, the Conservatives used the colours of the Union Jack – red, white and blue – but when Labour adopted red, the Tories limited themselves to blue. The formula of red for the more left-leaning party and blue for the right is seen in many countries. A rare exception is the US.

Why do we use pencils in voting booths?
Pens are not provided as there is a risk that they may run out of ink or the ink may leak. Also, explained the Electoral Commission, the ink may cause some transfer of the mark the voter has made on the ballot paper when they fold it, "potentially leading to a rejection". That said, there is nothing to stop you from bringing your own pen to mark your vote as there is no legal requirement for ballot papers to be marked with a pencil.

What happens if there's a tie?
If the top two candidates get the same number of votes, the returning officer will decide how to choose a winner. This could mean pulling a name out of a hat, drawing straws or even tossing a coin.

Who is Count Binface?
Rishi Sunak is up against a number of colourful characters in Richmond and Northallerton: a candidate from the Monster Raving Loony Party, Count Binface and a YouTube prankster. The "intergalactic space warrior" Count Binface is the "brainchild" of comedy writer and performer Jon Harvey, said The Guardian. Having stood for London mayor twice, he took on Boris Johnson in Uxbridge and South Ruislip at the 2019 general election.  

Can I take a selfie as I vote?
No, you shouldn't take selfies inside the polling station as it might put the secrecy of the ballot at risk and you could end up breaking the law. Also, sharing a photo of your ballot paper could put you in breach of the law and you could find yourself facing six months in prison if you inadvertently reveal how someone else has voted.

It seems as though everyone is singing Sabrina Carpenter's viral hit "Espresso". The "disco-inflected soft pop hit" was "deemed the song of summer nearly as soon as it was released in mid-April", said Vox.

But is that because the song is so good or, as one comedian suggested on X, because Carpenter's label was paying Spotify to "force-feed 'Espresso' down the throats of listeners"?

That's that me, Sabrina Carpenter
Some Spotify users have claimed that "Espresso" – with its distinctive but nonsensical chorus-line lyric "That's that me, espresso" – would "autoplay on the platform no matter what they were listening to".

It's the latest song to become the subject of the conspiracy theory that Spotify has "arrangements with record labels to boost streams for particular songs and artists", harking back to the radio payola scandals of old, said Vox.

Spotify has recently changed its autoplay feature so tracks are chosen based on "recommendations", as opposed to "what the user had been listening to", said NME. But the"sheer prevalence" of "Espresso" seems to "disregard genres and listening habits". Carpenter's label, Island Records, is part of Universal Music, which owns shares in Spotify. Tencent owns shares in Universal Music, while Spotify owns shares in Tencent. "Are you keeping up?" asked NME.

"There's no hard evidence" to suggest anything untoward, said Vox. "Yet it's almost impossible to prove that it's not happening" as deals are confidential and algorithms are "intentionally designed as black boxes".

'We're vibing to it'
There is "a lot of chatter online" about whether Carpenter and other viral artists like Chappell Roan are being "boosted by Spotify", said Ryan Broderick in Garbage Day. The "real takeaway" here is that music fans are "becoming paranoid of how powerful Spotify is", while younger listeners "don't seem to remember a time before it".

Ultimately, Spotify and artists' teams can "pump everything into a track going viral", but people still have to "choose to engage" with a song to keep it going, said NME. And "really and truly, we're all vibing to it".

These tranquil resorts will leave you feeling completely rested and refreshed.

Our Habitas San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Located among colourful wildflowers and cacti, this luxurious retreat has been thoughtfully designed using modular construction to minimise its environmental impact. The secluded location promises a chance for guests to fully reconnect with nature. Our Habitas has teamed up with Physio Logic NYC to create Re:You – a new intensive wellness retreat, taking place from 17-20 October. An array of daily sessions is available including breathwork, meditation, Pilates, HIIT, guided hikes and paddleboarding.

The Datai Langkawi, Langkawi Island, Malaysia
Deep in the rainforest, The Datai Langkawi provides a restorative residence to indulge in Malaysian-style massage, treatments and experiences, while also being sustainable and caring for the environment. Nature excursions include canoeing through mangrove forests, dolphin watching, hornbill spotting, rainforest meditative walks, bathing in a natural spring and swimming in the adjacent sea. All these activities ensure peace of mind and a connection with the beautiful environment around you.

Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som, Al Ruwais, Qatar
Treatments here are a blend of Traditional Arabic & Islamic Medicine and Thai influence from the renowned Chiva-Som retreat in Hua Hin. Focusing on holistic health, staff use tools to deliver bespoke itineraries to each guest, including consultations, in-house herbal apothecary, nutrition and exercise, all within a spectacular coastal setting.

Glenross Living, Kalutara, Sri Lanka
Tucked among the trees in the Kalutara Highlands, Glenross Living is the perfect bolthole to escape the stresses of everyday life. The retreat has just 10 spacious villas and suites, many of which have their own pools overlooking the forest canopy. A range of wellness programmes has been specially tailored to target four key areas: nutrition, fitness, mindfulness and community. 

Reform candidates are sinister
Hannah Barnes in The New Statesman
"Britain may be broken," writes Hannah Barnes, but "what it absolutely does not need is Reform". Nigel Farage's "company-cum-political party" relies on "fostering fear and intolerance, sowing division", and it "longs for a country devoid of difference – whether in colour, religion, or sexual orientation". When asked why bigots keep feeling they would be welcome in his party, Farage "had no proper response". So "don't be fooled" by his "charisma and oratory".

Giorgia Meloni will enjoy taking revenge on Macron
Gavin Mortimer in The Spectator
The "odour wafting down from France" after the first round of the parliamentary election is "to the liking" of Italy's right-wing PM Giorgia Meloni, writes Gavin Mortimer. Meloni has done Marine Le Pen of the far-right National Rally "a big favour in extending her congratulations", because she is "the most effective leader in the EU". Having "waited a long time to get back at Macron" for his "arrogance and disdain", revenge has "never smelled sweeter".

Why Jill Biden won't urge the President to end his reelection bid
Kate Andersen Brower for CNN
"If anyone can convince President Joe Biden to make a graceful exit, it's his wife of 47 years," writes Kate Andersen Brower. "But for anxious Democrats hoping Jill Biden will step in, don't hold your breath." The first lady has "been his most vocal supporter in the days since the President's disastrous debate. Her main message? This too shall pass."