4 h. ago Best air conditioning units to keep your home cool this summer

For when your fan just won’t cut it

Society

3 d. ago Dangerous heat is a real threat for the 2026 World Cup. Are teams ready?

Experts warn that cooling breaks and later kickoff times may be needed to cope with scorching temperatures when North America hosts the tournamentOver the course of a playing career that wound through Spain, Mexico and the sunbaked fields of Major League Soccer’s summers, American midfielder Tab Ramos was never hotter than at the 1994 World Cup in the United States.The day before the United States men’s national team opened its tournament against Switzerland in the Pontiac Silverdome, it had been 99F (37C) in Michigan. By the 11.30am kickoff on matchday, the temperature reached 90F (32C) again. Worse still, the Silverdome was an NFL stadium designed for winter – to keep heat in, rather than out. The first World Cup match played indoors was conducted in a dome without air conditioning. On the field, the temperature reached 106F (41C). The grass laid over the artificial turf had been watered so eagerly that, with the sun beating down on the stadium’s fabric roof, the air turned soupy ...

Events

3 d. ago Raducanu loses on emotional return to court after incident with ‘fixated’ fan

Briton goes down 6-3, 6-2 to Moyuka Uchijima Indian Wells defeat follows difficult few weeksAfter an extremely difficult month in which she was pursued across tennis tournaments in Asia by an obsessive spectator, Emma Raducanu struggled to find her range and rhythm on her return to competition and was comprehensively defeated 6-3, 6-2 by Moyuka Uchijima of Japan in the first round of the Indian Wells Open on Thursday.Over the past few years, the organisers at Indian Wells have marketed the tournament as Tennis Paradise, a reference to the handsome mountainous landscape that surrounds the court and its warm, sunny weather. In reality, though, the conditions are often some of the most hellish on tour. Along with the slow conditions because of the dry, dusty desert air, gusty wind can make it incredibly challenging for all players. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Pope's 'critical condition' creates air of fear in Rome amid ominous health update

Pope Francis was admitted to hospital with pneumonia and bronchitis and remains in a critical condition having gone on to develop a problem with his kidneys

Society

2 w. ago Weather tracker: temperatures hit record highs across South America

Rio de Janeiro reached 44C, its highest temperature for more than a decade, last MondayWhile North America grappled with widespread cold and wintry conditions last week, South America – now in its final month of summer – faced the opposite extreme, with record high temperatures recorded across the continent. In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil’s second largest city, temperatures at its Guaratiba weather station soared to 44C last Monday, 14C above the February norm and the highest temperature recorded in the city for more than a decade. In addition to the high temperatures, Rio has also experienced what is expected to be one of its driest Februarys on record, with little rain so far this month and minimal precipitation expected in the next week. Authorities activated a level 4 heat protocol early last week as a result of the extreme heat, prompting the setup of hydration stations at outdoor events and public spaces, as well as the designation of air-conditioned buildings as “cooling points”.A...

Events

2 w. ago Emmerdale spoilers for next week: Joe's condition worsens and limo crash victims 'revealed'

Emmerdale will air some huge scenes next week as Joe Tate's condition worsens and the victims of the limo crash are finally revealed in full in heartbreaking scenes

Events