10 h. ago 'Nothing will ripen an avocado' better than expert's simple hack

Avocados are a popular breakfast staple, but they can be hard to pick in the supermarket. An expert has shared the best method to help ripen the fruit at home using a simple storage technique

Science

12 h. ago RAC urges all drivers to use 1 button to thaw frozen car windows

With temperatures continuing to plummet, many of us will be waking up to frozen cars in the morning, but there is a simple method to defrost them in no time, according to the RAC

Transport

12 h. ago I compared most expensive supermarket ready meals to the cheapest

I compared premium Charlie Bigham's ready meals, costing up to £9.95, against budget Sainsbury's own brand versions from £3.50 - and one tasted homemade.

Politics

13 h. ago Best baked beans in the UK crowned beating Heinz and Branston

A Which? taste test of 12 different baked beans found that 40p tins scored higher than Heinz's £1.40 tins

Politics

13 h. ago I was interviewed by AI robot for a job – the future of career

As recruitment teams swap human interactions for increasingly elaborate screening techniques, Helen Coffey tries out being quizzed by an avatar and ponders the wider implications for people trying to get a foot on the career ladder

Politics

13 h. ago Best natural sleep aids: Remedies and supplements to help you drift off

Want to fall asleep in two minutes? Abha Shah on the dreamy solutions to help — including a military-approved method

Events

14 h. ago I tried supermarket's cheapest and most expensive ready meals — one wasn't enjoyable

A taste tester compared premium Charlie Bigham's ready meals against budget Sainsbury's own-brand options to see which offered the best taste — and better value for money

Politics

14 h. ago What are heat pumps and could they help your home save energy?

Heat pumps are a cleaner alternative to gas boilers, with government grants now covering much of the upfront cost. Here’s what a heat pump is, how it works, and whether it could be right for you

Society

14 h. ago I am moving house – and being a lifelong hoarder has finally caught up with me | Zoe Williams

As I pack up for pastures new, I’m wondering why I still can’t tell the difference between a knick-knack and a messI’m trying to move house; so are more than one pair of friends. We spend a lot of time trying to get on the insurance for each others’ cars, because some can fit a sideboard, and others can’t fit a handbag. We swap recommendations for things like secondhand book exchangers, and avoid talking about fond memories of the home about to be departed, concentrating on all the brilliant things there are to be said about new pastures. The main thing we don’t talk about is that none of us know how to do anything and that all of us are hoarders.There’s a reason not to know the big stuff – how to paint a skirting board, how to mend a bannister spindle – never doing a thing without landing in a place of pure ignorance. Probably if any of us were 25, we’d be no worse at painting than any other 25-year-old. Continue reading...

Politics

15 h. ago Mum defends gentle parenting with 'heartwarming' video of method in action

A mother has shared a heartwarming video of her two children demonstrating empathy after being raised using gentle parenting

Events

16 h. ago From fiery flamenco to seafood and sherry, an escape to the Costa de la Luz offers an authentic taste of Spain

Discover rich culture and delicious cuisine in Andalucía

Politics

17 h. ago Carrick must shake off tactical rigidity to taste success with Manchester United | Louise Taylor

Former England midfielder needs to avoid the same pitfalls as Ruben Amorim, but he showed a dogmatic streak at BoroIn many ways Michael Carrick is the antithesis of Ruben Amorim but Manchester United’s soon-to-be-appointed interim head coach does have something significant in common with his Portuguese predecessor.Like Amorim, Carrick has proved remarkably resistant to tactical change. So much so that at Middlesbrough the former United and England midfielder’s determination not to compromise a philosophy constructed around a patient, possession-heavy passing game arguably cost him his job. Continue reading...

Politics

18 h. ago New sound therapy found to flush out toxic Alzheimer’s proteins from brain

Method may lead to sustained long-term protection against Alzheimer’s symptoms, researchers say

Events

19 h. ago I've made £667 using Martin Lewis trick and it was unbelievably easy

The savings challenge endorsed by Martin Lewis helped me save £667.95 in one year with barely any effort - here's how this simple method works

Economics

25 h. ago Dry January doesn’t have to be dull – five ways to mix up booze

DRY January doesn’t have to mean a drought on tasty drinks.  If you’re skipping the pub, there are lots of budget-friendly, booze-free alternatives that pack all the flavour without the hangover.  Here are some ideas . . .   SWEET HIT: Raid your fruit bowl to make sweet syrups that can be turned into budget fizzy cocktails.   If you like citrus flavours, try mixing...

Politics

26 h. ago Labour MP ‘baffled’ government still uses X after minister calls Grok’s sexualised images ‘weapons of abuse’

Charlotte Nichols calls on technology secretary to set out ‘red line’ social media firms must cross before government switches to alternative platforms

Politics

28 h. ago More than 100,000 El Paso residents left with little to no water after main break

Officials in Texas city issued boil water notice and set up water distribution centers after main line break on SaturdayMore than 100,000 residents in the Texas border city of El Paso were left with little to no water after a main break over the weekend, and it was expected to take till midweek for operations to return to normal, officials said.The break in the 36-inch water main line happened late Saturday night in El Paso, which has a population of about 700,000, officials said. Gilbert Trejo, an official with El Paso Water, called it “an event of unprecedented proportion”. He said the break was made even more impactful because of “the way the pipeline itself was designed along with how different connections of smaller lines were made to it”. Continue reading...

Politics

31 h. ago Popular milk alternative may be more harmful than helpful, experts say

The milk alternative contains a significant amount of carbohydrates, resulting in blood sugar spikes

Politics

33 h. ago The healthy swap you’re making to your morning coffee is more harmful than helpful, experts say

The milk alternative contains a significant amount of carbohydrates, resulting in blood sugar spikes

Science

33 h. ago Spaghetti bolognese tastes better than ever with 1 'controversial' ingredient

Spaghetti bolognese is a classic dish that many of us enjoy as a mid-week meal, but there's one 'controversial' thing you could add to take the dish to the next level

Events