6 h. ago The pill hasn’t been improved in years. No wonder women are giving up on it | Martha Gill

When contraception has stagnated for decades, it is hardly surprising it’s fallen victim to culture wars and a wellness cultSomething is changing when it comes to contraception. Lots of people aren’t using it. Last week we heard that this includes a third of young Irish people. Meanwhile, there has been a significant rise in abortions in England and Wales. Prescriptions for the contraceptive pill in England dropped from 432,600 in 2014 to 188,500 in 2021. And this month data from abortion clinics found that demand is being fuelled by women coming off the pill and using natural methods instead.When the study compared contraception used by women seeking abortions in 2018 and in 2023, it found that the proportion using smartphones to track their menstrual cycle had increased from 0.4% to 2.5%. The use of hormonal contraception among this group fell from 19% to 11%, while the group not using any form of contraception when they became pregnant increased from 50% to 70%. Continue reading...

Politics

17 h. ago Vegan children are 'desperately trying' to have playdates with meat

One mum from an area 'where it's become fashionable to be vegan' said it is 'insane' watching vegan children come to their house who then 'never stop eating' the forbidden foods.

Politics

21 h. ago Simple parenting hacks at this popular holiday destination save families a fortune

Tired, hot, thirsty children - sound familiar to any parents tackling theme parks in Orlando's humid heat? If so, these tips could save you a fortune and keep the little ones happy

Society

50 h. ago Champions Trophy 2025: Australia’s second tier up against it in absence of bowling big three | Geoff Lemon

Their attack has a distinctly Sheffield Shield flavour to it but the main thing in the two-times winners’ favour is the relative weakness of their groupFor a long time, a strange situation continued in Australian cricket. Through a one-day World Cup in 2023, through a T20 World Cup in 2024, through a Test summer that sat between them, and through the lead-ups and warm-ups before all of the above, the same three fast bowlers showed up almost all of the time. Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Patrick Cummins, in aeternum.Things don’t work that way. Fast bowling is a horrifically taxing art, and the mad operators who pursue it across any level of the game share a gruesome delight in cataloguing their lifetime’s injuries, discarding sneakers and peeling back socks and rolling up trouser legs to show you toes bent sideways or lurid half-moons of scars around ankles or knees. At the top level, fitness and availability are sporadic, and that’s before you come to the changes driven by each fo...

Politics

50 h. ago Musk echoes Kremlin talking points on Ukraine as he vows changes to X’s Community Notes after Trump

Threatened changes to Community Notes come as Trump administration has sought to falsely portray Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky as a ‘dictator’

Politics

59 h. ago Vet lists top five dogs for families – including breed from Scotland

Vet Amir Anwary has shared five dog breeds that tend to be brilliant choices for families or people with children – his list even includes a type of pooch bred in Scotland

Politics

4 d. ago Chessum back in only England change for Six Nations clash with Scotland

Player in at second row with Martin dropped to benchRecall to team comes after impressing against FranceOllie Chessum will make his first England start for 11 months on Saturday with Steve Borthwick making a solitary change to his side to face Scotland. Chessum comes in at second row with George Martin, who has been nursing an injury problem, dropping to the bench.Otherwise, Borthwick has stuck with the same side that beat France with Fin Smith continuing at fly-half and Marcus Smith sticking at fullback. Borthwick has stuck with the same back row, meaning a second start for Tom Willis at No 8, as England seek a first win over Scotland since 2020. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago The major car park rule change that will affect all UK drivers from this week

The change comes following criticism that private car parking companies are using misleading and confusing signs, aggressive debt collection and unreasonable fees.

Transport

4 d. ago Fears as new rule change for anyone visiting Wales to come into force

A number of people think it will deter visitors to Wales

Politics

5 d. ago Martin Lewis MSE warning to electric car drivers facing £195 bill in April 2025

Major road tax changes will come into effect on April 1 and it's bad news for Brits driving around in an an electric car (EV)

Events

5 d. ago Prince George stuns royal fans with adorable portrait of mum Kate Middleton

The Princess of Wales has shared portraits drawn by her three children in a bid to encourage families to get creative together - and fans are in awe of how talented they are

Politics

5 d. ago Amazon shoppers rave about waterproof changing robe that's 'just as good as a Dryrobe'

The Dryrobe waterproof changing robe has gained a following in recent years, but it comes with a hefty price tag of £165 - however, Amazon shoppers say they have found an alternative which is just as good for a fraction of the price

Politics

5 d. ago Change is coming for families with more than two children, but not soon enough

No child in Scotland should grow up in poverty. No family in Scotland should be left with incomes so low that they cannot afford the essentials. Yet for record numbers of people in every part of our nation, this is a reality. And that’s especially true for children growing up with two or more siblings.

Society

5 d. ago Young, old, refugees and returnees: thousands fleeing violence cross border into South Sudan

Makeshift hospitals and informal settlements deal with daily influx of those escaping the war in neighbouring SudanPhotographs by Diego Menjíbar ReynésAt the Joda border crossing between Sudan and South Sudan, movement is constant. Just 100 metres separate the two border checkpoints – on the Sudanese side, three raised flags welcome newcomers; on the South Sudanese side, a sign in Arabic and English marks the entrance to the country.Women arrive carrying their children, with their belongings balanced on their heads. Some families bring bed frames, nightstands, food, chairs and suitcases, loading them on to carts pulled by donkeys and crossing into South Sudan to escape war in Sudan.The entry point for refugees from Sudan to South Sudan; in the background is the border. In December, more than 5,000 people crossed this point each day Continue reading...

Events