3 h. ago Bridget Christie on brain fog, flirting, and why she won’t be taking a lover: ‘My heart is full. I am open to it, but I’m not looking for it’

She’s newly divorced and facing an empty nest, but the standup and creator of The Change insists she’s having the time of her lifeIs it a pigeon-hole, Bridget Christie asked to be photographed in, or is it a box? Either way, it’s some pretty trenchant visual messaging: whatever society wants to do with middle-aged women, Christie is done with it.It was also a chance for the 53-year-old to dress up as Kate Bush, recreating her 1978 shoot by Gered Mankowitz. And Christie loves dressing up. She did a whole show dressed as Charles II. The actor, writer and comedian is playful: she has way more than the usual number of funny facial expressions; her chat is peppered with silly, surreal ­diversions. Making people laugh is her thing, she says. “It motivates me, it helps me navigate the world, it’s like a drug.” Continue reading...

Politics

8 h. ago Universal Credit claimants could earn at least '£300' with one simple bank switch

The Help to Save savings account is only available to people on Working Tax Credit or Universal Credit - and it could make claimants hundreds of pounds better off

Economics

30 h. ago Banks to monitor impact of higher bills next month and contact people in need of financial help

Council Tax, broadband, mobile phone and energy bills are set to rise in April and some of the biggest banks will be offering extra support.

Economics

47 h. ago More than a hundred new homes coming to Oldham could 'help people get on the property ladder'

The new homes were approved unanimously by the council.

Society

50 h. ago I couldn't break the cycle of toxic men after leaving my narcissist husband

I felt as though the best years of my life were behind me. I thought I would never find love again. But at 51 years old, I am now remarried and help other people heal after abuse as a therapist.

Events

62 h. ago Prince Harry is left 'reeling' over Sentebale charity's stinging rebuke following Duke of Sussex's shock resignation

Sentebale, which was formed in memory of Harry's late mother to help Aids orphans in southern Africa, issued a statement suggesting 'people in the field' were more important than its trustees.

Politics

2 d. ago Man and two daughters survive 12 hours on aircraft wing in Alaska lake before rescue

Search plane spotted family sheltering overnight on wing of small aircraft that crashed and partly sunk into frigid lakeA pilot and his two young daughters survived on the wing of a plane for about 12 hours after it crashed and was partly submerged in an icy Alaska lake, then were rescued after being spotted by a good Samaritan.Terry Godes said he saw a Facebook post on Sunday night calling for people to help search for the missing plane, which did not have a locator beacon. On Monday morning about a dozen pilots including Godes headed out to scour the rugged terrain. Godes headed toward Tustumena Lake near the toe of a glacier and spotted what he thought was wreckage. Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago Labour MPs urge Rachel Reeves to rethink cuts to health and disability benefits

Debbie Abrahams, who chairs the Work and Pensions Committee, questioned how ‘making people sicker and poorer’ would help the economy.

Politics

3 d. ago Households only have days left to claim free £500 cost of living payment

The support - which was first launched in 2021 - gives local councils pots of cash, which they then use to provide cost of living help to people living in those areas

Economics

3 d. ago Number of council staff who can’t work due to mental health a 'cause for concern'

One councillor in RCT said that the number of staff who can't attend work due to mental health reasons is a cause for concern and mentioned the idea of having mental health first aiders to help people get support

Politics

3 d. ago Duke of Sussex quits as patron of African charity he founded in 2006

Harry founded charity Sentebale in 2006 with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho to help young people and children with HIV and Aids.

Politics

4 d. ago DWP outlines help for people losing PIP entitlement or benefits under new proposals

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to announce more details on the proposed reforms during the Spring Statement on March 26.

Politics

4 d. ago £203 energy bill help for people aged between 66 and 79 due later this year

Pension Age Winter Heating Payment will be delivered by Social Security Scotland and replace the annual Winter Fuel Payment from DWP.

Economics

4 d. ago Readers' Letters: Labour has lost right to call itself 'people's party'

Labour is letting down the people who need help most, says reader

Politics

4 d. ago A British tourist living in Australia earning a living by picking up unpopular jobs for people who 'need help'

He has earned around £700 in just two weeks

Society

4 d. ago More than 100 people in Welsh town helped criminals launder money in exchange for gifts

"There were some instances where an individual opened a bank account after contact with the fraudster and then went on to tell their friends, ‘you can earn £50 if you open up a bank account and give the details to this person’."

Events

5 d. ago Check if you automatically qualify for disabled parking Blue Badge – see full list

Blue Badges help people with disabilities or health conditions park closer to their destination – and the rules have been expanded in recent years, with the full list of requirements available

Politics

5 d. ago Christians worldwide urged to take legal action on climate crisis

Handbook outlines practical ways faith organisations can ‘speak truth to power’ to help protect planetChristians around the world are being encouraged to take legal action against polluters and those who finance them.In a new climate justice handbook, the World Council of Churches sets out practical ways faith organisations can help protect young people and future generations from the climate crisis. Continue reading...

Events

5 d. ago Pioneering project by Welsh National Opera suggests music can alleviate chronic pain

Participants in pain management programme said singing and breathing exercises eased their symptomsWales is famed as the land of song, the music of the valleys and mountains providing a source of pride, joy and a sense of belonging.But a pioneering project led by Welsh National Opera has suggested music can also help people suffering with persistent pain. Continue reading...

Culture

6 d. ago Amid fear and confusion in US immigrant communities, protest goes grassroots

Churches and non-profits are offering legal help, meals and workshops to people targeted by the Trump administrationOn Sundays, Juan Carlos Ruiz gives his sermons while wearing a white robe. Although his English- and Spanish-speaking congregants at a Brooklyn-based church may not notice it, the neck of his robe is ripped, the cloth frayed. When asked about the tear in his robe, Ruiz gives a charming smile, remembering his 2018 arrest.That year, during the first Trump administration, Ruiz was participating in a protest to prevent the deportation of a prominent New York immigration activist. As tensions flared, cops began to rough up some demonstrators. Ruiz attempted to intervene. He and 17 others were arrested by police; his white alb ripped during the struggle. Continue reading...

Events