23 h. ago Skunk Anansie: The Painful Truth review – a raw triumph of reinvention and resilience

(FLG)On their first LP in almost a decade, made as two members were treated for cancer, the rockers shrug off their 90s heyday with an experimental mindsetAlmost 30 years after Weak gave the London band a global smash, Skunk Anansie’s “painful truth” is facing up to middle age, parenthood, the loss of a longstanding manager, fears that their best days were behind them and two members being diagnosed with cancer. Recorded with drummer Mark Richardson in recovery and bassist Cass undergoing chemotherapy, their first album in nine years confronts such issues with candour and defiance. Opener An Artist Is an Artist stridently lays down the manifesto: over an infectious collision of electro-pop and post-punk, singer Skin insists that a true creative will not be denied by ageing or menopause. The vocalist subsequently addresses challenges ranging from the hedonistic rock lifestyle to her own family history.Musically, producer David Sitek of TV on the Radio has urged them to throw off the ...

Politics

3 d. ago Lorraine Kelly beams in photo from garden as she tells fans 'on the mend' following surgery

The Scottish presenter returned to work just two weeks after having surgery performed

Culture

4 d. ago Alan Titchmarsh reveals moment he almost 'lost his cool' with a fan

He said ‘generally speaking, it's not an effort’ to interact with fans - but there was one time he nearly lost it

Politics

6 d. ago The Knicks’ transition from laughing stock to title contenders is complete

The long-suffering Knickerbockers were the butt of jokes around the league for at least two decades, but now they’re just four games from the NBA finalsOn Friday night in New York City, more than 19,000 Knicks fans poured out of Madison Square Garden and onto Seventh Avenue, celebrating their team’s improbable 4-2 series victory over the Boston Celtics. The NBA’s social media peanut gallery had previously taken issue with Knicks fans for their overly exuberant early-round victory celebrations, but after landing in the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in a quarter-century, this party was as legit as the Knicks newfound title hopes.New York had beaten their rivals by a franchise playoff-record margin of 38 points, ending Boston’s reign as NBA champs. If you watched the way they suffocated the Celtics, you know it wasn’t even that close. The way this series ended was as stunning as how it began, with consecutive historic Celtic meltdowns at TD Garden, when the home team sur...

Politics

8 d. ago Price we pay for building work finally falls – as tradespeople slash prices to compete

Price drop has seen home-owners splashing out on more ‘big-ticket’ home improvements such as new garden rooms and fancy kitchens

Economics

1 week ago Shoppers praise 'classy' illuminated parasol that's 'perfect for summer'

Stay safe in the sun with this fancy garden parasol

Politics

1 week ago Parents' council given a hand to turn unused Bargeddie land into fantastic community garden

Cara Creighton came up with the name and the P6 pupil's artwork was used for a sign

Events

1 week ago Best quiet fans for the bedroom to keep you cool and help you sleep soundly

Sweet breezes for slumbertime

Politics

1 week ago Too hot? Best smart fans to keep you cool over the summer months

Voice-activated, app-controlled breezes are on their way

Politics

1 week ago Best tower fans: Oscillating, quiet fans to keep your home cool

Beat the heat and invest in a tall, compact fan now

Politics

1 week ago Shark FlexBreeze Hybrid Fan Review: Can It Beat The Heatwave?

Abha Shah tries out the multi-use pedestal-to-table fan operates at impressively whisper levels

Politics

1 week ago Best small portable fans for hot weather: Handheld and neck fans

Join the fan club for on-the-go relief from sauna-like commutes and heatwaves

Politics

1 week ago Banish dandelions for good using gardening expert's natural hack — no chemicals

Dandelions are a common weed that can be difficult to remove, but there is a natural method you can use to get rid of them for good without resorting to harmful chemicals.

Science

1 week ago Jamie Oliver's warning to anyone just about to throw out £2.48 kitchen scrap

Jamie Oliver has urged home cooks not to throw away the Parmesan rind of a block of cheese, as it can serve a very important purpose when whipping up a hearty batch of soup

Events

2 w. ago Amazon's 'speedy' grass seed 'thrills' gardeners with 'fantastic' results in just 14 days

With fast germination, the Pronto Seed Food Super Speedy Grass Seed is expected to provide coverage in just two weeks

Politics

2 w. ago Amazon cordless strimmer that's 'fantastic for small gardens' on sale for £50

The Flash Limp 24V Cordless Strimmer has been praised for being 'lightweight and versatile'.

Economics

2 w. ago Gardeners urged not to throw away grass cuttings after mowing lawn

Households have been given a helpful tip on what to do with grass clippings once they've mowed their lawns

Politics

3 w. ago Luigi Mangione wants state murder case dropped, arguing double jeopardy in UnitedHealthcare killing

Luigi Mangione‘s lawyers are urging a judge to throw out his state murder charges in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson

Events

3 w. ago Gardening fans urged not to throw away dandelions – the weeds have little

A plant educator has gone viral on social media after urging people to not kill dandelions growing in their garden – as they actually have a use that some are unaware of

Politics

3 w. ago Banish pesky weeds from your garden using 35p kitchen staple

If you've noticed an overgrowth of weeds such as dandelions in your garden then try this one simple trick to eradicate them completely. Plus, you likely have it in your kitchen

Politics