4 h. ago Hosepipe ban declared in part of the UK after heatwave and it could last until Christmas

The drastic move, which will affect more than five million people in Yorkshire, comes after the region had its driest spring in 132 years, not helped by the 32C heatwave which hit recently

Politics

4 h. ago How to save water in the garden amid heatwaves and hosepipe ban

Expert offers top tips on how to cultivate a water-efficient garden

Politics

4 h. ago Will there be a hosepipe ban in London? Thames Water warns of growing risk

Some parts of the UK are preparing for a ban already, but will this include London?

Events

4 h. ago First UK area declares hosepipe ban from Friday as heatwave approaches

Anyone who breaks the ban could face fines of up to £1,000

Politics

4 h. ago What is a hosepipe ban and what does it stop you from doing?

The first hosepipe ban of 2025has been announced in the UK, in the wake of the country’s driest spring for more than 100 years.

Politics

7 h. ago Yorkshire households first to face hosepipe ban as hot dry summer bites

England has had the hottest spring and the driest for more than a century, with northern areas drought-stricken.

Politics

8 h. ago Households in English area first to face hosepipe ban as hot dry summer bites

Region has experienced both the driest and warmest spring on record this year, receiving less than half of expected rain

Politics

10 h. ago First UK hosepipe ban of 2025 will come into force this weekend

The region experienced its driest and warmest spring on record with only 15cm of rainfall

Politics

11 h. ago Hosepipe ban announced for parts of UK as drought takes hold

Ban will come into effect on Friday, Yorkshire Water said, after region entered drought status last month

Politics

12 h. ago UK's first hosepipe ban of summer coming into force on Friday

The restrictions include using a hosepipe to water gardens and wash private vehicles, fill domestic pools or clean outdoor surfaces

Politics

4 d. ago California blaze spreads in hot, windy conditions in year’s largest wildfire

The Madre fire, one of at least a dozen in the state, has burned more than 35,000 acres in San Luis Obispo countyA fast-growing wildfire in central California has become the largest in the state this year, surpassing the size of January’s wildfires that devastated parts of Los Angeles.The Madre fire had exploded to more than 35,000 acres (14,000 hectares) by Thursday morning, after breaking out in San Luis Obispo county on Wednesday afternoon and tearing through grasslands as dry, hot weather raised the fire risk for large portions of the state before the Fourth of July holiday. Continue reading...

Events

4 d. ago Largest wildfire blaze in California continues to explode in size

A wildfire in a wilderness area of central California exploded in size as dry, hot weather raised the fire risk for large portions of the state ahead of the July Fourth holiday

Events

5 d. ago California's largest blaze explodes in size as dry, hot weather raises wildfire risk statewide

A wildfire in a wilderness area of central California exploded in size as dry, hot weather raised the fire risk for large portions of the state ahead of the July Fourth holiday

Events

6 d. ago Costa Coffee: New items confirmed on summer menu including cheese bites and tiramisu cookie

The cookie joins Costa’s tiramisu coffee range ☕

Economics

8 d. ago Turkey holidays update for Brits as devastating wildfires destroy resorts

A heatwave across Turkey and parts of Europe have seen forest fires fanned by high winds and hot, dry weather damaged some holiday homes, with much of Europe also bracing for very hot weather, with temperatures expected to soar to 40C

Events

1 week ago Avoid Scottish midge bites this summer with these 10 hiking and camping tips

From wearing bright clothes to avoiding still water, here's how you can dodge the pesky creatures.

Politics

2 w. ago Add one ingredient to water to stop plants wilting during heatwave

A hosepipe ban could be on the way - so gardeners are being urged to be strategic with the way they water plants, especially those in pots or containers on the patio

Events

2 w. ago The US is woefully underprepared for wildfire season, say insiders: ‘The stakes are life and death’

‘Efficiency’ cuts across offices have left teams understaffed, firefighters underpaid and uninsured, and without adequate equipmentSummer temperatures are rising and the US is bracing for another hot, dry and hectic wildfire season. But with the promise of extreme conditions in the months to come, federal fire crews are also growing concerned that a series of changes brought on by the Trump administration have left them underprepared.Severe cuts to budgets and staff have hamstrung the agencies that manage roughly 640m acres of the nation’s public lands, leaving significant gaps in a workforce that supports wildfire mitigation and suppression. The administration’s crackdown on climate science and the dismantling of departments that provided world-class research and weather forecasting, may also undermine early warning systems, slowing response and strategic planning. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Water firm tells customers to let lawns go brown in hosepipe ban warning

Southern Water issued advice to customers following the driest spring on record

Events

3 w. ago Betting suspended on national hosepipe ban as reservoirs run dry and Britain bakes

It's looking like the country will be forced to ration water to get through the hottest months of the summer in July and August, with some places in the country already officially in drought

Politics