7 h. ago If you like piña coladas: how to make slushies at home without a machine

While slushie machines are going viral on social media, a blender, or elbow grease, can achieve similar resultsGet our weekend culture and lifestyle emailIt promises icy, refreshing drinks, and for a cool $179, this slushie maker is yours – if you can find one.Australian TikTok users have become fixated on a Kmart slushie machine, apparently a budget version of the equally viral Ninja slushie machine (RRP A$499), with users posting videos and reviews of their frosty, fruity extrusions. One Australian video has racked up 2.7m views, and the appliance has sold out online. But with Kmart supply chains under scrutiny and the knowledge that culinary trends and the very specific appliances needed to make them are passing fads, not everyone wants to – or has to – buy a machine to make slushies this summer.Sign up for the fun stuff with our rundown of must-reads, pop culture and tips for the weekend, every Saturday morning Continue reading...

Politics

9 h. ago If you keep seeing one specific number you need to do something immediately

The number seven has been steeped in mystery, symbolism, and spirituality for centuries - and if you keep seeing it, it could be a sign from the universe

Politics

52 h. ago Human remains found in search for beauty queen after 'very specific' anonymous tip

Searchers recall finding maggots and a 'strange smell' after digging through dirt with their hands after the anonymous tip led them to a closed school in the search for Philadelphia beauty queen Kada Scott

Politics

4 d. ago Mamdani and Cuomo spar in New York mayoral debate – US politics live

Candidates debate Trump, Gaza and New York-specific issues, while John Bolton indicted by federal grand juryFormer Trump adviser John Bolton indicted on 18 countsA reminder that my colleagues are covering the latest developments out of the Middle East, as Israel and Hamas continue to carry out various aspects of the US brokered ceasefire deal.This includes the news today that Israel returned the bodies of 30 Palestinians to Gaza, bringing the total number handed over to 120, according the Gaza health ministry and Nasser hospital in Khan Younis. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago What are rare earths and critical minerals – explained in 30 seconds

Rare earths are a specific category of critical minerals crucial for defence, auto and electronic industries that have become a flashpoint in diplomacy and tradeCritical minerals are vital for the global economy and include nickel, manganese and cobalt.Rare earths are a specific, highly useful category of critical minerals that are used to make magnets essential for the auto, electronic and defence industries, as well as in renewable energy. Securing reserves and production of rare earths has become a flashpoint in global diplomacy and trade. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago Homeowner planted a garden of sunflowers on his property in memory of a loved one. The city sued him for it

Chris Bank says the city of St Peters changed its local law specifically to target his sunflower garden

Society

5 d. ago ‘Just have fun. Smile. And keep putting on lipstick’: 10 ways to master Diane Keaton’s style

Tailored trousers, ties and more-is-more accessories – here’s how to channel the fashion icon’s fearless approachTrying to ape the look of someone known for their personal style could easily be seen as folly. And it sort of is – the brilliance of the late Diane Keaton’s wardrobe was, as Jess Cartner-Morley said in her recent tribute, “that it was exactly her”. But that doesn’t mean we can’t all learn a thing or two from this pro of screwball comedy, pro of screwball style.This is not necessarily about cosplaying Keaton’s look – as Cartner-Morley says, “shirts and ties, snappy waistcoats and baggy trousers, an idiosyncratic version of menswear that was somehow both elegant and goofy” – but rather combining a few specific items with her spirit and styling. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago DWP extra weekly State Pension payment to older people in specific age group

There are also more than 700,000 older people eligible for a State Pension top-up of £4,300 annual income top-up.

Economics

5 d. ago Tagged shoplifters will set off alarms when entering banned areas amid crackdown on record retail theft

Police will receive alerts if they enter a banned area, which could cover specific shops, streets or even whole towns. A pilot is being launched in Sussex.

Events

5 d. ago My mum died this year. And the glut of apples from her tree has brought with it a new kind of grief | Zoe Williams

Every year, I refused the crates of fruit she tried to palm off on me each autumn. Now I wish I’d taken themMy mother was the most horrible cook, unbelievably bad at it. Her umbrella crime was the lack of self-knowledge – far from being bad, she thought she was brilliant – but underneath that, a set of discrete misapprehensions, any one of which would have been enough to make you not want to eat at her house. She’d never take a recipe literally; each ingredient could be swapped with something else of a similar colour, or a similar size, or not similar at all. She loved to throw in a rogue element. As I write this, I’m flicking through her magazine cuttings, and she’s made a note above an aubergine and potato casserole that says: “Good, but needs something else. Lime?”She thought everything, sweet and savoury, could be lifted by a dried apricot. She was extremely experimental but eschewed basic principles, such as parboiling, or meat being roasted for a specific amount of time, relat...

Politics

5 d. ago Pope Leo urges world leaders to end ‘historic offence’ of hunger

Pontiff condemns use of hunger as a weapon of war during visit to UN Food and Agriculture Organization in RomePope Leo has made an urgent appeal to global leaders to end world hunger, saying in a speech to a UN agency that allowing millions to go without food each day represented “an ethical derailment”.In a visit to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) headquarters in Rome, the pontiff also condemned the use of hunger as a weapon of war, without naming specific conflicts or countries. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago DWP State Pension rules as you could risk missing out on full payments

The DWP State Pension is a vital source of income for many people, but there are specific qualifications that must be met to get full payments

Events

5 d. ago Japan warns OpenAI with legal action as Sora 2 anime videos 'infringe copyright'

A hugely popular American AI company, OpenAI, has been threatened with legal action in Japan, after officials in the country noticed their output looked specifically like other art already released

Events

6 d. ago George Russell stays at Mercedes next season but door not shut on pursuit of Verstappen

Team to stick by driver pairing before regulation changeWolff remains keen on signing Dutch world championGeorge Russell will remain with Mercedes for next season after the Formula One team confirmed they would be sticking with their drivers in 2026. However, the length of the contracts signed by the Briton and his teammate Kimi Antonelli has not been specified, potentially leaving the Formula One team open to once more pursue Red Bull’s Max Verstappen for 2027.The long-expected decision comes after a protracted period of negotiation with Russell, as Mercedes seeks stability going into the new regulations of 2026. The 27-year-old British driver has five wins in eight seasons in F1, including victory in Singapore, helping propel Mercedes into a fight for second in the world championship with Ferrari and Red Bull. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Inside George Russell’s new Mercedes deal – and why Brit is now poised for F1 title charge

Analysis: Russell’s extension was a mere formality, but the specifics point to a driver ready for the next step

Economics

6 d. ago Stansted Airport shares warning ahead of train strike action in coming days

Industrial action is set to impact routes to London Stansted Airport on two specific dates

Events

6 d. ago Brits urged to leave specific food in gardens each day this winter to help beloved species

Ecologists are urging Brits to take action this winter to aid hedgehogs as they head into hibernation which can be a very dangerous time for the beloved but at risk creatures

Politics

7 d. ago Prue Leith reveals Bake Off rule that restricts her when cameras start rolling

Great British Bake Off judge Prue Leith explained what she is not allowed to wear on the show because of a specific rule while also discussing accidental innuendos

Politics

7 d. ago US treasury secretary accuses Beijing of trying to damage global economy; silver hits record high – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsWhy has US-China trade war restarted and how have markets reacted?A flurry of takeover talk speculation has pushed up shares in budget airline EasyJet this morning.EasyJet’s shares are up over 7%, leading the risers on the FTSE 100 share index.“[The group] does not believe the redress methodology proposed by the FCA appropriately reflects actual customer loss or achieves a proportionate outcome.“...the FCA’s proposed approach to assessing unfairness does not align with the legal clarity provided by the supreme court judgement in respect of the “Johnson” case, which confirmed that the test for unfairness is highly fact specific and must take into account a broad range of factors. The group will continue to engage with the FCA in respect of these points.“Many motor finance lenders did not comply with the law or the rules. It’s time their customers get fair compensation. Recent court judgments show that liabilities exist no matt...

Events

8 d. ago Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold Review: Is the latest foldable worth the premium price?

An in-depth review of the new Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold and discover its key features, specifications, and our final verdict on whether it's worth the investment.

Politics