84 m. ago ‘If you’re flushing the toilet with grey water, people should know’: how China turned rain into an asset

Architects and designers have recycled ancient practice of collecting rainwater to make buildings ecologically friendlyWhen the legendary Taiwanese rock band Mayday were due to perform in Beijing one evening in May 2023, some fans were worried that the rainy weather could affect the show. Mayday were taking to the stage in Beijing’s National Stadium, also known as the Bird’s Nest, built for the 2008 Olympics. Like the real-life twig piles that give the building its nickname, the stadium is built with an intricate and highly porous lattice, made of steel.“Don’t worry too much,” reassured an article published by the official newsletter for China’s ministry of water resources. “The Bird’s Nest also has its ‘secret weapon’!” Continue reading...

Politics

2 h. ago DWP Sir Stephen Timms explains Universal Credit and PIP upcoming 2026 changes

Nearly four million households are expected to see an annual income boost of £725 under reforms to the welfare system

Politics

2 h. ago María Corina Machado presents Trump with her Nobel peace prize medal

Trump heaped praise on the Venezuelan opposition leader for presenting him with ‘her Nobel peace prize for the work I have done’The Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has presented her gold Nobel peace prize medal to Donald Trump after meeting him in the White House, nearly a fortnight after he ordered the abduction of Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro.Machado, who received the award last year for her struggle against Maduro’s “brutal, authoritarian state”, told reporters on Thursday she had done so “in recognition [of] his unique commitment [to] our freedom”. Continue reading...

Politics

4 h. ago Residents are pulling the plug on their direct debits and refusing to pay their water bills after SIXTH day since taps ran dry

Scores of households have revoked their automatic payments in defiance amid a slew of outages which left tens of thousands without supplies across Kent and Sussex this week.

Economics

4 h. ago Kate Moss's secret weapon as she turns 52: How supermodel is ageing backwards after her wild party girl era

After years of hard partying, cigarettes and alcohol - now, aged 52, Kate is looking younger than ever having adopted a well thought-out health and wellness regime.

Events

4 h. ago CHRISTOPHER STEVENS reviews Agatha Christie's Seven Dials: Mix yourself a cocktail and enjoy this frightfully glorious mystery

It opens with a wild house party, crammed with Bright Young Things and dashing chaps from the Foreign Office, whooping it up to the sound of a jazz band - mayhem with an edge of debauchery.

Politics

5 h. ago Trump’s first Venezuela oil sale deal goes to megadonor’s company

Senior Vitol trader met US president at White House last week and gave millions to his re-election campaign

Economics

5 h. ago Madeira crowned the world's top trending destination for 2026

The 'Hawaii of Europe' - home to black-sand beaches, volcanic landscapes and a sub-tropical climate - beat the likes of Recife, Brazil, and Quy Nhon, Vietnam.

Politics

5 h. ago Nobel committee issues defiant message after Venezuela's opposition leader Maria Corina Machado gifts Peace Prize to Trump at the White House

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado said Thursday that she gave her Nobel Peace Prize to President Donald Trump during their meeting at the White House.

Politics

6 h. ago Sadiq Khan warns AI could become ‘weapon of mass destruction of jobs’

The Labour politician highlighted the significant threat the burgeoning technology poses to the capital's workforce.

Events

6 h. ago The Rip review – Ben Affleck and Matt Damon tear through flashy Netflix bro thriller

The longtime friends and colleagues add weight to Joe Carnahan’s enjoyably boisterous Friday night crowdpleaserJanuary has long been a B-movie buffet for those exhausted by prestige awards bait, a month when Gerard Butler and Jason Statham are suddenly commanding wide releases and often No 1 mini-hits. But as the former’s apocalyptic sequel Greenland 2: Migration lingers in the top five and the latter’s action romp Shelter prepares to premiere, we find two more prominent stars – Oscar winners Ben Affleck and Matt Damon – resigned to the small screen instead.In a non-Netflix world, a film like The Rip – flashy, action-heavy, led by two household names – should be available this weekend on the biggest high-format screens across the country. But then in that same world, at this particular time, it’s doubtful that a film like this would even get made, granted a budget that’s reportedly close to $100m, highly unusual for R-rated non-IP. The streamer was, in fact, so keen to get it made t...

Politics

6 h. ago Criminals held in hospital will have benefits cut under new Government plans

Nottingham attack victims' parents said they were 'delighted' by the proposed changes, which would extend the benefits ban to serious offenders detained in hospitals under court order

Politics

7 h. ago White House defends Trump’s ‘joke’ about canceling 2026 elections: latest

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado greeted supporters outside Capitol Hill after having lunch with Trump

Politics

7 h. ago Three US citizens sue Trump with the ACLU over encounters with ICE agents – live

Lawsuit comes as state governor Tim Walz urges Trump to ‘turn the temperature down’ after president threatens to invoke Insurrection ActTrump threatens to use Insurrection Act in MinnesotaPeople affected by the US visa freeze: share your experienceDonald Trump is in Washington today. He’s due to meet with Mariá Corina Machado – Venezuela’s opposition leader – at 12:3opm ET. At the moment that’s closed to the press but we’ll let you know if that changes and bring you the latest.Later, Trump is set to host the champions of the 2025 Stanley Cup, the Florida Panthers, at the White House. We’ll be watching to get his reaction to the news of the day. Continue reading...

Politics

7 h. ago Venezuela’s opposition leader gives her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Trump

María Corina Machado leaves White House meeting without the US president’s backing to be her country’s next leader

Politics

7 h. ago AI risks becoming ‘weapon of mass destruction of jobs' if boom not controlled

Sir Sadiq said 'we have a moral, social and economic duty to act' quickly, as research suggests 70 per cent of skills in the average job will have changed by 2030

Events

7 h. ago Criminals in hospital to lose benefits as Labour closes ‘loophole’

Families of victims of the Nottingham attacks have welcomed the plans

Events

7 h. ago Criminals detained in hospitals could lose thousands in benefits under plans

The parents of a Nottingham attack victim said they were ‘delighted’ that the Government is looking into a benefits ban for hospital order convicts.

Events

7 h. ago Venezuela opposition leader says she presented Donald Trump with her Nobel Peace Prize at White House meeting

Machado did not say if the president had accepted the award, which he has long coveted

Politics

8 h. ago Men stormed into victim's house with weapons then savagely beat him

The victim suffered significant facial injuries and was left with a 'bone deep' cut on his leg as a result of the attack

Events