9 h. ago Mountain marvel: how one of biggest batteries in Europe uses thousands of gallons of water to stop blackouts

‘Much-loved’ Dinorwig hydroelectric energy storage site in Wales has a vital role to play in keeping the lights onSeconds after a catastrophic series of power outages struck across the UK in the summer of 2019, a phone rang in the control room of the Dinorwig hydropower plant in north Wales. It was Britain’s energy system operator requesting an immediate deluge of electricity to help prevent a wide-scale blackout crippling Britain’s power grids.The response was swift, and in the end just under million people were left without power for less than 45 minutes. While trains were stuck on lines for hours and hospitals had to revert to backup generators, that phone call prevented Britain’s worst blackout in a decade from being far more severe. Continue reading...

Politics

18 h. ago Important reason London Tube stations have fake owls guarding the platforms

Both Londoners and visitors to the city may have spotted the fake animals at stations on the Jubilee Line. These seemingly odd decorations actually play a crucial role

Politics

52 h. ago Liverpool legend to make emotional Anfield return for trophy celebration

Reds icon to play key role in Anfield presentation after major health scare last year

Politics

58 h. ago 'A slap in the face for victims': Fury at Labour plans to allow killers, rapists and domestic abusers out of jail earlier in bid to ease prison overcrowding

An independent sentencing review has called for criminals convicted of serious violence or sex offences to win their freedom after serving half their jail term.

Events

3 d. ago Why men are shaving their eyelashes to look more ‘masculine’ is a bad idea

Eyelashes play an important role in keeping our eyes healthy

Politics

3 d. ago Why men shaving their eyelashes to look more ‘masculine’ is a bad idea

Eyelashes play an important role in keeping our eyes healthy

Politics

3 d. ago Men are shaving their eyelashes to look more ‘masculine’ – why it’s a bad idea

Eyelashes play an important role in keeping our eyes healthy

Politics

4 d. ago These London landmarks play a starring role in Hollywood's biggest spy movies

These London landmarks play a starring role in Hollywood's biggest spy movies  National Geographic

Culture

4 d. ago The Guardian view on protecting the Amazon: forest defenders must have support | Editorial

Dom Phillips’ posthumously published book is an urgent reminder of why this unique landscape matters so muchIt doesn’t start for six months, but the build-up to the UN’s annual climate conference is already well under way in Brazil. Hosting the tens of thousands of delegates who make the trip is a big undertaking for any city. But the decision to host Cop30 in Belém, at the mouth of the Amazon river, has multiplied the complications.After three consecutive Cops in autocratic nations, the stated aim of Cop30’s chair, André Aranha Corrêa do Lago, is to make this year’s event a showcase for civil society, including the Indigenous groups and forest defenders who play such a vital role in conservation. But the lack of affordable accommodation and other infrastructure, as well as the distance that must be travelled to reach the Amazon port, mean this commendable ideal will be hard to realise. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Vatican peace talks and a threatened ‘red line’ – what comes after the Trump

Volodymyr Zelensky accuses the Kremlin of trying to ‘buy time’ as Vladimir Putin agrees to work towards a memorandum with Kyiv, but no 30-day ceasefire

Politics

4 d. ago AI to play increasing role in UK armed forces, defence secretary says

Exclusive: John Healey says strategic defence review aims to put military on ‘leading edge of innovation in Nato’Britain’s military will be increasingly powered by artificial intelligence, the defence secretary has said, as he prepares to announce a review with advanced technology at its core.John Healey said he and his officials had put AI at the centre of the strategic defence review, as the government seeks to avoid the kinds of costly procurement mistakes that have plagued defence spending in the past. Continue reading...

Events

4 d. ago Strachan House celebrates the return of student nurses to care home

Staff at Strachan House in Edinburgh were delighted to welcome back Student nurses to the home. Student nurses play such a huge role in the future of nursing in Care homes and we couldn’t be happier to celebrate their placements here and develop the nurses of the future.

Society

4 d. ago Wishaw MSP backing new Scottish Government campaign to find more foster carers

Foster carers play a vital role in supporting and providing safe and loving foster homes to children and young people. They are key to the Scottish Government’s ambition of delivering The Promise by 2030.

Politics

4 d. ago Chancellor sidesteps calls to reverse cuts to winter fuel allowance and benefits

Ministers are reportedly considering making changes in a bid to placate Labour rebels.

Politics

4 d. ago Hebridean whisky and gin distillery to play starring role in BBC global film series

“We’re doing things that nobody in the history of whisky making on Islay has done before - that’s a privilege” – Adam Hannett, head distiller

Culture

4 d. ago Scott McTominay decision panned by David Beckham as he makes Man United transfer claim

David Beckham has given his thoughts on Manchester United selling academy graduates like Scott McTominay, who has gone on to play a starring role for Napoli this season

Politics

4 d. ago Trump’s calls with Putin are worth nothing – no matter how much the US president enjoys them

Donald Trump claims his two-hour phone call with Vladimir Putin went ‘very well’, but it is the Russian president who calls the shots, writes Sam Kiley, The Independent’s world affairs editor

Politics

4 d. ago Man Utd transfer news: Matheus Cunha answers United question as transfer deal under scrutiny

Manchester United are set to take on Tottenham Hotspur in Wednesday's Europa League final in a game which could play a role in shaping Ruben Amorim's summer business

Economics

4 d. ago India's steel expansion threatens climate goals and global efforts to clean up industry: report

India will play a key role in whether steelmaking, one of the world’s most polluting industries, moves away from dirty fuels to cleaner electricity sources

Events

5 d. ago Putin addresses Russia Ukraine ceasefire hopes after phone call with Trump

Vladimir Putin has said Russia is ready to work towards ending the fighting in Ukraine, following his two-hour phone call with Donald Trump.

Politics