8 h. ago Freedom from China? The mine at the centre of Europe’s push for rare earth metals

Swedish producer is trying to to accelerate the process of extracting the elements vital for hi-tech productsIt is deep winter with temperatures dropping to -20C. The sun never rises above the horizon, instead bathing Sweden’s most northerly town of Kiruna in a blue crepuscular light, or “civil twilight” as it is known, for two or three hours a day stretching visibility a few metres, notwithstanding heavy snow.But 900 metres below the arctic conditions, a team of 20 gather every day, forgoing the brief glimpse of natural light and spearheading the EU’s race to mine its own rare earths. Despite identification of several deposits around the continent, and some rare earth refineries including Solvay in France, there are no operational rare earth mines in Europe. Continue reading...

Politics

9 h. ago Scotland Weather: New amber warning for 'heavy snow' and 'blizzard conditions' issued by Met Office

The wintry weather is set to continue in Scotland across the weekend, with more snow forecast

Events

21 h. ago Britain faces further snow, ice, and heavy rain this weekend after Storm Goretti's hurricane

After severe conditions caused school closures and travel disruption, yellow warnings for snow and ice continue until Sunday and the Met Office warned Saturday morning will see a 'very cold start'.

Events

22 h. ago Storm Goretti map: Where Britain will be hit by heavy snow with yellow warnings in place

Storm Goretti is the first of 2026 and has caused travel delays

Events

26 h. ago The storm essentials everyone should officially have in their home and car

Severe weather could result in more electricity outages across the UK, so now is the time to ensure you have everything you need at your disposal should your home lose power.

Politics

27 h. ago Footage shows shocking snow conditions with drivers 'dodging abandoned vehicles'

Drivers are reporting that cars are beginning to slide with some people being forced to turn around as heavy snow starts to fall again

Culture

28 h. ago Newborn Scots baby makes first journey home being towed by tractor through heavy snow

Gracie Ballantine, 31, was snowed in at the worst possible time after blizzards hit the north of the country earlier this week - with her due to give birth any day.

Politics

31 h. ago Storm Goretti leaves tens of thousands of homes without power as Britain is struck by 100mph winds and heavy snowfall with MORE to come over weekend: Live updates

LIVEBLOG: Follow the latest updates as Storm Goretti - the first named storm of 2026 - threatens to blanket much of the UK with heavy snow while wind and rain warnings remain in place.

Society

35 h. ago Storm Goretti leaves 65,000 homes without power as 100mph winds and 'worst snow for a decade' hits Britain with people told 'do not travel' today: Live updates

LIVEBLOG: Follow the latest updates as Storm Goretti - the first named storm of 2026 - threatens to blanket much of the UK with heavy snow while wind and rain warnings remain in place.

Events

36 h. ago Storm Goretti live: Warning of ‘worst snowfall in decade’ as 60,000 without power across UK amid 99mph winds

Birmingham airport suspended runway operations as heavy snow and ‘dangerous stormy winds’ hit the UK

Events

36 h. ago Scotland weather LIVE: More heavy snow and icy conditions over weekend as new yellow warning issued

A yellow alert is in force for most of Scotland until 3pm tomorrow.

Events

36 h. ago Scotland weather RECAP: More heavy snow and icy conditions over weekend as new yellow warning issued

A yellow alert is in force for most of Scotland until 3pm tomorrow.

Events

36 h. ago Weather LIVE: Storm Goretti snow sees London Heathrow cancel flights amid travel chaos

The UK faces a 'multi-hazard' weather event with a red warning for Storm Goretti bringing gusts over 100mph and heavy snow leading to avalanche alerts

Society

37 h. ago Full list of train services across Wales suspended after heavy snow brought by Storm Goretti

Severe winter weather has brought much of the Welsh rail network to a standstill

Events

37 h. ago Storm Goretti leaves 57,000 homes without power as 'worst snow for a decade' hits central Britain, 100mph winds strike and skies turn pink

Birmingham Airport was forced to close overnight due to heavy snow on the runway, while Heathrow cancelled dozens of flights due to severe weather.

Events

37 h. ago Storm Goretti live: heavy rain, strong winds and snow batter UK as 380,000 homes in France lose power

About 60,000 homes across England and Wales also lost power, according to the National GridOfficials in the West Midlands have warned of the “worst snowfall in a decade” as parts of England and Wales prepare to be hit with 5-10cm of snow on Friday, and up to 15-25cm in some areas.In a statement on Wednesday, Stoke-on-Trent city council reassured residents it had not run out of grit after “misinformation” began to circulate. It said:We are now facing the worst snowfall we have faced in 10 years. The Met Office has predicted that we could have 3.5 inches of snow and temperatures as low as minus 4C on Thursday into Friday morning. As a result, we are carefully managing our resources and stock of salt.Unfortunately, we have been made aware of some misinformation circulating regarding the council’s salt supplies and gritting operations. It simply isn’t true that we have run out of grit.The current cold snap is now expected to last at least until this weekend according to Met Office forec...

Society

38 h. ago 60,000 without power, schools closed, as 99mph winds hit in Storm Goretti

Flights and trains have been cancelled, roads are closed, as more wind, rain ad heavy snow is forecast

Events

39 h. ago Storm Goretti live: danger to life warning as heavy rain, strong winds and snow batter UK

Red and amber weather warnings have been issued across the UK as Storm Goretti evolves into a ‘weather bomb’More than 50,000 properties were reportedly without power in the South West on Thursday evening, the National Grid’s website said.In the West Midlands about 9,000 had no electricity and 2,000 were without power in Wales.As that rain pushes its way and it hits against that cold air that we currently have across us and so on the northern edge, we are likely to see some fairly significant snow as we go through later tomorrow and into Friday. Continue reading...

Events

39 h. ago East Midlands Airport closed after Storm Goretti's heavy snow batters Britain

East Midlands Airport, which is an operating base for Jet2.com, Ryanair and TUI Airways, says it has had to close the runway as "safety of passengers is top priority"

Events

39 h. ago Storm Goretti live: Snow causing major travel disruption as UK hit by ‘weather bomb’ with 99mph winds

Birmingham airport suspended runway operations as heavy snow and “dangerous stormy winds” hit the UK

Events