9 h. ago Mysterious and vulnerable: the secret lives of Australia’s giant worms

Australia has a huge of diversity of worms on land, sand and sea such as the giant Gippsland earthworm which can stretch up to 3 metresOne of the world’s largest worms might escape notice, if not for the loud gurgling noises that can be heard coming from underground as the species burrows and squelches through its moist clay.The giant Gippsland earthworm, a purple and pink colossus that lives in a small, wet patch about 100km east of Melbourne in south-east Australia, reportedly stretches as long as 2 to 3 metres. Continue reading...

Society

11 h. ago Sand, sea and sustainability: the Great British seaside holiday is reborn

The Gallivant in East Sussex is a place where you can feel the sand between your toes and the sea breeze in your hair — all while enjoying an admirably eco weekend away

Politics

52 h. ago ‘Desertification is our destiny’: How this ancient African city is being buried under Sahara sand

The ancient city of Chinguetti is succumbing to a sea of sand – Sam Metz discovers how its residents are dealing with concerns over the future

Politics

9 d. ago Should you respond to work emails while you're on holiday? I'm a career expert and these are the do's and don'ts for dealing with messages from colleagues while you're away

Sun, sea, sand - and a steady stream of emails from colleagues. Should you put down your banana daiquiri and respond? LinkedIn career expert Zara Easton has the answer...

Economics

1 week ago I Am Martin Parr review – enjoyable study of tragicomic Britain’s inspired photographer

Valuable documentary on the vigilant genius whose highly coloured 70s and 80s images revealed the white working class as never beforeThe beguiling work of English photographer Martin Parr is the subject of this brief, but thoroughly enjoyable study which sets out to introduce his extraordinary work, particularly the fierce brilliance of his colour images in the 70s and 80s celebrating the white working class on holiday.Parr is an inspired combination of seaside-postcard artist Donald McGill and Alan Bennett, with a bit of American street photographer Vivian Maier, and a sliver of Diane Arbus, although the grotesques in which Arbus specialised are not what Parr has in mind. Everyone here is at pains to emphasise that Parr is never cruel or mocking, and, yes, it’s quite true. But as a real artist, Parr naturally has what Graham Greene called the splinter of ice in his heart. He knows what makes a brilliant image and the person involved is unlikely to find it flattering. (David Walliam...

Events

1 week ago Little known seaside resort transformed into holiday 'jewel' in just two years

The North East resort has been described as the 'jewel in Sunderland's crown' following a huge redevelopment project that has seen trendy bars and restaurants set up along the coastline

Politics