11 h. ago Heavy rain forecast as millions hit the roads in Christmas getaway

The Met Office said heavy rain this weekend could make conditions worse in areas already at risk of flooding.

Events

17 h. ago As the US invests in fossil fuels, young climate activists push back in the courts

In this week’s newsletter: A generation is using the legal system to demand accountability for climate harm• Don’t get Down to Earth delivered to your inbox? Sign up hereRikki Held grew up on her family’s ranch in Montana, watching the land transform amid the climate crisis. The Powder River, which runs through the property, has sometimes dried up during drought, leaving crops and livestock without water. At other points, rapid snowmelt and heavy rains have caused flooding and eroded riverbanks, making the land difficult to use.Two years ago, the 24-year-old and a group of other young people won a groundbreaking legal victory, intended to prevent those impacts from worsening. In August 2023, a judge ruled in favour of plaintiffs in Held v Montana, in which 16 young people accused the state of violating their constitutional rights by promoting planet-warming fossil fuels. The state’s supreme court affirmed the judge’s findings late last year, but plaintiffs say lawmakers have since p...

Events

19 h. ago Three arrested in Sri Lanka after video shows elephant being burned alive

Authorities say animal was shot and injured and then set on fire

Events

31 h. ago Cruel thugs set fire to elephant and burn it alive sparking outrage in Sri Lanka

Police said the suspects, aged between 42 and 50, were taken into custody in the north-central district of Anuradhapura, about 125 miles north of capital Colombo.

Events

35 h. ago Pupil tragically dies after emergency services attend school site

The school has been closed

Events

38 h. ago What you need to know about UK weather this week as Met Office warns of further heavy rain

Several flood warnings remain in place across the UK

Events

38 h. ago Met Office issues ‘tips and advice’ ahead of further ‘heavy rain’ across UK

Even more rain is set to hit the UK on Thursday (December 18)

Politics

39 h. ago Hour by hour forecast for Wales as country braces for more heavy rain

Strong winds and rain is expected across Wales today

Politics

40 h. ago Heavy rain to batter Greater Manchester as UK hit by Met Office weather warnings

Plenty of wet weather is expected before a brighter weekend

Events

56 h. ago Primary school in Newham to close due to lack of pupils as London's school closures crisis grows

Newham Council says falling pupil numbers and a £1.1million budget deficit means it can’t afford to keep Calverton Primary School open

Events

57 h. ago London weather: Met Office issues warning as capital to be battered by heavy rain

The rainy weather will be followed by sunshine the next day

Events

58 h. ago Washington state flooding damage profound but unclear, governor warns

Record rains have forced hundreds of rescues, swamped communities and left rivers high, with more storms forecastThe extent of the damage in Washington state is profound but unclear after more than a week of heavy rains and record flooding, according to the state’s governor, Bob Ferguson.A barrage of storms from weather systems stretching across the Pacific has dumped close to 2ft (0.6 metres) of rain in parts of the state, swelling rivers far beyond their banks and prompting more than 600 rescues across 10 counties. Continue reading...

Events

58 h. ago Weather maps for Wales show when and where heavy rain will hit

Flooding is expected in areas as Wales brace for a "danger to life" warning on Thursday

Events

59 h. ago Police issue major update as stabbing forces Bury primary school to close

Police confirmed a stabbing on Cecil Street in Bury led to a primary school closure this morning four people, including two teenagers, have been arrested.

Events

60 h. ago 10 images as Greater Manchester hit with flood and fog warnings this week

The region has seen Met Office flood and fog warnings this week as heavy rain has persisted

Events

61 h. ago Hour by hour forecast for Wales as country braces for torrential downpour

Parts of Wales will see heavy rainfall as wet weather sweeps the country

Politics

62 h. ago Bury primary school forced to close as cops swarm and people told to 'stay away'

Greater Manchester Police have taped off a street close to a school, and pupils have been told to stay away - officers are currently in attendance

Events

63 h. ago The areas of Wales set for heavy rain after Met Office issues weather warnings

There are two warnings in place this week for areas in Wales

Events

67 h. ago UK weather: Fears huge 'weather bomb' could hit Britain just days before Christmas

A 'bomb cyclone' hurtling across the Atlantic is set to bring high winds, heavy rain and fog to the United Kingdom, with the disruption of the Polar Vortex having direct impacts on our weather

Events

3 d. ago John Swinney 'looking closely' at security of Scotland's only Jewish school

Conservative MSP Jackson Carlaw raised the concerns of parents at Calderwood Lodge Primary School

Events