17 h. ago Australia news live: woman dead in powerful storm as landslide and flood warnings issued for Sydney

Woman killed by tree branch as NSW SES records more than 800 calls for help. Follow updates liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastNew South Wales State Emergency Services have received over 1400 calls for help and 20 requests for flood rescues after Sydney has been lashed with torrential rain.SES Assistant Commissioner Sonya Alston, speaking to ABC News, says the main areas affected by flash flooding and storm-related incidents are Illawarra, Sydney and the Hunter area.We did have an evacuation at Narrabeen overnight due to the rapid rising waters there and the localised heavy rainfall, so that continues around that. Those particular areas with the weather also moving up north, we’ll see around the north eastern New South Wales experiencing some of that heavy winds, heavy rain and large wind gusts.We’re hoping to see a little bit of relief for the Illawarra area today. But still in that Sydney northern area. So again urging everyone to keep safe, keep inside...

Events

23 h. ago Tech companies’ access to UK ministers dwarfs that of child safety groups

Exclusive: Amazon, Meta and X among firms holding hundreds of meetings with people at heart of government, data showsTech companies have been meeting government ministers at a rate of more than once per working day, enjoying high-level political access that dwarfs that of child safety and copyright campaigners, who called the pattern “shocking” and “disturbing”.Amazon, Meta, Microsoft and Elon Musk’s X, whose Grok AI image generator has sparked outrage with its sexualised images of women and children, were among the US tech companies holding hundreds of meetings with people at the heart of government, a Guardian investigation has found. Continue reading...

Politics

49 h. ago Stephen Fry's childhood home up for sale, and people are amazed by what it looks like

The actor, writer, and comedian moved to the house with his family in 1965 when he was eight years old. According to his autobiography, he was so fond of the home he kept a photo of it in his wallet.

Society

49 h. ago Kate Middleton sends fans wild with 'iconic' arrival at glitzy event in four inch heels

The Princess of Wales has received floods of praise online for her down-to-earth manner as she jumped behind the wheel to get herself to Windsor Castle - all while wearing stilettos

Politics

50 h. ago I see time as a grid in my mind. I remember the birthdays of friends I haven’t seen for 65 years

Judy Stokes, a retired GP, shares her experience as a spatial-sequence synaestheteRead more stories of synaesthesia in the way I feel seriesDid someone with spatial-sequence synaesthesia design the calendar app on mobile phones? Because that’s how time and dates look in my brain. If you say a date to me, that day appears in a grid diagram in my head, and it shows if that box is already imprinted with a holiday, event or someone’s birthday. Public holidays and special events like Christmas and Easter are already imprinted for the year, and the diagram goes backwards to about 100,000BC and then forwards all the way to about the year 2500 before tapering off.It was only in my 60s that I discovered there was a name for this phenomenon – not just the way time appears in this 3D sort of calendar pattern, but the colours seen when I think of certain words. Two decades previously, I’d mentioned to a friend that Tuesdays were yellow and she’d looked at me in the same strange, befuddled way t...

Politics

3 d. ago Pub receives damning food hygiene rating after chef left in disgrace

The pub has requested a re-inspection

Politics

3 d. ago Pub receives damning food hygiene rating after chef leaves in disgrace

The pub has requested a re-inspection

Politics

3 d. ago DWP cold weather payments sent to eligible households in 802 postcodes

Millions of households across England, Wales and Northern Ireland are set to receive cold weather payments

Society

3 d. ago Man paints entire wall in just 30 seconds and is hailed DIY king

A decorator has left people around the world amazed after he painted a whole wall in just 30 seconds - and the result was perfect

Politics

5 d. ago Secrets of John Rooney's glow up: Macclesfield Town manager was once a twin of his older brother Wayne

When John Rooney flashed his smile after Macclesfield's FA Cup giant-killing against Crystal Palace, some people were more amazed by his set of gnashers than his managerial heroics.

Society

1 week ago People amazed by what's inside 'the most Cardiff house ever' on sale for £770k

The four-bedroom semi-detached home in Lake Park West is up for sale with property agents Darlows for £770,000. But a look inside reveals something entirely unexpected.

Economics

1 week ago Cold Weather Payments mapped as 246 new postcode areas triggered today

Cold Weather Payments are made to people in England and Wales who receive a range of benefits and are worth £25 when the temperature falls

Politics

1 week ago John Torode breaks silence on Masterchef replacement in 'right thing' admission

John was last seen on the BBC series presenting its Christmas special with Grace Dent

Events

1 week ago Neighbours stunned as they receive 'class act' letter from family on street

People were stunned after a neighbour sent a letter to the others on the street before hosting an 18th birthday party

Politics

1 week ago Neighbours send letter before hosting 18th birthday party and people are amazed

When living in such close proximity to people, especially in terraced housing and flats, it's best to be respectful of your neighbours and not push the boundaries when it comes to noise

Politics

2 w. ago Full list of postcodes set to receive DWP Cold Weather Payments in Wales this week

As the cold and icy weather continues to blight many parts of Wales, thousands of households are eligible for payments

Politics

2 w. ago Mark Wright branded 'cruel and nasty' as most brutal TOWIE scene ever resurfaces

A resurfaced TOWIE clip from a Christmas special has left fans shocked as Mark Wright calls Lauren Goodger a vile phrase before leaving her at a party

Politics

2 w. ago BBC Death in Paradise return confirmed as new detective shares major series update

Death in Paradise's new detective, Mervin Wilson, has addressed the return of a fan favourite, who made a surprise return in the Christmas special

Events

2 w. ago Gogglebox star breaks down minutes into episode after husband's sweet gesture

The Channel 4 reality show was back with a Christmas special, and one star was left emotional within minutes of the episode starting

Politics

2 w. ago Claudia Winkleman's surprise sovereign connection: How The Traitors host's sister Sophie married into the royal family and described their life as 'total hell'

The Strictly host, 53, who will step away from presenting duties after the Christmas special, is not the only familiar face in the Winkleman family.

Politics