2 h. ago The exact date UK households should switch heating on in different parts of country

The date that you should turn your central heating on in each UK city has been revealed

Society

8 d. ago ‘The cultural landscape is decimated’: Louise Alder on stage fright, arts funding and the Last Night of the Proms

The great soprano will be the first British singer to top the bill at the Last Night in over a decade. So why does she advise her younger colleagues to leave the country?It’s the height of the August heatwave when I sit down opposite British soprano Louise Alder in a fiercely air-conditioned central London office. We’re here to discuss her headline performance at this year’s Last Night of the Proms but, as a seasonal warmup, I ask whether she’s had a break this summer. Alder looks faintly amused, then reminds me she’s been at Glyndebourne doing three performances of Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro every week since the end of June. In fact, she was on stage as the Countess barely 12 hours earlier.“It’s never-ending,” she says. “I don’t want this to come across negatively – it’s been the most amazing contract – but an extremely long run. Twenty shows, which I think is the longest single run that Glyndebourne has done.” Days after the show closed, the company performed it again at the Prom...

Politics

1 week ago Graham Linehan says he may never return to Britain because there is 'no freedom of speech in this country' after Heathrow Airport arrest by armed police over anti

The Irish comedy writer, was swooped on by armed police when he touched down at Heathrow Airport on Monday from Arizona, United States, and he was detained on suspicion of inciting violence.

Events

2 w. ago UK experienced its hottest summer on record in 2025, Met Office says

Mean temperature over June, July and August was 16.1C as country endured four heatwavesThe UK has seen its hottest summer on record, the Met Office has said, after the country sweltered under four heatwaves in a single season.The mean temperature for meteorological summer, which encompasses the months of June, July and August, was 16.1C, which is significantly above the current record of 15.76C set in 2018. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago UK set for a sizzling September with temperatures soaring to 30C in Indian Summer heatwave

The UK has seen several months of hot conditions which has brought an incredible four heatwaves to parts of the country as well as health warnings with the temperatures dangerously hot.

Politics

2 w. ago ‘A perfect symbiosis’: planting vines and other ways hot cities are creating cool spaces

Living – or crocheted – canopies and a 3,000-year-old Persian technique are among methods being used to cope as temperatures soarAs Spain takes a breath after yet another brutal summer heatwave, with temperatures above 40C in many parts of the country, the residents of the sherry-making town of Jerez de la Frontera have come up with a novel way to keep the streets cool.Green canopies of grapevines festoon the town, reducing street-level temperatures by as much as 8C. “We’re planting vines in the old city because we hope that in two or three years we’ll be able to brag that this has put an end to stifling temperatures,” said Jesús Rodríguez, president of Los Emparrados, a group of residents who aim to beautify and green the city’s streets. Continue reading...

Technology

2 w. ago Will your holiday be a washout? Labor Day weekend weather veers from sizzling heat to drenching downpours across the US

Saturday is expected to be the busiest travel day of the holiday weekend — and the weather is going to be a mixed bag of heat, rain and possible flooding across the country

Society

3 w. ago Wildfire explodes in California wine country as heatwave scorches US west

Multiple fires have ignited this week with searing heat expected to last days and extend to Pacific north-westMultiple wildfires have ignited across California as the state continues to scorch in a multi-day heatwave that is expected to last through the weekend.The largest this week, named the Pickett fire, exploded in size on Thursday as it burned in a remote area of Napa county, and covered more than 2,100 acres (850 hectares) by Friday morning. Evacuation orders and warnings have been issued Thursday for hundreds of residents around Calistoga, a small city in the region known for its wine, as firefighters faced challenging conditions, working through dangerously high temperatures and rugged terrain. The fire’s perimeter is 0% contained. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Terrifying moment tornado sweeps through Spanish town sending tables and chairs flying as country continues to battle wildfires amid freak heatwave weather

A 'Satan's Storm' hit the Costa Tropical south of Granada on Sunday, forcing holidaymakers and locals to evacuate beaches in resorts like Motril east of Malaga.

Events

4 w. ago Moment tourists run for cover as freak 'Satan's Storm' lashes Spanish beach

In one of several weather events to sweep the continent in recent days, tourists sprinted for cover from a rare heat burst in near-hurricane force winds in southern Spain's Costa Tropical.

Society

4 w. ago Spain adds 500 more troops to battle wildfires as country bakes under extended heatwave

National rail operator Renfe said it suspended Madrid-Galicia high-speed train services scheduled for Sunday due to the fires

Events