14 h. ago Hosepipe ban declared in part of the UK after heatwave and it could last until Christmas

The drastic move, which will affect more than five million people in Yorkshire, comes after the region had its driest spring in 132 years, not helped by the 32C heatwave which hit recently

Politics

14 h. ago How to save water in the garden amid heatwaves and hosepipe ban

Expert offers top tips on how to cultivate a water-efficient garden

Politics

14 h. ago Will there be a hosepipe ban in London? Thames Water warns of growing risk

Some parts of the UK are preparing for a ban already, but will this include London?

Events

15 h. ago First UK area declares hosepipe ban from Friday as heatwave approaches

Anyone who breaks the ban could face fines of up to £1,000

Politics

15 h. ago What is a hosepipe ban and what does it stop you from doing?

The first hosepipe ban of 2025has been announced in the UK, in the wake of the country’s driest spring for more than 100 years.

Politics

17 h. ago Yorkshire households first to face hosepipe ban as hot dry summer bites

England has had the hottest spring and the driest for more than a century, with northern areas drought-stricken.

Politics

18 h. ago Households in English area first to face hosepipe ban as hot dry summer bites

Region has experienced both the driest and warmest spring on record this year, receiving less than half of expected rain

Politics

21 h. ago First UK hosepipe ban of 2025 will come into force this weekend

The region experienced its driest and warmest spring on record with only 15cm of rainfall

Politics

21 h. ago Hosepipe ban announced for parts of UK as drought takes hold

Ban will come into effect on Friday, Yorkshire Water said, after region entered drought status last month

Politics

22 h. ago UK's first hosepipe ban of summer coming into force on Friday

The restrictions include using a hosepipe to water gardens and wash private vehicles, fill domestic pools or clean outdoor surfaces

Politics

37 h. ago Gardening experts share how to help grass that turns brown as third UK heatwave approaches

Hot weather and lack of rain can result in lawns turning brown

Politics

6 d. ago Simple lawnmower check before you cut grass stops it turning brown and patchy

A lawnmower expert has shared a simple tip to stop your grass becoming brown and patchy - and it only requires checking one thing before you give your lawn a cut

Politics

8 d. ago The spiritual economy: young Chinese turn to fortune tellers as anxiety about the future rises

Growing popularity of mysticism can also be connected to increasing sense of cultural confidence as Chinese brands and products go globalPass my exams. Meet Mr Right. Get rich. Pinned to a board by the entrance of a dimly lit fortune telling bar in Fengtai, an urban district in the south of Beijing, handwritten notes reveal the inner worries of customers coming for cocktails with a side of spiritual salvation.One As All is one of several fortune telling bars to have opened in Beijing, Shanghai and other Chinese cities in recent years. Hidden on the 12th floor of a commercial building, the bar serves a wide range of drinks starting at an auspicious 88 yuan (£9) (eight is considered to be lucky number in China). As well as enjoying a sundowner with a view over Beijing’s skyline, customers can consult the in-house fortune teller who specialises in qiuqian, known in English as Chinese lottery sticks, an ancient style of divination often found in Taoist temples. From a private side-room,...

Politics

9 d. ago Amazon shoppers praise 'speedy' grass seed that promises 'lush, green lawns' in a heatwave

If the heatwave has left your lawn brown, dry or patchy, the Pronto Seed Premium Grass Seed is ideal for helping regrow 'lush, green lawns' in just seven days

Society

9 d. ago Amazon's 'super speedy' grass seed praised for growing 'lush green lawns' even in the heatwave

The Pronto Seed Premium Grass Seed is perfect for quick lawn repairs during the current heatwave to help eliminate dry brown patches, with customers raving about how fast it grows

Society

2 w. ago Transform brown, patchy and wilted grass to a lush green lawn in four steps

If your lawn is looking worse for wear due to the recent hot weather, there are some simple ways to bring it back to life without having to invest in pricey treatments

Politics

2 w. ago Add one ingredient to water to stop plants wilting during heatwave

A hosepipe ban could be on the way - so gardeners are being urged to be strategic with the way they water plants, especially those in pots or containers on the patio

Events

2 w. ago Bring the House Down by Charlotte Runcie review – the joy of the hatchet job

Is giving an artist a one-star review an act of abuse? An influential theatre critic finds out in this smart story of #MeToo-era revengeWhen Jesus is pressed to condemn the woman taken in adultery, he says, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” No one does, and a lesson in critical generosity is learned. Judge not, that ye be not judged.Is giving an artist a one-star review an act of abuse – casting the first stone? Is it worse when the reviewer is male and the artist female? That’s the starting point of this entertaining and very timely debut novel from Charlotte Runcie, an arts journalist who, as a young intern, was lambasted on stage by a successful standup to whom she’d given a bad review.There was an interactive customer feedback device propped up on the bar. Tell us what you think of our service, it said, and underneath there were two buttons you could press: an angry red face or a smiling green one. Excellent or worthless, nothing in...

Society

3 w. ago North Sea firm fined £300k after workers descended into water

The horrifying incident happened on a floating platform in the North Sea during a night shift.

Economics

3 w. ago Water firm tells customers to let lawns go brown in hosepipe ban warning

Southern Water issued advice to customers following the driest spring on record

Events