business 
A one-of-a-kind mortgage offering a major financial perk – no repayments for the first three months – has been launched in the UK. The deal, unveiled by Skipton Building Society, is the latest innovation aimed at cash-strapped first-time buyers and is designed to provide them with a bit of breathing space as they settle into … Read more
Today’s comforting pie is super-adaptable and brilliant for using up any leftover bits of cheese. The classic homity pie filling of potatoes, onions and cream works beautifully with a jumble of cheese ends – cheddar, stilton, taleggio or whatever pungent blocks and rinds are lurking in your fridge drawer; it’s also a fantastic base for … Read more
Boom boom is this year’s new vibe. It’s a vibe, not just a trend, meaning it takes tectonic rumblings in culture and gives them expression in what we wear and say and drink and watch on TV. The Guardian’s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. Boom boom … Read more
My sister passed away nearly two years ago but I am struggling to get British Gas to accept she is dead. Since her death in July 2023 I have emailed, called and even got the legal firm handling probate to contact it. They sent a certified copy of her death certificate but all that happened … Read more
Look beyond your salary Your employment contract should outline your overall benefits package but it is also worth logging into your company’s intranet or benefits portal. You should find more details there, or speak to your HR department for a breakdown of your entitlements. Some of them will be optional and could include “pension contributions, … Read more
My earliest memory of kitchen duties is sitting on a stool in our courtyard in Kenya with a sack of peas that was bigger than me. I spent hours coaxing them from their pods, munching as I went; the result was a red plastic bucket brimming with peas like gleaming green marbles. As with asparagus, … Read more
The light in the bookstore bathroom was dim. Even so, I could see the blood on the toilet paper. I wiped some more to make sure I wasn’t just seeing things, and then I stood up, grabbing on to the porcelain sink so I wouldn’t fall. Suddenly, I understood. I didn’t want to lose my … Read more
https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/gallery/2025/may/06/met-gala-2025-pinstripes-capes-and-pouring-rain-in-pictures
In an age of climate crisis, decreasing biodiversity and heightened awareness of water consumption, an immaculate, weed-free lawn is becoming as taboo as an outdoor heater. However, provided we take a more sustainable approach to their upkeep, embracing beneficial “weeds” and long grass, the lawn still has a place in our gardens. The Guardian’s journalism … Read more
What unexpected things can I make with asparagus?“The goal is to do as little as possible to it,” says Ben Lippett, author of How I Cook (published in September). “If you start dressing up asparagus with fancy cooking techniques, you lose its magic.” That’s not to say you should just boil the spears and be … Read more