‘None of them had ever seen an eclipse in real life’: Maurice Bakley’s best phone picture

Life and style | The Guardian

An ​e​lementary school ​w​atch party turned into a great opportunity to take a child’s-eye view of a spectacular astral phenomenon

Maurice Bakley was chaperoning an eclipse watch party at his son’s elementary school in Arlington, Virginia, when he took this photograph. As he had arrived early to fit his iPhone to a tripod to capture a time-lapse of the event (with the help of a monocular and a solar filter), he reached for his iPad for this shot.

“The boys in the photo, one of whom is my son, are part of a tight group of friends. They’ve known each other since kindergarten through their bilingual Spanish immersion school,” Bakley says. “They were eight and nine years old at the time, and none of them had ever seen an eclipse in real life.”

November 14th 2026, 8:46 am

Blind date: ‘Would we meet again? We’ve swapped numbers … ’

Life and style | The Guardian

Lucy, 40, a general manager, meets Leon, 45, an operations manager at a food charity

What were you hoping for?
I’m a regular reader and have always wanted to be in the column, so mostly here for the vibes. Bumping into the love of my life would be nice, though …

November 14th 2026, 5:46 am

Barbara Kingsolver: ‘What does love feel like? At 16, breaking the speed limit. Years later, a warm

Life and style | The Guardian

The author on the FBI tapping her phone, teaching herself to read aged three, and why she knits in meetings

Born in Maryland, in the US, Barbara Kingsolver, 71, won a music scholarship to DePauw University in Indiana. She became a journalist and published her first novel, The Bean Trees, in 1988. Her award-winning books include The Poisonwood Bible, The Lacuna and Demon Copperhead, which was published in 2022 and won the Pulitzer, the James Tait Black prize and the Women’s prize for fiction. In 2025, she founded the Higher Ground Women’s Recovery Residence in Lee County, Virginia, where the novel is set. Her latest novel is Partita. She lives in Virginia with her second husband and has two children.

When were you happiest?
Right after the births of my children. Those hormones are strong medicine: they erase all memory of recent gruelling events and crown you goddess, author of divine creation.

November 14th 2026, 5:46 am

What links The Day of the Jackal film with a 1979 headline in the Sun? The Saturday quiz

Life and style | The Guardian

From four-year-old Binkie Stuart to Peter the cat, test your knowledge with the Saturday quiz

1 Peter the cat is the only animal with an obituary in which almanac?
2 Four-year-old Binkie Stuart was launched as Britain’s answer to which star?
3 Established in 1798, what is London’s oldest restaurant?
4 In what decade did French women vote for the first time?
5 Which comedian co-wrote Depression and How to Survive It?
6 Which wine is flavoured with resin from the Aleppo pine?
7 “It starts with a swipe” is a slogan advertising which app?
8 Who was measured at 2.72 metres tall in 1940?
What links:
9 Alleghania; Columbia; Fredonia; Usonia?
10 Baldwin (3); Truss, Churchill and Asquith (2); May, Blair and Brown et al (1)?
11 Bland boy; narcoleptic; presbyterians; twisty flora; worst dater?
12 Cleaver; Inner and Outer Dowsing; Haisborough; Scroby; Dogger?
13 Aelfgyva; Conan; Guy; Odo; Stigand; Turold; Vital; Wadard?
14 The Day of the Jackal film; Supertramp album; 1979 headline in the Sun?
15 Beau ’n’ Arrow; Cool Hand; Ice Cold; Nuke; Snakebite?

November 14th 2026, 5:46 am

The best electric toothbrushes in the UK for every budget

Life and style | The Guardian

We put 32 electric toothbrushes to the test, from oscillating Oral-B models to sustainable brands like Suri, to find the best for cleaning power and value for money

• How to make your toothbrush last longer

If you grew up using a conventional toothbrush – essentially a stick with bristles on the end – you may be surprised to learn just how long the electric toothbrush has been around. The first was designed in the late 1930s, but that model was a long way from the sleek, feature-packed and Bluetooth-enabled beasts you can buy today.

There are now dozens of ultra-advanced versions on the market, but which ones are worth your cash? To help answer that question, my teeth have become figurative guinea pigs. Over the past two years, I’ve put 32 electric toothbrushes from the likes of Dyson, Oral-B, Philips, Suri, Ordo, Silk’n and Foreo through their paces to separate the best from the rest. Here are my conclusions.

November 14th 2026, 5:46 am

Tim Dowling: I’ve made being ill an art form – and my wife has notes

Life and style | The Guardian

I’m so tired of this illness, I wonder if an acting-led approach to faking wellness might help me recover

It is late morning on a Wednesday, and I’m sitting at the kitchen table collapsing in on myself, because I am ill. I feel dizzy, and feverish, and achy, and I have done for two days. I’m gently resting my damp forehead on the table when my wife walks in.

“Ugh,” I say.

November 14th 2026, 5:46 am

369 best Christmas gifts for 2026 – tried, tested and loved by the Filter UK

Life and style | The Guardian

We’ve unboxed, nibbled and played with hundreds of gifts to find the perfect present for everyone – from cheery stocking fillers and feelgood treats to Jude Bellingham’s favourite game

Filled with dread about Christmas shopping? Luckily for you, we’ve had a head start and spent the whole year playing, tasting, sipping, sniffing and putting hundreds of items to the test to help you find the best Christmas gifts for everyone on your list.

We’ve recruited experts, from three-year-old toy testers to gardening gurus, beauty connoisseurs to our own team here on the Filter, to bring you tried-and-tested recommendations we know will bring joy this Christmas and beyond. From bloody marys and sleep masks to mushroom-growing kits and taste-test-winning biscuits, here are 369 carefully curated gift ideas to suit even the fussiest recipients. Merry Christmas!

November 14th 2026, 5:46 am

Homes for sale close to cosy pubs in England – in pictures

Life and style | The Guardian

From a Cornish cottage not far from one that played a role in the TV series Doc Martin to a duplex in central London perched above a historic one

November 13th 2026, 5:25 am

‘Pretty weird’: How a viral video shows a striking discrepancy in men and women’s knitwear

Life and style | The Guardian

Men are routinely getting more wool for their money – are women really paying a pink tax when they buy a jumper?

• Don’t get Fashion Statement delivered to your inbox? Sign up here

It’s officially cosy season. But before you treat yourself to a new wooly jumper, you may want to take a closer look at the care label.

Abercrombie & Fitch is facing a pink tax backlash, sparked by a video on TikTok that highlights the difference between the materials used in menswear and womenswear jumpers that cost the same.

November 13th 2026, 5:25 am

Helen Goh’s recipe for rice pudding with hibiscus-poached pears | The sweet spot

Life and style | The Guardian

Cold pears stained red with tart hibiscus and offset by a hot, creamy, spiced rice pudding

Hibiscus has a tart, berry-like flavour, and turns these pears a jewel-bright crimson in colour. The pears are best poached a day ahead, because they’ll deepen in colour and flavour while they chill in the syrup. I especially like the contrast of the cold, gently tangy pears against a warm, creamy rice pudding that’s fragrant with cardamom, bay, lemon and vanilla. A scattering of pistachios adds a final touch of both colour and crunch.

November 13th 2026, 5:25 am

Experience: I was disembowelled by a hippo on my honeymoon

Life and style | The Guardian

A mother hippopotamus protecting her young is one of the most fearsome forces of nature. Luckily, I’d just married someone ready to meet it head-on

Anna and I got married in Portugal in September last year. We had been together for 13 years. She said in her vows, “I don’t know what life is going to have in store for us, but I know our love for each other is always constant.”

Ten days later, I found myself in a swamp in Botswana with my intestines hanging out of my back.

November 13th 2026, 5:25 am

What to wear with a leather skirt

Life and style | The Guardian

Pairing these statement pieces can be tricky. For a surprisingly easy twist, try contrasting fabrics – a denim shirt, a cosy knit – alongside pared-back accessories

November 13th 2026, 5:25 am

From cult skincare to seriously posh soap: Sali Hughes’s best beauty gifts for Christmas 2026

Life and style | The Guardian

Whether its bargain stocking fillers or a lipstick worth splashing out on, our beauty editor reveals what she’d love to give – and receive

• The best Christmas gifts for mums, grannies, aunties and friends

Bella Freud x Boots hand duo, 2 x 345ml

November 12th 2026, 10:43 am

‘A web of canals and cobbled streets’: a city break in Haarlem in the Netherlands

Life and style | The Guardian

A short ride from Amsterdam, this laid-back city has great museums, cosy bars and a new exhibition featuring the works of Rembrandt and local artist Frans Hals this winter

It’s only 15 minutes away from the Dutch capital by train, but Haarlem feels a million miles from Amsterdam, and perhaps provides a more typical glimpse of the Netherlands than trailing around the well-worn tourist trail of Van Gogh, coffee shops and red lights. An attractive city of cobbled streets, gabled houses and canals, Haarlem is, as the Dutch would say, a gezellig sort of place – cosy, convivial, and full of intriguing nooks and corners. I’ve been coming here for years, and it seems odd that Haarlem is not better known, at least to UK visitors.

This winter there’s the added draw of an exhibition devoted to the works of a local boy, the 17th-century painter Frans Hals, and his better-known contemporary Rembrandt in the city’s Frans Hals Museum (until 28 February 2027). No one really knows whether these two titans of the Dutch Golden Age of the 16th and 17th centuries ever met, but seeing their work hung together like this is powerful and compelling. The museum used to be the Oudemannenhuis (Old Men’s House), a retirement and care home where Hals lived out his final penniless years.

November 12th 2026, 7:12 am

Thursday news quiz: Booker prize winners, GTA sinners and free dinners

Life and style | The Guardian

Test yourself on topical news trivia, pop culture and general knowledge every Thursday. How will you fare?

The recent US elections reminded the Thursday quiz that we have just passed the sixth anniversary of Rudy Giuliani’s Four Seasons Total Landscaping press conference, which was not only hilarious in and of itself, but sparked one of the best viral laughing videos of all internet history. Whether you will be laughing as hard after facing this week’s quiz remains to be seen. Here are 15 punchlines in search of a question about topical news, general knowledge and pop culture. Let’s be having you!

The Thursday news quiz, No 272

November 12th 2026, 7:12 am

You be the judge: should my sister stop calling me when she’s on the move?

Life and style | The Guardian

Maddie drives Nadia mad with her disjointed conversations, but doesn’t think she should have to make an appointment to phone her sister. Who’s in the wrong? You make the call

• Find out how to get a disagreement settled or become a juror

Maddie rings at the worst moments. It’s usually when she’s on the train and I can’t even hear her

November 12th 2026, 7:12 am

Asim Chaudhry, actor and writer | Comfort Eating

Life and style | The Guardian

Comfort Eating is back with new host Siobhán McSweeney! In her first episode, she is joined by the Bafta-winning co-creator of People Just Do Nothing, Asim Chaudhry. They discuss his grandma’s cooking, getting laughs from his baby and the joys of collaborating with your pals.

November 12th 2026, 7:12 am

Rachel Roddy’s recipe for torta tenerina, or rich chocolate cake | A kitchen in Rome

Life and style | The Guardian

This soft-but-dense, velvety delight is cake at its most pudding-like. It’s at its prime still warm from the oven, but gets gloriously fudgy after a night in the fridge

The note by Elizabeth David is helpful here: “This cake can also be eaten like a pudding” for its soft-dense-velvet-texture. But I am jumping ahead: this week’s column started in Ferrara, a city in the wetlands of the Po delta in the north-eastern corner of Emilia-Romagna. Half medieval lanes and half green avenues and parks, Ferrara is home to one of Europe’s most imposing red-brick castles, one that provides a home to an annual journalism festival run by the magazine Internazionale. Ferrara is also known for a cake. In fact, it was after a discussion about translation and fact-checking with the Italian writer Domenico Starnone and the translator Ann Goldstein that I first ate a wedge of chocolate, butter, egg, sugar and flour torta tenerina.

Having just mentioned fact-checking, I am now going to side-step the origin stories. The name, however, more or less translates as “little tender one”, although that “little” refers more to the fact that it is a bit tender, rather than being on the small side. Especially because tenerina recipes from Ferrara call for tins ranging from 24-26cm in size, which produce slender cakes that are gently cracked on top and tacolenta (sticky) within; in fact, another name for the cake is torta tacolenta.

November 12th 2026, 7:12 am

‘Christmas is all in the preparation!’ Chefs on eight easy things to do now – so you can relax on th

Life and style | The Guardian

No one wants to slog away in the kitchen while everyone else gets festive. Thanks to these hacks and recipes from professionals, you won’t have to

When it comes to cooking during the festive season, time is tight, fridge space is at a premium and the last thing you want is to be trapped in the kitchen while your family and friends enjoy the fruits of your labour. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to get ahead. “It’s all in the preparation,” says Tom Childs, the head chef at Kerridge’s in London. “Get organised like a commercial kitchen and you’ll be relaxed by the time the big day arrives.”

From freezable, deeply delicious gravy to flavoured butters guaranteed to give the driest of meats a juicy kick, from preserves to liven up leftovers to lightweight puddings the whole family can enjoy, I tested the recipes chefs recommend making now to guarantee your Christmas larder is well stocked, no matter who ends up at your dining table.

November 12th 2026, 7:12 am

The 37 best Christmas gifts in the UK for tweens – chosen by 10- to 12-year-olds

Life and style | The Guardian

We asked 20 tweenagers what they already own, love and think would make great gifts. Turns out it’s Lego, dance mats and plenty of lotions and potions

• The best Christmas gifts for teenagers

Buying for someone in the tweenage years can be a balancing act: while some kids are still crafting, enjoying board games and deep into Lego, others have moved on to skincare and guitars.

So, in an effort to cover the whole range, I spoke to 20 tweens (from 10 to 12 years old) from across the country. But instead of asking what they want, I quizzed them on the things they already have, truly love and use regularly. Here are their tried and tested gift ideas for a range of prices.

November 11th 2026, 10:28 am

Jess Cartner-Morley on fashion: this season’s big idea? Wear a skirt. It’s that simple

Life and style | The Guardian

All you need to look on-trend this autumn is a skirt, but instead of going shopping, check what you already have in your wardrobe

I go to a lot of fashion shows, and sometimes they are gorgeous and sometimes they are ugly. Sometimes they are electrifying and sometimes they are deathly dull. Sometimes they are completely baffling. My absolute favourite kind of show is the one that makes me want to run home and change my outfit. A show that makes me think: there it is! That’s exactly what I want to wear. When the look speaks to me, as if it had been on the tip of my tongue. God, I love that.

Which is what happened at Prada this season. The idea was: skirts. That’s it, that’s the whole idea. The show was 63 different skirts – some with a sweater, some with a bra top, some with a jacket, but the point was the skirts. They were knee-length, give or take an inch up or down, and A-line, although sometimes a narrow almost-pencil and other times with a broader flare. There were skirts that wrapped like kilts, held together with strips of industrial-weight Velcro embroidered with tiny gems. There were stiff boxy pleated skirts and tube skirts painted with swirls, and dainty embellished skirts with a layer of gauze on top, like a petticoat worn on the outside.

November 11th 2026, 10:28 am

How to turn excess crumpets into a hearty breakfast – recipe | Waste not

Life and style | The Guardian

They’re full of childhood nostalgia, and a packet rarely lasts long, but if you happen to have leftover crumpets, here’s an eggy, cheesy way to use them up

Crumpets have a surprisingly short shelf-life, as I found out while taste-testing for the Food Filter column. I even had to have a hurried freezer clear-out to make room for 10 open packets (although, admittedly, a lone packet rarely lasts even a day in our house). On the off chance that you need to use up a packet of crumpets (or find a packet on clearance, which they often are) and fancy treating yourself, I thought I’d share one of my favourite childhood recipes combined with a new one, both of them from my mother. She says it’s based on a Jamie Oliver recipe with egg, bacon and chilli, though I’ve topped mine with Marmite and cheddar, and they’re a wonderful treat with or without the Marmite. Other possible toppings include stilton and apple chutney, and gruyere and walnuts, both of which grill beautifully.

November 11th 2026, 8:25 am

The young women driving the US prenup boom: ‘I want to protect myself’

Life and style | The Guardian

Zillennial couples say they want ‘radical transparency’ around their finances, bucking the idea that prenuptial agreements are rooted in division

Kai Amos does not know adult life without her fiance, Garret. They are high school sweethearts who met as teens in Idaho and moved across the country to New York together. They got engaged last year and will be married in September. Their days hum with the constant buzz of wedding planning: picking vendors, writing the guest list, dress shopping. And also meeting with lawyers; the happy couple are working on a prenuptial agreement, to protect their respective assets should they ever get divorced.

Amos, who is 30, understands the concept has baggage. Her more conservative friends and family back home in Idaho view prenups as something a rich man (and it is always a man) uses to rein in a woman he suspects of gold digging (and it is always a woman, usually younger). “It was always like the idea of a man trying to take advantage of a woman,” Amos said, “and therefore, it has this negative connection that the man is not going to be a trusted partner.”

November 11th 2026, 8:25 am

What are the best one-pan dishes for midweek meals? Rukmini Iyer is answering your questions live

Life and style | The Guardian

Rukmini Iyer, author of the bestselling cookbook series Roasting Tin, is here replying to your food queries on quick, simple weeknight dinners and ways to save time in the kitchen.

Ask a question: log in or sign up here

Loz104 asks: Do you have any tips for stretching dinner leftovers for easy lunches the following day? Particularly something that travels well.

Rukmini: Hello! I am literally turning to the lunchbox chapters of the Quick Roasting Tin and Green Cookbook as we speak to answer your question. I am going to break the answer down into:

Something carby

Beans/chickpeas

Dressing

CHEESE!

Greens

Toppings

November 11th 2026, 8:25 am

Sali Hughes on beauty: a lotion to cure autumn dryness – and relieve eczema sufferers’ sore skin

Life and style | The Guardian

Bioderma’s new eczema lotion will be comforting for anyone with dry skin. Plus another brilliant problem solving mosituriser

I spent much of my childhood basted in crude, heavy-duty emollient creams and grim bath oils. But few patients are as short-changed as eczema sufferers, whose treatments and regimens are not only joyless, but sometimes provide little reward for the trouble.

Although unctuous emollients are necessary to protect a compromised skin barrier, they have a habit of just “sitting” there greasily, refusing to sink in or curtail the itch. The French pharmaceutical brand Bioderma is finally advancing the conversation. Its extensive research into eczema, as well as a recent study of 500 sufferers (about one in five children and one in 10 adults struggle with the condition), were presented as a breakthrough in eczema care at last month’s EADV (European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology) conference in Vienna.

November 11th 2026, 7:00 am

Touch of evil: the terrifying truth about sleep paralysis

Life and style | The Guardian

One in five people have experienced this frightening state – and the Harvard neuroscientist Baland Jalal has dedicated his career to studying it. Could it be a portal to a deeper understanding of the mind?

The Harvard neuroscientist Baland Jalal is considering the unfathomable depths of the human brain. “It can contemplate itself, and vast galaxies, spirits, souls, poetry, Einstein. Yet you hold it in your hand and it seems so trivial.” Jalal’s passion – the subject that drove him to become a scientist – is sleep paralysis, a brain glitch that can fill its host with terror so palpable that it can cause lasting trauma. “What you get very close to in sleep paralysis,” he says, “is that subjective world of the mind. It’s very hard to put into words.”

He should know – he’s spent 271 pages trying to do so. His new book, The Phantom Mind, argues that by exploring the borderlands of sleep, where sleep paralysis occurs, we can delve deeper into how all aspects of our minds work. He may wear a lab coat and examine brain regions and neurochemicals, but studying the mechanics, he says, doesn’t damp down the mysteries of consciousness. “For me, actually, I’ve become more spiritual and interested in the world of mystery and, I want to say supernatural, but dimensions that are intangible, by studying something like sleep paralysis.”

November 11th 2026, 7:00 am

The thermostat wars tearing couples apart: ‘It’s hard to feel sexy when you’re freezing cold’

Life and style | The Guardian

Almost two-thirds of bedfellows disagree about the perfect room temperature – and the issue can affect office workers and housemates too. It oftens lead to subterfuge and skulduggery. So is there any way to reach a truce?

Recently I read an item on Threads that made me laugh out loud. “New dating app idea: post your thermostat settings to find your match.” The poster then revealed their own preferences: a balmy 24C by day and a chilly 19C at bedtime.

The suggestion elicited a rush of responses. “As someone who married outside their thermostat bracket, all I can say is that this is the most brilliant idea ever,” enthused one user. “Get outta here with that daytime terrarium,” responded another. “Are you storing pallets of produce in your house that you need to keep cold?” chimed in a third.

November 11th 2026, 4:27 am

A moment that changed me: a failed date led to one of the greatest friendships of my life

Life and style | The Guardian

My romance with Steven quickly fizzled, but I had gained something just as good. It made me realise that in the endless, exhausting pursuit of love I had closed myself off to other kinds of connection

This autumn is my third anniversary with Steven. In October 2023, we matched on Bumble when I was in his home town of Atlanta for a wedding. We met for dinner downtown and even though we’re from different countries, we discovered a mutual love for the British comedy show Stath Lets Flats. It was a done deal.

But Steven isn’t my partner, he’s my friend. And if we’re being teenage about it, I’d probably brand him one of my best, despite living 4,000 miles away. Over the past three years, we’ve visited each other’s homes, holidayed together and met one another’s friends and family. I’ve even had dinner with his ex-wife, whom I also now consider a friend. Steven and I have all the hallmarks of a perfect relationship. We just don’t fancy each other.

November 11th 2026, 4:27 am

How I Christmas Shop with Jamie Oliver: ‘The most important thing? Gravy.’

Life and style | The Guardian

Always wondered how celebrities do Christmas, what they wear, eat, and always buy ready-made? The chef and campaigner talks whisky, matching waistcoats and the joy of a local bookshop with the Filter

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Jamie Oliver is a global chef and campaigner with a 27-year television and publishing career. He is working to improve people’s relationship with food and, through his Ministry of Food, aims to teach more than 1 million people to cook by 2030. Jamie lives in Essex with his wife, Jools, and their children. His latest book, 20 Minute Meals: Real Fast Food, is published by Penguin.

***

November 10th 2026, 12:27 pm

How to brighten up a school lunchbox | Kitchen aide

Life and style | The Guardian

A bento box stacked with familiar and fun shapes, colours and textures beats a drab cheese and ham sandwich any and every day

I’m already struggling with lunchbox inspiration for the kids. Help!
Rachel, by email
This sounds like a job for Claudine Boulstridge, who has been packing lunchboxes for her three children for 15 years, which is to say she has her gameplan down pat: “Having a simple formula and a few go-to ingredients means I don’t have to reinvent the wheel every morning,” says the author of Family and the Healthy Family Food Substack. Well, that plus a bento-style box: “It keeps everything neatly separated, fresh and visually appealing for hours, without the hassle of small containers,” she adds. “So, even when I’m short on time, I can quickly fill the compartments with a variety of wholesome ingredients: crisp vegetables, juicy fruit, a chunk of cheese, a handful of nuts, a few slices of ham or salami … Lunch is sorted.”

More specifically, Boulstridge sticks to a formula of fruit (halved kiwi, orange slices, pomegranate, say), plus veg (cucumber, carrot, cooked sweet potato, radish), plus protein (soft-boiled egg, cheese, cooked chicken slices or drumsticks, hummus, fish cakes), plus a homemade snack (roast coconut flakes with cinnamon; seeds toasted with unsalted butter and spices; dried seaweed squares). And, just like getting dressed in the morning, accessories are the last word: “Make food fun with shaped cookies, colourful food picks, silicone moulds.” Or simply cut veg into batons or whatever shapes float your boat, Boulstridge says: “Even familiar food will feel fresh and exciting.”

Got a culinary dilemma? Email feast@theguardian.com

November 10th 2026, 8:43 am

Houseplant hacks: do you really need to feed your plants?

Life and style | The Guardian

Some say their plants are fine without fertiliser, but are they just surviving when they could be thriving?

The problem
Enter a garden centre and you will be overwhelmed by a wall of feeds: liquid concentrates, slow-release, droplet bottles and specialist formulas for every plant going. Many people swear by them, while others say they have never fed their plants and they’re doing just fine. After all, plants in the wild manage perfectly well. So do our houseplants genuinely need feeding, or is it just consumerism?

The hack
Plants get energy from photosynthesis, but not minerals. They come from the soil, and in a houseplant bound by its pot that supply runs out over time. In the wild, roots roam through soil, fed constantly by decaying leaves, rain and living organisms. Adding fertiliser gives your plants the nourishment they need to grow and thrive.

November 10th 2026, 7:40 am

The laundry miracle: how to solve 10 stubborn problems – from stains to rough towels to ‘permastank’

Life and style | The Guardian

For 1 million people on Reddit, the science of clothes-washing is a regular topic of discussion. I tried out their tips and discovered some simple, sustainable answers

It started with a sunscreen stain – a yellowed collar on a white T-shirt that persisted wash after wash. A spray of stain remover did nothing; drying the shirt in the sun made it worse. An internet rabbit hole took me to the r/laundry subreddit, where I found my people: 995,000 of them, nerding out over the chemistry of clothes-washing.

“People want to take better care of their stuff, but don’t have the knowledge,” says Eric Thompson, a former management consultant based near Seattle who moderates the forum under the name KismaiAesthetics. He took on the mantle after seeing someone suggest white vinegar to treat a burrito stain on an anorak. “If you pour vinegar on a burrito grease stain on white nylon, you now have orange nylon for eternity,” he says. “Acids bind colour to dye sites on nylon.”

November 10th 2026, 7:40 am

The pest I’ll never forget: the wattle bird who dive-bombed me

Life and style | The Guardian

To help native birds through the winter, I put out honey. It worked a treat until one chased the rest off – and then turned on me

The error took place last autumn when I offered honey to the nectar feeding birds in my neighbourhood in a bay-side suburb of Melbourne. Our grevilleas, which would normally attract them, hadn’t flowered, and my stopgap would hopefully see Australia’s native birds through the winter. With luck, magpies, pardalotes and ravens would discourage intrusion by an increasing population of common mynas – notorious for their aggressive displacement of native species.

It worked, at first. Wattle birds visited in greater numbers. One, whom we named Wally, aggressively saw off the mynas. He arrived wan and thin, and I watched him grow plump and hale.

November 10th 2026, 4:47 am

The 10 best bean-to-cup coffee machines in the UK, tried and tested

Life and style | The Guardian

Fancy an at-home coffee maker that can grind beans and make tasty espresso? Our expert put 14 to the test, including fully automatic and assisted models

• The best coffee machine for your home

Laziness is akin to godliness. I know this for a fact because, every morning, my kitchen hosts a dishevelled re-enactment of Michelangelo’s famed fresco, the Creazione di Adamo (Creation of Adam). An outstretched arm extends a single finger, and lo – a bean-to-cup machine stirs, a grinder whirs, the smell of freshly ground coffee wafts, coffee drips and milk froths. Hopefully, my cup does not runneth over, for all the big mugs are in the dishwasher.

At its simplest, this is the appeal of a fully automatic bean-to-cup coffee machine. Turn it on, place a cup on the drip tray and lazily prod a button. The machine then freshly grinds the beans, brews the coffee and – if it has an automatic milk frother – optionally adds a layer of hot frothy milk to your beverage. Your role in the process is simple: decide whether you want an espresso, lungo, americano, cappuccino, macchiato, latte or cortado. Decisions, decisions.

November 9th 2026, 12:59 pm

A job that changed me: As a bookseller I realised reading is more than an insular pleasure – it buil

Life and style | The Guardian

I learned how to recommend the perfect book for a child whose parents were divorcing and how to identify something based on vague descriptors such as ‘the cover is orange’

• Get our weekend culture and lifestyle email

I was in my early 20s when I landed my dream job. It was early 2018 and I had just started a master’s degree at the University of Melbourne, mostly because I didn’t know what to do with a bachelor of arts.

I had majored in creative writing without really thinking about a future career, certain only that I had always loved writing and reading books. But it turned out debating the pros and cons of Ernest Hemingway and penning poems about teenage breakups didn’t exactly land you a job.

Sign up for our rundown of must-reads, pop culture and tips for the weekend, every Sunday morning

November 9th 2026, 12:59 pm

The pet I’ll never forget: Mae the labrador, who keeps me safe with her keen nose and piercing stare

Life and style | The Guardian

Before getting her, I would fall, injure myself and then wake up alone. I’ve trained Mae to be a medical alert dog and she has helped me to embrace life again

It was love at first sight. I met Mae, a black labrador, in 2023 when she was 11 weeks old and she melted my heart completely. I have multiple sclerosis, postural tachycardia syndrome , and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Since having her, I have been able to start living, horse riding and driving independently again.

At the time I was struggling with the physical and mental symptoms of my illnesses and needed a medical alert dog but there was a long waiting list. So I decided to train my own dog with the help of the Medical Detection Dogs charity.

November 9th 2026, 7:26 am

Say goodbye to ‘digital friction’: how AI is transforming IT support

Life and style | The Guardian

IT issues can be costly for businesses and drive employees to tears – or even to quit. Could a new generation of AI-enhanced support software finally change that?

The program that’s always slow to load, the app that always crashes, the ageing laptop that calls it quits at the most inconvenient times – for millions of knowledge workers, digital disruptions are a fact of life. Taken individually, none are vexing enough to ruin anyone’s day. But across a working week, at the scale of an entire organisation, the time and energy lost to “digital friction” starts to look more serious. In fact, recent research by the digital solutions provider TeamViewer shows that 42% of businesses have experienced direct revenue loss because of it.

November 9th 2026, 6:11 am

Is it true that … dock leaves cure nettle stings?

Life and style | The Guardian

It’s a time-honoured treatment and rubbing certainly helps, but other leaves could be just as good

If you’ve ever brushed against a stinging nettle, chances are someone told you to find a dock leaf. The wide green leaves of dock plants seem to grow conveniently nearby, and rubbing one on a sting is a time-honoured remedy. But does it actually work?

Probably not in any way that’s unique to the plant, says John Tregoning, a professor at Imperial College London and the author of Live Forever? A Curious Scientist’s Guide to Wellness, Ageing and Death.

November 9th 2026, 4:57 am

Trekking in Brazil’s Atlantic rainforests: ‘the day unfolds in a blaze of biodiversity’

Life and style | The Guardian

Minas Gerais’ natural wonders sent Charles Darwin into ecstasies, but the area has always been dominated by mining. Now ecotourism offers a lifeline

When we come out of the bamboo forest and enter the high-altitude grassland, Marcelo begins to walk faster. All around us, dark peaks loom through the early morning clouds. The grasses and flowering mimosa bushes drip from the mist. It is hard to imagine, but this area suffered a devastating fire two years ago. Marcelo has not been back since, and he is anxious. “We have some extremely rare endemic species up here,” he says. “I hope they’ve survived.” A hummingbird zips past, heading for a banana-shaped yellow-and-red flower. “Planalto hermit,” identifies Marcelo. “The bill fits the flower.”

We are in Brazil’s Santuário do Caraça, a 40 square-mile haven of rugged wilderness in the state of Minas Gerais. That name may be unfamiliar to many outside Brazil, but landlocked Minas Gerais, which borders the states of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo to the south, covers an area larger than mainland France and Switzerland combined. Not only that, but with abundant mineral resources, a rising population, and fabulously rich flora and fauna, it makes for an intriguing place to explore.

November 9th 2026, 4:57 am

A new start after 60: I was burnt out and facing redundancy. So I set up a bee farm – and learned th

Life and style | The Guardian

Jeff Lee had spent decades as an investigative journalist. But when he upped sticks with his wife to buy a farm in rural British Columbia, he didn’t just change jobs – he found a different way to live

Jeff Lee became interested in beekeeping in his late 50s after his wife, Amanda, took part in a “beard of bees” event at Science World’s “science of fear” exhibition in Vancouver, Canada, where they lived. She stepped into a Perspex booth, a caged queen bee was placed beneath her chin and thousands of bees climbed her neck – hence the “beard”. She was so calm that the stallholder was impressed. “You should keep bees,” he said.

Lee had a small collection of books on the insects – “the idea of homesteading and having something of an independent life, rather than a rat-race life, always appealed to me” – and the pair enrolled on a beekeeping course. Before long, they had put two hives in their back yard. Fast-forward to 60 and he and Amanda had moved 300 miles east to rural British Columbia to buy a bee farm. For Lee’s part, however, he didn’t just acquire a business. The bees taught him a completely different way to live.

November 9th 2026, 4:57 am

Monica Dolan looks back: ‘I was repulsed by Rose West, yet I had to work out what made her tick’

Life and style | The Guardian

The Bafta-winning actor on her toughest roles, teenage crushes, and the joy of finding her people at drama school

Born in Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, in 1969, Monica Dolan is a TV, film and stage actor. She trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and won a Bafta for her portrayal of Rosemary West in ITV’s Appropriate Adult in 2011. She won the Laurence Olivier award for best supporting actress for her role in the West End production of All About Eve in 2019. Her other television credits include Mr Bates vs the Post Office, W1A, Sherwood, Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa, and Smoggie Queens. She stars in Onwards and Sideways, in UK cinemas from 6 November, ahead of its release on BBC iPlayer later this year.

That’s me staging a puppet show with a Waldorf Muppet, my head poking through the very 1970s-looking hatch in our house in Woking, Surrey. There’s a somewhat neglected Sindy on the side. I think she was an ice-skating one – I wasn’t massively keen on dolls, but I liked that you could move her legs around quite acrobatically, and if you bent her knee too far the plastic would snap and a wire would poke through.

November 8th 2026, 9:39 am

The kindness of strangers: I was crying on a sofa in Ikea. Then a small gesture reminded me that lov

Life and style | The Guardian

Dating as a widow was awkward and I thought a shopping trip would distract me. What it really did was highlight all the couples making homes together

• Read more in the kindness of strangers series

My wonderful husband passed away in 2010. My father died soon after that, and I remember saying to my mother: “We’re both in the same boat now, Mum – both widowed.” She didn’t agree.

“No, I’m in my 80s, and you’ve still got half a life to live,” she responded. “Get out there and live it!”

November 8th 2026, 9:39 am

How to make banana bread – recipe | Felicity Cloake's Masterclass

Life and style | The Guardian

Banana bread is delicious, keeps for ages, goes with all sorts – and it’s thrifty, too! Here’s how to make it in a few easy steps

Banana bread is, strictly speaking, more of a loaf-shaped cake, but, whatever you call it, the taste doesn’t lie. It’s utterly delicious, and the natural sweetness of the ripe fruit lends itself perfectly to baking. While it may not be exactly a health food, it is at least surely better for the heart than Elvis’ favourite fried banana and peanut butter sandwich.

Prep 25 min
Cook 1 hr
Makes 1 loaf

November 8th 2026, 8:40 am

Dining across the divide: ‘She had a deep-rooted community attitude. I find it astonishing that she

Life and style | The Guardian

Will a former Tory voter and a Lib Dem find any common ground on immigration – or the welfare bill?

Avis, 67, St Annes-on-the-Sea

Occupation Retired probation service officer

November 8th 2026, 7:39 am

This is how we do it: ‘Leaving our cult has made sex more intimate’

Life and style | The Guardian

Jude and Tess grew up in an ultra-strict Christian sect, and when they broke away they had to redefine their relationship

• How do you do it? Share the story of your sex life, anonymously

By the time we got married, we had done everything but kiss and have penetrative sex

November 8th 2026, 6:39 am

Should we move back closer to family before our daughter starts school? | Ask Annalisa Barbieri

Life and style | The Guardian

You haven’t formed strong friendships since relocating, but that takes time and returning home will have its own costs – not all of them financial

My husband and I are in a dilemma about where to live. We are in our early 30s and have an 18-month-old daughter. We are from the East Midlands but moved to the north-west three years ago to buy our first house. Our parents are in the East Midlands, as well as a few friends. My brother, who I am close to, also plans to move back from London in the next few years.

We moved to have a change, and for my husband to have some distance from our parents. He is not that close to his; I am close to my mum, but find the relationship challenging because she can behave erratically. My husband has put in quite a lot of effort to form connections in our new home city, but none seem to have stuck. I get some community from my colleagues and have tried to connect with other mums, but I sometimes long for the deep-rooted ties that come from longer term friends and family.

November 8th 2026, 5:28 am

Banquet 88, London E1: ‘Sweet, rich, fiery and moreish’ – restaurant review | Grace Dent on restaura

Life and style | The Guardian

I turn up solo and brace myself to be dumped by the cleaning supplies cupboard, but instead the staff treat me like an off-duty empress

Perched in between a Zizzi, a Côte and a Slug & Lettuce at the far end of St Katharine Docks in Ye Olde Tower of London tourist-land, Banquet 88 feels like something of an enigmatic Asian cousin: it has a sedate frontage, sparse, functional decor with not an ounce of chintz nor an ounce of modernism, or even much of a nod towards comfort. There’s sake cherry foie gras and egg tofu with spicy pork floss and bottles of Fei Tswei Magma chardonnay from Ningxia on the menu, and a distinct dearth of spice bag chips and Mateus rosé, and they’d very much like you to bring a crowd to try the baby cabbage salad with Jinhua ham and century eggs or the Teochew-style poached fish with caviar.

With 140 seats and a second sizeable dining room upstairs, this Chinese mega-restaurant from the Good Fortune Club group is especially suited to parties of six or more who are in the market for black truffle abalone siu mai, Wagyu beef thousand-layer pastry, XO turnip cake and deep-fried taro croquettes with caviar. Then again, Banquet 88 seems very much more like a restaurant that’s waiting for the Chinese embassy to move into the Royal Mint across the road – Beijing bought the site for £255m – should those plans ever survive the courts. Perhaps then they’ll finally get to use the 50-person private dining room.

November 8th 2026, 5:28 am

The best men’s coats for autumn and winter: 48 favourites for £200 or less

Life and style | The Guardian

From a puffer made of old fishing nets to a trench worthy of Bogart, these are the coats worth braving the cold for

• The best men’s shirts for every occasion

No one remembers the suit Humphrey Bogart wore at the end of Casablanca, but everyone remembers the trench. The same goes for you this winter: from November to March, your coat is your first impression, so it’s worth getting right.

That doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune: the coats in this list cost £200 or less. The trick to choosing the best coat for you is buying something you’ll still be happy to wear in five years. If you’re feeling unsure, stick to timeless colours – navy, black, camel, brown or moody greens – and shapes that have been around forever: the overcoat, the trench, the car coat or, a more recent classic, the puffer. And when uncertain about fit, always size up – outerwear looks best worn a little loose, and it leaves room for knitwear when freezing January rolls around.

November 8th 2026, 5:28 am

‘What is this emotion telling me?’ How anger, fear and jealousy can point the way to a better life

Life and style | The Guardian

It’s tempting to ignore uncomfortable feelings – but maybe they’re the key to a happier, more successful future. Time to increase your psychological flexibility …

Something infuriating happened to me recently. My local gym closed down, and overnight what I laughingly call my fitness regime was toast. Quite literally, because now instead of plodding, spinning and lifting tiny dumbbells, I was spending my early mornings guzzling lavishly buttered sourdough.

Obviously, I could have brainstormed alternatives, from going for a run outside or taking an online class to – simple plan – joining one of the five other gyms in my neighbourhood. But instead I chose to see the inconvenience of it all. I grew creakier and crankier by the day.

November 8th 2026, 5:28 am

The moment I knew: He said he was having a midlife crisis – I saw a man willing to face his fears

Life and style | The Guardian

Performer Jeremy Lloyd had a rule: no dating within the theatre and dance industry. They broke that rule with David

• Find more stories from the moment I knew series

When David and I met, we’d both recently come out of long-term relationships and had our lives reorganised by the reality of mortality. He’d survived two strokes and had learned how to walk and talk again. I’d been diagnosed HIV positive at 21, five years earlier.

In early 2018 I was in my mid-20s, living in Sydney, and had just returned to dancing and performing after a three-year hiatus.

November 8th 2026, 5:28 am

‘Free grand piano’: the scam playing on music lovers’ heartstrings

Life and style | The Guardian

Emails claim to come from a woman whose husband has died – but the offer isn’t what it seems

An email pops up in your inbox: a woman whose husband has died is giving away his grand piano for free. She says she would love it to go to someone “who will truly appreciate and care for it”. The piano “is in excellent condition and has brought joy to our home”.

The email ends: “If you know of a dedicated student, teacher, family or church that would cherish this piano, please feel free to forward this message to them.”

November 8th 2026, 5:28 am

Walking with spirits in Cambodia’s sacred forests

Life and style | The Guardian

Former loggers and poachers have embraced ancient traditions to promote and protect the Cardamom Mountains’ ever-threatened natural wonders

I’m two hours downriver from the Chi Phat community ecotourism camp, in the Koh Kong region of Cambodia, when my phone signal fizzles out completely. It’s dawn and we’re chugging through the snaking Preak Piphot River towards the starting point of a 9-mile (15km) overnight trek into the country’s sacred, spirit-filled Cardamom mountain range. The region, a six-hour bus ride west of the capital Phnom Penh, recently made global news for being home to a raft of new species of fauna and a sanctuary for rare and endangered wildlife.

As well as its plant and protection initiatives, it is also known for its storied history, from ancient burial grounds to the last stronghold of Pol Pot’s fleeing Khmer Rouge fighters into the late 1980s. If trees could talk … Well, many believe these ones can.

November 8th 2026, 5:28 am

‘A wonderfully fluffy but crunchy-edged bite’: the best (and worst) supermarket crumpets, tasted and

Life and style | The Guardian

Holey toasters! Some supermarket crumpets are really good – but which ones are best?

• The best supermarket sliced bread

As a crumpet lover, this test was a joy, not least because analysing the inner workings of a crumpet raises some of life’s (almost) most important questions: how holey should it be? Does the number of holes actually matter? What are they made of? And how do they form?

Those holes really do matter, though the number of them on the surface matters less than the crumpet’s internal architecture, which should be well aerated with that classic, honeycomb texture. Remember the old vinegar and baking soda volcano experiment at school? Well, that texture is achieved through pretty much the same process, albeit using food-grade salts rather than vinegar. When the crumpet hits heat, the surface moisture turns to steam, forcing bubbles up through the dough to leave those archetypal surface craters that soak up butter.

November 7th 2026, 8:26 am

‘Minimal look, maximal politics’: why the black T-shirt signals modern power

Life and style | The Guardian

The look – worn by Abdul El-Sayed, Andy Burnham and Volodymyr Zelenskyy – radiates authority and no-nonsense masculinity, say fashion experts

For years the black T-shirt was consigned to the clothing category of plain basics. A hidden layer rather than the main event. But modern politics has pushed it to the frontlines as a sartorial shortcut to signal power.

The progressive Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, who this week became the first Muslim elected to the US Senate in history, made a tight black T-shirt his signature look throughout his year-long campaign. Styling it with jeans and friendship bracelets made by his children, El-Sayed described his attire as “minimal look, maximal politics”.

November 7th 2026, 5:39 am

Chris Packham: ‘When I was 14, I had a kestrel. I have never been happier or more in love since’

Life and style | The Guardian

The BBC presenter on listening to techno, wanting his ashes scattered with those of his dogs and shaving with his eyes shut

Born in Southampton, Chris Packham, 65, gained a zoology degree at the University of Southampton. He began his TV career on The Really Wild Show in the 1980s and went on to front other BBC programmes such as Springwatch and Earth. In 2023 he presented the documentary Inside Our Autistic Minds. His bestselling memoir, Fingers in the Sparkle Jar, was voted the UK’s favourite nature book in 2018 and his awards include a CBE for services to nature conservation. Chris Packham’s World of Wonder: A Planet on the Edge is touring until 1 December. He has a partner and lives in Hampshire.

When were you happiest?
When I was 14 years old I had a kestrel and I would get up before school to fly it. Nothing else happened that summer. My whole world revolved around that one bird and I have never been happier or more in love since.

November 7th 2026, 5:39 am

Jackson Boxer’s vegetarian recipe for roast beetroot with pickled raisins and blue cheese

Life and style | The Guardian

Surprise yourself with the flavours in this roast beetroot spiked with pickled raisins and salty blue cheese

It’s not uncommon for people to form negative relationships with certain vegetables as a consequence of only ever having had them boiled to disintegration, a blunt approach that’s unlikely to bring out the best in any of us. Beetroot, especially, are vastly improved by being roasted instead, because that way they cook gently in their own juices. Not only does this much improve their texture, but it concentrates their innate, earthy richness, rather than leaching out of them. Beetroot’s high level of natural sweetness makes it a perfect foil for sharp dressings and even sharper cheeses.

Jackson Boxer is chef/owner of Brunswick House, Vesper and Dove, all in London, and culinary director of Cowley Manor near Cheltenham and the Henrietta in London

November 7th 2026, 5:10 am

Albania’s restored stone houses throw open the doors to visitors

Life and style | The Guardian

A project to convert the country’s traditional kulla houses into guesthouses offers a true flavour of ancient hospitality in a part of the country almost untouched by tourism

Sunlight pours through a tiny stone window, causing the wooden floorboards to creak as they warm up. The sound of sheep’s bells filters in from a passing flock. The scent of baking bread mingles with smoke from the previous evening’s fire. I wake up feeling I’ve been transported back to another time – but in reality I’m in modern-day Albania.

I’m staying in a kulla, one of the traditional stone tower houses that are found throughout northern Albania, Montenegro and North Macedonia. They once protected families during times of conflict and sheltered weary travellers on trade routes, before mostly falling into disrepair in the 20th century. A new long-distance trail developed by the Albanian Agritourism Association aims to return some of them to their former glory and give visitors a chance to discover a part of Albania almost untouched by tourism.

November 7th 2026, 5:10 am

Stabbed, jailed, reborn: the chef who lost his love of food – then regained it behind bars

Life and style | The Guardian

Nathaniel Mortley dreamed of opening his own restaurant, but ended up in jail for drug offences. Now he’s out, and doing his best to make up for lost time

At first he thought it was just a nasty punch, but Nathaniel Mortley soon realised he had been stabbed in the back. This was true in two senses. Figuratively, because he had been set up by a friend, and quite literally – since his back was gushing blood, as he saw reflected in the pub toilet mirror.

It was 2010 and hours earlier, he had been at a street festival in south London. Life was looking up: he had just achieved good exam grades (14 GCSEs) and things were going well with his girlfriend. It was the final week before sixth form began and Mortley, who was 16 at the time, was due to continue his academic success, having signed up for five A-levels.

November 7th 2026, 5:10 am

Tim Dowling: it seems the real moral of this story is that I’m easily led

Life and style | The Guardian

When our street is closed for roadworks, I join in with the neighbours’ outrage. My wife, meanwhile, charms the man in the hard hat into reopening it

Early on Friday morning my wife finds me sitting in bed, looking at my phone. She is dressed already, and holding keys.

“They’re blocking off the whole road,” she says.

November 7th 2026, 5:10 am

Can AI really save you money on your heating bill? I spent two years testing to find out

Life and style | The Guardian

Samuel Gibbs doubted he could cut costs and still keep warm by putting tech in control. The results surprised him

Can smart thermostats and AI reduce your heating bills? Every manufacturer claims the answer is yes, quoting average savings in the 25%, or £180 a year range. But all of these promises are heavily caveated and, with energy costs changing regularly, it can be very difficult to tell what is having an impact.

To find out if technology can really help, I spent the last two years comparing my miserly manual control and basic heating schedule to an AI-governed system. The results surprised me.

November 7th 2026, 5:10 am

Blind date: ‘I told her I don’t like the theatre. In retrospect, I can see why a playwright would be

Life and style | The Guardian

William, 28, a PhD candidate, meets Abigail, 24, a theatre artist

What were you hoping for?
To have a spark of some kind.

November 7th 2026, 5:10 am

Yes, saunas are great – but have you heard of this amazing thing called a bath?

Life and style | The Guardian

Ever since the ancient Greeks, we’ve suspected that soaking in hot water is good for your health. Now science has proved it

At a time when many of us feel overwhelmed, overstretched and over-reliant on screens, it’s unsurprising that the wellness industry is booming, with spa facilities – saunas in particular – becoming increasingly popular places to rest the body and mind.

But if a trip to the spa seems like too much effort or money, then good news! An alternative could be waiting for you right behind your bathroom door: hot baths. Though washing habits have shifted towards showers in recent years, the majority of UK homes are still fitted with bathtubs. Not only is bathing less expensive than a sauna session; it may be more effective at lowering blood pressure and boosting the immune system, according to research from the University of Oregon.

November 7th 2026, 5:10 am

Upside-down homes for sale in England – in pictures

Life and style | The Guardian

From a former Kentish oast house to an award-winning 1950s home an architect built for himself

November 6th 2026, 3:55 am

Experience: I helped jail the teacher who groomed me

Life and style | The Guardian

At 15, having the cool 31-year-old PE teacher single me out felt thrilling. It took years to see his praise for what it really was

I was 15 when Paul joined my high school in Queensland, Australia, as a PE teacher. He was fun and handsome, and seemed much younger than his 31 years. I was obsessed with dance, and when Paul complimented me on my gymnastics, I was thrilled the “cool” teacher had noticed me.

He’d always stop for a chat. I was the only child of a single mum and though she was there for me, I didn’t confide in her. But he was easy to talk to and I quickly developed a crush.

November 6th 2026, 3:55 am

No great shakes: the quest for palatable high-protein drinks

Life and style | The Guardian

High-protein, alcohol-free beer? The end times are here. But surely some of these ubiquitous protein drinks are drinkable … aren’t they?

As someone who is not unlikely to be tasting wine at 10am on a Tuesday, I am clearly not best placed to offer health advice. But, for the purposes of this column, I can tell you that every day most adults need 0.75g protein for every kilogram of body weight. This is achievable through a wholefood diet (nuts, pulses, eggs), although some people, namely athletes, supplement that with protein powders to support really quite profound levels of exertion.

In case it has escaped your notice, protein is a big deal right now, and products reformulated with added protein are popping up all over the place; it’s a phenomenon linked to the rising popularity of weight-loss drugs. Trouble is, they’re marketed at everyone, and it could be very easy to feel that you’re cheating yourself if you don’t opt for these enhanced versions of ordinary products, which in drinks terms range from protein iced coffee to protein smoothies, protein sodas and even protein beers.

November 5th 2026, 10:37 am

My childhood was one of survival and resilience. How can I model a joyful life for my kids? | Leadin

Life and style | The Guardian

Start with the feeling, not the activities, writes advice columnist Eleanor Gordon-Smith. Making more room for enjoyment is also making more room for your actual self

• Read more Leading questions

I’m a child of first-generation immigrants and have always carried a story of survival and resilience. My parents were part of a “lost generation” who sacrificed a lot to put us all through university. There was a very defined path for success, some of which I followed and some not. I married outside of race; I made work choices for financial stability. I don’t know how to enjoy things that other people seem to. Hobbies, travelling, home renovations … I look at those like “what is the point?”

I want to say it’s because my upbringing was not full of leisure activities; my parents only allowed us to focus on academic topics. Now that I’m a mother though, I wonder how I can role model some of this “living well for its own sake” for my children. It’s hard to find simple joys actually joyful. Growing up, everything needed to be “applied” towards something, and it feels that mentality is informing everything I do. Any advice on how to break free and live in the moment?

November 5th 2026, 10:37 am

You be the judge: should my wife keep out of our neighbours’ disputes?

Life and style | The Guardian

Rosie has become co-chair of their apartment block committee, but Marcus thinks she should take a back seat. Whose argument falls flat? You decide

• Find out how to get a disagreement settled or become a juror

Rosie wants us to be ‘good gentrifiers’, but is getting involved in feuds that go way back

November 5th 2026, 7:13 am

You will die. That’s why your life is worth living

Life and style | The Guardian

What does the tech elite offer? The immortality grift. But there’s another way to look at our previous time on Earth

Ted “the Kid” Williams was perhaps one of the greatest hitters baseball has ever seen. He played for the Boston Red Sox for nearly 20 years. The Kid was like a god from another era until his death in 2002, at 83.

His two younger children had his body carted off by private jet to Alcor Life Extension Foundation, a cryonics facility in Scottsdale, Arizona. There, his head was severed from his body in a process called neuroseparation, thought to increase the quick-freeze preservation of the brain. His head and body were placed in stainless steel nitrogen tanks.

November 5th 2026, 7:13 am

From recycled wreaths to fabric Advent calendars: 12 genuinely reusable Christmas things

Life and style | The Guardian

The festive season isn’t known for its sustainability. This year, eschew throwaway decorations in favour of long-lasting, waste-free finds that you’ll use year after year

• The best homemade Christmas gift ideas

I met a woman one January who told me that every year she throws away her tree with all the decorations attached, and then just buys everything new the following year. Not only is this horrendous, environmentally speaking, but she’s missing out on the best bit, as far as I am concerned. For me, Christmas is all about nostalgia and sentimentality, and nothing speaks to that like taking the tatty little robin made of real feathers that belonged to my grandparents out of its storage box and nestling it into the branches of my tree.

My favourite day of the festive period isn’t actually Christmas Day, or even Christmas Eve. It’s the day that we get the decorations down from the loft. I’ll start sorting and unpacking from 1 December, sprucing up anything that needs some TLC – some of my stuff is older than me, after all. Although I do often treat myself to a couple of new, carefully chosen pieces, I love getting out all the bits and bobs I’ve been collecting over the years. It’s like being reunited with old friends.

November 5th 2026, 7:13 am

The knuck: how to wear trousers and boots – without looking like a pirate

Life and style | The Guardian

Forget the French tuck. This year, the fashion press has another style move in mind – and it will at least keep your jeans clean

Name: The knuck.

Age: A brand new term for an enduring look.

November 5th 2026, 3:10 am

Thursday news quiz: A captain’s debut, a crypto snafu and some sausage dogs, too

Life and style | The Guardian

Test yourself on topical news trivia, pop culture and general knowledge every Thursday. How will you fare?

Remember, remember, the fifth of November, gunpowder, news quiz and plot. We see no reason why 15 questions should ever be forgot. As we await the smell of damp bonfires and cold autumn winds this evening, the Thursday quiz offers a warmer refuge. Never mind Guy Fawkes, here are 15 sparkler-bright questions on news, trivia, and pop culture to illuminate the day. And sausage dogs! Allons-y!

The Thursday news quiz, No 272

November 5th 2026, 3:10 am

The best Christmas gifts in the UK for mums, grannies, aunties and friends

Life and style | The Guardian

Fancy stationery, cashmere knits and truly beautiful ceramics … we’ve handpicked 61 thoughtful gifts to spoil the mother figure in your life for Christmas 2026

• Don’t get the Filter delivered to your inbox? Sign up here

A lot of stuff gets marketed as perfect for mums. But be careful, she really doesn’t want a kegel exerciser in her stocking, nor anything that makes washing up easier, unless you just do it instead of her. Also, beware of joke presents – they end up in the bin.

The perfect present for a mother figure of any age – be that a cherished aunt or beloved granny – is, I think, something either personal (which is where personalisation options can be useful) or an elevated version of something you know she likes that she may not treat herself to. Both take a little time and research, which I’ve done for you here.

November 4th 2026, 12:16 pm

Jess Cartner-Morley on fashion: chocolate, mocha, cacao … whatever you call it, brown is autumn’s ch

Life and style | The Guardian

Black feels like a no-brainer for boots, handbags or coats - but if you swap it for brown, the same outfit looks more considered

There are a bunch of names being thrown around for the colour fashion wants us to wear this season. Espresso. Chestnut. Cacao. Ganache. Coffee bean. Truffle. Mocha. Caramel. Hazelnut. Nobody seems terribly keen to call it brown. Brown has never been the sexiest word in the paintbox. Red is passion. Black is chic. Pink is romance. Blue is serenity. Brown is the colour of wheelie bins. Except that right now, brown – specifically the deep, glossy, edible-looking chocolate end of the spectrum – is probably the chicest colour you can wear.

It is probably not incidental that we so often describe it in terms of what we eat or drink. When Pantone named Mocha Mousse its colour of 2025, it linked brown’s popularity to the “food-ification” of culture: the idea that coffee and chocolate represent small moments of comfort, bite-size affordable treats in anxious lives.

November 4th 2026, 12:16 pm

How to turn pasta odds and ends into a winning bake – recipe | Waste not

Life and style | The Guardian

Mixed-up pasta bits and stale crisps combine with beans and cheese ends to make a fun and nutritious meal

The Northern Pasta Co’s new cookbook, Pasta For The People, includes a recipe for my pasta mista fritatta, a super-easy, child-friendly way to use up the end of a bag of pasta; it’s also a great vehicle for giving kids a filling, protein-rich meal with a portion of veg. I’ve come up with today’s dish in much the same spirit, and it ticks all the boxes.

November 4th 2026, 10:19 am

Sali Hughes on beauty: eye creams that are worth using down to the last drop

Life and style | The Guardian

Face cream is often enough, but if you want a separate product for your eyes, these new ones are terrific value

A hill I will die on: you do not necessarily need an eye cream. There are, I will admit, reasons why you might fare better with one. You may have a very dry eye area and oily skin elsewhere, for example, causing a skincare mismatch. Or, conversely, you may find your daily face cream is too rich for your eyes and makes them puffy, so they need something lighter. You may want a little cosmetic light reflection, or you might use active ingredients like retinol that your face tolerates perfectly well, but that your eyes can take only in a lower concentration.

It may, of course, be none of the above, but just that you find using an eye cream a pleasure, which is as good a reason as any.

November 4th 2026, 5:15 am

The art prescription: how 60 minutes in a gallery each month could transform your life

Life and style | The Guardian

Are you getting your RDA (recommended dose of art)? Along with 10,000 steps and five fruit and veg a day, this small, enjoyable change could make you much healthier – and happier

Name: Art.

Age: Art has been around for thousands of years. The drawings in Blombos Cave in South Africa, for example, are estimated to be about 73,000 years old. But this is less about how old and more about how often, and for how long.

November 4th 2026, 3:46 am

A moment that changed me: I was terrified of my own body – until a surprising 20-mile bike ride

Life and style | The Guardian

I grew up with spinal conditions that solidified my sense of being ‘weak and weird’. By my late 30s, I was feeling burnt out. But an invitation from a colleague set me on an unexpected and exhilarating new path

In 2023, I was in the Alps trekking the 80-mile Tour du Mont Blanc when there came a moment I was no longer trekking, exactly. I was on my hands and knees. Frozen. And then I started to cry. Others were casually bopping past me, up and over like water around a stone. But I was stuck. Why can’t I move? I thought.

I was not always fit enough to trek 80 miles in the Alps. As a child, I was the one who always got picked last in gym class. I would have picked me last too: by any measure, I was the most physically awkward kid in my year group. Other students bullied me and I was ashamed of my body. I felt weird, weak and sad.

November 4th 2026, 3:46 am

Why tradwives are fleeing the movement: ‘I can’t undo my past – but I can warn other women’

Life and style | The Guardian

In recent years, some of the most vocal tradwives have left their husbands, renounced their religious faith and promoted financial independence. What is behind this sudden and seismic shift?

When Bernadine Bluntly posted a video earlier this year renouncing the tradwife movement she had championed, it caused shockwaves through the “alt-right” social media world. Previously, posts of her and her six children had flooded feeds as the Maga movement gained ground. She was one of the defiantly anti-feminist influencers who promoted a return to patriarchal gender roles, pronatalist ideals and fundamentalist Christian values – particularly around the sanctity of marriage. Bluntly, whose real surname is Barber, had, in the past, sold T-shirts reading “RIP Feminism”, supported Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the supreme court and developed a course, Simply Smitten, to help young women attract husbands who were “traditional masculine men”.

Then, last year, she left her husband. Her divorce was finalised this year. In the proceedings, she got a restraining order against her ex, whom she said was abusive (he denies this). In April, the 36-year-old posted a video titled: “What I got wrong about the trad movement”, in which she said that, while she is still a Christian and believes in the differences between men and women: “I no longer believe in extreme gender roles, especially when they’re wrapped in spiritual language and used to justify control, silence or harm.” She said that the tradwife movement, one she initially thought was about a “return to strong family values”, has “become indistinguishable from the current wave of the red-pill manosphere”. She concluded: “If my past content contributed to that, I am so genuinely sorry.”

November 4th 2026, 3:46 am

Faux fur, funnel necks and timeless wool: the 47 best women’s coats for autumn and winter

Life and style | The Guardian

Long, short, tailored or sporty, there’s a great jacket for everyone – here are our favourites

• Jess Cartner-Morley’s November style essentials

It’s November, which means your thick tights and cosiest jumpers have emerged from that box under the bed. And while winter weather brings with it a whole host of wardrobe-related challenges, few can’t be solved with the addition of an outstanding coat.

A coat is the easiest way to add a stamp of your signature style to an outfit. They bring sophistication, drama, and (for some, most importantly) warmth. Elevate a simple jeans-and-tee outfit with a statement jacket, or pair a classic tailored option with a skirt and your favourite boots for an evening-out cheat code.

November 3rd 2026, 11:17 am

I spent 11 years without my childhood friend. Finding our way back together was staggeringly simple

Life and style | The Guardian

I thought about her a lot after our friendship imploded. When our birthdays rolled around, I wondered what we’d be doing if we were still in touch

I was 26 when I lost my childhood friend. By that point, I’d known her for almost two-thirds of my life.

Our first conversation was at an ice-skating party when we were nine years old. I’d been nervous in the weeks leading up to the party because I couldn’t ice-skate. Every time the Spice Girls’ 2 Become 1 music video came on, the sight of Victoria Beckham singing on an ice rink filled me with impending doom. I was sure I would disgrace myself at the party.

November 3rd 2026, 9:47 am

Pickles, plant hangers and a hotel for bees: seven homemade Christmas gifts anyone can make

Life and style | The Guardian

The best presents don’t always come from a shop. From DIY decorations to gifts for the garden, here’s how to craft something special in 2026

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It’s never too early for Christmas if you are making the presents you plan to give to your loved ones. Perhaps you’ve been the grateful recipient of a delicious homemade jam or a hand-knitted scarf in the past and have decided that now is the time to give it a go yourself. Here are seven easy makes you still have time to prepare for the big day.

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November 3rd 2026, 8:02 am

Houseplant hacks: is a hygrometer a gimmick or a godsend?

Life and style | The Guardian

Hot radiators and cold draughts can wreak havoc with plants in winter, so do you need a gadget to measure the temperature and humidity of your home?

The problem
Winter is often seen as downtime for houseplants, so they can get forgotten. Colder days mean the heating is on, the air dries out, and draughts creep in at every window or door. Tropical plants that thrived in summer can start to sulk. Could a digital thermometer and hygrometer to monitor the humidity help redress the balance?

The hack
Pop the cheap gadget among your plants for a live update on temperature and relative humidity, often with a record of the daily high and low. The idea is that instead of guessing whether your calathea is cold or your fern is fading in the dry air, you measure and move the plant or treat it accordingly.

November 3rd 2026, 8:02 am

‘An extravagantly illuminated beast’: the best artificial Christmas trees in the UK – tested

Life and style | The Guardian

Pick wisely, and your fake fir could be reused for decades of Decembers. From pre-lit to frosted to space-saving, here are our festive favourites

• The best beauty Advent calendars

In the 70s and 80s Essex of my youth, no one had a real Christmas tree unless they lived in the country, or perhaps Loughton. Our family’s skinny artificial tree is now 55 years old and comes out every year at my sister’s. It’s shed a few plastic “needles” down the years, but it’s still standing proud – which is more than you can say for a real Christmas tree bought in 1971, or even 2025.

Therein lies the surprising environmental efficiency of artificial Christmas trees. The Carbon Trust says using a fake tree over seven to 20 years (depending on its weight and materials) can create fewer emissions than buying a new, commercially grown tree every year. The key is to buy an artificial tree you’ll love enough to roll out for decades.

November 3rd 2026, 5:01 am

The pest I’ll never forget: the cats who filled our house with live mice

Life and style | The Guardian

Our house was a mouse-free zone until our new kittens began venturing into the nearby woods in search of prey and playthings

This is a cat-and-mouse story in which the cats are the real pests. My old house, despite being next to rodent-filled woods, was blissfully mouse-free … until, during lockdown, we got two kittens, Mimi and Ruben. As soon as their fine motor skills were sufficiently sharpened, they started hunting. Thankfully, they weren’t into birds, but wood mice became their specialism. I suppose the dearth of mice indoors meant they had to catch them outside. The tabby twins would then bring their prey back to their lair (our house) and release them, still miraculously alive. Perhaps they thought mice would make fun pets.

You would know they had brought in a mouse when they sat guarding sections of ill-fitting skirting or gaps under cupboard doors, uttering odd “prittering” sounds. Cue us humans moving furniture and dashing about, getting down on our hands and knees, reduced to hunting the mice ourselves with upturned Tupperware boxes. If we caught them, we released them in the woods, locking our yowling cats inside so they couldn’t see exactly where. But some mice inevitably escaped into the fabric of the house.

November 3rd 2026, 5:01 am

A job that changed me: I ran observatory tours as a student. An eight-year-old’s question taught me

Life and style | The Guardian

I thought the explanation I’d given about black holes was family-friendly; but after what she had said, I had to rethink my examples

• Read more in the a job that changed me series

In the first year of my science degree, I was fortunate to land a job as an astronomy guide at the Sydney Observatory. In my role, I would lead tour groups of about 20 people. We’d look at stars and planets through telescopes. If the skies were filled from horizon to horizon with clouds, we’d explore more of the universe through a 3D theatre. And to peer beyond what our telescopes could see, we’d pile inside the cosy planetarium, seeing what the light pollution of Sydney and clouds would often obstruct from our view.

My favourite object to show in the planetarium was the Hubble Ultra Deep Field image. Before revealing the image, I’d explain how the Hubble space telescope had stared at a piece of sky the size of a grain of sand held at arm’s length for 11 days, collecting enough light to look into the farthest corners of the universe. Then I’d zoom in on that tiny piece of sky, revealing the gorgeous image. At least one person would audibly gasp at the reveal.

November 2nd 2026, 11:59 am

The pet I’ll never forget: the tiny horse with a big personality – who helps psychiatric patients

Life and style | The Guardian

Black Pearl is a therapy animal, who works with military veterans. This sweet show-off has completely changed my life

I trained and competed in dressage for many years and after I retired, I decided to buy a miniature horse for company at home in southern California. I bought Black Pearl from Quicksilver Ranch in Solvang, California, in 2008, when she was six months old. She was a fluffy little thing and would run around at warp speed, then run back to snuggle. She stole my heart from the beginning. I had no idea that Black Pearl would inspire me to change my whole focus in life.

I started training her for fun and began to teach her tricks. She learned quickly. I thought of a great way to give back to the community – Black Pearl and I could find ways to help people. I started to wonder where I could visit with my little horse.

November 2nd 2026, 11:59 am

The kindness of strangers: In 1989 I lost a wallet with $1,000 in it. A couple went to incredible le

Life and style | The Guardian

Cash was king in those days, and that money was enough to last me for a month as I slowly travelled from Australia back to the UK

• Read more in the kindness of strangers series

It was a hot night in 1989 when my wallet – stuffed with $1,000 cash – fell out of my pocket.

After university, I left the UK and went travelling in Australia for a year. I saw the delights of the east coast – mostly from various building sites, as I worked my way around doing long hours in the blistering sun. But I loved every minute of it. After 10 months, I had saved enough to make my way slowly back home.

November 2nd 2026, 6:14 am

Is it true that … drinking alcohol warms you up?

Life and style | The Guardian

A hot toddy might make you feel toasty, but drinking in cold conditions can be risky

Hot toddies, red wine, a dram of whisky: alcohol has long been a go-to remedy for keeping warm. But while a drink might make you feel warmer, does it actually help? “There’s a perception of warmth, but in reality, it doesn’t occur,” says Winston Morgan, professor of toxicology, equity and inclusive practice at the University of East London.

Alcohol affects the body’s temperature-regulating system. Our core body temperature is controlled by the hypothalamus, a region of the brain that helps regulate how we respond to changes in temperature. When we get too hot, blood vessels near the surface of the skin widen, a process known as vasodilation. This allows more warm blood to flow close to the skin, where heat can escape into the surrounding air. When we get too cold, the opposite happens. The blood vessels narrow, or constrict, reducing blood flow to the skin and helping to conserve heat.

November 2nd 2026, 6:14 am

Frightfully good get-ups: how celebs celebrated Halloween – in pictures

Life and style | The Guardian

From Heidi Klum as her own severed hand to Lily Allen as a Ticketmaster seating plan, this year the celebrities didn’t disappoint

November 2nd 2026, 6:14 am

From a life-changing garlic press to a super-glowy serum: 12 buys you’re loving right now

Life and style | The Guardian

Casserole dishes, electric heaters and silk shirts: your autumnal favourites show you’re hunkering down – with one eye on party season

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Autumn, we’ve been expecting you. After a September that seemed to miss the memo about changing seasons, October made up for it with serial storms and nights that drew in faster than you could say “fall back”. Time to hunker down and, whisper it, even put the heating on – or at least fire up an electric heater if you’re still holding out on the radiators.

But while you were drawn to the indoor pleasures of heaters, hot casseroles and hotter coffee, you’ve also had your eye on party season, or at least been thinking about venturing into those corners of your wardrobe that haven’t seen daylight since March. From a clothes steamer to breathe new life into your threads, a pencil skirt and sheer silk shirt to update your wardrobe, to a vitamin C serum to keep your skin glowing all winter, these were your favourite things in October.

November 2nd 2026, 6:14 am

Jamz Supernova explores Bristol’s independent music scene

Life and style | The Guardian

The DJ takes Steve Slocombe on a journey through the venues and cultural institutions that have shaped her relationship with the vibrant city

Jamz Supernova’s four-year-old daughter has headphones for her own soundtrack; when Mum’s in the car, Mum chooses the music. Even Waka Waka is resisted. This is more than parental territorialism – for the DJ, label founder and BBC 6 Music presenter, the car is also a listening room. Driving, she says, is “active listening time”.

Jamz is at the wheel of the new fully electric Volvo EX60. We’re spending the day travelling around Bristol, visiting places that shaped her relationship with the city’s music scene. The proud Londoner describes Bristol as something of a “spiritual home”. She first came here in the early 2010s and quickly fell for its underground nightlife – the kind where you didn’t need a ticket or a plan; you could simply “walk into somewhere and catch a vibe”.

November 2nd 2026, 6:14 am

A new start after 60: At 26, I saw my dream Porsche. At 68, I built one from scratch

Life and style | The Guardian

Bill Drysdale could never afford the sports car he fell in love with as a young man. So when he retired, he went to night school to learn welding, and began assembling it, bit by bit ...

When he was 26, Bill Drysdale saw a Porsche 904 at Silverstone racetrack and fell in love. “One day,” he vowed, “I will have one of those.” As the years went by, the price of Drysdale’s dream car rose above £1m. “I realised I was never going to be able to buy one.” But when he retired, still harbouring the dream, he thought: “Why don’t I make one?”

Drysdale grew up in Wigtown, Scotland, and cars were in his blood – his grandfather was chauffeur to the local creamery manager, and he first saw a race with his father, when he was 12 – around the time that his mother went into hospital with multiple sclerosis. Drysdale, an only child, grew close to his father. At 14, he taught him to drive. Together they’d huddle in the kitchen to listen to the Le Mans 24 Hour race on the radio.

November 2nd 2026, 6:14 am

This is how we do it: ‘We don’t have penetration – but it’s by far the best sex I’ve ever had’

Life and style | The Guardian

Penetrative sex is painful for Nina, but intimacy with Noah is fun, hot and loving

• How do you do it? Share the story of your sex life, anonymously

The mechanics of how we have sex don’t matter to me. I still feel the same degree of pleasure

November 1st 2026, 7:17 am

Dining across the divide: ‘My family are all Trumpian, so I’ve had a lot of practice talking to peop

Life and style | The Guardian

She thinks the answer to the climate crisis is cutting CO2, he favours population control and North Sea oil and gas extraction. Can they make it through a meal together?

Sam, 29, central London

Occupation Compliance officer
Voting record Sam is American so can’t vote in the UK yet, but when she can she intends to vote Green
Amuse bouche She is an expert knitter. She started when she was five and makes socks, mittens, hat, jumpers – if you know Sam, she’s knitting you something

November 1st 2026, 7:17 am

My wife and I are in our late 70s and don’t have any children. Who can help us in our old age? | Ann

Life and style | The Guardian

Getting older and losing your autonomy is even harder without family around. You need to consider both the practical and emotional issues involved

My wife and I are in our late 70s, and have been married for more than 40 years. We didn’t have kids and were rather traumatised after failed IVF.

My wife is Asian and has no UK-based family. I do, but they are not close geographically, nor are they people who would be able to give any support if needed. Friends are of a similar age and so have their own issues to deal with. My wife and I have always been a self-reliant unit, and we’re both reasonably healthy, but I’m increasingly aware that there will soon come a time when help is needed.

November 1st 2026, 3:16 am

How to improve your memory: 10 easy, enjoyable expert tips – from reading a book to getting more sle

Life and style | The Guardian

Relying on technology can make us forgetful, but there are some simple ways to sharpen your recall. Memory experts describe the tricks and habits that can help

Memory can worsen as we age, but it is often possible to do something about it. Here, memory experts share their advice on how to improve your power of recall.

November 1st 2026, 3:16 am

Is AI your new wingman? How chatbots are transforming dating

Life and style | The Guardian

Almost 40% of British singles have used AI for romantic advice, from writing messages to assessing potential partners

After Sam’s ex joked that her sister found him ugly, he turned to AI. Google Gemini had a look at the photo and politely disagreed. AI has been his wingman ever since, aiding his dating life by giving pep talks and vetting his messages.

The 27-year-old from Stoke-on-Trent is not the only AI-assisted romantic – a survey of 3,000 British singles published this month by Match Group, the owner of the Tinder and Hinge platforms, found 39% had used AI in their dating lives.

October 31st 2026, 11:34 am

‘We were mortgage-free at 45, here’s how you can do it too’

Life and style | The Guardian

Even modest overpayments can save you a fortune. We look at the best ways to pay off your biggest debt early

When Adrian Massey was made redundant from his job as a food developer in 2010, the bill that worried him the most was the mortgage. Just over a decade later he and his wife, Tulay, had cleared their debt early, saving themselves £30,000 and freeing up some money to start their own business.

The couple had bought their six-bedroom home in Banbury, Oxfordshire, for £280,000 two years before he lost his job.

October 31st 2026, 7:43 am

10 spine-chilling places to visit in Britain for Halloween

Life and style | The Guardian

Ghostly shipwrecks, an abandoned nuclear bunker, a haunted folly … we dare you to visit these weird and ghoulishly eerie sites

A derelict, 24-metre tall redbrick and flint folly outside Chichester, Racton Monument (known locally as Racton Ruin) is said to be one of the most haunted places in Sussex and has been the site of many paranormal investigations. George Montagu Dunk, the second Earl of Halifax, commissioned the folly, but there is no conclusive account as to why he had it built. Some say it was as a summerhouse, others a viewing point to watch ships come in from the Solent. A ghostly woman walking in the grounds and eerie sounds such as sudden manic laughter are among reported spooky happenings. Now completely gutted and roofless, it’s on private land and unsafe to enter, but still easily seen from nearby footpaths.

October 31st 2026, 6:30 am

‘We’re looking at a 30-year run’: UK pair aim to complete world’s most complex board game

Life and style | The Guardian

Decades from now, friends may become first people known to have finished The Campaign for North Africa

“We have had a six-turn practice run. It took about 18 months,” said Andy Taeger, with what seemed like a chuckle as he contemplated playing the world’s most complicated board game.

“Based on that, we are looking at a 20- to 30-year run for the full game,” said his gaming partner James Purcell. “We’ve come to terms with it.”

October 31st 2026, 6:30 am