A Guardian letters debate highlights the double standard in animal waste etiquette. While dog owners face scorn for missed scoops, horse riders leave manure on paths with impunity. Read the full discussion.
Discover the demanding yet rewarding craft of hedge laying in the Kent Weald. This ancient practice, vital for maintaining Britain's iconic hedgerows, blends harsh physical labour with profound environmental benefits.
Victoria's bushfire threat has eased with no emergency warnings, but nearly 500 structures are damaged or destroyed. Read the latest on the devastation and ongoing risks.
The British Library acquires the archive of Ronald Blythe, author of Akenfield, preserving a unique century of literary rural history for researchers and readers. Explore the legacy.
India's landmark rural job scheme, empowering millions of women and Dalits, is being hollowed out. Critics warn PM Modi's changes risk a political firestorm akin to the 2021 farm protests. Read the full analysis.
Despite a pre-Christmas U-turn on inheritance tax for farms, Labour faces deep-seated anger from farmers at the Oxford Farming Conference, with protests highlighting a crisis of trust in rural policy.
The UK government unveils a new road safety plan aiming to cut deaths by 65% by 2035, including a controversial proposal to lower England and Wales's drink-drive limit. Read the full details.
Federal funding cuts to US public broadcasters have triggered a wave of 'rage-giving' donations, but stations fear it may not be enough to fill the long-term financial void. Explore the impact on local communities.
Readers respond to Labour's proposed trail hunting ban, comparing it to punishing all for the crimes of a few. Explore the rural rights debate and historical context of hunting.
Hare coursing linked to international gangs is surging in Wiltshire, with arrests up 500%. Police fear a farmer will be seriously injured as rural crime terrorises the Vale of Pewsey.
Explore The Guardian's striking visual commentary on the choices facing us in 2026. A powerful image asks which path we will take. Discover the metaphor and its meaning for the year ahead.
A new poll reveals 76% believe Labour prioritises urban issues. The government's plan to ban trail hunting sparks a major rift with the countryside ahead of Boxing Day meets.
Ministers increase the inheritance tax threshold for agricultural assets from £1m to £2.5m following fierce backlash from farmers and rural MPs. The move aims to protect family farms from being broken up.
The government unveils a sweeping ban on puppy farming and trail hunting. Critics accuse Labour of ignoring rural Britain, while animal charities welcome the reforms.
A 70% surge in rural protests across China reveals a crisis of returning migrant workers and local government debt, sparking clashes over land and livelihoods. Explore the deepening social fissures.
The closure of Winstone Pulp's mills in Ruapehu, New Zealand, has led to over 230 job losses, forcing families to move and raising fears of a 'hollowing out' of rural regions. Read the full story.
A natural disaster has been declared in parts of NSW as bushfires destroy homes. Over 300 firefighters battle blazes. Get the latest updates and safety information.
Elton & Orston station in Nottinghamshire recorded only 68 passengers last year. Discover the story behind Britain's quietest rail halt and how it contrasts with London's chaos.
Rightmove's 2025 Happy at Home Index reveals Skipton, North Yorkshire, as the UK's happiest place. Discover the top 10 and why rural living boosts wellbeing.
UK farmers protest potential mansion tax on working farms after inheritance tax relief removal. Read how rural businesses face a £2m property charge.
Discover Britain's most enchanting winter retreats from snowy Peak District walks to cosy Highland castles. Readers share their favourite rural escapes for the perfect seasonal getaway.
In Argentina's arid north, families like the Bustamantes drink water with arsenic 60 times safe limits, causing bone pain and cancer. Discover the human cost of this public health emergency.
New South Wales confronts its most severe bushfire conditions in over two years, prompting widespread school closures and total fire bans. Stay informed about emergency updates.
Protests erupt in China's Guizhou province over a controversial cremation directive, highlighting a 70% surge in rural unrest. Explore the clash between policy and tradition.
Hospitals and family planning clinics across America are shutting down due to Trump's healthcare legislation, leaving millions without vital medical services. Discover the devastating impact.
Major changes to the UK driving test aim to reduce young driver deaths on rural roads. Learn how the new rules and the 600,000 test backlog are being tackled.
An American relying on food stamps reveals how political brinkmanship threatens 41 million people's survival. Read this powerful account of food poverty in rural Oregon.
Discover how the traditional country gentleman archetype is evolving, blending heritage values with contemporary sustainability and digital connectivity in today's rural Britain.
Discover the magic of Britain's countryside this winter with our expert tips for finding the perfect rural retreat, from crackling fires to frosty walks.
In an unprecedented move, Japan's military has been mobilised to tackle a surge in fatal bear encounters across rural communities, as the nation faces its worst wildlife crisis in decades.