Republican infighting crescendoed in the aftermath of California voters overwhelmingly approving Democratic-friendly redistricting plan this week that may undercut the GOP’s control of Congress and derail President Trump’s polarizing agenda.
The state GOP chairwoman was urged to resign and former Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who championed the creation of the state’s independent redistricting commission, was called “cowardly” by one top GOP leader for not being more involved in the campaign.
Leaders of the Republican-backed committees opposing the ballot measure, known as Proposition 50, were questioned about how they spent nearly $58 million in the special election after such a dismal outcome.
Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield, the once prodigious Republican fundraiser, reportedly vowed earlier in the campaign that he could raise $100 million for the opposition but ended up delivering a small fraction of that amount.
Assemblyman Carl DeMaio (R-San Diego), a conservative firebrand, called on state GOP chair Corrin Rankin to step down and faulted other Republican leaders and longtime party operatives for the ballot measure’s failure, calling them “derelict of duty and untrustworthy and incompetent.”
“Unless serious changes are made at the party, the midterms are going to be a complete disaster,” DeMaio said, also faulting the other groups opposing the effort. “We need accountability. There needs to be a reckoning because otherwise the lessons won’t be learned. The old guard needs to go. The old guard has failed us too many times. This is the latest failure.”
Rankin pushed back against the criticism, saying the state party was the most active GOP force in the final stretch of the election. Raising $11 million during the final three weeks of the campaign, the party spent it on mailers, digital ads and text messages, as well as organizing phone banks and precinct walking, she said.
Former Speaker of the House and California Republican Kevin McCarthy speaks to the press at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 19, 2023.
(Samuel Corum / AFP via Getty Images)
“We left it all on the field,” Rankin said Wednesday morning at a Sacramento press conference about a federal lawsuit California Republicans filed arguing that Proposition 50 is unconstitutional. “We were the last man standing … to reach out to Republicans and make sure they turned out.”
Responding to criticism that their effort was disorganized, including opposition campaign mailers being sent to voters who had already cast ballots, Rankin said the party would conduct a post-election review of its efforts. But she added that she was extremely proud of the work her team did in the “rushed special election.”
Barring successful legal challenges, the new California congressional districts enacted under Proposition 50 will go into effect before the 2026 election. The new district maps favor Democratic candidates and were crafted to unseat five Republican incumbents, which could erase Republicans’ narrow edge in the the U.S. House of Representatives.
If Democrats win control of the body, Trump policy agenda will likely be stymied and the president and members of his administration cold face multiple congressional investigations.
Gov. Gavin Newsom and other California Democrats proposed Proposition 50 in response to Trump urging elected officials in Texas and other GOP-led states to redraw their congressional districts to increase the number of Republicans elected to the House next year.
The new California congressional boundaries voters approved Tuesday could give Democrats the opportunity to pick up five seats in the state’s 52-member congressional delegation.
Proposition 50 will change how California determines the boundaries of congressional districts. The measure asked voters to approve new congressional district lines designed to favor Democrats for the 2026, 2028 and 2030 elections, overriding the map drawn by the state’s independent redistricting commission.
Some Republicans lamented that Schwarzenegger was not more involved in the election. The movie star championed the creation of the independent commission in 2010, his final year in office. He campaigned for the creation of similar bodies to fight partisan drawing of district lines across the nation after leaving office.
Shawn Steel, one of California’s three representatives on the Republican National Committee, called Schwarzenegger “a cowardly politician.”
“Arnold decided to sit it out,” Steel said. “Arnold just kind of raised the flag and immediately went under the desk.”
Steel said that the former governor failed to follow through on the messages he repeatedly delivered about the importance of independent redistricting.
“He could have had his name on the ballot as a ballot opponent,” Steel said. “He turned it down. So I’d say, with Arnold, just disappointing, but not surprised. That’s his political legacy.”
Schwarzenegger’s team pushed back at this criticism as misinformed.
“We were clear from the beginning that he was not going to be a part of the campaign and was going to speak his mind,” said Daniel Ketchell, a spokesman for the former governor. “His message was very clear and non-partisan. When one campaign couldn’t even criticize gerrymandering in Texas, it was probably hard for voters to believe they actually cared about fairness.”
Schwarzenegger spoke out against Proposition 50 a handful of times during the election, including at an appearance at USC that was turned into a television ad by one of the anti-Proposition 50 committees that appeared to go dark before election day.
On election day, he emailed followers about gut health, electrolytes, protein bars, fitness and conversations to increase happiness. There was no apparent mention of the Tuesday election.
The Democratic-led California Legislature in August voted to place Proposition 50 on the November ballot, costing nearly $300 million, and setting off a sprint to Tuesday’s special election.
The opponents were vastly outspent by the ballot measure’s supporters, who contributed nearly $136 million to various efforts. That financial advantage, combined with Democrats’ overwhelming edge in voter registration in California, were main contributors to the ballot measure’s success. When introduced in August, Proposition 50 had tepid support and its prospects appeared uncertain.
Nearly 64% of the nearly 8.3 million voters who cast ballots supported Proposition 50, while 36% opposed it as of Wednesday night, according to the California Secretary of State’s office.
In addition to the state Republican Party, two main campaign committees opposed Proposition 50, including the one backed by McCarthy. A separate group was funded by more than $32 million from major GOP donor Charles Munger Jr., the son of a billionaire who was Warren Buffet’s right-hand man, and who bankrolled the creation of the independent congressional redistricting commission in 2010.
Representatives of the two committees, who defended their work Tuesday night after the election was called moments after the polls closed, saying they could not overcome the vast financial disadvantage and that the proposition’s supporters must be held to their promises to voters such as pushing for national redistricting reform, did not respond to repeated requests for comment on Wednesday.
Newsom’s committee supporting Proposition 50 had prominent Democrats stumping for the effort, including former President Obama starring in ads supporting the measure.
That’s in stark contrast to the opposition efforts. Trump was largely absent, possibly because he is deeply unpopular among Californians and the president does not like to be associated with losing causes.
Bam Adebayo had 25 points and 10 rebounds, Norman Powell added 21 points in his return to Southern California and the Miami Heat held off the Clippers 120-119 on Monday night.
Powell was a key member of the Clippers for three seasons before being traded to the Heat before this season.
Andrew Wiggins scored 17 points and Kel’el Ware added 16 to help the Heat end a two-game losing streak and win on the road for the second time in five games. Miami is 1-2 to open a four-game trip.
James Harden scored 29 points and Kawhi Leonard added 27 as the Clippers lost at home for the first time in four games this season.
Ivica Zubac had nine points and 12 rebounds for the Clippers. Derrick Jones Jr., Bradley Beal and John Collins each scored 12 points.
The Heat shot 54.2% from the field and made 12 of their 25 three-point attempts to 50% for the Clippers, who were 17 of 41 from long range. The Clippers had 21 turnovers that the Heat turned into 37 points.
Miami led 120-116 after two free throws from Adebayo with 56 seconds remaining. Adebayo missed a shot inside with 26 seconds left and Harden made a three-pointer on the other end with 20 seconds left to pull the Clippers within a point.
The Clippers had a chance to win it, but Leonard missed a 26-foot step-back three-pointer at the buzzer.
The Clippers trailed by as many as 13 points in the third quarter before getting even 105-105 with 9:55 remaining on a three-pointer from veteran Chris Paul.
Of course Luka Doncic made the one that didn’t count.
On a frigid shooting night when the star guard made just one three-pointer on 11 attempts, Doncic swished a 40-footer on a dead ball that elicited a roar from the Crypto.com Arena.
He instead made his impact in other ways.
Doncic overcame his bad shooting to still collect his first triple-double of the season, notching 29 points, 10 assists and 11 rebounds in the Lakers’ 130-120 victory over the Miami Heat on Sunday. Fellow guard Austin Reaves was also struggling with his shot, making just four of 14 three-point attempts, but rallied for 26 points and 11 assists to just three turnovers.
Although their stars slogged through concurrent off nights, the Lakers (5-2) still shot 50.5% from the field. They tallied 33 assists to 11 turnovers. They won their third consecutive game.
“We did a lot of really good things and it could have been even better if me and Luka would’ve made a shot,” Reaves deadpanned. “But supporting cast and everybody around that played really well.”
Forward Jake LaRavia, who turns 24 on Tuesday, scored in double digits for the third consecutive game off the bench, finishing with 25 points — two shy of his season high — and eight rebounds. He’s averaged 21.7 points per game in the last three games.
Doncic, who missed three games with minor finger and leg injuries, scored 40 points in each of his first three games this season. Only Wilt Chamberlain had ever started a season with three consecutive 40-point games. But Doncic was happy to sacrifice the scoring streak Sunday.
“We get a win,” Doncic said, “[it] doesn’t matter how many I scored.”
Doncic and Reaves struggled in the first quarter, shooting a combined two for seven from the field. Yet the Lakers still led by seven as the star duo combined for eight assists.
Center Jaxson Hayes was one of the main beneficiaries in that span, scoring 11 points on five-of-five shooting. He had a ferocious one-handed dunk off a Doncic assist that got Hayes so amped up that he head-butted the basket stanchion in celebration. He sank his first three-pointer since March 27, 2023, stepping confidently into a shot that put the Lakers up 23-13 and forced the Heat to call an early timeout.
Hayes finished with 15 points and five rebounds in his first start of the year as Deandre Ayton was held out because of back spasms. Ayton’s back flared up during the Lakers’ win in Memphis on Friday, causing him to sit out the entire second half. He was available to return in the fourth quarter, coach JJ Redick said after the game, but with the Lakers feeding off Hayes and Jarred Vanderbilt at center, the team didn’t want to risk further injury.
The Heat (3-3) finished the third quarter on a 20-7 run to pull within four points heading into the fourth quarter. Former UCLA star Jaime Jaquez Jr., playing in front of his hometown crowd, cut the lead to two with an emphatic one-handed put-back dunk 58 seconds in the fourth quarter. A hush fell over the Lakers crowd.
But Reaves helped quell the comeback effort.
He stumbled while trying to dribble behind his legs, but recovered to shoot a fadeaway mid-range jumper with 1.6 seconds left in the shot clock that put the Lakers up by six with 5:13 remaining in the fourth quarter. Less than 20 seconds later, Reaves threw a lob from just inside mid-court to a soaring LaRavia, who brought the crowd to its feet with a two-handed dunk.
Seeking gift ideas for nature lovers, hikers, walkers, campers, adventurers and just plain outdoorsy folks in your life? We’ve got you covered with great gifts, from stocking stuffers to special finds.
A National Basketball Association player and coach are among dozens of people charged in two investigations centred on illegal sports betting and mafia-linked poker games, the FBI has announced.
Miami Heat player Terry Rozier was among six people arrested over alleged betting irregularities, including other players who may have faked injuries.
Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups is one of 31 people charged in a separate illegal poker game case involving former players and organised crime figures.
Rozier’s lawyer denied the allegations to CBS News, the BBC’s US news partner, saying: “Terry is not a gambler, but he is not afraid of a fight, and he looks forward to winning this fight.”
In a statement, the NBA said that Rozier and Billups are being placed on immediate leave, as the association is reviewing the federal indictments.
“We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness, and the integrity of our game remains our top priority,” the statement read.
US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Joseph Nocella Jr, said all defendants are innocent until proven guilty, but warned: “Your winning streak has ended. Your luck has run out.”
FBI Director Kash Patel called the arrests “extraordinary” and said there was a “coordinated takedown across 11 states”.
Prosecutors said the first case involved players and associates who allegedly used insider information to manipulate bets on major platforms.
Nocella called it “one of the most brazen sports corruption schemes since online sports betting became widely legalised”.
Seven NBA games between February 2023 and March 2024 have been identified as part of the case. Rozier is said to have been involved in one between the Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans, when he was playing for the Hornets.
New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said that on 23 March 2023, Rozier allegedly let others close to him know that he planned to leave a game early with a supposed injury.
Using that information, conspirators allegedly placed bets that paid out tens of thousands of dollars in profits, she said.
During the game, Rozier played roughly nine minutes and scored just five points because of a sore right foot, according to the official NBA match report.
Before that game, he averaged 35 minutes of playing time and about 21 points per game.
“As the NBA season tips off, his career is already benched, not for injury but for integrity,” Tisch said.
Rozier’s lawyer James Trusty said in a statement that prosecutors “appear to be taking the word of spectacularly in-credible sources rather than relying on actual evidence of wrongdoing. Terry was cleared by the NBA and these prosecutors revived that non-case.”
Trusty said he had been representing Rozier for more than a year and said prosecutors characterised Rozier as a subject, not a target, until they informed him FBI agents were arresting the player on Thursday morning.
Former NBA player Damon Jones was also arrested.
Jones is said to have been involved in two of the identified games – when the Los Angeles Lakers met the Milwaukee Bucks in February 2023, and a January 2024 game between the Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder.
The second case involves 31 defendants alleged to have participated in a scheme to rig illegal poker games and steal millions of dollars, backed by crime families.
The case involved 13 members and associates of the Bonanno, Genovese and Gambino crime families.
Nocella said the targeted victims were lured to play in games with former professional athletes, including Billups and Jones, in Las Vegas, Miami, Manhattan and the Hamptons.
Victims were “fleeced” out of tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars per game, he said.
He said defendants used “very sophisticated technology” like altered off-the-shelf shuffling machines that could read the cards. Some of the defendants used special contact lenses and eye glasses to read pre-marked cards, and an X-ray table that could read cards when they were face-down, he added.
Tisch said when people refused to pay, the organised crime families used threats and intimidation to get people to hand over the money.
The charges include robbery, extortion, wire fraud, bank fraud and illegal gambling.
The conspiracy cheated victims out of $7m (£5.2m), with one losing $1.8 million, officials said.
“This is only the tip of the iceberg,” Christopher Raia, the FBI assistant director of the New York field office, said, adding the FBI is working day and night to ensure members of mafia families “cannot continue to wreak havoc in our communities”.
Norway’s sovereign wealth fund the world’s largest, valued at over $2 trillion has unveiled a tougher climate strategy aimed at forcing its 8,500 portfolio companies to align with net-zero emissions by 2050. Built on revenues from oil and gas exports, the fund has long positioned itself as a paradoxical but powerful force in global sustainability, arguing that climate change poses a material financial risk to investors. Its latest move builds on its 2022 net-zero pledge but now widens its focus beyond direct (Scope 1 and 2) emissions to include Scope 3 emissions, those produced throughout companies’ supply chains often the biggest and hardest to cut.
Key Issues
The fund’s updated plan arrives amid a global divergence in climate policy. While much of Europe accelerates green investment and corporate accountability, the Trump administration in the U.S. is rolling back environmental standards, expanding fossil fuel production, and formally withdrawing from the Paris Agreement. The contrast is striking: the Norwegian fund has around half of its value $1 trillion invested in the U.S., meaning its climate demands now directly challenge the regulatory direction of its largest market. By targeting high-emitting firms for “board-level climate engagement,” the fund aims to push corporate leaders to accelerate transition plans, disclose credible pathways, and account for full life-cycle emissions.
Why It Matters
Norway’s initiative underscores how financial pressure is becoming a frontline climate tool as policy action falters elsewhere. With trillions in assets and stakes in nearly every major listed company, the fund wields unparalleled influence a “shareholder superpower” capable of shaping global corporate norms. Its expanded scrutiny of Scope 3 emissions could set a new benchmark for investors, forcing multinationals especially in energy, manufacturing, and transport to reassess their carbon strategies. However, the timing also reveals a deepening transatlantic rift on climate governance: while Europe doubles down on decarbonization, Washington’s pivot toward fossil fuels risks isolating U.S. firms from the evolving standards of global capital markets.
Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM), The operator of Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, spearheading the climate strategy and engaging directly with company boards. Its decisions ripple across global markets.
Portfolio Companies (≈8,500), From energy giants to tech firms, these are the fund’s primary targets. Those with high Scope 3 emissions such as oil majors, automotive firms, and manufacturers will face intensified scrutiny and board-level engagement.
U.S. Corporations & Regulators, With half the fund’s investments in U.S. assets, American firms and the Trump administration’s deregulatory stance form the main obstacle to the fund’s climate agenda.
European Union & ESG Investors, EU regulators and climate-focused investors stand as Norway’s allies in enforcing global sustainability norms, reinforcing the idea that green standards are both moral and market-driven.
Global Climate Advocacy Groups, NGOs and environmental watchdogs view the fund as a critical lever for corporate accountability, often pushing it to go beyond “dialogue” toward divestment or sanctions for non-compliant firms.
What’s Next
The coming phase will test whether Norway’s financial clout can translate ambition into action. The fund is expected to:
Publish a revised focus list of high-emitting companies for targeted board-level dialogue.
Expand climate disclosures across its portfolio, demanding clearer transition roadmaps and transparent emissions data.
Monitor Scope 3 implementation, a notoriously difficult area, as it involves supply-chain accountability beyond direct corporate control.
Potentially escalate engagement measures from public naming to partial divestment if firms fail to comply.
Meanwhile, resistance may build from U.S. policymakers and fossil-heavy corporations, framing Norway’s ESG push as interference in domestic markets. Yet, as global capital increasingly rewards sustainability, the momentum may shift in Norway’s favor forcing even reluctant players to adapt or risk financial marginalization.
Williams driver Alex Albon said it was a “polarising subject”, between “the old-school and new-school mentality”, but that the cooling vest was “a good thing”.
Referencing the Singapore Grand Prix on 5 October, he added: “As a team we’ve done a really good job with the cooling system. It works well on our car, it’s comfortable. The first 20 laps of the race I was actually cold rather than hot, which was definitely a new thing for me.
“In a weird way I think we see it as an advantage as a team because if we’ve got drivers that are fresher at the end of the race then surely that’s performance.”
But Albon said he did not know whether the system would be necessary in Austin this weekend.
“Humidity is always a struggling factor,” Albon said. “Getting your skin to breathe with all the fireproofs that we have on our car and all these kind of things.
“When it’s dry heat, and this doesn’t feel that humid out there at the moment, it’s relatively comfortable for us.”
If the driver chooses not to wear the vest, his car must carry 500 grams of ballast to compensate for the weight of the system so he does not gain a competitive advantage.
The system, which teams can make to their individual designs, typically features a liquid such as glycol pumped through a tank of dry ice and through the driver’s fireproof top.
Issues with the system include the dry ice running out. This leads to liquid at car temperature, which is hotter than ambient temperature, being pumped through the system.
Paramount, backed by billionaire Larry Ellison and his family, has officially opened the bidding for rival Warner Bros. Discovery — a potential massive merger that would dramatically change Hollywood.
Warner Bros. Discovery’s board rejected Paramount’s initial bid of about $20 a share, but talks are continuing, according to two people close to the companies who were not authorized to speak publicly.
One of the knowledgeable sources said Paramount was preparing a second bid.
Warner Bros. Discovery owns HBO, CNN, TBS, Food Network, HGTV and the prolific Warner Bros. movie and television studio in Burbank.
Ellison, one of the world’s richest men, is committed to helping his 42-year-old son, David, pull off the industry-reshaping acquisition and has agreed to help finance the bid, two people close to the situation said.
The younger Ellison, who entered the movie business 15 years ago by launching his Skydance Media production company, was catapulted into the major leagues this summer with the Ellison family’s purchase of Paramount’s controlling stake.
Since then, David Ellison and his team have made bold moves to help Paramount shake more than a decade of doldrums. Buying Warner Bros. Discovery would be their most audacious move yet. The merger would lead to the elimination of one of the original Hollywood film studios, and could see the consolidation of CNN with Paramount-owned CBS News.
Representatives for Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery declined to comment.
Industry veterans were stunned by the speed of Paramount’s play for Warner Bros. Discovery, noting that top executives had begun working on the bid even as they were putting finishing touches on the Paramount takeover.
One of Paramount’s top executives is a former Goldman Sachs banker, Andy Gordon, who was a ranking member of RedBird Capital Partners, the private equity firm that has teamed up with the Ellisons and has a significant stake in Paramount.
Paramount’s interest prompted stocks of both companies to soar, driving up the market value for Warner Bros. Discovery.
Paramount’s offer of $20 a share for Warner Bros. Discovery was less than what some analysts and sources believe the company’s parts are worth, leading the Warner Bros. Discovery board to rebuff the offer, sources said.
But many believe that Paramount needs more content to better compete in a landscape that’s dominated by tech giants such as Netflix and Amazon.
Paramount has reason to move quickly.
Warner Bros. Discovery had previously announced that it was planning to divide its assets into two companies by next April. One company, Warner Bros., would be made up of HBO, the HBO Max streaming service and the Burbank-based movie and television studios. Current Chief Executive David Zaslav would run that enterprise.
The other arm would be called Discovery Global and consist of the linear cable television channels, which have seen their fortunes fall with consumers’ shift to streaming.
The Paramount bid was seen as an attempt to slip in under the wire because other large companies, including Amazon, Apple and Netflix, may have been interested in buying the studios, streaming service and leafy studio lot in Burbank.
However, Netflix’s co-chief executive Greg Peters appeared to downplay Netflix’s interest during an appearance last week at the Bloomberg Screentime media conference. “We come from a deep heritage of being builders rather than buyers,” Peters said.
Some analysts believe Paramount’s proposed takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery could ultimately prevail because Zaslav and his team have made huge cuts during the past three years to get the various businesses profitable after buying the company from AT&T, which left the company burdened with a heavy debt load. The company has paid down billions of dollars of debt, but still carries nearly $35 billion of debt on its books.
Others point to Warner Bros.’ recent successes at the box office as evidence that Paramount is offering too little.
Despite the tumult at the corporate level, Warner Bros.’ film studio has had a successful year. Its fortunes turned around in April with the release of “A Minecraft Movie,” which grossed nearly $958 million worldwide, followed by a string of hits including Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners,” James Gunn’s “Superman” and horror flick “Weapons.”
Last week at Bloomberg’s Screentime media conference, Ellison declined to comment on Paramount’s pursuit of Warner Bros. or even whether his company had already made a bid. But he did touch briefly on consolidation in Hollywood, saying, “Ironically, it was David Zaslav last year who said that consolidation in the media business is important.”
“There are a lot of options out there,” he added, but declined to elaborate.
After news of Paramount’s interest surfaced, Warner Bros. Discovery‘s stock jumped more than 30%. It climbed as much as $20 a share, but closed Friday at $17.10, down 3.2%.
Paramount also has seen its stock surge by about 12%. Shares finished Friday at $17, down 5.4%
Warner Bros. Discovery is now valued at $42 billion. Paramount is considerably smaller, worth about $18.5 billion.
There’s a perfect destination for Brits looking to escape the dreary weather this October – whether you’re looking for family fun in a vibrant resort, or peace and quiet in a truly unique landscape
Flamingo Beach (Playa Flamingo) is a sheltered, white-sand beach in the south of Lanzarote(Image: Getty Images)
With the temperatures dropping in the UK, many of us are looking for a last-minute break to soak up some final sunshine. And there is a destination just a short flight away that promises warm weather, beautiful beaches, delicious food and a host of fun activities – perfect for half term!
Lanzarote forms part of the Canary Islands; a Spanish island group located off the coast of Africa. It’s a popular tourist destination, and with good reason. Located just a four-hour flight away, its all-inclusive resorts are particularly popular with holidaymakers on a budget, and there are also more high-end options if you feel like treating yourself.
Whether you are looking for lively tourist resorts or inland villages with peace and quiet there’s something for everyone, with large hotels of the coastal towns coexisting with rural houses, villas and boutique hotels.
October is also the perfect time to visit Lanzarote if you’re after sunshine, with an average of 7 hours daily, and a comfortable peak temperature averaging 26.8C, and 19C at its coolest during the night.
Rain during this month is at most moderate with an average of 11mm, and in comparison to the summer months, the wind speed also drops during October to around 11.1mph.
Then there’s the landscape. Lanzarote has it all; mountains, lunar-style craters, black sand beaches, red terrain, white sands, beautiful azure seas, and even a live volcano – Mount Timanfaya – complete with centuries-old lava fields.
One of Lanzarote’s biggest draws are its beaches, including Playa Blanca, Arrecife and Puerto del Carmen. And there’s plenty on offer for waterbabies, too, with surfing, kiteboarding, windsurfing and scuba diving available.
Many of the island’s beaches are perfect for the smaller family members, as they are protected from waves and currents, as are the natural pools that have formed in the shelter of lava flows after eruptions.
There are also beaches for those who like waves and long walks by the sea, or alternatively lively beaches and marinas with all leisure services, restaurants and shops.
If seafood is your thing, then you’re in luck. Fresh produce, from squid and tuna, to prawns and octopus, you can tuck into some delicious dishes. Or, of course, you can opt for some typical Spanish specialities, like paella.
Lanzarote is also home to almost 20 commercial vineyards and many more private growers.
White has been the main wine from the native Malvasia, Moscatel and Diego grape varieties. In addition Lanzarote has some lovely reds from the Listan Negro and increasingly Syrah varieties. Book in for a tasting session or a vineyard tour to see what’s on offer.
If you fancy escaping the wind, rain and gloomy mornings this half term there’s a beautiful, Mediterranean island lined with stunning beaches where the sun is still shining
Whisk the kids away for some half term fun in the sun this October
The long hot days of summer are well and truly behind us and after being spoiled with numerous heatwaves this year, the cold nip of autumn may be biting a little more fiercely than usual.
As half term approaches, the dark and early school starts could be starting to take their toll on the kids too. Tired from the stresses of their new routines with different teachers and classes, a trip away may be just what the whole family needs.
If the thought of some late October sun appeals before the madness of Christmas descends and the UK weather gets even colder, there are places where the temperatures still remain pleasantly warm.
Located south of Turkey and southeast of Greece, Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean. While many other tourist hotspots have already closed or are winding down for the winter, the main resorts here are still open in at this time of year.
This makes it the ideal place to head off for half term for some much needed rest and relaxation. The weather should also be on your side too because it’s one of the warmest places in this part of the European Union thanks to its subtropical climate.
The summer generally lasts eight months from April through to November, and temperatures during October can reach 28C or higher on occasion. Even in the cooler four months, it’s possible to enjoy 20C. Coastal areas in December are blessed with as many hours of sunshine as London gets in May on average, so sun seekers are certainly well catered for.
Luckily there is more than 400 miles of coastline to enjoy as well where you can partake in some water sports, watch the world go by in the many beachside bars and indulge in the delicious local cuisine at the numerous restaurants.
Resorts make the most of their sun-soaked climate and welcome holidaymakers late into the season. In high summer, the beaches in Protaras and Ayia Napa are heaving in but by this time of year they are much calmer, so great for families to make the most of with the sea temperature averaging around 24C.
Those with younger children or elderly travellers may prefer the sandy, tranquil beach of Fig Tree Bay in Protaras where it’s possible to explore the beautiful turquoise waters with a spot of snorkelling or on a boat trip. Limassol offers a long stretch of gorgeous coastline with some Blue Flag beaches and a stunning marina.
On the East Coast restaurants and kids’ clubs in Paphos and Limassol are still running and lively. For children who are too old for hotel clubs and making sandcastles, there’s plenty to entertain them too. The island has lots of water and amusement parks. Party town Ayia Napa is home to a number, with the Greek mythology-themed WaterWorld being the most famous, while the naturally landscaped Aphrodite Waterpark is situated in Paphos.
If culture is more your thing, or you want to enlighten the kids a little on their break, you can soak up the rich history of Cyprus, birthplace of Aphrodite, by visiting some of the many churches in Larnaca or relics from the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman eras The Tombs of the Kings is definitely worth a look. The UNESCO World Heritage Site offers visitors a glimpse into the mysterious burial practices in underground tombs dating back to the 4th century.
Recent visitors to Cyprus have shared their experiences on TripAdvisor,with one advising on the weather during autumn. “We have been four times to Paphosin October,” they wrote. “The temperature in mid October in the early afternoon has been around 28 degrees with beautiful blue skies. We have been able to eat outside in the early evening and used a pashmina later.
“Could still swim in the pool but it was a bit chilly. The sea, however, was fine to swim in.” Another added: “We’re always there mid-October and it’s lovely – still short sleeves in the evenings.”
The lack of incisiveness in Martin’s team is remarkable for a set of players put together for a relative king’s ransom.
We’re told that Rangers’ net spend this summer has been £21m, including transfer fees and loan payments. You could put a dot between the 2 and the 1 and still wonder if they’ve got value.
They had Youssef Chermiti up front, a 21-year-old brought in from Everton at a cost of £8m.
It’s easy to bash the young striker, but he didn’t lack hunger or work-rate. What he lacked was a modicum of a chance, a sniff at goal. Just one.
The life of a Rangers centre-forward is a lonely existence right now. Isolated and joyless. They’re on their own up there. Sink or sink would appear to be the range of their options.
Diomande’s moment of madness was the last thing Martin needed, but it was Martin who picked him and it was Martin who picked others who struggled to make passes.
It was Martin, again, whose management of this team produced very little threat while giving up big chances even when it was 11 versus 11.
His midfielder let him down on Thursday, and on other days and nights it was others who let him down, didn’t show enough leadership, failed to make a difference.
The cast of characters on that front is long and thunderously unimpressive.
Martin gets filleted but the Rangers players can’t escape censure here. A lot of this mess is down to the manager, but not all of it.
He said the red changed the game and he was correct, but there’s always something – players being anxious, a red card, a penalty not given, another decision given in error. There’s a fatalism about all of this.
And on Sunday they have a trip to Livingston. Plastic pitch, canny manager, physical team motivated to the high heavens. A gauntlet awaits this meek Rangers outfit.
I was so tired of being hot, and my patience for city life was wearing thin. I needed to find a place with a cool breeze and without the groan of my wall air conditioner and without honking, sirens or tailpipes that sound like unhinged bumblebees.
After an hour’s drive, I pulled into the Islip Saddle trailhead parking lot, and I was alone with birdsong and a chilly breeze. I had arrived!
A view of the Antelope Valley from the segment of the Pacific Crest Trail from Islip Saddle to Little Jimmy Trail Camp.
(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)
But as I faffed around preparing my hiking bag, a roaring construction truck pulled into the parking lot, blessing me with the smell of diesel. And then another. And then a road-paving machine that looked so advanced and alien, I wondered whether it could pave the moon.
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Did these Caltrans workers miss the memo that this was a place of peace and solitude? How could they do this to me?
A bit huffy, I crossed Angeles Crest Highway and started the 2.1-mile trail — which is part of both the Pacific Crest Trail and the Silver Moccasin Trail — from Islip Saddle to Little Jimmy Trail Camp. I’d chosen this hike because it includes a north-facing slope, which means it gets less direct sunlight, and it starts at about 6,600 feet, climbing to 7,500 feet at the campground, which also helps ensure a cooler temperature.
Thick bunches of rabbitbrush grow along the trail from Islip Saddle to Little Jimmy Trail Camp.
(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)
Ambling up and through native plants, though, I kept grumbling to myself about the noise, clearly unable to appreciate the first views of the surrounding mountains.
And then I asked myself: “What in the world are you doing here?” I started laughing. Was I really going to let perfection be the enemy of the good? Had the heat cooked my brain?
Soon, I was pausing to appreciate the yellow rabbitbrush covering both sides of the trail. I spotted a molting lizard, looking haggard, and hoped I could make a similar transformation of my mood.
As chipmunks darted across the path, though, I was brought down, again, by the seemingly endless number of burned trees killed by the 2020 Bobcat fire. Would they ever grow back? Were they dead now?
Then I realized I was literally missing the forest for the trees. Yes, there were so many burned, and presumably dead, pine trees. But the forest floor was alive! The ground was covered in manzanita, Grinnell’s beardtongue and purple-pink Parish’s wild buckwheat.
A chipmunk darts around the detritus near Islip Saddle in Angeles National Forest.
(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)
I heard the tap, tap, tap of a nearby woodpecker, perhaps in search of its next meal. Curious little mountain chickadees flitted past. And the chipmunks, as always, made me laugh as they hopped from rock to rock, unsure of whether they wanted to eat a snack or hide.
A molting lizard scurries across a rock pile near the trail to Little Jimmy Trail Camp.
(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)
All I could initially see was what we’d lost to the fire, and I was missing what had returned. Amid the blackened trunks, pine saplings dotted the forest floor.
About 1.4 miles in, I spotted living, breathing green trees, the survivors. I kept trudging along, feeling a newfound sense of awe at nature’s resilience.
Soon, I reached Little Jimmy, a 16-site backcountry trail camp. There were no campers, just me and the hulking pine trees. Sweaty, I felt a little cold as the wind blew past me. I had arrived.
I hope regardless of which of these three hikes you take, nature helps you free yourself from what’s weighing you down.
The view from Little Jimmy Trail Camp if one chooses to lie down and meditate on a picnic table.
(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)
1. Islip Saddle to Little Jimmy Trail Camp Distance: 4.2 miles (with an option to extend to Mt. Islip) Elevation gained: About 850 feet Difficulty: Moderate Dogs allowed? Yes Accessible alternative: Paved paths through Buckhorn Campground
A stingray swims in the Colorado Lagoon, which was once part of a wetlands ecosystem that encompassed most of east Long Beach. The lagoon is now part of a 29-acre park in Long Beach.
(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)
2. Colorado Lagoon path Distance: 1.4 miles Elevation gained: Minimal Difficulty: Easy Dogs allowed: Yes Accessible alternative: This is an accessible hike!
This 1.4-mile accessible urban hike through a 29-acre marine wetland in Long Beach includes walking along the sidewalk, crossing over the lagoon’s causeway and taking a wide dirt path shaded by native plants and trees. And as a bonus, when you’re finished, you can go swimming at the lagoon’s sandy beach.
As I traversed the path, I paused on the bridge to look around the lagoon. I saw motion in the water and realized I’d spotted a sting ray! I watched the sand ray swim along for a bit, amazed at my luck. That said, if you do choose to go swimming in the lagoon, make sure to practice the sting ray shuffle.
Because of a large construction project, you cannot complete the full loop around the lagoon. You can either start at the eastern corner of the beach on the paved path and take the path in a northwesterly direction or start near Monrovia Avenue and East 6th Street, and take the sidewalk toward the lagoon.
Also, if you visit this weekend, look for the Friends of the Colorado Lagoon, who will host an educational talk from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday where visitors will learn about the lagoon’s history and ecology and then participate in a hands-on activity helping clean up the lagoon. Learn more at the group’s website.
Upper portions of the Rising Sun Trail afford elevated ocean views from Solstice Canyon in Malibu.
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
3. Solstice Canyon Trail Distance: 3 miles Elevation gained: About 400 feet Difficulty: Moderate Dogs allowed: Yes Accessible alternative: Legacy Park loop
Even when its seasonal waterfall is dry, Solstice Canyon is a lush landscape of coastal sage scrub (with the occasional black-hooded parakeet). This moderate hike takes you through the canyon, along its creek where black walnut and oak trees offer shade as lizards dash across the path. You can either take this more moderate route 1.5 miles in and turn around. Or if you’re thirsty for ocean views, make a loop by taking the Rising Sun Trail, a 1.4-mile more challenging route.
Regardless of where you go, please make sure to check the weather beforehand and go early in the day to avoid the hottest parts of the day. Thankfully, autumn is coming!
3 things to do
Churchgoers pass out water to cyclists at a previous CicLAvia event.
(CicLAvia Los Angeles)
1. Bike through Historic South–Central and Watts Nonprofit CicLAvia will host a free open streets festival from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday where participants can traverse a 6.25-mile route through Historic South-Central and Watts. Visitors can walk and bike the route or choose any other people-powered means of transport. The route will include music, local food vendors and more. Learn more at ciclavia.org.
2. Bare it all on bikes in L.A. L.A.’s World Naked Bike Ride will start at 10 a.m. Saturday downtown. Riders can choose from a more challenging ride at 10 a.m. or an easier 9-mile ride at 2 p.m. Participants can skate, scoot, jog or bike in their birthday suits along the ride. Body paint optional! Learn more at the group’s Instagram page.
3. Star gaze in Malibu The Malibu Creek State Park docents will host a night of stargazing and astronomy from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday at the park’s amphitheater. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and their curiosity. Learn more at the park’s Instagram page.
The must-read
(Photo illustration by Avery Fox / Los Angeles Times; photos by Tiana Molony)
Whenever you visit Santa Barbara, a two-hour jaunt northwest of L.A., your trip most likely includes a visit to one of the city’s gorgeous beaches. But as Times contributor Tiana Molony points out, “Santa Barbara is a place of dual delights.” Molony outlines the best places to hike in the region, where you’ll have views of both the Pacific Ocean and the mountains. Saddle Rock Trail, for instance, offers a sweeping panoramic view. Or if you want to take a dip in freshwater, check out Rattlesnake Canyon. Any of the eight hikes she writes about sound like a worthy side quest on a trip along the Santa Barbara coast.
Happy adventuring,
P.S.
Dear Wilders, we have an important task at hand this fall. The California State Parks Foundation is asking nature lovers to report sightings of western monarch butterflies as they overwinter along the Pacific coast from October through March(ish). You can do so by downloading iNaturalist, a free community science app, and register for an account. You will use the app to upload photographs of monarchs you spot, noting the location where you saw them. I spotted a monarch last week near my apartment complex’s dumpster and immediately uploaded the blurry but helpful image. For those with extra time, you can register to volunteer to help count monarchs in overwintering sites near you. Let’s help document these important pollinators and do our part to ensure their survival.
For more insider tips on Southern California’s beaches, trails and parks, check out past editions of The Wild. And to view this newsletter in your browser, click here.
During his visit, Hegseth flew a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey to the USS Iwo Jima, the lead ship in the Iwo Jima Amphibious Readiness Group (ARG). The ship is part of the counter-narcotics effort and currently stationed about 30 miles south of Puerto Rico.
The visit was embraced by Puerto Rico’s governor.
“Honored to welcome Secretary of War Pete Hegseth…along with General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff…to Puerto Rico,” Jennifer González-Colón said on X Monday morning. President Donald Trump last week signed an executive order changing the name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War.
“We thank POTUS Trump and his Administration for recognizing the strategic value Puerto Rico has to the national security of the United States and the fight against drug cartels in our hemisphere, perpetuated by narco-dictator Nicolas Maduro. We are proud to support America First policies that secure our borders and combat illicit activities to protect Americans and our homeland.”
Honored to welcome Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) along with General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (@thejointstaff) to Puerto Rico.
We thank @POTUS Trump and his Administration for recognizing the strategic value Puerto Rico has to the national… pic.twitter.com/vlrDK6Y5Oy
Hegseth and Caine met with González-Colón at the Muñiz Air National Guard Base in Isla Verde, according to the Puerto Rican El Nuevo Dia media outlet.
The War Secretary “delivered a message to nearly 300 soldiers there, according to the governor, who was accompanied by the adjutant general of the National Guard. Colonel Carlos José Rivera Román, and the Secretary of Public Security, Arturo Garffer,” the publication reported.
The visit to Puerto Rico comes as some 4,500 sailors and Marines from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) continue to conduct amphibious landing training exercises that began Aug. 31.
“Although the Pentagon initially reported that these were routine exercises, the increased military presence in Puerto Rico—which has sparked protests—was gradually linked to the Trump administration’s show of force in waters near Venezuela,” El Nuevo Dia posited.
Captan ejercicio militar en desarrollo de la Marina de Estados Unidos, con dos vehículos anfibios y helicópteros, en la playa Punta Guilarte, en Arroyo. El ejercicio ocurre a la misma vez que las tensiones entre Washington D.C. y Venezuela aumentan en torno al presidente Maduro. pic.twitter.com/quSsZp0sPV
The Pentagon has declined to comment about the trip to Puerto Rico by Hegseth and Caine, but it comes a day after U.S. President Donald Trump offered an ominous response to a question about whether American forces will strike drug cartel targets inside Venezuela.
“Well, you’re going to find out,” Trump answered. He offered no further explanation about what he meant.
The U.S. has already carried out one kinetic strike, against a suspected drug boat operated by the Tren de Aragua (TDA) cartel. TDA has been deemed a narco-terror organization by Trump. The attack destroyed the vessel, killing 11 people on it, Trump announced last week. The incident has raised questions about killing suspects without a trial and the use of force without Congressional approval.
. @POTUS “Earlier this morning, on my Orders, U.S. Military Forces conducted a kinetic strike against positively identified Tren de Aragua Narcoterrorists in the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility. TDA is a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, operating under the control of… pic.twitter.com/aAyKOb9RHb
Images emerged on social media of at least two MQ-9 Reaper drones in Puerto Rico. They appear to be there as part of the counter-narcotics mission. These aircraft can carry a variety of missiles as well as sensors for surveillance and can loiter for more than 24 hours over a target, making them an ideal platform for these missions. Reuters took a photo of one of the Reapers carrying sensor pods and armed with AGM-114 Hellfire missiles.
We have reached out to the Air Force, Pentagon and White House for further clarification, as well as details about how often, if at all, Reapers have been so deployed to fight drug trafficking in the Caribbean. We also asked for comment on whether at least one Reaper took part in the attack on the drug boat, which is a likely scenario. The Air Force deferred us to the Pentagon. We will update this story with any pertinent details provided.
In response to the boat attack, Venezuelan Air Force F-16 Vipers conducted a flight near the Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham, a U.S. official confirmed to us. CBS News reported a second encounter, but The War Zone cannot independently verify that.
Meanwhile, Trump on Friday said that U.S. Navy ships can shoot down Venezuelan aircraft that “put us in a dangerous position.”
“General, if they do that, you have a choice to do anything you want” — Trump gives a military official authorization to take out Venezuelans planes pic.twitter.com/si2H9w1Uyp
The Dunham is one of at least eight warships, including a Los Angeles class nuclear-powered submarine, that have been ordered to the Caribbean by Trump. A U.S. official told us on Monday that those ships have not moved since we wrote about this deployment last week.
As we recently pointed out, the American leader also ordered 10 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters to deploy to Puerto Rico, though it remains unclear where they will come from, when they arrive and what they will do once they get there. However, as we have previously pointed out, the F-35 offers a lot of capabilities. In addition to carrying out strikes, these fifth-generation aircraft also have a variety of sensors that make it an ideal intelligence-gathering platform. You can read more about that here.
In addition, open source flight trackers have pointed that numerous U.S. transport aircraft have been making trips to Puerto Rico. There have been no official indications that additional troops are on the way for this effort; however, the transports could be carrying manpower and materiel needed for a sustained campaign.
While ostensibly to counter drug trafficking, a source familiar with these operations told us that the deployments are also a message to Maduro.
The Venezuelan leader was indicted in a New York federal court in 2020, during the first Trump presidency. He and 14 others, including several close allies, were hit with federal charges of narco-terrorism and conspiracy with the Colombian FARC insurgent group to import cocaine. The U.S., as we previously mentioned, has issued a $50 million reward for his capture.
Speaking of, Maduro, on Sunday, he claimed he was moving 25,000 more troops to the border with Colombia in an effort to fight drug traffickers. Whether that is a real deployment or will have any effect on U.S. operations is unlikely.
As we have noted, the presence of high-end assets like 10 F-35s does not necessarily signal that the U.S. is planning to go to to war directly with Venezuela.
Going to strongly but respectfully disagree with this assessment. The U.S. has used B-1s and many other high end assets for the counter narcotics mission. 10 F-35s is not a package to go to war with Venezuela. F-35s have many uses including intelligence gathering. There is also… https://t.co/28lz423IeD
As more assets arrive in the region in the coming days, we will keep you informed on how the mission develops.
Update: 5:13 PM Eastern –
The Pentagon released a video of Hegseth addressing troops aboard the Iwo Jima.
“Make no mistake about it, what you’re doing right now, it’s not training,” he proclaimed. “This is the real-world exercise on behalf of the vital national interests of the United States of America to end the poisoning of the American people.”
. @SECWAR aboard the USS Iwo Jima, addressing America’s WARRIORS:
“What you’re doing right now is NOT training.
This is a REAL-WORLD EXERCISE on behalf of the vital national interests of the United States of America—to end the POISONING of the American people.” pic.twitter.com/euQHFPsIll
The Caribbean is a region of the Americas that consists of the Caribbean Sea, its islands and the surrounding coasts. It is located South-East of the Gulf of Mexico and the North American mainland, east of Central America, and north of South America.
It’s a dream destination for those seeking a tranquil getaway in September(Image: Mark Meredith via Getty Images)
The Caribbean is a treasure trove of cultural gems, offering a unique charm that’s hard to find elsewhere. Indeed, the vibrant culture of the Caribbean is its biggest draw, showcasing a mix of architectural wonders, colourful festivities, and historical treasures.
Tourism is a key pillar in the economies of all Caribbean islands, which welcome visitors with open arms. One island, in particular, has won over many British holidaymakers, offering the ultimate tropical retreat.
Barbados, an eastern Caribbean island neighbouring Saint Lucia, the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Saint Vincent, is considered one of the safest islands in the region.
This popular cruise ship port is also famed as a foodie paradise, with delicious food and rum at the heart of its culture, reports the Express.
Barbados is the perfect island getaway for those looking to escape to the heat in September(Image: Getty)
In fact, several annual Food and Rum Festivals are held here, attracting visitors who return year after year to enjoy its delights.
With direct flights from London and an average temperature of 29C in September, Barbados is the perfect autumnal escape.
Surrounded by coral reefs, the island’s crystal-clear waters are warm and invigorating, and the mostly flat terrain is ideal for leisurely strolls to soak up the tropical atmosphere.
The region boasts delightful temperatures all year round, seldom going above 30C or below 22C.
There’s plenty to do on the island including swimming with the turtles and kayaking(Image: Getty)
Navigating the island is a doddle, with a top-notch road network and an international airport situated near the southern coast.
Barbados is an outdoor lover’s dream, featuring mountains, rainforests, beaches and coral reefs.
The area is famed for its sugarcane fields, tropical trees and rich wildlife.
Don’t be surprised if you come across dolphins, monkeys, mongooses, barracudas, and even flying fish during your journey.
Fields of sugarcane surround the island which is mostly flat and easily walkable(Image: Getty)
The national dish of Barbados is Cou Cou and fried flying fish, with pudding and souse also being popular choices.
No Caribbean holiday would be complete without a refreshing rum punch, a favourite among locals and tourists alike.
With a plethora of activities on offer, including swimming with turtles, catamaran cruising, monkey feeding, rum tours and kayaking, this island retreat promises to rejuvenate and refresh any weary traveller.
IF you use a hair dryer, or heated styling tools, you should also be using heat protectant to keep your hair healthy.
Without it, strands will become dry, brittle and harder to manage.
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We test three heat protectants to keep your hair healthy
Try these three . . .
BUDGET
E45 Protection Lip Balm SPF30, £7.99 for 10ml, boots.com
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You really can’t go wrong with the Arkive The Prologue hair primerCredit: Supplied
Arkive The Prologue hair primer, £14 for 200ml, boots.com
You really can’t go wrong with this product.
Not only does it protect hair from heat, it also de-tangles, adds shine, reduces frizz and smells delicious, thanks to the rhubarb, tomato leaf, honeysuckle and vetiver.
So it doubles up as a hair perfume.
It makes my hair feel like silk, and I really notice on the days I don’t use it, which is always the sign of a brilliant product.
It’s also nearly impossible to apply too much, as it doesn’t weigh hair down or leave it looking greasy.
MID-RANGE
Ghd Bodyguard heat protect spray, £23.95 for 120ml, boots.com
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Ghd Bodyguard heat protect spray is the original heat-straightener brandCredit: Supplied
Ghd Bodyguard heat protect spray, £23.95 for 120ml, boots.com
As the original heat-straightener brand, it will come as no surprise that ghd knows how to protect hair from styling.
This spray isn’t at all sticky and does not leave a residue behind, despite conditioning ingredients such as castor oil and glycerin.
It also helps maintain my style for longer, so curls don’t drop out by the end of the day, which is usually the case.
Plus, it smells like a fancy hair salon, so every time I use it I feel like I have had a professional treatment.
The Inkey List has launched new tinted lip balms, and they have saved my dry lips this summer
LUXURY
Dyson Omega leave-in conditioning spray, £59.99 for 165ml, dyson.co.uk
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Dyson Omega leave-in conditioning spray is the newest heat protectant in my arsenal
Dyson Omega leave-in conditioning spray, £59.99 for 165ml, dyson.co.uk
This is the newest heat protectant in my arsenal, and its almost milky formula is thicker than the others.
That is great for dull, brittle lengths or hair that gets dry between washes, as it immediately softens strands.
I have very fine hair, and if I apply too much to my roots it can make them feel dirty, so that’s something to be aware of.
But as long as I keep the spray away from my scalp, it’s not an issue.
This one feels super luxe, and is refillable, so better for the planet too.
PICK OF THE WEEK
THIS week, I had a Charlotte Tilbury makeover and afterwards, couldn’t stop looking at my skin in the mirror.
The redness across my cheeks and around my nose had disappeared, my pores were blurred and, best of all, I was glowy without looking greasy.
It was all down to the new Charlotte Tilbury airbrush flawless foundation, £39, which promises 24-hour wear.
IT’s been HOT this summer – it’s no surprise if some of your usual garden favourites are wilting somewhat.
But as the climate changes it’s worth thinking about new varieties that can cope a bit better going forward.
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Dr Emily Atlee is co-founder and CEO of wildflower company SeedballCredit: Supplied
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Coneflower or Echinacea come back every year and don’t need much wateringCredit: Roman Biernacki
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Cornflowers are annuals – but they self seed so it feels like they’r returningCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
There’s a whole host of wildflowers out there that can handle the heat and still put on a beautiful show.
Dr Emily Attlee, conservation scientist and co-founder of Seedball has shared her top picks with Sun Gardening.
CONEFLOWERS
“Not just a feast for the eyes, these are tough and reliable perennials that come back year after year. Easy to grow and adored by pollinators, coneflowers bring long-lasting colour and drought resilience to any garden.
OXEYE DAISY
“Spotted on roadside verges, the oxeye daisy is a fuss-free flower that thrives on neglect. It handles poor soil well and requires very little watering once settled in.
These cheerful self-seeders return annually and spread with ease – bringing with them rustic charm and a welcome haven for pollinators.
MEADOWHALL CRANESBILL
Although young plants may need a little more water to begin with, meadow cranesbill is a fantastic choice for dry, well-drained soil once matured.
With rich violet blooms and a place in the geranium family, this plant supports pollinators while adding definition and charm to beds and borders.
MUSK MALLOW
With soft pink flowers and a classic cottage garden appeal, musk mallow is both beautiful and hardy. Low maintenance and drought tolerant, it dies back in Autumn but reliably reappears in spring. Its vintage look and wildlife-friendly nature make it a garden favourite.
CORNFLOWER
These eye-catching blue blooms feature open faces, frilled petals, and curly stamens. Loved by bees and other beneficial insects, cornflowers are easy going once established and thrive with minimal watering. Ideal for adding colour and texture to a dry garden.“
She added: “These are just a small selection, as most native wildflowers are naturally suited to withstand drought once they’ve taken root.
Everyone can see the sunflowers but you need 20-20 vision to spot the three hidden faces in 13 seconds
“Many have evolved over time to adapt to the UK’s unpredictable weather patterns, including long dry periods. Some even store seeds beneath the soil, ready to regenerate when conditions improve.
“So, if you’re planning for the future of your patch, wildflowers are a smart, sustainable choice.”
For more tips from Emily and the Seedball team, visit www.seedball.co.uk.
Also in Veronica’s Column this week
Top tips, news, Plant of the Week and a competition to win a Spring Bulb Bundle with 183 bulbs!!
NEWS! Multi award-winning garden designer, Pip Probert, from BBC 2’s Your Garden Made Perfect, is designing the headline feature garden at this year’s BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair, taking place at Audley End House and Gardens in Saffron Walden, Essex next weekend. As reported previously in Sun Gardening – the ‘Make a Metre Matter’ campaign encourages gardeners to transform a metre of outdoor space for the good of the planet. More than 13,500 eco-friendly metres have been pledged at gardenersworld.com to date, and Pip’s feature garden is brimming with meaningful metres to inspire Autumn Fair visitors to get involved. For tickets, visit www.bbcgardenersworldfair.com.
TOP TIP! If you’re thinking about attracting birds to your garden and keeping them happy in Autumn – then Honeysuckle is a win-win plant for your outside space. It will provide you with a gorgeous scent and lovely trumpet-shaped flowers, as well as being a great climber for trellis and walls. But in September it also provides lush red berries – a favourite food source for birds and other wildlife. Or consider Cotoneaster shrubs – blackbirds and thrushes absolutely love them – just check the size of the one you’re buying as you don’t want it to take over.
TOP TIP! IF you’re coming to the end of your tomato journey for this year and you’ve still got some on the vine that look like they’ve got no chance of turning red – don’t despair. Some experts suggest putting them in a bowl with a banana! The bendy yellow fruit emit ethylene – a compound that helps fruit ripen. Or you can just make green tomato chutney. Remember to chop up your vines and chuck them on the compost.
JOB OF THE WEEK! If you’re lucky to have wisteria – cut back this year’s current green shoots to five/six leaves. It will prevent it from growing too large and unwieldy.
PLANT OF THE WEEK! Spider Lillies are blooming now – and are named after the stamens resemble spider legs. Great for tropical borders, they look really exotic, best in full sun, in well drained soil and are full hardy to -5ºC
TOP TIP If your kitchen ginger has started sprouting, plant in a shallow tray with the shoot poking out – as it grows, keep topping up the soil. Keep on a sunny windowsill and you can grow year round as long as it doesn’t get too cold.
WIN! Win one of FOUR Spring Saver Bulb Bundle – 183 Bulbs WORTH £64.94 from Suttons Seeds. Featuring a variety of beloved spring-flowering bulbs to bring colour from February all the way through May, they’re ideal for beds or rockeries and can be layered in patio pots. To enter visit www.thesun.co.uk/SPRINGBULBS or write to Sun Spring Bulbs competition, PO Box 3190, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8GP. Include your name, age, email or phone. UK residents 18+ only. Entries close 11.59pm. September 6, 2025. T&Cs apply
Spain has deployed a further 500 soldiers from the military emergency unit to support firefighting operations as it battles 20 major wildfires across the country during a heatwave that began last week.
“There are still some challenging days ahead, and unfortunately, the weather is not on our side,” Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said at a news conference on Sunday in Ourense, one of the most affected areas, in northwestern Spain.
He announced an increase in military reinforcements, bringing the total number of soldiers deployed across Spain to 1,900.
Firefighters are tackling 12 major wildfires in the northwestern region of Galicia alone, all of them near the city of Ourense, the head of the Galician regional government Alfonso Rueda also said during the news conference.
“Homes are still under threat, so we have lockdowns in place and are carrying out evacuations,” Rueda said.
The announcements came as authorities awaited the arrival of promised aircraft reinforcements from other European countries.
National rail operator Renfe said it suspended Madrid-Galicia high-speed train services scheduled for Sunday due to the fires.
Galician authorities advised people to wear face masks and limit their time spent outdoors to avoid inhaling smoke and ash.
Southern Europe is experiencing one of its worst wildfire seasons in two decades with Spain among the hardest-hit countries.
In the past week alone, fires there have killed three people and burned more than 1,150sq km (445sq miles) while neighbouring Portugal also battles widespread blazes.
Temperatures are expected to reach up to 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) in some areas on Sunday, Spain’s national weather agency, AEMET, said.
Virginia Barcones, director general of emergency services, told Spanish public TV that temperatures were expected to drop from Tuesday, but for now, the weather conditions were “very adverse”.
EU help on its way
“The fireplanes come in from all sides, but they don’t come here,” Basilio Rodriguez, a resident, told the Reuters news agency on Saturday.
Spain was expecting the arrival of two Dutch water-dumping planes that were to join aircraft from France and Italy already helping Spanish authorities under a European cooperation agreement.
Firefighters from other countries are also expected to arrive in the region in the coming days, Barcones told public broadcaster RTVE.
Ministry of Interior data show 27 people have been arrested and 92 were under investigation for suspected arson since June.
In neighbouring Portugal, wildfires have burned about 1,550sq km (600sq miles) of vegetation so far this year, according to provisional data from the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests – three times the average for this period from 2006 to 2024. About half of that area burned just in the past three days.
Thousands of firefighters were battling eight large blazes in central and northern Portugal, the largest of them near Piodao, a scenic, mountainous area popular with tourists.
Another blaze in Trancoso, farther north, has now been raging for eight days. A smaller fire just east of there killed a local resident on Friday – the first death this season.
Portugal is set for cooler weather in the coming days. A national state of alert due to wildfires was imposed on August 2 and was due to end on Sunday, a day before two Swedish firefighting planes were to arrive.
As in Spain, Portugal’s resources have been stretched. On Sunday, more than 4,000 firefighters and 1,300 vehicles were deployed as well as 17 aircraft, the Civil Protection Agency said.
Wildfires also burning in Turkiye
Greece, Bulgaria, Montenegro and Albania have also requested help from the European Union’s firefighting force in recent days to deal with forest fires. The force has already been activated as many times this year as during all of last year’s summer fire season.
In Turkiye, where recent wildfires have killed 19 people, parts of the historic region that includes memorials to World War I’s Gallipoli campaign were evacuated on Sunday as blazes threatened homes in the country’s northwest.
Six villages were evacuated as a precautionary measure, the governor of Canakkale province, Omer Toraman, said.
About 1,300 firefighting personnel backed by 30 aircraft were battling the blazes, according to the General Directorate of Forestry.
Turkiye has been struck by hundreds of fires since late June, fuelled by record-breaking temperatures, dry conditions and strong winds.
Europe has been warming twice as fast as the global average since the 1980s, according to the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. Scientists said climate change is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of heat and dryness in parts of Europe, making the region more vulnerable to wildfires.
Spain on Friday warned of “very high or extreme fire danger in most of the country,” as firefighters there continue battling 14 blazes in temperatures up to 104 degrees. Photo by Eliseo Trigo/EPA-EFE
Aug. 15 (UPI) — Spain on Friday warned of “very high or extreme fire danger in most of the country,” as firefighters there continue battling 14 blazes in temperatures up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
“The danger will remain at very high or extreme levels during the weekend and Monday, days when the heatwave affecting us since the beginning of the month continues,” AEMET, the state weather association, said on X Friday.
Wildfires in the European country have already consumed approximately 580 square miles of land, leading to seven deaths.
“Today will once again be a very tough day, with an extreme risk of new fires,” Spanish President Pedro Sanchezwrote on X Friday.
“The government remains fully committed with all resources to stop the fire. Thank you, always, to those who fight on the front line to protect us.”
The flames have forced the closures of highways and rail systems in parts of the country, including the train connecting the northern Spanish region of Galicia to the capital of Madrid.
Neighboring Greece and Portugal are dealing with similar weather conditions.
Spain’s total makes up around a quarter of the 2,429 square miles burned by wildfires across Europe, roughly the size of the state of Delaware.
On Thursday, the European Union sent two planes to help fight wildfires in Spain, under a reciprocal agreement. Spain is the fifth country so far this year to ask for help under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, with Bulgaria, Montenegro and Albania also seeking assistance.
One of those countries, Greece, is dealing with a fire on the Greek island of Chios, which is largely without water and electricity.
By midmorning in the Central Valley, the light turns hard and white, bleaching the sky and flattening every shadow. The rows of melons stretch to the horizon, vines twisted low in cracked soil. Pickers move in the rhythm the crop demands — bend, twist, lift, drop — their long sleeves damp with sweat, caps pulled low, bandanas hiding heat-burned cheeks. Spanish drifts along the rows, a joke here, a warning there, carried in the heavy air.
These are the cruelest days of harvest, when the sun turns fields into slow ovens and the heat climbs before breakfast, holding on until the stars are out. By nightfall, the damage is done: another collapse in the dirt, another family handed a death certificate instead of a paycheck.
It’s an all-too-familiar old problem in California. Nearly 20 years ago, in the shadow of four farmworker funerals — Arvin, Fresno County, Kern, Imperial Valley — California enacted the nation’s first heat rules for basic worker safety: water, shade, rest. Mercies you’d think needed no law. My fellow lawmakers and I who wrote those rules, along with then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger who signed them into law, believed they were enough. But two decades on, the grim reaper still walks the rows: 110 degrees, no tree, no tarp, a single water jug growing warm, its handle slick from dust and hands. Breaks denied, not from cruelty alone, but from the unrelenting clock of the harvest.
This is not a failure of the law itself, but of enforcement. Some treated the bill’s signing as the finish line instead of the starting gun. Inspectors are too few. Penalties too light. Investigations too slow. The state auditor’s latest report read like an obituary for Cal/OSHA’s credibility: outdated rules, missed chances, offices too empty to answer the phone.
Meanwhile the climate has turned meaner. Nights that once cooled now hold the day’s heat like a grudge. And the danger in the fields isn’t just the sun. Immigration raids now sweep through the Valley like dust storms — sudden, unannounced, merciless. For more than half of California’s 350,000 farmworkers, the greater threat isn’t heat stroke but a knock on the door before dawn or a traffic stop that ends with a vehicle full of workers detained and trucked to some distant site. The food that feeds the nation is pulled from the earth by people who work under triple-digit skies yet live in the shadows, where one complaint can cost them their job, their home, their freedom.
Twenty harvest seasons later, I’m calling for action — not another bill signing on the Capitol steps, but dollars, real and committed, and the regulations to match. With that will and funding, four simple fixes can turn promise into protection.
First, bring 21st century tools to the fields. In 2005, the “high-tech” solution was a plastic water jug in the shade and a flapping pop-up canopy. Today, for $50 — the price of two boxes of gloves — employers can deploy a wearable sensor clipped to a worker’s arm to track core temperature and heart rate, sending a warning before the body crosses the edge into heatstroke. That’s not Silicon Valley moonshot money. It’s pocket change for agribusiness, and for workers it could mean the difference between walking out of the rows or being carried out.
Second, enforce in real time. If a worker drops to one knee in the heat, the state shouldn’t hear about it days later in a report. Imagine a network linking growers, regulators and emergency crews to the same pulse of information — turning a slow, reactive system that documents tragedies into one that can act quickly and prevent many of them.
Third, train before the first row is picked. Ten minutes — no more — for workers to stand upright and learn, in their own language, the signs: dizziness, nausea, the creeping fog in the mind that means it’s time to stop. Not a photocopied handout in English tucked into an envelope behind a paycheck, not a rushed talk in Spanish at the field’s edge, but a verified safety course — certified by labor contractors and farmers alike. Knowledge here is as life-saving as water and shade.
Lastly, match the urgency we see in other arenas. While Cal/OSHA limps along, starved of staff and mired in red tape, Immigration and Customs Enforcement charges in the opposite direction — spurred by $170 billion in new funding, an immigration-enforcement and border-security blitz hiring thousands, dangling $50,000 signing bonuses, paying off student loans, waiving age limits, even pulling retirees back for double-dip salaries. That’s what happens when a government decides the wrong mission matters most. We pour urgency into chasing farmworkers from the fields, yet can’t muster the will to protect them in the heat. Until Cal/OSHA gets that same drive — inspectors recruited in every corner of the state, incentives to bring in a new generation, hurdles stripped away — the laws we wrote will remain a promise without a witness.
Some will say it’s too much, that the industry can’t bear the cost. But I’ve walked behind the hearses through Valley dust, stood in the gravel lots of farm town funeral homes, watched wives clutch work shirts as if they still held his warmth, seen children in Sunday clothes staring at the dirt. No budget line can measure that loss.
The Valley will keep feeding the nation. The question is whether we will keep feeding the graveyards too.
Once, by enacting heat safety rules, California declared that a life was worth more than a box of produce. If we let that promise wither in the heat, all we wrote back then was a press release. Government systems can fast-track billion-dollar projects, but until this much more affordable priority gets that kind of attention, the rules are just ink on paper, and the roll call of the dead just grows longer.
Dean Florez is a former California Senate majority leader, representing portions of the Central Valley.
