October

MY early summer holiday a distant memory, the Costa del Sol seemed just the ticket for some autumn sunshine.

Leaving behind rainy Blighty, I was soon lying by the pool in Spain lapping up the rays — and throughout our stay in the first week of October temperatures ranged from 26C to 28C.

We were in the Ramada Hotel and Suites resort near Fuengirola, next to the beach and just half an hour from both Malaga airport and party town Marbella.

It comprises beautiful self-catering apartments spread over five areas — and TEN pools.

The main pool is adjacent to the resort’s most popular cafe and bar, Zac’s, and has a lively vibe.

But I found the one closest to our apartment, in the Sierra Marina area of the resort, was an oasis of calm, with a lovely sea view and a quiet, respectful group of holidaymakers.

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Another bigger pool, served by a bar and restaurant, is on sister site the Wyndham Grand which shares its facilities, including a gym and spa, with the Ramada.

I indulged in an hour-long facial which was a wonderful way to kick off a relaxing holiday. My daughter enjoyed a circulation-boosting massage, and there were numerous other tempting treatments to try.

The massage with bamboo sticks, which sounded more painful than it was, came recommended by a fellow guest.

While there are plenty of places to eat out, I prefer a little independence on holiday and our apartment offered everything we needed to get the best of both worlds. As well as its two comfy bedrooms and bathrooms, there was a roomy lounge and kitchen, with dining table, cooker and large fridge.

But its finest feature, given the glorious weather, was the large balcony overlooking the Mediterranean — big enough for a table with six chairs, two comfy armchairs and a parasol, so we could enjoy casual lunches of fresh bread, meats and cheeses bought from the on-site store.

There were also plenty of options for eating out, from budget-friendly Zac’s to Restaurant El Tajo — not owned by the resort despite being on site, and serving authentic Spanish food including a lip-smacking paella which has to be ordered 24 hours in advance.

We particularly enjoyed the Wyndham site’s Safari restaurant which offers a huge array of gorgeous tapas — I thoroughly recommend the baked provolone cheese — as well as dishes to suit all tastes, from pasta to fish and steak.

There is also a lounge bar for late-night drinks, hosting singers most nights, as well as other live entertainment including the popular Flamenco night at the poolside bar.

The sprawling, hilly nature of the resort means a lot of walking — I easily hit my 10,000-step target every day.

But for those less able or willing to get about there is a handy road train you can hop on and off at various points across the complex.

Away from the resort, the town of Fuengirola is a 30-minute walk or €9 taxi ride and its pretty squares are teeming with bars and restaurants.

Perfect off-peak getaway

Half an hour away is also Puerto Banus, a stunning marina lined with designer stores and restaurants and packed with yachts worth millions.

It is a hangout for the glam Marbella crowd and well worth a visit — although prices here are sky high.

But I recommend leaving the main marina by taking the stairs to the coastal path, where restaurants line the clifftop and you can watch the spectacular sunset over the sea while enjoying a meal of locally caught fish and seafood.

The stunning old town of Marbella is a far cry from its infamously full-on beach clubs and nightlife

The stunning old town of Marbella is a far cry from its infamously full-on beach clubs and nightlife.

Its narrow, picturesque cobblestone streets are lined with unique boutiques and jewellery stores and lead to the stunning Plaza de los Naranjos (Square of Oranges) which, good to its name, is lined with fruit trees as well as beautiful flowerbeds.

But closer to our resort, nestled in the mountains above Fuengirola, was the biggest treat of the holiday — the village of Mijas Pueblo.

One of the “white villages” typical of this southern Spanish region of Andalucia, it welcomes visitors into a main square overlooked by the beautiful town hall.

Behind the square are quaint narrow streets of white buildings, with picturesque blue flowerpots adding a splash of colour.

Brightly painted crockery and leather bags are sold in tiny stores and upstairs terraces in many of the eateries offer a view over the main square, mountains and sea.

Another highlight for me was the La Ermita de la Virgen de la Pena (Chapel of the Virgin of the Rock), a tiny but beautiful church carved into the natural stone of the mountain by friars in 1548.

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Along with its warm weather, the Costa del Sol has an average of just 35 days of rain a year, most of which falls between November and January.

It’s also a golfer’s paradise, with 70 courses, and with year-round sun is the perfect off-peak getaway.

For much of the year, the Dodgers’ starting rotation felt broken.

In large part, because the pitcher acquired to be its anchor was struggling to find himself.

It’s easy to forget now, with Blake Snell in the midst of a historic October performance that has helped lead the Dodgers back to the World Series. But for most of his debut season in Los Angeles, the two-time Cy Young Award winner and $182 million offseason signing was grappling with frustration, enduring what he described recently as “the hardest year of my career.”

First, there was well-documented early adversity: A shoulder problem that Snell quietly pitched through in two underwhelming starts at the beginning of the campaign, before sidelining him on the injured list for the next four months.

Then, there was an ordeal Snell detailed last week for the first time: In late August, on the same day his wife Haeley gave birth to the couple’s second child, Snell got so sick in the hospital that he fainted, was taken to the emergency room, and kept overnight hooked up to IV fluids.

“This is awful,” he thought to himself then.

Which now, has made his dominant postseason — including an 0.86 ERA in his first three playoff outings, and a scheduled Game 1 start in the World Series on Friday night — all the more gratifying.

“It’s been a lot,” Snell told The Times last week, while reflecting on a difficult season now primed for a triumphant final act. “But that’s what this is all about. Find the best in yourself. Fight through all the doubt, the bull—. And figure it out.”

In many ways, figuring things out has been the story of the Dodgers’ entire season. From their inconsistent and injury-riddled offense. To their underperforming and injury-ravaged bullpen. To their ever-evolving rotation, most of all.

Early in the year, that group dealt with its own rash of injuries, losing Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Roki Sasaki and others in a harrowing flashback to 2024.

This time, most of their top arms returned healthy. But up until six weeks ago, they still faced genuine questions for the fall.

At that point, Yoshinobu Yamamoto was mired in an up-and-down stretch following his All-Star selection in the first half of the year, raising worries he could be tiring en route to making a career-high 30 starts.

Glasnow had returned from his early-season shoulder problem, but grinded through six starts from July 29 to Aug. 30 with an ERA above 4.00.

And while Shohei Ohtani was pitching well, he was also continuing to build up in his return from a second career Tommy John surgery.

Suddenly, it all left Snell to be the linchpin for the pitching staff — thrusting him to the center of the late-season resurgence that was soon to come.

“With every great starting staff, you got to have that anchor,” manager Dave Roberts said. “Having him get back to pitch the way he did, sort of raised the bar for everyone.”

This past winter, the Dodgers made Snell their top priority for a reason.

They looked at the patchwork rotation that nearly derailed their 2024 World Series run, and decided the year’s staff needed another star to build around.

Yamamoto, Glasnow and Ohtani already provided a well-established foundation. Clayton Kershaw, Emmet Sheehan, Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May offered plenty of depth to withstand a 162-game marathon.

What was missing, however, was another bona fide ace; the kind capable of swinging postseason series and transforming October fortunes. In Snell, they saw such potential. His presence, they hoped, would complete their title-defense blueprint.

“As we were talking about ways that we could put ourselves in the best position to win a World Series in 2025,” president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said the day Snell was introduced by the club, “all conversations kept coming back to Blake.”

For most of the year, of course, Snell’s impact was limited. After his two injury-hampered starts at the beginning of the season, he remained out of action until after the trade deadline.

During that time, the Dodgers slow-played Snell’s recovery — putting him through a meticulous process (similar to their handling of Glasnow and Ohtani) that was designed to have him ready for the stretch run of the season, and hopefully peaking in time for the start of the playoffs.

Upon his initial return in early August, Snell seemed to be on track, with the left-hander posting a sub-2.00 ERA in his first four outings off the IL.

Then, however, came another unforeseen setback, after he rushed home from an Aug. 22 outing in San Diego for the birth of his child.

By the time Snell’s wife went into labor later that week, the 32-year-old arrived at the hospital feeling “extremely sick,” he recounted last week. At one point, as he got up from a couch to go hold his newly born baby, he said he passed out and fainted right there in the room.

Snell was taken to the emergency room and stayed there overnight, getting two IVs to combat an unspecified illness undoubtedly compounded by exhaustion.

“I couldn’t really stand,” he said. “I just felt awful.”

And yet, a few days later, there Snell was back atop the Dodger Stadium mound; making sure that, after his extended absence earlier in the campaign, he wouldn’t miss another start.

“That’s what I signed up to do,” Snell said. “When I pitch, I just forget about it. I don’t allow a lot of excuses.”

Snell’s illness was unknown at the time, but the physical toll it had taken quickly became obvious. His velocity was noticeably down in a three-run, 5 ⅓ innings start on Aug. 29 against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Six days later, he toiled again during a “frustrating” outing in Pittsburgh, yielding a season-high nine hits and five runs to the lowly Pirates.

Pushing through those games, though, gave Snell a key to hone in on for the rest of the season. “If this is who you are today, figure it out,” he told himself. And finally, with no more disruptions to his routine, improvement flowed quickly.

Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell puts his arm around catcher Ben Rortvedt as they walk back to the dugout together on Sept. 17.

(Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)

Snell struck out a season-high 11 batters over six scoreless innings in a Sept. 10 win against the Colorado Rockies. He topped that a week later with 12 punchouts in seven scoreless frames against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Snell said after that outing, which was followed by one more six-inning, one-run start in his regular-season finale in Arizona: “[I’m] starting to be able to play catch with more intent and work on stuff … Coming through in the push to the postseason, and being able to make it, that’s what the whole season is for.”

The old adage in baseball is that hitting can be contagious.

In the case of this year’s Dodgers, starting pitching evidently can be, too.

As Snell got hot in September, so did the rest of the team’s resurgent rotation. Yamamoto rediscovered his early-season form, winning National League pitcher of the month with an immaculate 0.67 ERA in four starts. Glasnow finished the month with a 2.49 mark, after finally refining the mechanics of his throw. Ohtani, meanwhile, got stretched out to six innings, maintaining his two-way dominance over repeated full-length appearances.

The bar had been raised, with the constant cycle of gems continuing to push it a little bit higher.

The pitchers rode off the momentum and relished in their shared success; to the point that Roberts joked they almost seemed to be competing to outdo one another.

“I think we’re all good,” Glasnow said. “So it was just a matter of time until all of us did good at the same time.”

But in these playoffs, no one has been more lethal than Snell. In his 21 innings so far, he has thrown a scoreless frame in all but one.

Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell walks off the mound after striking out the last batter of the second inning of Game 2 of the NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

He was good in his first start, producing seven innings of two-run ball against the Cincinnati Reds in the wild-card round. He was superb in the next, going six scoreless against the Phillies in a hostile road environment.

His masterpiece, however, came in Game 1 of the NL Championship Series, when he tossed eight scoreless innings, struck out 10 batters, and ruthlessly toyed with a Milwaukee Brewers lineup helpless to adjust to his manipulative changeup.

“We’ve all known this: Blake, when he’s right, is the best pitcher in the game,” Kershaw, his future Hall of Fame teammate, said afterward. “To have a guy that can do that, set the tone, and just have a guy that you can count on like that, it’s huge.”

For his part, Snell continues to insist that “I feel like I could be way better.” After his repeated setbacks earlier this year, he claims that, “even now, I’m still battling.”

The numbers, of course, tell a different story. In the live-ball era (since 1920), only three other pitchers with 20 or more innings in a postseason had at least 20 strikeouts and a sub-1.00 ERA (Sandy Koufax in 1965, John Smoltz in 1996 and Justin Verlander in 2013).

On Friday night, Snell will be on the bump once again, trying to continue a dazzling streak for himself and his rotation.

What once felt like the hardest year of his career, is now four wins away from being the most fulfilling.

“It’s what you have to go through to win a World Series,” he said. “You can find an excuse, or you can find a way to figure it out.”

WHILE the UK threatens to be a washout, we’ve found the place in the Mediterranean least likely to have rain in October.

The place in question is the Algarve in Portugal, and the best news is that Brits can be there in less than three hours and flights cost as little as £15 for a one-way ticket, even during half-term.

The Algarve in Portugal is the driest place in the country thanks to its Mediterranean climate that’s influenced by dry winds from the northeast and hot air from the Sahara.

During October temperatures in the Algarve range from 15C all the way to 23C.

The southern spot has between seven and eight hours of sunshine a day on average, throughout the month.

Next week, during October half-term, Brits can fly to Faro, also known as the ‘gateway of the Algarve’ from Birmingham, Liverpool, Bristol, Newcastle, London Stansted and Glasgow from £15 with Ryanair.

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So here’s where Sun Travel suggests you explore next…

Albufeira

One of the most well-known spots in the region is the coastal city of Albufeira with sandy beaches and a lively nightlife strip.

Believe it or not, Albufeira was a former fishing village, and despite all the built up areas, there’s still an old town to explore.

Some of the best beaches are Praia dos Pescadores’, also known as Fisherman’s Beach, and Praia da Falésia.

There’s also a busy marina, and visitors can take boat trips out for dolphin-watching and exploring the Benagil Caves.

Albufeira is popular with tourists, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing as you’ll find plenty of hotels, waterparks, restaurants and bars.

However, if you’re looking to escape the tourist traps one local suggested heading just outside of Albufeira to the fishing village of Olhos de Água.

Angela Antor, who is a watermelon farmer told Sun Travel: “There you can enjoy a nice evening drink and watch the sun go down whilst the fisherman take to the sea.

“And in the traditional village of Ferragudo you can enjoy the catch of the day in riverside restaurants straight from the fishing boats.”

Faro

Faro is the capital of southern Portugal’s Algarve and is considered the ‘gateway’ region.

Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey visited Faro, and discovered very few tourists. She added: “Most people skip Faro to head further into the Algarve.

“But there are some fantastic islands just off the coast where you will see barely any tourists. Ilha Deserta, also known as Barreta, takes just 20 minutes by boat, with tickets a few euros.

“Some call it the Caribbean of Portugal – something I agree with thanks to its golden sandy beaches. There is nothing on the island apart from the fabulous restaurant Estamine – a must visit serving up locally caught food”.

Other highlights in Faro include the 18th-century Capela Dos Ossos on Largo do Carmo within the walled city.

Translated as the Chapel of Bones, the ancient walls are decorated with pieces from over 1,250 human skeletons.

As for the best beach, Kara said: “Praia de Faro, on the island Ilha de Faro, is considered the best beach in the Faro region by locals, but few tourists have heard of it.

“The gold sands stretch for five kilometres with views of the sea on one side and a natural park on the other.”

Lagos

Lagos has become one of the most visited cities in the Algarve, mostly thanks to the number of tourist-friendly beaches.

Some of the most popular are Praia de Dona Ana, Ponta da Piedade and Praia do Camilo.

Sun Travel chatted to some locals about the Algarve and Ana Veiga, travel and food writer and the co-founder of We Travel Portugal, said: “Lagos is a brilliant town that has long attracted surfers to the west Algarve, but recently has become a prime destination for visitors of all types.

“It has incredible hiking trails, water and beach sports, and a historic old town to explore, plus its proximity to the west Algarve is great for explorers that want to see the wild coastline with cliffs and big waves.”   

Salem Haire, who lives in Lagos, said: “Pomò La Pasta Italiana has the best Italian food – people will wait more than two hours to eat there (speciality mains from €19), and there’s a local Portuguese kitchen called Tasca de Lota that’s my personal favourite (mains from €11 and bottles of wine from €13).

“Also in Lagos, Go Bao has delicious bao buns for those who are tired of Portuguese food (buns from €5), and Gelicia has amazing Italian gelato, with vegan and gluten free options too.”

Portimao 

Portimão is the second-largest city in the Algarve so there’s plenty to explore, like beaches such as Praia da Rocha – a lively resort town.

It’s known for having a vast sandy beach with water sports, as well as lots of restaurants and bars.

Inês Tito, a Portugal and Algarve trip planner, said: “Portimão, near the Praia De Rocha, is the perfect place for beach holidays. There are plenty of accommodation options, some only a few steps from the beach, so you won’t have any issue in finding a place to stay.

As for places to stay, Inês said: “Or the Bela Vista Hotel & Spa – Relais & Châteaux in Portimão is a beautiful boutique hotel set in a 19th palace overlooking Praia da Rocha.”

Silves

Silves doesn’t have beaches as it’s inland, but there’s still plenty to do, and last year it was named one of the cheapest places to visit.

The city used to be the capital of the Algarve, and it’s around an hour away from Faro.

It’s a great place for an affordable break, with the average price of a hotel being around £73, while a beer can cost as little as £2.50.

In Silves, you’ll find cobbled streets with independent shops selling gifts, and ceramics, and plenty of cafes.

Compared to the other destinations in the Algarve, Silves is likely to be quieter than the others.

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October is more than halfway over, but there’s still time for investors to snap up some world-class stocks. For those wanting to bet on artificial intelligence (AI), Intel (INTC 2.94%) and International Business Machines (IBM 0.83%) fit the bill. For consumer goods stocks that offer long-term potential, Nike (NKE 0.53%) and Walmart (WMT -0.67%) are great choices. And for something different, Reddit (RDDT 4.00%) looks interesting for investors with more appetite for risk. Here’s why these five stocks are the best of the bunch in October.

Image source: Getty Images.

Intel

Intel’s turnaround is still a work in progress, but a series of deals and developments have pushed the stock up about 90% so far this year. CEO Lip-Bu Tan, who took over in March, has been slashing costs and refocusing the company on its best opportunities. Regaining leadership in the PC and server CPU markets after years of market share losses is an imperative, as is justifying the massive expense associated with Intel’s manufacturing efforts by winning external foundry customers.

Tan has proven to be quite the dealmaker. The U.S. government took a nearly 10% stake in the company in exchange for grant money that had yet to be delivered, Softbank invested $2 billion, and Nvidia took a $5 billion stake and partnered with Intel on custom PC and server chips. Pairing Intel and Nvidia technology in PCs and servers could help the company win back market share from AMD.

While Intel still needs to deliver results, market sentiment has certainly shifted in a positive direction, and recent news that Microsoft has reportedly chosen Intel to manufacture a custom AI chip has added fuel to the fire. Intel’s turnaround is going to take time, but the pieces are falling into place. For patient investors, now is a great time to buy the stock.

International Business Machines

It’s taken a while, but IBM has settled into a successful AI strategy that’s helping to accelerate its revenue growth. The company’s pairing of consulting services with an enterprise AI software platform, along with a focus on small, specialized, and cheap AI models tuned for specific tasks, has proven to be a winner.

IBM has booked more than $7.5 billion worth of generative AI-related business so far, with much of that total coming from the consulting business. In the second quarter alone, IBM booked more than $1 billion of generative AI-related consulting business. By offering solutions that combine AI implementation and other services with its AI software platform, IBM is winning over enterprises as they race to deploy AI.

IBM expects to increase revenue by at least 5% this year, adjusted for currency. That growth will come despite weakness in discretionary projects tied to the state of the economy. By leaning into AI, IBM is building a powerful growth engine that can offset sluggish spending in other areas. And because IBM’s AI business is focused on delivering results for its clients in the form of reduced costs or greater efficiency, the business can continue to grow even if the AI boom cools off. For investors looking for a low-risk way to bet on AI, IBM stock is the answer.

Nike

Unforced errors have put footwear giant Nike in an uncomfortable position. The company has lost ground in sports to upstarts like On Holding, and its aggressive push toward direct-to-consumer sales has weakened the brand and hurt relationships with retailers. The stock has been a disaster, down more than 60% from its all-time high.

While attempting to stage a comeback against the backdrop of an uncertain macroeconomic environment will only make things more difficult, green shoots are starting to appear. Wholesale revenue rose by 7% in the company’s latest quarter, and the Nike brand managed to grow in North America. Nike is refocusing on key sports as well as the North American market, and rebuilding wholesale relationships, and progress is clearly being made.

At the same time, Nike CEO Elliott Hill was careful to note that Nike’s progress “will not be linear as dimensions of our business recover on different timelines.” Investors shouldn’t expect miracles in the next few quarters, but for those willing to buy and hold for at least a few years, Nike is positioning itself for a return to consistent growth. With the stock carving out new multiyear lows, now is a great time to bet on an eventual comeback.

Walmart

Inflation, tariffs, and souring consumer sentiment have created plenty of uncertainty for the retail industry. For investors looking for a relatively safe bet no matter what happens to the economy, Walmart is a great choice.

Walmart’s massive scale gives it unparalleled leverage with suppliers, allowing it to keep prices as low as possible and win over consumers struggling with strained household budgets. Walmart grew revenue by nearly 5% year over year in its latest quarter while gross margin remained steady and adjusted operating margin rose. The company’s bet on technology is also paying off, with global e-commerce sales rising by 25%.

Walmart is diving headfirst into the future with its partnership with OpenAI that will enable customers to purchase products from Walmart directly within ChatGPT. While the interplay between AI and commerce is still evolving, getting its products in front of hundreds of millions of ChatGPT users could drive meaningful revenue growth. Walmart isn’t immune to economic conditions, but the company is better positioned than most retailers to ride out the storm.

Reddit

Where people on the internet get information, including recommendations that lead to purchases, is changing. Search engines used to be the only game in town. Then came social media sites like Meta Platforms‘ Facebook and Instagram, which are full of lucrative ads. AI chatbots like ChatGPT are pulling more people away from search engines, and even Alphabet has resorted to inserting AI Overviews at the top of Google search results.

What makes Reddit unique is that it benefits almost no matter what. Plenty of people go directly to Reddit for information; those who search on Google often find Reddit threads among the top results. And AI chatbots and Google’s AI overviews often use Reddit threads as key sources. As the old and the new battle each other, Reddit stands above the fray.

Reddit’s ad revenue is soaring as more people turn to the social media site. Ad revenue jumped by 84% year over year in the second quarter, driven by a 21% rise in daily active unique users and improved monetization. Depending on Google and AI chatbots for traffic does pose a risk, and it could create volatility in traffic and revenue. But there’s no real alternative to the rich source of information Reddit provides. For investors who can handle a riskier stock, Reddit is great choice.

Certificates of deposit (CDs) might seem like a good place to keep your money, especially with interest rates on the decline. But the truth is that in most cases, your cash is better off elsewhere.

If you’re looking for flexibility and long-term growth — or if you’re carrying high-interest debt — there are much better uses for your money. Here’s what to know.

1. High-yield savings accounts are more flexible, with similar returns

Right now, our favorite high-yield savings accounts (HYSAs) are paying APYs that rival top CDs — and you don’t need to lock up your money to earn them.

Just like traditional savings accounts, HYSAs let you access your money anytime, and they’re FDIC-insured up to $250,000. The best banks also don’t charge monthly fees or have account minimums.

Add it all up, and it’s pretty clear: HYSAs are the perfect place to store your emergency fund and short-term savings.

Want to earn a high APY while keeping access to your cash? See our full list of the best high-yield savings accounts available now.

2. Stocks offer more long-term growth

For money you plan on investing for the long haul, a CD isn’t the best option, either.

Consider this: Over the last 30 years, the average return of the U.S. stock market was 9% per year, as measured by the S&P 500 Index — more than double the rate of the best CDs.

CDs might sound appealing because they have a guaranteed return — but still, that return is limited. Over the course of years and decades, something like an S&P 500 index fund will almost definitely earn more.

Ready to get started? See our list of the best online brokerages today.

3. Paying off debt is a better use of your cash

Finally, if you have high-interest credit card debt, even the best CDs can’t help you put a dent in it.

That’s because the average credit card APR is around 21%, according to the Federal Reserve. Saving with a CD while carrying high-interest debt is always a losing bet.

Make sure to pay off any and all debt before you think about a CD. If you owe credit card debt with a 21% APR, you could think of it as getting a guaranteed 21% return for paying it off.

Once your high-interest debt is gone and your emergency fund is in place, then you can start looking into CDs or other savings tools.

Want an easier way to pay off debt? Check out our picks for the best balance transfer cards available now.

CDs can be smart — sometimes

CDs can still be a solid way to save in the medium term. But only if you:

• Have no high-interest debt
• Have three to six months of expenses in a savings account
• Are already investing in stocks long-term

Does that sound like you? Compare the best CD rates now to start saving today.

The destination is making waves amongst UK holidaymakers, according to a study, and is offering sandy beaches and warm climes

If the prospect of another chilly winter in the UK is getting you down, one way to help lift your spirits is by booking a sun-soaked getaway.

And if you’re itching to venture beyond Europe and explore what the wider world has to offer, there’s a breathtaking destination just six hours from the UK among the top spots for Brits to visit.

The West African island nation of Cape Verde is causing quite a stir among UK holidaymakers, according to a study by Dubai Tours and Tickets, clocking up thousands of Google searches each month.

Comprising 10 islands nestled in the Atlantic, it’s the ideal location for Brits seeking some winter sun – with temperatures still hovering around 28C even in October.

With its expansive sandy beaches, dramatic coastlines and vibrant nightlife, there’s a wealth of attractions and activities that will appeal to visitors of all ages, reports the Express.

One of the region’s most sought-after islands is Sal, which is accessible from the UK via TUI flights. It’s been hailed as a ‘beach lover’s paradise’ by the Cape Verde Experience, making it the perfect choice for those in pursuit of a tranquil holiday.

It offers golden sandy beaches encircled by crystal-clear waters, alongside a rich culture and superb food and drink – ensuring there’s something here for everyone.

Espargos, the capital of Sal, is situated in the heart of the island. However, the primary resort area is in Santa Maria in the south, which boasts a variety of shops, eateries and bars as well as numerous hotels lining the sandy coastline.

A must-visit spot is the mirage at Terra Boa, a phenomenon that creates the illusion of an ocean in the middle of the desert.

Boa Vista is another favourite amongst tourists, with its golden sands and laid-back vibe.

The island boasts some of the most stunning beaches in the archipelago, with 55km of sand to explore. Whether you fancy a lazy day by the sea or want to try your hand at watersports, there’s something for everyone.

Accommodation in Boa Vista offers a similar variety, with options for both relaxation and activity-filled days.

Away from the coast, the island’s interior offers desert-like landscapes and even the occasional abandoned village. The main town, Sal Rei, is located in the north-west and is gradually becoming a hub for dining and nightlife, as well as boasting some interesting architectural landmarks.

Cape Verde’s cuisine is a mix of local Creole and Portuguese dishes, with plenty of seafood, meat and vegetarian options.

Don’t miss out on trying Cachupa Rica, the national dish of Cape Verde. This hearty stew made with fish, meat and vegetables is a must-try during your visit.

Fresh seafood is a staple of the local cuisine, with bafas – a dish featuring fish cooked with tomato, onion and peppers in breadcrumbs – being a crowd favourite, often served as a snack or starter.

And no trip would be complete without savouring a Caipirinha or two, a mouth-watering cocktail inspired by Brazil, crafted with local spirits and sugar cane.

The island is a Mediterranean paradise that is well worth a visit, with visitors commenting on how authentic and unspoiled it feels, as well as its stunning natural beauty

The picturesque Greek island of Samos, nestled just off the coast of western Turkey in the eastern Aegean Sea, is a haven of stunning seaside resorts and quaint fishing villages. Separated from the Anatolian peninsula by the narrow Mycale Strait, this 185-square-mile island is a blend of mountainous terrain and fertile plains.

A significant part of Samos is carpeted with vineyards, producing the renowned Muscat wine. The landscape is dominated by two towering mountains, Ampelos and Kerkis. Ampelos, the larger of the two, sits at the heart of the island, reaching heights of 1,095 metres. Kerkis, although smaller in area, boasts the island’s highest point.

With a population just shy of 34,000, Samos ranks as the ninth most populous of the Greek islands. It’s also a hotspot for diverse fauna, including golden jackals, stone marten, wild boar, flamingos and monk seals.

Samos is steeped in history, with the Eupalinian aqueduct being one of its many archaeological treasures. In the 6th-century BC, under the rule of the infamous tyrant Polycrates, a 0.6-mile tunnel was carved through Mount Kastro to construct an aqueduct, providing the ancient capital with fresh water, reports the Express.

This engineering marvel, dug from both ends in a methodical manner akin to the Channel Tunnel, stands today as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The ancient city of Samos was once fortified by a wall stretching 6,430 metres. Starting from the eastern pier of the ancient port, it extended northwards, ending near the ancient stadium on the city’s western coast.

Today, only fragments of the limestone wall and a tower north of Glyfada Lake remain.

Classical Samos is perhaps best known for its connection to the philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras. In 1955, the town of Tigani was renamed Pythagoreion in honour of his birth there.

The historian Herodotus, famed for his Histories – considered the founding work of history in Western literature – also resided in Samos for some time.

Samos enjoys a hot-summer Mediterranean climate with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers. According to the Hellenic National Meteorological Service, July is the hottest and driest month, but temperatures remain a pleasant 24C in October.

Whether you prefer remote or commercialised beaches, Samos has something for everyone. Tsamadou, eight miles from Vathy, is a pebbled, partly organised and family-friendly beach.

For those seeking seclusion, Mikto Sitani beach is non-organised and tucked away from the crowds.

Tourists have been full of praise for Samos, with one visitor gushing on Tripadvisor: “What a surprise! We had never heard about Samos but we booked by coincidence because it was one of the only European destinations where they didn’t expect cold and rain. So happy we did it. It’s a wonderful island. It’s still authentic[ly] Greek.

“Samos is not made for mass tourism. The roads are narrow, and there are hairpin bends everywhere. Some destinations are only accessible by 4×4 cars because there are no paved roads in some areas.

“Most of the island still looks untouched and the coastline is rugged and just magnificent.”

The best city in the world to visit, according to a survey of global tourists, is just a three-hour flight from the UK and can be reached for as little as £20

A survey has revealed which city global travellers think is the very best to visit – and it’s a short flight from the UK.

Depending on who you ask, you might get a different answer as to which city in the world is the best to visit. But this location is the hottest European capital in October and has plenty of history for culture vultures to sink their teeth into.

The best city in the world for tourists, according to responses gathered by top tourism publication Condé Nast Traveller, is Valletta.

READ MORE: ‘I visited French city for cheaper than day trip to London using Eurostar hack’READ MORE: Pretty UK city has miles of Roman walls that are the ‘best in Britain’

The capital of Malta is only a three-hour flight from the UK, and journeys there can be nabbed on budget airlines for as little as £20. The survey asked tourists questions in several categories, combining responses to then come up with an overall satisfaction score for countries around the world. Valletta got an impressive 97.33 out of 100.

The travel publication recently released the results of its 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards, reports the Express. Tourists were asked about a range of things, including a city’s walkability, cultural gems, nightlife, hotels and more.

Condé Nast described the “sun-soaked capital” as feeling both “ancient and fresh” at the same time. They also praised the Maltese capital for having “one of Europe’s buzziest creative scenes bubbling above foundations built by knights”.

Valletta, a small but mighty city with just over 5,000 residents, attracts a multitude of visitors each year due to its splendid weather and captivating history.

There’s no shortage of attractions in this city. The top-rated tourist spot is St John’s Pro Cathedral, a magnificent structure dating back to the 1500s. The city’s military and maritime history are significant aspects of Valletta and Malta as a whole. Other popular attractions that delve into this aspect include Lascaris War Rooms, Saluting Battery and the National War Museum.

Tourists also enjoy visiting Upper Barrakka Gardens, Valletta Waterfront, Grand Master’s Palace and Barrakka Lift. Beyond Valletta, the wider area of Malta, which spans only 122 square miles, offers even more to explore.

READ MORE: Gorgeous European destination is 25C in October and has ‘almost no crowds’

Malta’s best beaches include the renowned Blue Lagoon, Mellieha Beach, St Peter’s Pool, Romla Bay, Golden Bay, Golden Sands Beach and Armier Bay Beach.

If you’re after good weather, Valletta is the place to be. The hottest months are July and August, with temperatures reaching around 32C. Even as the UK turns chilly and dark, Valletta continues to enjoy pleasant weather.

In October, you can expect highs of 25C, while November sees highs of 21C. Even in January and February, temperatures reach up to 16C and rarely drop below 9C.

OUR much-loved astrologer Meg sadly died in 2023 but her column will be kept alive by her friend and protégée Maggie Innes.

Read on to see what’s written in the stars for you today. 

♈ ARIES

March 21 to April 20

Working with what you have, in terms of ideas or emotions, could be better than starting over.

So even if the impulse is strong, do sit with this for a while.

A new way forward can show itself.

The way Neptune is guiding your heart may feel puzzling sometimes, but deep down you can sense the true strength.

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♉ TAURUS

April 21 to May 21

The foundations of your chart matter so much to you to feel secure.

But the one person who can really control this today is you.

So ask yourself honestly what you could do differently.

At work, letting small niggles go can leave extra energy for a big final push – towards a top team or a signed-off document.

Get all the latest Taurus horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♊ GEMINI

May 22 to June 21

Your zodiac gift is your charm and conversational flair – and it’s a day to use this at every chance you get.

A stranger you exchange a few words with could be player in your future, so give everyone you connect with the radiance of your Gemini light.

Partners who play together can be winners in a luck contest.

Get all the latest Gemini horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♋ CANCER

June 22 to July 22

That noise in your mind around money could be feeding off memories more than facts – today you are star-supported to see the difference.

But you also recognise any unfairness in a bond or deal, and can start to correct the balance.

Jupiter ups your ability to be spontaneous, and to seize prize opportunities.

Get all the latest Cancer horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♌ LEO

July 23 to August 23

A role in someone else’s romance may have worked once, but no longer fits you – so find the words to break free.

This can create the space in your heart you need to manage your feelings better and end a time of love hesitation.

If you’re single, someone who posts on social media every day can be a source of passion.

Get all the latest Leo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♍ VIRGO

August 24 to September 22

You are hiding something important – perhaps for the best of reasons.

But you sense this has to end – and today you have the right chart to start this process.

Security is so important to you – and Saturn backs this up.

When it comes to cash, saving is good, but not if it stops you spending on genuine needs.

Get all the latest Virgo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♎ LIBRA

September 23 to October 23

Lending or borrowing are not a good fit for your chart today – especially among friends.

It’s more important to find out why certain favours are requested, and what this means for two or more people.

You are the zodiac love-leader and partners can be back in tune, while new love links to a shared selfie.

Get all the latest Libra horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♏ SCORPIO

October 24 to November 22

You want to try something daring in terms of image or style? This can be your moment.

Rip up the fashion rule-book and go your own way – there can be an eager audience waiting to see what you do next.

Learning-based prizes can be a feature for you – to explore any opportunity to expand your knowledge.

Get all the latest Scorpio horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♐ SAGITTARIUS

November 23 to December 21

Solving mysteries, in person, or in a drama or literature setting, comes naturally when you try.

You have a knack for seeing beyond the surface, and for bringing people along with you.

So ask those big questions, of others and of yourself.

Being picky in passion terms clears the decks for “G” to appear.

Get all the latest Sagittarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♑ CAPRICORN

December 22 to January 20

Staying flexible in financial terms, rather than rushing to fix some figures fast, can lead you towards the big break you need.

So do resist any pressure to sign up to, or sign off, a deal before you’re ready.

You will know when you are, and this is your decision to make.

Love asks more of you, in ways that can heal your heart.

Get all the latest Capricorn horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

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♒ AQUARIUS

January 21 to February 18

You may not feel you need togetherness – but you can still want it.

Love bonds on every level are the focus of your moon chart, and this allows you to be, and seem, more vulnerable than usual.

If you start the day single, you only have to hear one word uttered in an intriguing accent, to be totally hooked.

Get all the latest Aquarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♓ PISCES

February 19 to March 20

Mars’ rebellious streak could sabotage a work or love task that should be so straightforward.

If you recognise this urge, be ready to respond, and tap into your personal store of patience.

If you’re single, however, this planet clash can pair you with someone who appears 100 per cent “trouble” – yet irresistible.

Get all the latest Pisces horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

It’s easy to feel complacent in today’s market. The S&P 500 hasn’t fallen by more than 3% from its all-time high for over five months — meaning volatility is virtually nonexistent.

Artificial intelligence (AI) spending deals are resulting in big stock pops and record runs for chip giants. The rift between winners and losers is growing, with just a handful of stocks making up a massive percentage of the index. That said, it’s a mistake to sell winning stocks just because they have gone up. So a better approach is to stay even-keeled and build a balanced financial portfolio.

Here’s why Netflix (NFLX -0.07%) is a growth stock that can back up its expensive valuation, and why Texas Instruments (TXN 1.95%) is a reliable high-yield dividend stock to buy in October.

Image source: Netflix.

Netflix is worth the premium price

Like many growth stocks, Netflix’s valuation is arguably overextended. But it could still be a good buy for patient investors. The simplest reason to buy and hold Netflix is that the company has become somewhat recession-proof. It is one of the few consumer-facing companies that continues to deliver solid earnings growth despite a challenging operating environment.

Inflation and cost-of-living increases have been no match for Netflix. Despite a crackdown on password sharing and price increases, Netflix’s subscribers are sticking with the platform — which is a great sign that folks believe the subscription is worth paying for, even as they pull back on other discretionary goods and services like restaurant spending.

Netflix is a textbook example of the effectiveness of boosting the quality of a product or service to justify higher prices. The company isn’t just making the same bag of chips and hiking the price in the hopes that customers give in and buy. Rather, the value of the platform has grown immensely due to the depth, breadth, and quality of its content.

Netflix’s business model acts like a snowball. The more subscribers there are, the more revenue it generates, the more content it can create, the more valuable the platform becomes, and the greater the justification for increasing prices.

What Netflix is doing sounds simple, but it is far from it. It has taken Netflix well over a decade to perfect its craft — developing content that resonates with subscribers of all interests. No other streaming platform comes close to replicating this efficiency, as evidenced by Netflix’s sky-high operating margins of 29%.

At about 47 times forward earnings, Netflix is far from cheap. But it’s the kind of stock that can grow into its valuation because the business can do well even during an economic slowdown.

A dividend play in the semiconductor space

The semiconductor industry has been soaring — led by massive gains in Nvidia, Broadcom, and most recently, Advanced Micro Devices. The iShares Semiconductor ETF, which tracks the industry, is up a mind-numbing 34.7% year to date — outpacing the broader tech sector’s 24.8% gain. So investors may be wondering why Texas Instruments, commonly known as TI, is down over 4% in 2025.

The most likely reason TI is underperforming the semiconductor industry is that it doesn’t sell graphics processing units and central processing units, which are in high demand by hyperscalers to build out data centers. Instead, TI makes analog and embedded semiconductors that are used across the economy.

The industrial and automotive markets accounted for around 70% of TI’s 2024 revenue. So this is a far different business model than chip companies that are playing integral roles in building out data centers. In fact, TI’s core business is in the midst of a multi-year slowdown, as evidenced by TI’s negative earnings growth.

Despite these challenges, the company is a coiled spring for a cyclical recovery in its key end markets. Lower interest rates should help boost spending by industrial customers and jolt demand in the automotive industry.

TI is a great buy for investors who value free cash flow and dividends. In its 2024 annual report, TI stated, “Looking ahead, we will remain focused on the belief that long-term growth of free cash flow per share is the ultimate measure to generate value. To achieve this, we will invest to strengthen our competitive advantages, be disciplined in capital allocation, and stay diligent in our pursuit of efficiencies.” This is a far different mantra than companies that are throwing capital expenditures at shiny new ideas.

With a 3.2% dividend yield and 22 consecutive years of dividend increases, TI stands out as an excellent buy for income investors in October.

OUR much-loved astrologer Meg sadly died in 2023 but her column is being kept alive by her friend and protégée Maggie Innes.

Read on to see what’s written in the stars for you today. 

♈ ARIES

March 21 to April 20

As Pluto’s retrograde ends, you can begin that overdue review of your social circle – who inspires and supports you, who loves to criticise or condemn?

Changing the balance of power in bonds is a big ask, but it’s one you can achieve now.

Later, the atmosphere at home can lighten when you focus 100 per cent on the future.

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♉ TAURUS

April 21 to May 21

Knowing what you really want, in terms of success, has been a challenge for months, but your chart is clearing now.

And that one ambition that keeps coming back into your mind can be the one to pursue.

The more “impossible” it seems, the more you can commit. Green and yellow can be lucky.

Get all the latest Taurus horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♊ GEMINI

May 22 to June 21

Even if money decisions seem challenging, this can be your day to share them with someone you trust.

You have all the star assets you need to deal with any feedback.

Love lessons may feel tough, but with input from Venus and Uranus they can build the resilient heart you need in order to move on.

Get all the latest Gemini horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♋ CANCER

June 22 to July 22

Disruption may not be your first choice as a calm-loving Cancer, but as Pluto spins forward again, you are ready to make waves.

At work, a team that has felt an uneasy fit can be reset.

While in a love bond, you can see where you need to make a stand – the difference this time is you have the confidence to do it.

Get all the latest Cancer horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♌ LEO

July 23 to August 23

True self-knowledge is not always comfy because it means accepting weaknesses as well as strengths.

But you are equipped to do this now, and to accept every part of yourself.

So you can live in more meaningful ways.

A set of names, or numbers, you associate with Christmas could link to luck.

Get all the latest Leo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♍ VIRGO

August 24 to September 22

Old career hopes that you assumed were gone could suddenly re-emerge.

This is your signal that something needs to change – and with the positive power of Pluto, it can.

When you take yourself seriously, make some enquiries, the future can look so different.

A cash windfall can link to “V” names or places.

Get all the latest Virgo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♎ LIBRA

September 23 to October 23

The moon and Neptune enhance your emotional intelligence, and this can be a day to choose teammates and prospective partners with your heart rather than your head.

How you feel matters – even if this seems to lead you in some unlikely directions.

Scan through old “W” messages for a potential luck link.

Get all the latest Libra horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♏ SCORPIO

October 24 to November 22

Admitting you feel unchallenged, maybe even bored, by aspects of your life is an important step – as marking time is never a good match for your restless energy.

It may feel risky to shake the foundations of a family, or friendship, but you are ready to make good changes.

Don’t settle for “maybe” if you need “yes”.

Get all the latest Scorpio horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♐ SAGITTARIUS

November 23 to December 21

If you have changed your view about an upcoming journey or project, you need to speak up soon.

There is a strong drive towards honesty in your chart, even if this means adjusting rules or relationships.

Trust yourself to say what is true.

Saturn steadies a family so deep bonds can survive any ripples.

Get all the latest Sagittarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♑ CAPRICORN

December 22 to January 20

Instead of being black and white, right and wrong can slip into some grey areas today – not always easy for you to navigate.

But you have such a core of self-belief, and this can sustain you even if you need to admit you have made mistakes.

A love bond can leap several stages and bring forward a future date.

Get all the latest Capricorn horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

2

♒ AQUARIUS

January 21 to February 18

This can be a day to start letting go, of everything from old clothes or general clutter, to outdated ideas of who you are.

There is a sweep-clean star formation in your chart that thrives on change.

Difficult feelings, like jealousy or doubts, can be side effects, but never question your ability to deal well with these.

Get all the latest Aquarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♓ PISCES

February 19 to March 20

Colours that make you stand out in a crowd, rather than fading into the background, set the scene for your day – so do try out that more daring look you’ve been thinking about.

Your usual passion style may be to fit in – but you are ready to make your mark instead.

And wait for exciting new partners to be drawn toward you.

Get all the latest Pisces horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

THE National Lottery Set For Life numbers are in and it’s time to find out if you’ve won the top prize of £10,000 every month for 30 years.

Could tonight’s jackpot see you start ticking off that bucket list every month or building your own start-up as a budding entrepreneur?

1

You can find out by checking your ticket against tonight’s numbers below.

Good luck!

The winning Set For Life numbers are: 04, 24, 27, 31, 36 and the Life Ball is 08.

The first National Lottery draw was held on November 19 1994 when seven winners shared a jackpot of £5,874,778.

The largest amount ever to be won by a single ticket holder was £42million, won in 1996.

Gareth Bull, a 49-year-old builder, won £41million in November, 2020 and ended up knocking down his bungalow to make way for a luxury manor house with a pool.

1. £1.308 billion (Powerball) on January 13 2016 in the US, for which three winning tickets were sold, remains history’s biggest lottery prize
2. £1.267 billion (Mega Million) a winner from South Carolina took their time to come forward to claim their prize in March 2019 not long before the April deadline
3. £633.76 million (Powerball draw) from a winner from Wisconsin
4. £625.76 million (Powerball)  Mavis L. Wanczyk of Chicopee, Massachusetts claimed the jackpot in August 2017
5. £575.53 million (Powerball)  A lucky pair of winners scooped the jackpot in Iowa and New York in October 2018

Sue Davies, 64, bought a lottery ticket to celebrate ending five months of shielding during the pandemic — and won £500,000.

Sandra Devine, 36, accidentally won £300k – she intended to buy her usual £100 National Lottery Scratchcard, but came home with a much bigger prize.

The biggest jackpot ever to be up for grabs was £66million in January last year, which was won by two lucky ticket holders.

Another winner, Karl managed to bag £11million aged just 23 in 1996.

The odds of winning the lottery are estimated to be about one in 14million – BUT you’ve got to be in it to win it.

Earnings season is right around the corner, and several of tech’s biggest names look to keep their momentum going. Each of these companies posted strong results last quarter, and there are good reasons to believe that strength can continue into the final stretch of the year. These stocks look attractive, not just heading into earnings, but for the long haul as well.

1. Nvidia

Nvidia (NVDA 2.87%) has been at the center of the artificial intelligence (AI) boom, and last quarter’s results showed just how strong demand for its chips has been. Its data center revenue surged 56% year over year, despite the company lacking access to the Chinese market, as companies and governments around the world continue to rapidly build out their AI infrastructure.

That trend does not look like it’s slowing, with cloud computing companies continuing to spend big on data center infrastructure and Oracle announcing massive AI data center spending plans. Nvidia, meanwhile, continues to dominate the AI infrastructure market, where its graphics processing units (GPUs) are used to power AI workloads and have an over 90% market share. Its CUDA software platform continues to give it a wide moat in the space, as most early AI code was written on it, and developers favor it.

With data center spending remaining strong and AI demand still outpacing supply, Nvidia’s growth trajectory looks intact. The company has already proven that it can deliver consistent upside surprises, and it’s positioned better than any of its peers to capture profits from the next leg of the AI infrastructure buildout.

2. Meta Platforms

Meta Platforms (META 1.25%) has transformed itself into one of the biggest AI beneficiaries in tech, and that evolution showed up clearly in its last earnings report. The company posted 22% revenue growth in the second quarter, driven by an increase in ad impressions and higher prices. The number of daily active users across its family of apps also climbed by 6% year over year to 3.48 billion, proving that it can still draw in new users despite the maturity of its platforms.

AI has been the key driver behind Meta’s resurgence. It has been using AI to improve how its algorithms recommend content, which is keeping users more engaged. That, in turn, increases the amount of ad inventory it can sell. At the same time, its AI tools for advertisers are helping companies create and target their marketing campaigns more effectively, which boosts Meta’s ad pricing power.

Meanwhile, it is just starting to introduce ads to its biggest untapped assets, WhatsApp and Threads, both of which have huge growth potential. All these things should help keep the company’s earnings momentum going.

Meta also isn’t sitting still when it comes to innovation. It recently debuted its new Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses, sales of which could give its Q4 revenue a boost. These augmented reality glasses could also be a precursor to its eventual vision for things like “superpersonal intelligence” and the metaverse, which are longer-term bets.

Image source: Getty Images.

3. Microsoft

Microsoft (MSFT 0.77%) capped off its fiscal 2025 with one of its best quarters in years, showing just how well it’s executing across both cloud computing and AI. In its fiscal Q4, which ended June 30, revenue from its Azure cloud platform jumped by 39%, marking its eighth straight quarter of growth above 30%. Meanwhile, its Intelligent Cloud division as a whole grew by 26% to nearly $30 billion. That strength is being driven by companies accelerating their AI spending, with Azure being one of the biggest beneficiaries.

Meanwhile, Microsoft’s early investments in OpenAI continue to give it an edge. Its Copilot AI tools, now integrated across Office products, are increasingly being adopted by enterprises to increase worker productivity. These products are still in their early innings, which means there’s plenty of runway for growth left. Revenues from Microsoft 365 rose more than 20% last quarter, and even the company’s personal computing segment saw renewed growth, led by Xbox and search advertising.

Microsoft is spending aggressively to expand its data center capacity to meet the flood of AI demand, which should keep growth strong in the quarters ahead. With Azure continuing to increase its sales in a rapidly growing cloud market, and with Copilot adding a valuable new layer of recurring revenue, Microsoft looks like one of the most reliable performers heading into this earnings season and a top long-term holding for investors.

OUR much-loved astrologer Meg sadly died in 2023 but her column will be kept alive by her friend and protégée Maggie Innes.

Read on to see what’s written in the stars for you today. 

♈ ARIES

March 21 to April 20

This can be a day of shifts in your thinking about longterm love, as Venus solidifies hopes for the future – even if you have never seen yourself as the marrying, or re-marrying, type.

So keep your heart open.

If you’re single, the moment you meet a high-energy Libra, you sense something special.

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♉ TAURUS

April 21 to May 21

Maybe you have given up hope lately that love could be, or feel, different – but today there is a strong sense of hope in your chart, and this can focus your feelings.

So you know exactly what to do, and when to do it.

Family matters that may have got muddled can become clear when you ask for space.

Get all the latest Taurus horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♊ GEMINI

May 22 to June 21

A lightness of spirit infuses your chart with fun and flirtation opportunities, and when you meet a quiet former colleague for the second time, sparks can fly.

Questions you ask your heart, that may stop you feeling free, can be answered at last.

A set of words could reach the right destination with just one change.

Get all the latest Gemini horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♋ CANCER

June 22 to July 22

Your place in a family may not be what you would choose – but you do have the energy to make it work.

So try to leave any doubts in the dust and push forward now, with confidence.

You have deep insight into other people’s worries.

This gives you power – the key to happiness is only to use this for good, not greed.

Get all the latest Cancer horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♌ LEO

July 23 to August 23

Jupiter generosity grows stronger in you by the minute – so it’s important to find ways to share this.

Instead of endlessly planning that act of kindness, just make it. And offer compliments freely.

Confidence that’s been fading can bounce back, more vibrant than ever.

Find luck potential where items are claimed.

Get all the latest Leo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♍ VIRGO

August 24 to September 22

What love truly means to you is your question of the day – because you may be tested in ways you don’t expect.

But being clear about what and how you feel, can be your emotional armour. So be honest with yourself.

A friendship that has waxed and waned, maybe for years, could be your link to overnight luck.

Get all the latest Virgo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♎ LIBRA

September 23 to October 23

After months of feeling unsure, you are ready to call the shots in romance – starting by setting new rules for yourself.

If you know you give too much, or ask too little, this can change, but no one else will make it happen for you.

Your cash chart is super-savvy, a mix of logic and courage making you hard to beat.

Get all the latest Libra horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♏ SCORPIO

October 24 to November 22

An emotional journey you have delayed starting can begin now – as you let yourself learn from experiences, instead of blaming them.

Your chart is strong in self-motivation, with the kind of energy that moves mountains.

At work, an “M” role could be a perfect fit. At home, use the right words, not the easy ones.

Get all the latest Scorpio horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♐ SAGITTARIUS

November 23 to December 21

You can be the life and soul of any party with joy and generosity overflowing from your chart.

Choosing to be kind rather than critical transforms work bonds – while lovers who have simple fun together create the space to share deep feelings.

Single? You may hesitate to take a friendship to a love level, but why?

Get all the latest Sagittarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♑ CAPRICORN

December 22 to January 20

With the positive energy vibes of Venus leading your chart, you can afford to make concessions today.

Give a little, in love and life, and you gain so much. Yes, you are a proud sign, but do consider if this cuts you off from everyday happiness.

A creative team linked to laughter can make space for your unique take.

Get all the latest Capricorn horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

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♒ AQUARIUS

January 21 to February 18

Mercury and Mars are a success team that can be hard to handle – but today you have the skills.

You can combine intelligence and surprise in ways that wow any panel, from a management team to a family.

So take your ideas and run with them. Jupiter links you to a fitness programme with an ultimate prize.

Get all the latest Aquarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♓ PISCES

February 19 to March 20

Being your absolute best self is your key to pushing through obstacles today.

Take plenty of time to review messages and documents, and in anything you produce, from a romantic meal to a work meeting, go the extra mile.

You’ll still have energy and ideas in abundance.

Luck can start with “2” and end with “9”.

Get all the latest Pisces horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

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

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.

READ MORE: Travel insiders reveal how to get to the Canary Islands without taking a flightREAD MORE: Brit returning from Spanish hotspot says tourists told ‘big lie’ about destination

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.

READ MORE: Beautiful Canary Islands destination took my breath away – it’s only 4 hours from the UK

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.

READ MORE: Where is hot in October? Best European destinations for autumn breaks with £13 flights

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.

OUR much-loved astrologer Meg sadly died in 2023 but her column will be kept alive by her friend and protégé Maggie Innes.

Read on to see what’s written in the stars for you today.

VIRGO

AUG 24 – SEPT 22

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Familiar work patterns are fine – but this week you need more, and Pluto is there to provide it. 

You have the ideas, and the courage, to break with tradition and suggest some new ways forward. 

Do use this while it’s hot. 

As for love, all the values a couple share can be tested, but come through tougher. 

Single?  Your soulmate could rock a role in the world of finance.  

AUTUMN LOVE FORECAST: What does Venus have in store for Virgo over the next three months?

OCTOBER: Maybe two people are not operating on the same system of values – this could threaten long-term bliss.

This is your month to get this reviewed, and revised. 

It’s important to Virgo that morals are in line. 

Single? You may see the same face once a week all October – then suddenly click.  

NOVEMBER: Experimenting with love-talk can open up a whole new side of passion – this is a great month to start, with Venus softening and spicing up your communication sector.   

DECEMBER: An instant feeling of safety and security around someone is your strongest sign of love compatibility in December – this bond is worth pursuing, even if there are obstacles in the way. 

A family Christmas celebration can lead to two new members

Fabulous is the home of horoscopes, with weekly updates on what’s in store for your star sign as well as daily predictions.

You can also use our series of guides to find out everything from which star sign to hook up with for the steamiest sex to what it’s like to live your life totally by your horoscope.

OUR much-loved astrologer Meg sadly died last March but her column will be kept alive by her friend and protégé Maggie Innes.

Read on to see what’s written in the stars for you this week.

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LEO

JULY 23 – AUG 23

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You’re ready to break long-standing bonds and make some fresh new ones – at home, at work and in love.

This can mean a total overhaul of feelings, to make more space for your own needs.

Pluto’s positive power is strong to support you in this.

A super-sensitive moon makes this a week of flashes of insight – do tune in to these.

Your learning style is updating, too.

AUTUMN LOVE FORECAST

What does Venus have in store for Leo over the next three months?

OCTOBER

Talk, talk – then talk some more.

This is your month to eliminate guesswork from love, set up clear new boundaries for both partners.

If you’re single, a voice that instantly intrigues you, even on a recording, can be your passion hot pick.

NOVEMBER

Staying in, and cuddling up, may be a million miles from the social scene you adore, but it’s so worthwhile in November.

Two people can reconnect, and realise both want more from the future.

DECEMBER

Now the fun can start – surprise gifts and celebration gestures are just one aspect of this pro-active passion month.

For single Leos, saying yes to every invite is the key to meeting someone special – so is a hand-made card, or display of creative work.

Fabulous is the home of horoscopes, with weekly updates on what’s in store for your star sign as well as daily predictions.

You can also use our series of guides to find out everything from which star sign to hook up with for the steamiest sex to what it’s like to live your life totally by your horoscope.

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

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.

READ MORE: Spain’s lesser-known ‘Garden of Europe’ that’s 21C in November gets new UK flightsREAD MORE: The fabulous village with stunning river views crowned one of UK’s best places to live

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 Paphos in 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.”

OUR much-loved astrologer Meg sadly died in March 2023 but her column will be kept alive by her friend and protégée Maggie Innes.

Read on to see what’s written in the stars for you today. 

♈ ARIES

March 21 to April 20

Talking and listening are your stand-out skills today, but it’s important to know when to draw a line, as you need to further your own projects.

So try to feel a two-way focus sharpen.

Mars stirs transformation ideas, and yes, you’re ready to reinvent a love-bond.

Single? New attraction flickers by firelight.

Get all the latest Aries horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions.

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♉ TAURUS

April 21 to May 21

There’s room for manoeuvre in a health pledge, so don’t allow yourself to get too fixated on a goal, or a schedule.

When you find a way that’s right for you, the rest can follow.

Saturn may give you false friendship starts, but your instincts about a new individual are spot on.

Your oldest relative gives great advice.

Get all the latest Taurus horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♊ GEMINI

May 22 to June 21

There’s a commitment you want, and need, to make – but it’s important to keep everyone you care about informed, so don’t skip this stage.

Talking, even casually, about your past inspires a story idea that can be a hit – but also highlights where to address an emotional gap.

Lucky numbers start with “2”.

Get all the latest Gemini horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♋ CANCER

June 22 to July 22

The sun’s in your stability sector and inspires you to see the very best in every situation.

So you can move on, even if you need to do it solo.

Playing a part in passion isn’t right for right now, so do commit 100 per cent to being your authentic Cancer self.

Someone you admire in a local group is starting to notice you.

Get all the latest Cancer horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♌ LEO

July 23 to August 23

You have hot persuasion power, and any role linked to getting people to try, or buy, can work well for you.

In passion terms, too, you’re able to persuade partners over to your way of thinking.

This can apply if you’ve just connected.

Moon magic filters through your chart to boost positive thinking – and connections.

Get all the latest Leo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♍ VIRGO

August 24 to September 22

There’s a spark of impulsive Mars deep in your communication centre, that makes today stand out.

Maybe you’ll surprise yourself, but you can achieve great results.

The sun lights your values zone – so not dismissing problems is a step to solving them.

Passion blooms where floral visuals are shared.

Get all the latest Virgo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♎ LIBRA

September 23 to October 23

You’re loving your time in the sun, as deep-seated confidence grows.

There’s very little you can’t help happen right now – or at least try.

Meanwhile, Jupiter encourages talking about a gap in your life, or heart, with someone who’s new to your circle, yet feels familiar.

Prizes link two separate parts of your past together.

Get all the latest Libra horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♏ SCORPIO

October 24 to November 22

Your chart carries some challenges today but you cope so well.

So don’t hold yourself back from pushing forward.

You really rate romance, and have fabulous ideas to show you care – this time, do see them through.

Single? Your soulmate shares a music passion.

An odd-numbered team can be lucky.

Get all the latest Scorpio horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♐ SAGITTARIUS

November 23 to December 21

If you’ve tried a lot of ways to fix a family situation – Saturn suggests stepping back now.

You can see simple solutions from afar, and realise who holds the keys to your future.

Personal ability to change rises with Jupiter’s input – this can line up a surprise passion bonus.

Don’t rush to choose, enjoy the process.

Get all the latest Sagittarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♑ CAPRICORN

December 22 to January 20

Finding solutions is your star skill of the day – so even when other people give up, keep pursuing information.

You can bring people or promises back together, this time for keeps.

A new group may be making space for you, but do you want to join?

The ultimate choice is yours.

Love is strong when you believe in it.

Get all the latest Capricorn horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

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♒ AQUARIUS

January 21 to February 18

A stop-start system or sequence of steps is ready to push forward again, as an enterprising moon carries you along.

So be ready to decide who you want to keep in your heart and head.

You have a sunny side that creates passion, and someone you often smile at from a distance can be waiting for a sign.

Get all the latest Aquarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♓ PISCES

February 19 to March 20

A deep well of personal success in your chart makes anything possible – if you truly commit.

This is not the time for half-hearted goals, so make clear choices.

Partners make an impressive team, but it’s important to support each other.

If you’re free to meet someone new, say yes to an invite with a music theme.

Get all the latest Pisces horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions