WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is restricting the number of refugees it admits into the country to 7,500 and they will mostly be white South Africans, a dramatic drop after the U.S. previously allowed in hundreds of thousands of people fleeing war and persecution from around the world.
The administration published the news Thursday in a notice on the Federal Registry.
No reason was given for the numbers, which are a dramatic decrease from last year’s ceiling set under the Biden administration of 125,000. The Associated Press previously reported that the administration was considering admitting as few as 7,500 refugees and mostly white South Africans.
The memo said only that the admission of the 7,500 refugees during 2026 fiscal year was “justified by humanitarian concerns or is otherwise in the national interest.”
The boxers would make the perfect Christmas gift for men, or as a treat to yourself.
Read more Amazon Prime Day
Amazon’s Big Deal Days sale is running until tomorrow, but as one of the bestsellers so far, it’s likely that all sizes will be gone before the deal expires.
For more of the best discounts, read our roundup of the best Prime Day deals, which we’re constantly updating with more deals.
Amazon Prime Day: the 10 best deals
The Amazon Prime Big Deal Days sale kicks off today and runs until midnight tomorrow (Wednesday 8th October) – here’s our pick of the best deals.
*If you click on a link in this boxout we will earn affiliate revenue
Amazon Fire TV Stick HD, £19.99 (was £39.99) – buy here
Poounur Fitness Smartwatch, £23.99 (was £129.99) – buy here
Ninja 7.6L Foodi Dual Zone Digital Air Fryer, £119 (was £218.99) – buy here
BaByliss Air Style 1000 £29.99 (was £75) – buy here
LKOUY Portable Charger, £12.99 (was £59.99) – buy here
The classic designer boxers have received brilliant ratings from shoppers, with over 5,700 five-star reviews on the Amazon website.
One wrote: “I recently purchased these Calvin Klein underwear for my partner, and he’s extremely pleased with the quality, comfort, and fit.
From the moment they arrived, I could tell they were made from high-quality materials, and they definitely live up to the reputation Calvin Klein has for premium undergarments.
The fit is absolutely spot-on, and my partner says they are some of the most comfortable underwear he has ever worn.”
Another added: “The fit is so precise it feels like Calvin Klein himself took my measurements.
Five stars is an insult, these deserve their own constellation.”
The love story between Noah and Nick in the Culpables Trilogy has flown all the way to London for a version of its own, and the second part has just wrapped up its filming – here’s what you need to know.
Find out all the details about today’s most-followed romance storyline
The countdown for the third and final instalment of Mercedes Ron’s Culpables Trilogy, Culpa Nuestra, has begun – but the UK fans are wondering when the London version will release its second and final film, Your Fault and Our Fault.
Just like the Spanish version, it follows the story of Nick and Noah, who fall in love with each other despite being step-siblings. And of course, all the drama. The British version starred Matthew Broome and Asha Banks as the lead characters, and both will reprise their roles.
As we await the second and third chapters of the story, we’ve listed some information to keep all Culpables on top of the news.
Continuing the dramatic yet romantic ending in My Fault: London, the second sequel shows Nick and Noah embarking on a life-changing adventure that threatens their relationship. Nick begins to work with his father, and Noah starts a new chapter as a university student at Oxford.
Nick and Noah are now separated and meeting new people, which will test their love for each other as they find themselves entangled with temptation, rivalries and betrayals. Fight for love, or risk losing everything.
For more stories like this subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Weekly Gulp, for a curated roundup of trending stories, poignant interviews, and viral lifestyle picks from The Mirror’s Audience U35 team delivered straight to your inbox.
When are is the My Fault sequel coming out?
The sequel to Prime Video’s breakout hit My Fault: London is on its way. Good news for fans – Your Fault: London finished filming in the summer of 2025, and is expected to be out worldwide sometime in 2026.
As per the last part of the story, Our Fault: London has just started filming, and given the production timeline, it’s reasonable to expect that it will also be released next year. But news have yet to be confirmed.
If you haven’t been keeping up with the Spanish version of the film, both movies are available to watch on Prime Video. Its final part, Culpa Nuestra, will be released on October 16, exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. My Fault: London is also available to stream.
As reported by Amazon, Your Fault: London will have familiar faces and some newcomers. Meet Louisa Binder, Joel Nankervis, Scarlett Rayner, and Orlando Norman.
Louisa Binder will interpret the role of Sophia, a beautiful and ambitious young woman who will stir some drama in the relationship between Noah and Nick, as she starts working at Leiste Enterprises. On the other side, Noah will be busy with Michael (Joel Nankervis), an Oxford student who becomes friends with her, but secretly wants more.
Scarlett Rayner will play Briar, a seemingly kind and manipulative strategist who becomes friends with Noah at Oxford, but is hiding something. Then, Orlando Norman as Cruz, Ronnie’s right-hand man in the underground racing world.
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Gov. Gavin Newsom answering the Republican redistricting power-grab in Texas with a plan of his own is a powerful example of how Golden State Democrats are standing up to President Trump and firing up their base. But while the partisan fireworks draw attention, California Democrats are also quietly offering a different kind of model for the national party that may prove more meaningful in the long run. They’re not just resisting Trump; they’re actually governing.
Forget what you think you know about California and its lefty Democrats. They’re inching to the center, meeting voters where they are, and it’s improving people’s lives.
Just look at San Francisco, long seen as a dysfunctional emblem of failed progressive governance.
The city’s new mayor, Daniel Lurie, a nonprofit leader and philanthropist, has shaken off left-wing taboos and focused on delivering results. Instead of defunding the police, he’s hiring more officers and cracking down on shoplifting and drug crimes. Instead of demonizing the business community, he’s partnering with them. He’s also reforming zoning laws to make it easier to build more housing, which should ease the city’s affordability crunch and the homelessness crisis. Lurie has been in office less than a year, but already crime is plummeting and his approval rate has reached 73%.
National Democrats can find a lesson here: Voters care about results, not just empathy and ideology.
In Sacramento, Newsom and legislative Democrats are taking a similar tack, with a stubborn focus on affordability and the courage to stare down opposition, even in their own coalition. For example, the Legislature recently reformed the California Environmental Quality Act, a well-intentioned 50-year-old law that had been twisted to obstruct construction projects, clean energy development and public transportation. This angered some powerful environmental activists, but it will ultimately help bring down costs for housing and energy.
CEQA reform is emblematic of California’s new, more balanced approach on some thorny issues, like energy and climate. The state recently announced that two-thirds of its power now comes from clean energy sources — a major achievement. At the same time, Newsom and the Legislature agreed to a package of bills that will increase oil drilling while extending the state’s cap-and-trade program. Together, the package can reduce energy costs for Californians and strengthen our state’s chances of reaching carbon neutrality by 2045. Some environmental justice advocates and climate purists oppose the deal, but it’s an example of how to make progress in the long term while addressing affordability in the short term.
Immigration is another example: Newsom and other leading California Democrats continue to stand up to the Trump administration’s inhumane immigration policies, including suing to stop the deployment of troops to Los Angeles. But they also recently passed a budget that pulls back on costly plans to provide health insurance to all low-income undocumented immigrants.
This reflects the new California model: principled resistance and pragmatic governance. The results speak for themselves. The Golden State recently surpassed Japan to become the fourth-largest economy in the world.
Democratic leaders are making these moves because they are listening to voters who consistently say that the high cost of living is their top concern.
In 2024, these concerns contributed to a surprising number of Californians abandoning Democrats, even with Kamala Harris, the state’s former U.S. senator and attorney general, on the ticket. Trump flipped 10 counties and boosted his support in 45. Since 2016, 72% of California counties have gotten redder, including many with heavy Latino populations.
Democrats are paying attention and are wisely changing course. Being responsive to voter concerns doesn’t have to mean sacrificing core values, but it does require new approaches when the old ways aren’t working.
Karen Skelton (whose father is a political columnist for the Los Angeles Times) is a political strategist, having worked in the White House under Presidents Clinton and Biden and at the United States Departments of Energy, Transportation and Justice.
Insights
L.A. Times Insights delivers AI-generated analysis on Voices content to offer all points of view. Insights does not appear on any news articles.
The following AI-generated content is powered by Perplexity. The Los Angeles Times editorial staff does not create or edit the content.
Ideas expressed in the piece
California Democrats are demonstrating effective governance by moving toward the political center while maintaining their core values, offering a model for the national Democratic Party that goes beyond mere resistance to Trump’s policies.
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie exemplifies this pragmatic approach by hiring more police officers, cracking down on shoplifting and drug crimes, and partnering with the business community rather than demonizing it, resulting in plummeting crime rates and a 73% approval rating.
Sacramento Democrats are prioritizing affordability and practical results over ideological purity, as demonstrated by their reform of the California Environmental Quality Act despite opposition from environmental activists, ultimately helping to reduce housing and energy costs.
The state’s balanced approach to energy and climate policy shows how Democrats can make long-term progress while addressing immediate affordability concerns, achieving two-thirds clean energy power while also increasing oil drilling through a cap-and-trade package.
On immigration, California Democrats maintain principled resistance to Trump’s policies while making pragmatic budget decisions, such as pulling back on costly plans to provide health insurance to all low-income undocumented immigrants.
This strategic shift reflects Democrats’ responsiveness to voter concerns about the high cost of living, which contributed to Trump gaining support in 10 counties and 45 others in 2024, with 72% of California counties becoming redder since 2016.
Different views on the topic
Republican leaders view California’s redistricting response as a partisan power grab rather than principled governance, with some vowing to challenge the maps in court and arguing that the redistricting process violates the California Constitution by relying on outdated population data[1].
Environmental activists and climate advocates oppose California’s pragmatic approach to energy policy, particularly the package that increases oil drilling while extending cap-and-trade programs, viewing it as a betrayal of environmental justice principles.
Progressive organizations initially opposed California’s redistricting efforts, with Common Cause, a good governance group supporting independent redistricting, originally opposing the state’s partisan response before later reversing its stance[1].
Some Democratic constituencies argue that pulling back on progressive policies like universal healthcare for undocumented immigrants represents an abandonment of core Democratic values rather than pragmatic governance.
Critics contend that the centrist shift represents capitulation to conservative pressure rather than principled leadership, arguing that Democrats should maintain their progressive positions rather than moderating in response to political setbacks.
A major American hotspot is thought to be ‘dying’ as tourist numbers have significantly decreased since last year. Experts have had their say on the reason for this downfall.
A popular destination in the US is losing tourists as costs rise (stock image)(Image: Andrey Denisyuk via Getty Images)
A beloved hotspot in the US is experiencing a dramatic drop in visitor numbers. Las Vegas stands as an internationally renowned major resort city, celebrated for its casinos, shows, exquisite cuisine and buzzing nightlife.
The most populated city in Nevada has served as the backdrop for a number of Hollywood blockbusters, including Ocean’s Eleven, The Hangover and What Happens in Vegas. Yet, tourism to this iconic American location is plummeting, with specialists revealing the reasons behind the decline. This concern was spotlighted by Race Across The World champion, Alfie Watts, who travelled to Las Vegas to investigate what’s causing the drop in holidaymakers.
He documented his latest journey to the metropolis and posted it on TikTok. The BBC TV personality said: “Vegas tourism is falling off a cliff and I went to find out why.
“This city is a neon soaked fever dream of excess. You can have dinner in Paris, cocktails in Venice and you’ll lose all of your money in New York all before midnight.”
Las Vegas boasts hotels modelled on Paris, Venice and New York that have been crafted to resemble these destinations.
Watts continued: “It’s outrageous and it’s unique but it is still incredible but back in the day the whole point of Vegas was that you didn’t have to be rich to live like it for a weekend.”
During the first half of this year, Las Vegas saw a 7.3 per cent drop in visitor numbers compared to the same period last year, with June alone witnessing an 11 per cent decrease, as reported by Investopedia.
Watts attributes this decline to the rising costs of hotels and food and drink. He elaborated: “It used to be the ultimate weekend blow-out, the wild stag do’s, the girls’ trips, the spontaneous getaway where you came back sunburnt, broke but buzzing.
“Now, it’s priced itself into special occasion only territory and when the magic costs that much, people start asking if they can get it cheaper somewhere else.”
The TV star and renowned travel content creator argued that hotel rooms which “once cost next to nothing” are now comparable to the price of a city break in Paris.
He added: “Thirty years ago Vegas was the spot for outrageous fun but now you can get a similar weekend in Dubai, Ibiza and Cancun, and very often for half the price.”
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However, he admitted that Las Vegas still holds its unique charm with its dazzling lights, vibrant energy, mind-blowing events, world-class cuisine, and the opportunity to dance at 4am in a hotel lobby “shaped like ancient Rome.”
Watts concluded: “Vegas is still a glitter cannon in the desert. It’s just that these days the glitter’s a little bit more unappealing because it’s a lot more expensive.”
Investopedia highlighted additional factors driving tourists away from Las Vegas, including fewer flights arriving in the US from Canada and other nations, partly due to escalating tensions from trade rows between the Trump administration and foreign governments.
Technology could also be playing a role, as sports betting apps and online gaming mean punters no longer need to travel to Las Vegas to gamble.
In his TikTok post’s caption, Watts argued that Las Vegas is “dying” and international arrivals are “tanking.”
The video has attracted a number of comments with viewers expressing their opinions.
One commented: “The millennials don’t gamble and if they do, it’s online and they also are smart with their money, they’re not going to go somewhere where they have to pay this, that and [the] other.”
Another remarked: “Ridiculous ‘resort fees’ and the outrageous tipping culture isn’t very attractive when everything else is getting more expensive.”
A third declared: “No one under 40 cares about Vegas.” A different viewer proposed: “Downtown Vegas is the place to be. Cheaper rooms, food and drink.”
Villa launch their Europa League campaign at home to Bologna on Thursday, and will have to juggle the demands of playing Thursday-Sunday matches.
Their failure to finish in a Champions League position meant restrictions were put in place during the summer to comply with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
In addition, the loss of loan signings Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio has impacted the depth of quality in the attacking department.
They were able to bring in Nice striker Evann Guessand for £26m plus £4.3m in add-ons, but the Ivory Coast forward has registered just two attempts on target.
“After playing 11 against 10 it should be easier to dominate and take advantage, but we were not playing with our identity,” added Emery.
“I’m disappointed and frustrated, more for how we are not achieving our identity, playing the football we’ve been successful with.”
Looking at positives for Emery, the next two Premier League games offer a decent chance of kick-starting their season.
Villa have back-to-back home games against Fulham on 28 September and Burnley on 5 October.
“We’re not happy,” goalscorer Cash told Sky Sports.
“As a team we’ve got to be better. With the quality we have, we need to be higher up the league.
“Over the last few years we’ve had a lot of highs at the club and at the minute we’re in a bit of a tough period.”
There is no doubt Emery’s spell at Villa has been impressive overall and no-one will be pressing the panic button yet.
However, time and patience remains in short supply in the Premier League.
Emery will know that unless Villa pick up a win soon, the pressure will increase.
Bianca Perry complained her family were ‘left abandoned’ after their journey home as they were struck with stomach issues after ‘eating meat casserole’ on plane
The Perry family became suddenly violently ill during their travels(Image: Jam Press/Bianca Perry)
Bianca Perry, 45, her husband David, also 45, and their three children Lauren, 15, Belle, 11, and William, eight, had spent six blissful weeks in Brazil before disaster struck on their return flight.
The horror began mid-flight when young William suddenly fell violently ill after eating the in-flight meal, and it wasn’t long before Belle, David and Bianca were similarly affected.
Only eldest child Lauren, who had avoided the meat casserole served, managed to escape the gut-wrenching illness.
The family began suddenly comiting while at the airport gate(Image: Jam Press/Bianca Perry)
Upon landing at Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport in the early hours of 2 September, the family were seen vomiting uncontrollably at the gate as shocked fellow passengers looked on.
However, instead of rushing to help them, they claim airline staff treated them like a “problem”, allegedly refusing Bianca’s desperate pleas for assistance and a wheelchair for her husband, who was still recovering from painful dental surgery.
“The whole dinner was on the floor in front of everyone,” said Bianca, who hosts her own cooking show, speaking to NeedToKnow. “When we got off the plane, my daughter was sick in front of everyone.
“It was like a scene from The Exorcist. The airline staff weren’t looking at us like, ‘Are they okay? Can we do something?'”.
“They were looking at us like we were a problem.”
The family claims that TAP Air Portugal staff advised them against boarding their connecting flight due to their illness.
They were suggested to take the next flight, but the family claims they were not informed that this wouldn’t be until 7pm the following day on 3 September. This left them scrambling to find and pay for their own £330-a-night hotel and transport without any assistance.
Bianca stated: “We were scared to be sick on the plane; we weren’t sure if we had a bug and didn’t want to share it around the flight.
“When we accepted the offer of the new flight, we didn’t think it would be at 7pm the next day. They were so rude on another level.
“They just had no empathy – and thank Goodness I can speak Portuguese.”
At the hotel, the nightmare only got worse.
The family claimed they got little assistance while vomiting violently(Image: Jam Press/Bianca Perry)
Bianca had to help David – still in agony with stitches in his mouth – through the lobby as he was sick repeatedly. Both Belle and William were still poorly too, leaving the family desperately washing vomit-covered clothes in the bathroom sink and trying to rest between bouts of illness.
And when they finally got back to the airport the following day, the ordeal wasn’t finished. Back in the UK, Bianca’s suitcase containing vital menopause medication had reportedly vanished whilst another turned up damaged.
When it was later discovered, she was informed she would either have to retrieve it herself or fork out a £45 delivery charge. Left with no alternative, David made the trek to collect the suitcase, knowing the medication was desperately required.
Bianca revealed: “There was no assistance whatsoever from them. We had to hand-wash vomit-covered clothes in the hotel.
“We were vomiting in the lobby. It was a nightmare.”
The family firmly believe their sickness stemmed from the airline meal – alleging they observed other passengers also falling ill following the flight.
Bianca continued: “Our experience with TAP Air Portugal was truly distressing on many levels. Despite being in a vulnerable and difficult situation, we were left to deal with everything ourselves.
“The lack of empathy and assistance was shocking – we were treated with disregard, not even as people, let alone as customers. No one deserves to be treated this way, especially not by a company of this size and visibility.
“It’s not just disappointing – it feels inhumane.”
A REAL-LIFE Downton Abbey couple have revealed they’re secretly married – four years after welcoming their first baby.
Laura Carmichael and Michael C. Fox went public in 2016, but began dating two years earlier.
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Michael C. Fox and Laura Carmichael have been together since 2014Credit: Splash
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Laura portrays Lady Edith Crawley (right)Credit: AP
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A third feature film is wrapping up Downton’s storyCredit: Alamy
They play Lady Edith Crawley and Andrew Parker respectively in the smash-hit period drama.
In 2021, the co-star couple welcomed their first child, son Luca, into the world.
Michael, 36, has now seemingly confirmed that he and Laura have tied the knot.
Speaking at NBC‘s Downton Abbey Celebrates The Grand Finale, he said: “I owe a lot to this show.
Read more on Downton Abbey
“I think so much of my life has been shaped around this show.”
Co-star Lesley Nicol – who plays Mrs Patmore – then asked: “What if someone said you’re actually going to find your wife and have a child? Life-changing stuff.”
To which Michael replied: “I know. It’s incredible.”
The Sun has contacted Michael’s representatives for comment.
Meanwhile, the event marked Downton Abbey‘s conclusion – spanning 15 years worth of a TV series and now three feature films.
A source told the Sun on Sunday: at the time: “Laura and Michael absolutely love being parents and were grateful to have some time away from the limelight to enjoy the moment.
“Laura’s taken motherhood in her stride and it’s added another string to her bow.”
Meanwhile, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale features Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern as the Earl and Countess of Grantham, as well as Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary Crawley and Jim Carter as Mr Carson.
The beloved original series ran from 2010 to 2015 on ITV and PBS in the US.
Ahead of the third film‘s release, Hugh told how it will pay tribute to the late Dame Maggie Smith.
The screen legend playedViolet Crawley,the Dowager Countess of Grantham.
Hugh told The Chris Evans Breakfast Show with The National Lottery on Virgin Radio UK: “It’s very much set in the house and saying goodbye to all these characters and we obviously say goodbye to Dame Maggie, which was very poignant on screen and now in real life.”
“She’ll be sorely missed. But the final film will obviously be a great lasting tribute to her.”
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Michael plays Andy Parker across the Downton franchise (pictured alongside Laura Haddock)Credit: Alamy
Melissa Higgins took her family on a three-day trip to Disneyland Paris on funded by Make A Wish Foundation with her 14-year-old son Anthony Higgins on August 27
Anthony Higgins had been looking forward to the Disney trip(Image: Kennedy News/Melissa Higgins)
A schoolboy was left in tears after easyJet staff allegedly forced him to abandon his wheelchair battery or risk not being flown home from Disneyland.
Melissa Higgins took her family on a three-day trip to Disneyland Paris, a journey funded by the Make-A-Wish Foundation, with her 14-year-old son, Anthony (AJ) Higgins, on 27 August.
Anthony suffers from Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a progressive genetic disorder that causes muscle weakness and leaves him unable to walk. Melissa says his £10,000 power-assisted wheelchair is his ‘life’ as it provides him with independence.
The mother-of-four claims a pilot refused to allow the wheelchair battery onto the return flight from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Manchester airport on 29 August because the wattage wasn’t visible.
Anthony had to leave his wheelchair behind(Image: Kennedy News/Melissa Higgins)
The full-time carer insists she’s never encountered problems before, including on their outbound flight with easyJet, and maintains she had paperwork stating it was safe to fly – but was compelled to leave it in Paris.
Without his wheelchair, the teenager is now ‘stuck’ inside his house and unable to go to school, the family has claimed.
Melissa, 37, is still hopeful that the £1,000 battery will be returned to them and she has since received an apology over the phone from the airline.
The mum, from Speke, Liverpool, said: “I was in shock on the plane and thinking, ‘What’s going on?’. We’ve not had this problem before. I don’t get why all the commotion’s gone on for nothing. It was a lifelong dream of AJ’s to go to Disneyland. He was able to fly to Disneyland with no problems.”
Melissa explained how, on the way home, a pilot spotted the battery and told the family they couldn’t travel with it.
“It went through customs perfectly fine. If there was something wrong with it they would’ve known. He was like, ‘It hasn’t got a wattage on it’ but these batteries don’t have a wattage on them because they’re dry and not liquid,” Melissa said of the pilot.
“We were there for about an hour and a half and he was trying to get this wattage for the battery, but I explained ‘it doesn’t have a wattage, we have all the paperwork from the manufacturers’. He said it puts the other travellers at risk.”
She added: “Doing this in front of everyone was humiliating and everyone on the plane was moaning. We were all crying. In the end we just wanted to get the kids home so we had to leave the battery behind and had to come home without it. Obviously we wanted to bring the chair back with us because it’s his life.”
The mum says her son has lost all of his independence without his wheelchair and is hoping to be reunited with the battery to avoid having to fork out £1,000 for a new one.
An easyJet spokesman said: “Safety is easyJet’s highest priority and airlines must follow the safety regulations for the carriage of batteries, which are allowed to travel on the aircraft as long as the required information for safe carriage can be provided, and we advise customers of these requirements ahead of travel.
“Unfortunately, as the necessary information could not be provided for this battery, in line with safety procedures, it was unable to travel. However we fully understand the frustration this will have caused and are in contact with the family to offer further assistance and have arranged to return the battery to them today.”
With temperatures of 25C in September and crystal-blue water, this underrated holiday hotspot is a must-visit for those looking to escape the crowds in September.
(Image: Paolo Graziosi via Getty Images)
Italy is a favourite destination for late-summer and early-autumn beach holidays, thanks to its warm weather and status as one of the world’s most visited countries. Even during the shoulder season, top spots like Florence, Rome, and the Amalfi Coast are teeming with tourists.
However, there’s an under-the-radar region in this southern European country that remains largely untouched by international crowds – but probably not for much longer. This stunning part of Italy boasts sandy beaches so pristine they’re likened to the Maldives and enjoys balmy weather with average highs of 25C in September.
While Italians are well-acquainted with Puglia, it’s not usually the first place that springs to mind when planning a beach holiday in Europe.
Nestled between the Adriatic and Ionian seas and shaped like the heel of Italy’s boot, Puglia has a vast coastline peppered with dreamy coves, limestone cliffs and picture-perfect bays.
Among them is Polignano a Mare, a delightful coastal town perched on cliffs. Its small cove beach, Lama Monachile, is famous for its crystal-clear water and white pebbles, all framed by dramatic, rugged cliffs, reports the Express.
Polignano a Mare is uniquely beautiful(Image: Getty)
Further down south, Santa Maria di Leuca is the southernmost point of the region where two seas converge.
It’s an ideal spot for a sunset cruise or paddleboarding into caves before enjoying dinner at a local trattoria serving fresh seafood, orecchiette pasta, and robust Salento wine.
Inland, you’ll find the enchanting town of Alberobello, renowned for its UNESCO-listed trulli – traditional whitewashed stone huts with conical roofs. Many have been transformed into luxurious holiday accommodations, offering a truly local experience.
Just a short drive away, the dazzling white town of Ostuni, also known as La Città Bianca, boasts cobbled lanes and panoramic terraces. Nearby Brindisi provides easy access to the region, often with cheaper flights than other Italian hubs.
Alberobello is famed for its UNESCO-listed trulli(Image: Getty)
Puglia also serves as the perfect starting point for exploring the incredibly popular Matera in the neighbouring Basilicata region.
It’s the third-oldest city in the world, after Aleppo and Jericho, boasting over 10,000 years of history, and is famous for its ancient cave homes and rupestrian churches with hand-painted walls.
Naturally, no visit to Puglia would be complete without delving into its food culture. This is the land of burrata, orecchiette, and full-bodied wines like Primitivo, Negroamaro, and Salice Salentino.
On his Money Saving Expert (MSE) website, finance guru Martin Lewis outlined how passengers could be owed hundreds of pounds
You could be entitled to hundreds of pounds worth of compensation(Image: Getty)
Holidaymakers who jetted off this summer could potentially claim up to £520 in compensation. A financial expert has revealed that travellers whose flights were disrupted might be entitled to substantial pay-outs.
On his Money Saving Expert (MSE) website, finance guru Martin Lewis outlined how passengers could be owed hundreds of pounds. Compensation is available if your flight to or from a UK or EU airport was delayed by a specific amount of time. If your flight was scrapped, you might also qualify for monetary compensation alongside a replacement flight.
Writing for MSE, Martin posed the question: “Did you have a flight delayed or cancelled this summer? You may be due fixed compensation of up to £520 per person.”
Martin Lewis has urged people to check to see if they’re owed money (Image: Getty)
The flight doesn’t necessarily need to be recent – if it occurred within the past six years (or five years for Scottish departures) you could still secure a payout, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Martin explained that to be eligible, your flight must have:
Been any flight from a UK/EU airport, or a flight to a UK/EU airport, but in the latter case, it must also have been on a UK/EU airline
Landed three or more hours late to be considered delayed
Been cancelled less than 14 days before it was due to fly
Been the airline’s fault, so not bad weather, or issues with air traffic control – though airline staffing or servicing issues or knock-on delays due to previous flights usually do count
Martin noted: “The amount you are due is fixed depending on the length of the flight and delay. For some family long-haul flights, it can be £1,000s.”
MSE provided additional details, explaining: “Compensation under EU and UK rules is designed to makeup for the inconvenience of a delay – it’s not a refund of the flight ticket cost. So the amount you’ll get is fixed depending on the amount of time you were delayed and how far you were travelling.
“Crucially, it’s about when you arrive, not when you leave. You’ll start being eligible for compensation if your flight arrives three hours (or more) later than scheduled. So if you’re on a flight that takes off four hours late but lands two hours 55 minutes late, you won’t be eligible.” The arrival time is deemed to be when at least one of the aircraft doors opens.
What amount of compensation might you be able to claim?
Should your flight be cancelled, you ought to be offered either a replacement flight to your destination or a full refund. You may also be entitled to as much as £520 in compensation, according to MSE.
One MSE reader called Linda was motivated last year to attempt claiming money back for a delayed flight, and secured a total of £1,040. In an email she revealed: “I just wanted to thank you for your article on flight delay compensation.
“It triggered my memory of a delayed flight last November and I went straight on to the British Airways website and filled in the short form. It was so easy and a couple of weeks later I received an email advising that an amount of £520 per person would be paid into my account.
“We received £1,040 in total. What a result. Thanks to all the information on Martin Lewis’s site.” For further details, visit the MSE website.
A WOMAN has been left totally lost for words after receiving a passive-aggressive letter from a neighbour she’s never spoken to.
So if you thought your neighbours were bad, you may want to think again.
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A woman has been left totally stunned after receiving a rude letter from a neighbour she has never metCredit: Reddit/BadNeighbors
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Posting on Reddit, the bewildered woman shared a snap of the note, which accused her of being ‘creepy’Credit: Getty
Not only was the typed-up letter extremely harsh, but it even accused the anonymous woman and her husband Joe of being ‘creepy’ and ‘strange.’
Stunned by the note and unsure on what to do next, the woman who lives in a flat with her hubby, took to social media to ask for advice.
Posting on Reddit on the r/BadNeighbors thread, the woman uploaded a snap of the direct letter and titled her post “At a complete loss.”
She then asked: “What would you do if you received this letter from a neighbour you’ve never spoken to?”
Read more neighbour stories
The long letter read: ‘Can you please stop with all of the noise. I live below you. I work from home full time and I am in school full time, online, at ECU for accounting.
‘I am also having to take care of my 13 year old dog in-between those times. In case you haven’t noticed, I am always home.
‘Your loud banging and stomping around is in all of my recorded WebEx meetings and proctored exams.
‘Can you please, for the love of God, stop with all of the noise.
‘Every time you bang your dining room table chair on the floor, slam your kitchen drawers, and have a martial argument you are also causing my animals, and myself, to be in a constant state of hyper awareness and stress. It makes me jump and scares my animals.”
The neighbour then accused the woman of being ‘creepy,’ as the letter went on: ‘Why are you coming home 5 times a day in different cars and sometimes parking on the side of the building and creeping past my window? The other day you were staking my apartment out. Why?
Moment neighbour ‘STEALS’ 1.9m of next door’s garden & tears down their shed in bitter land row while they’re on holiday
‘It’s creepy. I’m installing a camera to keep track of your strange activity because it is not normal. Please stop looking in my window while walking your dog and please stop parking your truck directly in front of my apartment window.’
The neighbour, who claimed to have been a property manager since 2016, continued: ‘I am not sure why it bothers you so much that I am home all the time. A lot of people work from home and do school remotely.
What would you do if you received this letter from a neighbour you’ve never spoken to?
Reddit poster
‘I am at a loss as to why it bothers you so badly and makes you suspicious of me. I have family and friends in law enforcement. If l have to report you for noise complaints and suspicious activity I will.
‘I have lived in this apartment for 5 years and you guys are the only neighbours that I’ve had that intentionally try to make my life a living hell.
‘Per the NC lease agreement, it is my right to live in a safe quiet place. You are currently not respecting that law.’
The Top Five Reasons Neighbours Squabble
One study by Compare the Market revealed the top reason British neighbour’s argue
Broken fences – top of the board was broken fences and whose responsibility it was to fix it
Parking: one of the leading drivers of neighbour disputes, with 54.1 per cent of people having issues with people parking in front of their house, parking bay or driveway
Trees – complaints about a neighbour’s tree cracking your garden path was also common with nearly half of participants finding it frustrating
Bin wars – outdoor bin etiquette continues to ignite the most furious debates between neighbours
Nosy Neighbours – some people have their eyes and ears at the ready to have a peek causing problems for others
As well as keeping a copy of the letter, the neighbour also stressed that they would be ‘keeping track of all activity to further support my case in the instance I need to show proof.’
The letter continued: ‘I really hope we can be done with the passive aggressiveness and become civil neighbours. You may be accustomed to living in a loud angry household, but I am not.’
Reddit users react
But Reddit users were left gobsmacked by the letter and many eagerly raced to the comments to share their shock and advice.
One person said: “So YOU have to change your life because THEY work odd hours? Umm no.
“They are trying to threaten you…tell them to go ahead and call the police.
Ignore it, but keep it if they try any other type of communication with you
Reddit user
“They can’t do anything about your living noises if they aren’t excessive. This person feels entitled.”
Another added: “Talk to the landlord and inform them of your confusion and that these allegations are groundless.”
A third commented: “Ignore it, but keep it if they try any other type of communication with you. They should be contacting property management if they have a noise issue with you.”
Meanwhile, someone else penned: “My response would depend on what complaints were valid, if any.”
I had a two-year bin war with my next door neighbour
Gemma Smith and Sophie Wood were engaged in a weekly feud for a year over their wheelie bins.
UNIQLO is home to multiple viral fashion pieces, and for good reason.
The retailer nails the balance between comfort and style, stocking everyday staples that get more than their money’s worth of wear.
Uniqlo’s viral crossbody bag was quite literally everywhere when it was released, and the retailer’s linen blend trousers are yet another trending gem.
How much is it? The linen trousers cost £19.90 on the Uniqlo website.
Who’s it best for? Anyone hunting for a staple pair of comfy trousers they can wear every day.
What we loved: The high-quality design, the flattering fit and how comfortable they are.
What we didn’t love: They become quite creased, so they will likely need ironing after every wash.
Uniqlo Linen Blend Easy Trousers, £19.90 – buy here
The £20 buy features a relaxed silhouette, straight leg, drawstring waist and of course, pockets.
Capsule trousers are a must for any wardrobe — I’m talking a pair that can be worn every season and thrown on with just about any other item.
I hate feeling restricted in my office outfits, so the stretchy drawstring waist is ideal for keeping comfortable all day.
Linen is a popular choice for the warmer weather, but the lightweight material is also great for the transitional seasons (I’ll be wearing the trending brown shade throughout the autumn).
The trousers come in eight colours, ranging from neutral beiges and blacks to orange and green tones.
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The Uniqlo trousers are my new office staple
Uniqlo Linen Blend Easy Trousers, £19.90
While the silhouette is relaxed, the drawstring waist can be pulled tighter for a cinched fit.
As the trousers are so versatile, they’re going to be flattering on every body type.
My favourite feature? The quality.
The linen blend fabric feels airy while still being thick, so there’s no risk of them being see-through (although I can’t speak for the lighter colours).
If I tried these on blind, I would assume they costed a lot more than £20.
They’re incredibly comfortable, but unlike sweatpants or leggings, they also make me feel put-together and stylish.
Uniqlo also offers alterations on certain items.
Shoppers can choose to adjust the inseam length of the trousers for free, which is great for those who can never quite find the perfect length.
I’ve been wearing the versatile trousers with T-shirts and cardigans during working from home days, and I also dressed it up slightly by opting for a boat neck top.
I could see the affordable fashion find looking great with an off-shoulder top, heeled boots and chunky jewellery for an elevated evening look.
The high-street trousers come in eight colours
Uniqlo Linen Blend Easy Trousers, £19.90
The easy-to-wear trousers will get more of their fair share of use, and for less than £20, they’re a bargain.
Shoppers agree, as the Uniqlo staple has received a 4.7-out-of-5 star rating online.
One fashion fan wrote: “These trousers are honestly some of the most comfortable I own.
I can move around in them easily and without restriction — 10/10, would highly recommend.”
Another added: “Uniqlo’s linen blend trousers are a stylish, affordable, and practical addition to a wardrobe.
The fabric blend keeps them breathable yet less prone to heavy crinkles, so they’re travel-ready with a comfortable waist.”
The verdict: are the Uniqlo trousers worth it?
These high-street trousers are my new go-to for everyday wear, and absolutely worth the £20 price tag.
Not only are they super comfortable, but I feel put-together whenever I wear them.
I love that they’re versatile enough to style for every season, and I’m going to get myself another one of the eight colours.
FAMILIES living in the shadow of two “humungous” warehouses say the buildings have destroyed their view and devalued their properties.
The colossal steel frames, which residents have likened to cruise ships, are part of a 350,000 sq ft industrial site that is dwarfing homes nearby.
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The huge warehouses have been erected directly behind homes in WiganCredit: SWNS
Residents in Tyldesley, Wigan, described being alarmed by the scale, and some are even considering moving.
Plans from developer PLP show the massive site will eventually be home to four vast warehouses, with the council agreeing to a maximum height of 18.3m (60ft) for two of those buildings.
Delivery giant Whistl has already snapped up one of the huge sheds, signing a 15-year deal on a 140,000 sq ft unit.
A council boss insisted landscaping would help soften the appearance, adding that the project followed proper planning processes.
But residents argued the final approved plans from were far bigger than had been originally designed.
They worried about the effect on property values, arguing there was limited consultation before building started.
John Peters, 71, a retired teacher, has lived on the estate since 1978. He said: “It’s a total shock when you walk out of the door.
“The enormity of the thing just strikes you. It shouldn’t be there.”
He said his dreams of a peaceful retirement were “shattered” by the arrival of the structure so close to his home.
A campaign group has been set up to rally neighbours and fight the development, with more than 200 people in attendance at a recent meeting.
Josie Gibson embarks on Grand Designs style makeover to transform her rustic West Country home into a 21st century eco-friendly dream
Mr Peters claimed the way residents were informed about the project left many feeling blindsided.
He said: “A letter was sent out to 90 residents, but I don’t know how they selected those residents because some of the people who back onto the site didn’t get anything.
“It was just completely random.”
Paula Boardman, 47, lives with her husband and two kids in a house that backs onto the imposing warehouse.
She said: “It’s quite upsetting, because we used to have such a lovely view.
“We knew this was going to be built, but we thought it was going to be a lot smaller.
“As soon as the framework went up, everyone realised the height of it – it’s humungous. I’m worried it’s going to take all our sunlight.
“It’s like a cruise ship at the back of our garden. Even if we wanted to move, I think the value of the house has gone down.”
She raised concerns about damage in her home that she fears could be related to the warehouse’s size and proximity of construction work.
She said: “I noticed a dip in the flooring back in February and a big crack in the wall.”
Steve Retford, 69, said he no longer sits in the garden because of the structure that stands just 30m away – describing the impact as “profound”.
The retired police officer said: “It’s just dreadful. We feel this sense of injustice.
“I don’t profess to be a planning expert, but when you look at the sheer enormity of this, it’s not right.
“It must have taken tens of thousands of pounds off the value of our houses. Every time I think about it, I feel sick.”
Care worker Danielle Edwards, 38, fears the warehouse could make it difficult to sell her home in the future.
Home upgrades that add the most value to a house
The best renovation to add value totally depends on your property, the local market and your potential buyers.
Zoopla shared a list of upgrades that will instantly add value to your home.
Loft conversion – increase of 15%
Off-street parking – adds £50,000 to property price
New kitchen – increase of 15%
Garage conversion – increase of 15%
Cellar or basement conversion – increase of 10-15%
Open plan living space – increase of 3-5%
New bathroom – increase of 3-5%
She said: “It’s awful. We bought this house because we’re a young family wanting to stay in the area.
“It would be very difficult to move. I can see it from my back garden. We thought they were going to be low-rise industrial units, but they’re not.”
Retired project manager Eric Earnshaw, 79, has lived in the Tyldesley area all his life but is now preparing to leave for the Lake District.
The keen dog walker said it’s because he’s had enough of constant building work.
He added: “There are walks that take me along fields in the area where there are plans for thousands of homes.
“All the green space around here is disappearing.”
Aidan Thatcher, director for place at Wigan Council, told The Sun: “This planning application went through our planning consultation and committee process.
“The final plans include landscaping which will help to screen and soften the appearance, and mitigate the impact on nearby properties.
“We will continue to monitor the site throughout construction, ensuring this development bringing new jobs and investment to the area is delivered properly.”
A spokesperson for PLP said they would not comment.
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Some of the residents say they worry their homes will be completely blocked from daylightCredit: SWNS
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The residents claim they knew about the structure but didn’t realise it would be so hugeCredit: SWNS
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One resident said it’s ruined his retirementCredit: SWNS
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Some have noticed damage to the house since the work beganCredit: SWNS
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Paula Boardman, 47, lives with her husband and two kids and this is her garden view nowCredit: SWNS
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Delivery giant Whistl has already snapped up one of the huge sheds, signing a 15-year dealCredit: SWNS
“So, they don’t have that person slowing them down.
“I used to try and practice with somebody if I could to keep me in that rhythm of playing.
Luke Littler responds to calls for him to retire after Australian Darts Masters
“So, that is why a lot when a player plays a younger player [like Littler], they start slowing them down to put them off because they are not used to it.
“Anybody who plays Luke Littler will slow their throw down.”
This year has been a success for Littler as he has already won the World Darts Championship, World Matchplay, Belgian Darts Open and UK Open among others.
The second season of Love Is Blind’s UK season came to a dramatic end today – and fan favourite couple Kieran and Megan have ‘convinced’ fans their love is still going strong
Love Is Blind couple Megan and Kieran have dropped a huge hint they’re still married after the show (Image: Netflix)
Netflix fans have been hooked on the second season of Love Is BlindUK, which came to a dramatic end today.
It was no surprise that Kieran and Megan said ‘I do’ at the altar– and although they’re sworn to secrecy on what happened after until the reunion, they’ve dropped some major hints that they’re still in love.
Megan and Kieran connected from the moment they met in the Netflix pods, although Kieran also struck up a connection with Sophie. It came crashing down pretty quickly, however, when she realised Kieran had given Megan a cute gift – whereas she was left empty-handed.
Fans noticed that Kieran and Megan had posted from the same location(Image: X/Maysen/@maysen_casey)
A distraught Sophie quit the process, and Megan and Kieran went on to get engaged, and later married, in today’s epic finale. It looks like their love story has continued to blossom, as they’ve dropped major clues they’re still together over on Instagram.
Fans witnessed a fairy tale wedding between the two, with Kieran breaking down in tears when he laid eyes on his bride. ” I still can’t quite believe how perfect you are for me … We’re living our fairytale right now, and Megan, you’re my happily ever after,” he said.
Although fans only witnessed the weddings today, they were actually filmed last year. The contestants have been sworn to secrecy, although some fans were left ‘fuming’ with their hints on TikTok before the wedding ceremony. ***Warning: Love Is Blind UK Season 2 spoilers ahead***
The same background was seen on Megan’s Instagram(Image: X/Maysen/@maysen_casey)
To no one’s surprise, Kieran and Megan have dropped the biggest hints yet that they’re together, as their pictures have coincidentally shared the same background more than once.
Before the finale dropped, eagle eyed fans noticed that the two had taken a trip to Frankfurt, Germany at the same time. Although they were careful not to include each other – they weren’t fooling Netflix fans.
Fans have spotted Megan and Kieran posing in the same house(Image: X/isa/@belabusada)
Dropping an even more telling clue, fans noticed that the couple have the same background when posting in their houses – ‘confirming’ that they’re still married a year on from the show.
“Megan and Kieran are very married, you can see from the photos/videos that the house is the same, I love them,” wrote one fan on X, formerly known as Twitter, while another said: “I hope they are married. Because look at these photos!!! Aaahhh!”
Fans have spotted eerie similarities…(Image: X/isa/@belabusada)
Although fans are convinced the couple are still very much together, they’ll have to wait until Sunday, 31 August for the reunion show, where each couple’s status will be confirmed.
During the final two episodes, we also saw Kal and Sarover and Ashleigh and Billy tie the knot. However, Bardha shockingly said no to Jed at the altar – but have they kept a relationship going?
Spain is by far the most popular country among UK travellers, with close to 18 million of us visiting in 2023 — far more than the 9.2 million who took a trip to second-place France
Some Brits have taken the anti-tourist sentiment to heart(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
“The message we are receiving loud and clear from locals, especially in the islands and where we usually visit in Andalucia, is that we should stay away and are not welcome.”
That is how Mirror reader Allan Wilcox feels. He, like millions of Brits, is a regular visitor to Spain. In fact, Spain is by far the most popular country among UK travellers, with close to 18 million of us visiting in 2023 — far more than the 9.2 million who took a trip to second-place France.
While it would be absurd to suggest that the country’s love affair with Spain and its incredible culture, food and drink, spectacular weather, and general good vibes is over, there is undeniably a groundswell of frustration at a shift in attitude on the Iberian Peninsula. This comes amid a warning about the quality of breaks in Benidorm.
Each week many of them email in to the Mirror’s travel desk ([email protected]) to share their views on trips to Spain and whether they’re still planning holidays in the country of 48 million.
Although it would be unfair to suggest that their views are completely typical of the UK population at large, particularly given the small sample size, a clear anti-Spanish holiday sentiment has emerged.
Sarah Meager has been particularly frustrated by new laws that prohibit smoking and vaping on terraces. She was dismayed to discover that the law covered private terraces when it comes to holiday villas and hotels.
“We discovered this in Lanzarote in February. You are not even allowed on the terrace of your own room. It is a ridiculous decision. Even if only one member of a group smokes it means you just can’t relax and enjoy yourself,” she explained.
Kevin Durkin is a committed Spain holidaymaker, having visited the country many times over a 30-year period. “Over the last few years, the anti-British sentiment has just grown. Some bar owners have put up signs telling the British to keep away and some hotel owners don’t want us either,” he said.
“I do not need Spain, they can keep their latest charges and hatred of the British. I will not be back, neither will my friends or family. Adios.”
Kevin, who speaks Spanish and moved to the country several years ago, admitted that most of the ire from locals was directed towards “the loud British element, usually fuelled by alcohol”, and that respectful tourists were unlikely to be bothered.
“My husband and I got through the scanners, no problem. However, the rest of the family had to queue for an hour and a half. On the way back, it was worse, as people were worried they might miss their flights home. Our family just made it on time. They all said they wouldn’t be back abroad anytime soon.”
Allan Wilcox is a committed visitor of Spain and is “happy to spend our money supporting local businesses. These include restaurants, bars, hotels and shops.” Since overtourism protests began however, he has started to feel unwelcome.
“The message we are receiving loud and clear from locals, especially in the islands and where we usually visit in Andalucia, is that we should stay away and are not welcome. Since the local feelings appear so strong and tourists have to run the gauntlet of being shouted or spat at or have to endure intimidating protests, we are no longer happy to visit the country under these conditions,” Allan said.
“Consequently, we have decided to holiday elsewhere and have not visited Spain for the past couple of years.”
How do you feel about taking a holiday to Spain? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Please email [email protected]
Revenue sharing payments started flowing into UCLA football players’ PayPal accounts this week, leading to the inevitable sidling up to teammates for quiet comparisons … or not.
“We try not to,” linebacker Isaiah Chisom said when asked if players discussed how much money they’re making. “Obviously, I mean, people know how much some people are getting, but, you know, at the end of the day, we all came here for one reason, and that’s to play football and the extra money or whatever we get is just extra, it’s not making anybody play harder.”
While UCLA athletic director Martin Jarmond would not divulge the specifics of his school’s revenue-sharing plan, it’s believed that the football team was allotted roughly 75% of the $20.5 million in payments — or about $15.375 million — which is in line with the suggested formula as part of the House settlement with the NCAA. That would break down to $146,428 per player if divided evenly among the 105 players on the roster, though coach DeShaun Foster said his staff divvied up the money based on talent evaluations.
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Does that mean new quarterback Nico Iamaleava, the highly coveted transfer from Tennessee, is the team’s highest-paid player? Nobody will know unless Iamaleava wants them to.
“We haven’t put anything out publicly like that for the other players to see,” Foster said of divulging payment amounts. “So if they wanted to share that, they can.”
The lack of transparency about revenue sharing across the country will lead to guesswork and assumptions about who’s making what. Chisom acknowledged the importance of ensuring that the presumed revenue sharing discrepancies didn’t disrupt team chemistry.
“It definitely can expose a team or bring up a team,” Chisom said. “It really just depends on the people you have on the roster. But I think the coaches did a great job of bringing in the right type of character and people who want to play football and are excited to play in California in the Rose Bowl.”
Foster said players were taught about financial literacy to give them information about the importance of saving money and the tax implications of their new windfall.
But the quaint notion that revenue sharing would level the playing field for UCLA with teams whose name, image and likeness collectives were generating several multiples of what the Bruins were before the House settlement has long been discarded.
“They’re just going to find ways to do it under the table,” Foster said of the powerhouse programs sustaining their financial edge. “It is what it is. We’re just going to control what we can control. We have our salary cap. We’re gonna do the best that we can do with that, and allocate it to our players the way that we want to, and you know, whatever everybody else does, that’s what they do. They’re just gonna find other ways to do what they’ve been doing.”
A cloak-and-dagger camp
First impressions of UCLA’s football training camp?
Iamaleava looked good getting off the bus in a light blue hoodie, black sweatpants and a black do-rag.
The offense’s black uniforms with blue numbers looked spiffy.
The weather in Costa Mesa has been close to perfect.
Oh, you wanted some insight into how the Bruins look on the field? That’s been much harder to gauge.
Daily media viewing sessions have been limited to 25 minutes of mostly stretching, individual drills and special teams work, leaving almost everything else to the imagination.
One early takeaway has been that defensive linemen Keanu Williams and Gary Smith III look fully recovered from their respective injuries. Williams made one quick burst that appeared to please defensive line coach Jethro Franklin, who unleashed an excited expletive.
Iamaleava’s arm has looked strong and accurate in throwing drills, but it’s been impossible to determine how well he’s mastered the offense given the viewing limitations.
The punters appear promising. Will Karroll and Lennox Miller, a pair of newcomers with Australian roots, were regularly booming punts some 50 yards.
Foster said he’s happy that his team features better depth in Year 2, leading to more competition because some backups could be good enough to supplant the presumed starters.
“It’s not just ‘I’m the guy,’ ” Foster said of having multiple players worthy of starting at various positions, “so it just feels that there’s more guys that can push a starter.”
A singular vision
JonJon Vaughns quit the UCLA baseball team to focus on football.
(Courtesy of UCLA Athletics)
JonJon Vaughns is all in on pigskin.
The UCLA linebacker’s decision to redshirt last season after playing in the first four games, combined with a choice to stop playing outfield after four seasons on the school’s baseball team, provided him with nearly a full year of football prep.
He can see and feel the difference, no longer having to work his way back into football shape after having missed spring practice while playing baseball.
“It was hard, just getting back in shape, running straight, not having those muscles from football early on,” Vaughns said, “and then, and then I don’t get those muscles until like midseason, so it’d be too late. But now it’s like, I got them, let’s use them, you know?”
As luck would have it, the timing of Vaughns’ decision to quit baseball was not ideal — UCLA made it back to the College World Series for the first time since 2013.
“I wanted to be there with the guys and coach [John] Savage, and I even texted [Savage] before [the Series], like, ‘Hey, wish I was there,’ you know?” Vaughns said. “But seeing them doing what they did this year was amazing to see.”
Looking a bit sturdier at 6 feet 1 and 225 pounds after having completed his first series of spring football practices, Vaughns said his weight is actually about the same after gaining 10 pounds of muscle and losing an accompanying amount of fat.
Having started 11 games in his first five seasons with the football team, Vaughns could move into a full-time starting role in his final football season. His ability to play both strong-side and weak-side linebacker gives him the versatility to fill a variety of spots and make the biggest influence of his career on a defense that needs playmakers.
Another softball title
Megan Faraimo during her days with UCLA.
(Alonzo Adams / Associated Press)
UCLA’s 12 NCAA softball championships lead all college programs — no one else is in double figures — so it should come as no surprise that three Bruins alums were crucial members of the first champion in the new Athletes Unlimited Softball League.
While helping the Talons sweep the Bandits, two games to none, in the championship series, Megan Faraimo pitched the seventh inning of Game 1 and collected the save with two strikeouts; Sharlize Palacios reached base four times in the series and ranked top five on the team in hits and total bases; and Maya Brady reached base safely twice in Game 1 and scored the team’s third and final run.
Competing as part of a barnstorming four-team, 24-game debut season that was completed in 12 cities and drew 20 sellouts, the Talons had several other UCLA connections. Lisa Fernandez was the team’s general manager, Kirk Walker the associate head coach and Will Oldham an assistant coach.
The AUSL plans to become a city-based league in 2026.
Opinion time
We had an influx of new subscribers after last week’s newsletter, so we are holding over the Mount Rushmore voting for one more week.
To recap, we’re wondering which four coaches or players would you put on your Mount Rushmore of UCLA football? Email your list of four to [email protected] and we’ll post the results in a future UCLA Unlocked. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, of course, but anyone who doesn’t list coach Terry Donahue should be denied entry to the Rose Bowl.
Remember when?
Speaking of Donahue, his final season opener as UCLA’s coach in 1995 was one of his more memorable ones.
The No. 15 Bruins welcomed No. 12 Miami to the Rose Bowl and proceeded to hand the Hurricanes a 31-8 whipping. You can watch the game here.
Left tackle Jonathan Ogden led a powerful offensive line that opened massive holes for running back Karim Abdul-Jabbar, who ran 29 times for 180 yards in 102-degree heat. The game was also notable in that it marked the debut of freshman quarterback Cade McNown, who completed both passes he threw in relief while starter Ryan Fien was sidelined by a concussion.
It was a high point in an up-and-down season that ended with a 51-30 loss to Kansas in the Aloha Bowl and the Bruins needing a new coach after Donahue announced that he was retiring after 20 seasons before becoming a college football analyst with CBS.
Do you have a comment or something you’d like to see in a future UCLA newsletter? Email me at [email protected], and follow me on Twitter @latbbolch. To get this newsletter in your inbox, click here.
When it comes to packing your hand luggage, there are plenty of items you need to be careful with in order to make it through airport security
When it comes to packing your hand luggage, there are plenty of items you need to be careful with in order to make it through airport security(Image: Anastasiia Krivenok via Getty Images)
If you’re jetting off this summer and planning to cram your life into a hand luggage bag, there are some items that could land you in hot water. Hand luggage liquids generally need to be under 100ml to pass through airport security, including water bottles, face oils, moisturiser and hand gel, reports the Express.
However, some items that aren’t technically liquids can cause issues at security. Fulton Umbrellas have put together a list of surprising items you can and can’t take with you on your travels.
Firstly, soft cheese is part of the 100ml limit if you’re travelling back to the UK from the EU. The same applies for jams, chutneys, sauces and anything sold in liquid like antipasti or olives.
Leave the soft cheese at home(Image: Getty)
Some countries even have stricter rules when it comes to travelling with food, so always check before you pack. Another item that should not be packed in your carry on is protein powder.
This is because powders can obstruct x-ray machines and therefore will need to be manually checked by staff. This can be a lengthy process so it’s fastest and safest to just leave it at home – or if you’re really desperate, put it in your checked bag.
Surprisingly, in the UK there is one item you are allowed to take on that you might not be aware of.
Protein powder can obstruct x-rays(Image: Getty)
If you’re only taking carry-on luggage with you, but you fancy dabbling in a little arts and crafts on the plane, you are allowed to take a small pair of scissors on board.
In the UK, the standard rule is that any pair of scissors with a blade length less than 6cm is permissible.
For larger pairs, it’s recommended to stow them in your checked luggage. Different airlines may have varying regulations regarding items with blades, so it’s advisable to verify if you need to carry scissors with you.
Broad economic sanctions, most of which are imposed by the U.S. government, kill hundreds of thousands of innocent people each year — disproportionately children. This week the Lancet Global Health journal published an article that estimated that number at about 564,000 annually over a decade. This is comparable to the annual deaths around the world from armed conflict.
Sanctions are becoming the preferred weapon of the United States and some allies — not because they are less destructive than military action, but more likely because the toll is less visible. They can devastate food systems and hospitals and silently kill people without the gruesome videos of body parts in tent camps and cafes bombed from the air. They offer policymakers something that can deliver the deadly impact of war, even against civilians, without the political cost.
The above estimate of 564,000 annual deaths from sanctions is based on an analysis of data from 152 countries over 10 years. The study was by economists Francisco Rodríguez, Silvio Rendón and myself.
It’s a horrifying finding, but not surprising to economists, statisticians and other researchers who have investigated these impacts of economic sanctions. These are measures that target the entire economy, or a part of it that most of the rest of the economy depends on, such as the financial sector or a predominant export, for example in oil-exporting economies.
The sanctions can block access to essential imports such as medicine and food and the necessary infrastructure and spare parts to maintain drinkable water, including electrical systems.
Damage to the economy can sometimes be even more deadly than just the blocking of critical, life-sustaining imports. Venezuela is an example of a country that suffered all of these impacts, and the case is far more well-documented than for most of the now 25% of countries under sanctions (up from 8% in the 1960s). In Venezuela, the first year of sanctions under the first Trump administration took tens of thousands of lives. Then things got even worse, as the U.S. cut off the country from the international financial system and oil exports, froze billions of dollars of assets and imposed “secondary sanctions” on countries that tried to do business with Venezuela.
Venezuela experienced the worst depression, without a war, in world history. This was from 2012 to 2020, with the economy contracting by 71% — more than three times the severity of the Great Depression in the U.S. in the 1930s. Most of this was found to be the result of the sanctions.
Our study found that a majority of people who died as a result of sanctions in all countries were children under 5. This atrocity is consistent with prior research. Medical studies have found that children in this age group become much more susceptible to death from childhood diseases such as diarrhea, pneumonia and measles when they become malnourished.
These results are also consistent with statistical studies by the Bank of International Settlements and other statisticians and economists who find that recessions in developing countries substantially increase death rates. Of course, the destruction caused by sanctions, as above, can be many times worse than the average recession.
In 2021, Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) wrote a letter to then-President Biden, asking him to “lift all secondary and sectoral sanctions imposed on Venezuela by the Trump Administration.” The impact of these sanctions, he said, “is indiscriminate, and purposely so. … Economic pain is the means by which the sanctions are supposed to work. But it is not Venezuelan officials who suffer the costs. It is the Venezuelan people.”
This is why U.S. sanctions are illegal under treaties the United States has signed, including the Charter of the Organization of American States. They are also prohibited during wartime under the Geneva and Hague conventions, as collective punishment of civilians. U.N. experts have argued, quite persuasively, that something that is a war crime when people are bombing and shooting each other should also be a crime when there is no such war.
These sanctions also violate U.S. law. In ordering the sanctions, the president is required by U.S. law to declare that the sanctioned country is causing a “national emergency” for the United States and poses “an unusual and extraordinary threat” to U.S. national security. But this has almost never been true.
Given the deterioration of the rule of law in the United States, and the lack of regard for human rights in America’s foreign policy — and increasingly at home — it’s easy to be pessimistic about the prospects for ending this economic violence. But it will end.
We have seen victories against much more formidable adversaries and entrenched policies, including wars — most recently against the U.S. participation in the war in Yemen. Organized opposition got Congress to pass a related war powers resolution in 2019. This forced an end to at least some of the U.S. military support and blockade that had put millions of people at emergency levels of hunger, thereby saving thousands of lives.
The CIA’s formal post-9/11 torture program, which included waterboarding, was ended by executive order in 2009, after public exposure and considerable opposition.
The biggest advantage of sanctions, for the policymakers who use them, is the invisibility of their toll. But that is also their Achilles’ heel. When the economic violence of broad sanctions becomes widely known, they will be indefensible and no longer politically sustainable.
