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On August 2, 2027, the Sun will ‘go out’ for up to six minutes. The incredible phenomenon will be most visible across North of Africa and parts of the Middle East

A rare solar eclipse in 2027 has spiked bookings to five countries.

On August 2, 2027, the Sun ‘go out’ for up to six minutes. The incredible phenomenon will be most visible across North of Africa and parts of the Middle East. Google searches for destinations in this area have surged over the past couple of months as celestial event enthusiasts work out how they can be there when it happens.

The 2027 total solar eclipse will be the longest eclipse of the century visible from land. Some of the best destinations to witness the eclipse include:

• Tangier, Morocco – This area is directly beneath the central shadow, and you can expect around four minutes of totality
• Oran, Algeria – You can expect over five minutes of totality
• Sfax, Tunisia – You can expect over five minutes of totality
• Benghazi, Libya – This area is along the centerline passage, offering about five minutes of totality
• Luxor, Egypt – This area is near the point of greatest eclipse, where you can expect near-maximum totality of over six minutes

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To celebrate the rare event, Wild Frontiers , a B Corp tour operator that specialises in adventure travel, has launched three exclusive ‘eclipse special’ tours, and bookings for all departures sold out within 24 hours. Wild Frontiers has since added new departure dates to its eclipse tour collection and is anticipating similar levels of demand.

Clare Tobin, CEO at Wild Frontiers, said: “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness one of the most incredible natural spectacles. We launched tours in three of the best viewing points in north Africa.

“Travellers can observe the event from a traditional houseboat on the waters of the Nile in Egypt, among the atmospheric UNESCO Roman ruins of Timgad in Algeria or from the epic amphitheatre of El Jem in Tunisia. We previously ran an eclipse tour in Northern Mexico in 2024 and, whilst it was popular, we have seen even more demand for the 2027 tours.”

The term ‘astro-tourism’ came to light towards the end of last year, with experts coining it as a key travel trend for 2025. The term has been used to describe travellers becoming increasingly interested in escaping the urban city lights, in pursuit of dark skies.

Now it seems that astro-tourism is becoming more than stargazing and trips to see the northern lights. Clare says: “Travellers are seemingly fascinated with space, the stars and natural phenomena and they’re turning their attention to the skies. Witnessing celestial events has become more accessible for several reasons, such as more accurate forecasting predications, advancements in technology and increased education and coverage around the topic.

“As demand for ‘astro-tourism’ continues to increase, the ability to travel to these destinations also becomes more accessible. Travellers can now plan and book trips in advance that are centred around significant celestial events. There is no better way to escape and feel at one with nature than to behold such an extraordinary event.”

For travellers who wish to add ‘witness a natural phenomenon’ to their travel bucket list, below are some of most significant eclipse events over the next two years.

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Most visible from: Iceland, Northern Spain and the Balearic Islands, Greenland, parts of northeastern Portugal and Russia. The best of the eclipse will take place over the water however.

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An annular solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the Sun and Earth, but is too far from Earth to completely cover the Sun. This causes what is often referred to as a ‘ring of fire’ effect, where a bright rind of sunlight can be seen around the moon’s silhouette.

Most visible from: Antarctica, Southern South America (particularly southern Argentine and southern Chile), Southern Africa (including South Africa, Namibia and Botswana), Madagascar.

Lunar eclipses

A lunar eclipse takes place when the Earth moves directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting its shadow onto the Moon, which makes it appear a reddish colour. It only occurs during the full moon stage and doesn’t happen every month as the Moon’s orbit is tilted, relative to the Earth’s orbit.

7 September 2025

Most visible from: India, China, Russia, Central Asia, Western Australia, New Zealand, eastern Africa, parts of Europe (especially Czech Republic).

3 March 2026

Most visible from: Northeast Asia (especially Japan, Korea and China), northwestern North America (western Canada and Alaska), Central Pacific Ocean.

28 August 2026

Most visible from: North America (USA, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean), South America (Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia), Spain, France, Nigeria, Egypt, Pacific Islands (Hawaii, parts of Polynesia).

Don’t just look at share price appreciation. Why? It doesn’t tell the whole story. Thousands of stocks pay dividends. And those dividends often significantly boost the stocks’ total returns.

You can especially make a lot of money when you invest in stocks with juicy dividend yields in addition to tremendous share price growth potential. Here are two ultra-high-yield dividend stocks with a total return potential of up to 41% over the next 12 months, according to select Wall Street analysts.

Kenvue

Kenvue (KVUE 1.98%) ranks as the largest pure-play consumer health company in the world. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ 0.31%) spun off Kenvue as a separate entity in 2023. The new business inherited an impressive lineup of products, including Band-Aid bandages, Listerine mouthwash, Neutrogena skin care products, and over-the-counter pain relievers Motrin and Tylenol .

In addition, Kenvue inherited J&J’s status as a Dividend King. The consumer health company has continued to increase its dividend since the spin-off two years ago. It now boasts an impressive streak of 63 consecutive annual dividend hikes. Kenvue’s forward dividend yield also tops 5.1%.

However, one reason why Kenvue’s yield is so high is that its stock has performed dismally. Revenue growth has been weak. Profits have declined sharply since the company became a stand-alone entity.

More recently, Kenvue announced a shake-up at the top in July with Kirk Perry stepping in as interim CEO while Thibaut Mongon was shown the door. The company also underwent a public relations crisis after President Donald Trump and Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claimed that the use of Tylenol during pregnancy could be linked with autism in children.

Kenvue responded quickly to refute those claims adamantly. So did several healthcare organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Autism Science Foundation, and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine.

Several Wall Street analysts think that the worst could be over for Kenvue. For example, Bank of America (BAC 5.11%) and JPMorgan Chase (JPM 2.80%) have price targets for the stock that reflect an upside potential of roughly 29%. If they’re right and Kenvue continues to pay dividends at least at the current level, investors could enjoy a total return of more than 34% over the next 12 months.

United Parcel Service

United Parcel Service (UPS 0.10%) is the world’s largest package delivery company. It operates in more than 200 countries and territories. UPS delivers roughly 22.4 million packages every business day.

Image source: United Parcel Service.

Although UPS isn’t a Dividend King like Kenvue, it has a pretty good dividend pedigree. The company has increased its dividend for 16 consecutive years. It has never cut the dividend since going public in 1999. UPS’ forward dividend yield is a mouthwatering 7.9%.

The bad news is that UPS’ tremendous yield is due largely to its atrocious stock performance over the last few years. Plenty of factors contributed to this decline, including higher costs resulting from a contract with the Teamsters union and lower shipment volumes following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Management’s decision to significantly reduce the shipments handled for Amazon (AMZN 0.05%) is causing revenue to decline. The Trump administration’s tariffs are especially hurting UPS’ business in its most profitable lane between China and the U.S.

However, some analysts on Wall Street are nonetheless upbeat about UPS’ prospects. As a case in point, Citigroup‘s (C 0.66%) latest 12-month price target is around 35% higher than UPS’ current share price. With such an ambitious target and the package delivery giant’s hefty dividend yield, UPS stock could deliver a total return in the ballpark of 42%.

Are these analysts right about Kenvue and UPS?

I’m iffy about whether or not Kenvue and UPS can deliver the lofty total returns over the next 12 months that some analysts predict. However, I think both stocks could be winners for investors over the long run. Kenvue and UPS could also be solid picks for investors seeking income.

Can you put a price on the experience of enjoying a World Series game at Dodger Stadium?

Yes, and it’s a very high one.

The Dodgers put tickets for potential World Series games on sale Tuesday, with the cheapest seat available for $881.95, according to an afternoon review of the team website. That seat — $800 for the ticket and $81.95 for fees — is located at the end of the reserve level, high above the field and next to the foul pole.

World Series prices posted on the website Tuesday ranged as high as $1,510.05. The best seats are sold as part of season packages, so that $1,510.05 seat ($1,371 ticket plus $139.05 fees) is located on the field level, near the foul pole and bullpen.

If the Dodgers advance to the World Series and play the Seattle Mariners, the Dodgers would play as many as four home games, starting Friday, Oct. 24. If the Dodgers advance and play the Toronto Blue Jays, the Dodgers would play as many as three home games, starting Monday, Oct. 27.

On Oct. 24, a family of four could get into Disneyland for a total of $796. On Oct. 27, a family of four could get into Disneyland for a total of $676.

Ticket prices are subject to change based on demand.

When the Dodgers put National League Championship Series tickets on sale, the cheapest price was $155. On Tuesday, the cheapest ticket on the team website for Game 3 on Thursday was $168.

However, since the game time has been set at 3 p.m. and weekday afternoon games are not popular, tickets on the resale market could be bought for about $100 Tuesday.

VETS have revealed the eight dog breeds they’d never own – warning they may look cute, but each one can lead to “total heartbreak.”

The animal experts, who have treated thousands of pets over the years, said some popular breeds are plagued with painful health problems, short lifespans and sky-high vet bills.

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Dr. Cat is a vet based in the UK with over 35k followers on Instagram.

While Ben the Vet has gained 211k followers on TikTok.

They urged potential owners to think twice before buying certain dogs – no matter how adorable they look – saying love alone isn’t enough to keep them healthy.

The vets have revealed the eight breeds they’d never own themselves – and say fellow vets agree on at least two of them.

German Shepherd

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First up is the German Shepherd.

Loyal and clever, yes — but the vets warned they can also be reactive, suspicious and anxious, making them “really challenging” to handle.

Pugs, bulldogs and boxers

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Flat-faced breeds might look adorable, but these brachycephalic dogs often struggle with breathing problems and other anatomical issues.

They are healthier than others, but they’re prone to a whole host of problems – from spinal issues and skin conditions to eye troubles.

Ben said: “There are specimens of these dogs that are healthier than others, but they are so prone to so many issues.

“Spinal issues, skin problems, eye problems. The fact that over half of them have to have a caesarean to give birth is enough of an ethical issue for me to never want to have one. If you’re OK with that, that’s fine but for me personally it’s not very fair.”  

Border Collie

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Super-smart and bursting with energy, working-line Border Collies need nonstop stimulation.

Without it, they can develop serious behavioural and mental health problems.

Cat said: “I just do not have enough time in my life to put into them to make sure they’re living their best lives with me.”

Shar Pei

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Shar Peis come with a long list of health and behavioural problems.

Their wrinkles can cause skin and eye issues, and being in constant discomfort often makes them grumpy.

Ben said they are also prone to constant “skin problems and have tiny, narrow ear canals.

“Some can get so stressed that they even bite the staff.”

St Bernard

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Saint Bernards might look lovable – but their size comes with messy challenges.

Constant slobber and hygiene issues can make life pretty tricky for owners.

Cat revealed: “Quite honestly, I cannot cope with the slobber. I had a client once tell me that she had slobber on her ceilings.”

Dachshund

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Steer clear of Dachshunds because of the breed’s health issues.

They’re lovely dogs, but one in four develops back problems in their lifetime.

It can range from mild pain to complete paralysis, often requiring spinal surgery.

The recovery is long and Ben added, “there’s too much potential for heartbreak.”

King Charles Spaniel

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The super popular breed of family dog is known for their affection.

But almost all of King Charles Spaniels develop the same heart condition – mitral valve disease.

It means they often spend their final days “struggling to breathe and eventually die of heart failure.”

Chow Chow

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Chow Chows can be tricky to manage and are known for a challenging temperament, especially in clinical settings.

They commonly suffer from “eye problems, they’re often aloof and not very friendly.”

Ben shared: “They’re often very aggressive at the vets, but it’s hard to fit a muzzle on their face.”

The Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund ETF (VTI 0.21%) is one of the most popular exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on the planet. The fund has net assets of nearly $2 trillion.

With stock indexes hovering near all-time highs, many investors are worried that this historically successful ETF will struggle in the years to come. But there’s one critical piece of data that suggests otherwise.

This ETF remains a data-backed investment

The Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund ETF is a classic pick for savvy long-term investors. That’s because the ETF tracks the holdings of the CRSP US Total Market Index, which includes almost every type of company imaginable — everything from small-caps and large-caps to value stocks and growth stocks.

The ETF is incredibly diversified with more than 3,000 holdings, but investors should note that only U.S. companies are included. Many of those U.S. companies, however, have global operations, providing some level of international diversification.

Image source: Getty Images.

With an expense ratio of just 0.03%, the Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund ETF is one of the cheapest ways investors can get broad access to nearly the entire stock market. But with the indexes already at all-time highs, is this ETF still a smart pick? If your holding period is 20 years or more, the answer is absolutely. That’s because there has never been a 20-year period where the U.S. stock market has posted a negative return.

Of course, returns for any given 20-year period vary widely. But here’s a good example of how buying market indexes like this, even at their peaks, is a wise long-term decision. If you purchased shares of VTI in 2007 at their pre-cash peak, you still would have accumulated a 338% return over the next 18 years. So long-term investors can rejoice: The Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund ETF remains a solid pick for the decades ahead.

Stargazers enjoyed a “blood moon” during a total lunar eclipse visible across Asia, as well as swaths of Europe and Africa.

When the sun, Earth, and the moon line up, the shadow cast by the planet on its satellite makes it appear an eerie, deep red colour — an effect that has astounded humans for millennia.

People in Asia, including India and China, were best placed to see Sunday’s total eclipse, which was also visible on the eastern edge of Africa as well as in western Australia.

The total lunar eclipse lasted from 17:30 GMT to 18:52 GMT.

Stargazers in Europe also had a brief chance to see a partial eclipse just as the moon rose during the early evening, but the Americas missed out.

The moon appears red during lunar eclipses because the only sunlight reaching it is “reflected and scattered through the Earth’s atmosphere”, said Ryan Milligan, an astrophysicist at Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Blue wavelengths of light are shorter than red ones, so they are more easily dispersed as they travel through Earth’s atmosphere, he told the AFP news agency.

“That’s what gives the moon its red, bloody colour.”

While special glasses or pinhole projectors are necessary to observe solar eclipses safely, all that is required to view a lunar eclipse is clear weather and a suitable spot.

The last total lunar eclipse was in March this year, while the previous one was in 2022.

A WOMAN in her 50s has been flooded with praise online after showing off her massive “glow up” – and people are calling it “legendary.”

The brunette beauty named Kristina told how she achieved her flawless skin and youthful appearance without surgery or any invasive procedures.

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So it’s little surprise people have been begging the brunette beauty to reveal her anti-ageing secrets.

Taking to TikTok (@kristina.maay), she penned: “When you’re a good-looking 50, but you were very ugly in your early 40s.”

In the clip, she shared a stunning video of herself revealing her flawless skin now – and there’s not a wrinkle in sight.

She then posted a series of photos from in her 40s to show just how much she believes she has changed.

In response to one person who commented that she must’ve had a change in money to achieve her new look, Kristina confirms: “No change in finances.

“I spent more before on my face tbh.”

Kristina also shared a second post shared to TikTok and went on to reveal some of the changes she made in just six years that she believes have helped to turn back the clock.

Firstly, she explains how she started using glycolic acid,
microcurrent, gua-sha and doing facial yoga.

Next, she made changes in her eating and started focusing on consuming a high protein diet.

Kristina also says she stopped eating gluten and started ditching alcohol and sugar.

As for exercise, she took up weight training and shed a whopping 5kgs.

“Weight loss is absolutely a massive glow up isn’t it?! Body composition changes are an even bigger glow up,” she wrote, in response to one social media user.

She notes that ditching the “ugly fake lashes” also helped to make a huge difference and says she also let her feather touch brows fade.

Along with having 2 pre-cancerous moles removes, Kristina also started her supplement regime.

It wasn’t long before the post went viral, racking up a whopping 408k views and several comments from very impressed social media users.

“Wow we who, what, where, when and HOW!!!” wrote one.

A second commented: “We are sat for lessons!”

A third wrote: “You are beautiful no matter what. Looking more sophisticated now and natural so well done.”

Meanwhile, a fourth added: “You were beautiful before, but the glow up is legendary!!!!”

Another praised: “You look so good now.”

A further noted: “You’re 50!?! You look amazing.”

And another pleaded: “So what’s the secret?”

Aug. 6 (UPI) — President Donald Trump on Wednesday raised tariffs on goods imported from India to 50% in response to the country’s continued purchase of Russian oil.

“I find that the Government of India is currently directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil,” President Donald Trump said in an executive order.

“Accordingly, and as consistent with applicable law, articles of India imported into the customs territory of the United States shall be subject to an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25%,” the executive order said.

This adds to the previous 25% tariffs set to take effect Thursday. The new tax will begin in 21 days.

The India tariff is now one of the highest on all of the United States’ trading partners, and it’s the latest sign that Trump is honoring his threat on countries that buy oil from Russia. The tariff is meant to put pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to encourage him to work toward a peace agreement with Ukraine.

On Tuesday, Trump said he would raise the tariff on India “very substantially over the next 24 hours, because they’re buying Russian oil, they’re fueling the war machine.”

“And if they’re going to do that, then I’m not going to be happy,” Trump said on CNBC’s Squawk Box.

In response to Trump’s Monday threat, India accused the United States, and the European Union, of hypocrisy, saying they began importing from Russia “because traditional supplies were diverted to Europe after the outbreak of the conflict.”

“India’s imports are meant to ensure predictable and affordable energy costs to the Indian consumer. They are a necessity compelled by global market situation,” India’s foreign ministry said in a statement. “However, it is revealing that the very nations criticizing India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia. Unlike our case, such trade is not even a vital national compulsion.”

It said the targeting of India was “unjustified and unreasonable.”

“Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security.”

Trump has long seen tariffs as a tool to right trade deficits and as a bargaining tool. He has also started to use it as a punitive measure to retaliate against countries for taking actions he disagrees with.

A popular tourist destination in Greece has often been known as an idyllic escape during the summer holidays, but for one traveller, it became a holiday from hell

A summer getaway to Greece is about immersing yourself in the culture, soaking up the sun-soaked rays, indulging in the local delicacies and wandering around the enchanting cobbled streets. But for one traveller, their luxury holiday to Santorini left them less than impressed as they battled the crazy crowds taking over the Greek island.

Gabriella Barras, 27, visited Santorini on holiday earlier this year this month after scenic images of the island caught her attention on social media. The four-day trip cost her £2,200, but it wasn’t anything like she imagined, with an “overflow of tourists”.

“I expected Santorini to be a picturesque, relaxing and gorgeous holiday,” Gabriella, who lives in Dubai, told Luxury Travel Daily. “I wanted to experience Greek culture and food.

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“Photos of it looked incredible. While it was indeed picturesque and the views were phenomenal, I didn’t think that there was much old school tradition and culture. It’s so commercialised to the point where I didn’t necessarily find it relaxing at all.”

She added: “The overflow of tourists at every given spot we went to was overwhelming and definitely not the gorgeous, relaxing retreat I was expecting. There were hundreds of people trying to see the sunset at once.”

In addition to the overcrowding, Gabriella found it tricky when it came to the stairs on the island. She explained: “We rented a car, so getting around wasn’t difficult; however, a lot of the accommodation is up a whole load of stairs up the mountain.

“At some places, getting your luggage to and from your room or even just getting yourself up can be strenuous and maybe not possible for everyone.”

Gabriella isn’t the only traveller to have slammed Santorini. Claire Smith, 25, stayed in the popular tourist destination for six nights just a few weeks ago, which set her back £600. However, instead of admiring the crystal clear waters through the iconic white and blue buildings, her main view became the overcrowding of tourists.

Claire, who hails from Sydney, Australia, stayed in Fira, the capital of Santorini, but caught buses to Oia, one of Santorini’s most popular towns, and Kamari, a village on the east coast of the island, for the day. “Trying to get on a bus was animalistic mayhem,” she explained.

“I wanted to explore beaches and relax. I expected the stunning views and the classic pictures of the caldera that you see all over Instagram, the blue dome buildings and for it to be very hot.

“Oia was the most crowded and jam-packed in reality. That made it hard to enjoy. It was beautiful, but the main streets in the town were so jam-packed that it took ages to walk through, and it was also super hot with no shade anywhere. That was probably the worst part.

“We walked the steps down to Ammoudi Bay, which were covered in donkey poo, so it smelled pretty bad. I had to squeeze up against a wall on the way back up, as there were donkeys on their way down. I was kind of worried they’d squash me.

“We were getting the bus back from Kamari to Fira, and the bus stop had heaps of people all scrambling to get on it. There was no line at the bus stop to make it orderly, so it was a free-for-all.

“We luckily got on the bus, but I heard an Australian family saying that one American couple didn’t manage to get on the bus and they’d also missed the previous one, so I felt really bad for people like that.

“Fira was easier and accessible for walking around. It was crowded but not to a crazy extent, where it makes it hard to appreciate anything.”

Following her experience, Claire advises other holidaymakers to avoid Santorini during the peak season. She shared: “I⁠ would still recommend it to people because I think it’s a pretty unique island with the incredible views, the caldera, white buildings and sunsets.

“My advice would be to probably not stay in Oia, and to avoid July and August if you hate the crowds and peak summer heat. I’d aim for the slightly calmer months when you can probably appreciate it a bit more.”

Meanwhile, Gabriella said she’s not in a hurry to return and recommended visiting quieter destinations in Greece, such as Milos, Koufonisia and Amorgos. “I wouldn’t go again. I’ve been to much better islands and don’t feel the need to see Santorini again,” she said.

“⁠I’d recommend people to go see it as a bucket list trip, but two to three days is more than enough, and I’d highly recommend other less commercialised islands.”

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July 18 (UPI) — Colombia’s government this week introduced a new protocol to monitor firearms used by private security companies, aiming to prevent their diversion to illegal groups and improve traceability.

The initiative, led by the Ministry of Defense, targets loopholes in the oversight of private security firms following a spike in incidents involving the misuse of firearms by private security personnel.

Colombia remains a key hub for illegal arms trafficking in Latin America — a persistent threat that fuels internal conflict and threatens President Gustavo Petro’s “Total Peace” strategy.

Weapons enter the country from multiple global and regional sources. An estimated one in three firearms in Colombia is illegally obtained. So far in 2024, more than 10,000 of the country’s 13,341 reported homicides were committed with firearms.

“The illegal firearms market is behind 78% of homicides in Colombia,” said Carolina Ortega, a political scientist at the National University of Colombia (UNAL), an expert in territorial security management and a researcher on security issues. She warns that “it has shifted toward technological upgrades, including drones, which now pose new threats to public safety.”

Taking advantage of Colombia’s complex geography, weapons arrive from multiple regions via land, sea and air routes — many of which overlap with established drug trafficking corridors.

The United States is a major source of handguns and lightweight firearms. Each year, between 250,000 and 600,000 guns cross the southern border in what is called the “iron river,” according to a report by Fundación Carolina. The steady flow supplies civilians, criminals and organized crime groups across Latin America through direct smuggling or diverted legal sales.

Colombian authorities have warned that weapons linked to cocaine trafficking also enter the country through the land border with Bolivia, while surplus military weapons and ammunition from Venezuela are being diverted into Colombia.

In Mexico, drug cartels maintain direct ties with Colombian criminal groups.

Another source of weapons comes from those used in past conflicts in Central America — including the civil wars in El Salvador and Nicaragua — and in Eastern Europe. Many of these weapons continue to be reused and sold on the black market, eventually finding their way into Colombia.

Theft of legal weapons from military stockpiles, police forces or private security firms also contributes to the problem. These weapons are primarily destined for terrorist groups operating in Colombia, including FARC dissidents, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and the Gulf Clan, among others.

Since taking office, President Gustavo Petro has advanced his “Total Peace” strategy, which includes efforts to disarm illegal armed groups. The government has stepped up weapons seizures — destroying 23,500 firearms so far in 2024 — and the Ministry of Defense and National Police, through their intelligence and criminal investigation units, are working to dismantle trafficking networks.

Colombia’s Congress is considering legislation to regulate gun ownership and bolster the capabilities of security forces. One recurring proposal calls for lifting bank secrecy protections for public officials and members of the armed forces to combat the corruption that enables arms trafficking.

Organizations such as the Conflict Analysis Resource Center (CERAC) monitor and analyze the issue, warning of a correlation between the increase in firearms and rising homicide rates. According to the group, 32 people have been killed by stray bullets so far this year.

“Arms trafficking in Colombia is a persistent challenge that requires a multidimensional approach. Without effectively curbing this flow, the path toward peace and public safety will remain steep and marred by violence,” said Israel Vilchez, a journalist and international analyst for Cosmovisión.

Homicides across Los Angeles fell by more than 20% in the first half of the year, leaving the city on pace to end 2025 with its lowest total for that crime category in nearly 60 years, according to an LAPD tally.

Although violent crime persists in parts of the city, homicides overall in L.A. have dropped to 116 through June 28, the most recent date for which reliable data were available, compared to 152 in the same period last year.

Homicides have been on a steady downward trajectory since 2021, when total killings eclipsed 400 amid the tumult of the COVID-19 pandemic. The falling homicide rate in the years since mirrors a national trend, with Baltimore, Detroit and other major cities recording similar declines.

Experts say the country may be in the midst of the sharpest decline in killings in history — one that can’t be attributed to any single factor.

“What we’re seeing is a broader trend that goes over several years,” said Charis Kubrin, a professor of criminology, law and society at UC Irvine. “We’re seeing homicide rates go down all across the United States.”

The Los Angeles Police Department did not release homicide data in the 1970s, but it confirmed that the recent totals are on track for the lowest annual count since at least 1968.

Cities and unincorporated areas patrolled by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department are also recording fewer killings. Through May 31, the most recent date for which data was published, those parts of the county had recorded 58 homicides. Over last year, 184 people were killed in areas that fall under the agency’s jurisdiction, down nearly 100 from 2021.

The deflated crime numbers paint a decidedly different picture than the dystopian image of the city offered by President Trump and other senior U.S. officials as justification for the deployment of military troops in L.A. in recent weeks.

Areas in the city’s more southern neighborhoods that have historically borne the brunt of L.A.’s violent crime trends have seen some of the most impressive turnarounds.

Take the LAPD’s 77th Street Division in South Los Angeles, which in years past has logged higher homicide tallies than the entire San Fernando Valley combined. But killings there dropped from a recent high of 63 in 2021 to 38 last year. The neighboring Southeast Division, which covers Watts and surrounding communities, saw its tally decrease by more than a third in that span.

Kubrin and other researchers have long cautioned about reading too much into year-to-year crime data. She said the reasons for the improvements are likely rooted in the complicated and intertwined ways that cities have responded to the “stress, the political divisiveness and the economic downturn” since 2020.

“With all its diversity and challenges and issues, L.A. still reports lower homicide rates than other major cities,” she said.

A theory that violence dips during economic boom times gained traction after studies found that high homicide counts of the early 1990s coincided with a recession, but a similar downturn in the mid-2000s didn’t necessarily translate into more people being killed.

Conservatives point to mass tough-on-crime strategies, but Kubrin said other Western industrialized countries that lock up only a small fraction of the people as the U.S. also saw drops in crime.

The Trump administration has proposed slashing hundreds of millions in federal funding from school safety grants, youth mentoring programs and gang intervention networks, which research shows can help curb crime.

Jeff Asher, a leading expert in the field of criminology, deemed the recent period “the great murder decline,” which he attributed to “strong investment in communities from private and public sources after the shock of the pandemic.”

While the LAPD is already shrinking, some police critics continue to argue for shifting resources from the multibillion-dollar police budget to pay for programs that pull people out of poverty and provide them with stable income and housing.

LAPD Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton told The Times that beefed-up police presence on city streets in response to recent emergencies has almost certainly had a deterrent effect that reduced killings, in addition to efforts by gang interventionists and social workers.

But Hamilton, who runs the department’s detective bureau, warned that such gains could be eroded if the department continues to lose officers amid the city’s ongoing fiscal crisis. The city could also see an increase during the hot summer months when bloodshed tends to spike, he cautioned.

“Obviously we flooded the streets during the fires and during the unrest,” he said. The department’s strategy typically involves going after the small group of hardcore offenders driving most of the violence, an approach Hamilton said is paying off.

“I think we’re seeing the dividends of that, as opposed to casting a wide net,” he said.

WASHINGTON — Arrests continue to mount in the aggressive federal operation that began more than a month ago to track down and detain undocumented immigrants in Los Angeles, according to Homeland Security figures released Tuesday.

“DHS and its components’ immigration enforcement operations are ongoing in Los Angeles,” a Homeland Security official said in a statement provided to The Times. “Since operations began in June, ICE and CBP have arrested 2,792 illegal aliens in the L.A. area.”

Federal authorities said earlier that 1,618 undocumented immigrants had been detained between June 6 — the start of the DHS operation in Los Angeles — and June 22. The new total includes nearly 1,200 arrests in just over two weeks since then. President Trump deployed the National Guard and U.S. Marines in the city days after the operation began amid heated protests.

The latest figures were released a day after dozens of immigration agents and National Guard members swept through MacArthur Park, just west of downtown, forcing children from a summer camp to be rushed inside.

Gov. Gavin Newsom called it a “disgrace” and the action drew widespread condemnation from local officials. They have repeatedly criticized the federal operations for terrorizing immigrant communities, where business has slowed and many have holed up in their homes.

“The actions from the federal government over the last month do not represent the values of our city or of our country,” said City Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, who represents the area. “Sending United States soldiers to intimidate children at camp and señoras at the bus stop is not making anyone safer. Raiding Home Depots is not stopping crime. Tearing families away from their children isn’t upholding family values. And let me be clear, this cruelty and the chaos that we see is the point.”

The president’s immigration crackdown in Los Angeles has been a test case for the Trump administration as it presses the bounds of executive authority, deploying federal agents and the military to a major metropolitan city with leadership hostile to its cause of deporting mass numbers of immigrants.

The detentions have proven a challenge to local and state officials, who have been dealt setbacks in federal court over the ability of the White House to conduct enforcement operations at the local level.

The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has also ruled that Trump can maintain control of the California National Guard, for now, after he took the extraordinary step of federalizing the guard and deploying them to Los Angeles.

Wilner reported from Washington, Uranga from Los Angeles.

Dinosaurs ruled the box office once again this weekend as “Jurassic World Rebirth” hauled in a strong $147.3 domestically over the five-day Fourth of July period to kick off what industry insiders hope will be an impressive month at movie theaters.

The holiday total for “Jurassic World” in the U.S. and Canada exceeded industry expectations. Universal Pictures’ “Jurassic World” reboot was expected to gross $120 million to $130 million during its long opening weekend, according to analyst and studio projections.

The movie unseated Apple’s Brad Pitt racing film “F1 The Movie,” which landed in second place with $26.1 million domestically, bringing its total to $109.5 million in North America, according to distributor Warner Bros.

“Rebirth’s” 2022 predecessor, “Jurassic World: Dominion,” debuted with $145 million from its first three days of release and went on to collect $1 billion globally. The new movie carries an estimated production budget of $180 million, not counting marketing costs.

Big-budget creature features have global appeal, as the numbers showed. Opening in 82 countries outside the U.S. and Canada, “Rebirth” grossed $171 million internationally. That included $41.5 million from China, proving that Hollywood movies can still do well in the Middle Kingdom despite the dominance of local production in the populous country.

The global total for “Rebirth’s” opening was $318.3 million.

Directed by Gareth Edwards (“The Creator,” “Rogue One”) and starring Scarlett Johansson and Mahershala Ali, “Rebirth” earned unenthusiastic reviews from critics, notching a 52% approval rating on aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.

The “Jurassic” franchise has seen multiple iterations since Steven Spielberg’s 1993 blockbuster “Jurassic Park,” based on the popular Michael Crichton science fiction novel, wowed audiences with its combination of practical and computer-generated effects that gave the T. rex and other killer dinos their stunning realism. That film spawned not only sequels but toys, theme park attractions, animated series and video games.

Although the sequels, starting with Spielberg’s own “The Lost World,” never achieved the acclaim of the original, they continued to mint money for Universal and Spielberg’s production company, Amblin.

Prior to “Rebirth,” the “Jurassic” movies had grossed a total of roughly $6 billion worldwide, not adjusting for inflation, according to box office website The Numbers. The first “Jurassic Park” grossed $978 million worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo, which is equal to $1.86 billion in today’s dollars.

The latest “Jurassic” movie did not get a slot at Imax theaters, since those were taken up by “F1.” Next week, the valuable Imax real estate will be taken up by Warner Bros. and DC Studios’ “Superman.” Films shown on Imax often reap bigger box office numbers, aided in part by the higher ticket prices at those theaters, and because they’re viewed as more of a must-see event.

“Jurassic World” is the first of three big tentpole films arriving this month in theaters. In addition to “Superman,” Walt Disney Co. and Marvel Studios’ “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” opens in a few weeks.

July has historically been one of the strongest summer months at the box office, putting more pressure on these three films to deliver.

Despite big box office gains in April and May, June saw a string of underperforming films such as Lionsgate’s “John Wick” spinoff “Ballerina,” Sony Pictures’ “Karate Kid: Legends” and Disney and Pixar’s original animated effort “Elio.”

Theatrical business in June was 25% lower compared to the pre-pandemic average of June 2017, 2018 and 2019, according to David A. Gross’s FranchiseRe movie industry newsletter. It was also down 5.3% compared to last June, which saw big hits like Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” and Sony’s “Bad Boys: Ride or Die.”

“We see this ebb and flow,” said Shawn Robbins, founder of the website Box Office Theory. “These next four to five weeks will certainly give us a sense of how to grade the summer overall.”

IF your bins are kicking up a nasty smell, fear not, you’ve come to the right place.

With summer right around the corner, the warm weather can cause your bins to emit ghastly, unwanted odours.

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But to stop your dirty recycling from marinating in the heat and causing your neighbours to squirm, experts have revealed a variety of simple tips and tricks to keep your bins fresh all summer long.

According to Michael Bogoyavlenskiy, CEO of Cleaning Express, keeping your bins out of direct sunlight can help prevent foul smells.

And while it’s important to empty your bin every couple of days and make sure to dispose of anything “particularly pungent”, there’s also a variety of cleaning hacks that can banish grim smells.

On a mission to ensure my recycling bin smells fresh this season, I, Abby Wilson, tested three simple hacks. 

You probably already have at least two of these buys in your cupboards already, but don’t worry if your purse is feeling tighter than ever before, as all three are super affordable.

While the cheapest hack will cost you just 49p, your bin will be so clean you’ll be able to see your reflection thanks to a 55p trick. 

Wash this 

According to those at Busy Bins, a simple mixture of washing-up liquid and warm water will do the trick to banish seriously bad stenches from your bin.

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So, I got my Marigolds on and dived headfirst into the bin – and yes, it was as grim as you could imagine.

In between holding back gags and wiping my watering eyes, I scrubbed the interior of the recycling bin with the purse-friendly two-ingredient solution. 

I then gave the bin a quick rinse with a hose and I have to say, it looked pretty good.

Whilst it wasn’t great at getting rid of the tough stains and did require quite a bit of elbow grease (far more than I’d have hoped), it definitely cut through the strong smells.

It looked pretty good too and thanks to this cheap trick, your bins are sure to shine in no time.

While I used proper Fairy Liquid, if you’re on a budget and are looking to pocket pennies where possible, you’ll be thrilled to know that you can nab cheaper dish soap from just 49p from Savers.

Rating: 3/5 

Powerful paste 

After a couple of weeks, it appeared that my bin had gone back to its old ways and was still looking a bit grim.

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So I searched for something a bit stronger and bought myself a tub of The Pink Stuff, which you’ll find for only £1.50 from Poundland, Sainsbury’s and Dunelm. 

While this isn’t something I’ve heard many experts talk about when it comes to bin cleaning, I figured the multi-purpose paste which has been hailed as a “miracle” product that is said to be “tough on stains”, could do the trick.

But after literally five seconds of scrubbing, I was already starting to regret my decision.

Yes, this thick paste is super versatile, but it made a total mess on my bin.

The household items you’re not cleaning often enough

IF you want to ensure your home is squeaky clean, you’ll need to listen up. Below are the household items you’re forgetting to clean, and how to get them sparkling…

Remote Controls: Wipe with a disinfectant cloth. Use a cotton bud for crevices.

Light Switches: Wipe with a disinfectant wipe. Use a mild soap solution for tough stains.

Door Handles: Clean with an antibacterial spray. Wipe down regularly.

Underneath and Behind Appliances: Vacuum or sweep regularly. Mop with a suitable cleaner.

Shower Curtains and Liners: Wash in the washing machine. Use a bleach solution for stubborn mildew.

Kitchen Sponges and Dishcloths: Microwave damp sponges for one minute. Wash dishcloths in the washing machine.

Computer Keyboards and Mice: Use compressed air to remove debris. Wipe with a disinfectant wipe.

It was much more hassle than it was worth and there was far too much faff involved with getting rid of the white residue from my bin.

While I love using this product throughout my home, on my grubby oven and kitchen sink, I’m definitely not sold on using it to clean my bin.

Also, the scent is very faint, so it didn’t work as well as I’d hoped to keep my bin smelling fresh. 

Rating: 2/5 

Seriously strong 

Disappointed with the mess The Pink Stuff made, not only on my bin but all over me too, I reached for a household hero I knew wouldn’t let me down.

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Not only do I use bleach on my loos, but I imagined it would work well on my bin too.

According to the Wheelie Bin Cleaning Service, using bleach, which you can buy for just 55p from Tesco, is a great way to effectively disinfect a bin.

By bin was left so clean I could even see my reflection in it

Abby Wilson

The pros explained that bleach is a “strong cleaner” that “kills many bacteria, viruses, and fungi”, whilst working to “keep bins clean and fresh.”

Not only this, but the experts also recognised that it will “break down tough stains, grease and grime in bins”, whilst also “making bins look new and clean again.”

Eager to let the powerful product do its work, I diluted some bleach with water and threw the solution over the inside and outside of my recycling bin.

I then grabbed a long brush to spread the solution and left it to work for a few minutes.

Moments later, I thoroughly rinsed the bin to get rid of any residue, which is highly important when using bleach as it can be harmful to the environment and wildlife. 

As someone who would buy a bleach scented candle if it was available, I was overjoyed with the squeaky clean scent it left behind. 

Not only was it a cheap cleaning solution, but it definitely smelt the best out of the bunch too. 

But that wasn’t all – my bin was left so clean (definitely the cleanest it has EVER looked), I could even see my reflection in it – yes, you heard that correctly.

I highly doubt I’ll be popping outside and peering at my bin to check that my make-up and hair look decent, but if you really want your bins to shine, bleach may just be the thing for you. 

Although it left me very impressed, the experts recommend that bleach should not be used for routine cleaning of bins due to environmental concerns and the damage it can do to plastic over time. 

I’ll definitely do this trick again, but for those eager to give it a try, make sure you switch up your cleaning methods, dilute it properly before us and always wear gloves. 

Rating: 4/5 

Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club

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BBC Bargain Hunt viewers flocked to Twitter as the latest instalment of the beloved antiques show aired – and they were united in their frustration over the same issue

Bargain Hunt aficionados were left feeling miffed as they settled down for the latest instalment of the fan-favourite BBC show.

The episode whisked viewers away to Norfolk, specifically King’s Lynn and Swaffham, with stalwart auctioneer and TV personality Charlie Ross steering the ship alongside antiques aficionados Caroline Hawley and David Fergus.

However, no sooner had Charlie introduced the competing red and blue teams than did fans take to social media to express a sense of déjà vu plaguing the programme.

Disgruntled viewer took their frustration online, stating on X: “Bargain Hunt is so predictable. Needs a total shake up. Get rid of Charlie Ross would be first #bargainhunt.”

Complaints didn’t stop there, with another viewer chiming in during their midday break: “Just sat down at home to have some lunch with the wife before moving on to my next job and she’s watching Bargain Hunt on @BBC – I cannot believe that utter drivel is still going and it’s not changed since it first started!”, reports Cornwall Live.

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An additional comment came from a disappointed fan: “@BBCBargainHunt love this programme but editing a bit off today.”

Within the episode’s narrative, we saw team members Kerri and Lorraine of the red team compete against Bruno and Tom of the blue team, all set on snagging profits from their antique finds procured at a King’s Lynn fair before hitting the auction block.

The red team’s eclectic mix of items, including a Norwegian brooch, a vintage typewriter, and some dinner-service china, sadly failed to rake in the expected cash, culminating in a disappointing £40 loss.

Despite their items not making a profit and ending up £58 down, Lorraine stayed cheery, commenting: “Ah well, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves!” The blue team had banked on a vintage table football game, a captivating blue vase, and a duo of silver treasures to win over the bidders.

As Charlie declared the winners, the red team could not contain their excitement, which led to Charlie responding with amusement: “Shrieks of delight! So much joy despite not even making a profit.”

During the programme, viewers were treated to Dr Sue Gattuso’s intriguing stories about Howard Carter, shared with presenter Charlie Ross, revealing the exciting chronicles of the local legend and his significant find of Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922.

Charlie took a deep dive into the world of the celebrated Swaffham archaeologist, as the episode played out amidst Norfolk’s picturesque backdrop.