4 h. ago An explosive Grand Canyon wildfire brings terror, loss and tough questions: ‘It came like a freight train’

The decision to let a small blaze burn – before it suddenly erupted – has drawn scrutiny. Now those who love the remote North Rim are reckoning with the destruction When lightning struck on 4 July along the remote North Rim of Grand Canyon national park, sparking a small wildfire in a patch of dry forest, few predicted the terror and loss that lay ahead.Fire managers decided that conditions seemed ideal to let the blaze burn at a low intensity – a practice known as “control and contain” that helps clear out excess fuels and decreases the chance of a more catastrophic wildfire in the future. Rains from previous weeks had left the forest floor moist and weather forecasts indicated the summer monsoon season would arrive soon. Continue reading...

Events

9 h. ago Hackney birdsong? Stolen Lime bikes the new sound of summer in the city

Some in an east London park say they like the incessant beeping, but others that it’s an indication of low-level crimeBeep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep. Was that exhausting to read? Well, imagine if that noise was the soundtrack to your summer.To the ire of many city dwellers this year, it is. The piercing and persistent sound, something akin to a half-bothered fire alarm you accidentally set off, has been everywhere. Its origin? Lime e-bikes, specifically the stolen variety. Continue reading...

Politics

47 h. ago Best summer reads of 2025: Top selections for literary escapism

Explore a curated list of the best summer reads this year to pack on holiday or take to the park

Politics

50 h. ago Best festival tents for 2025: Top picks for Wilderness, Boomtown, Shambala and beyond

Ready for a summer of disco-tents? Festival season is back

Politics

3 d. ago Scotland’s older population struggle with independence during the summer months

New data shows that millions of older adults in the UK find the summer months just as isolating as the winter months. Whilst the majority of Brits have been basking in the heat, enjoying the sunshine and socialising, thousands of over-50s in Scotland remain trapped indoors, facing mobility challenges that limit their independence and contribute to a downward spiral of mental health.

Politics

3 d. ago The search for the drink of summer 2025 is over – and it’s Lonkero

Sorry, BuzzBallz, spicy paloma, Hugo spritz, Suntory –196 and Tiramibru, but nothing hits the spot like gin mixed with grapefruit sodaIdeally, to qualify for the title, the drink of the summer – like the song of the summer – should be obvious and undeniable, emerging some time in mid-June before spreading, as though on the breeze, to be inescapable by August.You should have never even heard of this beverage before the temperature hits 20C, then you shouldn’t be able to imagine life without it. You might return to it years later, and even enjoy it – but it should never hit quite the same way as it did that first summer it was everywhere. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Australia’s selectors took a punt on Sam Konstas as Test opener – and he is left with the debt | Geoff Lemon

There was no firm basis to pick the teenager to begin with, but having done so, his only chance of success was to be backed as though there wasSam Konstas had given up. After his duck in Grenada, he looked devastated. After his duck in Jamaica, resigned. On body language, here was a player expecting to make nothing and expecting to be dropped. After his second shot at batting in the third Test proved futile, his second stint of fielding was one of absence: late to move, throwing one hand at the first dropped catch, snatching at the second, misfielding the run that let West Indies escape the lowest Test score. On the tour that might have been his making, nothing had gone right.You had to feel sorry for him, still 19 years old in a team of ancient dads. He had walked into his Test career full of bravura and left it five matches later with an average of 16. In nine innings since his 60 on debut he has averaged 11. The cockiness must have curdled to embarrassment. This is not to pile on...

Politics

4 d. ago Boots shoppers who spend £36 can get over £139 worth of Sol de Janeiro, No7 and more free

The Boots X Women's Health Beauty Box contains 12 wellness and beauty treats that are perfect for getting the skin, hair and body summer-ready

Economics

4 d. ago Germany’s 16 states locked in row over dates of school summer holidays

Two southern states cling to past ruling that children are needed for harvest and claim the latest, most favoured slotGermany’s 16 states are locked in a fierce row over when they are able to take their summer school holidays, with the southernmost two accused of permanently hogging the best slots on the grounds that their children are required to help bring in the harvest.Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg are resisting calls from the other 14 federal states to join the long-held national rotation system of school summer holidays that the other states take part in. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago Republicans complain to Canada over wildfire smoke despite supporting planet

Lawmakers send letter railing against ‘suffocating’ smoke days after voting for Trump plan likely to boost pollutionA group of Republican lawmakers has complained that smoke from Canadian wildfires is ruining summer for Americans, just days after voting for a major bill that will cause more of the planet-heating pollution that is worsening wildfires.In a letter sent to Canada’s ambassador to the US, six Republican members of Congress wrote that wildfire smoke from Canada has been an issue for several years and recently their voters “have had to deal with suffocating Canadian wildfire smoke filling the air to begin the summer”. Continue reading...

Events

6 d. ago They have to be playing – Rhian Wilkinson seeking regular action for Wales squad

Five members of Wilkinson’s Euro 2025 selection were without clubs and more have since reached the end of their contracts.

Politics

8 d. ago Inside TikTok's literature boom: BookTok creators share their top summer reads

Stuck looking for your next beach read? With BookTok currently booming, four creators share their favourite reads and hottest trend predictions for this summer

Politics

8 d. ago ‘I was really dizzy’: Enzo Fernández reveals scare in heat of Club World Cup

Temperatures made Argentinian lie down in semi-finalHe brands playing conditions in US as ‘very dangerous’Enzo Fernández has said that the high temperatures at the Club World Cup are dangerous and revealed that he needed to lie down during Chelsea’s win over Fluminense because the heat left him feeling “really dizzy”.The Argentina midfielder is the latest player to criticise the tournament’s scheduling and call for Fifa to make changes before the World Cup takes place in Canada, Mexico and the US next summer. Continue reading...

Society

8 d. ago Slow starts, the breakdown and pressure of selection are weighing heavy on Lions | Ugo Monye

Andy Farrell has problems to solve before Test series and needs players to push their case in final warmup gameThe phoney war is coming to an end. One more warm-up match against a tasty looking Australia and New Zealand invitational side and then into the real thing. The Lions head coach, Andy Farrell, was asked how much he was holding back for the Test series and he replied it was exactly the same amount as Australia were. I’d expect nothing less.To give a sense of what that means, it’s not as if he’s asking players to give 80% of their capacity or that the Lions will be unrecognisable come the Test series. The framework they have been working with is the one they will use. But it’s the details where the Lions will try to hurt Australia that have been, to a degree, parked or kept back. You don’t necessarily want to show that in warm-up matches, certainly not your full hand. Continue reading...

Politics

9 d. ago Stereophonics at the Principality Stadium live updates as fans descend on Cardiff and roads close

Fans are arriving and the city is getting ready for another summer gig at the Principality Stadium

Politics

9 d. ago Scenic Scottish Getaways: Family Summer Breaks from £450 with Largo Leisure Parks

Largo Leisure Parks has unveiled a new summer offer, giving holidaymakers the chance to enjoy four-night midweek or three-night weekend peak summer breaks from just £450 across their six scenic parks in Scotland.

Economics

9 d. ago Tottenham remain interested in Yoane Wissa as Brentford reject £20m Nottingham Forest bid

Spurs have already spent around £170m this summer and are ready to do more business

Economics

9 d. ago Brilliant contemporary novels to read this summer: Bitter Sweet by Hattie Williams, Food Person by Adam Roberts, The Greatest Possible Good by Ben Brooks

Sara Lawrence reviews the best contemporary novels out now.

Politics

9 d. ago ‘Beautiful’ magnolia tree that ‘grew two feet in just two months’ is axed to under £25

Add some vibrant colour to your garden this summer with a twice-blooming magnolia tree that's ready to be planted as soon as it arrives - and it's under £25

Economics

1 week ago Hair expert reveals common summer mistake that can damage locks

The warmer months of the year can pose a range of challenges for our locks, as hot, dry air sucks out moisture.

Events