41 h. ago ‘The forgotten forest’: how smashing 5.6m urchins saved a California kelp paradise

Pollution, warm oceans and hungry urchins devastated Pacific kelp. Now, thanks to divers with hammers, one of the world’s most successful rehabilitation projects has helped it reboundOn an overcast Tuesday in July, divers Mitch Johnson and Sean Taylor shimmy into their wetsuits on the back of the R/V Xenarcha, a 28ft boat floating off the coast of Rancho Palos Verdes, south of Los Angeles. Behind them, the clear waters of the Pacific are dotted with a forest of army-green strands, waving like mermaid hair underwater.We are here to survey the giant Pacific kelp, a species that once thrived in these ice cold waters. But over the past two decades, a combination of warm ocean temperatures, pollution, overfishing and the proliferation of hungry sea urchins that devour the kelp has led to a 80% decline in the forest along the southern California coast. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago California and Oregon fire crews battle several blazes as forecasters warn more may spark

Firefighters try to corral Garnet fire, with parts of California under red flag warning, as Oregon blaze destroys homesNumerous wildfires across the US west coast are challenging emergency crews from California wine country to central Oregon, as weather forecasters warned that the risks of more blazes sparking is not over yet.In central California, firefighters are working to corral a fast-growing wildfire that is churning through the Sierra national forest as forecasters warned on Tuesday that lightning strikes from thunderstorms could ignite new fires. Since breaking out on Sunday afternoon, the Garnet fire has scorched 14 sq miles (36 sq km) of grass, chaparral and timber in a remote area known for camping and hiking about 60 miles (97km) east of Fresno. The fire is currently at 0% containment, and officials said that “strong, erratic winds” would likely test firefighters ability to make progress. Continue reading...

Events

6 d. ago Firefighters try to corral California forest blaze as lightning strikes bring risk of new ignitions

Firefighting crews are trying to corral a fast-growing blaze churning through central California’s Sierra National Forest, as forecasters warn that lightning strikes from thunderstorms could spark new ignitions

Events

8 d. ago Darwin Nunez sends another message to Liverpool as Alexander Isak transfer stalls

Liverpool sold Darwin Nunez to Al-Hilal earlier this summer and the Reds are hoping to bring in Newcastle striker Alexander Isak as his replacement, but the deal has stalled

Politics

1 week ago Tube strike warning to Coldplay fans heading to see band at Wembley

London Underground workers will stage a series of strikes next month that could bring travel chaos to the capital.

Events

2 w. ago Tens of thousands of protesters gather in Tel Aviv to demand end to Gaza war

One of largest rallies in Israel since start of conflict follows general strike to press government to stop military actionTens of thousands of demonstrators have gathered in Tel Aviv to call for an end to the war in Gaza and the release of hostages, one of the largest demonstrations in Israel since the start of the fighting in October 2023.The rally on Sunday evening was the culmination of a day of nationwide protests and a general strike to pressure the government to halt the military campaign. “Bring them all home! Stop the war!” shouted the vast crowd, which had converged on the so-called Hostage Square in Tel Aviv plaza – a focal point for protesters throughout the war. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Hundreds of thousands of protesters gather in Tel Aviv to demand end to Gaza war

One of largest rallies in Israel since start of conflict follows general strike to press government to stop military actionHundreds of thousands of demonstrators have gathered in Tel Aviv to call for an end to the war in Gaza and the release of hostages, one of the largest demonstrations in Israel since the start of the fighting in October 2023.The rally on Sunday evening was the culmination of a day of nationwide protests and a general strike to pressure the government to halt the military campaign. “Bring them all home! Stop the war!” shouted the vast crowd, which had converged on the so-called Hostage Square in Tel Aviv plaza – a focal point for protesters throughout the war. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago California wildfire scorches 72,000 acres and threatens 450 homes

The Gifford fire has spread through Los Padres forest, prompting evacuations and injuring at least three peopleA massive wildfire tearing through California’s Los Padres national forest is threatening hundreds of homes, after injuring at least three people in days before.The Gifford fire has already scorched more than 72,000 acres in coastal Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, north of Los Angeles, and was still burning out of control on Tuesday morning, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as Cal Fire. It is 7% contained. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Massive central California wildfire threatens more than 800 structures and leaves 3 injured

More than 800 structures are being threatened by a massive wildfire burning through Los Padres National Forest in central California

Events

3 w. ago Gifford Fire destroys 72,000 acres as high wind warnings raise fears California blaze could grow

At least three people have been injured and hundreds are under evacuation orders due to the wildfire in south-central California

Events

4 w. ago Crews struggle to contain massive California wildfire that's injured 3 people

Hundreds of remote homes are threatened by a massive wildfire churning through Los Padres National Forest in central California

Events

4 w. ago Gifford Fire destroys 65,000 acres as high wind warnings raise fears California blaze could grow

At least three people have been injured and hundreds are under evacuation orders due to the wildfire in south-central California

Events