‘Devastating’: California had record rainfall last year, but lacked infrastructure to store it

California does not have a water shortage, yet firefighters battling the brutal fires across Los Angeles are facing scarce resources to keep up with the blaze that has threatened thousands of lives, homes, land and wildlife.  Meanwhile, critics challenge Gov. Gavin Newsom’s call to “not play politics,” arguing that political mismanagement is precisely to blame. … Read more

‘My best friend and I married each other as kids on holiday at the beach. It would be the closest she would come to a real wedding’

Summer holidays are a time of memory-making. We asked Guardian writers and contributors to share some of the summer holiday photos that transport them back to a simpler time More summer essentials Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast It had always been Harriet’s dream to get married more than mine. … Read more