LOS ANGELES (AP) — Win or lose, billionaire Democrat Tom Steyer will leave a mark in the history books in his bid to become California’s next governor — he’s running the most expensive political advertising campaign in the country this year.

Steyer — a former hedge fund manager turned liberal activist — has spent or booked more than $195 million in ads for broadcast TV, cable and radio with the tally still growing, according to data compiled by advertising tracker AdImpact.

His torrent of ads have opened the one-time presidential candidate to criticism that he is trying to buy the governor’s chair, and his ad total represents more than 20 times the amount spent by his nearest rival, fellow Democrat Xavier Becerra, as the two duel for a spot in the November election.

Nationally, no one is close.

In Georgia, Republican health care executive Rick Jackson has spent about $83 million on advertising in his primary race for governor, which is headed for a June runoff, ranking him second. The third place spot is held by his Republican rival, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who has President Donald Trump’s endorsement and has spent nearly $31 million on ads, according to AdImpact.

Following Jones was Democratic U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois, who spent over $28 million on advertising in a failed bid for U.S. Senate.

Trying to ‘buy the governor’s office?’

Katie Porter, a former U.S. House member who is among seven established Democrats in the California race, has repeatedly criticized Steyer for dipping into his personal fortune to keep ads in front of voters with scant competition from rivals.

“She isn’t spending hundreds of millions of dollars of personal wealth trying to buy the governor’s office,” her campaign wrote in an email to supporters.

In raw numbers, Steyer ad blitz has eclipsed the 2010 record set by Republican Meg Whitman, who spent $178.5 million in total on a losing bid for governor, much of it her own money. At the time, it was the costliest campaign for statewide office in the nation’s history. When adjusted for inflation, however, Whitman still holds the state record, but that represented spending for the full election, not just the primary.

A crowded field with no clear leader

Steyer’s record-level output has lifted him into contention in the crowded race but he’s not breaking away from the field. He’s among a leading group of several candidates — including Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton — as the campaign heads toward a June 2 primary. Mail voting started earlier this month.

Still, Steyer’s cash advantage is giving him a publicity edge as the contest enters its crucial final days. He’s kept up a steady flow of advertising and online posts questioning Becerra’s credentials and record, with Becerra, a former state attorney general and Biden administration health secretary, lacking the funds to reply in kind.

One Becerra ad sought to connect with voters who might be getting bleary-eyed from the cascade of Steyer advertising. It used tranquil scenes of Joshua trees, waves curling on a beach and soaring redwoods with a gentle prod, “You can stop the endless Tom Steyer ads. Vote Xavier Becerra.”

Steyer’s financial edge has allowed him to stretch the boundaries of his campaign far beyond traditional TV and radio ads, with steady posts on online platforms like YouTube and Instagram. The New York Times reported that his campaign paid a progressive Texas influencer $100,000 to help Steyer win the election. The Sacramento Bee reported that Becerra, too, had hired an influencer.

Many voters have been slow to vote in a race without a star candidate and no clear leader. More than 50 names will be on the ballot. California uses a “top two” primary system that puts all candidates on one ballot, with only the top two vote-getters advancing to November, regardless of party.

“In a race this close, it all matters,” said Democratic consultant Andrew Acosta.

Money doesn’t always make the difference

History shows that money doesn’t always translate into votes.

Billionaire developer Rick Caruso spent over $100 million in 2022 in his bid to become Los Angeles mayor, much of it his own money, but he was handily defeated by Mayor Karen Bass, who spent a fraction of Caruso’s total. Billionaire former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg spent more than $1 billion of his own money on his 2020 presidential bid before dropping out. And Steyer’s money was unable to lift him into contention in the 2020 presidential contest, when he dropped out early in the year after a poor finish in the South Carolina primary.

Democratic San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan’s campaign for governor was supported by independent committees bankrolled with millions of dollars from tech leaders and venture capitalists, yet he failed to gain traction in the race.

Steyer has never held elected office.

In a 2019 interview with The Associated Press, Steyer was asked what he would say to people who think he’s trying to buy the presidency.

“I don’t think that’s possible,” Steyer said at the time, before adding, “I’m never going to apologize for succeeding in business. That’s America, right?”

The contest is unfolding as California struggles with a long-running homeless crisis, wildfire insurance shortages, projected budget shortfalls and housing costs that are out of reach for many working-class families. Voters, meanwhile, are saddled with growing everyday bills for groceries, utilities and gas.

The AdImpact data does not include ads on some popular streaming services like Hulu and YouTube or mail advertising.

US President Donald Trump is transforming Washington DC by renaming institutions with his name, doing major renovations at historic sites and putting his face around the city.

BBC’s North America editor Sarah Smith visits the sites he’s changing, including the Trump Kennedy Center, the Donald J Trump United States Institute of Peace and the White House, where a ballroom is being built.

Paris St Germain are set to face Arsenal in the Champions League final on Saturday, guided by Luis Enrique, a manager who has cultivated one of modern football’s most formidable records in high-stakes matches over the past decade.

The Spaniard boasts an impressive tally of 11 victories from the 12 one-off club finals he has overseen, a remarkable sequence spanning two distinct eras, different football cultures, and two iterations of elite dominance.

His initial taste of European glory came with Barcelona’s constellation of individual talent, a feat he now aims to replicate with PSG’s collective might.

Luis Enrique’s approach to finals is particularly striking. His teams rarely just survive; they tend to seize control early, dictate the rhythm, and relentlessly wear down opponents.

His Barcelona side famously overwhelmed Juventus 3-1 in the 2015 Champions League final to secure the treble.

Months later, they outlasted Sevilla in a thrilling 5-4 Uefa Super Cup clash, a testament to their attacking prowess. Further Copa del Rey triumphs and a Club World Cup title against River Plate cemented the perception of his Barcelona team as a force in perpetual motion.

At PSG, the aesthetic has evolved. This iteration is less ornamental, more aggressive without possession, and more inclined to suffocate opponents through intense pressure and movement rather than relying solely on prolonged spells of possession.

Yet, the underlying philosophy remains constant: Luis Enrique’s teams approach finals as if any hint of hesitation would be fatal.

This mentality was vividly displayed last year when PSG dismantled Inter Milan 5-0 in the Champions League final, a performance of precision and pressure that felt less like a tense European decider and more like an inevitable conclusion.

The sole blemish on Luis Enrique’s otherwise perfect record in one-off club finals occurred weeks later in the Club World Cup, where PSG suffered a 3-0 defeat by Chelsea.

However, this loss was attributed to exceptional circumstances at the culmination of an exhausting campaign, during which PSG had competed in every available competition, pushing a season of relentless intensity to its physical and emotional limits. Far from diminishing Luis Enrique’s aura, the defeat arguably reinforced it.

This season, Luis Enrique has successfully revitalised a squad that appeared to be running out of steam during the winter months.

Ivan Rakitic, who at the time had been dropped from Barcelona’s starting line-up in 2017, said: “If I had to throw myself off a bridge for him, I would do it without hesitation. With just a look or a smile, he gives you the confidence necessary to succeed.”

Now, another final awaits. Luis Enrique has told journalists that Arsenal are the best team in the world without the ball, while simultaneously informing his own players that they are the best with it.

PSG typically dominate possession, and their transition game is arguably among the most lethal.

For Arsenal, the challenge extends beyond technical or tactical considerations; it is also profoundly psychological. They face a team that has made finals feel routine under Luis Enrique, a coach who appears most dangerous precisely when the stakes are highest.

Across his tenures at Barcelona and PSG, through different squads, systems, and generations, one pattern has consistently endured: when Luis Enrique reaches a one-off club final, he almost invariably departs with the trophy.

The storage box is both practical and can beautify your garden

While many garden storage solutions are often large chunks of plastic or metal that can be an eyesore, there are alternatives out there that can complement the natural beauty of your garden. Throughout the spring and summer, you will no doubt spend plenty of extra hours refining your garden.

While adding extra storage to your front garden, though, having some additional utility alongside extra space for more plants or flowers could be just what you’re looking for. In comes the Parcel Store with Planter, reduced at Dunelm from £129 to £103.20.

This natural-looking storage solution is designed especially to help hold any parcels sent to your door safely, while also adding some extra beauty to your house. It helps to do this with its ‘easy lift lid’ and generous capacity of 0.048m3, allowing for even larger-sized parcels.

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However, its crowning feature is the built-in planter in the Parcel Store’s front compartment. This smaller planter allows you to fit your favourite flowers or plants to beautify the storage solution.

This is emphasised by the sustainably sourced, slow-grown softwood, which provides a natural, light wood appearance throughout the Parcel Store. According to Dunelm, it can also be used to store other essential items, such as wellies or small garden tools.

However, if you want more storage space, you could grab the Keter Store It Out Nova, which is currently available on Amazon for £130. This storage shed is made of weather-resistant resin and has a generous 880L storage capacity.

Otherwise, you could grab the Aoxun Garden Cabinet, which is available on Amazon for £189.99. This comes with two adjustable shelves and is waterproof, helping to ensure that anything stored inside is protected from the rain and other turbulent conditions.

Many shoppers who previously used the Dunelm Parcel Store with Planter praised its functionality, with one writing: “Attractive by the front door. Ample planting area. Delivery couriers happy to place parcels in the box. Well made.”

Another added: “Arrived in good condition, went together quite easily and appears to be robust and weather resistant. Good value for money.”

A third said: “This is a really useful item for me. I didn’t have much trouble with the assembly. It looks great and I am trying to find a suitable planter to put in the trough.”

A fourth added: “I’m very happy with my Planter, it looks great & will be very useful when I next have a delivery.”

A fifth said: “Good quality and very big looks good next to my front door, haven’t planted it up yet.” While a sixth said: “Great quality planter and perfect for parcel storage.”

However, one customer added: “Very nice but there are no predrilled holes in the side pieces. I assumed all holes would be predrilled. I cant complete it as i do not have a drill. Disappointed.”

Another added that they struggled to put it together, noting: “I had to get a drill and an electric screwdriver to put this together.”

Eid al Adha is also written as Eid ul Adha, and sometimes referred to as Qurbani Eid, Bakra Eid and Greater Eid.

It occurs during the final month of the Islamic calendar, called Dhul Hijah.

It is celebrated around two months after Eid al Fitr.

Eid al Adha is a three-day festival which takes place at the end of Hajj, the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam.

Eid al Adha is seen as the holier of the two Eids, due to its connection to Hajj.

Nuno Espirito Santo will stay on as West Ham manager to lead their fight to get back to the Premier League at the first attempt.

Nuno met with the club’s senior management on Monday in the wake of their relegation from the top flight.

Although both parties could have severed ties without compensation, they decided to stick together in the hope Nuno will repeat his promotion campaign with Wolves in 2018.

“We are pleased to confirm he has expressed his continued commitment to the club – as we have to him,” wrote the club in an open letter to supporters.

“Nuno made it very clear that he is highly motivated for the challenge of guiding West Ham United back to the top flight at the first time of asking. That must be the unquestionable goal for next season.

“Nuno has spent one previous year in the Championship and it was an outstanding success as he secured 99 points to win the title with Wolverhampton Wanderers.”

The black dress could easily be styled with jewellery for an evening outfit

Summer is fast approaching and you might have a holiday planned that you need to prepare some outfits for. If you are tired of your old summer clothes, you could take a shopping trip to help refresh your wardrobe ahead of the summer season.

Tesco’s clothing brand, F&F, has just released the F&F Pure Cotton Halter Neck Midi Beach Dress in Black that is described as being “perfect for beach days”. The dress is a “stylish piece” to add to your collection and you are sure to get a lot of wear out of it through the hotter months.

Boden also has loads of different dress options if this Tesco piece is not quite for you. There is this Irene Puff Sleeve Cotton Dress, which would look great at a summer garden party, or this simple Halter Neck Jersey Maxi Dress that you could wear in the evening.

New Look also has plenty of items in stock for summer. There is this Green Satin Lace Trim Slip Midi Dress, which comes in a few different colours, or this Cream Shell Print Beaded Strap Maxi Dress that reviews say is made from a “lovely” fabric and is the “perfect length”.

The F&F halter neck dress has a tiered skirt and crochet detailing and could easily be styled to create a more formal look. The dress is currently being sold for £25 with Clubcard members able to get an extra 25% off the item until the end of May.

The dress was shared in a video with other summery outfits on the Tesco F&F Instagram page, which currently has 891K followers. The post was captioned: “A summer wardrobe refresh with @alannahjayy #FandFClothing #StyleItOut.”

Fans of the popular clothing brand have already taken to social media to share their thoughts on the gorgeous piece. One commenter said: “The black dress wow,” and another said: “Love the crocheted waisted maxi…”

If you want to pick up the dress for your upcoming holiday, you can go to the Tesco website to browse all of its clothes. If you prefer to shop in person, you could visit a Tesco store with a clothing department.

“You have brought something to this role that cannot be replaced and this chamber will feel a little bit quieter without you”

Tears were shed in an emotional meeting as Stockport Council enters a new era. For the first time in 15 years, the borough is now ‘properly gold’ as the Liberal Democrats take over in ‘challenging times’

Following the most recent local elections, the party now has 34 councillors in Stockport Council while Labour are on 14. Other parties and independents make up the other 15.

This means the ruling party now have enough members to run the council singlehandedly though re-elected council leader Coun Mark Roberts promised to continue to work with other parties going forward. The changes at the local authority also come at a time when the town is going through major changes amid a ‘gold rush’.

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At a meeting on May 26, councillors also agreed to appoint former leader Coun Mark Hunter to represent the borough as its ceremonial Mayor. Coun David Meller was appointed as deputy Mayor.

Coun Jilly Julian has been appointed as deputy leader while key positions overseeing children’s services, parks maintenance, transport, housing, and regeneration have all been appointed. Labour Coun Rachel Wise will lead the largest opposition group going forward.

In a speech on May 26, Coun Roberts said his party ‘made history in Stockport having turned the town properly gold for the first time in 15 years’, adding: “We have real momentum as we push forward with our priorities and ambition for this borough.”

He added: “We are in challenging times, Mr Mayor, national and international pressures continue. Economic uncertainty continues. Rising costs and stretched services continue with inadequate funding that paints a very difficult picture.”

However he promised to take on those challenges with ‘a clear and unwavering vision’, adding: “We have work to do, important work, and I know that together with determination, compassion, and ambition we can make Stockport stronger, fairer and more resilient than ever.”

Tears were shed at the meeting as tributes were made to outgoing Mayor Kerry Waters who decided to step down as a councillor ahead of the 2026 elections. Ms Waters, who was first elected in 2019, used to represent Brinnington and Central Stockport.

Former Labour leader Coun Christine Carrigan, visibly emotional, paid tribute with comments from colleagues across political parties. She said: “You have brought something to this role that cannot be replaced and this chamber will feel a little bit quieter without you.”

Ms Waters, who attended over 300 events as Mayor, said: “It has been a huge honour and privilege for both [Mayoress] Wendy [Nadin] and I and we have truly loved every minute.”

The competition is being run by HC-One’s St Margaret’s Care Home, in Durham, as part of the launch of a new social hub designed for relaxation, refreshments, and time with family and friends.

Open to residents, relatives, and the wider community, the competition aims to find a fitting name for the space, with residents set to choose the winning entry.

The hamper prize at St Margaret’s Care Home (Image: Supplied)

Laura Langridge, senior home manager at St Margaret’s Care Home, said: “We are delighted to be creating a new coffee shop space for our residents, families, and visitors to enjoy together.

“It will be a lovely place for people to relax, socialise, and spend quality time with one another, so it feels only right that residents play a central role in choosing its name.”

Submissions are encouraged via email to alex.huke@hc-one.co.uk, with the competition closing before the closing date on 4th June.

The winner will receive a hamper.

The care home hopes to receive plenty of suggestions before the space is officially unveiled later in the summer.

The coffee shop is part of St Margaret’s ongoing focus on creating comfortable and engaging environments that support wellbeing, independence, and social connection for residents.

St Margaret’s Care Home, overlooking Durham Cathedral and Castle, is a purpose-built 59-bed facility offering residential, nursing, and residential dementia care.

It forms part of HC-One, the largest provider of adult social care in Great Britain, operating over 280 homes across England, Wales and Scotland.

Founded in 2011, HC-One employs the largest health and care workforces outside of the NHS.

Further details about the competition or the care home can be found by emailing alex.huke@hc-one.co.uk.