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Politics
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Nigel Farage and the £5m question that won’t go away – podcast
Reform UK’s finances have come under scrutiny like never before. What do we know about the party’s funding – and why do so many awkward questions remain for Nigel Farage? Anna Isaac explains For a while this year, it looked like nothing could stop Nigel Farage getting to Downing Street. Not the allegations of schoolboy racism, not the dodgy Cameo videos or even the £400,000 he trousered for advertising gold bullion. But at the end of April, the Guardian’s City editor, Anna Isaac , delivered a game-changing scoop. That Farage had been given a £5m gift, as he termed it, from the cryptocurrency billionaire Christopher Harbourne. Continue reading...
Crews building Trump border wall in drought-hit New Mexico ordered to stop drilling wells
Residents and farmers say contractors have tapped border aquifers that threaten water supply for those nearby Construction crews building a border wall in New Mexico were ordered to stop drilling new wells after ranchers said that pumping groundwater to produce concrete could threaten their livestock amid a severe drought. The order comes as crews across the southern border race to complete one of Donald Trump’s highest domestic priorities – barriers that span four states and received over $46bn in federal funding. Controversies have sprouted up in Texas and California, and border-town residents and environmentalists have reported a wide variety of issues with construction. Continue reading...
Japan’s prime minister tours quake-hit sites as recovery efforts hampered by soaring temperatures
Prime minister Sanae Takaichi visited Kumamoto prefecture almost a week after a magnitude 7.1 quake hit, killing 38 people Japan’s prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, has visited the south-western prefecture of Kumamoto, where recovery efforts are being hampered by heat and a lack of water supplies, almost a week after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake killed dozens and caused widespread damage. Thirty-eight people died during the quake , including one person who died of apparent heatstroke while taking shelter in a car in hot weather, officials said on Monday. Continue reading...
UFC flyweight Allan Nascimento dies aged 34 after apparent heart attack
UFC says Nascimento died in his sleep Brazilian flyweight was 34 years old Last fought in split-decision loss in June UFC fighter Allan Nascimento has been found dead at home at the age of 34, the organisation has announced. The Brazilian flyweight was pronounced dead after suffering an apparent heart attack in his sleep. Continue reading...
Alan Jones trial live updates: former radio broadcaster in Sydney court for day two of indecent assault case – latest news
Former 2UE and 2GB radio broadcaster is facing 22 charges. Jones, 85, has pleaded not guilty Warning: This live blog may contain graphic content when discussing evidence in the trial Jones allegedly gifted cash and car to teenager he kissed after commenting on sprinter’s penis, trial hears Welcome to day two of the Alan Jones indecent assault trial. On Monday, a former schoolboy athlete told the court he didn’t tell anyone that the broadcaster, now 85, was allegedly kissing him and touching his genitalia when he was a teenager because he was “fearful” of losing Jones’s financial support. The man, known as complainant J , is expected to continue giving evidence via video link on Tuesday. J is the first of six complainants expected to give evidence of their alleged indecent assault by Jones, who is facing 22 charges. The trial before judge Glenn Walsh at Downing Centre local court is expected to run for four months and hear from 76 witnesses. Continue reading...
‘This quarter was otherworldly’: Palantir earnings surge past expectations
Shares soar as yearly revenue up 93%, even as opposition grows to company’s role in Trump immigration agenda In a sea of companies reporting mixed financial results this quarter, Palantir stands out. Although Palantir was not immune to the AI jitters that caused industry-wide drops in share prices earlier this year, the AI and analytics company reported that its overall revenue grew 93% year over year to $1.94bn. That’s well over the $1.8bn Wall Street expected Palantir to bring in for the second quarter. The glowing financials sparked a 10% surge in share prices in the immediate aftermath. Despite growing opposition to Palantir’s work with various governments including the crucial role the company plays in the Trump administration’s immigration agenda, Palantir’s revenue from US government contracts grew 90% year over year to $809m. Continue reading...
NHS radiographers report rise in overt racist abuse by patients
Survey reveals medics were called ‘monkeys’ and ‘dirty foreigners’, and patients refused to be seen by black or Asian staff NHS radiographers are experiencing racist abuse by patients, who have called them “monkeys” and refused to be seen by black and Asian staff, according to a report. A survey of 381 members of the Society of Radiographers revealed a “noticeable” rise in instances of overt racism experienced and witnessed by radiographers across the health service over the past 18 months. Continue reading...
Trump accuses Jeanine Pirro of ‘folding’ by dropping reflecting pool charges
Trump ‘disappointed’ with US attorney amid reports he’s considering removing her from her post Trump’s reflecting pool saga: a timeline Donald Trump accused US attorney Jeanine Pirro of having “folded like an umbrella” amid reports that he was considering removing her from her post. Trump criticized Pirro on Monday after she dropped vandalism charges against a former Olympian accused of damaging the recently renovated Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool . Trump nominated Pirro to serve as interim US attorney for the District of Columbia last year, and the Senate later confirmed her in August. Continue reading...
Benjamin Alire Sáenz, first Latino winner of PEN/Faulkner award, dies aged 71
Celebrated writer, poet and novelist for young adults drew upon his sexuality and life on US southern border Benjamin Alire Sáenz, an award-winning fiction writer and poet who drew upon his sexuality and his life on the southern border, has died at age 71. He was the first Latino to win the PEN/Faulkner prize. Sáenz, who produced a story collection that won the PEN/Faulkner prize and a young adult novel that received acclaim from readers and reviewers and condemnation from censors, died on 28 July in El Paso, Texas, after a lengthy illness, according to a spokesperson for Simon & Schuster. Continue reading...
US states sue Trump administration over new tariffs on 60 trading partners
Twenty-five states ask the US Court of International Trade to halt tariffs, calling them unlawful A coalition of 25 US states sued the Trump administration on Monday over new tariffs pegged at 10% to 12.5% on goods from 60 trading partners, calling them a pretext for replacing import taxes struck down by the supreme court in February. The states are asking the US Court of International Trade to halt the tariffs, declare them unlawful and order refunds of duties that have already been paid. Continue reading...
Motion to Invoke Cloture: Motion to Proceed to H.R. 6500
Vote: Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Agreed to 89/4 Sen. Duckworth [D-IL]: Yea Sen. Durbin [D-IL]: Yea
Rapists, child abusers and groomers will not leave prison early, says PM
Andy Burnham will also delay release of thousands of prisoners across England and Wales a month, until October Rapists, child sexual abusers and groomers will be excluded from early release plans to ease critical prison overcrowding in a major intervention by Andy Burnham. The prime minister said on Tuesday that he will delay the planned early release of thousands of prisoners across England and Wales by a month until October. Continue reading...
Far-right Republican accused of stiffing student debate champion of $8,000
Briana Whatley sues Florida gubernatorial candidate James Fishback for unpaid scholarship from company he founded A far-right Republican candidate in Florida’s governor’s race has been accused of stiffing a high school debate champion over the better part of $11,000 in scholarship money she won from a company he founded. Student Briana Whatley landed the awards as regional and national champion of Incubate Debate, a league-style competition set up by the candidate, James Fishback, to encourage youth to engage in political discourse. Continue reading...
US House ethics panel recommends censuring North Carolina’s Chuck Edwards
Republican congressman was investigated for untoward and inappropriate advances toward two female staffers The US House of Representatives ethics committee on Monday recommended that Chuck Edwards, a Republican congressman, face censure after determining he “fostered a hostile work environment and engaged in sexual harassment” by giving gifts and lavishing attention on two young female staffers. The bipartisan panel began investigating the second-term North Carolina congressman earlier this year, after receiving complaints about his conduct. In their report, they determined Edwards broke House rules by singling out the two unidentified aides for special treatment that made them uncomfortable and harmed relations with other employees. Continue reading...
MLS investigates reports of antisemitic chants toward New England’s Dor Turgeman in Montreal
Israeli striker scored, then gestured at CF Montréal fans Revolution ‘strongly condemn’ the chants The New England Revolution have denounced chants they deemed “antisemitic” and “discriminatory” from CF Montréal fans during Saturday’s MLS matchup between the sides in Quebec. The specific chants were directed towards New England’s Israeli striker Dor Turgeman, with other outlets reporting that fans chanted “death to Israel” and “free Palestine”. MLS on Monday confirmed it was “aware of reported antisemitic and discriminatory language directed at a New England Revolution player” and that the matter is under investigation. Continue reading...
‘Completely hollow’: critics denounce Blanche deal to halt Trump slush fund
Democrats say agreement – which clears way for Blanche’s confirmation – makes promises president can easily reverse A compromise between Todd Blanche and two Republican senators that potentially cleared the way for Blanche’s confirmation as attorney general is weak, Democrats and several experts said, as it makes promises Donald Trump can easily reverse. Blanche, the acting attorney general, posted two documents on Sunday evening showing he was withdrawing an 18 May order allowing for the creation of a $1.8bn weaponization fund and clarifying that broad tax immunity the justice department granted to Trump only applied retroactively to the president, his sons, and businesses. Continue reading...
Australia news live: charges laid after alleged replica gun scare in Sydney entertainment spot
Two men were arrested on Monday evening and one was charged over an alleged replica pistol. Follow today’s news live. Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories and then it will be Nick Visser with the main action. We start with charges that have been laid overnight after a security scare and major police action at Sydney’s popular Moore Park entertainment precinct. More on that soon Continue reading...
LAFC co-managing owner Larry Berg voted as next MLS commissioner
Berg is a senior partner at private equity firm 26North Commissioner will succeed Don Garber The Major League Soccer board of governors has voted to install LAFC co-managing owner Larry Berg as the league’s next commissioner, according to a source familiar with the vote. Sportico was first to report the news. Berg will succeed Don Garber as the head of the 30-year-old league, with a term starting after Garber officially steps down. He will be the third commissioner in MLS history. Continue reading...
Nolan Wells death: at least two people charged over alleged threats to officials
Threats come as questions surround death of Mississippi teenager, who was found dead after boat trip with friends Several people with no apparent connection to the Nolan Wells case have been criminally charged with making threats amid questions surrounding the Mississippi teenager’s death in July. The death of the 18-year-old Mississippi college freshman has drawn widespread attention since he was found dead following a boat trip to Horn Island, several miles off the Mississippi Gulf coast, with a group of friends. Continue reading...
Greek authorities investigate motive behind murder of Scottish woman found inside suitcase
Inquiries have focused on Elisabeth-Jane Ross’s last few hours alive and police believe they hold the key to why 38-year-old was targeted Greek authorities are investigating what may have motivated a 26-year-old Afghan man to kill a Scottish charity worker found dead in a suitcase in an abandoned building in Athens last month. Inquiries have focused increasingly on Elisabeth-Jane Ross’s last few hours alive and police believe they hold the key to revealing why the 38-year-old was targeted. Continue reading...
ICE detainee reveals video of drinking water apparently contaminated with worm-like creatures
‘Disturbing’ footage shared by California detainee surfaces amid wider complaints about conditions in ICE detention Attorneys for a man detained in a California immigration detention center have released footage showing him holding up a bottle of water from inside the facility that appeared to be contaminated with worm-like creatures. The footage came from a video call with Carlitos Ricardo Parias, a Los Angeles man who has been detained for months at the Adelanto Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility, north-east of LA. Continue reading...
Former neo-Nazi activist selected as Tory candidate for Somerset council election
Joshua Bonehill-Paine, creator of satirical Crewkerne Gazette, has convictions including harassment of a Jewish MP A former neo-Nazi activist with convictions including the harassment of a Jewish MP has been selected as a Conservative candidate for a local election in Somerset. Joshua Bonehill-Paine, the creator of the viral Crewkerne Gazette series of AI clips , is due to stand for election to Somerset council next year in a new Crewkerne South district. He told the Guardian he was an executive member of the Tories’ Yeovil branch, working as an events organiser. Continue reading...
Rupert Lowe’s ‘olive branch’ to Farage piles more pressure on Reform leader
Restore leader has countered charges he’s splitting the right while showing his party is a very real obstacle for Reform Even by the standards of their rivalry, the speed at which Rupert Lowe’s olive branch to Nigel Farage morphed into fresh recriminations between the two was swift. It began with a softly lit 12-minute video posted on Sunday by the Restore Britain leader, looking straight to camera and referring to “Nigel” as he suggested his party could be willing to cast aside its differences with Reform UK and work together. Continue reading...
Trump meets his obstinate match in Iran’s hardball regime
US president reduced to bemoaning Tehran’s ‘unbelievable duplicity’ as he struggles to find solid negotiating ground Middle East crisis live – latest updates The Donald Trump doctrine has always contained a tenuous relationship with the truth. It was his mentor, the infamous New York lawyer Roy Cohn , who taught the young real estate mogul always to claim victory and never to admit defeat. Unfortunately for Trump, in Iran the US president has found a counterpart just as stubborn as himself. As Trump claims new negotiations are to begin with Tehran this week, Iran has shown it can also reignite the conflict by lobbing ballistic missiles at US bases in the region and maintaining a stranglehold on the strait of Hormuz, effectively taking initiative in the stalled peace process. And time is of the essence for Trump as the clock ticks toward a global energy crisis and a painful midterm elections for him and his Republican party. Continue reading...