The investigation into Nigel Farage regarding his failure to declare a £5m gift from crypto-billionaire Christopher Harborne has resumed following his re-election as MP for Clacton. The inquiry will also examine support from fraudster George Cottrell, who provided Farage with accommodation and social media funding in 2024. If found in violation of parliamentary rules and suspended for at least 10 sitting days, Farage could face a recall petition if 10% of local voters demand it.
United States air safety investigators reported evidence of metal fatigue in an engine fan blade that fractured during a Ryanair flight on July 10, with approximately 37 percent of the fracture surface showing fatigue signs. The incident, which occurred on a Boeing 737-800 at an altitude of 16,000 feet (4,877 meters), led to cabin depressurization and injuries to a 61-year-old passenger who was partially ejected through a shattered window. The NTSB is still investigating the root cause, noting that the engine had been involved in four suspected bird strikes over the previous year, though it has not been determined if a bird strike caused the failure.
In Bakau, The Gambia, a gathering of 13 women from the Kanyeleng tradition expresses solidarity through song and dance, with contributions from both younger and older members, including 84-year-old Mentending Trawally. The Kanyeleng tradition, vital for women who have faced infertility and child loss, consists of over 100 groups nationwide and has deep roots in Mandinka culture, extending to neighboring countries such as Senegal and Sierra Leone. Trawally, named after a tomato to symbolize survival amidst hardship, recalls her family's connection to this tradition, having lost five pregnancies herself, which deeply impacted her identity within the community.
Crossbenchers and the Greens have criticized the Albanese government's proposed overhaul of the NDIS, labeling it as "too far, too fast" in a Senate inquiry report, as the changes are set to pass Parliament, potentially impacting the budget for over 770,000 Australians with disabilities. The government aims to save $37.8 billion over four years through tightened eligibility criteria and a potential 99% funding reduction for individuals, with 241,000 participants expected to be removed from the scheme by June 2031. Disability advocacy groups warn that these amendments will shift care responsibilities to families, disproportionately affecting women, while emphasizing that the experiences of people with disabilities must remain a priority in this reform process.
New lending to property investors in Australia fell almost 9% in the three months to June, primarily due to three interest rate hikes and changes in investor tax policy. The number of loans for established properties dropped by 14.8%, while loans for new builds increased by 4.4%, reaching a record high, indicating a shift in investor focus. Experts view these trends as a small positive step toward a more equitable housing market, reducing competition for first home buyers.
Deivi and Winder Delfín, two brothers who lost three family members, including their mother, in devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24, have moved to Cali, Colombia, where they felt another tremor just three days after their arrival. The earthquakes, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, killed over 6,300 people, and the brothers, now traumatized, spent nearly a month searching for their loved ones among the rubble. After discovering the bodies of their mother and younger brother Moisés, they laid them to rest and now live with their father, hoping for a new life filled with hard work and study.
Twenty-one white storks were released on Bodmin Moor, Cornwall, marking the first time these birds have been freed into the area, with hopes they will return to breed in the future. The storks, most of which were hatched this year, will acclimatize for a couple of months in Cornwall before migrating south for the winter, possibly to southern Spain or Morocco. The initiative is part of the Cornwall Stork Project, which began in 2021 and currently includes five pairs of adult storks that were either rescued or bred in captivity, following a successful model from a similar project in West Sussex.
South Africa and Ghana have secured Africa's two spots in FIFA’s Intercontinental Playoffs for the 2027 Women’s World Cup following their victories over Nigeria and Ivory Coast, respectively. Nigeria's 2-1 loss marks the first time the Super Falcons will miss the World Cup since its inception in 1991, while Ghana's win improves their chances of qualifying for a fourth World Cup. The playoffs will feature two African teams alongside four others from Asia, Oceania, and South America, with the top two advancing to face teams from Europe, South America, and CONCACAF to determine the final three qualifiers.
Teachers in New South Wales are calling for increased scrutiny of Catholic school funding amidst allegations of misuse in political activities tied to the Liberal party, leading to a corruption inquiry by the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac). The inquiry is examining whether Catholic Schools NSW improperly funded $130,900 to lobbying firm Beckington and $135,000 to JPG Advisory, both related to factional efforts. About 80% of the funding received by Catholic Schools NSW, totaling roughly $3.8 billion in 2024, comes from state and federal governments, prompting concerns from the Independent Education Union about the oversight of such public finances.
The Pittsburgh Steelers began their preseason with a convincing 28-9 victory over the Green Bay Packers. Quarterback Drew Allar had an impressive debut, throwing two touchdown passes and rushing for one touchdown in the win. The game also featured defensive standout performances, including a sack from linebacker Jamin Davis that resulted in a 15-yard loss for the Packers.
A wildfire near the Belgian border has forced approximately 1,800 residents in the Hürtgenwald area to evacuate due to flames that approached within 400 meters of the village of Gey. In addition to the wildfire, farmers in Germany are facing dire conditions from ongoing drought and high temperatures, with expectations of below-average grain harvests and potential total crop losses in southern regions. The economic situation for farmers is challenging, given high investment costs coupled with declining market prices for agricultural products.
As Europe experiences drought, historical artifacts like hunger stones have emerged from rivers, with one notable stone in the Elbe River near Decin featuring the inscription: "If you see me, weep." These stones have recorded low water levels since at least the 16th century, with communities historically carving dates during periods of drought, including 1616, 1746, and 1842. The famous inscription was carved in 1904 by local innkeeper F. Mayer during a drought, attracting thousands of visitors and media attention, while studies indicate that inscriptions on hunger stones were meant to document significant water decreases rather than merely commemorate drought years.
Nigel Farage won the Clacton by-election with approximately 63% of the vote, while his main opponent, comedian Jon Harvey as Count Binface, garnered around 27% in his best showing from eight attempts. The election saw a voter turnout of 44%, and it was called by Farage amidst a parliamentary investigation into a £5 million gift he received, which he claims does not need to be declared. Despite his victory, Farage's political troubles remain unresolved as the investigation is expected to resume, and Reform UK's polling is declining against a resurgent Labour Party under Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
A preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found that a Ryanair flight from Greece to Germany on July 10 experienced a catastrophic engine failure when an engine fan blade broke off, resulting in the shattering of a window and a passenger, 61-year-old Ljubisa Karović, being partly sucked out. Karović, seated in 11F, was saved by other passengers who restrained him, and the flight, which had 149 passengers and four flight attendants on board, returned safely to Thessaloniki airport. The report noted that the aircraft had previously experienced four bird strikes to the right engine over the preceding year, but ultrasonic inspections of the fan blades had shown no issues prior to the incident.
Former boxer Prichard Colon has died at the age of 33, 11 years after suffering severe brain injuries from a fight against Terrel Williams in 2015, which left him in a coma for 221 days. Colon had an impressive boxing record of 16 fights, including 13 wins by knockout, before the life-altering incident, where he collapsed after alleging illegal punches during the match. His passing was announced by his father, Richard Colon, who shared the news on Facebook, stating that his son has now moved on to a better world.
Nigel Farage has regained his parliamentary seat in the Clacton by-election, receiving 22,239 votes, while his challenger Count Binface garnered 9,455 votes. Voter turnout was 44%, lower than the 59% observed in the 2024 general election. Farage's victory comes after he resigned amid allegations of financial impropriety related to a £5 million ($6.75 million) gift, which he has denied wrongdoing regarding.
Joyce Thomas, a 78-year-old British widow who has lived in Sweden for 21 years, faces deportation after losing an appeal against Sweden’s migration agency decision, which ruled that her application was made after the December 2021 cut-off date. She has expressed her distress over the situation, stating it feels like "hell" and describing the deep connections she has with her community, including 23 supporters, her husband’s grave, and her family residing in Sweden. This case has raised concerns about Sweden’s handling of the EU-UK withdrawal agreement, which is meant to protect British citizens living in EU countries, and reflects broader issues regarding the treatment of late applicants under the agreement.
Seven workers have died and three remain missing after a landslide swept into an under-construction tunnel in Uttarakhand, where 22 workers were present at the time of the incident. A multi-agency rescue operation is underway, hindered by rising water and debris due to heavy monsoon rains in the region. In a related note, a previous tunnel collapse in Uttarakhand in 2023 left 41 workers trapped for 17 days before they were rescued.
The USS George Washington aircraft carrier is en route to the Middle East to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has faced mental health and supply issues during its record-setting deployment of over 260 days. Lawmakers have expressed concerns regarding the conditions aboard the Lincoln, as it has been stationed in a highly contested environment due to ongoing military operations against Iran. The Lincoln, deployed on November 21, 2025, originally intended to return in May, has experienced shortages of essential supplies as the Navy prioritized food and hygiene items amidst combat disruptions.
Flock Safety has introduced new privacy protections following reports of at least 46 police officers in the US using its automatic license-plate readers for unauthorized tracking and harassment. The company, which operates around 120,000 cameras, has reduced the default retention period of images from 30 days to 7 days and will implement an audit feature to monitor data access and flag unusual activity. While the American Civil Liberties Union welcomed some changes, they criticized many as inadequate and merely attempts to address public relations issues rather than genuine privacy concerns.
Researchers in Munich and Stockholm found that harsh early life conditions for mice—such as inadequate nesting material—resulted in social and behavioral disadvantages in adulthood, despite no visible health issues. They discovered that the compound SAFit2, when administered during the stressful period, normalized the social standings of the treated mice by blocking FKBP51, a protein affecting cortisol receptor sensitivity, thereby reducing prolonged stress responses. While effective in preventing the long-term social impacts of early adversity in mice, the study primarily focuses on prevention rather than reversal of trauma, and further research is needed to determine its applicability to humans.
Researchers from the Max Planck Institute and the Karolinska Institutet conducted a study on mother mice, exposing them to limited nesting material to simulate early life hardship, which resulted in their offspring occupying lower social ranks throughout their lives despite appearing healthy. The compound SAFit2 was administered to the mothers during the stress period, leading to their offspring performing similarly to those with no adverse experiences, thus indicating the potential for prevention of trauma effects rather than reversal. While the study showed promise for clinical applications within the next decade, it remains untested in humans and only involved male mice, leaving questions about its efficacy in females and full trauma reversal.
A federal judge in Boston dismissed a lawsuit from the Trump administration accusing Harvard University of failing to protect Jewish students from harassment, stating that the incidents cited were "too isolated and episodic" to demonstrate a persistent civil rights violation. The lawsuit focused on events predominantly from the 2023-24 academic year and sought to recover billions in federal research grants under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Harvard President Alan M. Garber noted the university had taken steps to combat antisemitism, including forming a task force and reforming discipline policies, while the government has faced legal setbacks regarding its attempts to cut Harvard's funding.
More than 80 newly discovered artworks by Iris Murdoch, including her only known self-portrait, four surrealist landscape paintings, and three sketches of female nudes, will be displayed for the first time at the University of Chichester Library as part of the exhibition "Iris Murdoch Amongst the Artists," running until December 10. These works, hidden in a secret attic room for decades, were found by Dr. Miles Leeson, revealing Murdoch's early interest in surrealism and her complex relationships with women, as demonstrated by her life drawings and poetry dedicated to female subjects. The self-portrait, dated January 7, 1941, shows Murdoch as a reflective and deep thinker at the age of 21, encapsulating a significant period of her intellectual development during her time at Oxford.
A Nevada judge has dismissed the case against six Republican electors accused of submitting a false certificate declaring Donald Trump the winner of the 2020 presidential election. The judge ruled there was insufficient evidence of intent to deceive, noting the electors publicly stated their actions were an act of "political theater" and not meant to mislead government officials, despite Biden winning the state by over 30,000 votes. This dismissal follows similar actions taken against fake elector cases in Arizona, Michigan, and Georgia, with the Nevada Attorney General's office planning to appeal the ruling.
North Korea has condemned the upcoming US-South Korea military drills, named "Ulchi Freedom Shield," set to commence on August 17 and run until August 27, claiming they heighten tensions on the Korean Peninsula. These drills will involve 18,000 South Korean soldiers and the 28,500-strong US military contingent in South Korea, focusing on modern warfare tactics to address North Korea's evolving threats, with Colonel Ryan Donald noting that North Korean deployments to fight for Russia have altered the threat landscape. In response, North Korea intends to enhance its nuclear deterrence, accusing the US of escalating nuclear tensions and recently launching a ballistic missile towards the sea off its eastern coast.
Russia has experienced substantial military losses, with 1,470 troops, 2 tanks, 46 artillery units, and 11 armored vehicles reportedly destroyed, along with 439 aircraft and 35 ships. Ust-Luga, Russia's largest Baltic Sea oil port, faced significant disruption after 54 Ukrainian drones targeted it, impacting the country's oil and fuel exports. Meanwhile, a Kyiv rally demanded the release of women held in Russian captivity, coinciding with the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict.
In the Palestinian Christian town of Taybeh, residents, especially Sandra and Roland Basir, are living in fear due to escalating settler violence, with Roland's stone quarry business suffering repeated attacks, including a mass incursion by 30 to 40 settlers and equipment destruction. Over the past three years, settlers have chased workers away at gunpoint, leading Roland to abandon his $5 million investment that once employed 40 locals. The once-safe town, identified with biblical significance, is now plagued by relentless assaults that have transformed the lives of its residents, including their children, who live in constant fear of violence.
Nigel Farage won the Clacton byelection, securing 22,239 votes (63.34%) against his nearest competitor, Count Binface, who received 9,455 votes (26.93%) in a race that featured a record 34 candidates. Voter turnout was 44%, and Farage's victory comes amid a deepening scandal regarding a £5m gift he received, which has triggered a formal investigation by the parliamentary standards watchdog. Despite his win, Farage did not attend the count due to alleged security concerns and opted to participate in a local event instead.
Record rainfall in Japan's Chiba prefecture has resulted in at least four fatalities and left thousands stranded during the busy Bon Buddhist holiday week, with areas receiving over 360mm of rain within 24 hours. Over 22,000 households lost power, 230,000 residents were advised to seek shelter, and approximately 4,000 individuals were evacuated from a train station due to flooding. While the Japan Meteorological Agency downgraded its severe rain warnings as conditions improved temporarily, further rainfall is anticipated later in the day.