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Ex-White House ethics tsar calls it ‘shocking’ that executive assistant to US president didn’t have clearance for a yearUS politics live – latest updatesThe White House faced fresh questions on Thursday over whether Donald Trump’s closest aide, Natalie Harp, had access to US government secrets without security clearance.Harp, who is executive assistant to the US president, worked at the White House for a year without the routine clearance, the MS Now network reported on Thursday. She refused to file the relevant forms for unknown reasons, according to two unnamed sources cited by MS Now. Continue reading...

Pesidential deputy chief of staff Iryna Mudra dismissed day after former defence minister called for wartime electionUkraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has fired a senior aide amid a fresh corruption investigation – one day after a former defence minister warned the country was facing “a crisis of governance” and needed to hold a wartime presidential election.Iryna Mudra, a presidential deputy chief of staff, was dismissed by decree after multiple reports in Ukrainian media that her house was being searched by officials investigating an alleged money-laundering scheme. Continue reading...

Coffee chain faced backlash over marketing promotion tied to anniversary of Gwangju massacreSouth Korean police have raided the headquarters of Starbucks Korea as part of an investigation into a marketing campaign accused of trivialising the country’s 1980s pro-democracy movement.Investigators searched the building in southern Seoul on Tuesday, police said on Wednesday. No further details were released, although South Korean media reported that officers also searched the homes of the Starbucks Korea executives. Continue reading...

• India's Tanvi Sharma secured her first BWF World Tour title by winning the women's singles event at the Taipei Open 2026. • Sharma dominated the tournament, dropping only one game throughout the week and defeating Olympian Nguyễn Thùy Linh in straight games in the final. • The victory highlights Sharma's rising form and composure as she prepares for the upcoming 2026 Asian Games.

Ruby Rippey writes in Vanity Fair of relationship with then San Francisco mayor and appears to contradict his accountA former aide to Gavin Newsom has publicly shared for the first time her full account of their affair, which took place more than two decades ago when Newsom was mayor of San Francisco.In a new essay published in Vanity Fair on Tuesday, Ruby Rippey writes about her struggles with alcoholism, substance abuse and her relationship with Newsom while she worked as his appointments secretary and was married to his deputy chief of staff and later the manager of the mayor’s re-election campaign. Continue reading...

Torbitt admits to two counts of fraud by false representation in relation to his parliamentary expensesA GB News pundit has admitted fraud in relation to his parliamentary expenses when he was a Labour aide.Matthew Torbitt, a prominent political commentator who once described himself as “Britain’s favourite lefty”, pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud by false representation at a hearing at Thames magistrates court on Monday. Continue reading...

Digital billboards from environmental groups, targeting Labor MPs attending national conference, cancelled with airport stating they are ‘too political’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastConservation groups have questioned why their advertisements targeting Labor politicians were pulled by Adelaide airport for breaking rules on political advertising while others promoting gas and mining kept running.Labor politicians including the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, have been arriving through the airport for this weekend’s ALP national conference. Continue reading...

• PV Sindhu won her first Japan Open title in Tokyo by defeating World No. 3 Akane Yamaguchi in straight games. • The victory marks Sindhu's first Super 750 crown and ends a 19-month drought without a BWF World Tour title. • This win is significant as it restores the Indian star's form and provides critical momentum heading into the BWF World Championships.

Officials set up traps and electric fences after 14 break-ins recored in one town in two weeks, amid fears of a repeat offenderAuthorities are searching for a bear that sneaked into the home of an elderly couple and raided their fridge amid concerns it may be behind 14 break-ins across a Japanese town in the past fortnight.On Monday evening, Mitsuo Matsubara, 87, was confronted by a large Asiatic black bear when he went to investigate a noise in his kitchen. His fridge was open, and food was strewn across the floor. His wife called the police. Continue reading...

• President Trump's loyalist Pulte has selected Norton for a top spy aide position, sparking fears among Democrats and former intelligence officials regarding potential election interference. • Critics, including Rep. Jamie Raskin, argue the appointment prioritizes absolute political loyalty over professional intelligence experience, noting Pulte's history of referring political rivals for prosecution. • The move is seen as a potential effort to use the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to make false fraud claims and tamper with upcoming midterm elections.

Downing Street figures plan to convince Burnham to revive ‘war bonds’ when he becomes prime ministerDowning Street aides are planning to lobby Andy Burnham during access talks to revive the idea of “war bonds” to pay for higher defence spending when he becomes prime minister, the Guardian understands.Senior No 10 figures want the Treasury to be allowed to borrow more for military spending and will try to convince Burnham to invest beyond the £13.5bn earmarked for the long-awaited Defence Investment Plan (Dip). Continue reading...

• White House deputy assistant for domestic policy Heidi Overton is reportedly among the final candidates being considered to lead the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). • Overton is a medical doctor who holds a doctorate in clinical investigation from Johns Hopkins University, bringing significant medical and policy expertise to the role. • This potential appointment is critical as the FDA head oversees the safety and efficacy of pharmaceuticals and food products across the United States.

The originating member of the band with hits like If You Leave Me Now and Hard to Say I’m Sorry died after a battle with Alzheimer’s diseaseWalter Parazaider, a co-founding member of the rock band Chicago, has died at the age of 81 following a battle with Alzheimer’s disease.His daughter confirmed the news in a Facebook post on Wednesday morning. Continue reading...

Prime minister is ‘hellbent’ on fighting any contest - including sacking ministers who support BurnhamUK politics live – latest updatesKeir Starmer’s closest aides are “war-gaming” how to win a leadership contest ahead of Andy Burnham’s much-anticipated return to Westminster if he wins the Makerfield byelection, the Guardian understands.Downing Street sources said the prime minister had taken the last fortnight to think seriously about his future but was now “hellbent” on fighting any contest. His team is working through various scenarios, including sacking ministers who publicly supported Burnham. Continue reading...

• Singaporean shuttler Loh Kean Yew defeated Japan's Watanabe to advance to his first-ever Singapore Badminton Open final. • This marks a significant personal milestone for Loh, whose previous best performance at his home tournament was a quarter-final appearance in 2022. • The victory is a major achievement for the local athlete, as he has never reached the final of this specific event before.

• Former world No. 1 badminton pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty won their first-ever Singapore Open title on Sunday. • The duo secured the championship through a thrilling comeback victory, ending a two-year drought without a title. • This win is significant as it marks a return to form for the pair and adds a prestigious tournament to their career achievements.

• Former world No. 1 pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty won their first Singapore Open title on Sunday, May 31. • The Indian duo secured the victory in the BWF Super 750 tournament by defeating Indonesia's Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri. • The win is significant as the pair overcame an initial game deficit to end their recent title drought.

• Adelaide United beat Adelaide Olympic 1-0 at VALO Football Centre to move into the last eight of the national cup. • Football Australia said the win was the club’s fourth straight quarter-final appearance, extending its record in the competition. • The milestone matters because cup runs can shape club momentum, revenue and qualification pathways in Australian football.

Jordan Derrick charged in connection with deadly attack in the French Quarter on New Year’s Day 2025US politics live – latest updatesFederal authorities have filed charges against a Missouri man accused of publishing online tutorials on how to manufacture explosives that the terrorist who carried out the deadly attack in New Orleans’ historic French Quarter on New Year’s Day 2025 used as a blueprint to make his own improvised bombs.R Matthew Price, a US attorney, announced Tuesday that 40-year-old Jordan Derrick, of the Missouri city of Sweet Springs, had been charged with one count each of engaging in the business of manufacturing explosive materials without a license, unlawful possession of an unregistered destructive device, and illicitly distributing information relating to manufacturing explosives. Continue reading...

• The U.S. Senate approved a measure prohibiting members of Congress and their staff from placing bets on prediction markets, announced on May 8, 2026. • Chief congressional correspondent Chad Pergram reported the action from Capitol Hill, targeting political gambling amid rising concerns over insider trading. • The ban addresses ethical issues in financial markets forecasting political outcomes, responding to recent scandals involving lawmakers' wagers.

Turmoil and violence rocks state since prime minister Narendra Modi’s party claimed victory in legislative electionTensions have been high in the Indian state of West Bengal after a top political aide from Narendra Modi’s party was shot dead in the street and hundreds were arrested as violence broke out following elections this week.The prime minister’s Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) claimed victory in the West Bengal elections on Monday, defeating Trinamool Congress (TMC), which had ruled over the state legislature for 15 years. Continue reading...

• India clinched their first-ever ICC Women's ODI World Cup title on Sunday in Navi Mumbai, defeating South Africa by 52 runs after posting 299 runs. • Shafali Verma starred with 87 runs off 78 balls and took 2 wickets, while Deepti Sharma claimed a five-wicket haul to bowl out South Africa for 246 in 45.3 overs. • The historic victory marks a milestone for Indian women's cricket, boosting its global profile amid growing investments in the sport.

About 500 officers deployed as part of operation at headquarters of Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light Police have raided the headquarters of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light following an investigation into allegations of serious sexual offences, modern slavery and forced marriage.About 500 officers drawn from across the north-west region were on the ground on Wednesday morning. The officers had warrants to enter the group’s headquarters, which is based out of a former orphanage as well as other properties in Crewe, Cheshire. Continue reading...

Ex-NIAID employee David Morens accused of trying to shield correspondence related to outbreak of pandemicAn ex-adviser to former top public US health official Anthony Fauci has been indicted by Trump administration prosecutors on accusations that he illicitly concealed federal records during the Covid pandemic.The justice department on Tuesday announced charges against David Morens, 78, of Chester, Maryland, amid a sharply divisive debate over the origins of the coronavirus, which has become particularly politicized during Donald Trump’s two presidencies. Competing theories – including a natural spillover versus a potential lab leak – have fueled partisan clashes, with splits along ideological lines. Continue reading...

Briefings obtained by freedom of information warned a ‘cascade of withdrawals’ could lead to collapse of 2026 South Australian festivalGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAdelaide writers’ week was sacrificed to save the 2026 Adelaide festival, an event that ploughs more than $60m into South Australia’s economy each year, documents show.After the 8 January announcement by the Adelaide festival board that controversial Palestinian Australian academic Randa Abdel-Fattah had been dumped from the AWW program, it wasn’t just fellow Australian and international guest writers and academics who began pulling out in droves. Continue reading...

Rosemarie Milsom, who formed and runs Newcastle writers festival, will take over from Louise Adler after the literary festival imploded over invitation to Randa Abdel-FattahIn January, as the implosion of Adelaide writers’ week made headlines around Australia and the world, Rosemarie Milsom was watching closely.The Adelaide festival board, which oversees AWW, had overridden the literary festival’s director, Louise Adler, and disinvited the Palestinian-Australian author Randa Abdel-Fattah over past comments she’d made about Israel and Zionism. This decision resulted not in a quieter, less-controversial festival as the board members may have hoped, but a boycott by 200-odd writers, the resignation of Adler – followed by the whole board – a potential defamation lawsuit against the South Australian premier and the collapse of AWW. Continue reading...

Discussions reportedly come after Trump’s decision to stop initiative that allowed group to apply to resettle in the USThe Trump administration is in discussions to potentially send up to 1,100 Afghans who helped US forces during the war in Afghanistan to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a non-profit confirmed on Tuesday.The resettlement talks, first reported by the New York Times, come after Donald Trump’s decision to stop an initiative that allowed Afghans who assisted US war efforts to apply to resettle in the US. Continue reading...

• Iran shot down a US F-15E fighter jet over Iranian territory, representing a major battlefield setback in escalating tensions. • President Trump reacted with hours of intense exchanges with aides, reported by The Wall Street Journal as a full meltdown. • The incident underscores growing military confrontations amid collapsing ceasefire and stalled US-Iran diplomacy.