Harp

The president’s substantial holiday gifts to four White House aides were made public via financial disclosures released by the administration Donald Trump gave sizable holiday gifts to four White House aides, according to new financial disclosures released by the administration, including $45,000 to executive assistant Natalie Harp.Communications adviser Margo Martin and deputy director of Oval Office operations Chamberlain Harris also received $45,000, while director of Oval Office operations Walt Nauta received a $20,000 gift. Continue reading...

• The Japanese yen has rallied sharply against the US dollar as financial markets increase their expectations for a Bank of Japan (BoJ) interest rate hike. • Market pricing now indicates that a rate increase this month is nearly fully anticipated by investors. • This shift reflects a growing belief that the BoJ will pivot away from its ultra-loose monetary policy to combat inflation or stabilize the currency.

• Wall Street ended the trading session sharply higher, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average gaining 624.16 points, or 1.18 per cent, to close at 53,686.11. • The market rally was primarily driven by remarks from Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller, which helped alleviate investor fears regarding potential interest rate hikes. • This surge reflects a shift in market sentiment as investors react positively to signals that the central bank may maintain a more accommodative monetary policy.

Claim relating to infamous apartheid-era shooting of protesters part of wave of litigation for apartheid-era crimesThe day dawned brightly on 21 March 1960, as residents of the South African township of Sharpeville gathered to protest against pass laws, which forced “Black, Indian and Coloured” South Africans to carry documents at all times specifying where they were allowed to be.Abraham Mofokeng joined the march, one of dozens organised nationwide by the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC), a breakaway group from the African National Congress. “The weather was very nice, the sun was out. You could not have suspected that the day would go so horribly,” said Mofokeng, who was then a 20-year-old factory worker. Continue reading...

• A recent Annenberg survey reveals a significant trust gap in U.S. healthcare, with 87% of Americans trusting their own doctors while confidence in the CDC, FDA, and NIH has dropped sharply. • This trend persists across various public health scenarios, including drug safety communications, food product recalls, and outbreak advisories. • The disparity highlights a shift where citizens prefer personalized medical guidance over federal announcements, as clinicians can translate general agency data into specific family health decisions.

• Indian stock markets experienced a sharp decline today, with the Sensex dropping nearly 700 points and the Nifty plummeting 200 points within the opening minute of trade. • The market volatility is driven by an escalation in the conflict between Iran and the United States, which has caused Brent crude oil prices to skyrocket. • This downturn highlights the sensitivity of Indian equities to geopolitical instability and rising energy costs, which can fuel inflation and impact corporate margins.

Andy Burnham says ‘hundreds’ of people will remain in prison as part of changes to scheme designed to ease overcrowdingPC Andrew Harper’s killers will be excluded from the early release scheme after the prime minister said anyone convicted of unlawful killing would be exempt.Andy Burnham said “hundreds” of people will remain in prison as part of changes to the scheme designed to ease overcrowding in prisons. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Number of times AI lies, ignores instructions and pursues goals in harmful ways almost doubles in JulyIncidents of AIs escaping users’ control to lie, ignore instructions and pursue goals in harmful ways have hit a new high, according to research that also suggests the severity of deception and misalignment is worsening.Analysis of real-world loss of control incidents involving AI models flagged by businesses and individuals almost doubled in July compared with June, with more than 300 cases in the month, according to the Loss of Control Observatory, which monitors reports made by AI users on the social media platform X. Continue reading...

• Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh used the Jackson Hole symposium to clarify his stance on inflation and signal the potential for higher interest rates. • Warsh addressed recent critiques regarding his core mission, specifically countering interpretations that he intended to change the Fed's long-term 2% inflation target. • This clarification follows a confusing July news conference that left markets uncertain about the central bank's approach to elevated inflation.

• Moody's Analytics reported on Tuesday that the artificial intelligence boom is helping the Asia-Pacific region avoid a more severe economic slowdown. • Developed Asian economies are bucking the general trend, with Taiwan and South Korea expected to see accelerated growth driven by AI. • This shift is significant as it highlights how AI infrastructure and technology investments are offsetting broader regional economic headwinds.

Devoted Trump aide flooded her now-disabled profile urging people to ‘never concede’ on 6 January 2021The Donald Trump aide Natalie Harp flooded a since-disabled social media account with pro-Trump posts on the day that the president’s supporters attacked the US Capitol in early 2021, years before she went to work for him and developed an extraordinary close relationship with him, a new report has revealed.CNN on Saturday reported that a deactivated account which Harp had on what is now known as X was packed with fiercely pro-Trump messages on the day of the January 6 Capitol attack in Washington DC, including posts repeating his lies that the 2020 election, which he lost to Joe Biden toward the end of his first presidency, had been stolen from by fraudsters. Continue reading...

• The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.68% on Friday, recovering from a sharp sell-off on Thursday triggered by rising Treasury yields and disappointing Walmart results. • Investors remain cautious as fluctuating oil prices and the Federal Reserve's interest rate outlook continue to impact market volatility. • Market participants are now focusing on upcoming PCE inflation data and Kevin Warsh’s Jackson Hole speech for clues regarding future monetary policy.

• South Korea's KOSPI index surged 5.89%, reversing previous losses and boosting investor confidence. • The rally was primarily driven by SK Hynix's announcement of a massive $28.69 billion share buyback plan. • Additional support for the market came from easing U.S. Treasury yields, which helped spark a sharp rebound in chip-related stocks.

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...

• Sunny Deol's film "Batwara 1947" experienced a sharp increase in box office collections on its second day of release, August 15, 2026. • The movie is currently performing strongly and is aiming to reach a significant revenue milestone of ₹30 crore. • This surge in earnings highlights the film's initial commercial success and strong audience draw during its opening weekend.

ABS data shows an almost 9% slump in new lending to investors after three interest rate hikes this yearFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastIn what one economist is describing as a “tiny step” toward a fairer housing market after decades of bad policy, property investors are shying away from established homes, and putting money into new builds instead, new data shows.New lending to property investors fell sharply in the three months to June, slumping almost 9%, ABS data showed, while the number of total new home loans dropped by 5.4% in the June quarter. Continue reading...

• An international research team using the U.S. National Science Foundation's Inouye Solar Telescope has captured the highest-resolution image of the sun's surface to date. • The new imagery provides an unprecedentedly sharp view of the star, revealing surprising and previously unseen details about its surface structure. • This achievement matters as it allows scientists to study solar phenomena with greater precision, potentially improving our understanding of solar activity and its impact on Earth.

• Singapore has significantly raised its annual GDP growth forecast for 2026 to a range of 4.5% to 5.5%. • This new projection is more than double the low end of the previous estimate, which was set between 2% and 4%. • The sharp upward revision is attributed to an economic boost driven by advancements and integration of AI-related technologies.

Andy Burnham said to be ‘determined’ to work out solution after increasing pressure from family and policeAndy Burnham has told the justice secretary to find a way to exclude PC Andrew Harper’s killers from the early release scheme aimed at easing prison overcrowding.The prime minister is said to be “determined” that a solution can be found after increasing pressure from Harper’s family and police not to allow Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, who were sentenced to 13 years for manslaughter, to be freed in January under the existing plans. Continue reading...

Manslaughter exemption would mean more releases would be needed within 18 months, Prison Service officials sayWhat could Andy Burnham do to block early release of PC Andrew Harper’s killers?Andy Burnham has been warned that changing the terms of the prisoners’ early release scheme so PC Andrew Harper’s killers are kept behind bars would force another spate of early releases before the next general election.Prison Service officials have told No 10 that adding an exemption so that those convicted of manslaughter, such as Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, remain in jail would mean further early releases would be needed within 18 months. Continue reading...

• Canada has intensified its deportation efforts, resulting in the removal of 3,323 Indian nationals so far in 2026. • This surge is part of a broader upward trend in deportations that has been accelerating since 2021. • The drive highlights a tightening of Canadian immigration policies and a more aggressive approach to enforcing visa and residency regulations.

• Saudi Arabia has issued a warning regarding imminent, coordinated attacks from Iraqi militias, Iran-backed Houthis, and the IRGC. • The anticipated strikes are expected to originate from the north, south, and east, specifically targeting civilian, economic, and energy infrastructure. • This escalation has put the Gulf region on edge and is influencing Asian trading markets on Friday, August 7, 2026.

Thames Valley chief says he may join Police Federation in court if Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers are freed from prisonThe chief constable of Thames Valley police has said he will consider joining legal action against the government if it fails to block the early release of two of PC Andrew Harper’s killers.The Police Federation is contemplating going to court in its attempts to keep Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers in prison. Continue reading...

Jake Richard acknowledges ‘unimaginable pain’ of Harper’s family but says government faces an ‘unenviable position’Good morning and welcome to the UK politics blog.Ministers continue to defend the release of PC Andrew Harper’s killers as part of the government’s early prisoner release scheme, despite a potential legal challenge from the Police Federation.Well, look, we understand that people are angry. The Harper family are, of course, angry. The police are angry too.We’re angry that we’re in this situation where we face the unenviable position of having to make sure that we have a sustainable prison system, which is so vital to a functioning law and order system in our country, but also that we do right by victims as far as possible.Because without a functioning prison system, it means it’s difficult for police to make arrests, it’s difficult for our courts to try cases, and it could mean to the collapse of law and order in this country.We cannot be in that situation, so that is the challenge that we face as government ministers and the prime minister faces ultimately.I feel sick to my stomach, if I’m really honest with you. I’ve had a gut wrenching feeling in my stomach the past couple of weeks with this, and it doesn’t go away.And arguably, I would say that many of my members across Thames Valley also have this gut wrenching feeling, even at the prospect of these two killers being released in the space of weeks, potentially.Ministers will scrap the requirement for companies to prove their green and progressive values before they are awarded government contracts, and instead ask firms to prove they will help young people back into work.Women should not feel pressurised into experiencing an “ideal birth”, the new health secretary, Yvette Cooper, has said, promising a root-and-branch reform of standards after several damning maternity scandals.An official investigation has been launched into charities in England and Wales donating funds to illegal Israeli settlements in Palestine.Andy Burnham has inherited a Labour membership that is sceptical about increased welfare spending, supportive of higher defence spending, and ranks the climate crisis as one of the country’s biggest challenges, according to new polling.BP’s chief executive has urged Andy Burnham to make use of the UK’s oil and gas resources even as the oil company prepares to sell its North Sea business after 60 years in the ageing basin.The Conservative party leader, Kemi Badenoch, has defended the selection of a former neo-Nazi activist as a candidate for a local election in Somerset despite him being jailed in 2016 after he was convicted of racially aggravated harassment of the former Labour MP Luciana Berger.Pupils in Scotland’s schools received their exam results this morning, with exam pass rates at all levels having risen this year, including a record number of National 5 passes. Continue reading...

• Major U.S. stock indices closed sharply higher on Monday, with the Nasdaq 100 rising 1.78%, the S&P 500 gaining 1.48%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average increasing 1.32%. • The market rally was primarily driven by easing tensions in the Middle East and positive movement in September E-mini futures. • In corporate news, Supernus Pharmaceuticals (SUPN) saw its stock climb over 3% following the announcement of a tax-free all-stock merger of equals with Indivior Pharmaceuticals.

Government revises plans to tackle prison overcrowding amid pressure from MPs and victims but domestic abusers and killers could still be released earlyGood morning and welcome to our live coverage of UK politics. The mother of PC Andrew Harper said her family are “bitterly disappointed” that her son’s killers remain eligible for early release after the government revised plans to tackle the overcrowding crisis in prisons.Following pressure from victims, MPs and frontline prison officers, rapists, child sexual abusers and groomers will be excluded from the scheme for England and Wales, the government said on Monday.It feels like we’re letting Andrew down again. We’ve been through the justice system, we thought we’d done as best as we could. Now we’re standing up to fight again … so I just feel really let down, for Andrew’s sake as well as ours. Continue reading...

• Researchers have detected a sharp acceleration in global warming, noting that the planet is now heating up faster than in previous decades. • After accounting for solar cycles, volcanic eruptions, and El Niño, data shows warming has increased to roughly 0.35°C per decade over the last ten years. • This represents a significant jump from the warming rate of just under 0.2°C per decade recorded between 1970 and 2015.

• South Korea's KOSPI surged over 16% on Friday, hitting a record high and rebounding sharply after three days of declines. • The rally was driven by significant gains of over 25% for SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics, bolstered by SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won increasing his shareholdings in SK Hynix. • Market momentum was further accelerated by the South Korean government's announcement of a new 20 trillion won investment initiative focused on AI.